USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan > Part 13
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EVART H. SCOTT.
Evart H. Scott, a capitalist of Ann Arbor, financially interested in various important busi- ness concerns of the city, was born in Ohio in 1850. His father, J. Austin Scott, was born in Connecticut in 1806 and in early life engaged in shipping produce and various kinds of live stock to different markets as far east as Buffalo. He carried on a general commission business, at which time he was located at Miami, Ohio. It was there that he began the publication of the first newspaper at Perrysburg, in 1833, called the Miami of the Lake, in which connection he was a member of the firm of Scott, McBride & Reed, a relationship which was maintained for several years, the enterprise proving profitable to the partners. While living in Ohio, Mr. Scott also served as a captain in the Toledo war and did considerable recruiting service in Perrysburg, Wood county, the troops entering the army under
command of Colonel Van Fleet. Following the close of hostilities J. Austin Scott settled in Toledo, Ohio, in 1859, and became a prominent and influential factor in financial and business circles there. He was a member of the school board for many years and was actively connected with several business interests, success again at- tending his efforts. Retiring in later years from active life he came to Ann Arbor in the spring of 1868, having in the previous fall purchased the old Dr. Frieze estate on Washtenaw avenue, where he lived up to the time of his death in 1892. He was the owner of many vessels which plied on the lakes but during the financial panic of 1837 he lost heavily. Through his energy, judicious investment and careful management, however, he regained his fortune and left his family a goodly estate. He was a liberal man to all worthy measures and charities, possessing a sympathetic spirit and broad humanitarian prin- ciples. A very active member of the First Con- gregational church, he was its largest contribu- tor at the time of the erection of the present house of worship and indeed it was through his gener- osity that the congregation was enabled to build. He served for many years as a trustee and dea- con of the church, acting in those capacities up to the time of his death. His political support was given to the whig party until its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the new republican party. He was the man who brought the San Juan treaty here during President Grant's ad- ministration. Viewed in a personal light he was a strong man, strong in his business capacity, strong in support of his honest convictions and strong in his honor and his good name.
J. Austin Scott married Miss Sarah Shepard Ranney, who was born in East Grantville, Mas- sachusetts, and by her marriage became the mother of five children, of whom four are yet living : Evart H. Scott being the second in order of birth. The eldest, Dr. Austin Scott, is a graduate of Yale College, of the class of 1869, and of the University of Michigan of the class of 1870, at which time he received his second de- gree, while his third degree of Ph. D. was con- ferred upon him in Germany. He acted as pri- vate secretary for Bancroft, the historian, for ten
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or eleven years, while he was compiling his his- tory of the United States, and he is now presi- dent of Rutger's College, of New Brunswick, New Jersey. He has purchased his mother's old home at East Grantville, Massachusetts, where he has a summer residence. He stands today as one of the prominent educators of the country, being the active head of one of the oldest institu- tions of learning on the Atlantic coast. Mary S. Scott became the wife of Charles Edmond Davis, M. D. He is colonel in the First New York Rifles and was surgeon major in the Spanish- American war. It was while thus engaged that he met Mary S. Carter, who was acting as a citizen nurse and was there with her first hus- band, Charles L. Carter, who was killed in the movement for the restriction of the queen at Honolulu. He was a graduate of the law de- partment of the University of Michigan with the class of 1887. The youngest member of the fam- ily is Ranney C. Scott, who is assistant cashier of the Hawaii Trust Company, of Honolulu. The mother died in 1883, at the age of fifty-seven years.
Evart H. Scott pursued his education in the schools of Toledo, Ohio, and in the fall of 1868 entered the University of Michigan as a member of the class of 1872, but remained for only two years, when he became connected with manu- facturing interests as the owner of a factory producing agricultural implements. He con- tinued in the business for some time. He is also connected with many of the other leading in- dustries of the city, being at one time a director of the Ann Arbor Organ Company and the Ann Arbor Agricultural Company, while at one time he was connected with the old brickyard com- pany. His supervision is now given to his in- vested interests and his business judgment is re- garded as safe counsel in the control of important commercial and industrial concerns. In 1879, in Ann Arbor, Mr. Scott was married to Miss Sarah E. Shay, of Newark, New Jersey. They had five children, all born in Ann Arbor, but the daughter, Mary D., the third in order of birth, is now deceased. The sons are: Austin E., who married Laura Bannister, of Detroit, Michigan ; Reuben R .; Bradner W .; and Ranney C.
Mr. Scott served for fifteen years as a member of the Ann Arbor school board and is now a trustee of the Forest Hill cemetery and a mem- ber of the board of public works. He has several times refused the nomination for mayor as his ambition is not in the line of office seeking. He is, however, a stalwart advocate of republican principles and firm in support of his convictions. During a long residence in Ann Arbor he has gained a wide acquaintance and those who have been admitted to the circles of his friendship find him a most agreeable and congenial companion, worthy their highest regard and esteem.
JOHN W. BLAKESLEE.
Monuments of stone and bronze have been erected to the memory of many individuals but no such evidence of an honorable life is needed by the people of Milan and Washtenaw county to keep in memory the record of John W. Blakeslee, who lives enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him. He was a successful man and this excited the admiration of his fellow citizens but it was his use of his wealth-his generosity, his kindliness and his benevolence that won him the love of all. He was born in Madison county, New York, April 25, 1830, his parents being John W. and Urenia (Bonney) Blakeslee, both of whom were natives of the state of New York. The father was a wagonmaker by trade and followed that pursuit for a number of years. Leaving the Empire state in 1836 he made his way westward to Washtenaw county, Michigan, and took up his abode in York township. He fought in the war of 1812, while the paternal grandfather was a soldier of note in the Revolutionary war. The father, who died in the early fall of 1860, had often in his last illness expressed the hope that he might live to see Lin- coln elected. The brothers of our subject were Dr. Alfred P. Blakeslee and Julius W. Blakeslee, but the latter died several years ago. The sisters were Mrs. Philena Olcott, the wife of John D. Olcott, of Augusta, Michigan; and Urania, the wife of Thomas Richards. of York township, who is a brother of Mrs. John W. Blakeslee. Both sis- ters are now deceased.
John M. Blakeslee
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John W. Blakeslee was only six years of age when brought by his parents to Washtenaw county and here amid the environments of pioneer life, sharing with the family in all the hardships and trials incident to settlement upon the frontier, he spent the days of his youth and assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm. He early learned lessons of industry, economy and integrity and he grew to early manhood respected by all who knew him. That he was regarded as one of the worthy and representative citizens of his community is indicated by the fact that when only twenty-one years of age he was chosen a member of the district school board, to which po- sition he was elected again and again, occupying the offices during the entire period of his resi- dence in both York and Milan. Further official honors were also conferred upon him. He served as supervisor of York township for a number of terms, was also notary public up to the time of his death and for several years was justice of the peace, "winning golden opinions from all sorts of people" by the fairness and impartiality of his de- cisions.
On the 24th of November. 1850, in York town- ship, at the home of the bride, Mr. Blakeslee was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Richards, a native of Nottinghamshire, England, born on the Ioth of March, 1829. On the Ioth of May, 1830, her parents, William and Elizabeth (Sibert) Richards, had sailed for America and she was therefore reared in this country. Her brothers were : Thomas, William, John, Alfred and George Richards ; and her sisters were : Emeline, who be- came the wife of Thomas Fuller, of York town- ship : and Mrs. Frances Ann Jackson, the deceased wife of Andrew D. Jackson, of York township. Mr. and Mrs Blakeslee were married by Elder Baker, pastor of the Baptist church and their marriage was blessed with one daughter, Flora E., who was born on the 6th of May, 1857, and died on the 18th of October, 1881. Mr. Blakes- lee's father died in 1860 and his mother lived with her son until her death when in her eighty-ninth year, and he was to her a faithful son.
For many years Mr. Blakeslee carried on gen- eral agricultural pursuits and was always the owner of a farm, having at one time three hun-
dred and sixty acres of land and one hundred and forty-four acres when he died, but in his later years his land was operated on the shares, while he enjoyed a well earned rest. His death occurred very suddenly about six o'clock in the evening of April 8, 1905. He had been feeling unusually well that day and had transacted business interests with several neighbors and had also made a pay- ment of two dollars which was his subscription to the organ fund of the Baptist church. Benham S. Cook, who operated the farm for Mr. Blakes- lee, called him from the barn to the egg house to talk with him upon business matters for a few minutes. Then as Mr. Cook turned around to drive a nail he heard something fall and looking back saw Mr. Blakeslee lying there. The latter lived only a few minutes. His death was a great shock to the people of Milan and the neighbor- hood and his loss was most deeply and sincerely deplored. The funeral services were held on the IIth of April, the Rev. T. D. Denman officiating. and the funeral was one of the largest ever held in Washtenaw or Monroe counties, the home, corner Main and Edwards streets, being unable to contain the large concourse of friends and rela- tives who gathered to pay their last tribute of re- spect to the departed. The floral tributes were many and beautiful, being visible evidences of the love and respect in which Mr. Blakeslee was uni- formly held. The business men of Milan at- tended the services and the school children of the village headed by the teachers also viewed the remains. Mr. Blakeslee never sought to figure prominently in public life though he was a stanch, lifelong republican, being a Fremont voter and having attended the "Under the Oaks" reunion at Jackson in 1904. and it was not political position nor military record that made him so honored in the community where he lived. It was his great generosity and unbounded charity that won him the love of those with whom he came in contact. On one occasion a good veteran of the Civil war, disabled and with a destitute family, applied to him for assistance in his effort to get a pension. He stated his claims, finishing with the remark, "But I have no money to prosecute my claims." Mr. Blakeslee in his characteristic manner re- plied, "Then this is the place to come," and the
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aid was forthwith furnished. This is but one of hundreds of similar instances that might be given showing his great generous heart, his broad hu- manitarian principles and his ready sympathy. Many indeed have reason to bless him for his timely assistance in the hour of need, and they speak his name with praise and gratitude. His memory will be enshrined in the hearts of those who knew him for years to come, and his life his- tory furnishes an example that is indeed well worthy of emulation. Many who knew him may well feel that
"This was a man. Take him for all in all,
I shall not look upon his like again."
LOUIS Z. FOERSTER.
Louis Z. Foerster, the founder and promoter of the L. Z. Foerster Brewing Company, whose plant is one of the leading productive industries of Ypsilanti, was born in Canada in 1836. His father. Ludwig Foerster, was a native of Baden, Germany, and came to America in 1835, settling in Canada. He was accompanied by his wife and three children, and seven more children were
added to the household during their residence in the Dominion. The father in his native country learned and followed the locksmith's trade, but after crossing the Atlantic to the new world gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. Nine of his children are yet living : Jacob and Andrew, who make their homes in Canada; Katherine, who is living in Detroit, Michigan: Louis Z .. of this review, who was the first born in America : Fred- erick, living in Canada : Mary, whose home is in South Dakota ; Adam, who is living in Lansing. Michigan : Valentine, a resident of Canada : and Barbara, also living in Canada.
In the place of his nativity Louis Z. Foerster was reared and educated, and after putting aside his text-books he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until he came to Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1870. For thirty-five years he has been a resident of this city and has become known as one of its energetic and reliable business men. On his removal here he purchased the old brew-
ery known as the plant of the Grove Brewery & Bottling Company, in which he was associated with his brother Adam. The partnership was maintained for a few years, at the end of which time Louis Z. Foerster became sole proprietor and was alone in the business for two years. He then admitted a partner to a share in the busi- ness, with whom he was associated for ten years, when he again became sole proprietor and so re- mained until he gave his sons an interest in the business. It was incorporated in 1800 with L. Z. Foerster, president and treasurer, L. K. Foer- ster, vice-president, and J. L. Foerster, secretary. while Albert is now a member of the firm. The business was begun in a small frame building. but grew to such proportions, that in 1887 this structure was torn down and replaced by the present fine brick building which is splendidly equipped with the most modern appliances for making beer. They also have a manufactur- ing plant and fine bottling works, and the depart- ments together constitute an extensive plant, com- plete in every detail. The product of the brewery is shipped to all parts of Michigan and the Pil- sener beer is known in many other states as well. Their Gold Band Export is also a superior article and their manufacture includes porter. That Mr. Foerster is well qualified for carrying on a busi- ness of this character, is due not only to his na- tive talents and energies, but also to the fact that in 1802 he pursued a course in the American Brewing Academy of Chicago, studying chen- istry, physics, mathematics, mechanical appli- ances, bacteriology and biology. In addition to receiving scientific instruction in brewing liquors, he received a diploma as master of the art of brewing, and is considered one of the best posted men in the business, while under his capable ad- ministration the workings of the plant at Ypsi- lanti have been carefully conducted and the out- put has found a very ready sale on the market. while the constantly increasing demand has brought a substantial growth to the business year after year. Mr. Foester's home is a handsome two-story brick residence near the brewery, and he owns a farm of one hundred and three acres inside the city limits, and twelve acres just out- side.
L. Z. FOERSTER.
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Before leaving Canada Mr. Foerster was mar- ried in 1860 to Miss Augusta Leffner, now de- ceased. They had one son. Jacob L.
After losing his first wife Mr. Foerster mar- ried Rosanna Smith, also a native of Canada, and they had six children, of whom four are living. The eldest son, Jacob L. Foerster, married Hat- tie Kimmell, and they have five children : Louis, Nellie, Charles, Minnie and Florence. Louis K. married Mary Schade and has one child. Lin- den. Anna is the widow of Adam Schaner. Al- bert C. married Emma Fuller, and has three chil- dren : Earl. Anna and Ethel. Lillian is at home. One son and one daughter have passed away : Leopold, who wedded Mary Peters and died leaving one child, Rosanna : and Clara, who be- came the wife of Dr. E. E. Weber, and left one daughter. Clara J.
In his political views Mr. Foerster has always been a democrat, but it without aspiration for office, preferring to give his time and attention to his business affairs, and in the control of his brewing industry he has won gratifying success as the years have gone by. The study of biog- raphy yields in point of interest and profit to no other, and in the record of the life of the gentle- man whose name heads this sketch, there is much to learn and much that may prove of value in in- dicating to others the plans and methods which he has followed to win the brilliant success which has crowned his undertakings. The business policy which he has followed has been most com- mendable. He is methodical, careful and thor- ough, requiring that the strictest honesty prevail in his establishment, and thus he has won the re- spect of his business associates and all with whom he has had dealings.
NELSON SUTHERLAND.
Nelson Sutherland, deceased, was one of the leading politicians of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw county and represented a pioneer family of this section of the state. He was born in Pittsfield township. August 18. 1840. his parents being Langford and Lydia ( McMichael ) Sutherland,
who were natives of the eastern part of New York. They came to Michigan about 1834. settling in Pittsfield township, Washtenaw county, among its early residents. There the father cleared a farm and engaged in general agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days, both he and his wife passing away on the okl homestead.
Nelson Sutherland was educated in the com- mon schools of Pittsfield township and also at- tended the public schools of Ann Arbor, where he acquired a good education. He assisted his father on the old homestead until he had saved enough money to purchase a farm of his own and then bought a tract of land in his native township bordering what is known as the old gravel road between Ypsilanti and Saline. Here he began farming on his own account. He was married No- vember 22, 1866, to Miss Gabriella E. Drake, a native of Livingston county, Michigan, and a daughter of Adam Rorabacher, who was a pioneer of Livingston county, Michigan, where he worked at the blacksmith's trade until his death. His wife died when Mrs. Sutherland was an infant and she was then taken into the home of her aunt, Mrs. Sarah Drake, who also resided in Livingston county and by whom she was reared. Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland became the parents of a daughter and son: Ada is now the wife of Professor Louis P. Jocelyn, who is a professor in the high school in Ann Arbor and resides at No. 545 South Division street, being a near neighbor of her mother: Frank L. married Minnie Davis and they reside in Detroit, where he is engaged in business as a manufacturer of leather specialties.
After his marriage Mr. Sutherland resided on the farm in Pittsfield township for about four years and then purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Ann Arbor township known as the old Marcum place, southwest of Ypsilanti. There he devoted his energies to general agri- cultural pursuits until 1878, when he was chosen deputy sheriff and took up his abode at the county seat. He held the office for many years and was then made street commissioner, in which capacity he served up to the time of his death, which oc- curred on the 23d of November. 1894. In
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addition to these offices he was also alderman of his ward for one term and he always took an ac- tive interest in politics, giving stanch support to the democracy. Socially he was connected with the Maccabees at Ann Arbor. In the discharge of his official duties and as a private citizen he gained a wide acquaintance and there was in his character many sterling traits that gained for him friendly regard and consideration, so that his death was greatly deplored by many friends. MIrs. Sutherland is a member of the Congrega- tional church of Ann Arbor and she owns a large and beautiful home at No. 526 South Division street, where she has lived for about seventeen years.
EUGENE STEWART GILMORE.
Eugene Stewart Gilmore, superintendent of the University Hospital since 1900, was born at St. Cloud, Minnesota, in 1867. his parents being Addison and Newbelia ( Graves) Gilmore, both of whom were natives of the state of New York. The father was a broommaker by trade and fol- lowed that pursuit the greater part of his life. He spent his last days in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he died in 1883. at the age of fifty-one years, and his widow, still surviving him, makes her home there. They were the parents of eight children, of whom five are yet living. as follows : Mrs. H. C. Miner, of Ypsilanti : Charles A., a mining engineer, living in Butte City, Montana : Eugene S. : Mrs. James Seymour, living in Ypsi- lanti, and Mrs. William Miley, of Detroit.
Eugene S. Gilmore accompanied his parents on their removal to Ypsilanti, Michigan, when quite young. and continued his studies in the Ypsilanti high school, from which he was gradu- ated with the class of 1886. He entered upon his business carcer as an employe in the general offices of the Michigan Central Railroad Com- pany. at Detroit, where he remained for four years, when he became connected with the Ann Arbor Railway Company as clerk and cashier of the freight department, acting in that capacity for six years. He spent the succeedig vear in the service of the Pere Marquette Railroad, after
which he returned to the Ann Arbor Railroad, and was agent in the city of Ann Arbor for three years. On the expiration of that period in 1900 he accepted his present position as super- intendent of the University Hospital, in which capacity he has since been retained, giving ex- cellent service by reason of his capable business life and practical management.
Mr. Gilmore was married in 1892, to Miss Mae M. Banghart, of Ann Arbor, who died in 1803. In 1895 he married Charlotte Clark, of this city, and they have one daughter. Bertha Mae, born here in 1809. Mr. Gilmore is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the lodge and commandery at Ann Arbor, and he is also connected with the Woodmen of America. the Court of Honor and the Maccabees tent, hav- ing been venerable counsel of the last named. He votes with the republican party, and in the spring of 1901 was elected to the city council, since which tire he has been chosen as its presi- dent. so that he is now acting in the management of Ann Arbor interests, and he has given proof of his patriotic spirit and loyalty to the city's welfare through the exercise of his official pre- rogatives in support of all measures for practical and progressive benefit here. In church and re- ligious work he is likewise interested. and is now serving as a trustee of the Methodist church, while for the past eight years he has been presi- dlent of the Young Men's Christian Association. He deserves mention with the leading residents of Ann Arbor, for in him are embraced an una- bating energy, unswerving integrity and industry that never fails, and his co-operation has been a forceful factor in behalf of the political and moral status of the community.
EDWARD P. WARNER.
Edward P. Warner, who has throughout his entire life followed the occupation of farming. was born in York township on the 30th of June. 1870. His father. William H. Warner, is like- wise a farmer, owning and operating one hun- dred and fourteen acres of land. He, too, was
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born in York township, and the grandfather. Homer Warner, was a native of New York, and became one of the original settlers of Washtenaw county, taking up his abode in York township when the road between Saline and Monroe, now called the old territorial road, was nothing but an Indian trail. The grandmother. Mrs. Homer Warner, is now one of the oldest ladies residing in York township, and also one of the oldest resi- dents of the county. She came from the Empire state with her father, making the journey by water to Toledo, Ohio, and thence driving across the country to Milan, Michigan. The state was then under territorial rule, and the Indians were far more numerous than the white settlers in this locality. Mrs. and Mrs. Homer Warner had a typical pioneer dwelling and underwent the usual hardships and experiences of frontier life. and as the years passed by took an active and helpful part in the reclamation of this part of the state for the purposes of civilization. Ho- mer Warner passed away in 1900 in the eighty- sixth year of his age, and, as before stated, his widow is still living.
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