USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan > Part 31
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of modern agriculture and now he is enjoying a well earned rest, his labors being crowned with the fruits of former toil.
DANIEL J. ROSS.
Many fine structures stand as monuments to the labor, skill and business ability of Daniel J. Ross, a leading contractor here. Like many young men born across the border, he has sought the business opportunities of the United States with its livelier competition and advancement more quickly secured. He was born in Chatham, On- tario. December 4. 1852. His father, William Ross, was a contractor and builder, who died about fourteen years ago. His mother, a native of Appleford, Canada, is now living in Ontario. In their family were twelve children, ten of whom survive at the time of this writing, in 1905.
Daniel J. Ross spent the first thirteen years of his life in the place of his nativity and then came direct to Ann Arbor where he attended the public schools for some years. He learned the builder's trade under the direction of his father and in early manhood was known as the boy contractor of Ann Arbor, so youthful was he when he en- tered upon an active business career as a builder of this city. He has long been engaged in con- tracting and building and he erected the first fire engine house of Ann Arbor, Michigan Manufac- turers' Company building. Tappan Hall, Harris Hall. an addition to the chemical laboratory, the anatomical laboratory, an addition to the Union school and some of the finest residences in this city. He is always faithful to the terms of a con- tract, honorable in his dealings and prompt in the execution of his work, and his labors have there- fore received public endorsement and secured for him a liberal patronage.
In 1874 Mr. Ross was united in marriage to Miss Mary Moore, of New York city, and they became the parents of nine children, of whom four are living : Martha, who is now a teacher in the schools of Elyria, Ohio; Mrs. Isadore McFadden, who is living in New York city : and Joseph and Raymond, who are pupils in the Ann Arbor schools.
Mr. Ross holds membership with the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks and has filled all of the chairs in this lodge but one, that of ex- alted ruler. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and a communicant of the Catholic church. In politics he is an active democrat and has acted as street commissioner of Ann Arbor for many years. Aside from this he has held no public office nor has he desired political pre- ferment, wishing rather to give his undivided at- tention to his business interests which have devel- oped under his wise guidance, prompted by his indefatigable energy until he is today one of the successful contractors and builders of his adopted city.
J. T. JACOBUS.
J. T. Jacobus, who for a number of years has had charge of the office of the Pacific Express Company at Ann Arbor, is a native son of this city, born on the 15th of March, 1873. His father was Josiah Jacobus, who became one of the early settlers of Ann Arbor, where for many years he made his home. He married Bermelia Ross, a native of Washtenaw county, Michigan, and in their family were four children: Mrs. Carrie Pierce, of Lansing, this state; J. T., of this re- view: Jennie, the wife of Charles Kusterer, of Ann Arbor ; and Evart, living in Detroit.
At the usual age J. T. Jacobus entered the public schools of this city but at a comparatively early age put aside his text-books in order to en- ter business life and make his own way in the world. He has since been dependent entirely upon his own resources, so that whatever success he has achieved is the merited reward of his well directed labor, executive ability and enterprise. He was first employed upon a fruit farm owned by Evart H. Scott near this city and when his labors had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to enter upon an independent business venture he established a grocery store, which he conducted for a number of years. He then sold out and for four years was cashier for the United States Ex- press Company at Ann Arbor, on the expiration of which period he was made the manager of the
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office of the Pacific Express Company at this place and has occupied the position since 1902. He has been found thoroughly qualified for his duties, reliable in their discharge, energetic and diligent in the prosecution of his work and his service has given entire satisfaction to the com- pany which he represents.
In 1891 Mr. Jacobus was married to Miss Laura Corbis, of London, England, whose family reside in England, and they now have one son, Leroy, who at the age of twelve years is a student in the public schools of Ann Arbor. Mr. Jacobus is enrolled among the members of the Masonic fraternity and the Benevolent and Protective Or- der of Elks and enjoys the high esteem of his brethren in these organizations as well as of the general public, by whom he is ever found to be a courteous and obliging official, while in social life he displays the sterling traits of character that win strong friendships.
SAMUEL HEUSEL.
Among those who have come from foreign lands to become prominent in business circles of Ann Arbor is Samuel Heusel, well known as pro- prietor of an extensive bakery. His success in all his undertakings has been so marked that his methods are of interest to the commercial world. He has based his business principles and actions upon strict adherence to the rules which govern industry, economy and unswerving integrity. His enterprise and progressive spirit have made him a typical American in every sense of the word and he well deserves mention in this history. What he is to-day he has made himself. for he began in the world with nothing but his own energy and willing hands to aid him. By constant exertion associated with good judgment he has raised him- self to the prominent position he now holds, hav- ing the friendship of many and the respect of all who know him.
Samuel Heusel is a native of Wurtemberg. Ger- many, born October 14. 1860. His father, Fred- erick Heusel, also a native of Wurtemberg, con- ducted an extensive business there in the line of
general merchandising but is now deceased. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Stein- maier, was also a native of that kingdom. In their family were six children: Frederick, who is en- gaged in business as a baker at Ann Arbor : Jacob, who went to the west about twenty years ago and has never been heard from since ; Gottlob, who is living in Germany; Samuel of this review : and Mary and Marguerite, who are also living in the fatherland.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of Samuel Heusel's life in his youth up to the time of his emigration to Amer- ica, but he felt the call of the new world with its unceasing business activity and unlimited oppor- timities and he responded. Landing on American shores he made his way to northern Michigan, spending some time at different places in the up- per peninsula ere his removal to Ann Arbor in 1893. He has since been a factor in business life of this city, working his way steadily upward through the utilization of opportunity, and by reason of his unfaltering industry and persever- ance. In 1893. he joined his brother Frederick in the bakery business and about 1904 he established a large bakery on his own account at the corner of Liberty street and Fourth avenue, where his business has grown with such rapidity as to be classed with the mammoth industrial and commer- cial concerns of Ann Arbor. He ships large quan- tities of bread out of the city and has a splendidly equipped plant in which are immense ovens built especially for Mr. Hensel at a cost of thousands of dollars. There is machinery operated by steam power for the mixing of dough and in fact the es- tablishment is equipped with all of the latest and most modern devices known to the baker's trade. He occupies a large new building in the conduct of his business and furnishes employment to many men and women.
Mr. Heusel fraternally is connected with the Odd Fellows of Ann Arbor and the local German societies and he is a member of the Zion Lutheran church. He was married in 1888 to Miss Mary Lilivelt, descended from Holland ancestry, her parents having been early settlers of Michigan. They became the parents of three children : Fred- erick, who at the age of sixteen years is a high-
SAMUEL HEUSEL.
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school student in Ann Arbor; Sadie, thirteen years of age, also in school; and Hilda, seven years of age, who has just entered upon her school life. On the 21st of August. 1905, Mr. Heusel was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife who died after a few days' illness of appendi- citis.
Mr. Heusel deserves great credit for what he has accomplished since crossing the Atlantic. Reaching New York in 1880, he found himself in a new country where the manners and customs of the people were very different from those of the fatherland and he probably often longed for the "little German home across the sea." However, he was brave and determined and faithfully pur- sued his work and through careful industry and frugal living he succeeded in saving a sum of money which enabled him to engage in business for himself. He wisely chose the west with its almost limitless opportunities as the scene for his labors and the increase of his business from year to year has given him prominence in commercial circles and brought to him a very gratifying com- petence.
HON. THOMAS MCINTYRE COOLEY.
Hon. Thomas McIntyre Cooley, who has been termed "the foremost authority on American con- stitutional law." and whose professional and politi- cal record was an honor to the state that honored him, was born January 6, 1824. in Attica, New York, one of a family of fifteen children. His father. Thomas Cooley, had been a Massachusetts farmer but had removed from that state to west- ern New York twenty years before the birth of his son. He was in very straitened circumstances and his fifteen children, all of whom lived to ma- tuire years, were early thrown upon their own resources to make their way unaided in the world.
Thomas McIntyre Cooley, struggling with pov- erty, his youth being spent amid unfavorable con- ditions, acquired the means of obtaining his edu- cation only by hard manual labor which extended through the period of professional study. As op- portunity afforded he attended the common schools until fourteen years of age and afterward spent
four terms in a private school taught by classical scholars. In 1840, 1841 and 1842 he taught school for three or four months in each year and un- ‹loubtedly derived much henefit from the experi- ence, learning as much from his pupils as they could from him. Before he was nineteen years of age he began the study of law at Palmyra, New York, studying in the office and under the direc- tion of Theron K. Strong, who later became one of the judges of the supreme court. In 1843 he came to Michigan, establishing his home in Adrian. It was his intention to go to Chicago but not having the means necessary to continue the journey to that place he settled in Michigan. At Adrian Judge Cooley continued his prelimi- nary study in the law office of Tiffany & Beaman, holding meanwhile the position of deputy county clerk, and in January, 1846, he was admitted to the bar.
The same year that witnessed the beginning of his active connection with the legal profession was also the one in which he established a home of his own through his marriage on the 30th of December. 1846, to Miss Elizabeth Horton, a daughter of David Horton. The early years of his connection with the bar constituted a period of earnest struggle and unremitting effort. He had to cope with the older lawyers already estab- lished in practice and he found that a professional career was uphill work. Subsequently he settled in Tecumseh, where he formed a partnership with C. A. Tracy, but in 1848 returned to Adrian, where he divided his time between law and jour- nalism. becoming editor of the Adrian Watch- tower, and junior member of the law firm of Bea- man, Beecher & Cooley. Subsequently he be- came the senior partner of Cooley & Croswell, his junior being Charles MI. Croswell, afterward gov- ernor of Michigan.
While gradually working his way upward at the bar and demonstrating his ability to cope with the intricate problems of the law in the various departments of jurisprudence, Judge Cooley also became a factor in public life, and his local promi- nence was followed hy honors conferred upon him by the state which made him one of the dis- tinguished citizens of Michigan. In 1850 he was elected court commissioner and recorder of
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Adrian. At this time he was not only editing a newspaper, practicing law and acting as recorder of Adrian, but in connection with his father-in- law he also purchased and cultivated a farm of one hundred acres and was the secretary of the Lenawee County Agricultural Society. Still later he went to Toledo, Ohio, and in 1852 formed a partnership with W. J. Scott in the real estate business but did not relinquish his law practice. Again, however, he returned to Adrian and re- sumed his connection with the Michigan bar.
His connection with the University of Michi- gan began in 1859, when he was thirty-one years of age and received the appointment as Jay Pro- fessor of Law, which he held for nearly thirty years. In 1873 he was further honored by the institution in the conferring upon him of the de- gree of Doctor of Laws. At the memorable cele- bration of Harvard College, its two hundred and fiftieth anniversary, in 1886, that institution con- ferred upon Judge Cooley the same degree.
He has often been invited to lecture on law in various parts of the country and at one time gave courses in jurisprudence at the Johns Hopkins University, at Baltimore, Maryland.
Somewhat outside of the strict path of his pro- fession there came to him official service in Janu- ary, 1857, when he was chosen by the state senate to compile the general statutes and within a year he had completed the compilation that bears his name. In 1853 he was appointed the official re- porter of the supreme court of the state and acted in that capacity until 1864, in which year he was also elected one of the judges of the supreme court of Michigan as the nominee of the republican party. He held that position until October 1, 1885, through successive elections and from time to time presided over the court as its chief justice. His opinions contributed much to the high repu- tation of the court during this period. A man of unimpeachable character, of unusual intellectual endowments, with a thorough understanding of the law, patience, urbanity and industry, Judge Cooley took to the bench the very highest quali- fications for this responsible office of the state government, and his record as a judge has been in harmony with his record as a man and a lawyer, distinguished by unswerving integrity and a mas-
terful grasp of every problem which presented itself for solution.
Judge Cooley is best known outside of Michi- gan as a legal writer, his chief works being his "Constitutional Limitations," of which seven edi- tions have been published, "Blackstone," "Torts," "Taxation" and "Principles of Constitutional Law." He also attained national prominence as the first chairman of the Interstate Commerce Commission, appointed in 1887.
His literary work has not been confined to law books and law articles although his contribu- tions to legal literature have been extensive and valuable. In 1885 he contributed a history of Michigan to the popular series of volumes of the American commonwealths and he has also writ- ten on many other subjects, his articles covering a wide range and showing his deep thought and investigation of sociological, political and econom- ical questions.
Judge and Mrs. Cooley became the parents of six children : Eugene F .; Edgar A .; Charles H .; Thomas B .; Fannie, the wife of Alexis C. Angell, a son of President J. B. Angell of the University of Michigan; and Mary. Mrs. Cooley died in 1890.
ALVIN J. VOGUS.
Alvin J. Vogus, manager of the office of the Postal Telegraph Cable Company of Ann Arbor. is a native of Elsie, Clinton county, Michigan, born on the 13th of July, 1883. His parents were Fred and Rose ( Davidson ) Vogus, both of whom were natives of Ohio;and about 1892 they re- moved from Clinton county to Banister, Michi- gan, where the father secured a position as sta- tionary engineer. The son, having obtained his early education in the public schools of his na- tive county, continued his studies in Banister and in Owosso, to which place the family removed. He was also a student in Owosso Business Col- lege for thirteen months, and thus was well equipped by thorough and comprehensive train- ing for the practical and responsible duties of life. Putting aside his text-books, he entered the employ of the Western Union Telegraph
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Company at the office in Owosso, where he learned the business, after which he took charge of the office of the Postal Telegraph Cable Com- pany at that place, occupying the position for two years, at the end of which time he was promoted to his present position at Ann Arbor, where he has remained since March, 1904.
Mr. Vogus is a member of the Methodist church, and a prohibitionist in his political affilia- tion ; and these relations are indicative of the character of the man, showing that he is an advo- cate of all that tends to the betterment of human- ity and the upbuilding of a high standard of con- duct. Fraternally he is connected with the Royal Arcanum and the Commercial Telegraphers' Union. A young man of exemplary habits and splendid executive ability, he fills the important position of manager of the office of the Postal Telegraph Cable Company at Ann Arbor in a most capable way, giving entire satisfaction to the corporation which he represents. He has won the regard and admiration of the business men of the city by his genuine worth, and he has also become popular in social circles, having al- ready gained the warm friendship of many with whom he has been brought in contact.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM M. WILKINSON.
Captain William M. Wilkinson, deceased, was a native of Scotland, born in Haddington, in 1803. and acquired a liberal education, attending a classical school in London, where he learned to speak several languages. In early manhood he also learned the tailor's trade, which pursuit he followed, and also engaged in the clothing busi- ness in Scotland until 1832, when he shipped his stock of goods to America, and with his family sailed for the new world.
Captain Wilkinson first located in Salisbury, Connecticut. where he engaged in business for a short time. While there he formed the acquaint- ance of I. N. Conklin, his next door neighbor, and together they started westward. their destination being Galena, Illinois. On their way they passed through Ypsilanti, Michigan, were much pleased
with the city, and decided to return here. It was in 1834 that they located here, being among its early residents ; but they had the prescience to discern what the future held in store for this sec- tion of the state, and sent for their families to join them. Captain Wilkinson had already shipped his stock of goods to Detroit and hauled them from that city to Ypsilanti by wagon. He was the first merchant tailor to begin business here, and later was the first to sell ready-made cloth- ing. Within a few years he found himself pro- prietor of a large clothing store, and was also doing an extensive tailoring business, employing from eight to ten men. Ilis business was of very gratifying proportions for that early day. Cap- tain Wilkinson himself was a fine dresser, and his establishment soon found favor with the public and secured a very desirable patronage. He con- tinued in business up to the time of his death.
Captain Wilkinson married Miss Anna Henry, who was a native of Dalkeith. Scotland, and was a granddaughter of John Lindsay, Earl of Craw- ford and Balcaries. They became the parents of eleven children, but only three are now living. Robert B. Wilkinson is one of the prominent and wealthy citizens of Philadelphia, and holds the responsible and important position of confidential manager of John Wanamaker in his extensive dry goods business in Philadelphia and New York city. He owns one of the finest residences in the beautiful surburban town of Germantown. Thomas Wilkinson was proprietor of a large tail- oring establishment and clothing business in Sag- inaw, Michigan, but has recently sold out and now lives retired from business cares. Jeanette B. Wilkinson was married in August, 1849, to John R. Campbell, who is mentioned below. Wil- liam Wilkinson, an older son, was a prosperous merchant tailor of Lafayette, Indiana, at the time of his death. He left a wife but no children. George Wilkinson. another son, died suddenly in Springfield, Illinois, on his way west, after sell- ing out his clothing business at Toledo, Ohio. He was a promnent Knight Templar Mason, and was an officer in the Cleveland Grays, taking part in the first battle of Bull Run. He was afterward made captain of his company. He left a wife and two daughters. Both William and George Wil-
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kinson were buried in Highland cemetery, Ann Arbor.
Captain Wilkinson was a stanch democrat in politics, and was very prominent in the Masonic order, being a charter member of Ypsilanti lodge. He was president of the first literary society of Ypsilanti, and owned a fine library, which con- tained, among other volumes, a full set of histories of England, which was left him by his grand- father. Sir William McIntosh, who was one of the individual subscribers, as they were published on the subscription plan in London. They were very expensive and well illustrated for those days. He was very fond of history, and made it his special study. The captain was prominent in the social circles of the city, and occupied a very en- viable position in the favorable regard of many friends. After a useful and well spent life he died on the 26th of October, 1870, at the age of sixty-seven years, and his wife passed away in April, 1895, at the age of eighty-four years.
John R. Campbell was born in Buffalo, New York. in March, 1817. and was a son of Alex- ander Campbell, a native of Argyle, Scotland. He was only eleven years of age at the time of his father's death, and then started out in life on his own account. In 1832 he came to Ypsilanti, and. being a lover of horses, he secured a position as driver on the stage coach between that city and Clinton, Michigan, being thus engaged for five years. He next conducted a hotel at Aurora, 11- linois, for seven years, and on the expiration of that period, returned to Ypsilanti, where he em- barked in the livery business in partnership with Walter Hawkins. Later he turned his attention to the stock business, dealing in both cattle and horses, which he found quite profitable. For sev- eral years he was in partnership with Bert Spen- cer, and afterward purchased a stock farm north of Ypsilanti, where he engaged in raising fine horses and cattle. While breaking a team of colts in the summer of 1883. they became frightened and ran away. Mr. Campbell being thrown to the ground and instantly killed. Politically he was an ardent democrat, but always refused to accept office. He was considered one of the finest horse- men in the state. He had many sterling quali- ties which endeared him to those with whom he
came in contact. He was a very temperate man, never gambling nor using intoxicants, which, com- bined with his fine appearance ( for he was a handsome man), rendered him popular with his many friends.
Since her husband's death, Mrs. Campbell has continued to make her home in Ypsilanti, but has traveled quite extensively. In 1884 she went to Europe, and spent one year in England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, France and Germany, returning in 1885. In 1902 she made a second trip abroad, vis- iting Scotland for some time and then going to Norway, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Holland and Belgium. She was gone five months at this time. She was liberally educated, has always been a great reader. and although now well ad- vanced in years, gives her personal attention to her business interests. She owns much valnable property in Ypsilanti, which she rents and which returns to her a very liberal income. She be- longs to the Episcopal church, and owns and oc- cupies a beautiful home at No. 35 South Huron street. In the city where she has so long lived, she is well known and uniformly esteemed, re- ceiving the respect of young and old, rich and poor.
WILLIAM A. SCHNEIDER.
William A. Schneider, a member of the firm of Ryan & Schneider, conducting a large business in furnaces and sheet metal work, is numbered among Washtenaw county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Delhi, Scio township. on the 20th of September, 1877. His father, Michael Schneider, a native of Wurtemberg, Ger- many, is a cooper by trade and is now living in Ann Arbor. He married Magdalena Kirbly, who passed away in 1895. Unto them were born four children : Henry, who is now living in Ypsilanti ; Mary, the wife of John Jewell, of Grand Rapids, Michigan: Amelia, the wife of Dr. Gates, of Dexter ; and William A.
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