USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan > Part 29
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Paul G. Tessmer was only about three years of age when brought by his parents to the United States, and has since been a resident of Ann Ar- bor. At the usual age he entered the public schools and passed through successive grades un- til he had acquired a good English education. After putting aside his text-books he engaged in the grocery business, to which he devoted his
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energies for fourteen years, meeting with good success in that undertaking. About eight years ago he built the boat houses on a fine location on the Huron river, and now in his boat livery he receives a liberal and profitable patronage from the students of the university and the residents of Ann Arbor. There are many beautiful views along the river, so that a row or a sail on this stream is a most attractive pleasure, and Mr. Tessmer has one hundred and sixty canoes which he has himself builded, and also some forty row- boats.
Mr. Tessmer was married January 23, 1883. to Miss Frederica Weinberg, a daughter of Jul- ius Weinberg. a sea-faring man, now living re- tired. He belongs to the American Insurance Union and to the Bethlehem Lutheran church. while his political allegiance is given to the de- mocracy. He has a wide acquaintance in this city, where almost his entire life has been passed. and where he has so directed his labors as to win success and the regard of his fellowmen. His worth is widely acknowledged and his business ability is indicated by the important enterprise which he is now controlling.
HERMANN MARQUARDT.
Hermann Marquardt, a representative of the building interests of Ann Arbor, who as a ma- son contractor has been identified with industrial pursuits here for six years, belongs to that class of worthy citizens that the fatherland has fur- nished to the new world. The German-American element has always been a strong one in our civilization and in the material progress of the country, and Mr. Marquardt possesses many of the strong and salient characteristics of his Ger- man ancestry. He was born in western Prussia on the Ist of April. 1868. his parents being Carl and Rosa ( Kopf) Marquardt. The father was a railroad station master and retained his residence in Germany up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1898. His widow still survives and is yet living in that country. In their family were six children, of whom four are yet living : Hermann :
Mrs. Augusta Fenska, who is living in Germany ; Carl, who is employed by his brother in Ann Arbor ; and Frederick, also residing in Germany.
Hermann Marquardt spent the days of his boy- hood and youth in the land of his nativity and ac- quired his education in the public schools. At- tracted by the opportunities of the new world he made arrangements to leave the fatherland in 1890, and after crossing the Atlantic to the new world came direct to Ann Arbor, where he has since made his home, covering a period of fifteen years. He learned the mason's trade under the direction of John Koch, by whom he was em- ployed for eleven years, and then began business on his own account, having now been known as a mason contractor of Ann Arbor for the past six years. He has won for himself a creditable position in trade circles and secures many good contracts so that he is closely associated with building operations here.
In 1891 Mr. Marquardt was united in mar- riage to Miss Ida Gallnek, also a native of western Prussia, and their marriage has been blessed with six children, namely Ella. Walter. Elsbat, Olga, Alvena and Ernest. The first four are now at- tending school in Ann Arbor. Mr. Marquardt owns a good home at No. 452 Seventh street, South, and he does everything in his power to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of his wife and children. It is for this purpose that he applies himself assiduously to his business interests that he may give them a good home and the comforts of life. He belongs to some of the local German societies and is an active member of the Bethlehem Lutheran church. Since be- coming a naturalized American citizen his politi- cal allegiance has supported the republican party and its principles and upon that ticket he has been elected alderman from the second ward. He is public spirited and devoted to the welfare and upbuilding of the city. Moreover he is a self- made man whose advancement in the business world is the direct result of his enterprise. close application and capable management. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in America for here he has found the opportunities he sought, which, by the way. are always open to ambitious young men, and
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gradually he has worked his way upward until he is now in possession of a comfortable compe- tence.
EBENEZER M. CONKLIN, M. D.
Among the native sons of Manchester, who are now residents of the village, is Dr. Ebenezer M. Conklin, who was born here in 1855, and is now successfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery. His parents were Amariah and Lovina A. (Carpenter) Conklin, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. The father came to Michigan in 1832 with his parents, Dr. Ebenezer H. and Lucy Conklin, who located in Sharon township. The former was a practicing physician, and after removing to Michigan, en- tered a tract of land in Sharon township, Washte- naw county, where he engaged in practice, and also superintended his farming interests. There he resided up to the time of his death, which oc- curred in June, 1851, when he was sixty-one years of age.
Amariah Conklin, reared under the parental roof, remained upon the old family homestead until after the death of his father, when the farm was divided and he took up his abode in Man- chester. He, too, was a representative of the medical fraternity and practiced his profession in Manchester from 1849 to 1892, or for forty- three years. He was widely known in this sec- tion of the country, and had an extensive patron- age, his capability winning him a large share of business in his profession. He was president of the village for a number of years, occupying that position until within a short time prior to his death, which occurred on the 25th of May, 1892, when he was seventy years of age. He voted the republican ticket, and his fitness for leadership led to his selection for a number of public trusts. In addition to the village presidency, he served as justice of the peace. He was a man of large heart, of broad and generous charity, and his life was filled with many good deeds. Fraternally he was connected with the Odd Fellows, and at the time of the Civil war he served as a recruit- ing officer. In all life's relations he was loyal to
the trust reposed in him, and he looked upon life and its duties from a broad and humanitarian standpoint, there being nothing narrow, con- tracted or sordid in his nature. His widow, yet living in Manchester, is now seventy-one years of age. She came to Michigan with her parents, Morgan and Betsey Carpenter, who were pioneer settlers of Washtenaw county. Mr. and Mrs. Conklin had four children: Ebenezer M., of this review : A. Benjamin, a practicing physician of Ambler, Pennsylvania ; L. Sophia, who is now the widow of Ira Glover, and resides with her mother ; and Julia M., a teacher in the Manches- ter schools.
In his early youth Dr. Conklin, of this review, lived upon his father's farm, and was a district- school student until thirteen years of age, when he continued his studies in the Manchester high school, of which he is an alumnus of the class of 1873. He read medicine for a year with his fa- ther, and in the fall of 1874 entered Bennett Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated on the completion of a course in medi- cine and surgery with the class of 1876. He lo- cated for practice in Manchester, and after two and a half years, removed to Tecumseh, where he remained for eight years. During that period he pursued a post-graduate course in the Eclectic Medical Institute in Cincinnati, and was gradu- ated therefrom in 1881. He also spent three years in active practice in Kansas, and then returned to Manchester in 1889, since which time he has lived in this village, where he has been very success- ful in his efforts to relieve suffering and restore health. He is a member of the State Eclectic Medical Association, of which he has been both president and secretary, and for the past twelve years he has been local surgeon for the Lake Shore Railroad Company. He has a large private practice that is indicative of the general trust re- posed in him; and such a trust is the logical out- come of ability, as demonstrated in the perform- ance of the daily duties of the practitioner. Dr. Conklin is also a director in the Peoples Bank of Manchester.
In 1883 was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Conklin and Miss Kate Burton, of Clinton, Mich- igan, where she was born in 1858, a daughter of
AMARIAH CONKLIN.
DR. E. M. CONKLIN.
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Albert G. and Elizabeth Burton, the former a carriagemaker. Dr. and Mrs. Conklin have one son, Frank C., who is a student in school. Mrs. Conklin belongs to the Episcopal church, and, like her husband, shares in the high regard of many friends. The Doctor is also prominent in local Masonic circles, having been at different times presiding officer in the lodge, chapter, coun- cil and Star chapter: Mrs. Conklin also being a zealous member of the Eastern Star. In politics he is a republican, liberal in his views. He has served on the school board for twelve years, and was a trustee of the village for two years. In Manchester and Washtenaw county he has a wide acquaintance, for almost his entire life has been spent within its borders, and he has fully sustained the excellent reputation which was borne by the grandfather and father in connection with the medical fraternity.
SAMUEL ALEXANDER.
Samuel Alexander, author and scientist, was born in Logan county, Ohio, January 6. 1841. His father, Samuel Alexander, Sr., died when the son was two years of age. From early youth he was possessed of an insatiable thirst for knowledge that has led him constantly upward to his present advanced position in the scientific world. He lived and studied in the wilderness of Ohio (then a pioneer district ) until fourteen years of age, after which he removed to Calhoun county, Michigan, where he worked his way through the district schools. He afterward spent three terms as a student in an academy and met his tuition and expenses of the course through earnest and indefatigable labor. He studied the rudiments of science, grammar. arithmetic and chemistry. Between the ages of sixteen and eigh- teen years he was employed on a farm, giving all of his leisure time to study and investigation. and at the age of eighteen he was granted a third grade certificate to teach. At that time he en- tered upon the active work of the profession. and with the money thus gained he paid his tuition in the Michigan State Agricultural College for
one term. On entering that institution he found that he was ahead of the freshmen work, but not far enough advanced for the sophomore class. so that he was conditioned on some studies, and after making them up was admitted to the sopho- more class. While attending the Agricultural College he worked for his board, and at the same time carried six studies. The school at that time was inferior to most high schools at the present day in the matter of its curriculum and methods of instruction. In the winter of 1860-61 Mr. Alexander had charge of a school, which brought him a financial return of twenty dollars per month ; but he was paid in wild cat money, on which he realized not more than twenty-five per cent. He then returned to college and entered upon the study of advanced mathematics and chemistry.
Following the outbreak of the Civil war. how- ever. Mr. Alexander responded to the country's call for troops. enlisting as a member of Com- pany G, Third Michigan Infantry. He remained in the ranks for a year and then in 1862, dur- ing the Peninsular campaign, was assigned to spe- cial duty under General Phil Kearney, and made chief topographical engineer in Kearney's di- vision. He served under that commander until his death, and later, was with Generals Stoneman, Birney. Sickles, French. Hancock and others, be- ing made chief topographical engineer of the Third Army Corps in the spring of 1863. During the battle of Gettysburg he completed a map of the entire field of the last three days of the fight. He was recommended by different generals under whom he served to the governor of the state for a commission, which, however, was never re- ceived. The recommendations of French and Sickles were as follows :
HEADQUARTERS THIRD ARMY CORPS. March 12. 1863. To His Excellency. Austin Blair, Governor of Michigan.
Dear Sir: Samuel Alexander. a private of Company G. Third Michigan Infantry, has been attached to my headquarters as topographer for nearly a year. I have had no other assistance in that branch of the engineers, and he has per- formed the duty entirely to my satisfaction.
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The chief of the topographical staff at the head- quarters of the army considered Alexander's con- tributions to that office so valuable that he some- time since requested me to aid in obtaining for him a commission.
He eminently deserves it, and I doubt whether there is in any army of the world in a private's jacket more capacity, energy and correct deport- ment than are possessed by him.
I respectfully urge these high claims because they are well deserved. I have the honor to re- main, Your Excellency's obedient servant,
WM. H. FRENCH, Maj. Gen'l Vols.
I heartily unite with General French in recom- mending Alexander for a commission. His serv- ices and talents entitle him to this high recogni- tion, and his usefulness to the service will be thereby much increased. I hope it may be con- venient for his excellency, the governor of Mich- igan, to promote this accomplished and meritori- ous soldier.
Very respectfully. D. E. SICKLES, Maj. Gen'l.
When Mr. Alexander returned home from the war he went to the adjutant general's office and asked for his recommendation. General Robert- son handed it to him with the remark. "Young man, that is the finest recommendation that ever came from the field to this office." When asked why the commission was not issued, he replied that it did not come in regular line. An agree- ment had been entered into between the colonels of the regiments in the field and the military au- thorities of the state that no man should be com- missioned in a regiment without the colonel's recommendation. The colonels took the position that they would recommend no one for a com- mission in their regiments who had earned it out- side of the regiment. These regulations deprived this meritorious soldier of the promotion which he had so justly earned. Being young and un- known in the state, he had no political backing to secure for him his just rewards.
During the war Mr. Alexander's aid was de- sired at military headquarters because of his ef- ficient service and the excellent work which he did in the special department of his activity. Captain Paine of the Engineering Corps at army
headquarters made Mr. Alexander's work the basis for his maps, finding them so nearly per- fect. Aside from his special duties, Mr. Alexan- der took part in a number of important engage- ments, including the first and second battles of Bull Run, Chancellorsville and the campaign un- der General Grant from the Rapidan river to Richmond. In these campaigns he did much service as guide and in constructing defensive earthworks. At the second battle of Bull Run, during the retirement of the forces, his horse was shot, and he then sat down and began to study geometry. While waiting for another horse an officer came along and inquired what he was do- ing. On receiving his answer he remarked. "This is a h -- of a place to study geometry !" During Mcclellan's Peninsular campaign, Mr. Alexander botanized much of the country over which the army passed. In the winter while the army was inactive, he studied mathematics and as- tronomy, using as a text-book Bowditch's Navi- gation, which he picked up in a deserted house.
Following his service in the Civil war Mr. Alexander returned to Michigan and for a time had charge of the high school at St. Johns and other towns. He is a deep and earnest student in the sciences and languages, widely recognized as a fine Spanish scholar, and has considerable knowledge of several other languages, including the Anglo-Saxon and middle English. His life has been devoted to the acquirement and dis- semination of knowledge; and he is the author of various articles on meteorology, while for eigh- teen years he was an observer for the govern- ment. In 1885 he wrote and published in the American Meteorological Journal, then edited by Professor M. W. Harrington, an article entitled, "The Thermol Belts and Cold Islands of South- eastern Michigan." This has been read as far as meteorology has been studied, and he has been extensively quoted. Professor William M. Davis, of Harvard College, says that it has done much for the advancement of knowledge concerning the relationship of geology and topography to clima- tology. This article started a new line of thought and investigation among the meteorologists of the weather burean at Washington. From it a broad
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generalization was made to the effect that most weather conditions exist in belts and islands. which are established by the local topography of the regions in which they are found. In many cases climatic conditions depend more on local topography than on latitude. It was discovered that we have rain islands, drought islands, early and late frost islands, cloud and other islands, all of which come under the generalization based on Mr. Alexander's famous article.
As a scientist Mr. Alexander has become the puer and eo-laborer of many of the ablest men of the country, and moreover, is entitled to special distinction in the fact that his education has been acquired entirely through his own labors and under the most adverse conditions, as he lacked good text-books. In the study of languages his dictionaries and vocabularies in readers have been very incomplete, making it impossible in many cases to understand the text.
Deprived of the advantages which are afforded most boys, receiving no help in the payment of his tuition, he mastered a college course, and his research and investigation have been carried con- tinuously forward while carrying on large farm- ing and fruit growing operations. His condition in youth was that of almost dire poverty, but with mental force and determination that have enabled him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path. he has advanced steadily in those walks of life demanding strong intellectuality, yet bringing to the intellect the richest wisdom.
Mr. Alexander, in addition to other researches. has made some interesting discoveries in botany. including the discovery of a new specie of oak trees in the forest of Michigan, between Ann Ar- bor and Port Huron, and extending as far south as Tennessee. Professor Britton named this oak in honor of its discoverer Quercus Alexanderi. He has also found several new species of herbal plants in and around Ann Arbor within the last year. Some years ago he made for the Psychical Research Society of London, England, a collee- tion of remarkable psychical experiences among his friends and neighbors, and wrote upon this subject several articles for publication, which ex- cited great interest and were largely quoted in the public press. The tenor of these articles was
to the effect that remarkable psychical experi- ences occur in all places, at all times and among all classes of people ; they are not confined to the long ago and the far away.
AARON C. HUSS.
Aaron C. Huss has a large contracting busi- ness in Ann Arbor, and the success which has attended him in his building operations is indi- cated by his beautiful home situated at No. 560 First street. He is yet a young man, and un- doubtedly the future holds in store for him still greater successes. His birth occurred in Saline township. this county, on the 2d of August. 1867. and he comes of German lineage, for his father. John Huss, was a native of Wurtemberg. Germany, and became one of the early settlers of this county. Here he purchased one hundred and forty-four acres of land which he devel- oped into an excellent farm, continuing its culti- vation and improvement up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1897. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Christine Zeller. is now living in Ann Arbor. In their family were eleven children, of whom nine are yet living as follows: Louisa, the wife of Will Nissley, of Saline : George, who follows farming near Dexter. Michi- gan : Aaron C., of this review : Mrs. Lydia Will- shire, of Scio. this county: Mary, who is living in Ann Arbor : Clara. the wife of Albert Lutz. a farmer residing on the old Huss homestead : John and Bertha, also of this city, and Emanuel. on the homestead farm.
Aaron C. Huss acquired his education in the public schools of Saline, Pittsfield township, and afterward spent some years upon the home farm. where he early became inured to the labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, working in the fields and meadows during the summer months when not occupied with the duties of the school room. He continued to give his time and ener- gies to agricultural pursuits after putting aside his text-books, and was thus engaged until 1887. when he came to Ann Arbor, where he worked at the carpenter's trade. He was thus employed
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for a long period, but for the past five years has been engaged in business on his own account as a contractor and builder under the firm style of Huss & Niethamer. He now has a large contract business because of his thorough understanding of the trade, his excellent workmanship and his fidelity to the terms of the contract.
In 1895 occurred the marriage of Mr. Huss and Miss Mary Brown, of Saline, Michigan, a daughter of George and Mary (Gethner) Brown, the former a well known agriculturist of this part of the state. In their family are three children. Oscar, Raymond and Esther. In his fraternal relations Mr. Huss is a Modern Wood- man and in politics an active democrat, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Bethlehem Lutheran church. He owns a beautiful home at 560 First street, Ann Arbor, where he is living with his family. In his business life he has realized that "there is no excellence without labor," and his history furnishes another proof of that fact that "honesty is the best policy." He has worked persistently and energetically as the years have gone by, and his fidelity and strong purpose have been the foundation upon which he has builded the superstructure for his success.
CHARLIE MILLS.
Charlie Mills, a leading farmer and stock raiser of Pittsfield township, living on section 6, was born on the place where he yet resides, Au- gust 11, 1858. His father, Stephen Mills, was a native of Morristown, New Jersey, and was but three months old when his father, Daniel H. Mills, removed from that state to Phelps. On- tario county, New York. The grandfather was a native of Connecticut, and continued his resi- dence in the Empire state until 1827. when, ac- companied by his son, Stephen Mills, he came to Michigan and purchased one hundred and twen- ty-two acres of land that is now the home of Charlie Mills, of this review. Stephen Mills, after arriving at years of maturity, was married to Miss Clemma Mcknight, a native of the state
of New York, born February 6, 1820. She was about ten years her husband's junior, his birth having occurred in 1809. They were worthy and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church ; and in his political views Mr. Mills was a stanch republican. He served for many years as highway commissioner, and was interested in the work of the party, doing all in his power to secure its success. His life was devoted to agri- cultural pursuits, and his energy and determina- tion constituted the foundation upon which he builded his prosperity. Unto him and his wife were born seven sons. George B., the eldest, mar- ried Matilda Vreland and has three children. James married Maria Loucks, and has five chil- dren. Clark married Mary Reives, makes his home in Ann Arbor, and has one child. Frank E., living at Howell, Michigan, married Isadore Crane, and has three children. Myron H., who married Lydia Ide, and has five children, is liv- ing in Ann Arbor. Charlie is the next in the family. Fred A., living in Toledo, Ohio, married Julia Baseon, and has two children.
Mr. Mills, of this review, has spent his entire life on the farm which is yet his home ; and in the public schools he acquired his education. In the summer months he worked in the fields, aiding in the cultivation of the crops from the time of early spring planting until the harvest was over, in the late autumn. He has never desired to enter de- partments of business, being content to give his attention to agricultural pursuits, which, George Washington says, "is the most useful and the most honorable occupation of man." He does an excellent dairy business, keeping a large herd of fine milk cows ; and he has a steam separator. He milks twenty-five cows and sells the cream to the milk dealer. His farm comprises one hun- dred and twenty-two acres of land, on which he has a beautiful home ; and there are also comino- dious barns and substantial stock sheds. In fact. there are no further conveniences needed, for ev- erything about the place is in keeping with mod- ern ideas of progress and improvement along agricultural lines. Mr. Mills is practical in his work, and therefore accomplishes results, and is today one of the substantial farmers of the com- munity.
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