USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan > Part 39
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Mr. Beal's fraternal relations are with the fol- lowers of the craft. He is a member of Frater- nity lodge, No. 262, A. F. & A. M .; Washtenaw chapter, No. 6. R. A. M .; Ann Arbor command- ery, No. 13, K. T .; Michigan consistory, S. P. R. S. of Detroit ; and Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine.
Mr. Beal was married on Thanksgiving day of 1889 to Miss Ella Travis, of Cooper, Kalama- zoo county. Michigan, a daughter of Daniel D. Travis, of that town, now deceased. Her mother
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now makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Beal and the other members of the household are their two children: Travis, born September 3. 1894; and Loretta, born April 16, 1897.
Mr. Beal has for years been gathering a library and today has a valuable collection of the best works in literature and many volumes on early Michigan history. In 1889 he spent about eight months abroad and covered over two thousand miles on a bicycle in foreign countries. He has been and is distinctively a man of affairs and has wielded a wide influence. The interests which have made claim upon his time and attention have been varied, for anything which tends to the bet- terment of conditions for mankind, for the stimu- lus of material progress or the improvement of his city, receives his endorsement and assistance. The virile strength of the west and the dominant spirit of enterprise, so characteristic of this sec- tion of the country, find exemplification in his career.
WALLACE W. BLISS.
Wallace W. Bliss, deceased. who for many years was engaged in the cigar and tobacco busi- ness in Ann Arbor and belonged to one of the pioneer families of the city, was born here, his parents being Dr. Daniel W. and Lucia ( Scoville) Bliss, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. Removing westward at an early day, they settled in Ann Arbor when there were only a few houses in this city. His brother, Calvin, came with him and thus the family became well known in Washtenaw county in pioneer times. The fa- ther had some knowledge of medicine and prac- ticed to some extent after locating here, but later entered into partnership with his brother Calvin in the ownership and conduct of a general mer- cantile store on Main street. They continued in business together for several years, at the end of which time Daniel W. Bliss formed a partner- ship with his brother-in-law, Munson Wheeler, and engaged in the bakery business for a few years. On the expiration of that period Daniel W. Bliss gave up all active business interests and
lived retired until his death, both he and his wife passing away in Ann Arbor.
Wallace W. Bliss acquired a public-school edu- cation in Ann Arbor, and afterward learned the jeweler's trade under the direction of his uncle, who was then engaged in that business here. Later he established a similar business on his own account with a small stock, but after a brief period he turned his attention to the cigar and tobacco trade, in which he continued for many years. He was thus engaged when the Civil war was inaugu- rated, and in 1862 he enlisted as a drummer boy of Company D, Twentieth Michigan Infantry, with which he remained until discharged at .Alex- andria, Virginia. in 1863. He then returned to Ann Arbor, where he again began dealing in cigars and tobacco, his store being located on Main street. He did a large business and con- tinned in that line until his later years, when he sold out and lived retired. He was well known in business circles in Ann Arbor and was ac- corded a liberal patronage, his sales reaching a large annual figure.
Mr. Bliss was married in Iowa to Miss Mary Conn, a native of Canada, and a daughter of John Coun, who was a stone mason and builder by trade. and resided in Canada for several years, after which he removed to Keokuk, Iowa, where he worked at his trade until the time of his death. Five children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Bliss, of whom three are living. George E., who mar- ried Jessie Nelson and resides with his mother, is train baggageman for the Michigan Central Rail- road, and has a regular run between Detroit and Chicago. He has been in the employ of that com- pany for many years. Mamie Gertrude is the wife of Adelbert G. Merriman, and they reside in Ken- ton, Ohio, where he is engaged in business with his father, a real estate dealer, and the wealthiest man of the town. Ida Louise is the wife of Dorr I. Gasser and resides in Paulding, Ohio, where he is superintendent of the gas works. Those de- ceased are: Edgar Herbert. who died in 1860 at the age of three months ; and Clarence D., who died in 1871, at the age of five years.
Mr. Bliss departed this life March 12. 1804. He was a very stanch advocate of republican princi- ples, and took an active interest in the work of
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the party, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He was a member of the Grand Army Post at Ann Arbor, and attended the Congregational church, as do his wife and chil- ‹Iren. His business life was characterized by that steady progress which ultimately reaches the ob- jective point. He was painstaking in his man- agement, exercised due care in his purchases and sales, and won success by his persevering and honorable efforts. Mr. Bliss owns a fine large residence at No. 310 South William street, where she is living with her son and his wife.
DANIEL L. QUIRK, JR.
Daniel L. Quirk, Jr., who since 1898 has been cashier of the First National Bank of Ypsilanti, an institution which has had an unparallelled rec- ord for its conservatism, its reliability and its steady progress, was born in this city on the 26th of February. 1871, and is a son of Daniel L. Quirk. Sr., the venerable and honored president of the bank, whose name is inseparably interwoven with the history of Michigan, with the develop- ment of its railroad interests and with the great packing industries of the country as well. Fur- ther mention of him is made on another page of this work.
Having mastered the branches taught in the public schools, Daniel L. Quirk, Jr., became a student in the literary department of the Univer- sity of Michigan, from which he was graduated with the class of 1893, while in 1894 he took one year in the law course. He has since been asso- ciated with his father to a greater or less extent in the management of the First National Bank as its cashier. He has displayed many of the strong and sterling traits manifested by his father and bids fair to become his worthy successor in the extent and importance of his business operations. For five years he has been the secretary and gen- eral manager of the Peninsular Paper Company. one of the strongest productive industries of this part of the state. Other enterprises and business concerns have felt the stimulus of his energy and active co-operation and have benefited by his
sound judgment and wise counsel. He was also the builder of the Quirk Block, the finest office building in Ypsilanti, which was completed in February, 1904. It is a two story structure, mod- ern in every particular, lighted by electricity and heated by steam.
In 1901 Mr. Quirk was united in marriage in Detroit, Michigan, to Miss Julia A. Trowbridge, a daughter of General L. S. Trowbridge, of that city, and they now have two interesting children, Daniel Trowbridge and Alexander Buell, both of whom were born in Ypsilanti.
While the extent of his business interests alone would entitle Mr. Quirk to distinction as a repre- sentative citizen of Washtenaw county he has moreover been an active and helpful factor in offi- cial life here and in 1904 was chosen to represent the first ward in the city council to fill a vacancy occasioned by the death of George Palmer. In May, 1905, he was re-elected to that affice on the democratic ticket and is now serving on the board of aldermen. He is naturally a close observer. reasons from what he sees, and the soundness of his views backed by his intellectual vigor and strong personality have brought him into promi- nence in both local and political circles, and as a leader in public affairs outside of office as well as in business life. His varied interests indicate a mental alertness and he has gained a liberal breadth of mind and ease of self-possession which mark a man of wide acquaintance and varied ex- perience.
EARL WARE.
Earl Ware, a carrier in the mail service at Ann Arbor, and a man of considerable local influence in the ranks of the republican party in this city. was born in Rochester, New York, January 26, 1854. His father, Murrine Ware, was also a na- tive of New York, where he engaged in business as a shoe merchant. About 1868 he left the Em- pire state and came with his family to Michigan, settling at Pine Run. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Eliza Yout, and both have passed away, the death of Mr. Ware occurring in Au-
DANIEL L. QUIRK, JR.
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gust, 1892, while his wife died in 1864. His po- litical allegiance was given to the republican party and he kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. In the family were eight chil- dren, six of whom survive, including Earl Ware, who is the oldest. The others are: Mrs. Mary Teller, Mrs. Martha Leonard and Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson, all of whom are living in the state of New York: Viola, the wife of E. S. Perry, of Ann Arbor; and Morris, who resides at Hope, Michigan.
Earl Ware spent the first fourteen years of his life in the place of his nativity and acquired his early education in the schools of Rochester, con- tinuing his studies, however, in Pine Run after the removal of the family to Michigan. When he had put aside his text-books he engaged in the shingle business at Pine Run, and afterward at various places in Michigan, continuing in that line of business activity for five years, the splen- did forests of the state offering excellent oppor- tunities to the lumberman. When he severed his connection with that trade he accepted a position in charge of the Michigan Central Railroad yards, acting in that capacity for ten years. He came to Ann Arbor in 1880, and his present position is that of carrier in connection with the Ann Arbor postoffice. He is very active in public affairs of the city and has accomplished effective and bene- ficial service for his home ward, the fifth, which he represented on the city council as alderman for six years, from 1886 until 1892. There he sup- ported each measure that he believed would con- tribute to the general good, and was active in in- stituting constructive measures which have been beneficial in their effect.
In 1880 Mr. Ware was united in marriage to Miss Mina Bodine, of Flint, Michigan, and they have two children, Mildred L, and Thornton, aged twenty-three and eight years respectfully. The daughter is a graduate of the Ann Arbor high school, and is a trained nurse, but is now in California with her mother for her health. The family have an attractive home at No. 1305 Broadway, and the good cheer and hospitality which there abound make it a favorite resort of their many friends. Mr. Ware assisted in found- ing and building the beautiful North Side Union
church in his ward. He is intensely patriotic and public spirited in all that he does for the city, and is well known here by reason of his excellent serv- ice and his genuine personal worth, which has endeared him to many with whom he has been brought in contact.
WILLIAM MERRITT OSBAND.
William Merritt Osband, who since 1887 has been interested in The Ypsilantian and since 1893 has been sole owner and editor, was born in New- ark, Wayne county, New York, June 25, 1836. His father, Wilson Osband, was for many years a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Susanna Sherman, who was of New Eng- land descent. The ancestry of the Osband family can be traced back to Weaver Osband, an officer of the Revolutionary war. In the maternal line Mr. Osband is descended from two prominent fami- lies, the Shermans and the Lawtons, conspicuous among the Rhode Island troops in the Revolution- ary war. The ancestral line of the Sherman fam- ily has been traced back to Suffolk, England, where representatives of the name were prominent and influential and their coat of arms shows that they won renown in the crusades.
William Merritt Osband was reared on a farm and was a student in the district schools of Arca- dia. Wayne county. New York, and afterward a public-school student in Newark, that state. His more advanced educational work was done in Gen- esee College, now Syracuse University, in which he completed the classical course and was gradu- ated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts on the 25th of June, 1861. He then entered upon an era of educational work, which won him more than local renown as an instructor. In August fol- lowing his graduation he became professor of mathematics and natural science in Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary, at Gouverneur, St. Lawrence county. New York, and in 1864 he was tendered and accepted the professorship of mathematics in Alberta University at Bellville, Ontario. In 1865, desiring to settle in the west, he came to Michigan and organized the graded schools at
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Northville, subsequent to which time he settled in Ypsilanti in the autumn of 1867, but returned to Northville in 1868. He had charge of the schools of Chelsea in 1870-I and in the autumn of the lat- ter year was elected principal of the preparatory department and associate professor of chemistry of Olivet College. In 1872 he was chosen pro- fessor of natural science in Albion College, where he remained until February, 1878, when through the failure of his health he was obliged to give up his educational work and return to Ypsilanti. His ability to impart clearly, readily and concisely to others the knowledge that he had acquired, his personal interest in his pupils and his effective and earnest efforts for their advancement won him wide reputation and made his labors most effective in the promotion of educational progress in Michigan.
Partially recovering his health Mr. Osband en- gaged to travel for the Globe Furniture Company of Northville, of which he was a director and con- tinued to represent that house until 1886. In De- cember. 1887. he purchased the interest of Perry F. Powers in The Ypsilantian and in 1893 became the sole owner of the paper by purchasing the in- terest of George C. Smithe, since which time he has been editor and proprietor. This paper is an excellent representative of the journalism of Mich- igan and is accorded a liberal patronage, so that the circulation is large, making the paper as well an excellent advertising medium. Mr. Osband put forth his first political efforts in the Fremont campaign and has held his connection steadily with the republican party since 1854. He has never desired office as a reward for party fealty and yet has labored earnestly and effectively for the welfare of the republican organization and the principles which it promulgates. He twice served as chairman of the republican committee of Wash- tenaw county. His interest in the cause of edu- cation has been continuous and his efforts in its behalf have been effective and far-reaching. He was for six years a member of the board of edu- cation in Ypsilanti and for many years was a mem- ber of the board of trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church. He became a member of this organization in 1854 and in 1892 he was active in the erection of the new house of worship in
Ypsilanti. His labors and influence have ever been on the side of public improvement and sub- stantial and permanent progress and he assisted materially in securing Prospect Park for the city and of other movements that have been of direct benefit to Ypsilanti.
On the 7th of August, 1861, Mr. Osband was married to Miss Lucy Aldrich in Newark, Wayne county, New York, who was one of his college classmates and afterward taught in the same schools. Following their return to Ypsilanti in 1878 Mrs. Osband was for twelve years head of the natural science department of the State Nor- mal School of this city. They have one daughter, Marna Ruth Osband. Many men who have at- tained distinguished and honorable positions in the various walks of life and who in their earlier years were pupils of Professor Osband unite in bearing testimony of his high moral worth and the stimulus which he gave to the efforts of his pupils not only toward the acquirement of broad and thorough education but also the develop- ment of high and honorable character.
The following is a just tribute paid to him by J. C. Camburn, of Chicago, "I knew Professor Osband when he was professor of natural science at Albion. He made each of his students feel that he was his personal friend, ready to do him a favor. In his teaching his expert knowledge of all the details of the subject made the students wish to have a like knowledge and were willing to spend the time and labor necessary. He saw that dullness meant darkness, and that light was needed for sight. He made the successive steps of scientific reasoning clear and showed how one rested on the other. His plan of training in the mental athletics of school life followed the trails of the great men who have lifted the curtain from nature's stage. He felt that the student must walk in the footprints of the discoverer, and that in both the student and the discoverer, the same motive power-the imagination-must outline the form of hidden things, unveil the mystery and locate the gold of knowledge by the certainty of how and why it was there. He made study like an at- tractive excursion, in which the getting of knowl- edge was changed from duty to pleasure. The study of science under his leadership was like a
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voyage, in which the captain of the ship taught the student crew to sail the craft across the sea of original investigation to the lands of discovery and invention. The captain's example made many of the crew wish to be captains. The majority of students under his care were so liberal of the time and attention given to the work in his department that he was often accused by other professors of taking more of the students' time than belonged to him. His interest in the individual work of the students made demands on his time and atten- tion that were too great for his physical strength. The natural result was a breakdown, which ter- minated his teaching work. It was a source of great regret among all his students that his illness compelled him to cease work and devote himself to the payment of his overdraft on nature and se- lect a calling that was not so great a tax on his generosity."
GEORGE W. WEEKS.
George W. Weeks, for a quarter of a century a resident of Ann Arbor, where he is now con- ducting a profitable coal and wood business, is numbered among Michigan's native sons, and the fact that many of her native born people have re- tained their residence here from childhood to the present time, is an indication of the excellent ad- vantages which she offers to those who remain within her borders. George Weeks was born in Monroe county, December 6, 1854, his parents being Elijah and Elizabeth (Kirkland) Weeks, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. The father, however, came to Michigan when thirteen years of age, and took up his abode in Monroe county, where he eventually began farm- ing on his own account, and for a number of years was classed with the prosperous agricul- turists of that locality. He is still living at Sa- maria, Monroe county, Michigan. The following is a record of the eight children born unto him and his wife: Samuel M., deceased ; George W., of this review ; Mrs. Gertrude Dodge, who died December 3. 1905, at her home in Hamilton, Ohio; Mrs. Cora Hartz, of Wolcottsville, Indi-
ana: Phoebe, the wife of J. M. Borough, of Marshall. Michigan: Blanche, the wife of E. Hubbard, of Monroe county; Hattie, who is living in Kalamazoo, this state; and Issie, wife of Tra Osborn, of Samaria, Monroe county, Michi- gan.
George W. Weeks spent his early school life in the county of his nativity, and was a young man, when, in March, 1881. he established his home in Ann Arbor, where he has since remained. He located at No. 1540 Broadway, where he has a place of twelve acres, and is now extensively and profitably engaged in market gardening. The products of his place, always of excellent size and flavor. and moreover. having the advantage of freshness, being sent direct from the producer to the consumer, find a very ready market, many of his patrons having given him their business support through a long period. He also has other business interests, now conducting a large coal and wood yard at the corner of Madison and Fifth avenue.
Mr. Weeks was married on New Year's day of 1879 to Miss Lucy S. Harnden, of Samaria, Michigan. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and is a daughter of Enos H. and Lucy ( Jones ) Harnden, both of whom were natives of the Em- pire state, the father having been born in Port Byron, New York, while the mother's birth oc- curred in Watertown. Mr. Harnden became a millwright by trade, and on removing to the west he took up government land in Allegan county. Michigan, after which he removed to Dundee, Monroe county, this state. Subsequently he went to Samaria, where he died in 1890, and his wife passed away in 1895. In their family were three children: Mrs. Weeks: Enos S., who is a traveling man, making his home in Washington, D. C .; and Walter W., who is a seed man of Kansas City, Missouri. Mrs. Weeks is a lady of superior culture and innate refinement, and has gained broad literary knowledge through exten- sive reading. Prior to her marriage, she was a capable teacher. Three children have been born to this union: Walter S .. who is now teaching in the Military Institute of Germantown, Ohio; George W., wno was married June 7. 1905, to Miss A. Zoe Be Gole, of Chelsea, Michigan, and
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is clerking in Ann Arbor ; and Carl H., who is a years with the prominent and well known hard- student living at home.
The family have a very attractive residence which is situated just on the outskirts of Ann Arbor, but within the corporation limits. It stands on a hill overlooking the valley in which Ann Arbor lies and commands a beautiful view of the city and surrounding country. Mr. Weeks and his family are members of the Christian church, and in politics he is a democrat, who is now serv- ing as supervisor of the fifth ward. During a long residence in this city he has so lived as to command the respect and esteem of his fellow townsmen, his personal and business worth be- ing widely recognized.
EDMUND A. CARPENTER.
Edmund A. Carpenter, proprietor of a hard- ware store in Ypsilanti, was born in Auburn, New York, December 31, 1860, and was one of the six children born unto Charles and Jane V. (Hicks) Carpenter. The father was a hatter and furrier of Auburn, conducting a business which was established in 1821, and is still in existence. For many years he was an active factor in com- mercial circles in that city, and there he died in the year 1888. In his religious faith he was a Presbyterian, active in the work of the church, and was also a stalwart supporter of the repub- lican party. His wife, who was a native of New York city, died on the 23d of May, 1905. Of their family of six children, three are yet living : Franklyn I., a resident of Baltimore, Maryland, where he is engaged in the manufacture of fish- ermen's supplies ; and Julia A. and Edmund A., who are living in Ypsilanti.
Edmund A. Carpenter spent his early school life in Auburn, and subsequently continued his stu- dies in Aurora, New York, and at Cayuga Lake Academy, thus being provided with superior ad- vantages which well qualified him for life's prac- tical and responsible duties. He entered upon his business career as an employe of the firm of Dun- ning & Company, wholesale hardware merchants of Auburn and subsequently spent a number of
ware house of Erastus Corning in Albany. On severing his connection with that establishment he came to the west, settling at Detroit, where he secured a position as traveling salesman, and for three years represented the firm of Standard Brothers upon the road. He was afterward with the Fletcher Hardware Company of Detroit for fifteen years, and his long connection therewith stands in incontrovertible evidence of his capa- bility and the trust reposed in him by the house. On the 17th of October, 1904, he came to Ypsi- lanti, Michigan, and purchased the hardware store located at No. 124 Congress street, which for many years had been owned and managed by his brother. This is the leading hardware store of the city, and he carries a very exten- sive line of shelf and general hardware, stoves, etc.
Mr. Carpenter is a member of Phoenix lodge, No. 123, A. F. & A. M., and of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and he is likewise belongs to the Episcopal church. He is unmarried and his sister is acting as housekeeper for him in their pleasant home on West Congress street. They expect soon, however, to occupy one of the new apartments just being built opposite Cleary's Business College on Congress street. While a resident of Ypsilanti for only a year, Mr. Car- penter has made many warm personal and busi- ness friends by reason of his genial personality, his unfailing courtesy and his high business integ- rity. When he arrived in this city he entered upon a field of business activity with which he was thoroughly familiar, and has met with grati- fying success in its conduct, winning the good will and trust of the general public by reason of his close adherence to a high standard of com- mercial ethics.
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