USA > Michigan > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Michigan : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests Volume II > Part 42
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
ROBERT G. VIVIAN, of Frenchtown township, Monroe county, Michi- gan, is a good example of the new type of farmers that is growing up in this country. A progressive, live man, alert to every opportunity for advancement, quick to seize upon every labor-saving device, he repre- sents the spirit in the modern rural community that sees no reason why it, despite its comparative isolation, should not have all the comforts and conveniences of the large city. Mr. Vivian's house is thoroughly modern and is fitted up in a way to comply with every desire which the complexities of the twentieth century civilization has suggested to its generation.
Mr. Vivian was born in Frenchtown township February 26, 1879, the only child of his parents, Abel and Margaret (Cannon) Vivian. He was born in Dorsetshire, England, December 29, 1829, the son of William and Mary (Gale) Vivian, and she on the Isle of Man, March 20, 1848, the daughter of John and Catharine Cannon. They were mar- ried at Toledo May 26, 1877. Their deaths occurred within seven years of each other, his on December 27, 1892, and hers on May 21, 1900. Rob- ert G. was raised on the farm, and after going through the district schools was sent to the Monroe high school and later to the Cleary Busi- ness College at Ypsilanti, Michigan. Immediately afterwards he started farming. His marriage with Rosalia C. Vroman took place February 27, 1902, and they have had no children. Mrs. Vivian was born in Willoughby, Lake county, Ohio, March 1, 1866, the daughter of Martin and Emma J. (Stevens) Vroman. Her father, who was born in Otsego county, New York, March 17, 1819, died March 25, 1895, but her mother, who was born in Willoughby, Ohio, September 30, 1844, is still living. Mrs. Vivian was a member of the graduating class of 1885 of the Monroe high school, and later took a two years' course at the State Normal College at Ypsilanti, Michigan. She then took up the profession of teaching, serving in that capacity for three years at Newport. She made an excellent record in her work and if she had not married but had continued in her work she would probably have risen to a position of great prominence among the teaching fraternity.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Vivian are members of the Frenchtown Grange No. 749, of which Mr. Vivian is treasurer. On their farm, known as Stony Creek Stock Farm and lying five miles north of Monroe, they breed reg- istered Duroc Jersey hogs, and registered Holstein cattle. Mr. Vivian is a Republican, but he has never taken any active part in local affairs, although he was one of the census enumerators in 1910.
ORRIN J. LEONARD has spent most of his life in filling public offices whose duties he has carried out honorably and efficiently. Conscien- tious and painstaking, he has never shirked his work. For two years he has been school inspector, and supervisor for eight years at one time, and for three years at another. He also held the office of county clerk for one term of four years. Besides these functions as a public official Mr. Leonard taught school in Monroe county for eighteen terms, and was also in the grocery business in Monroe for two years. He is now a general farmer owning one hundred and forty acres of land in La Salle and Monroe townships, four miles south of Monroe. Mr. Leonard is
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a member of the' La Salle Grange and of the I. O. O. F. No. 19 of Mon- roe. He belongs to the Democratic party.
Mr. Leonard's grandfather, Jacob Leonard, came to Monroe county, Michigan, from New York as a pioneer. His son, Orrin A., was born in this county on the River Raisin, and upon his marriage with Mary J. Day, a native of Ohio, became the father of four boys and one girl, of whom four are now living, Orrin J., William, Nelson, and Elenora, the wife of James M. Bentley. Orrin J. was born on the farm adjacent to the one he now lives on, December 5, 1851, and received his education in the district schools, finishing the common branches in the Princeton, Illinois, high school. In April, 1872, he was married to Caroline Char- ter, who was born in La Salle township, December 4, 1851, and received her education in the common schools, and they became the parents of three sons, Henry E., who married Amber Middaugh of Detroit, Kinsely E., who has remained a bachelor and helps his father on the farm, and Miles D., who married Mayme Knab of La Salle township.
DANIEL J. LAUDENSLAGER, a farmer of La Salle township, Monroe county, Michigan, is held in high esteem by all who know him. Every- thing he has attempted he has always done thoroughly and conscien- tiously, and has never shirked a duty either public or private. Con- servative rather than radical in his attitudes and outlook on life, he is a solid and responsible citizen whom no one would hesitate to trust.
Born in Sandusky county, Ohio, March 7, 1852, Mr. Laudenslager was the son of Daniel and Margaret (Augustine) Laudenslager, the one a native of Pennsylvania, and the other of Ohio. They came to Monroe county in 1863 and settled on the farm where their son now lives. Be- sides Daniel J. they had three other children, two of whom are still liv- ing, Charles W. and Richard. Daniel J. was about eleven years old when his parents moved to La Salle township, and he immediately started in the district schools there, studying in winter, and working on the farm in summer. He helped his father until he was twenty years old and then started farming on his own account. February 19, 1878, he was married to Sue Rauch, who was born in La Salle township, January 20, 1854, the daughter of Peter and Lydia (Pomeroy ) Rauch, who like Mr. Laudenslager's parents, were natives, the one of Pennsyl- vania and the other of Ohio. Miss Rauch had received a fair common school education. They became the parents of three children, Maude L., now the wife of George Scheurer of Erie township, Dan A., who mar- ried Iva Wilson of La Salle township, and Bessie M., the wife of Frank Quackenbush of Toledo, Ohio. Besides their own offspring Mr. and Mrs. Laudenslager have raised and educated two other children.
Mr. and Mrs. Laudenslager are both of them prominent members of the La Salle Presbyterian church. He is one of the elders, and she has served as president of the Ladies' Aid Society to which she still belongs. They also hold membership in the La Salle Grange. Mr. Laudenslager is a Republican in politics and has always had an active interest in the affairs of the party although he has never sought office. His farm in section 29 of La Salle township consists of 112 acres.
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JACOB J. STRIMBELL of Frenchtown township, Monroe county, Michi- gan, is a man whose honesty and integrity are so well known that the people have repeatedly shown their confidence in him, twice by electing him treasurer of the township, and four times by electing him super- visor, a position which he is still holding. A descendant of the old German stock, the virtues of the old country and the progressiveness and alertness of the new have mingled in him to form a typical Amer- ican. Besides his duties as a supervisor he is secretary of the French- town township Grange, and also with his sympathies with the Democratic party, takes an interest in local politics. He owns seventy-five acres on claim 98 in Frenchtown township.
Mr. Strimbell was born January 22, 1873, in the northwest corner of Steiner village, Frenchtown township, the son of Joseph and Eve (Snellinger) Strimbell. Mr. Strimbell, Sr., was a native of Prussia but came to this country when he was only three years old. He first lived in Huron county, Ohio, but after his marriage, which took place when he was thirty-one years old, he moved to Michigan and settled in French- town township, remaining there until his death, July 5, 1907. His wife, who was a native of Ohio, is still living on the old homestead. They were the parents of twelve children, six of whom are still living, Jacob J .; Michael J., who with his wife, who was Carrie Beatty, lives in Windsor, Canada; Catherine, the wife of August Discher, of Ash township; Frank J., now a resident, with his wife, who was Hattie Jondro, of Monroe, Michigan; Lucy, a teacher in the district schools of Frenchtown township; Charles, who is unmarried and is still farming on the old homestead.
Jacob J. Strimbell remained on his father's farm until he was thirty- one, attending the district school first, and at the age of sixteen entering the Monroe high school where he remained almost long enough to com- plete the course. After he finished his education he helped his father on the farm. His marriage to Anna Meyer, the daughter of Leopold and Margaret (Neno) Meyer, took place January 26, 1904. Mr. Meyer was a native of Baden, Germany, and his wife of Buffalo, New York. They are both still living in Ash township. Anna Meyer was born in Ash township December 21, 1874, and was educated by the Roman Catholic church. They have had no children. Both Mr. and Mrs. Strimbell are members of the St. Michael's Catholic church of Monroe, and Mrs. Strimbell is also a member of the Frenchtown Grange of which her husband is secretary.
JOE C. STERLING. The able and popular manager of the Monroe Water Company has been identified with public-utility service in his native city for more than thirty years and none has a more secure place in popular confidence and esteem. In addition to the office noted he has been secretary of the Monroe Gas Company for more than a quarter of a century, and further interest attaches to his career by reason of the fact that he is a representative of one of the best known and most highly honored pioneer families of this county, as will be seen by reference to the memoir dedicated to his father, the late Joseph M. Sterling, on other pages of this work.
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Joe Cole Sterling was born in the city of Monroe of the 27th of August, 1851, and after completing the curriculum of the public schools, including that of the high school, he took a course in the celebrated old Mayhew Business College, in the city of Detroit. Soon afterward he became secretary of the Monroe Gas Company, of which his honored father was president and one of the organizers, and with this company he has been continuously identified in an administrative capacity during the long intervening period of more than thirty years. In 1889 the Monroe Water Company was organized and at the time of its incor- poration Mr. Sterling was made its general manager. This position he has since retained, and he has done much to further the success of the enterprise, which represents one of the most important of the public utilities of his native city. The plant and service of the company are of the best modern order and operations are based on a capital stock of $150,000. In 1903 Mr. Sterling became one of the organizers of the Monroe Butter and Cheese Company, which now represents one of the important and prosperous industrial enterprises of Monroe county, with plants in Monroe, La Salle and Stony Creek. Like his honored father, Mr. Sterling has been influential in the affairs of the Michigan Agricultural Society, of which he was secretary and manager for eleven years, during which the organization' maintained high standing and exercised much influence in the promotion and exploitation of the agri- cultural and live-stock industries in Michigan. In politics Mr. Sterling is unswerving in his allegiance to the cause of the Democratic party, but he has never manifested any desire for the honors or emoluments of political office. He is well known in southern Michigan and in the county which has ever been his home it may consistently be said that his circle of friends is coextensive with that of his acquaintances. He still remains on the roster of eligible bachelors.
JESSE H. Roor. The present efficient and popular prosecuting attorney of Monroe county is a scion of the Root family in this county, where his paternal grandparents, Elisha B. and Eliza (Stuart) Root, established their home in the early pioneer days. They came to Michi- gan from their native state of Vermont and continued to reside in Monroe county until their death, the grandfather having here devoted the major part of his active career to the lumber business and con- ducting a sash and door factory and sawmill. That the subject of this review has secure place in the confidence and esteem of the people of his native county is assured by his incumbency of his present important office, and further it should be noted that he is one of the representative younger members of the bar of the county.
Jesse Hart Root was born in the city of Monroe, on the 30th of Octo- ber, 1881, and is a son of Jason P. and Phoebe L. (Hart) Root. The father was born in Monroe and the mother in the state of Iowa. Jason P. Root has been for forty years engaged in the lumber business in Monroe. He is one of the representative business men of his native county and is a citizen whose influence has been potent in connection with the civic and material development and progress of the city that has ever been his home. The present prosecuting attorney of Monroe
GEORGE C. KIRSCHNER
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county is indebted to the public schools of his native city for his early educational discipline, which included the curriculum of the high school. In preparation for the work of his chosen profession he entered the law department of the University of Michigan, in which staunch old institution he completed the prescribed curriculum and was graduated as a member of the class of 1902, the degree of Bachelor of Laws having been conferred upon him on the 22d of June of that year. He was forthwith admitted to the bar of his native state, but prior to engaging in active practice he served as committee clerk in the state legislature, at Lansing, during the sessions of 1903, an incumbency which he also retained during the session of 1905.
In July, 1905, Mr. Root opened an office in Monroe and set himself vigorously to the work of proving that in his professional endeavors there should be no application of the aphorism that "a prophet is not without honor save in his own country." Earnest in application, am- bitious and determined, he brought his powers to bear in an effective way and soon demonstrated that he had made a wise choice of vocation. He has gained prestige as a resourceful and versatile trial lawyer and well fortified counselor, and he has materially heightened his professional reputation through his forceful and effective services in the office of prosecuting attorney, to which he was first elected in the autumn of 1908. The estimate placed upon his labors in this capacity was shown in his being chosen as his own successor in the election of 1910, and his present term will expire on the 1st of January, 1913. In the autumn of 1904 Mr. Root was elected circuit court commissioner of Monroe county, and he served in this capacity for two years, after which, in September, 1906, he was appointed city attorney of Monroe, an office of which he continued in tenure for one year. He was a candidate for prosecuting attorney in 1906, but on that occasion met with defeat with the remainder of the Republican ticket in the county. He has been a zealous worker in behalf of the principles and policies of the Repub- lican party and is now a prominent and influential factor in its local councils.
Mr. Root and his wife are most popular figures in the best social ac- tivities in their home city, and here he is affiliated with Monroe Lodge, No. 27, Free and Accepted Masons, besides which he holds membership in the Monroe Club, the Wolverine Club, and the Merchants' and Manu- facturers' Club, representative organizations of the city.
On the 14th of September, 1909, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Root to Miss Minnie Finzel, who was born and reared in Monroe, where her father, George F. Finzel, was a prominent hardware merchant, but is now retired. Mr. and Mrs. Root have a winsome little daughter,- Miriam I.
GEORGE C. KIRSCHNER. The dry-goods house of Geo. C. Kirschner has a patronage and standing in the shopping district of Monroe such as are associated only with mercantile enterprises that have been built upon the solid foundation of integrity and thoroughly reliable dealing. Mr. Kirschner has been known in this city through all the grades of his pro- gress toward independence in business affairs.
Vol. II-21
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
George C. Kirschner was born in the city of Detroit on the 6th day of May, 1870. His parents, George and Margaret (Lieb) Kirschner, who are now respected citizens of Monroe, were born in Germany and came to the United States in 1850, first locating in Detroit and afterwards moving to Monroe.
Most of his youth having been spent in Monroe, George Kirschner was educated first in the St. Michael's Catholic school and then in St. Francis college, his school days ending in his seventeenth year. His business career began as a clerk for Ed. G. Lauer, whose capable assistant he was for a period of nineteen years. In 1904 Mr. Kirschner and Mr. Egle purchased the stock of Vergho Brothers and started out in business, in which they continued until 1912, when Mr. Egle died. Mr. Kirschner is now the sole proprietor of the business and is known as one of the prosperous men among Monroe's merchants. His store, centrally located, is in a three story building, thirty-seven by sixty feet, and the regular stock comprises very complete lines of dry goods and ladies' wear. In- dustry and economy were the qualities through which Mr. Kirschner worked up from a modest beginning in business, and he is today one of the real business builders in the city.
As a citizen Mr. Kirschner has not been less earnest in promoting the welfare of his home city than in advancing his private business under- takings. He is a Democrat in his politics, and in 1910 when H. C. Orvis was elected mayor, Mr. Kirschner was appointed to the vacancy in the city council as alderman for the Second ward. He was re-elected to the office in 1912 for another term.
Mr. Kirschner was united in marriage in 1905 with Miss Agnes Mackin, the daughter of James Mackin, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she was born and reared. They are the parents of three children, George J., Agnes and Estelle.
Mr. Kirschner and his family are members of St. John's Catholic church, and he is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, the Knights of St. John. He is also a member of the M. & M. Club and the Monroe Yacht Club.
JULES J. SIFFER, M. D. One of the leading physicians and sur- geons of Monroe, Doctor Siffer, is a native of Belgium, but received his classical and professional training in America. Previous to locating in Monroe, about six years, the Doctor enjoyed a broad experience in several departments of practical science, and is one of the best equipped members of the local profession.
Jules J. Siffer was born in Belgium, March 24, 1878. His parents were Charles E. and E. (Vanderheyden) Siffer. During his youth in his native land he acquired a good knowledge of all branches taught in the common schools. He then came to America, his first port being New York, his first home in Monroe, Michigan. He entered Assumption College and completed the classical course from 1891 to 1896. In 1897 he entered the Detroit College of Medicine, and after graduating in 1901 spent one year in St. Mary's Hospital of Detroit. Parke, Davis & Com- pany, the manufacturing chemists, then employed him three years as bacteriologist in their department of experimental medicine, an experi-
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ence of exceptional advantage to the young medical graduate. He also spent some time in the Public Health and Marine Hospital service, with headquarters at Port Huron. Doctor Siffer then located, in 1906, at Monroe, where he has since conducted a general practice with very great success. He is a member of the Monroe County Medical Society, the Michigan State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, and also of St. Mary's parish church. He is affiliated with the M. & M. Club of Monroe. Doctor Siffer is a cultured gentleman, and a man of high standing both in social and professional circles.
ARTHUR L. TIFFANY, D. V. S. As veterinary surgeon and propri- etor of the animal hospital at 53-65 Monroe street, Mr. Tiffany has made a very successful record during his residence in the city of Monroe, where he located in 1905 after graduation from professional school. He is a prominent citizen, and is a member of the present city council.
Arthur L. Tiffany was born at Scranton, Pennsylvania, November 28, 1878, his family having long resided in that state. His parents, Orvill and Letitia (Baxter) Tiffany, both natives of Pennsylvania, were reared and married there and still live in the old home, the father being a substantial farmer.
Susquehanna county was the scene of Doctor Tiffany's boyhood, and he attended the country district schools. As his life up to the time of his majority was spent on a farm, it was there he acquired a practical knowledge of domestic animals and an inclination for the profession in which he has been so successful. In 1903 he entered the veterinary college of Ontario, and was graduated in 1905. In the same year he located at Monroe and opened the office and hospital. His skill in veterinary work, partly derived from experience beginning when he was a boy, had brought him a large practice not only in this immediate lo- cality but over a large territory. For his summer work and in re- sponse to hurry calls he uses a first-class automobile, and also has horses and rigs for driving throughout the country.
Doctor Tiffany's fine home is on North Macomb street, where his family consists of his wife and one son. He was married in 1903 to Miss Ruby Main, who was also born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Isaac and Lucy Main. The one son born to them is named Boyd M.
In politics a Republican, Doctor Tiffany is an active citizen, and at the present time represents the Fourth ward in the city council. His Masonic affiliation is with Monroe Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M., River Raisin Chapter No. 22, R. A. M., and Commandery No. 19, Knights Templar. He is also affiliated with the I. O. O. F., Monroe Lodge No. 19.
FRED J. SILL. In the group of men whose names and careers are associated with the First National Bank of Monroe, and whose influence and enterprise have for years been strong factors in the business affairs of this city, one of the directors and the present assistant cashier of the bank is Mr. Fred J. Sill.
Mr. Sill is a native son of Monroe, a member of one of the old fam- ilies here, and has spent practically all his business career in banking.
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He was born in this city November 5, 1875, the only son of Frank S. and Alice (Johnson) Sill. His mother was born in Watertown, New York, and died in Monroe in 1881. The late Frank S. Sill, whose death occurred in 1899, was born in Watertown, New York, in 1841, and was boot and shoe merchant in Monroe from 1865 until his death. He had been a resident of this city since 1864, and was held in high esteem both as a citizen and business man. His parents were Elisha S. and Delight (Coffin) Sill, the former a resident of Monroe at the time of his death, which occurred when he was eighty-seven years old, and the latter also passed away here in 1897.
Fred J. Sill after his education in the grade and high schools of his home city took a commercial course in the Detroit University, and then returned to Monroe and entered his father's store. At the age of nine- teen, in 1884, he began his career as messenger in the First National Bank, was subsequently promoted to bookkeeper, then successively filled the positions of teller and general bookkeeper, and since 1910 has been assistant cashier of this well known banking house. Besides being one of the directors in this bank, he is also identified with other local enter- prises, and is one of the energetic and liberal business men of Monroe.
Mr. Sill is an active Mason, having active affiliations with Monroe Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M., River Raisin Chapter No. 22, R. A. M., the Monroe Commandery No. 19, K. T., and the Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Detroit.
JOHN S. McMILLAN was born in Monroe, February 9, 1875, a son of Peter and Margaret (Lennox) McMillan, both natives of Scotland, who emigrated to America in the early 'seventies.
Mr. McMillan received a common school education. He engaged in the newspaper business from the time of leaving school until 1903, at which time he entered the printing and office stationery business.
He is at present the head of the McMillan Printing Company, 4 Monroe street, Monroe, the J. S. McMillan Printing Company, 97 Fort street West, Detroit, and the Beatty-McMillan Company, 53-54 Tecum- seh building, Detroit.
The company of which Mr. McMillan is manager produce printing and conduct a store for the sale of office supplies, furniture and sta- tionery. The plant is modern in every detail.
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