Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Part 24

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 24

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He was a member of the board of fire commis- sioners of the city of Ann Arbor in 1800, and president of the city common council in 1891 and 1892. The second time he was on all tickets ex- cept one.

He is past vice president of the American Soci- ety of Mechanical Engineers, and a Fellow of the American Society for the Advancement of Sci- ence, serving one year as vice-president of the section on engineering. He is a member of the American Society for the promotion of engineer- ing education, a member of the U. S. Society of Naval Engineers, past president of the Michigan Engineering Society, member of the Detroit En- gineering Society, University of Michigan En- gineering Society, Detroit Club. Yondotoga Club, and Prismatic Club. He is a member of the Sigma Phi college fraternity, also of the Sigma Xi. As a Mason he a member of the blue lodge. chapter and commandery of Ann Arbor and the council of Ypsilanti.

His busy days have left him little time for lit- erary work other than college lectures, profes- sional reports and papers, though frequently

called upon for addresses. He is called upon not infrequently to give professional advice not only in Michigan but elsewhere. He has planned the heating and power plants of many of our state institutions in both the upper and lower penin- sulas of Michigan. In 1899 he was appointed a special appraiser for the Detroit Street Railway commission, having charge of the rolling stock and power plants. This work was organized, executed and reported on in one week's time, the value aggregating nearly two million dollars.

In 1900 he was appointed by the state tax com- mission to value the physical properties of all the specific tax paying properties in Michigan, in- cluding railroads and their steam ships, telegraphs, telephones, plank roads, river improvements, ex- press companies and private car lines. This work was organized, executed and completed in six months' time, the field work being done in ninety days. The aggregate values approximated two hundred and forty million dollars.

In October, 1902. he was employed by the gov- ernment of Newfoundland to appraise the me- chanical equipment of Newfoundland railways. He has served as an expert witness on many trials involving the validity of patents, and as consulting engineer in many other cases. He is a member of the Michigan Naval Brigade, and served as chief engineer on board the U. S. S. Yosemite during the Spanish-American war, and at its close was attached to the League Island navy yard until February, 1899. He received as a token of appreciation of his services a silver medal from the city of Ann Arbor, a bronze medal from Detroit, and a bronze medal from the state of Michigan. He was a member of the committee on marine engineering. of the commit- tee on the state educational exhibit and chairman of the committee on the university exhibition at the World's Fair in 1893, and a juror on the com- mittee of awards at the Pan-American in 1901.

In 1898 and again in 1903 he was offered the deanship of the engineering department of the University of Wisconsin, also in 1903 the presi- dency of the Colorado State School of Mines.

In 1903-4 he was again called to assist the state in the preparation of its cases in the suit brought by the Michigan Central and twenty-seven other

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railroads to enjoin the auditing general from col- lecting the taxes imposed under advalorem tax law passed by the legislature following the ap- praisal of 1900. This work consisted of a re- valuation of the physical properties of the rail- roads as of the date of the assessment in April. 1902, and required nine months to complete.

In December, 1903, Mr. Cooley was elected dean of the department of engineering in the University of Michigan. At the close of the present year he will have been in the service of the university for twenty-five years, during which time the department of engineering has grown from one department to six departments, civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, marine, includ- ing naval architecture, and architecture, the latter course just being established. The attendance has in that time increased from twenty-five to nearly twelve hundred students.

Mr. Cooley has four children : Lucy Alliance, named by the officers of the U. S. S. Alliance and also the first baby of the class of 1878. aged twenty-five years ; Hollis Mosely, who, at the age of nineteen years, entered the Naval Academy in September. 1902: Anna Elizabeth, aged twenty years; and Margaret Achsah, aged seventeen years. Mr. Cooley has led an exceedingly busy life, with not a single vacation in eighteen years.

AZARIAH F. MARTIN.

Azariah F. Martin, connected with building op- erations in Ann Arbor, was born in Ypsilanti township, Washtenaw county, in 1832. His fa- ther, James Martin, was a native of the Emerald isle. and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He died in 1862, at the age of nearly seventy years, after a long life of activity and usefulness. He was one of a family of five children; but all have passed away. He came to America with his par- ents when a lad of seven summers, but during the voyage his father and two of his brothers died and were buried at sea, and the mother, on reach- ing the new world, took up her abode in Seneca county, New York. The grandfather bore the name of Joseph Martin, while his wife bore the

maiden name of Margaret Hunter. James Mar- tin, father of our subject, was reared to man- hood in Seneca county, New York, and enlisted for service in the war of 1812, becoming captain of his company. Having arrived at years of ma- turity, he married Letitia Depew, a native of the Empire state. In 1825 he came to Michigan, set- tling in Ypsilanti, the travel westward having been made by way of the Great Lakes. He brought his household goods on a flatboat from Detroit up the Huron river, and when he reached his destination, he found that Ypsilanti contained but one building, and that of logs. He settled two miles west of Ypsilanti, taking up one hun- dred and ninety-six acres of land from the gov- ernment : and this he cleared and cultivated, fol- lowing farming here for some years. In the early '50s, however, he removed to the city of Ypsi- lanti, where his last days were passed. He nearly reached the psalmist's alloted span of three score years and ten, while his wife departed this life at the age of eighty-two years. They became the parents of eight children, seven sons and one daughter, of whom Azariah F. was the seventh in order of birth. The others still living are: Mrs. Sarah Noble, a resident of Detroit: and Peter D., who is living in Los Angeles, Cali- fornia.

Azariah F. Martin was reared upon the home- stead farm in Ypsilanti township to the age of eighteen years, when he went to California with an elder brother 1850. There he remained until 1853, being engaged in mining, in which he met with a fair measure of success. He then returned to Michigan and again following farming on the old homestead during the summer of 1853. In September of that year he entered the Ypsilanti high school, where he devoted his attention to the completion of his education. Subsequently he engaged in clerking in the dry goods store of F. W. Noble, in Ypsilanti, and later went to Detroit, where he secured a position as salesman in a flour and feed store, remaining there for two years. On the expiration of that period he lo- cated in Venice, Shiawassee county, Michigan. where he followed agricultural pursuits, clear- ing the farm which he continued to cultivate for ten years, save during the period of his service

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in the Civil war. In response to the coun- try's call for troops, he enlisted as a pri- vate in Company L. Second Michigan Cavalry, in 1864. for three years, or un- til the close of the war. He participated in twenty-eight different engagements, and was taken prisoner while on the Wilson raid, Oxford, Alabama, by General B. F. Hill, of the Confeder- ate army. April 23. 1865. Lee has previously sur- rendered the Confederate troops to the Union army under General Grant, but this fact was un- known to the brigade to which our subject be- longed ; although the opposing forces were aware of the fact.

When hostilities ceased and his aid was no longer needed in the south, Mr. Martin returned to his home. He was married October 4, 1854. in Ypsilanti, to Miss Mary E. Hammond, who was born in that city, and is a daughter of John S. and Elizabeth (Ridgely) Hammond, both of whom were natives of Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have now traveled life's journey together for over fifty-one years. They have one daugh- ter, Anna L., who was born in Ypsilanti, and be- came the wife of Daniel Martin, who, though of the same name, is not a relative. They now re- side in Bay City, Michigan, and have one son. Percy William, who was born in that city, and, after completing the high school course there, en- tered the engineering department of the Univer- sity of Michigan in 1898, and was graduated in 1902. He is now in the employ of the Russell Wheel & Foundry Company in Detroit. He mar- ried Miss Evelyn Hope Bryant, who is also a graduate of the university, and is a daughter of Rev. William Bryant, of Bay City.

On leaving his farm in Shiawassee county, Mr. Martin removed to Owosso, Michigan, where he lived for five years, there following the carpen- ter's trade. On the 9th of January, 1876, he took up his abode in Ann Arbor, where he has since been engaged in carpentering, doing some con- tract work as well as working in the employ of others. His political support is given to the republican party. He has held various township offices, and every trust reposed in him has been faithfully performed. He has represented the city of Ann Arbor as a member of the board of

aldermen for ten years, and while acting with the council introduced the measure to institute the sewer system. He was also the first to agitate the subject of the street railway, and has been the promoter of many movements which have had tangible effect in the growth, progress and improvement of the city. He belongs to Welch post. G. A. R., and also to the Royal Arcanum.

ROBERT S. PAUL.

Robert S. Paul is a representative of one ot the old pioneer families of Washtenaw county, and his birth occurred in Lima township on the 2d of May. 1873. His father, William Paul, was of German birth, and came to this county in 1830, being the first German boy confirmed within the borders of the county. Eventually he set- tled upon a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Lima township and became one of the enter- prising and prosperous agriculturists of the com- munity, so carefully conducting his business in- terests that his labors were crowned with grati- fying success. He married a Miss Stein, who is now deceased. In their family were nine chil- dren, namely: Mrs. Mary Brown, who is living in Saline, Michigan : Henry, a farmer of North- field township ; Katherine, now Mrs. Nichaus, of Lima township: Michael J., who is a farmer of Dexter ; Christ Ferd, of Ann Arbor ; E. T., who is living in Chelsea : Charles, a thresher, residing at Chelsea : Robert S. ; and Mrs. Martha Baumiller.

Robert S. Paul acquired his education in the district schools of Lima, and was reared in the usual manner of farm lads of the period, his time being devoted to the labors of field and meadow when not occupied with the duties of the schoolroom. He desired, however. to follow other pursuits than that to which he had been reared, and in 1895 he came to Ann Arbor, where he turned his attention to the draying business, which he followed for some years. About two years ago, however, he accepted a position as local agent for the Schlitz Brewing Company, and has since acted in this capacity, during which time he has gained many patrons and has thus conducted a profitable business.

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On the 12th of February, 1895, occurred the marriage of Mr. Paul and Miss Elizabeth Hei- bein, a native of Canada. They now have three interesting children, William Henry, Edna Marie and Leroy Robert. Mr. Paul is a member of the Lutheran church and is independent in poli- tics. He stands well here with the best people of the city and is a worthy representative of a pioneer family of the county. He has many friends, including those who have known him from his boyhood days-a fact which indicates that his life has been in harmony with principles that ever command respect and regard.

JOHN S. JENNESS.

John S. Jenness, deceased, was a pioneer resi- dent of Ypsilanti, prominent in public life, repre- senting his district in the legislature and achiev- ing success in business affairs until he became a prominent citizen. He took up his abode in Ypsilanti about 1858, but maintained his com- mercial interests in Detroit, where he conducted a wholesale and retail crockery business.

A native of Vermont, Mr. Jenness was born in Topsham, on the 15th of October, 1811, and was descended from ancestry tracing its line back to William Bradford. His father always made his home in the east and there died. The mother was a distant relative of Noah and Daniel Web- ster. At an early age she came west and her last days were passed in the home of her son, John S., in Detroit.

In the district schools of his native state John S. Jenness acquired his education, but never had the opportunity of realizing his ambition to ac- quire a college education. Entering a business life, he was first employed as an office boy in the office of Daniel Webster in Boston. After a few years thus passed, he accepted a clerkship with Abram French, who was engaged in the crockery business in that city, and thus Mr. Jen- ness first became acquainted with the crockery trade. He continued to act as salesman there for a few years, and in the early '3os sought a home in Michigan, believing that the growing west

would furnish better business opportunities. Set- tling in Detroit, he entered into partnership with his cousin, who also bore the name of John S. Jenness. They established a wholesale grocery store and entered upon a prosperous period of trade, in which they continued for several years, when the cousin withdrew and the firm name of Jenness & Mather was established. This rela- tionship was continued for several years, when the firm became Jenness & Fiske. These gentle- men carried on a wholesale and retail crockery business for several years, and, in fact, Mr. Jen- ness was connected with the trade up to the time of his retirement from business life. He had a splendid establishment, carrying a large and complete stock of goods and enjoying a trade which in volume and importance made his en- terprise one of the leading commercial concerns of Detroit.

Mr. Jenness was three times married. In Bos- ton he wedded Miss Martha Clarke, a native of Maine, who died in Detroit. There is one child living by this marriage, Mrs. C. E. Yost, who now resides in Omaha, Nebraska, her husband being president of the Nebraska Telephone Com- pany. For his second wife, Mr. Jenness chose Miss Lucy J. Moore, a sister of the Hon. Wil- liam A. Moore, a prominent attorney of Detroit. She was born in the Empire state and died in Ypsilanti, February 21, 1863. In their family were six children, of whom two died in infancy, and the four now living are as follows: Henry, who resides in Detroit, is engaged in the whole- sale crockery business, as a member of the firm of Jenness & McCurdy, having become his fa- ther's successor in that line of trade. He married Lillis Burt, a daughter of Wells Burt, of Detroit. Flora is the wife of D. A. Matthews, who is en- gaged in the telephone business in Minneapolis, Emma is the wife of Charles D. Parmalee, a prominent merchant living in Omaha, Nebraska. Lucy is the wife of Rev. Howell S. Sayles, of Chicago, who is an evangelist and spends the greater part of his time traveling, while his wife is now spending the winter with Mrs. Jenness in Ypsilanti.

After losing his second wife Mr. Jenness was married to Miss Emma A. Ellis, whose birth oc-

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JOHN S. JENNESS.

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curred in Ypsilanti in 1838, on the day on which the first train passed over the Michigan Central Railroad in this city. She was a representative of one of the pioneer families of Washtenaw county, and has reached the age of sixty-seven years, during which time she has lived in but two houses, the one in which she was born and the one to which she went with her husband in Ypsilanti. She is a daughter of Elijah and Almira (War- ner) Ellis, both of whom were natives of the Empire state, and at an early age came to this city. One of the principal residence streets here was named in honor of her father, who was prom- inent in Ypsilanti, and for many years continued in active business at this place. He afterward re- moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where both he and his wife died. By the last marriage of Mr. Jenness three children were born: Hattie became the wife of Henry T. Cole, and died in 1895, while her husband is now living retired in Omaha, Ne- braska. John died at the age of five years. Laura is the wife of Frank Van Tuyl, an electrical en- gineer residing in Detroit.

While still engaged in the crockery business in Detroit, Mr. Jenness determined to make his home in Ypsilanti and removed to this city in 1858. He continued his commercial interests in Detroit, however, until, on account of advancing years and hardships attendant with the necessity of making daily trips to and from the city, he sold his business with the intention of living re- tired. Indolence and idleness, however, were ut- terly foreign to his nature, and he could not con- tent himself without some business interests, so that for a short time he represented insurance companies here. In 1881, while driving, an acci- dent happened to the carriage and he was thrown to the ground and badly injured. so that during the four remaining years of his life he was an invalid, his death occurring on the 22d of April, 1885.

In politics Mr. Jenness was a stanch republican, recognized as a leader of the party, and for one term represented his district in the state legisla- ture at Lansing. For more than twenty years he held membership in the Baptist church at Ypsi- lanti, and had previously been connected with a church of that denomination in Detroit. He took

a very active and helpful interest in the various departments of church work, and was a man of charitable and benevolent spirit, who gave freely to the poor and needy and extended a helping hand to those who sought his assistance. His giving was entirely free from ostentation and dis- play, and was prompted by a broad, humanita- rian spirit. He was also a helpful friend to the colored people of the vicinity, and believed that kindly treatment and assistance would go far toward solving the race problem. In his business career he made a most creditable record, because his methods were straightforward and honorable. His integrity as well as energy was a strong point in his buisness life, and he enjoyed the full con- fidence of the public and was esteemed as a repre- sentative of commercial interests throughout the state. Called to his final rest, his death was deeply deplored by many who knew him and who entertained for him the warmest regard and re- spect.

Mrs. Jenness owns and resides at the old home, which is a fine, commodious brick residence at No. 324 Forest avenue. It was built by her hus- hand when he first located in this city in 1858. She also owns several store buildings in the busi- ness center of the city, which bring her a good rental. She is prominent in social circles here and has a most hospitable home, in which she is con- tinually entertaining her relatives and friends.

JOHN MAYER.

John Mayer, who has been foreman of the Michigan Furniture Company more than twenty- five years, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1854. and acquired his early education in that country. His father, John Mayer, was a mill- wright by trade, and died December 24, 1896, at Linnville, Indiana. His mother, whose maiden name was Mary Bahlinger, died in 1874. When thirteen years of age John Mayer came with his parents to America. and after landing on the Atlantic coast they made their way direct to Washtenaw county, arriving on the 21st of No- vember, 1867. The family home was established

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at Scio, where for some years John Mayer at- tended the district schools, as did his two broth- ers, John J. Mayer, who is now pastor of the German Evangelical church at Bloomingdale. Illinois, and Gottlieb, a carriage manufacturer at Lake Odessa, Michigan. There are also two sisters: Justine, now the wife of Rev. William Hausman, a resident of Adrian, Michigan, and Katie, the wife of Rev. Michael Mehl, of Linn- ville. Indiana.

After completing his education John Mayer began work on the farm of William Aprill, of Scio, where he remained for two years. He then began learning the trade of a cabinet maker un- der the direction of Florian Muehlig, of Ann Arbor, and for two and a half years was thus employed on the second floor of the last frame building that stood on Main street between Liberty and Huron streets. The first floor of the same building was occupied as a butcher shop by Mr. Sipple, the father of the present fire chief of Ann Arbor. After remaining with Mr. Muehlig for two years Mr. Mayer entered the employ of John Keck, who was then conducting a small factory on Fourth street. The business has since been greatly enlarged and is now conducted on the same site under the firm name of the Michigan Furniture Company. Mr. Mayer has now been foreman of this concern for over a quarter of a century, a fact which indicates his thorough undestanding of the trade, his capability in the discharge of his duties and his unquestioned loy- alty to the company which he represents.

On the 11th of August. 1874, Mr. Mayer was united in marriage to Miss Christine Klinck, a daughter of Frederick Klinck, of Wurtemberg, Germany. Both of her parents died in the father- land several years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Mayer have become the parents of seven children : John E., Henry G., Carl F., Herman G., Robert E., Ernest W. and Mrs. Sophie Weimer. It is rather a remarkable fact that each of the sons is an expert rifle shot, and they have repeatedly issued challenges to any other family in the state to a contest at the target. For several years Mr. Mayer has been prominently connected with fra- ternal organizations. He has been president for three terms of two years each of the Ann Arbor

Arbeiter Verein, two terms of one year each of the Ann Arbor Schuetzenbund, eight years presi- dent of Germania lodge, No. 476, D. O. H., of Ann Arbor, and for three terms of two years each president of D. O. H., of the state of Michi- gan, which office he is holding at present. He is also prominently identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen in Ann Arbor. Al- though he has never been a candidate for office he has always been a consistent democrat and is a member of the Bethlehem German Evangelical church of this city, serving on the building com- mittee at the time of the erection of the house of worship. His advancement in business life is due to no fortunate combination of circum- stances or to any family influence, but has come as the direct result of his own untiring labor, perseverance and capable management.

HENRY J. MANN.

For forty-three years, or from boyhood down to the present time, Henry J. Mann has been a representative of the business interests of Chris- tian Mack and now of his estate. He was born in Ann Arbor January 3. 1847. His paternal grandfather, Jonathan Henry' Mann, was born in Germany April 26, 1784, and came to America in 1826. He settled first in Pennsylvania and on the 20th of May, 1830, he arrived in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He had been married in Germany on the 10th of September, 1809, to Miss Louise Hal- ler, who was born in that country August 6. 1786. They were resident of this city for more than a third of a century and here Mrs. Mann (lied on the 9th of July. 1864, her husband sur- viving until the 18th of August, 1865. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom were born in the fatherland, and with the excep- tion of three all died prior to the emigration of the parents to the new world. The eldest of the survivors was Emanuel E. Mann. Louise, who was born June 21. 1817, became the wife of Rev. Frederick Schmid, the first Lutheran minister in Michigan and the organizer of many of the Ger- man churches of this state, where he arrived in

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1833. Mrs. Schmid departed this life March 10, 1889. Sophie H. Mann, who was born No- vember 10, 1821. and is the only living repre- sentative of her father's family, is now enjoy- ing good health at the age of eighty-four years. She married August Frederick Hutzel, who was born in Germany, February 25, 1807, and died September 18. 1889.

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Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Part 24

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