Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Part 11

Author: Beakes, Samuel W. (Samuel Willard), 1861-; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 886

USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan > Part 11

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ing for a warehouse at 410 Fourth avenue, North. This building is 63 x 63 feet, but he found it still inadequate for the trade and in 1904 added an- other story. It has over one hundred small rooms for individual use, besides a very large room. It is all thoroughly constructed, so that rugs, pianos and other valuable furniture can be stored with safety here and in the basement and upper floors there is extensive space for very large articles. The building is fire proof and is supplied with all modern equipments, including an electric elevator whereon a truck can be placed, so that the goods can be unloaded in the space designated as their repository. This is the only storage warehouse of the kind in the city.

In 1893 Mr. Godfrey built his present home at the corner of Fourth avenue, North, and Kingsley street. In the rear is a well ventilated and com- modious barn and sheds for his many horses. He is also agent for the Standard Oil Company, which he has represented since 1889 and he now has two tank wagons, one for the city and one for the country trade. He has been very success- ful and deserves it all because he has been a hard working man.

In 1873 Mr. Godfrey was married to Harriet L. Barrows, a native of Rochester, Michigan, and a daughter of Henry Barrows. They have two sons and a daughter. The eldest. Homer B., born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1878, is now associated with his father in the storage warehouse and trucking business in Ann Arbor. He married Donna V. Weissenger, a native of Saline, and they have one child. Dama Adelaide, who was born in Ann Arbor. October 1, 1903. Effie God- frey, born in Ann Arbor in 1881, completed the literary course in the University of Michigan with the class of 1903 and for the past two years has been a teacher in the high school at Houghton, Michigan. Ernest E., born in Ann Arbor in 1884, is at home.

Mr. Godfrey and his elder son are members of Golden Rule lodge, A. F. & A. M., also the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and Mr. Godfrey of this review has held various offices in the latter and at this writing is its financial secretary. He is also a member of the Knights of the Macca- bees and the Royal Arcanum, while his political

106

PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

support is given to the republican party. He stands to-day as a self-made man, deserving all the praise that that term implies and as the archi- tect of his own fortunes has builded wisely and well.

WILLIAM W. WEDEMEYER.

William W. Wedemeyer is one of the younger representatives of the legal fraternity in Ann Ar- bor. There is no profession in which advance- ment depends so largely upon individual merit as in the law, and the fact that Mr. Wedemeyer is now accorded a liberal and distinctly represent- ative clientage is an indication of his excellent qualification for legal practice. He is a native son of Washtenaw county, born March 22, 1873. His father, Frederick Wedemeyer, was a native of Lilienthal, Germany, and came to America as the business representative of his brother, Theo- dore, who was an extensive dealer in sugar and tobacco. He acted in this capacity in the West Indies and North and South America. He was a man of superior education, speaking fluently several languages and traveled extensively, visit- ing almost every known portion of the world and gaining the knowledge and culture which only travel can bring. He was married in this country to Miss Augusta Gruner, a native of Germany. and in 1855 he settled on a farm in Lima town- ship, Washtenaw county, Michigan, near Chelsea, where he carried on agricultural pursuits through- out his remaining days, his death occurring in 1885, when he was fifty-seven years of age. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he was actively interested in township and county affairs, co-operating in many measures for the general good. He served as director of schools in Lima township for a number of years, and was always interested in anything that tended to promote intellectual development. In his fam- ily were a daughter and three sons: Mrs. Nellie Klein, the wife of Jacob Klein, of Lima town- ship, and twin sister of the subject of this review ; Fred and Theodore, who reside at Chelsea; and William W.

In the district schools William W. Wedemeyer

acquired his early education and was graduated from the Ann Arbor high school with the class of 1890. Afforded superior educational privi- leges, he entered upon the literary course in the University of Michigan, which he completed by graduation in 1894. and then took up the study of law, being granted his degree in that depart- ment in 1895. Through the two succeeding years he filled the position of commissioner of schools of Washtenaw county, and in 1897 and 1898 was deputy railroad commissioner of Michigan. In the latter year he was a candidate for the nomina- tion for congress before the republican congres- sional convention, but was defeated by a small majority, and was again a prominent candidate for that office in 1902, but he threw his strength to Hon. Charles E. Townsend, the present congress- man of this district. Upon his retirement from office Mr. Wedemeyer formed a partnership with Martin J. Cavanaugh, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work, and the firm of Cavanaugh & Wede- meyer has had a continuous and prosperous ex- istence since the first of January, 1899. They have been accorded a liberal patronage and the records of the courts show that they have been connected with much of the important litigation of the district. In 1905 Mr. Wedemeyer was appointed by President Roosevelt to the position of United States consul to Georgetown, British Guiana, and left that place in April, but returned to Ann Arbor on the 3d of July, having resigned because the climate was so detrimental to his health. He was taken ill almost immedi- ately after his arrival there, suffering with fever, so that he had to be sent to the hospital, where he remained until starting for home, going from the hospital to the ship on which he returned to the United States. He immediately entered upon his law practice again upon his return. Mr. Wedemeyer is also interested in various business enterprises. He is first vice-president and one of the directors of the Glazier Stove Company, one of the leading manufacturing institutions of this part of the state, and has for some years acted as counsel for the company. In former years he had some extensive experience in newspaper work and is now president of the Ann Arbor News Publishing Company.

---

107

PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

Mr. Wedemeyer gave proof of the elemental strength and force of his character by the deter- mination which he displayed in acquiring an edu- cation. While attending the university he en- gaged both in teaching and in newspaper work in order to help pay his way through the school. He has always been active in politics, interested in the vital questions of the day from his youth. and reading so extensively that he has since at- taining his majority been able to support his posi- tion by strong and intelligent argument. He has done much campaign work in behalf of both the state and national tickets, and has also done much public speaking along educational and other lines throughout the state.

On the 9th of January, 1901, Mr. Wedemeyer was married to Miss Louise Locher, of Kala- mazoo, Michigan, a daughter of Bernard and Sarah (Robischung ) Locher. They now have one son, George Edward, who was born in Ann Arbor, July 7, 1902. Mr. Wedemeyer is one of the national trustees of the American Insur- ance Union, a member of the Masonic fraternity. of the Knights of the Maccabees and of the Ger- man Bethlehem Evangelical church, while his wife holds membership in St. Thomas Catholic church. Prompted by laudable ambition and unfaltering determination, Mr. Wedemeyer has steadily worked his way upward, and his position in pro- fessional and social circles in Ann Arbor is an enviable one.

CHARLES H. WORDEN.

Charles H. Worden, a retired merchant, who for over forty years was engaged in business in Ann Arbor, sustaining a reputation that made his name an honored one throughout the com- munity, was born in Rochester, New York, in May, 1826. His father, Weed Hicks Worden. was a native of Hartford. Connecticut, and died in the Empire state. A manufacturer of woolen goods, for several years he enjoyed a lucrative business in the city of Roches- ter. He later removed to Onondaga county, New York, where his last days were passed.

his death occurring in 1836. His wife bore the maiden name of Hannah Smith, and was a daughter of Elam Smith, who was of English descent, as are the Wordens. The ancestors from whom our subject is descended came from England on the Mayflower to escape the religious persecution of the time and made settlement in New England with the Plymouth colony, where they enjoyed the privilege of worshiping accord- ing to the dictates of their own consciences. Fol- lowing the death of her first husband Mrs. Worden became the wife of Horace Coy, of Wash- tenaw county, Michigan, having removed to this county with her children in 1837. She lived here until her death, which occurred in October, 1889. when she had reached the extreme old age of eighty-six years. Upon reaching Michigan she built a log cabin in the midst of the green woods. in Ann Arbor township, later removed to North- field township and subsequently to Ann Arbor. In the family were four children, of whom Charles H. is the eldest.

Charles H. Worden remained with his mother until twelve years of age, when ambitious to earn his own living he started out to work by the month as a farm hand. He also followed other pursuits that he could secure and through the winter months he attended school. The periods of vacation, however, were devoted to various kinds of labor and after attaining his majority he became a salesman in a general store in Ann Arbor. He entered the employ of H. Becker & Company, and continued with the house through the various changes of the firm until 1863. when he purchased an interest in the business that up to the time of Mr. Becker's death was conducted under the firm style of Wines & Knight. Mr. Worden purchased Mr. Hiscock's interest and the firm style of Wines & Worden was then assumed and they then conducted a general dry goods store, which they conducted successfully until 1889. when Mr. Wines departed this life. Mr. Worden had been connected with him as salesman and partner for forty years and after his death con- tinned the business alone until 1891, when he closed out his store and retired from active com- mercial pursuits with a very gratifying compe- tency. In the meantime he had made judicious

108

PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

investment in various interests and his attention is now given only to their supervision. He was for many years a prominent and leading factor in the business circles of the city. He became one of the organizers and charter members of the Ann Arbor Savings Bank, and is still one of its direct- ors. Throughout his long connection with com- mercial and financial interests here he has main- tained an unassailable reputation for business in- tegrity as well as activity and enterprise and his record is one which any man might be proud to possess. He has never incurred obligations that he has not met nor made engagements that he has not filled and he has always enjoyed the unquali- fied confidence and trust of his business contem- poraries and of the general public.

In 1852 Mr. Worden was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Leland, who was born in Madi- son county, New York, and is a daughter of Joshua G. Leland, and a sister of Judge E. E. Leland, represented elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Worden had five sons, of whom one died in infancy and one in later years. The others are as follows : Dr. Arthur L., a graduate of the University of Michigan, and a successful practi- tioner of Detroit, married Miss Carrie B. Hutch- ins, a sister of Professor Hutchins of the Uni- versity of Michigan, and they became the parents of one daughter, Anna B., who is now the wife of M. Worden Taylor. Clinton E., a graduate of the pharmaceutical department of the University of Michigan, and is now engaged in the drug and real-estate business in San Francisco, California, married Evelyn Town Shaw, and they have one child, Nelson. William W., who is with his brother Clinton in California, married Minnie Russ, and they have three children, Clinton, Hel- ene and Frances.

In politics Mr. Worden is a stalwart republican but has never sought or desired office. He be- longs to the Methodist church, in which he has been active for many years, holding therein vari- otis official positions. He has now almost reached the eightieth milestone on life's journey and is one of the most respected citizens of Ann Arbor, enjoying the confidence and estecm of young and old, rich and poor. His life record, too, stands in exemplification of the opportunities which Amer-

ica affords her citizens and should serve as an in- centive and source of emulation to those who have begun life as he did, without capital, depending entirely upon their own exertions for advance- ment. With no pecuniary advantages at the out- set of his career his labors brought him a capital that enabled him to enter the field of mercantile activity and his perseverance, straightforward dealing and strong determination proved the foun- dation upon which he builded his later success.

ROYAL SAMUEL COPELAND, M. D.

Dr. Royal Samuel Copeland, one of the dis- tinguished representatives of the medical fra- ternity in Michigan and to-day the youngest professor in the University of Ann Arbor, is at the head of the eye and ear department, was president of the Saginaw Valley Medical Society, of the Michigan State Medical Society and of the American Eye and Ear Society. He was born in Dexter, Michigan, November 7, 1868, his parents being Roscoe and Frances (Holmes) Copeland. The father was a pioneer of Dexter, Michigan, as was the Holmes family, who came in 1825. The Copelands, found in New England at an early period in the colonization of the new world, were originally of English lineage, the first representatives of the name in this country being Lawrence and Lydia Copeland, who ar- rived in 1650. The characteristic family patriot- ism and loyalty were manifest in active service in the Revolutionary war by the great-grandfather and by service in the war of 1812 by represent- atives of the name. Samuel Copeland, the grand- father, arrived in Michigan in 1850, when his son, Roscoe Copeland, was about twelve years of age. The latter acquired a common school education in Washtenaw county, subsequently turned his attention to farming, which he fol- lowed for some time and then entered the milling business. He yet continues in the grain trade at Dexter, being one of the representative business men there. He is sixty-seven years of age and has been a resident of this county for fifty-five years. In the family were three children, of

109

PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

whom one died in infancy, while the sister is Cornelia, a teacher in the Central high school of Detroit. The Holmes family was established in Washtenaw county by Samuel Holmes, the maternal grandfather of Dr. Copeland, who ar- rived about 1825 and located on a tract of gov- ernment land in Scio township where he spent his remaining days, dying in 1889.

Royal S. Copeland attended the public schools of Dexter, from which he was graduated on the completion of the regular high school course and later entered the State Normal School at Ypsi- lanti which his mother had attended twenty-five years before. He pursued the literary course in the latter institution and for one winter engaged in teaching school. Following his graduation, however, he matriculated in the medical depart- ment of the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor and was graduated in the class of 1889. The following year he was house surgeon in the university hospital and at the same time was as- sistant to the chair of diseases of the eye and ear. On the expiration of that year he went to Bay City, Michigan, where he practiced as a specialist on the diseases of the eye and ear for five years. He was then called back to the uni- versity to accept the professorship of diseases of the eye and ear, occupying this chair continu- ously since 1895. In 1896 he spent sometime abroad, pursuing post graduate work in Eng- land. France, Germany and Switzerland. At another time he spent considerable time in Vienna in post graduate work, receiving instruction from some of the most eminent specialists of the old world. He holds the master's degree from Law- rence University and the position of distinction to which he has attained in his profession is in- dicated by the fact that he has been called to the presidency of the Saginaw Valley Medical Society. the State Medical Society and the American Eye and Ear Society. That he is re- garded as one of the most capable educators is indicated by the fact that he was recalled to the university and his deep scientific interest in his profession was manifested by his desire to study abroad, there to familiarize himself with the best methods of the learned oculists and aurists of the old world.

On the 31st of December, 1891, Dr. Copeland was married to Miss Mary DePriest Ryan, of Adrian. Michigan. He is prominent in affairs of the city in which he now makes his home, is now serving as a member of the board of education and from 1901 until 1903 was mayor of Ann Arbor, giving to the city a practical, progressive and business-like ad- ministration. He is deeply interested in the great political problems which confront the country and is an unfaltering advocate of republican prin- ciples. That he has not confined his attention wholly to his profession to the neglect of the elements of nature which develop a well rounded character is indicated by his active and helpful co-operation in political interests in the city and his identification with other business and fra- ternal interests. He is now president of the board of directors of the National Portland Cement Company. Fraternally he is connected with the Delta Kappa Epsilon and the Alpha Sigma Col- lege fraternities and he likewise belongs to Bay City lodge. A. F. & A. M., Blanchard chapter. R. A. M., Ann Arbor commandery, K. T., De- troit Temple of the Mystic Shrine, the Knights of Pythias and Knights of the Maccabees. It would be almost tautological in this connection to enter into any series of statements as show- ing Dr. Copeland to be a man of strong intel- lectuality and intense energy, for these have been shadowed forth between the lines of this review. His reputation in the line of his profession is not limited even by the boundaries of the state, for as educator and specialist his position has long been assured.

BURTON G. MOORMAN.

Among the enterprising, wide-awake and pro- gressive business men of Ypsilanti who belong to that class of representative citizens, who while promoting individual success also advance the general welfare, Burton G. Moorman is num- bered. He claims this city as the place of his nativity, his birth having here occurred on the 21st of December, 1856. His father, George

IIO

PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

Moorman, was a pioneer settler of Washtenaw county, establishing his home within its borders when the work of upbuilding and improvement had scarcely been begun. He came to this region as a boy and having little capital to aid him as he started out in life on his own account he worked for others until he had obtained sufficient means to embark in business on his own account, when he established a grist mill at Rawsonville. There he carried on business for sometime, but eventu- ally traded that property for a farm of three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land four miles from Ypsilanti. His attention was then given to general agricultural pursuits for sometime, after which he disposed of his farm and took up his abode in the city of Ypsi- lanti, where he became a factor in mercantile cir- cles and was widely recognized as a prominent business man. He was also instrumental in pro- moting in a large degree the growth and up- building of the city and he gave earnest and active support to every plan formulated for the city's advancement and substantial and perman- ent improvement. He manifested keen discern- ment and ready comprehension of business situ- ations and opportunities and so utilized his ef- forts as to bring about the best results not only for himself but also for the community which he represented. He died in 1895. having for about a year survived his wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Osborn and who died in 1894. In their family were five children, of whom four are now living, as follows: Mrs. Mary Harris and Mrs. Carrie Jewell, both of whom are residents of Ypsilanti; Burton G., of this review ; and Mrs. Nellie Shutts, of this city.

Burton G. Moorman attended the Ypsilanti public schools until the age of sixteen years and resided upon his father's farm until 1900, being actively connected with agricultural interests. At an early age he became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and he capably controlled his farming interests until he gave up such work to concentrate his energies upon the successful conduct and manipu- lation of his extensive and important business interests in Ypsilanti. He is now the president and treasurer of the Moorman-Huston Company,

of which C. R. Huston is secretary. They are extensive dealers in all farm products and make a specialty of shipping by the carload. They handle hay, grain, straw, flour, feed, wool, apples, hand picked beans and other farm products and have a large mill and warehouse at Nos. 9 and II Congress street, west. This business furnishes an excellent market for many of the farmers who are producers of the commodities which the com- pany handles. Mr. Moorman is also financially and frequently actively interested in other enter- prises of Washtenaw county, being a stockholder in the canning factory, in a large creamery, a laundry business and other industrial and com- mercial interests of the city. He has likewise made judicious purchases of real estate, thus placing his money in the safest of all invest- ments and today he is the owner of a large amount of property in Ypsilanti.

In August, 1871, Mr. Moorman was married to Miss Katherine Cline, of Ypsilanti, and they have four children: Lucile, who is seventeen years of age and is attending school; George, twelve years of age, also a public school student; Grace Lucile : and Florence, who died when three years of age.

Mr. Moorman is prominent in Masonry, having attained the Knight Templar degree and in re- ligious faith is a Methodist, while in politics he is independent. He has never sought or desired public office or public notoriety of any kind, pre- ferring to concentrate his energies upon the de- velopment of business conditions and the pro- motion of his individual interests in Ypsilanti. He stands today as a strong man, strong in his honor and his good name and in his commercial position and is justly accounted one of the lead- ing residents of Washtenaw county.

JOHN WILLIAM DWYER, LL. M.

John William Dwyer, who has attained pres- tige as a representative of the legal fraternity in Ann Arbor, was born in New Lisbon, Wiscon- sin, December 20, 1865. His father, Thomas Dwyer, was a native of Limerick, Ireland, and

III

PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

having crossed the Atlantic to America was mar- ried to Miss Ellen Callaghan, a native of the state of New York. They became residents of Wis- consin, in 1860, and the father engaged in the business of railroading. In 1864 he removed to Escanaba, Michigan, where he spent the suc- ceeding ten years and in 1874 he took up his abode in Iowa, his home being now on a farm near Cherokee.

J. W. Dwyer acquired his early education in the public schools of Escanaba and Cherokee and afterward pursued a business course in the Fre- mont Business College, at Fremont. Nebraska. He then became a student in the Iowa State Nor- mal School, at Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he qualified for teaching, a profession which he fol- lowed from 1886 until 1891 with good success. His ambition, however, centered in another direc- tion and he prepared for the practice of law in the University of Michigan, where he completed the regular course and was graduated in 1892. with the degree of LL. B., while the following year the university conferred upon him the de- gree of Master of Laws. In 1892 he was ap- pointed instructor of law in the university and still fills that position. Mr. Dwyer originated and put in operation the summer school of law, which is now one of the successful and paying features of the law department He is the author of the following legal works: Cases on the Marital Re- lation. Cases on Private International Law, and a Text on Law and Proceedure of United States Courts. He opened an office in 1904 in the Farmers & Mechanics Bank building, in Ann Arbor, and in his practice has won a position which classes him with the leading represent- atives of the profession here. His logical grasp of facts and of legal principles affable thereto as well as untiring industry has been a potent ele- ment in his success. In the argument of a case he exhibits a remarkable clearness of expression, an adequate and precise diction which enables him to make others understand not only the salient points of his argument but also to clearly com- prehend the very fine analytical distinction which differentiates one legal principle from another. Mr. Dwyer is also a stockholder in a new bank recently established in Ann Arbor.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Part 11

Author: Beakes, Samuel W. (Samuel Willard), 1861-; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago : The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 886

Author: Beakes, Samuel W. (Samuel Willard), 1861-; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 886