USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan > Part 19
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Frank Ilagen, reared under the parental roof. pursued his education in the district schools and remained upon the old home farm, assisting his father in its operation. He is now the owner of two hundred and ten acres of the old home prop- erty, where he lives with his sister Emma, who is acting as his housekeeper. He carries on gen- eral farming and feeds all of his rough grain to cattle and sheep. Twenty-five acres of his land is covered with timber, but the remainder is under cultivation and he is largely engaged in raising corn, oats and wheat. His apple orchard covers eight acres and is in good bearing con- dition. He has a barn sixty-four by thirty-eight feet and two others each thirty by forty feet and a shed fifty by twenty-five feet. Everything about his place is kept in excellent condition and the work of repair and improvement is being continually carried forward until his farm is one of the best properties in Ann Arbor township.
In politics Mr. Hagen has always been a stanch democrat and for two years he served as town- ship treasurer, while at the present writing he is school inspector. He has the warm regard of a large circle of friends, many of whom have known him from his boyhood days to the present time.
JOHN C. GARRETT.
John C. Garrett, engaged in the practice of os- teopathy in Ypsilanti, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, April 25, 1869, his parents being William G. and Mary ( Barr ) Garrett, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father is a farmer and is now living at College Springs. Page county, Iowa. He comes of Scotch-Irish ancestry, while the Barrs were of Scotch descent. Unto him and his wife were born seven children: Minnie, the wife of J. E. Sawhill, of Clarinda, Iowa : William, who is liv- ing in Page county, Iowa: Jennie, the wife of G. M. Trimball, of Page county ; Maurice E., an osteopathic physician, of Detroit, Michigan ; Harry D., a clergyman in the United Presbyterian church at Pitzer, Iowa: John C., of this review ; and one who died in infancy.
John C. Garrett acquired his education in the public schools of Washington county. Pennsyl- vania, and of Page county, Iowa, and also in Amity College at College Springs, Iowa, from which he was graduated in the class of June, 1893. He afterward engaged in agricultural pur- suits until 1899. when he entered the S. S. Still College of Osteopathy at Des Moines, Iowa, and was graduated in January, 1901. He then opened an office for the practice of his profession in Ypsilanti and has been quite successful in his work here. being accorded a liberal patronage in recognition of his capability and the effective service which he has rendered his fellowmen in restoring health and checking the ravages of dis- ease.
On the 8th of November, 1893, Mr. Garrett was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. McKee, a daughter of James and Atlanta (Jones) Mc- Kee. of Page county, Iowa. They have one
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child, Frieda Lavera. Dr. Garrett is a man of fine personality, of unfailing courtesy and genial- ity, and has become popular with his fellow citi- zens, while in his profession he has gained a well- merited degree of success.
MRS. CAROLINE P. ELLIS.
Mrs. Caroline P. Ellis, residing at No. 1304 Hill street, Ann Arbor, is a native of Vermont, her birth having occurred in Poultney, on the 17th of March, 1839. She is a daughter of John Pom- eroy, who was born in Suffield, Connecticut, and who as a life work followed the occupation of farming. He married Miss Almira Brown, and died in the year 1869, while his wife survived until August 20, 1880. The members of their family were as follows: Mary A. Pomeroy, who is living in Ann Arbor ; Jane E., John G., Delia M., Ellen C., Olive B. and George E., all de- ceased ; Martha A. and Elbert L., who have also passed away ; Caroline P .. of Ann Arbor : and Emma L., who is the widow of George Steele, and lives in Springfield. Massachusetts.
Caroline P. Ellis spent her girlhood days in her parents' home and acquired a public-school edu- cation. She gave her hand in marriage on the 29th of February. 1868, to Joseph J. Ellis, and removed to Ann Arbor. Mr. Ellis was a son of Peter and Abigail (Stockton) Ellis, both of whom are now deceased. the father having died in 1859. at the age of seventy-one years, while the mother passed away in 1864. at the age of seventy-two years. His brothers and sisters were: Edith D., who died in 1835: Hudson S .. who died August 27, 1874: Samuel S., who passed away in 1887; and Caroline S., who died in 1882.
Coming to Ann Arbor soon after his marriage, Joseph J. Ellis was interested in carriage manu- facturing, also in agricultural pursuits, in the furniture business and as a director of the First National bank. His diversified interests show his business ability and strong purpose and what- ever he did was characterized by diligence, close application and honorable effort. As a represent-
ative of industrial and commercial interests he made an excellent record in Ann Arbor and in everything that he did he showed resolute will that enabled him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. Moreover, his business life was characterized by irreproach- able integrity.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ellis were born two sons: Hudson P., who was born in 1869, is now mar- ried and is engaged in the banking business in Paris, Texas. John A., born in 1874. died in 1905. The death of the father occurred July 22. 1886, and the community lost a representative citizen and good business man, and his family a devoted husband and father. His political al- legiance was given to the republican party. Mr. Ellis' ancestors were Quakers, but Mrs. Ellis is a member of the Baptist church in Ann Arbor. Since her husband's death Mrs. Ellis has contin- ted her residence in Ann Arbor and occupies a fine mansion at No. 1304 Hill street. She has gained many warm friends here and is held in warm regard by all who know her.
DEAN T. SMITH, M. D.
Dr. Dean T. Smith, professor of surgery in the homeopathic department of the University of Michigan, is also engaged in the private prac- tice of medicine in Ann Arbor. Among the many eminent practitioners in the medical field for which the university city is noted few enjoy a wider reputation or greater popularity than Dr. Dean Tyler Smith. He was born in Portland, Ionia county, Michigan, on the 9th of September, 1860, and is a son of John E. and Amelia Smith. The father was twice married, and by his first wife had two sons: H. L. Smith, a well known manufacturer of oil stoves and dealer in hard- ware, living at Jackson, Michigan ; and Datus C., an extensive wheat grower of North Dakota, who spends much of his time in New York city. Dr. Smith's only full brother. John Clarence Smith. aged twenty-three years, is a student in the home- opathic department of the University of Michi- gan. He has one sister, who is the wife of Dr.
Joseph fils
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M. P. Guy, of Jackson, this state. His mother. Mrs. Amelia Tyler Smith, is also living in Ann Arbor.
When twelve years of age Dr. Smith accom- panied his father to Nebraska, where he after- ward entered the State University and won the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1887. In 1889 he gained the degree of M1. D. in the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College and subsequently pursued post-graduate courses in Johns Hopkins University at Baltimore, Maryland, and the Medi- cal School of New York city. He also spent about five months visiting the surgical hospitals of England and the continent, and thus broad- ened his knowledge and proficiency through his investigation of the methods practiced in the lead- ing institutions of that character abroad. From 1889 until 1892 he practiced at Decatur, Ala- bama. and in the latter year he came to Jackson, Michigan, where he practiced medicine and sur- gery until 1901, when he came to Ann Arbor. accepting the professorship of surgery in the homeopathic department of the University of Michigan. His office is located at No. 106 South Main street, but his practice lies principally out- side of the city, being called upon to perform surgical operations and in consultation through- out Michigan, Ohio and Indiana.
In 1894 Dr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Ella Snook, a daughter of John Snook, of Romeo, Michigan, and they have three daughters: Stella Louise, Ella Gretchen and Adelina. They have a beautiful home at No. 712 East Washing- ton street and occupy an enviable position in so- cial circles of the city. As a professor in the University of Michigan Dr. Smith is exceed- ingly popular with the other members of the faculty and the students as well. among whom his ability is uniformly recognized.
WALTER FRANKLIN STIMPSON.
Walter Franklin Stimpson, famous throughout the continents of North America and Europe as the inventor of the Stimpson computing scale, was born in Saline township, Washtenaw county,
September 20. 1870. His father, William Stimp- son, was a farmer and was born in Wind- ham. Greene county, New York, February 28. 1835. He came to Washtenaw county with his father, Theodore Stimpson, in 1842, and settled in the southern part of Saline township. For many years William Stimpson followed farming but retired from agricultural pursuits in 1892 and removed to Milan. His wife bore the maiden name of Maria L. Hurd and was a daughter of Dr. Isaac Hurd, of Milan. In the family were three sons: Walter F .: George Washington, of Milan; and Frederick Hurd, who is a farmer in Hale, Michigan.
Walter Franklin Stimpson was educated in the district schools of Saline township and at the Cleary Business College in Ypsilanti. He taught in the district schools when about eighteen years of age, and it was at that period in his career that he began giving his attention to mechanical in- ventions. He invented the now world famous computing scale in the spring of 1893 and in April, 1894. organized the Stimpson Comput- ing Scale Company. The plant was first located at Milan but was transferred to Tecumseh, where it was conducted until the summer of 1896, when it was removed to Elkhart. Indiana, and the capital of the company was increased to one hundred thou- sand dollars. At this time Mr. Stimpson trans- ferred all of his stock to the company and in re- turn the company turned over all the patents to him, operating the concern on the royalty basis. paying Mr. Stimpson royalties on the entire out- put of the plant for the use of his inventions. This arrangement continued until the concern grew to be very prosperous. It was at that time, it appears, that a scheme was concocted by the managers to annul his royalty compact and de- prive him of his royalties and the fruits of his labors during the preceding eight or nine years. The contract was annulled in March, 1899. and the company refused to pay further royalties. By the annullment of the contract the control of Mr. Stimpson's patents returned to him and he then, in the fall of 1890, went to De- troit and organized the WV. F. Stimpson Company with a paid-up capital of one hundred thousand
IO
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dollars. While the Stimpson Computing Scale Company of Elkhart refused to pay royalties, yet it continued to use Mr. Stimpson's inven- tions, and no sooner had the W. F. Stimpson Company of Detroit gotten under way than liti- gation was brought by each concern against the other. The case came up in the United States court in Detroit in March, 1900. The suit was hard fought with capital on one side and the in- ventor with his capital on the other. The best legal talent in Chicago and Detroit was employed and the result was a complete victory for Mr. Stimpson and his associates. The case was then appealed to the circuit court of appeals and came up in Cincinnati in the summer of 1900, but Mr. Stimpson gained a second victory, his rights being sustained and an injunction granted against the Elkhart concern restraining them from further use of his patents and his name. Subsequently the Stimpson Company of Elkhart was glad to sell out to the Detroit concern at a very reasona- ble price, which they did in the fall of 1900, and a year or two later the factory and business of the Elkhart concern were moved to Detroit.
In 1902 the two Stimpson concerns at Detroit were consolidated into a community of interests company with the Dayton Computing Scale Com- pany, of Dayton, Ohio, and the Money Weight Scale Company, of Chicago, with a capital of over three million dollars with headquarters in New York city. The Stimpson Computing Scale Company at Detroit is in a flourishing condition and has built up a business that extends over the United States and Canada.
After having placed the two computing scale companies on a solid footing Mr. Stimpson re- turned to Milan, where his family resided and organized the Stimpson Standard Scale Company with a paid-up capital of seventy-five thousand dollars. This plant was established for the manu- facture of heavy scales such as wagon scales, portable platform scales, truck scales and other specialties of Mr. Stimpson's invention, including coffee mills, meat choppers and other apparatus for use in grocery stores and markets. Mr. Stimpson is a majority stockholder in this con- cern and is secretary, treasurer and general man- ager. n 1905 he organized the Stimpson Mer- cantile Equipment Company with a paid-up capi-
tal of twenty-five thousand dollars which is a selling company to put upon the market the spe- cialties manufactured by the Stimpson Standard Scale Company. Mr. Stimpson is president of the former corporation.
On the 15th of February, 1905, Mr. Stimpson was married to Miss Estelle Heyn, a daughter of Julius and Jennie Heyn, of Toledo, Ohio. Al- though a consistent republican he has never taken a very active interest in politics, having little time to devote to anything outside of his busy career as an inventor and business man. He is a member of the Universalist church and at pres- ent makes his home in Detroit, where he and his wife occupy a magnificent suite of rooms in the Hotel Plaza. Washtenaw county may well be proud to be the native place of such a son.
WILLIAM ILLI.
William Illi, a native of Germany, was born in Wurtemberg, on the 23d of February, 1869. his parents being George and Elizabeth Illi, of whom mention is made on another page of this work. He came to Ann Arbor in 1889, then a young man of twenty years, and for a time worked here at the baker's trade, which he had previously learned in Germany. He afterward returned to the east settling in Philadelphia where for two years he was engaged in the bakery busi- ness, and, then, on the expiration of that period, he returned to Ann Arbor, where he was em- ployed by others for a time. During the past twelve years, however, he has conducted business on his own account, establishing a bakery which has grown to large proportions, his present lo- cation being at No. 213 East Washington street. His place of business is known as the Palace Bakery, and he has an extensive local trade, with a large delivery system. The excellence of his goods, his reasonable prices, promptness in de- livery and earnest endeavor to please his patrons are the salient elements in a success which is as honorable as it is gratifying.
On the 6th of September, 1894, Mr. Illi was united in marriage to Miss Emily Snyder, of Ann
WILLIAM ILLI.
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Arbor, and they have four children: Freida. ten years of age; Waldo, seven years old; Lo- rena, a little maiden of four summers ; and Ed- win. Mr. Illi is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees and also with local German so- cieties, in which his cordial disposition and kindly spirit make him popular. He belongs to the Bethlehem German Lutheran church, and is in- dependent in politics, expressing no strong pref- erence for either party, but voting as he thinks the interests of the occasion and time demand. His attention is more closely concentrated upon his business interests ; and he has wrought along progressive lines, realizing that "honesty is the best policy." and that "there is no excellence without labor."
GEORGE FREDERICK STEIN.
George Frederick Stein, proprietor of a meat market in Ann Arbor, was born in Scio township. Washtenaw county, in 1852. He is a son of Michael Stein, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, born in 1805. In that country he married Mag- dalene Hombacher, and following the birth of their eldest child they came to America, making their way to Washtenaw county, where Mr. Stein purchased a farm in Scio township from the original owner, who had entered the land from the government. He secured eighty acres, and this place is still in possession of the family. It was all timber land when he took up his abode thereon, and he at once began the task of pre- paring it for the plow that it might yield the products that would provide his family with a good living. He first built a little log cabin and then resolutely set to the task of cutting down the trees, clearing away the brush and preparing the fields for the plow. Later he built a brick resi- dence, which is still standing, his son, Christian, now occupying that home. Michael Stein con- tinned successfully to follow farming up to the time of his death, which occured in 1870. His wife, who was born in 1810, died in 1887. They were the parents of ten children, of whom six are living : Mrs. Mary Schneider, a resident of Ann
Arbor; Mrs. Dorothy Weinmann, also of this city : Mrs. Christina Reinmold, who is living in Freedom township; J. Michael, a resident farmer of Ann Arbor township; Christian, who is living on the old homestead in Scio township; and George Frederick. In his native land the father had served prior to his marriage for three years in the German army, and for six years after his marriage he was likewise in the military service of his country, thus remaining as a soldier for nine years.
George Frederick Stein pursued his education in the district schools of his native township, and remained at home until eighteen years of age, when he left the farm and came to Ann Arbor, where he entered the employ of Michael Wein- mann, under whose direction he learned the butcher's trade, for Mr. Weinmann was proprie- tor of a meat market. Mr. Stein continued in his employ for four and a half years, at the end of
which time he went to Marshall, Michigan, where he was employed at his trade for a year and a half. working there for his brother. Subse- quently he embarked in business on his own ac- count, opening a meat market on Huron street in Ann Arbor in the fall of 1878. Success at- tended the new enterprise and with a constantly growing trade he continued the business until 1801, when he formed a partnership with L. C. Weinmann, a son of his former employer. Michael Weinmann. They still conduct a market on Washington street, east, under the name of L. C. Weinmann.
In January, 1879. Mr. Stein was married to Miss Mary Heinrick, who was born in Ann Arbor, and is a daughter of John D. Heinrick, whose birth occurred in Wurtemberg, Germany. December 15, 1824. Her mother bore the maiden name of Christiana Koppenhoefer, and was also a native of Germany, whence she came to the United States after her parents' death. She was married to Mr. Heinrick in Ann Arbor, August 1, 1855, and they traveled life's journey together for thirty-five years, his death occurring on the 2d of September, 1800, while Mrs. Heinrick sur- vived until March 12. 1897. Their marriage was celebrated by Rev. Schmid, and was blessed with five children, but only two are now living. Mrs.
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Stein and Emma, the latter the wife of Emanuel Spring, of Ann Arbor, by whom she has two children, Heinrick and Frederick.
Mr. and Mrs. Stein have become the parents of five children, and those who still survive are : Robert F., Oswald, Amanda and Eugene. The parents hold membership in the Bethlehem Evan- gelical German church, of which Mr. Stein is one of the trustees and is now treasurer. In analyz- ing his life record we find that the secret of his success lies perhaps in the persistency of purpose which he has manifested in following out the line of business in which, as a young tradesman, he has embarked. He has not dissipated his ener- gies over varied lines of activity, but has con- centrated his efforts upon the one business and his close application and reliable dealing have brought to him the creditable measure of pros- perity that he now enjoys.
PARRIS S. BANFIELD.
On the roll of representative merchants in Ann Arbor appears the name of Parris S. Ban- field, who is connected with the shoe trade, con- ducting a well equipped store at 203 State street, south. He is one of the city's native sons, his birth having occurred here August 17, 1852. He belonged to a family of nine children born unto Henry and Frances ( Allen) Banfield, the latter a daughter of a Methodist minister. Henry Ban- field came to Ann Arbor in 1850 and was an active and leading business man, carrying on trade as a shoe merchant and at the same time taking an active and helpful interest in public affairs. Many movements instituted for the gen- eral good received his endorsement and co- operation, and he left the impress of his individu- ality upon public thought and action. His death occurred in the year 1896, and his wife passed away in 1890. In their family were nine children, of whom six are yet living : Mrs. Harriett Rich- ardson, of Charlotte, Michigan ; Mrs. Tillie Per- rine, of Ann Arbor; Mrs. Blanch Chamberlain, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Parris S .; Win- nie S. Banfield, living in Ann Arbor; and Mrs. Emma Ricketts, of St. Paul, Minnesota.
At the usual age Parris S. Banfield entered the public schools wherein he completed a course of study that well fitted him for life's practical and responsible duties. In his youth he became familiar with the shoe trade in his father's store and throughout his business career has been con- nected with that line of mercantile activity, now conducting a well equipped store on State street, where he enjoys a large, profitable and constantly growing business. His success has been accom- plished through personal effort and executive in- dustry and while thus associated with mercantile interests he has also extended his efforts into lines resulting directly for the public good. Ac- tive in politics and a recognized leader in the republican party he served as city marshal or chief of police in 1894-5. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Masons and with the Maccabees and the teachings and tenets of these orders re- ceive his hearty sympathy and find exemplifica- tion in his life.
Mr. Banfield was married in 1876 to Miss Viola Bovee, of Big Rapids, Michigan, and they now have a son, Harry M., who is an architect of California. Mr. Banfield having spent his entire life in Ann Arbor has a very extensive ac- quaintance here and many of his warmest friends are those who have known him from his youth to the present time-a fact that is indicative of a life prompted by honorable principles and char- acterized by straightforward dealing. Holding friendship inviolable, he enjoys the unqualified regard of many and he has the happy faculty of drawing his friends closer to him as the years pass by.
G. C. STIMSON.
Glen Cove Stimson, manager of the Chelsea Standard, was born in Parma, Michigan, August II, 1872. his parents being Henry I. and Eliza (King) Stimson. The father was a native of Lenawee county, this state, and was descended from New England ancestry, while in more re- mote generations his ancestors lived in England. His paternal grandfather was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Henry I. Stimson con-
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ducted a drug and general mercantile store and was thus associated with commercial interests. in Michigan until his death, which occurred in 1876. His widow still survives him and is yet living in Chelsea.
G. C. Stimson, whose name introduces this record, began his education in the schools of Parma and continued there until he had com- pleted the high school course. He afterward went to Albion College and was graduated with the class of 1896. He pursued the regular col- legiate course there and on putting aside his text- books he became the eastern representative of the Glazier Stove Company at New York city. There he continued for three years. He then turned his attention to the newspaper business in North Adams, Massachusetts, being assistant editor of the Evening Herald for one year. He next went to New York and entered the employ of William Crandall as assistant on the Municipal Journal of New York city, with which he was connected for about a year. Later he was an employe of the New York Commercial, with which he continued until 1902, when he returned to Chelsea. Here he became proprietor of the Chelsea Standard and was its editor for two years. The Chelsea Standard was established in 1887 by William Emmett, Jr. He conducted the paper until 1890, when it was sold to O. T. Hooper, who re- mained its editor and proprietor until Mr. Stim- son became its purchaser in 1902. He now manages the paper and keeps it up to a high standard of modern journalism. Mr. Stimson is a young man of excellent business ability, of keen discernment and unfailing energy and in his business career has made consecutive advance- ment, each step being carefully planned.
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