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 50
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The second in order of birth in the family of seven children, Judge Dunbar was reared to the sturdy discipline of the pioneer farm, and thus he early gained fellowship with strenuous toil and endeavor, the while he attended the somewhat primitive district schools during the winter terms, when his services were not in requisition in connection with the work of the home farm. He thus waxed strong in mind and body and his ambition was early quickened with desire for broader edu- cation and a wider sphere of endeavor than that afforded on the farm. At the age of seventeen years, therefore, he entered the old-time Michi- gan Central College, at Spring Arbor, Jackson county, an institution which at that time had excellent rank. He defrayed the expenses of his college course by arduous work during the vacations and at such times as he could secure aside from his studies. Impaired health compelled his retirement from college before he had completed the full curricu- lum, and thereafter he began the study of surveying, with the idea of making this his vocation. For two years he was employed by the gov- ernment in connection with surveying work in Michigan, and within this time were completed the surveys which settled the disputed boun- daries between Michigan and the Dominion of Canada at Sault Ste. Marie, his work in this connection having been under the direction of Thomas Whelpley, who did much civil engineering in Michigan in the early days. At the age of twenty-two years Judge Dunbar was elected county surveyor of Monroe county, and after retaining this office for two terms he again identified himself with agricultural pursuits, but his personal popularity and recognized ability soon brought to him other official preferment, with the result that he continued an incumbent of public office almost continuously from his early manhood until he re- tired from that of judge of the probate court, at the age of sixty-six years. His has been a remarkable record of effective public service in his native county, and his fidelity to every trust, his genial and kindly nature and his spirit of helpfulness have retained to him during the long years an inviolable place in the affectionate regard of the people of Monroe county.
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Judge Dunbar served several terms as justice of the peace of Bed- ford and Monroe townships; was superintendent of the poor in Monroe county for six years; was school inspector for fourteen years; was town- ship and county drain commissioner for one year; and for the long period of twenty-four years he served as township clerk-twelve years in Bedford township and an equal period in Monroe township. He has ever accorded a stalwart allegiance to the Democratic party, and he has twice served his native county as representative in the state legislature, to which he was elected from the first district of the county in 1884. In 1886 he was chosen as his own successor and on each occasion he received a majority which eminently indicated his popularity in his home county. He proved a zealous and valued working member of the legislature and received the unanimous vote (42) of his party for speaker; was influential in the effecting of much legislation that was of lasting benefit to his constituent county and also to the state at large. In the autumn of 1888 he was elected judge of the probate court of Monroe county and incidentally resigned the office of township clerk. He retained this important judicial office for twelve consecutive years, marked by most careful and effective service, and retired from the same in 1901. Concerning him the following pertinent statement has been made: "In all his official career he has so conducted the affairs of his office as to win the confidence and esteem not only of his partisan friends but also of all others with whom he has been brought in con- tact."
Judge Dunbar has been actively affiliated with the Masonic fra- ternity for fifty years and has been an appreciative student of its his- tory and exalted teachings. He was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Russell Lodge No. 144, Free and Accepted Masons, at Lambertville, this county, and he served two years as senior deacon of the same, after which he was its secretary until his removal to the city of Monroe, in 1871, when he was demitted from his original lodge and became affiliated with Monroe Lodge No. 27, in which he has since held membership and in which he has held every official chair except those of master and tyler. In 1873 he became a member of River Raisin Chap- ter No. 22, Royal Arch Masons, and Monroe Commandery No. 19, Knights Templar. He was secretary of his chapter for five years and king for two years, besides having filled subordinate offices, and he has served as recorder and warden of his commandery, as well as treasurer of all three Masonic bodies with which he is identified. From a pre- viously published estimate of the character and services of Judge Dunbar are taken the following extracts, which are deemed well worthy of perpetuation in this connection :
"In his entire life Judge Dunbar has shown the trait of personally seeing to everything committed to his charge and not leaving it to subordinates, the while the faithfulness with which he has attended to his work is shown by the oft-repeated times his fellow citizens have given the verdict 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant,' by again electing him to office of public trust. In addition to his official duties he has for many years acted as administrator and executor of estates, and every trust thus reposed in him has received his most earnest
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attention and faithful care, showing his determination and zeal in the conservation of the interests confided to him." The judge is a man of fine physique and most gracious personality and his well ordered life has enabled him to retain the vigor of a man many years his junior. Since his retirement from the office of probate judge he has given his attention principally to miscellaneous business and agriculture, but after years of earnest and effective endeavor he has virtually resigned the more onerous and exacting labors which were so long his portion, and is living in well earned retirement in his attractive home in Mon- roe. He is the owner of valuable farm property in his native township and his earnest and well ordered endeavors in the past have not denied to him a competency for the evening of his long and honorable career as one of the world's noble army of workers. Mrs. Dunbar and chil- dren belong to the Methodist Episcopal church.
In Bedford township, on the 31st of March, 1858, was solemnized the marriage of Judge Dunbar to Miss Caroline Osgood, who was born and reared in this county, where her parents, Theophilus and Roxa (Bright- man) Osgood, settled in the pioneer days. The loving and devoted companionship of Judge and Mrs. Dunbar continued for more than half a century, and the great loss and bereavement of his life came when the noble wife and mother was summoned to eternal rest, on the 19th of February, 1911. Her life was gentle and gracious, and her memory will ever be revered by those who came within the sphere of her influ- ence. Concerning the children of Judge and Mrs. Dunbar the follow- ing brief record is entered in conclusion of this sketch: William, who was born October 27, 1858, is one of the merchants of Bedford town- ship, of which he served as treasurer for several years; Addison Em- mett, who was born October 7, 1859, is bookkeeper and teller in the Monroe County Savings Bank; Charles, who was born July 21, 1861, died on the 24th of December, 1863; Mercy Blanche, who was born Sep- tember 4, 1865, and who served as clerk in the office of the probate court during the regime of her father and his predecessor, is now wife of Sherman Hendershot, a farmer of Raisinville township, this county ; Grace Atilda, who was born December 29, 1866, is now wife of Dr. M. J. Moyer, of Monroe, Michigan; and Edwin Morris, who was born Jan- uary 24, 1870, is farming the homestead in Monroe township.
WILBUR F. ILGENFRITZ, fourth son of I. E. Ilgenfritz, was born in Monroe, June 21, 1858. He is president of the I. E. Ilgenfritz' Sons Company. At the age of nineteen he became salesman for the concern with which he has been identified from his youth to the present time. Broad minded and public spirited, Wilbur F. Ilgenfritz is one of the stanch business men of Monroe.
He is a loyal supporter of the Republican party, and is a member of the time honored Masonic fraternity, in which he has affiliated with Monroe Lodge No. 27, Free and Accepted Masons; River Raisin Chapter No. 22, Royal Arch Masons; and Monroe Commandery No. 19, Knights Templar, all in his home city, besides which he holds membership in Moslem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in the city of Detroit.
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On the 7th day of March, 1893, Mr. Ilgenfritz was united in mar- riage to Alice Venning, daughter of the late Rev. James Venning, D. D. Mr. and Mrs. Ilgenfritz have two children, Mary V., who was educated in the public schools of Monroe, and James Isreal Eply, who was named for his two grandfathers, and who is a member of the Detroit Univer- sity School.
LEANDER FIX, of Frenchtown township, Monroe county, Michigan, is well and favorably known throughout his section of the country as an honest and upright man, and as one who might be trusted implicitly in any dealings calling for the exercise of honor and integrity. He is held in the greatest respect by his friends and acquaintances and is known as a successful man who has not only prospered himself, but as one who has aided in the growth and prosperity of the community wherein he has resided. Mr. Fix has always evinced the most praise- worthy interest in local affairs, a fact which is eloquently evidenced by the many offices he has held, and he has lent his time and money to public projects that probably could not have been consummated with- out his generous and whole-souled aid and interest.
Born and reared on a farm in Frenchtown township, Leander Fix Is the son of Monrade and Mary U. (Heisler) Fix, the father being born in France and coming to America as a boy of ten years Monrade Fix was the son of Joseph and Catherine (Suiter) Fix, natives of Germany and France, respectively, and he was born in 1817 and died after a long and singularly useful life on July 12, 1897. Monrade and Mary U. (Heisler) Fix became the parents of a goodly family of nine sons and two daughters, all of whom grew to years of manhood and womanhood. Leander, the subject of this review, was the fifth child of his parents and, like the others, was reared on the Frenchtown farm, receiving his education in the public schools of -the community. He left school, however, when he was about fourteen years of age and thereafter con- tinued in the work of the home farm. Always a hard working and conscientious boy he early became the most valuable assistant to his father in the work of the home place, and with advancing years in his youth he learned the surveying business. He remained for the most part with his father until he had reached the age of twenty-six, when he took up his present occupation as a contractor for mason and carpenter work, in which he has continued with a pleasing measure of success and prosperity.
On November 23, 1875, Mr. Fix married Josephine Steiner, who was born in Ash township in 1857, and in that same year Mr. Fix started work on his home, doing all the work with his own hands. They moved into the new place in that winter and have continued to reside there throughout the passing years, never once changing their residence. Four children have been born to them: Abraham; Ferdinand, who is unmarried; Edwin, who married Mary Wickenheiser; and Benjamin, whose wife was Alice Martineau. Mr. and Mrs. Fix have two grand- children, one the son of Edwin, and the other the son of Benjamin.
Mr. Fix is a Democrat and has been more or less active in the political work of the community which has been his home during his life
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thus far. He has served in various public offices and is now a director of the school board. He is the owner of two hundred and thirty acres of land in Frenchtown township, and is regarded as one of the substan- tial men of his community.
A member of the Roman Catholic church, he is a communicant of St. Michael's church at Monroe, Michigan, and is a faithful adherent to the faith of his fathers. He is also a member of the Grange and is one of the oldest members in this locality. It was due to the generosity of Mr. Fix that the local Grange found it possible to erect their building at the time when they did, Mr. Fix advancing the money and permitting the society to reimburse him as they found it convenient. This attitude of generosity and public spiritedness is one which has ever characterized the every-day life of Mr. Fix, and has marked him as one of the real leaders in his community, and it is to such men as he that the splendid progress of this county in the past quarter century is mainly due.
CARL S. KIBURTZ. One of the citizens of the younger generation at Monroe is Carl S. Kiburtz, who is here filling the office of assistant cashier of B. Dansard & Son's State Bank, one of the important financial institutions of Monroe county. Mr. Kiburtz is loyal and public spirited in his civic attitude and is ever on the alert to do all in his power to advance the best interests of the community in which he resides.
Carl S. Kiburtz is a son of Conrad and Christine (Kressbach ) Kiburtz, both of whom were born and reared in Monroe county, being representatives of old pioneer families in this section of the state. The father was engaged in the retail liquor business during the major portion of his active career and he is now residing at 162 Fourth street, this city. Mr. Kiburtz, of this notice, received his primary educational training in the Zion Lutheran parochial school and in the public schools of Monroe. Subsequently he pursued a commercial course in the Monroe Business University, in which he was graduated in 1903. After leaving school he worked for H. Hick's Sons and the Monroe Gas & Electric Com- pany, remaining with the latter concern for a period of eleven months. In 1905 he was proffered and accepted a position with B. Dansard & Son's State Bank and was later promoted to assistant cashier. He is a stockholder in the bank.
In 1910 Mr. Kiburtz was married to Miss Louise Shepherd, a daugh- ter of Elisha and Nettie Shepherd, of Monroe. In politics Mr. Kiburtz is a stalwart Republican but he has never held any public office. He is a member of Zion Lutheran church and in a fraternal way he is affiliated with a number of representative organizations of a local character. The Kiburtz home is at No. 261 Cass street.
WILLIS M. HANSBERGER. In business and in agriculture and stock raising the name Hansberger has been prominently known in Monroe county for more than forty years. Since 1899 one of the leading grocery and meat markets of Monroe has been that of Willis M. Hansberger, on East Third street. He has built up a large trade, is a successful business man, and is one of the citizens who take a public-spirited interest in the development and prosperity of this city.
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Mr. Hansberger was born near Lindsay in Sandusky county, Ohio, August 25, 1871, but has lived in Monroe county practically all his life. His grandfather, Joel Hansberger, of German descent, was a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, whence he moved to Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1838, and there became a substantial farmer and stock dealer and raiser.
Eli and Margaret (Skinner) Hansberger, the parents of the Monroe merchant, moved with their children from Ohio to Monroe county in 1871. The father, who was born in Fairfield county, April 8, 1842, has throughout his active career followed the business of his father, farming and the raising and shipping of stock. For many years he engaged in this vocation on his farm in Monroe county, and was one of the best known stock buyers and shippers in this vicinity. He is now a resident of the city of Monroe, where he gives most of his time to dealing in city and country real estate. He and his wife were the parents of the follow- ing children : Rosella, Ivan, Charles C., Willis M., Cora, Ella, Barkly, Almon E., deceased; and F. I. La Verne.
Willis M. Hansberger was reared a farmer boy, and was sent to the district school during the winter and assisted in the farm work during the summer. This was the sum of his life activities until he became of age, when he engaged in farming on his own account. In 1899 he moved to the city of Monroe, where he established the business which has since been so successfully conducted under his name. His ability and energy have made him one of the prosperous merchants of this city.
Mr. Hansberger was married in 1894 to Miss Carrie Saum, a daugh- ter of Severin Saum, of this county. Their city residence is at 801 Third street. Mr. Hansberger is one of the prominent local Democrats. He has been a member of the Monroe City central committee and has served as delegate in a number of conventions.
MAJOR JAMES G. MACBRIDE was born in August, 1844, and is the son of James MacBride, who was an early settler in Monroe, and an active and enterprising business man who enjoyed the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. He was elected sheriff of the county in 1844 and in 1846, succeeding himself in the office a second and third time in 1850 and 1852, discharging the duties of his office in a manner wholly satisfac- tory to all concerned. Mr. MacBride was commissioned by Governor Ransom of the state of Michigan as captain of the Montgomery Guards, a company of dragoons enlisted for the war with Mexico. Peace, how- ever, was declared before the company left the state. The mother of Major MacBride was Lucille Lafontains, the daughter of one of the prominent French families who were residents of the River Raisin district at an early day.
Major MacBride received his education at the public and private schools in Monroe, Michigan, and was graduated from the high school just prior to the breaking out of the Civil war. He entered the service promptly, enlisting in Company B of the Fifteenth Michigan Infantry. He was soon after commissioned as second lieutenant and later as first lieutenant and adjutant of the regiment. The regiment left the state for active service on March 27, 1862, and reached Pittsburg Landing on
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April 5th following. The battle of Shiloh or Pittsburg Landing occurred the next day. The regiment was in the thickest of the fight and lost a large number of officers and men. In October of 1862 Major MacBride was commissioned as captain in the Ninth Michigan Cavalry, and early in '63 the regiment was ordered to Kentucky and during the Morgan raid was engaged almost daily with his force. On June 10th Major MacBride in command of a portion of the regiment encountered a por- tion of Morgan's force, and after a severe engagement succeeded in driving him from the field. The regiment was later sent to Tennessee and was with Burnside in the memorable siege of Knoxville, and imme- diately after that joined Sherman's army, then moving on to Atlanta. The regiment took part in all of the engagements up to the capture of Atlanta, and was then assigned to General Kilpatrick's division in the march to the sea. Major MacBride was commissioned as major at this time. The regiment was engaged in fifty-seven battles and skirmishes. The adjutant-general of Michigan in his report in referring to Major MacBride says: "He was with his regiment in every engagement in which it took part."
Major MacBride was married in 1871 to Miss Annie Perkins, the daughter of Commodore A. D. Perkins, an old resident of Monroe. He is now living in Grand Rapids, and is secretary and manager of the Nelson Matter Furniture Company, one of the oldest and largest fur- niture manufacturing institutions in the United States.
DANIEL C. SCHOLL was born in Huron county, Ohio, on the 29th of December, 1857, and came to Michigan with his parents in 1864, residing in Raisinville until 1899. Removing to Monroe in this year, he took into partnership Daniel C. Rath, forming the firm of Scholl & Rath, and purchased the Waterloo Mills from the late Charles Johnson. The mills were remodeled and placed in first class condition, Mr. Scholl being the present head of this prosperous firm.
Mr. Scholl was twice married. In 1886 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Rauch, of Erie, Michigan, who died in 1892. Of this union there were two sons, Franklin B., of Monroe, and Raymond E., of San Antonio, Texas. In 1903 Mr. Scholl was married to Miss Emma Moyer, of Bedford, Michigan, and has one son, Delmar M., who is at present six years of age.
Mr. Scholl has always been a Republican in politics, and has held several township offices, and is at present alderman of the First ward of the city of Monroe.
THE WATERLOO MILLS, in the city of Monroe, are now owned and op- erated by the firm of Scholl & Rath. The present firm have owned this historic property since 1899, when they purchased the same from the estate of the late Charles Johnson. The mills were forthwith remodeled throughout, and the latest modern type of machinery was installed, making the equipment of the highest standard. The improved roller system and modern separators make it possible to turn out products of the highest grade, and the capacity of the fine plant is for the output of one hundred barrels of flour daily. The products not only have a large
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local demand, but a substantial wholesale trade is controlled in Toledo, Ohio, and Detroit, Michigan, and in numerous towns throughout south- ern Michigan and northern Ohio, the while the volume of business is con- stantly expanding under the progressive and effective management of the present firm, the junior member of which is Daniel C. Rath, who is a practical miller of broad experience. The Waterloo Mills occupy the site of one of the first grist mills erected in Monroe county-indeed in all southern Michigan. Here an old-fashioned buhr mill was erected in 1820, fully sixteen years prior to Michigan's admission to statehood, and this original mill was operated by water power derived from the main stream of the River Raisin through a race. The old mill continued in operation for many years, and on the same site was erected the present large and substantial mill building, which is likewise operated by water power. In 1904 Scholl & Rath constructed a modern concrete dam in the River Raisin, and thus is afforded ample water power, not only for the operation of the Waterloo Mills throughout the entire year, but also for the operation of some other manufactories in the immediate vicinity, including the Monroe Woolen Mills. The firm does a general custom business in the manufacture of wheat, corn, rye, buckwheat flours and mill feed, and the concern is one of the stanch and valued agencies in upholding the commercial prestige of Monroe, while the mills themselves constitute one of the historic landmarks of the county, as on the site a mill has virtually been in continuous operation for more than ninety years. Both of the interested principals are practical millers and alert, progressive men.
GEORGE BARCLAY MCCALLUM, M. D. In the history of every com- munity the medical profession has played a not inconspicuous part. Trained to meet grave emergencies with presence of mind, to observe closely, to decide promptly and to act unhesitatingly, the physician gains and holds a place in the esteem of the people that grows deeper and broader as years are added to his residence.
George Barclay McCallum is of Scotch parentage and descended from one of the old and representative families in Oakland county. His father, John McCallum, was born in the north of Scotland in 1818, re- moving to near Paisley in Renfrewshire when a small child, and here he was reared and educated. Early in life he learned the trade of a tanner with an elder brother with whom he was connected in business for four- teen years. In 1850 he married Marion Lawson of Abbey Parish, Ren- frewshire, and almost immediately set out for America, being accompa- nied by his brother and family and grandmother. The voyage lasted a month and they landed at New York May 20, 1850. After being em- ployed in the East for four years John McCallum removed in 1854 to Ann Arbor, Michigan, five years later removing to Pontiac which has been the home of the family ever since, now more than half a century. Six children have been born to them, John and Margaret, born in New York, dying in infancy; George Barclay, born October 5, 1855, and Archibald, born January 5, 1858, at Ann Arbor; and Marion, 1860, and Edward, 1862, at Pontiac, the latter two dying in infancy.
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