Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Part 25

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 25

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Emanuel E. Mann, whose birth occurred in Germany June 4. 1814. died in Ann Arbor, No- vember 24. 1887. He came to America with his parents in 1826 and was married in this city to Anna Niethamer, who was born in Germany Feb- ruary 9. 1825, and died in Ann Arbor November 2, 1880. Emanuel Mann learned the tanner's trade under the direction of his father in early life and later he built the first steam tannery in this city, which was located back of the old jail on Allen's creek. This he operated alone until 1848. when it was destroyed by fire. He then entered into partnership with Christian Eberbach under the firm name of Eberbach & Company. and they began dealing in drugs and similar goods, the partnership being maintained until 1881, when it was discontinued. A year later Mr. Mann purchased the George Granville drug store, which was located on Main street where the Goodyear drug store now stands. Later he removed his store to the location now occupied by his sons under the firm name of Mann Brothers, and it was there that he sold out to them. On retiring from commercial pursuits he settled on his farm, where his remaining days were passed. He was a very successful man, much esteemed by all who knew him. In politics he was a republican and was vice-president of the republican meeting held "under the oaks" at Jackson, Michigan, when the republican party had its inception. At the time when he was conducting business as a member of the firm of Eberbach & Company his store used to be the meeting place of many poli- ticians of the day and also the place of rendez- vous for prominent and well known early settlers. At one time Mr. Mann represented his district in the state senate and he held various local of- fices, serving on the school board of the city and also as alderman. He was very active in city and council affairs and wielded a wide and bene-

ficial influence, his efforts proving effective in promoting the general good. in his family were eleven children, of whom seven are yet living. namely : Eliza, Henry J., Emilie, Eugene G., Albert, Clara and Charles F.

Henry J. Mann obtained his education in the schools of Ann Arbor and on leaving the high school in 1862 entered the employ of the firm of Mack & Schmid as a clerk. He continued with the firm for many years as confidential clerk and right hand man, and in fact so continued until the death of Christian Mack in 1901-a period of thirty-eight consecutive years. He was at that time acting as bookkeeper in the loaning and banking department of their business and on the death of Mr. Mack he became the bookkeeper of the Christian Mack estate, in which capacity he is yet serving and is also the manager of the Christian Mack Agency, which was established by his late employer and has since been conducted most successfully. Mr. Mann has been in the employ of this house for forty-three years, from boyhood to the present time and his business position has ever been of the most honorable, his business integrity above question.

On the 27th of May, 1880, in Ann Arbor Mr. mann was married to Miss Mary Wagner, a native of this city and a daughter of John Wag- ner. one of the early settlers of Washtenaw county. They have one child. Louise A., who was born in Ann Arbor.

ADIN A. BENNETT.

Adin A. Bennett is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Washtenaw county, and is now successfully carrying on farming opera- tions in Webster township. He was born in Tompkins county, New York. January 14. 1836, and was only nine months old, when, in October, 1836, he was brought to Michigan by his parents. Lyman and Sarah L. ( Dawson) Bennett. The father purchased a tract of government land in Webster township, this county, and at once began to clear away the timber and prepare the fields for plow-

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ing. In March, 1840, however, he removed to Perry, Shiawassee county, where he worked as a carpenter. His death occurred in that place in 1848, when he was forty years of age, while his wife passed away October 4, 1875, at the age of sixty-seven years, on the old homestead in Perry.

Adin A. Bennett was reared in a frontier set- tlement, where the work of improvement and progress seemed scarcely begun, and in early life assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm. He remained a resident of Perry, Shia- wassee county, until 1876, when he returned to Webster, Washtenaw county, which has since been his home. On the 3d of June, 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Olsaver, a daughter of Lawrence and Nancy (Bennett ) Ol- saver. The father, who was born in Montgomery county, New York, December 18, 1811, became a resident of Webster township, Washtenaw county, Michigan, in 1833, when it was but a wilderness. He and his brother Cornelius had been educated in the public schools of their na- tive-state, and when he was twenty-one years of age they left their old home in the east, starting for Buffalo on the 6th of May, 1833. In the latter city they took passage on a boat bound for Detroit, whence they came on foot to Webster township, stopping first with Elisha Cranson, Mr. Olsaver and his brother then went to look up land. His possessions at that time comprised thirty-three dollars in money, a gun, a trunk and one suit of clothes. The land office at that time was at Detroit, whither Cornelius Olsaver made his way and purchased a tract of land from the government. This was in 1834. and he sold forty acres of his claim to his brother Lawrence. The latter engaged in making shingles, splitting them out of the timber and shaving them, after which he would sell to the local demand. In 1834 he bought forty acres more of land from the govern- ment, and also purchased another tract of gov- ernment land for his father, paying one hundred dollars for each eighty acres. Both he and his brother raised the frames for their houses in June, 1837, and with characteristic energy Mr. Olsaver continued the work of improving his property. clearing away the timber and preparing the fields

for cultivation. On the 5th of January, 1840, he married Miss Nancy Bennett, and on the roth of March, 1840, they went to live in the new house. As opportunity afforded he added to his land until he had one hundred and three acres at the time of his demise, and was regarded as one of the substantial agriculturists of the commu- nity. There was much wild game here in the '30S, including deer, turkeys, partridges, quail and some bears. One winter Mr. Olsaver killed thir- teen deer. Through the period of his residence here he witnessed many changes as pioneer condi- tions gave way before the advancing civilization, and man wrought his work in transforming a wild district into a region of rich fertility. Mr. Olsaver was well informed concerning the lo- cation and value of property, and aided many of the early settlers to secure their claims. He cleared his own land with great care, and while carrying on his farming operations no weeds were allowed to grow in his fields. Everything had to be done systematically and in order, and his well directed efforts brought a good return. His last home was the one in which Mr. and Mrs. Bennett now reside, and its substantial and at- tractive appearance indicates the spirit of its builder. Mr. Olsaver was elected justice of the peace, but did not qualify for office, for he did not care to serve in positions of political preferment. He was, however, a member of the school board for many years. He attended the Episcopal church, but favored the doctrines of Universal- ism. In politics he was a whig until the dissolu- tion of that party, when he became a stanch re- publican, having firm faith in the principles of the party, although he did not seek or desire of- fice. His death occurred July 5. 1899, while his wife, who was born in Tyrone township, Steuben county, New York, September 4. 1819, passed away November 17, 1891.

Mrs. Bennett was their only child, and was born January 6, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have a pleasant home in Webster township and take life quite easy, spending considerable time in travel. In the fall of 1900 they went to Cali- fornia, where they spent the winter with his sis- ter and brother. The farm is well cultivated and brings them an excellent financial return; and

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in its management Mr. Bennett displays good business ability and executive force. In politics he is a republican. His entire life has been passed in Shiawassee and Washtenaw counties, and he has been an interested witness in its growth and in the events which have marked its progress and constitute its history. Both the Bennett and ()]- saver families were closely associated with the early progress of this part of the state, and well deserve mention in this volume.

WILLIAM P. JAMES.

The building interests of Ann Arbor find a worthy representative in William P. James, who has been closely associated with the substantial development of the city in this regard. He was born in London, England, on the 30th of No- vember, 1852. His father. William P. James, Sr., was of English birth, and throughout his entire life followed the occupation of shoemaking. He died in the year of 1807, and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Daniels, passed away in the same year.

William P. James spent his boyhood and youth in a manner not unlike that of most lads of his period and locality, whose parents were in hum- ble financial circumstances. He acquired his edu- cation in England, but in early manhood he be- came a resident of America, taking up his abode in Ann Arbor in 1883. Here he learned the car- penter's trade, and after working in the employ of others for some time, he began contracting and building on his own account, which pursuits he has followed for thirteen years with con- stantly growing success. He has built many of the fraternity houses and some of the finest resi- dences of Ann Arbor. He is thoroughly familiar with the builder's trade, both in principle and detail, and his operations in this line have been an important factor in the substantial improve- ment and the promotion of the attractive ap- pearance of this beautiful city.

On the 20th of June, 1883, Mr. James was united in marriage to Miss Emma Kitson, of Greenwich, England, and they have become the

parents of two daughters, both of whom died in infancy, and two sons, namely: Mabel, Florence, William and Albert. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 20th day of July, 1905. She was a lady of natural culture and re- finement. and of many excellent traits of charac- ter. universally esteemed and loved by all with whom she came in contact, and her loss is a heavy blow to her husband and children. The family home is a beautiful residence at No. 1341 Geddes avenue. Mr. James and his son Albert have gone to England to spend several months with relatives at his old home. Mr. James is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, and he carries a heavy insurance in the Equitable Life Insurance Company. He is a man of marked foresight in business and in other relations of life. and in his chosen field of endeavor he has made gradual advancement until he is a worthy representative of building operations here.

His business methods are such as require no disguise, but will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny : and he commands the uniform con- fidence of all with whom he has been associated, either through trade or social relations.

REV. ANTON MEIER.

Rev. Anton Meier, deceased. was a leading divine of the German Methodist church, and a man whose eloquence, zeal and consecration to his country made his services of great power and value in the moral development of the localities with which he was associated. A native of Ba- varia, Germany, he was born on the 10th of Au- gust. 1856, and was a youth of sixteen years when in 1872 he came to the United States. After completing his literary education in the schools of his native land he began preparation for the ministry and his entire life was devoted to that holy calling. He was ordained a preacher of the German Methodist church and entered upon his chosen field of labor. He had been pro- vided with excellent educational privileges, was an earnest and disseminating student and was graduated from the Rochester ( New York ) Uni- versity.

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In the year 1878 Rev. Meier was united in marriage to Miss Anna Ernst, of Casca, St. Clair county, Michigan. Her parents were natives of Germany and came to this country when Mrs. Meier was eight years of age. Her father, Chris- topher Ernst, is now living retired in Detroit after an active life on a farm. They became the parents of three children, of whom two are liv- ing : Helena, who was born May 10, 1879, and Theresa, who was born March 4, 1881. Paulus, born January 5, 1884, died in 1885. Rev. Meier liver for only seven years after his marriage. His was an ideal home relation and to his family he was a devoted husband and father. He re- garded with conscientious purpose and earnest- ness every obligation and duty that devolved upon him in all life's relation. In the church he was regarded as a most able minister, having an im- pressive delivery, a true eloquence and an ora- torical power that enabled him to at once interest. entertain and impress his auditors. Moreover, his utterings rang with the power of honest con- viction, and not only in the pulpit but in all the various departments of church activity he was a most earnest worker. He was broad in his views, kindly to those who needed assistance. and his helpful spirit gained him the respect and love of people of all denominations as well as those of his immediate congregation.

ADELBERT B. WALKER.

Adelbert B. Walker, a liveryman of Ann Ar- bor, is a native son of Washtenaw county, his birth having occurred in Salem township on the 16th of October. 1863. His father, Charles P. Walker, was a farmer of that locality, success- fully carrying on agricultural pursnits. He was regarded as an expert judge of horses and was owner and breeder of some very fine stock. He married Miss Hester Ann Sober and they became the parents of two sons: Adelbert B. : and Wil- bur S., a machinist living at Spokane, Washing- ton. The father died in 1800, having for several years survived his wife, who passed away in 1882.

Adelbert B. Walker at the usual age began his education in the district schools of Salem town- ship, and was reared to farm life, aiding in the labors of field and meadow through the periods of vacation. He afterward went to Moline, Illi- nois, where he worked at the machinery business for five years, gaining a good knowledge of the trade, and on the expiration of that period he returned to Ann Arbor in 1893. Here he es- tablished a livery business which is located about a block from the grounds of the University of Michigan. He runs twelve hacks, and has a large and fine line of carriages and other vehicles, and has a very liberal patronage from the stil- dents of the university, as well as the general public.

In 1895 Mr. Walker was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Hamilton, of Salem, and they have two children : Florence, nine years of age, now in school; and Berle, four years old. The par- rents are members of the Congregational church. Mr. Walker takes no active interest in politics. being independent in party ties. He gives close and unremitting attention to the conduct and de- velopment of his business and his well directed labors are bringing to him a gratifying measure of prosperity.

Mrs. Walker's father was Charles W. Hamil- ton, who was born in Pelham, Massachusetts, on July 4. 1822, and was twelve years of age when he came to Michigan, settling in Salem, Washte- naw county, with his father. Joel Hamilton, a pioneer of that township. There he grew to man- hood and throughont life followed farming. He was married on the toth of February, 1845, to Miss Hannah E. Thompson, of New York state, by whom he had three children: Milton, who died in youth : Elmira, wife of Ernest Renwick, of Detroit : and Elizabeth, wife of E. G. Nelson, of Salem. For his second wife Mr. Hamilton mar- ried Caroline A. Mead, of Salem, on the 27th of October, 1852, and they lived to celebrate their golden wedding at the home of their eldest daughter, Mrs. Herbert W. Smith, whose silver anniversary occurred on the same date. She was born in Tioga county, New York, and was the eldest daughter of William B. and Arvilla Mead, of West Candor. her father being the first white

A. B. WALKER.

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child born in Tioga county. In 1837 he brought his family to Michigan. By his second union Mr. Hamilton had four children : Frances A . wife of Herbert Smith, of Salem: Irving W., who is operating the old homestead farm in Salem : Edwin C., who died at the age of eighteen years ; and Carrie, now Mrs. Walker. The par- ents both died on the 21st of December, 1902. within ten hours of each other. They were earn- est and consistent members of the Congregational church, and in politics Mr. Hamilton was a re- publican.

THOMAS M. LITTLE.

Thomas M. Little, possessing the marked en- ergy, executive force and enterprising spirit which have been the dominant factors in the up- building of the middle west, is now successfully conducting a real-estate business in Ann Arbor, handling both improved and unimproved prop- erty. He was born in Morrow county, Ohio. August 24, 1858, his parents being William and Suzanna ( Palmer ) Little. The father was born in Tyrone county, Ireland, and after coming to America settled on a farm in Ohio when sixteen years of age. There the remainder of his youth was passed, and eventually he became a resident of Tazewell county, Illinois, where he owned and operated a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres. His wife belonged to an old Pennsylvania family. Mr. Little departed this life in 1874 and his widow survived until 1896. In their family were the following children : Thomas M. : John. deceased : James, who is living in Kansas City ; William, a resident farmer of Kansas: and Charles and Laura, both of whom have passed away.

Thomas M. Little spent the first eight years of his life in the county of his nativity and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Tazewell county. Illinois, where he began his education in the public schools, continuing his studies until nineteen years of age. The periods of vacation were devoted to farm work and he early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. On the

expiration of that period he removed to Kansas. where he was employed on a cattle ranch but, seeking a broader and more profitable field of labor, he established a real estate office in 1880 in Republic county, Kansas, and while dealing in farm lands he brought to the business the valuable knowledge he had acquired as a practical farmer. From 1880 until 1803 he was engaged in the land business in Trenton, Missouri. He then came to Ann Arbor, where he is now carry- ing on the real estate business on an extensive scale, dealing largely in improved and unimproved farms and land. Under his guidance property has appreciated in value and he is an expert on land values. having thorough knowledge of the property of this section of the state, as well as the south and west, so that he is enabled readily to place his clients in commuication with those who have realty for sale. From the first his patronage has steadily, constantly and rapidly in- creased and his business is now of large extent and importance. He is interested in lands in many states of the south and southwest and in Redwood lands in California, Alabama and Geor- gia.

While living in the east Mr. Little was married in 1886 to Miss Abeline Reily, and after losing his first wife he married Mrs. Ethelyn Weaver. a widow of Washington, D. C., she becoming his wife in 1901. In his fraternal affiliation Mr. Little is an Odd Fellow and Woodman. He is a man of fine personal appearance. tall and well formed, is an excellent conversationalist and has gained a personal popularity as well as a notable and enviable position in business circles.

JAMES ROYAL SAGE.

James Royal Sage, who has devoted the greater part of his life to teaching music, and is a prominent factor in musical circles in Ann Ar- bor, was born in Ossian, Allegany county, New York. November 27. 1821. His father. James Sage, was a farmer by occupation, and in the pioneer days of Michigan's development, settled near Salem Station in Washtenaw county, where

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he cleared a farm of one hundred and twenty acres. From Salem the family afterward re- moved to Livingston county, and in 1860 went to Ypsilanti. Later the family home was estab- lished at Kalamazoo, and in Ann Arbor in 1865.

Reared in his parents' home. James Royal Sage early displayed taste, talent and aptitude for music and received instruction from such distinguished teachers as Dr. Lowell Mason, Dr. George Webb. C. M. Cady and others. He has practically de- voted his life to the teaching of music, and for thirteen years he has also managed a music store in Ann Arbor. His efforts along the line of his art have made him a valued factor in musical cir- cles in the city, and he has done much to culti- vate the public taste in this direction.

Mr. Sage was married in 1842 to Miss Mary Barnard, of Genoa, Livingston county, a daugh- ter of James Barnard, and they became the par- ents of three children : Orville W., Charlotte and Mary Sophia. For his second wife Mr. Sage married Lizzie Dix. in 1873. and to them have been born four children: James Royal, Jr., who is now employed by the government in the post- office department and lives in Ann Arbor : Carl T., who was a farmer of Dixboro, Michigan, and died in June, 1905: Lottie, who died at the age of thirteen years ; and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Sage has two sisters living, Mrs. Van Buren of Ypsilanti, and Mrs. Alice Schofield ; and she also has four brothers.

Mr. Sage is now eighty-five years of age, and is still an active man. For seventy-three years he has been a resident of this state, and has made his home in Ann Arbor for forty years. He has been a prominent worker in the Baptist church, taking an active part in the Sunday school, and was leader of the choir for twenty- seven years. His has been a most honorable and upright life, displaying a Christian faith that is beautiful in its simplicity : always cheerful and looking on the bright side, he has shed around him much of the sunshine of life, and has added largely to the sum total of human happiness. He is now living in a beautiful home of his own. which is situated on a hillside, commanding a splendid view of Ann Arbor and the surrounding country. He has there a vineyard of several

acres, and his time is now largely devoted to its care.

James Royal Sage, Jr., was born in Ann Ar- bor, June 22, 1876, and after completing his edu- cation in the public and high schools of this city, he turned his attention to the printing business which he followed for six years. He then en- listed in Company .\, Thirty-first Michigan Regi- ment of Volunteers, and went to Cuba, serving in the Spanish-American war. He was married in 1901 to Miss Maud Stebbins, of Dexter. His fraternal relations are with Golden Rule lodge, No. 59. . A. F. & A. M., and he belongs to the Epis- copal church, while in his political views he is a stanch republican. In 1808 he entered the mail service and is still employed in that capacity. He has made a creditable record in military circles, as a popular official and private citizen, and has that strong friendship which arises from warm, personal regard.

JESSUP SCOTT WOOD.

Jessup Scott Wood. for many years identified with agricultural interests but now living retired, has reached the eightieth milestone on life's jour- ney, his birth having occurred in Connecticut in January, 1825. His father, Fra Wood, was born in Connecticut and died in 1856, at the age of fifty-nine years. He married Maria Scott, also a native of the Charter Oak state, while her death occurred in 1892, at the very advanced age of ninety-five years. After their marriage they re- moved from New England to the state of New York, where Mr. Wood carried on general agri- cultural pursuits for six years. He then sold his farm in the east and in 1836 came to Michigan, settling in Lodi township, Washtenaw county, purchasing one of the first farms that was entered from the government in this county. It comprised four hundred acres but only seventy acres had at that time been improved. He placed the greater part of the remainder under cultivation and con- tinued farming there successfully up to the time of his death. He was very active and helpful in re- ligious work in his township, aiding largely in the

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activity of the church, which in early days was condueted as a Presbyterian church but was after- ward reorganized as a Congregational church.

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Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Part 25

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