USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan > Part 12
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In 1891 Mr. Dwyer was married to Alicia Ho- gan, of Cherokee, Iowa, whose father was at one time extensively interested in iron mines of the upper peninsula. They have six children : Ellen A., Francis Thomas, Edgar J .. Rose C., Anna .A. and Mary E. aged respectively thirteen, eleven, nine, seven, five and three years.
Mr. Dwyer is a democrat in his political views and affiliations. He belongs to the Catholic church and to the Catholic Mutual Benevolent Association, of which he is vice president and trustee, while in the Knights of Columbus he is lecturing knight and recording secretary. His identification with these organizations is indi- cative of the principles which govern his ac- tions and have found manifestation in an up- right manhood.
GILBERT HURD.
Gilbert Hurd, a well known representative of agricultural interests owning three hundred and sixty acres of fine land, his home being on sec- tion 30. Pittsfield township, was born in the state of New York on the 18th of April, 1830. His father, Arba Hurd, was born in Dutchess county, New York, and in 1831 came to Michigan, enter- ing from the government eighty acres of land upon which his son Gilbert now resides. He afterward bought four hundred acres more and devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits, transforming the wild land into richly cultivated fields and annually harvesting good crops. In politics he was a democrat and later became a republican, for his study of the political issues and questions of the day led him to believe that the latter party embodied the best principles of good government. For many years he served as highway commissioner and in his community was known as a respected and worthy citizen, who championed many progressive measures for the general good. He married Miss Cynthia Rowe. who was born in the Empire state and their children were: Sarah, the deceased wife of Isaac Elliott, who at her death left three children. now residents of Pittsfield township: Betsy, who mar- ried Louis T. Howard and at her death left three
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children who are also living in Pittsfield town- ship: Dewitt C., deceased, who married Mary Sutherland, and had three children : Charles, de- ceased, who married Phoebe Collins; Hebron, deceased, who married Jane Sutherland and had three children: Helen, the wife of Fred Munson, by whom she has one child, their home being in Pittsfield: Henry: Gilbert, of this re- view ; and Harriet, the wife of Frank Smith, of Orleans, Ionia county, Michigan. The father died in the year 1868 and the mother survived until 1872.
Gilbert Hurd was only about a year old when brought by his parents to Michigan. He lived with his father until the latter's death, their first home being a log house in which the family shared in all the hardships and trials incident to pioneer life. Later the primitive cabin was re- placed by the splendid residence seen today. Gil- bert Hurd attended the common schools, acquir- ing a fair English education and he aided in the labors of the farm, doing his full share in the work of the fields as the years passed by. He was married in 1860 to Miss Jennie Fuller, who was born in New York, September 5. 1838. and is a daughter of Hiram B. Fuller, who was born in the Empire state and came to Michigan in 1851. Mr. Fuller was a Baptist minister, de- voting his entire life to the work of the church. He had three daughters: Eliza Ann, the wife of N. G. Saxton, by whom she has five children ; Pamela, who married Rev. O. Wolf and has three children : and Mrs. Hurd. Unto our sub- ject and his wife have been born six children, but the second and youngest died in infancy. The others are: Arba F., who was born Janu- ary 31. 1863, and married Flora McBride, their home being upon his father's farm; Bertie, who was born October 13. 1869. and died in 1870; Cynthia E., who was born September 3, 1871, and is the wife of Fred Webb ; and Virginia May. who was born January 26, 1875, and is a teacher. The married son has one child.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Hurd has given his time and energies to agricultural pur- suits and has prospered as the years have gone by, becoming the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of rich and highly cultivated land on
which he has fine buildings. Everything about his place is in keeping with his spirit of progress and enterprise and the well improved appearance of his farm is indicative of his careful super- vision and practical methods. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Saline and both Mr. and Mrs. Hurd are highly esteemed in the community where they make their home. Mr. Hurd is a republican in his political views but without aspiration for office. A highly respected citizen of Pittsfield town- ship, almost his entire life has been passed in this county and that he has ever been straight- forward and honorable in all life's relations is indicated by the fact that many of his stanchest friends are among those who have known him from him boyhood to the present.
JOHNSON W. KNIGHT.
Johnson Wells Knight, of Ann Arbor, the third child and oldest son of Elijah and Electa (Johnson) Knight, was born in Erie county, New York, in 1822. The father, Elijah Knight, was of English ancestry, his forefathers having migrated from England to New England in the seventeenth century, and thence after the Revo- lutionary war removed to New York, where Elijah was born in Oneida county in 1798. He lived to the ripe old age of ninety years, passing away in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1888, where he had resided for thirty-five years. Prior to removing to Michigan he had, in the pioneer days of western New York, combined the pursuits of farmer and builder, and had been successful in both. After moving to Grand Rapids he con- tinued his activity in both lines for some years. The mother. Electa Johnson, also a native of the Empire state, died in Grand Rapids in 1866, when she was sixty-eight years of age. Johnson Wells Knight, the subject of this sketch, was one of seven children, of whom four are yet living : Mrs. Mary L. Boardman, a resident of Brooklyn, New York: Johnson W. Knight: Mrs. Laura E. Adams, who is living in San Francisco, Cali- fornia : and Mrs. Helen M. Hoyt. of Grand
for Knight
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Rapids, Michigan. The family, though not not- ably strong or vigorous of frame and physique, is remarkable for the longevity of its members. the father and grandfather having passed ninety years before they died, and three of the brothers and sisters just named are now ( 1905) between eighty and ninety years of age.
Johnson W. Knight was a public-school stu- dent in his native county, and afterward pursued his studies in Alexander Academy in Genesee county, New York. He was a teacher in the dis- trict schools of Orleans and Genesee counties from 1841 to 1845 : he then turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, which he followed in Ak- ron. New York, conducting a general store there. two years as a member of the firm of Wainwright & Knight, and later under the firm name of Adams & Knight. That relationship was main- tained for four years. from 1848 until 1852, when the partnership was dissolved. and Mr. Knight engaged in buying and shipping wheat, continu- ing in the grain trade during the remainder of his residence in Akron. At this time he purchased a farm in Monroe county. New York, and al- though he continued to live in Akron until the spring of 1856. He also carried on agricultural pursuits with the assistance of a foreman.
Almost a half century has passed since Mr. Knight made his way from New York to Mich- igan, arriving in Detroit in the spring of 1856. and removing from that city to Ann Arbor six months later. Here he purchased the interest of the senior partner in the mercantile firm of Becker & Wines, the firm name becoming Wines & Knight. They conducted a general store which was located on the west side of Main street, be- tween Washington and Huron streets. This was one of the best stores of the day, and the business was successfully carried on from 1856 until 1861. when the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Knight retiring from the business. In the spring of 1863 in connection with others. he organized the First National Bank of Ann Arbor, under the national banking law which had just been passed by con- gress. The bank was opened for business on the Ist of July of that year, and was the first national bank organized in the state. Mr. Knight became teller in the institution, and two years later was
made cashier, which position he continued to fill until August, 1883 : he was also a member of the directorate from 1864 until he severed active con- nection with the bank eighteen years later. lie was one of the largest stockholders at the time of the organization, and as cashier, was the prac- tical manager of the business, and contributed in substantial measure to the growth and stability of the bank, which became one of the leading moneyed concerns of the state. Since retiring from the bank directorate in 1883. he has de- voted himself principally to his private business interests and investments, and to serving in va- rious trust capacities, and as business advisor to many who had learned to know and respect his financial judgment.
In politics Mr. Knight is an independent re- publican. In 1855 he was one of the four dele- gates from Erie county, New York, to the con- vention which met at Syracuse for the purpose of organizing the republican party in New York. and has ever taken an active interest in public affairs, especially in the more important ques- tions affecting the general policy of the country. and contributing to the national welfare. He has been a constant and keen student of the financial and fiscal problems and policy of the nation.
Mr. Knight for many years attended the Pres- byterian church in Ann Arbor and was for sey- eral years one of its board of trustees. During his membership of the board. and largely through his efforts, a heavy debt that burdened the church was lifted. Subsequently, about 1880, he. with his family, became identified with the Congrega- tional church, to which, as well as to the City Young Men's Christian Association, he has been a quiet but liberal contributor.
In 1848 Mr. Knight was married in Riga. Monroe county. New York. to Miss Cornelia P. Hebbard, whose ancestors had been among the original settlers of Plymouth and Salem in Mas- sachusetts. She was a native of Connecticut, and with her parents. Jeptha and Mary (Johnson ) Hebbard, moved to Monroe county. New York. in 1832. She died July 16. 1897. at the age of seventy-five years, leaving two sons and a daugh- ter. Earle. the eldest, was born in Akron, New York. in 1851. was graduated from Ann Arbor
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high school and the University of Michigan class of 1871. and was for many years financial mana- ger of the Gale Manufacturing Company at Al- bion, Michigan. He died September 9. 1905. leaving one son, Earle Kelley Knight, an irriga- tion engineer in Oregon. George W. Knight, the second son, was born in Ann Arbor in 1858, mar- ried Mariette A. Barnes, of Lansing, Michigan, and has two daughters. He was graduated from the Ann Arbor high school and the University of Michigan, class of 1878, and is now professor of American history and political science in the State University of Ohio at Columbus. The only daughter, Adelaide Knight, born in Ann Arbor in 1863. is the widow of Professor Frederick C. Clark, of Columbus, Ohio, and has two children.
Johnson W. Knight, crowned with years and honor, having passed the eighty-second milestone on life's journey, stands today as one of the prominent citizens of Ann Arbor, where for al- most fifty years he has lived and labored to goodly purpose. His keen but quiet recognition and util- ization of business opportunities, his unflagging perseverance and unabating energy have made him a successful and representative business man. Moreover, he has dealt fairly with his fellow- men, so that his path has not been strewn with wreck of other men's fortunes, but in the legiti- mate channels of business and through judicious investment he has won the prosperity that has made him a capitalist to whom has been vouch- safed in the evening of life those things which add to the comfort and happiness of the indi- vidual.
GOTTLOB LUICK.
Gottlob Luick, a leading representative of the productive industries of Ann Arbor whose efforts as a private citizen and public official have con- tributed in substantial measure to the development and benefit of the city, is a native son of Washte- naw county, his birth having occurred in Lima township on the 27th of March, 1846. His father, David Luick, came with his wife from Wurtem- berg, Germany, to America in the year 1831 and. making his way at once to Washtenaw county.
settled upon a farm in Lima township, devoting his remaining days to agricultural pursuits. He died in the year 1872, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Katherine Veck, passed away in 1860. In their family were twelve children, as follows: Andrew and Dorothy, both deceased ; Mrs. Eliza Stark, a widow residing in Ann Ar- bor ; Godfrey, a farmer living in Lima township; Jacob, deceased; David J., who follows agricul- tural pursuits in Lima township; Katherine, liv- ing in Isabella county, Michigan ; Mary, the wife of Jacob Laubengayer, of Ann Arbor ; Emanuel, who is in the mill with his brother ; Gottlob; one who died unnamed at birth; and Anna, who is living in Huron county, Michigan.
Gottlob Luick began his education in the public schools of his native township, wherein he con- tinued his studies until thirteen years of age, when he put aside his text-books and entered business life, learning the carpenter's trade. When he had mastered the principles of the builder's art he joined his brother Emanuel as a contractor and builder of Lima, whence he re- moved to Ann Arbor in 1872. The following year he established a large planing mill and is still extensively engaged in the manufacture of lum- ber, employing many men in his big plant and lumberyards. The volume of business transacted by the company each year makes the enterprise one of much value to the city and the reputation which the house sustains is an unassailable one. Mr. Luick's business ability and resourceful pur- pose have caused his aid to be sought in the con- trol of other commercial and industrial enter- prises and he is now the vice president and one of the directors of the Ann Arbor Organ Company, a leading industrial concern of this city, and a stockholder in the famous Ypsilanti Underwear Company. His labors have been discerningly di- rected along well defined lines and have resulted in the acquirement of success so gratifying and extensive as to entitle him to rank with the "cap- tains of industry" in his native county.
Active and influential in the public life of the city. Mr. Luick as the candidate of the democratic party has been elected to a number of offices. He served for four years as alderman of this city and was one term president and one term mayor, giv-
GOTTLOB LUICK.
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ing a businesslike and progressive administration, in which he has closely studied methods of econ- omy, reform and improvement. His only son, Oscar, was city treasurer of Ann Arbor. He is a busy man, yet ready to pause in the midst of busi- ness duties to perform a personal service. He is wholly worthy of the respect that is everywhere tendered him and his name is synonymous with honorable dealing and with all that is elevating and beneficial to the city and the individual. His rank in Masonic circles is high as is indicated by the fact that he is now affiliated with the Mystic Shrine. He has a host of warm friends, while his influence in political, industrial and commerical life makes him one of the foremost residents of Ann Arbor.
HARRISON SOULE.
Harrison Soule, treasurer of the University of Michigan, a director of the Ann Arbor Organ Company and a director and vice president of the First National Bank of Ann Arbor, was born in Orleans county, New York, in 1832. The ancestry of the family can be traced back in direct line to George Soule, who came to America on the Mayflower in 1620. His father, the Hon. Milo Soule, was a native of Madison county, New York, born on the 8th of July, 1804, and his death occurred on the 23d of April, 1891. He was a student in the public schools of his na- tive state until fifteen years of age, when he began teaching, devoting the winter months to that pro- fession, while the summer seasons were given to farm work upon his father's place. He was this engaged until the winter of 1830, when he mar- ried Miss Irene Blodgett, the youngest daughter of Sardis and Sabra Blodgett, of Vermont. The young couple removed to Orleans county, New York, where they remained through the following five years. Emigration at that time trended heav- ily in the direction of Michigan, and, renouncing his allegiance to the state of his nativity in order to become a factor in the great and growing west, Mr. Soule made his way to Michigan, arriving with his family at Marengo, Calhoun county, in
the fall of 1835. There he carried on general agricultural pursuits continuously until 1869, when he took up his abode in the village of Marengo. He took an active part in the organi- zation of the Calhoun County Mutual Fire In- surance Company, and was for many years its secretary. He was one of the pioneers of that county, where he arrived with extremely limited capital, but through his enterprise and unfalter- ing diligence he became one of the substantial citizens and also one of the leading and represent- ative men of that part of the state. In politics he was a democrat of broad and liberal views. He took a deep interest in public affairs, con- tinual reading and investigation keeping him in touch with modern thought and progress. He held many positions of public trust, the duties of which were discharged conscientiously and with scrupulous fidelity. In sickness or distress he was one of the first to offer assistance and sym- pathy, and was widely recognized as one of broad humanitarian principles, interested in everything that tended to ameliorate the conditions for the unfortunate ones of the world. Until stricken with paralysis about fourteen years prior to his death he was in vigorous bodily health with a mind as active as when in the prime of life. Afflicted as he was, being deprived almost entirely of the power of speech, which was to him one of his greatest delights, because of his companion- able nature, he yet bore his affliction with the utmost composure and resignation. Words are inadequate to express the high esteem in which he was held by those who knew him long and well. He endeared himself to those with whom he came in contact by ties of friendship which naught but death could sever, and he was spoken of only in terms of praise and good fellowship. He was one of the first to fill the office of justice of peace in his township, and in 1843 he was elected county treasurer, holding the office for three consecutive terms. In 1850 he was elected a member of the convention to revise the state constitution, and thus aided in framing the or- ganic law of the commonwealth. His interest in public questions was that of a patriotic citizen who placed the general good before personal ag- grandizement.
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Harrison Soule was brought to Michigan by ive service he was never away from his company his parents when a little lad of four years. His save for the period that he spent in the hospital because of his wound. He was twice commis- sioned major, the first time declining the promo- tion, for he preferred to be on active duty with his heroic company rather than to serve as major of the regiment without a command. A year later when he was again given a commission as major he instantly assumed command of the regiment as its superior officer and was detailed on other active duty. On the 9th of July, 1865, he took his regiment to New Orleans under orders and received a new outfit of light size guns. He was there transferred to General Sherman's command for a campaign on the Texas frontier in view of Maximillian's occupation of Mexico, but did not take part in the movement there, and with his regiment returned to Michigan. early educational privileges were supplemented by study in Marengo public schools, and also in Marshall, Michigan, subsequent to which time he attended the Albion Female Collegiate Seminary, while still later he pursued a course in Gregory's Commercial College at Detroit, completing his studies there when twenty years of age. Enter- ing upon his business career as bookkeeper for the firm of Jackson & Wiley, proprietors of a large machine shop and foundry, he remained in that service for two years, and then began work- ing for the Michigan Central Railroad Company as clerk in the office of the car shops, where he also continued for two years. Immediately fol- lowing his marriage he removed to Port Huron, where he was engaged in the retail boot and shoe business for two years, at which time he went On again taking up the pursuits of civil life Major Soule became passenger agent for the Michigan Central Railroad Company, with head- quarters at Jackson, Michigan, where he remained for fifteen years, when he resigned to accept the position of treasurer of the State University. This honor came unsolicited, and there were over fifty applicants for the position, but the regents of the university sought the services of Major Soule, and finally induced him to accept, which office he has since held with great satisfaction to all con- cerned, possessing the peculiar business qualifica- tions so essential to one who manages the financial interests of an institution of this character. He entered upon his duties in 1883, and that he has faithfully performed the trust reposed in him and contributed in substantial measure to the excel- lent financial basis upon which the university now rests is well indicated by its records and its well- known standing. He is likewise financially in- terested in business enterprises of Ann Arbor, being a director of the Ann Arbor Organ Com- pany and a director and a vice-president of the First National Bank. to Albion, Michigan, the former home of his wife, where he conducted a shoe business for about a year and a half. Personal and business considerations were then put aside, for in August, 1861, he responded to his country's call, enlisting for three years in defense of the Union. He was among the first to respond to the three years' call, and with his command was ordered into camp at Fort Wayne, Detroit, for military instruction and discipline, where he displayed such aptness and ability that he was commissioned captain with instruction to raise a company of volunteers. This he did and the organization was mustered in as Company I, of the Sixth Michigan Infantry, with Harrison Soule as captain. Later the com- pany was transferred to the heavy artillery de- partment and subsequently to the gunboat Wis- sahickon, being with this fleet at the time of the surrender of New Orleans. Major Soule was under Commander Farragut on the first expedi- tion for the capture of Vicksburg, led by General Thomas Williams. At Baton Rouge he was wounded and sent to the north for medical treat- ment, but after three months, when only partially Major Soule was married in 1855, to Miss Mary E. Parker, who was born in Cass county, Michigan, and is a daughter of Charles T. and Sally Ann (Beardsley) Parker, the former a na- tive of Ohio, and the latter of New York. Major and Mrs. Soule had but two children. Their restored to health, he reported for duty, and with his arm in a sling engaged in the siege of Port Huron. He was honored in general orders for gallant service on the field, and he made a splendid military record, for during over four years of act-
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daughter, Anna May, who died March 17. 1905, at the age of forty-five years, was for some years a successful and prominent teacher, and at the time of her demise was professor of American history and political economy in Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. The surviving daugh- ter, Mary Eva, is the wife of L. L. Clark, of Ann Arbor, and they have four children: Mary W .. Jane S., Georgie P. and Harrison S.
Major Soule is well known in military organi- zations of the state, being a member of Welch post, No. 37, G. A. R., at Ann Arbor, and of Detroit commandery of the Loyal Legion of Honor. He was made a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows when twenty-one years of age, has always taken an active interest in its work and has filled every position in the lodge from the lowest to the highest. He is much esteemed for his many splendid qualities, and like his honored father has won many friends, because of a social disposition and genial nature that rec- ognizes the worth of the individual. His military and business record, as well as his connection with the university, entitles him to representation as one of the leading citizens of Ann Arbor.
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