Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Part 15

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 15

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In 1892 Mr. Sullivan was married in Ypsilanti to Miss Elizabeth Beach, a daughter of Walter P. Beach, of that city, and they have three chil- dren : Frances C., Walter P'. and Philip B., all born in Ypsilanti, and aged respectively ten, eight and six years.

Mr. Sullivan exercises his right of franchise in support of the democracy and is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, being a past master in Ypsilanti lodge. No. 128. A. F. & A. M. He had thus acted for three years when he joined Phoenix lodge, of Ypsilanti. He is like- wise a member of the chapter in which he has served as king and he is thrice illustrions master of the council and is past chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and past Sir Knight commander of Wolverine tent. K. O. T. M. He is a member of St. Luke's Episcopal church and has been a vestryman for twenty years. A young man, he possesses great business and ex- ecutive force and is much esteemed in commercial and industrial circles here. He has made rapid advancement since entering the employ of Mr. Glover, winning recognition for his business abil- ity, determination and unfaltering purpose. His life has indeed been a useful one and is in keeping with the spirit of progress which has dominated Michigan from an early day and has led to rapid and substantial development of the state.

WILLIAM H. MCINTYRE.

William H. McIntyre, a retired merchant of Ann Arbor. now operating to some extent in real estate, is a native son of Washtenaw county, born in Northfield township in 1834. He is. therefore. a representative of one of its pioneer families and has been a witness of its growth almost from its infancy down to the present time. His father. John McIntyre, was a native of Ireland, and cune alone to America when twenty years of age. possessing the resolute spirit and determination that enabled him to sever home ties and cast his lot amid strangers in a country whose manners and customs were unknown to him. He first settled in Vermont, where he worked as a laborer and later he made his way westward to Detroit. Michigan, where he spent a few years. carefully husbanding his resources, his frugality and en- terprise bringing him the capital that enabled him in 1828 to purchase eighty acres of govern- ment land. In 1833 he removed to his farm, set- tling in Northfield township, Washtenaw county.

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and with characteristic energy began clearing and cultivating it. Some time afterward he bought one hundred and twenty acres additional and the original tract of eighty acres is still in possession of the family. He continued to follow farming throughout the remainder of his active business career, finding in this pursuit the means of pro- viding his family with the necessities and some of the comforts of life. He bore all of the hard- ships and privations incident to the establishment of a home on the frontier and the reclamation of a farm from the wilderness, and his name is now enrolled among the honored pioneer settlers. He married Catherine Heffron, who was also a na- tive of Ireland, born in the southern part of the Emerald isle, whence she came to America with her parents in her early girlhood. She died January 14, 1869, at the age of sixty-two years, while Mr. Mcintyre, surviving until January 5, 1886, passed away at the very venerable age of ninety-six years and seventeen days. They were the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters, of whom six are yet living : John, a resident of Grand Rapids: William H .; Mrs. Mary Cady ; Patrick G., who is living on the old homestead in Northfield township; Mrs. Ellen Nixon ; and Mrs. Margaret Clancy.

William H. McIntyre pursued his early educa- tion in the public schools of his native township and afterward continued his studies in Ann Ar- bor. When twenty-one years of age he became constable of Northfield township, and in 1863 he was made turnkey of the county jail under Sheriff Wineger. He thus had charge of the jail for four years, on the expiration of which period he entered the retail grocery business in Ann Arbor, continuing as a merchant here for almost three decades. He was also deputy sher- iff at intervals for twenty years. In his store he prospered, carrying a carefully selected line of goods and securing a patronage which constantly increased as the years went by. Since he has disposed of his mercantile interests he has en- gaged to a greater or less extent in real estate dealing and has conducted some important and profitable negotiations.

Mr. Mcintyre has figured prominently in pub- lic life as one whose interests center in the gen-

eral good and who places public welfare before personal aggrandizement. In 1872 he repre- sented the third ward on the board of city alder- men and for several years he has been on the board of public works, acting for a considerable period as its president. His political allegiance is given to the democracy.

In 1865 Mr. McIntyre was married in Free- dom township to Miss Sarah Maloney, who was born in that township, and was a daughter of Patrick Maloney, a native of Ireland, who, when a young man crossed the Atlantic to America and made his way at once to Washtenaw county, settling in the midst of the green woods of Free- dom. Mrs. McIntyre was called to her final rest on the 24th of October, 1904. when sixty-seven years of age. She left two daughters and three sons : Jennie; Kate: William H., who is assistant civil engineer to the city engineer of Ann Arbor; Frank J., who is engaged in the theatrical busi- ness in New York ; and Donald S., who is an in- surance agent of Ann Arbor. Mr. McIntyre's splendid business record, together with his long identification with the county, entitles him to mention in this volume. His mind bears the im- press of the early historical annals of this part of the state as well as the record of its later prog- ress and improvement, and while he rejoices in the present growth and prosperity of the county, his memory goes back to many pleasant hours when pioneer pleasures were enjoyed such as are unknown at the present time.

MOSES ROGERS.

Moses Rogers, deceased, was a pioneer mer- chant of Ann Arbor, where he engaged in the agricultural implement business for many years. He was born near Syracuse. New York, October 18, 1810, and his parents, John and Sarah ( Mc- Carthy ) Rogers, were also natives of the Empire state. The father was a carpenter by trade and. removing to the west at an early day. became con- nected with building operations in this city. Sub- sequently, however, he removed to Ohio, where he lived for a few years and then returned to Ann

MOSES ROGERS

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Arbor for a short time. He next took up his abode in Quincy, Michigan, where he lived re- tired throughout his remaining days, both he and his wife dying there. Among the children born unto Mr. and Mrs. John Rogers two became par- ticularly well known in Ann Arbor : Dr. Edmund Rogers and Randolph Rogers. The former, a graduate of one of the best medical colleges of the east. was also one of the first students in the medical department of the State University of Michigan. He afterward went to Chicago and practiced in the Marine Hospital of that city for many years. His death occurred at his niece's home in Quincy, Michigan. Randolph Rogers, who was a well known sculptor, known through- out the country because of his superior ability in his chosen art. devoted much of his life to that calling in Italy, where he died. He gave to the University of Michigan all the statuary that it now possesses.

At the usual age Moses Rogers entered the public schools of New York state, wherein he con- tinued his studies until he had gained a good prac- tical education. Coming to Michigan at an early day, he established his home in Ann Arbor when there were no railroads here and entered business life as a teamster, hanling freight to this city from Detroit. He was thus engaged for a few years, after which he entered the employ of Mr. Chapin. a dealer in agricultural implements, Mr. Rogers acting as clerk for several years. In 1843 he pur- chased a small store building and began in the same line on his own account, continuing in busi- ness there for about twelve or thirteen years, when he purchased the property that stood on the site of the present knitting factory. Remov- ing to the latter location, he engaged in business on a larger scale and continued to deal in agricul- tural implements, selling plows and all kinds of farm machinery until he was in control of the largest enterprise of this kind in Ann Arbor. His business career, however, was not one continued era of prosperity, for on one occasion his plant was entirely destroyed by fire. He soon rebuilt this, however, and his business grew constantly in volume and importance until its assumed very extensive proportions, and he was engaged in trade up to the time of his death. enjoying in

later years a patronage that made him one of the most prosperous merchants of the city.

In 1843 Mr. Rogers was united in marriage to Miss Letitia Sweetland. a native of Livingston county. New York, and a daughter of Elezer and Deborah (Chamberlain) Sweetland, both of whom were natives of Vermont, whence they re- moved to Livingston county, where they engaged in farming until the year 1835. At the time they became residents of Washtenaw county, being likewise pioneer settlers of this part of the state, for they found the county largely an unbroken wilderness with only here and there a settlement to give promise of future development. Mr. Sweetland purchased a tract of land in Lodi town- ship and converted it into a good farm, carrying on the work of cultivation there up to the time of his death. His wife, too, passed away on the old homestead, where some of their grandchildren still reside.

Mr. and Mrs. Rogers became the parents of two daughters but Ellen A., who was born Feb- ruary 12, 1845, died on the 21st of August, 1862. The other daughter. Katie J., born September 12, 1849. passed away on the 12th of May, 1901. She possessed very superior skill and ability as an art- ist. She completed two different courses in the union schools of Ann Arbor and, being always a lover of art, took up study along that line when quite young. She did all of her work at home. remaining with her mother. Her paintings in- clude many landscapes, fruit and flower can- vasses, but she gave the greater part of her at- tention to portrait painting and her mother's home is now decorated with fine life size paint- ings of most of the relatives of the family, also one fine painting of a sculptor, which work claimed the attention of Miss Rogers for a num- ber of years. Another of her exceptionally ex- cellent works is the portrait of Mr. Kingsley. which hangs in the county courthouse in Ann Arbor, and is admired by all for its splendid exe- cution and likeness. The mother also has many books of her daughter's fine paintings of flowers painted on canvass. The death of this daughter was a great blow to the mother and a deep loss to her many friends; and the art lost one of its devoted and talented followers.

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Mr. Rogers passed away on the 14th of Oc- tober, 1888, and after his death the daughter gave up her art work and took charge of her father's business, successfully supervising the store for seven years. She then sold the business to the firm of Hurd & Holmes and returned to her art work. Although Mr. Rogers was never an of- fice seeker, he served as alderman of Ann Arbor for two years and held other official positions in the city, to which he was called by the vote of his fellow townsmen, who recognized his worth, ability and devotion to the public welfare. His early political support was given to the democ- racy, but he afterward joined the ranks of the republican party. He was at one time a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Ann Arbor ; and he and his wife and daughter at- tended the Unitarian church. He was recog- nized as one of the most prominent, enterprising and prosperous business men of Ann Arbor ; and both the Rogers and Sweetland families are well known to every pioneer of the county. Since her husband's death, Mrs. Rogers has made her home in the house which they were occupying at the time of his demise. It is a large and beau- tiful residence at No. 121 North Division street ; and in addition to this she also owns other valu- able property on Detroit street. The name of Mr. Rogers is inseparably interwoven with the annals of commercial development here, and, while he gained a handsome competence through his well-directed labors, at the same time he won an honorable name through the exercise of busi- ness principles, that neither sought nor required disguise.

BERT KENNY.

Bert Kenny, who is engaged in general agri- cultural pursuits in Webster township, was born in this township, May 9, 1866, a son of John and Adelia (Queal) Kenny. The father was a na- tive of Townsend, Windsor county, Vermont, born September 27, 1822, and his parents were Munnis and Patty (Campbell) Kenny, both of whom were natives of the Green Mountain state,

whence they came westward to Michigan in June, 1829, being among the early settlers here. That was a number of years before Michigan's admission into the Union and pioneer conditions existed on every hand. The grandfather died in the year 1864. John Kenny was only seven years of age when brought by his parents to this state and amid the scenes and environments of frontier life he spent the days of his boyhood and youth. He was married on the 16th of May, 1850, to Miss Adelia Queal, a daughter of Henry M. and Eliza (Bennett) Queal. They became the parents of eight children : Byron D., born April 28, 1852: Ossin A., April 26, 1854 : Eliza J., June 30, 1856: Ida, January 18, 1858; Munnis, who was born March 13. 1864, and died November 28, 1887; Elmer and Emma, who died in infancy ; and Bert, of this review. Reuben Queal, an uncle of our subject, died December 30, 1902, while Adelia Kenny, wife of John Kenny, is the only surviving representative of this generation of the family. John Kenny, father of our subject, devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits and for forty years lived upon the old homestead which his father had secured on coming to the west. In 1890 he built a new home but was not long permitted to enjoy it, his death occurring on the 17th of September, 1891.

Bert Kenny spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon the old family homestead and after his marriage he purchased one hundred and twelve acres of that land and began business on his own account. He had acquired his early edu- cation in the district schools and afterward at- tended the high school at Ann Arbor and thus gained a good education that well fitted him for life's practical and responsible duties. Since pur- chasing the home farm he has carried on general agricultural pursuits and stock raising and now feeds both cattle and sheep, making a specialty of Shropshire sheep. Not only his farm animals but everything about his place is kept in excel- lent condition and is indicative of the progressive spirit and practical methods of the owner.

On the 13th of February, 1899, Mr. Kenny was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Phelps, who was born on the 13th of August, 1869, and is a daughter of George W. and Elizabeth (Gregory)

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Phelps, both of whom were natives of Scio town- ship, the former born June 29, 1837, and the lat- ter in 1842. Her father, reared in Washtenaw county, eventually became the owner of two hun- dred acres of fine farming land and throughout his active business career engaged in the tilling of the soil, but in 1897 he put aside the work of the fields and removed to Ann Arbor, where he is now living retired in the enjoyment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly merits. Unto him and his wife have been born five chil- dren and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. These are: Edgar, who married Myrtle Bostwick and is living in Dexter : Margaret, the wife of Dr. L. Jones, of Hoopes- ton, Illinois; Nancy, a school teacher of Detroit : Sarah; and Mrs. Kenny.

Unto our subject and his wife have been born six children : Jessie, born February 23, 1890; Bertha, born July 16, 1891; Joanna, born De- cember 17, 1893: Munnis J., October 28. 1898; George P., April 27, 1903; and John. October I, 1904. The family have a pleasant home upon the farm which has so long been in possession of the Kennys, having at one time been the property of the grandfather of our subject. In his politi- cal views Bert Kenny is a stalwart republican and has been called to a number of local offices, and in all positions has promptly and capably discharged his duties. He belongs to the Macca- bees tent at Dexter, also the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and both he hand his wife are members of the Congregational church. They have always been residents of this county and Mr. Kenny has continuously lived upon the farm which is now his home and which in its excel- lent appearance gives every evidence of his care- ful supervision and thrift.

JAMES H. WADE.

James H. Wade, secretary of the University of Michigan, possesses the enterprise and business discernment that made him a potent factor in commercial circles in Jonesville and that consti- tutes him a valued force in the management and

upbuilding of the leading representative higher educational institution in the state. He also wields a wide influence in the support of tem- perance work and as the champion of progressive public movements has contributed in substantial measure to the upbuilding of the commonwealth. He was born in Onondaga county, New York, in 1835. His father, John Wade, was a native of England, born in 1799, and in 1825 he came to America accompanied by his wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Parker and who was a native of Scotland. He settled first in the state of New York, where he followed farming until 1844, when he came to Michigan, taking up his abode in Litchfield township, Hillsdale county, where he purchased a farm and spent his last days, his death occurring when he had reached the venerable age of seventy-three years. His wife passed away at the age of sixty-seven years. They were the parents of seven children, one of whom died in infancy and another at the age of fourteen years, while five reached maturity, al- though James H. Wade is now the only survivor.

In the public schools of Hillsdale county James H. Wade acquired his education. He was a young man of seventeen years when in 1852 he went to California, where he accepted the posi- tion of agent of a large water company, remaining on the Pacific coast until 1856, when he returned to Jonesville, Hillsdale county, Michigan. The capital which he had acquired in the west was there invested in a dry goods business, which he conducted with success for some time, his brother, William W. Wade, joining him in the conduct of the enterprise after the close of the Civil war, in which he had served. He was a member of Com- pany G, Seventh Michigan Infantry, for three years, and being commissioned second lieutenant he rose to the rank of captain. When his first term of service had expired he re-enlisted as a member of the Thirtieth Michigan Infantry, but before this command had reached the front the war was brought to a successful termination. He then returned to Hillsdale county and joined his brother in business. They opened a hardware store in Jonesville and they also dealt extensively in grain, in pork and wood, their business repre- senting a large investment and bringing to them

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a gratifying financial return. During this period James H. Wade also became agent of the railroad at Jonesville.

Interested in active community affairs his labor was of the practical character that secures results and his public spirit found tangible evidence in his far-reaching and beneficial efforts. He acted as a member of the board of education of Jones- ville for fourteen years, was supervisor and filled many township offices. He was also president of the village board and his political allegiance was given to the republican party. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity and held va- rious offices in the lodge. For many years he was an elder and a trustee in the Presbyterian church in Jonesville and is now one of the elders and a member of the board of trustees of the First Presbyterian church in Ann Arbor. He was also treasurer of the Tappan Presbyterian Associa- tion for some time and trustee of the Christian Students' Association.

In 1883 Mr. Wade, whose business capacity and ready recognition of opportunity were widely recognized, was urgently requested by the board of regents of the University of Michigan to be- come the secretary of the institution, and after careful deliberation he accepted and has since served in the position to the entire satisfaction of all. He, however, continued to hold an interest in his business at Jonesville until 1888, and since his removal to Ann Arbor he has assisted in the organization, and is now one of the directors of the State Savings Bank. The cause of higher education is of deep concern to him and the growth and development of the University of Michigan is to him a source of genuine pride and satisfaction. He has watched the trend of public thought in regard to university education and has given his influence in support of those measures which secure more effective and practi- cal work, and thereby promote the usefulness of the individual as a factor in the world's advance- ment.

Mr. Wade was married in Jonesville in 1859 to Miss Elizabeth A. Sibbald, who was born in that city, and is of Scotch descent. They now have two children, the son being Charles F. Wade, who was born in Jonesville and was married

there to Miss Minnie A. Curtis, of that place. He was for twenty years cashier in a private bank at Jonesville and is now engaged in the conduct of an extensive cement plant there, acting as general manager of this large productive con- cern. He built the plant and it has become an im- portant industry under his direction, now consti- tuting a source of gratifying revenue to the stockholders. The daughter, Gertrude W. Wade, was born in Jonesville and has become the wife of Walter F. Slocum, of Chicago, by whom she has two children, Russell W. and Gertrude E. As the years have passed Mr. Wade has left the impress of his individuality upon commercial, fi- nancial and educational activity in the state. He is an idealist in the fact that is always working to a greater progress, and yet as a practical man of business, he realizes that the means of accom- plishment are those at hand. He is a man of action rather than of theory, and a courteous agreeable manner has gained him the high esteem of all who have in any way been associated with him.

GEORGE SCOTT.

George Scott, who without invidious distinction may be termed the leading architect of Washte- naw county, with a business which in volume and importance is commensurate with his ability, has for thirty years been thus connected with building interests of the city. He was born in Hamilton. Ontario, February 29, 1852, and spent his early life as a student in the schools of Waterloo county. After putting aside his text-books he be- gan preparation for the active and responsible duties of a business career as an apprentice under the direction of his uncle, Thomas Scott, who was an architect. Thoroughly mastering the profes- sion, Mr. Scott removed to Ann Arbor in 1880 and opened an office, since which time he has been accorded a liberal patronage, for he was not long in demonstrating his superior ability in the line of his chosen vocation. Year after year he has designed and planned fine structures and many of the best buildings of this city stand as monuments to his skill. He designed the new Cutting flats,

GEORGE SCOTT.

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the building of the School of Music, the Episcopal parsonage, the residence of Charles Wagner and Mr. Cutting, also the residence of Professor Bo- gle on Hill street and many other fine homes of the city.

Mr. Scott himself owns and occupies a beau- tiful home at No. 742 Fountain street and he has his office in the Henning Block. He was married in 1874 to Miss Flora Campbell, of Ontario, and they have become the parents of a daughter and three sons: Margaret, who is with her parents : Albert, now living in Detroit; and Walter and Charles, who are associated with their father in business.

Mr. Scott is an exemplary member of the Odd Fellows society, belonging to Ann Arbor lodge. No. 9. in which he has held all of the chairs. In his religious faith he is a Presbyterian and in his political views a republican and his advocacy of any measure is a sure indication that he is in hearty sympathy therewith. He never falters in his allegiance to any cause which receives the sanction of his conscience and his judgment and his high principles are manifest in his business career that is characterized by unfaltering honor and integrity as well as by ability and enterprise.

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Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Part 15

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