USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan > Part 28
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FRED C. WEINBERG.
Fred C. Weinberg, a mason contractor of Ann Arbor, was born in Bridgewater township, this county, March 8, 1867. His father, Julius Wein- berg, was a native of Berlin, Germany, and came to Ann Arbor prior to his marriage, establishing his home at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was joined in wedlock to Miss Barbara Acher- man, also a native of the fatherland. Soon after- ward, or in 1865, they came west to Washtenaw county, Michigan, settling in Bridgewater town- ship, where the father secured employment as a farm hand. He is now living in Ann Arbor. In the family were four children, of whom Fred C.
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is the eldest, the others being Mrs. Rica Tess- mer, August and Carl.
In the district schools Fred C. Weinberg mas- tered the elementary branches of learning, and as a preparation for life's work he learned the trade of a carpenter in Ann Arbor, serving a regular apprenticeship. He afterward engaged in all kinds of contract work, in carpentering for four years, and about three years ago turned his at- tention to the mason's trade, since which time he has done various kinds of contract work in this line, including the building of stone basements, brick walls, cement sidewalks and also the mant- facture of cement stone for building purposes. His life is characterized by unremitting industry and unfaltering diligence, and he is now prosper- ing in his chosen field of labor.
In 1892 Mr. Weinberg was married. in Ann Arbor, to Miss Mary Otto, who was born in Can- ada, and came to Michigan with her parents in her girlhood days, being a daughter of Henry Otto, of this city. They now have two children, born in Ann Arbor, Julius H. and Celia May. Mr. Weinberg is a member of the Maccabees tent. the Woodmen camp and the Odd Fellow's lodge, and his brethren of these fraternities entertain for him that warm personal regard which arises from a recognition of true worth of character and an adherance to manly principles.
JACOB HUMMEL.
Jacob Hummel is engaged in the dairy business and also in horticultural pursuits. He makes his home in Chelsea and owns a good farm adjoining the corporation limits of the village. His birth occurred in Cook county, Illinois, on the 9th of July, 1858, his parents being Jacob and Elizabeth (Urban) Hummel, both of whom were natives of Alsace, Germany, although the province at that time belonged to France. Previous to their mar- riage they crossed the Atlantic to the new world. Mr. Hummel hoped to enjoy better business op- portunities in this country and made his way to Detroit, arriving in that city about 1852. After a brief period he removed to Washtenaw county,
where he was employed for four or five years, and then took up his abode in Madison, Cook county, Illinois, where he spent four years. On the expiration of that period he went west to Kansas and took up a homestead in Allen county, but owing to ill health he returned to Michigan in 1863. He rented land in this state and thus continued farming until 1876, when with the capi- tal he had saved from his earnings he purchased a tract of eighty acres in Lyndon township, Wash- tenaw county. Upon this place he set out a small orchard and also conducted general farming and thus the years of his life passed in activity until he was called to his final rest on the 9th of Au- gust, 1903. when seventy-six years of age. His wife had passed away on the 3d of December, 1890. In their family were six children: John, who died in Kansas ; Chauncy, a traveling man living in Chelsea: Elizabeth, the wife of George Eder. of this village: Mary A., who married Ja- cob Stoll and died in 1893 ; and John J., a molder by trade.
Jacob Hummel pursued his education in the schools of Michigan, being for one year a student in Chelsea Union school. He was married in 1881 to Miss Mary A. Fitzsimmons and they had one daughter, Matilda E. The wife and mother died in 1883, and in 1886 Mr. Hummel was joined in wedlock to Miss Julia Weber, of Sylvan town- ship.
Two years after his marriage Mr. Hummel rented a dairy farm in Dexter township, which he conducted for five years, and then engaged in the drug business in connection with H. H. Fenn He was also proprietor of a store in Chelsea for two and a half years but in 1890 sold out and turned his attention to the hardware business, forming a partnership with C. E. Whitaker, un- der the firm style of Hummel & Whitaker. For two years they carried on a general hardware and farm implement business and on the expira- tion of that period Mr. Hummel sold out to his partner. This was in 1892, at which time he turned his attention to farming and dairying. He rented land until 1901. when he purchased a dairy business in the city and conducted it until 1904. He then bought seventy acres of land near the corporation limits of Chelsea, and in fact
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the house and barn are within the boundary lines. He is still engaged in the dairy business, milking fifteen cows and retailing the product in Chelsea. He also has a young orchard of five acres planted to peach, apple, pear and plum trees and this is coming into good bearing and will prove a profit- able source of income to him. In addition to his farm property Mr. Hummel owns another house and lot in the village.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hummel by the second marriage have been born five children: Gene- vieve, Amelia, John, Mabel and Mary. Gene- vieve is a graduate of the Adrian Academy and is now a bookkeeper.
Fraternally Mr. Hummel is connected with the Elks, the Maccabees, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Knights of Columbus at Ann Arbor, and has held prominent offices in both the Woodmen and the Maccabees. In politics he is a stalwart and earnest republican and has filled a number of offices with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He has served as highway commissioner, has been a member of the board of review, has been both township and vil- lage treasurer, in 1900 was census enumerator and in 1904 was elected supervisor of Sylvan township, and in 1905 was re-elected. In all the duties that have devolved upon him whether in business or political circles he has been found true and faithful and the success he has achieved is the merited reward of his own labor.
ADAM BEATTIE.
Although Adam Beattie never resided in Wash- tenaw county he was a prominent man in the his- tory of the state, serving for two terms in the Michigan senate and leaving the impress of his individuality upon the legislative history of the commonwealth and his name became an honored one in Michigan. His widow has resided in Ann Arbor since June, 1895, and is now held in warm regard by a large circle of friends.
Mr. Beattie, a native of Seneca county. New York, was born on the 26th of November. 1833. His parents were of Scotch birth and parentage
and in early life crossed the Atlantic to the Em- pire state, settling in Seneca county, where the father purchased a farm, which he continued to operate up to the time of his death, both he and his wife retaining their residence there until called to the home beyond. Their son, Adam Beattie, acquired a good education in the best schools of Seneca county and after putting aside his text- books he went to the south, where he engaged in teaching school for several years, or until the out- break of the Civil war. He then returned to Sen- eca county and in 1861, responding to the county's call for aid, enlisted at Geneva, New York, as a member of the Twenty-sixth New York Battery. He participated in a number of important engage- ments but was never wounded. He was, however, taken ill with smallpox and remained in a hospital at New Orleans for several months, receiving an honorable discharge in New Orelans at the close of the war. When hostilities had ceased he re- turned to the county of his birth, where he re- mained for a short time but in 1866 came to Mich- igan, establishing his home at Ovid, Clinton county. He purchased a farm near that town and for several years thereafter gave his time and en- ergies to general agricultural pursuits. He later sold the property, however, and entered into part- nership with a Mr. Potter, of Ovid, in conjunction with whom he purchased a saw mill eighteen miles north of the town and for several years was engaged in the lumber business there. The firm also engaged in the buying of wheat and wool at Ovid for many years and this was one of the strong business combinations of the town. Mr. Beattie also became interested in the dry-goods business in (vid and for a number of years con- ducted his store with gratifying success.
During this time, in Ovid, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Beattie and Miss Mary E. Hand, a native of Yates county, New York, and a daughter of George and Rachel (DeKamp) Hand, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. Her father there followed the occupation of farming for a number of years but eventually sold his property there and removed to Clinton county, Michigan, where both he and his wife re- mained until called to the home beyond. By a former marriage Mr. Beattie had two children.
ADAM BEATTIE.
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One son, Mark Beattie, is well known in .Ann Ar- bor, having pursued a full course in the state uni- versity here. He is an electrician and is now re- siding in Chicago at the age of twenty-eight years. Willard G. Beattie is with the Bours Coffee Con- pany, of Toledo, Ohio.
As stated above, Mr. Beattie was closely and successfully associated with various business en- terprises in Ovid through a long period and eventually he was made postmaster of the town under appointment of Grover Cleveland although he was a republican in his political views. He acted as postmaster for two years and then on ac- count of ill health gave up the position and lived retired to the time of his death.
In community affairs Mr. Beattie was promi- nent and influential and his fellow townsmen, rec- ognizing his worth and ability. frequently called him to positions of public trust. He voted with the republican party and took a very active and helpful interest in its work. In 1872 he was elected to represent his district in the state senate at Lansing and filled the office so capably that he was re-elected and served for two terms, during which time he was connected with important con- structive legislation and with the passage of a number of important measures. He gave to each question which came up for settlement his earnest and thoughtful consideration and his senatorial career was marked by a loyal patriotism that was above question. A valued representative of sev- eral fraternal organizations, he exemplified in his life the beneficent spirit of the Masonic lodge and also maintained pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army Post at Ovid. He passed away June 26, 1893, but many years will have been added to the cycle of the centuries before he will be forgotten by those with whom he was asso- ciated both because of his political prominence and his business success, which was so honorably and worthily won. Moreover in his home and social relations he commanded the friendship and respect of all and he was justly classed with the representative and honored residents of his county and state.
Following the death of her husband Mrs. Beat- tie continued to reside in Ovid until June. 1895,
when she sold her property there and removed to Ann Arbor to educate her son. At that time she purchased her present fine residence at No. 1355 Wilmot street, where she has since resided. The family attended the Congregational church at Ovid and she now worships with that denomina- tion in Ann Arbor.
CLARAMON L. PRAY.
Claramon L. Pray, representing mercantile in- terests in Ann Arbor as a member of the firm of Miller & Pray, dealers in groceries at No. 300 Main street, was born at Chester Hills, Connecti- cut, on the 2d of June, 1867. His father. Alfred Pray, is a native of Brooklyn, Connecticut, and for many years followed general agricultural pur- suits, being also engaged in the grocery business at Brooklyn for twenty-one years, but is now liv- ing a retired life. He married Miss Angest Parkhurst, a native of Connecticut, and unto them were born four children, but the eldest died in childhood, the other being Claramon L., Clara A. and Gracia Andrus. For his second wife the father chose Martha Moody, and they have three children : Alice, Marion and Clinton.
Claramon L. Pray remained a resident of the east until sixteen years of age, when he became a resident of Washtenaw county, and for a num- ber of years he has figured prominently in com- mercial circles of Ann Arbor, being now engaged in the grocery business at 300 Main street, North, as a member of the firm of Miller & Pray. They have an excellent and constantly increasing trade and their carefully selected and well arranged stock of goods, their reasonable prices and their honorable desire to please their customers se- cured them a liberal patronage.
In 1891 Mr. Pray was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Alber, of Ann Arbor. Having no children of their own. they are rearing an adopted daughter, a beautiful little child, Ninona, who is three years of age and of whom they are very fond.
Mr. Pray is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees. the Independent Order of Odd Fel-
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lows, the American Insurance Union and Home Guards of America, and has occupied all of the chairs in the last named. He was also elected a delegate to the grand lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which had its meeting at Benton Harbor, Michigan, and is now treasurer in the local organization. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church. He is a man of high standing in public life, de- voted to the welfare and progress of his city, as is proven by his co-operation in many measures for the general good. In his business affairs he has prospered and his life record proves that sttccess is ambition's answer.
EDWARD D. CAMPBELL.
Edward D. Campbell, a member of the faculty of the University of Michigan, who since 1890 has been a teacher of chemistry, being made full professor of chemical engineering in 1903, and in 1905 succeeded Dr. Albert B. Prescott, as di- rector of the chemical laboratory, was born in De- troit, Michigan, September 9, 1863, and is a rep- resentative of one of the oldest families of New York. His paternal great-grandfather, Thomas Campbell, was born in Ulster county, New York. in 1740, married Elizabeth Cropsey, and died at Stillwater, New York, in 1825. Their son, Henry M. Campbell, born in Ulster county, New York, in 1783, became a merchant of Buffalo and a local judge there. Following his marriage he removed westward to Detroit, where he again engaged in merchandising and he likewise held various offices of public trust in the city. He served in Seely's command in the war of 1812 and his patriotic spirit was manifest not only in military circles but in his prompt and faithful dis- charge of political duties. He married Lois Bush- nell, who was born in Vermont, in 1784, and his death occurred in Detroit in 1842, while his wife passed away there in 1876. In their family were two sons and three daughters: Henry M .; Va- leria; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Sam- uel T. Douglass, judge of the circuit court of Wayne county ; James Valentine ; and Mary, the
wife of Professor William P. Wells. All have now passed away.
James V. Campbell, born in Buffalo, New York, in 1823, died in Detroit, Michigan, in 1890. He accompanied his parents on their re- moval from the Empire state to Detroit in 1826, and was educated in private schools of that and other cities. Later he studied in Detroit for the practice of law and at the notably early age of thirty-four years was elected to the bench of the supreme court of Michigan, serving thereon up to the time of his death. He was one of the ablest members that graced the.courts of Michi- gan and in addition to his ability in law was a man of broad, intellectual culture and attainments, greatly esteemed by all and is regarded as one of the prominent men of his time. He was like- wise successful financially. He married Cornelia Hotchkiss, who was born in Lewiston, New York, in 1824, and died in 1888, at the age of sixty-four years. Their family numbered five sons and one daughter : Cornelia L .; Henry M .; James Valen- tine, Jr., who died in 1894, at the age of thirty- eight years; Charles Hotchkiss; Douglass H .; and Edward D.
Having entered the public schools of Detroit at the usual age Professor Edward D. Campbell passed through successive grades until he had completed the high school course by graduation with the class of 1881. He then entered the Uni- versity of Michigan and was graduated in the class of 1886 with the degree of Bachelor of Sci- ence in chemistry. He then accepted a position as chemist with the Ohio Iron Company, at Zanesville, Ohio, where he remained for a year, and in 1887 became chemist of the Sharon Iron Company, at Sharon, Pennsylvania, where he also spent a year. In 1888 he accepted a similar posi- tion with the Dayton Coal & Iron Company, at Dayton, Tennessee, and not only acted as chemist but also as an assistant manager. His duties were therefore very arduous and complicated and to their discharge he devoted his energies until the fall of 1890, when he was called to fill the chair of Professor Cheever in analytical chemistry and metallurgy, since which time he has been con- nected with the University of Michigan as a member of its faculty. He was made junior pro-
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fessor of analytical chemistry in 1895: in 1902 was made full professor of chemical engineering and analytical chemistry : and in 1905 succeeded Dr. Albert B. Prescott as director of the chemi- cal laboratory being at the head of the chemical work in the university.
Professor Campbell has maintained his resi- dence in Ann Arbor since 1890. He was mar- ried in 1888, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Miss Jennie M. Ives, a native of Detroit, Michigan, and a daughter of Caleb and Mary L. (Allen) Ives, the latter a daughter of Marvin Allen, who was one of the regents of the University of Michigan from 1843 until 1852. Professor and Mrs. Camp- bell have six children, Cornelia Hotchkiss, Ed- ward D., Jr., Mary L. I., Jane Allen, James Val- entine, and Charles Duncan, all born in Ann Ar- bor, with the exception of the eldest daughter, whose birth occurred in Cincinnati, Ohio. The family attend the Episcopal church and Professor Campbell is a republican in his political affiliation.
HENRY BLITON.
Henry Bliton, who for eighteen years has been engaged in the contracting business in Ann Ar- bor. is a native of New York. his birth having occurred in Sodus Point. Wayne county. on the 2Ist of July, 1851. His parents were Elijah W. and Eunice ( Phelps) Bliton. The father, who was also a contractor through many years of his business career, likewise devoted a part of his time to the work of the Methodist ministry, and his influence in behalf of the church was of no restricted order. His wife died in 1864. and he passed away in 1865. and his memory yet re- mains as a blessed benediction to those who knew him. In the family were three children, but one died in infancy. The surviving brothers, Albert S. Bliton, who is the publisher of the Medford Mail, at Medford, Oregon, and the subject of our sketch.
Henry Bliton, the oldest of the family. was brought to Michigan in his early youth. He ac- quired his education largely in the schools of Clyde, New York. In the spring of 1870, when
about nineteen years of age, he went to Saline, where he worked at the carpenter's trade, and after being employed as a journeyman for a time he embarked in business on his own account. In 1882 he came to Ann Arbor, where he has been engaged in the contracting business for eighteen years. His long continuance in one field of ac- tivity is indicative of the success that has crowned his efforts. He was awarded the contracts for the erection of many fine structures here, which now stand as monuments to his enterprise, skill and business ability.
In 1883 Mr. Bliton was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Larned, whose family were promi- nent in Northfield township. They now have a most interesting family of four daughters: Eu- nice Elizabeth, nineteen years of age, who is now a senior in the high school at Ann Arbor : Ester, eleven years of age: Alice and Rachel. The family home is a beautiful residence at No. 917 Olivia avenue, in one of the most attractive por- tions of the city. Mr. Bliton gives his political allegiance to the republican party, and for one term served as alderman of his ward, but has preferred that others hold office. However, he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, as every true American citizen should do, and is therefore able to uphold his political position by intelligent argument. He is a promi- nent worker in the Methodist church and his influence is always given on the side of right, progress, reform and improvement.
LOUIS ROHDE.
Louis Rohde, representing the business inter- ests of Ann Arbor as a dealer in coal, wood, lime and building materials, and possessing an enter- prising and determined spirit that classes him with the representative citizens here, was born in Ageln, Madgeburg, Prussia, Germany, on the 19th of January, 1843. and is a son of Louis and Sophie Rohde, both of whom were natives of that country, and are now living in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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Louis Rohde spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the land of his birth and acquired his education in its public schools, but in early man- hood he was attracted to America by its excel- lent opportunities and advantages, and in 1862 he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, making his way direct to Ann Arbor. In his native coun- try he had learned the trade of manufacturing fur. He is entirely a self-made man, deserving all the praise that that term implies, for he came to this country in very limited financial circum- stances and has steadily worked his way upward. He began as a peddler of tinware and other com- modities, going through the county in order to sell the goods. In the early years of his residence in Ann Arbor he also worked in a tannery and was engaged in the manufacture of mittens and furs. Later he turned his attention to the fur business, and in 1877 he embarked in the lime. coal and wood business on his own account. From the beginning the new enterprise prospered and he is now the owner of two large yards and an up town office in Ann Arbor. Here he deals in coal, wood, lime and building materials. the yards being located on West Huron street and on Madison street, while the city office is at No. 220 East Huron street. He has secured the support of many patrons, so that his trade is constantly increasing and has long since reached a volume that makes it a very profitable industry.
In 1872 Mr. Rohde was united in marriage to Miss Magdalena Spathelf. of Freedom, Wash- tenaw county, and unto them have been born seven children, all of whom are yet living. William, the eldest, pursued his education in the schools of Ann Arbor, and when nineteen years of age entered business with his father, this asso- ciation having since been continued. In 1899 he married Charlotte Reichenecker. He is a member of the city council of Ann Arbor and otherwise prominent in public affairs, being rec- ognized as the champion of all progressive move- ments. He is serving as a trustee in the Bethle- hem Evangelical church, in which he holds mem- bership, and he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, in which he has filled all of the offices. August is in the employ of the United States government in the mail service.
Albert, engaged in teaming, is in charge of the streets of Ann Arbor. Gustav is a veterinary surgeon, practicing in this city. Mrs. Clara At- well is living in Ann Arbor and her husband is United States surveyor. Paulina is the wife of Otto Andrews, of Ann Arbor. Charlotte com- pletes the family, and resides with her parents in a beautiful home at No. 600 West Huron street. For forty-three years Mr. Rohde has been a resi- dent of this city, and his business career has been marked by consecutive advancement, by the utili- zation of opportunity and by successful accom- plishment. His prosperity has been well merited and his history can not fail to prove of interest showing, as it does, that force of character, that unfaltering determination may constitute the basis of a desirable and honorable success.
PAUL G. TESSMER.
Paul G. Tessmer, proprietor of the University Boat Livery, where he is engaged in the livery of canoes and rowboats, and is also manufacturer of these, was born in Stuttgart, Germany, on the Ioth of December, 1866. His father, Paul Tess- mer, likewise a native of Germany, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1870. He is a mason contractor now living in Ann Arbor. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rosie Janke, also a native of Germany, passed away in 1904. In their family were seven children: Mrs. Amelia Curtis, who is living in Ann Arbor ; Au- gust, a mason contractor, residing in this city ; Mrs. Augusta Sanford, of Rochester, New York ; Paul G .; Charles G., who is living in Portland, Maine; Matilda, of Ann Arbor ; and Mrs. Emma More, whose home is in Webster township, Washtenaw county.
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