USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan > Part 30
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In 1885 was celebrated his marriage to Miss Christina Stoll, who was born in the city of Ann Arbor in 1863, and is a daughter of David Stoll, who was born in Germany and came to America at an early date. He has resided in Ann Arbor for many years, where he is a prominent contrac- tor. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mills have been born two children: Flora M., whose birth occurred in 1887 ; and Clemma M., born in 1889. Mr. Mills is a member of the English Lutheran church . and politically he is an independent voter, regard- ing the capability of the candidate rather than his party affiliation. He belongs to the Maccabees tent, and to the Patrons of Husbandry, and is also a member of the Society of Equity. The work of improvement and agricultural progress instituted by his grandfather and carried forward by his father, is still further promoted by him : and he is today the leading representative of agricultural interests, whose business capacity and well directed labor constitute him a success- ful farmer of his native county
EDWARD P. GOODRICH.
Edward P. Goodrich, who for twenty-six years has been circuit court reporter in Ann Arbor. was born in Allegan, Michigan, December 27, 1842. He is descended from New England an- cestry in both the paternal and maternal lines. His father, Osman D. Goodrich, was born in Oneida county, New York, in the year 1808, and came to Michigan in 1835, when a young man of twenty-seven years. Afterward, however, he re- moved to Connecticut, where he spent ten years and then again sought a home in the west. He was a pioneer resident of this state, becoming identified with the interets of Michigan when it was a frontier locality in which the work of prog- ress and improvement seemed scarcely begun. For a long period he was a prominent and suc- cessful physician of Allegan, Michigan. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Emeline Dickinson, was a native of Connecticut, and died in the year 1878. In their family were six chil- dren, three of whom grew to maturity : Edward
P .: Osman E., of Grand Rapids, Michigan, who has been engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery : and Mrs. Mary E. Warner, of Ann Arbor.
Mr. Goodrich of this review is indebted to the public school system of Allegan, Michigan, for the early educational privileges which he enjoyed and which were supplemented by more advanced study in Kalamazoo College. Later he came to Ann Arbor, arriving here in 1864 to become a student in the literary department of the Univer- sity of Michigan, from which he was graduated in the class of 1865. He studied for the ministry in the Chicago Theological Seminary, from which institution he received the degree of B. D. He also pursued a course in Bryant & Stratton Business College in Chicago, in which school he was a teacher for two years. Entering upon the active work of the ministry, Mr. Goodrich served as pastor at Decatur, Manchester and other places in Michigan until 1879. On the Ist of January, that year, however, he was appointed circuit court reporter at Ann Arbor and has since continut- ously filled that position, which is indicative of his capability and fidelity.
On the 18th of June. 1873. Mr. Goodrich was married to Miss Mary I. Hall, of Lenawee county, Michigan, a daughter of Reuben L. Hall, who was a pioneer farmer of that county and assisted materially in the early development of his portion of the state, he and his wife, Abbie Lee, having removed from Connecticut in 1833, being of Puri- tan descent.
Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich became the parents of three sons and a daughter: Ernest Payson, born in 1874. is a civil engineer and has at different times been connected with some of the largest construction firms in the country. He belongs to the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Geographical Society. In 1898 he was structural designer with the Edison Electric Company at Detroit, and in 1898-99 was engineering assistant in the department of buildings and grounds of Washington, D. C., afterward heing a civil engi- neer in the United States Navy. Francis L. D., born in 1877, is a librarian by profession, having served several years in the library of the State Normal College at Ypsilanti. Ralph D., born in
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1878, is also a civil engineer. Emma May, born in 1880, received a degree in the literary depart- of the University of Michigan, and is now in the university library. All are graduates of the Michi- gan University and have attained prominence in lines of life demanding strong intellectuality. The wife and mother died October 31, 1904, her remains being interred in the Forest Hill cemetery.
Mr. Goodrich is a stanch republican in his polit- ical views. He is an active man of fine charac- ter with a thorough appreciation of the higher ethics of life and a love for intellectual develop- ment, and not only has he made progress along those lines but has also given his children the opportunities that have made them well known and worthy of respect and admiration by reason of what they have accomplished.
ALBERT W. AMES.
Albert W. Ames, deceased, who for many years was in the employ of the American Ex- press Company at Ann Arbor, and was also en- gaged in the stationery business, was a pioneer resident of the city. His birth occurred in East Dorset, Vermont, on the 29th of February, 1828. his parents being Amos and Eliza (Fenton) Ames, both of whom were natives of Vermont. in which state they spent their entire lives. The father followed the occupation of farming and was also engaged in the dairy business.
Albert W. Ames attended the common schools of his native county, and afterward attended an academy in Vermont, thus acquiring a good edu- cation. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and assisted his father upon the home farm until he was eighteen years of age. He was first mar- ried in Troy, New York, Miss Helen F. Abrams becoming his wife. She died in Ann Arbor after becoming the mother of three daughters: Nettie Barker, now the wife of Robert F. Edmond, resi- dent of Duluth, Minnesota : Julia, deceased ; and Miriam, deceased wife of Edward Powell. Mr. Ames was again married in Chelsea, this county, in 1867, his second union being with Miss Sarah E. Condon, a native of that place, and a daugh-
ter of Hon. Elisha and Eloise (Standish) Con- don, both of whom were natives of Norwich, Connecticut, and were among the first settlers of Washtenaw county, arriving here in 1834. They settled in what is now the town of Chelsea, and there Mr. Condon cut the timber and built a log house. There were only two families living in that part of the county at the time. As the years went by he cleared a farm, which he brought to a high state of cultivation, devoting his energies to general agricultural pursuits. It was he who gave the name of Chelsea to the town and who built a store there and engaged in gen- eral merchandising for many years in connection with his farming pursuits. His business inter- ests were capably conducted, and he was also prominent in public life, exerting considerable in- fluence in molding public thought and action. Elected to the legislature, he represented his dis- trict for two terms in the lower house, and proved an able working member of that body. Later he turned his business over to his two sons and re- tired from active life, spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. Both he and his wife continued to reside upon the old Condon homestead until called from this life, the father passing away in 1867, and the mother in 1865. Five of their children are yet living, namely : Mrs. Ames ; Mrs. Julia E. Fuller and Mrs. Betsey N. Morton, who are residing in Chel- sea : Joseph Hopkins, whose home is in Berkeley, California ; and David, who is residing in San Francisco, California. There were three children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Ames, namely : Helen, who is the wife of Dr. N. S. MacDonald, and re- sides in Hancock, Michigan; Herbert W., who married Mabel Miller, of Chicago, and is in the employ of the American Express Company in that city ; and Ruth Fargo, who died at the age of ten years and six months.
After his first marriage Mr. Ames removed from Detroit to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he entered the employ of the American Express Company as express messenger on a regular run on the Michigan Central Railroad, between De- troit and Chicago. He occupied that position for six years, but not liking the railroad work, he was on that account made agent at Ann Arbor by
ALBERT W. AMES.
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the American Express Company. He was with that company for forty-six years, having entered their service in 1861. In connection with the express agency office he installed a stock of sta- tionery and opened a news depot and continued in the business until 1901, when he sold out and retired. He spent the remaining five years of his life in well earned ease, enjoying the com- forts and luxuries that came to him as the result of his careful management of his business af- fairs in former years. He had the entire confi- dence of the corporation, which he so long repre- sented ; and as a merchant he was known for his honorable methods, straightforward dealing and earnest desire to please his patrons-qualities which brought to him a good trade and added annually to his profit. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, but he never had a desire for office. He belonged to the Ma- sonic fraternity at Ann Arbor, and had the entire respect and good will of his brethren of the craft and of the community at large. Mrs. Ames, still residing in Ann Arbor, is a member of the Methi- odist Episcopal church here. She owns a nice residence at No. 323 East William street, in which Mr. Ames made his home until his death, and which she still occupies.
WILLIAM C. JACOBUS.
William C. Jacobus, who has secured an exten- sive business as contractor and builder in Ann Arbor, was born in Chatham, Canada, on the 5th of April, 1852. His paternal grandfather was Josiah Jacobus, and the father George Jacobus. The latter was born at Seneca Falls, New York, June 24. 1824, and is still living at the advanced age of eighty-two years, his home being in this city. In 1834 he arrived in Michigan. settling in Lodi, where he remained until 1849, when he went to Canada, spending fifteen years there. It was during that time that the subject of this review was born. In 1864, however, the father returned to Ann Arbor, where he has resided con- tinuously since. In early life he learned the car- penter's trade, which he followed until he put aside business cares. He is a member of the Bap-
tist church and is also an exemplary representa- tive of the Masonic fraternity, his membership being in the lodge at Ann Arbor. In his political views he is a republican, having always given earnest support to the party but without sceking office as a reward for party fealty. He married Miss Elizabeth Pegg, a native of Seneca Falls, New York, and unto them were born five chil- dren, but the eldest. Eva M., died in infancy, and Emma, the third child, died at the age of six years, while George, the youngest, died at the age of nineteen years. William C. was the second in order of birth, and his surviving sister is Amelia, the wife of William Bennham, a resident of Liv- ingston county, Michigan, by whom she has three children.
William C. Jacobus acquired a common school education and also spent two years as a high school student. When a youth of fourteen he began railroading which he followed for twelve years and at the age of twenty-six years he turned his attention to the carpenter's trade working by the day for about two years, during which time he gained a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the business both in principle and detail. On the expiration of that period he began contracting and building on his own account and has since been identified with building operations in Ann Arbor. He has been accorded a liberal patronage and has erected many important structures in this city, which are a visible evidence of his life of thrift and enterprise. He has the entire confi- dence of the business community because of his faithfulness to the terms of a contract, his prompt- ness in its execution and his earnest desire to please his patrons.
On the 15th of February, 1882, Mr. Jacobus was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Kaylor, who was born in April, 1854, and is a native of Ireland. Her father. Martin Kaylor, who was also born on the Emerald isle, came to America in 1860, when his daughter was only six years of age, crossing the Atlantic to Quebec and thence making his way to Toledo, Ohio. He became a prominent farmer and owned considerable land near that city. In his family were seven children : Patrick. Catherine, Anna, Martin, Elizabeth, Mary and Nora.
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jacobus have been born two sons, George A. and Martin William. The former married Geneva Allen, of Jonesville. Michigan, and they have one daughter, Catherine. Mr. Jacobus exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, to the Knights of Pythias fra- ternity, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Royal Protective Association of Boston. His wife is a member of the Catholic church. They have a beautiful home on Catherine street in Ann Arbor, which was erected by Mr. Jacobus and is a good example of his skill as an architect and builder.
MARCUS LLEWELLYN WARD, D. D. S. C.
Dr. Marcus Llewellyn Ward, a capable mem- ber of the dental fraternity who has built up a large practice in Ann Arbor since 1902, was born in Howell, Livingston county, Michigan, August 5, 1875. His father, Albert F. Ward, now liv- ing in Gregory, Michigan, was a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting in 1861, as a member of Com- pany H, Fourth Michigan Infantry. He joined the army as a private and won promotion through meritorious conduct and valor on the field of bat- tle. He married Miss Sarah Kirkland, a native of England, now living in Ann Arbor. Eight children graced this marriage : Marcus L. ; Homer A .; Hugh F .; Maude A .; Camelia J. ; Sarah Ma- rie; George H., who died in 1904, at the age of sixteen years ; and Edna M.
Dr. Ward, the eldest of the family, began his education in the district schools of Livingston county, and when he had mastered the elementary branches of learning became a student in the Fen- ton Normal. He afterward engaged in teaching in the county of his nativity for five years but re- garded this merely as an initial step to profes- sional labor, for he had become imbued with a strong desire to become a member of the dental fraternity. Accordingly, in 1899 he came to Ann Arbor and entered the University of Michigan, where he supplemented his early knowledge by
a scientific course which he completed by gradu- ation in the class of 1902, winning the degree of D. D. S., while in 1905 the degree of D. D. S. C. was conferred upon him. He opened an office for practice in Ann Arbor and since 1902 has built up an excellent business which has already reached large and profitable proportions. He is also a lecturer in the dental department of the Univer- sity of Michigan.
On the 31st of May, 1899, Dr. Ward was united in marriage to Miss Millie J. Carpenter, of Howell. They have pleasant social relations, the hospitality of many of the best homes of the city being ex- tended to them. They hold membership in the Congregational church and Dr. Ward is affiliated with the blue lodge of Masons. He is likewise a member of the Delta Sigma Delta, a college fra- ternity, and numerous other societies. He has a beautiful suite of rooms for office purposes at No. 709 North University avenue, thoroughly equipped with all modern appliances known to the profession and in his practice manifests a skill and ability that insure him a continuance of his liberal patronage.
WILLIAM B. SEYMOUR.
William B. Seymour, ex-mayor of the city of Ypsilanti, was born March 4, 1833, at Victory, Cayuga county, New York. His father, a Meth- odist minister, died December 13, 1846, leaving the subject of this sketch, a boy not thirteen years of age, who was obliged to make his own way in the world. How well he has done this those that know him best can testify. He came to Michigan in 1855.
October 10, 1858, he was married to Anna E. Peckham, of Climax, Kalamazoo county, Michi- gan, and settled in Ypsilanti in the spring of 1859. To them were born four children, two daughters and two sons. Their daughter, Mrs. A. L. Braisted, resides at 306 Brower street, Ypsi- lanti. Their second daughter, Miss Lou M. Sey- mour. is still at home. Their eldest son, Don M., was accidentally killed at the age of sixteen. Their second son, Glen L. Seymour, is repre-
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sented on another page of this work. In the spring of 1861 Mr. Seymour accepted a position on the road as a commercial traveler and was a successful salesman for thirty-five years. leaving the road in July, 1890. Since that time he lias been in the insurance business.
Mr. Seymour joined the Ancient Order of United Workmen in October, 1877, and held many positions of trust up to February, 1887. when he was elected grand master workman by acclamation and was also elected supreme lodge representative for five consecutive years, from 1888 to 1892 inclusive. He is also a member of the National Union and belongs to Michigan Council. No. 300, of Detroit. Mr. Seymour has also held several positions of trust in the city of Ypsilanti, where he has resided forty-six years. forty-two years of that time at his present resi- dence at 517 Emmet street.
In the spring of 1892 he was elected alderman of the Third ward. In 1894 he was elected mayor by a large majority, refusing a second term in 1895. Mr. Seymour belongs to no church and in politics he is a republican.
GLEN L. SEYMOUR.
Glen L. Seymour, who may well be called the worthy son of a worthy father, was born in Ypsi- lanti. March 3. 1877. He was educated in the public schools there. passing through successive grades until he had completed the high school work and later attended the state normal school and the Cleary Business College, being graduated from the latter in 1894. He entered business life as a grocer and for four years was with M. J. Lewis, of Ypsilanti, while subsequently he was in the employ of the firm of Stumpenhausen & Sey- mour, grocers of that city. He was upon the road as a traveling salesman for one year for the Detroit branch of the Ypsilanti Paper Company. and then entered the employ of the Peninsula Paper Company, with which he continued for three years, in charge of the finishing depart- ment.
Mr. Seymour became an active factor in po- litical life in 1904, representing the republican party. He was appointed deputy sheriff and was afterward made deputy in the office of the county circuit court by Sheriff Frank Newton. In 1905 he was appointed a county school officer, and he now has his office in the courthouse at Ann Ar- bor, from which place he daily discharges his duties and the schools of the locality have felt the stimulus of his efforts and undertakings.
On the 11th of July. 1895. Mr. Seymour was united in marriage to Miss Hattie May Brown, a daughter of Samuel and Mary ( Loveridge) Brown, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. They have one child. William Russell, who was born August II. 1896. Mr. Seymour finds his chief recreation in hunting and fishing, greatly enjoying the out- door sports. He lives in a beautiful residence at No. 613 Cross street. Ypsilanti, and is well known in Washtenaw county, where his entire life has been passed and where his circle of friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
PROFESSOR CHARLES H. COOLEY.
Professor Charles H. Cooley, educator and anthor, was born in Ann Arbor, and is indebted to the public school system for his preliminary education, mastering the branches that constitut- ed the curriculum of the primary, grammar and high schools. He was graduated from the latter with the class of 1880, and in the fall of the same year matriculated in the University of Michigan. where he was graduated B. A. in the class of 1887. In the meantime, however, he spent some time in Europe, and following his graduation went to Bay City, Michigan, as draughtsman for the Industrial Works, with which he was con- nected for a brief period. Later he went to Wash- ington, D. C., being employed by the Interstate Commerce Commission to investigate safety ap- pliances, and prepared the first federal report on that subject in 1889. Subsequently he was ap- pointed special agent for the investigation of street railways and had charge of the report of
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the eleventh census on that subject. This task being completed he spent six months abroad and upon his return to his native land in 1892 he was made assistant in political economy in the Uni- versity of Michigan. Two years later he was made instructor in sociology at the time this study was established in the university. In 1898 he was appointed assistant professor of sociology and in June, 1904, was made junior professor.
Professor Cooley is author of many papers relating to sociological questions and of an im- portant work called Human Nature and the So- cial Order, published in 1902 by Charles Scrib- ner's Sons. It has been commended by distin- guished students of sociology.
In 1890 Professor Cooley was married, in Ann Arbor, to Miss Elsie Jones, a daughter of Dr. Samuel A. Jones, of this city, and their children, three in number, are: Rutger H., born in 1893 : Margaret, in 1897; and Mary Elizabeth, in 1904. A republican in politics, with the interests of the patriotic citizen in the leading questions and is- sues of the day, Professor Cooley is, however, without political ambition. He belongs to the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity of the University of Michigan, and received the advanced degree of Ph. D. in 1894.
JOHN KEPPLER.
John Keppler is the owner of a fine and well improved farm in Ann Arbor township. He was born in Germany in 1834 and his parents, George Adam and Mary (Staeb) Keppler, were also na- tives of that country. The father, following the occupation of farming throughout his entire life, died in Germany in 1837. The subject of this re- view spent his first twenty years in his native land, acquiring a fair education in the public schools and in 1854 he crossed the Atlantic to America, making his way at once to Michigan. He settled in Scio township, Washtenaw county, where he was employed for some time as a farm hand, being thus engaged until 1861, when he was united in marriage to Miss Marie Steffey, a daughter of Abraham Steffey, a native of Pennsylvania, in
which state Mrs. Keppler was also born. Follow- ing his marriage Mr. Keppler began the operation of a farm in Northfield township on the shares and thus spent four years. In 1865 he removed to the Tower farm, which he rented for three years but remained thereon for only a year, when he rented the place to another party and bought fifty acres of land on section 9, Ann Arbor town- ship. There he began farming on his own ac- count, making that place his home until 1902. About 1878 he bought forty acres on section 16 of the same township. For a long period he car- ried on general agricultural pursuits and also raised sheep and cattle and fed cattle for the mar- ket. At one time he operated a threshing machine, using horse power. His farm is now largely de- voted to the raising of oats, wheat and potatoes and he annually harvests good crops, which find a ready sale on the market. In 1870 he built a good residence upon his farm and he has built two barns, one thirty-two by forty-six feet and the other twenty by forty feet. He also built a granary sixteen by twenty-four feet. In 1902 he erected a residence on his forty-acre tract of land on section 16, Ann Arbor township, where he is now living with his wife. He continued the active operation of the farm until 1902, when he turned it over to the care of his son, while he is now practically living retired.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Keppler were born five children : John Milton; George Adam, who is operating the old home farm; Lewis J., who is living in Ann Arbor township; Emory A., who resides in the city of Ann Arbor ; and William C., who lives in Tower City, North Dakota.
In his political views Mr. Keppler is a stalwart republican, having firm faith in the principles of the party and doing all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. He has been township treasurer for three terms, has also served on the school board for a number of years and was moderator for one term. He belongs to Zion church and is deeply interested in the ma- terial, intellectual and moral progress of the com- munity in which he has so long made his home. As a farmer he was active and industrious, sys- tematizing his work and carrying on the labors of the fields in harmony with the advanced ideas
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