USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan > Part 42
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
twenty-one years. He belongs to the Bethlehem Evangelical church and has led an upright, hon- orable, useful and active life. He is one of the oldest native sons of the city, having for more than six decades been a witness of its growth and improvements as it has developed along modern business lines and in keeping with the advanced ideas of a twentieth century civilization.
FRANK W. WILKINSON.
The commercial interests of Ann Arbor are well represented by Frank W. Wilkinson, who is now proprietor of a large new and second-hand furniture and stove business and who, since enter- ing business life at the age of sixteen years, has worked his way steadily upward undeterred by no obstacles that he has encountered, regarding these more as an impetus for renewed effort and more unfaltering energy and determination. He was born in Ingham county, this state. November 4. 1875. and is a son of Walter Wilkinson, a native of England, who in his boyhood days came to America and settled upon a farm near Lansing. He continued a resident of Ingham county up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1877. He is still survived by his wife, who bore the maiden name of Fannie Tuttle, and is now living in Greenville. Michigan. In their family were three children : Mattie, the wife of Lewis How- ard, who is a farmer of Oakland county: Jess. who carries on agricultural pursuits at Greenville, and Frank W.
In the schools of Greenville Frank W. Wilkin- son acquired his education. Putting aside his text-books at the age of sixteen years to earn his own living he was first employed as a farm hand and later engaged in the business of buying butter and eggs for a commission man. Lloyd Satterlee. of Greenville, with whom he remained for two years. He afterward entered the Stevens hard- ware store of Greenville, where he continued for five years, during which time he became familiar with the business, gaining practical experience that has enabled him to carry his own enterprise successfully forward. In 1896 he arrived in Ann
Arbor and again sought and obtained a situation in a hardware store, being thus connected with commercial pursuits here until about four years ago, when he embarked in business on his own account at No. 325 South Main street, where he occupies a large three-story building with a stock of furniture and stoves, handling both new and second hand goods.
On the 23d of August. 1897, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Wilkinson and Miss Anna E. Ware, of this city, a daughter of Morris and Ada ( Worth ) Ware, both of whom are living. the father devoting his attention to agricultural pur- suits. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson have become the parents of two daughters, Florence and Lucile. aged three and one years respectively. Mr. Wil- kinson is a member of the Knights of the Macca- bees and in his political views is a republican, in- terested in the success and growth of his party, yet without aspiration for office for himself. He has a pleasant home at No. 1121 Packard street- a new house which he has recently erected. He is an energetic young business man, wide-awake, persevering and determined, and all that he pos- sesses has been gained through his enterprise and labor. He has made the most of his advantages. has utilized his opportunities and in the trade cir- cles of Ann Arbor has become a prominent factor.
CLARENCE E. McQUILLAN.
Clarence E. McQuillan, manager of the Ann Arbor depot of the Detroit. Ypsilanti. Ann Ar- bor & Jackson Railway Company, was born in Rives Junction. Jackson county, Michigan, on the 28th of March. 1882. His father. John H. Mc- Quillan, is a native of this state and still main- tains his residence in Jackson, where he is now engaged in the coal and wood business, although in former years he carried on agricultural pur- suits in Jackson county, having well developed business interests at the present time that are bringing him a good financial returń. He mar- ried Alice Courtney, also living. and they have two daughters. Irene and Gertrude. who are with the parents in Jackson.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
The only son, Clarence E. McQuillan, and the eldest of the family, pursued his education in St. Mary's Academy, in Jackson, Michigan, and en- tered the railway business in the employ of the Michigan Central Company. He has for the past four years been employed in the Ann Arbor de- pot for the Detroit, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor & Jack- son Railway Company, and was appointed mana- ger of that point in the fall of 1004. He is a courteous and obliging official, always attentive to the patrons of the road. and at the same time carefully looking after the interests of the com- pany.
In 1903 Mr. McQuillan was married to Miss Edna Jennings, of Jackson, Michigan. He is a communicant of the Catholic church, and in politics is independent. A young man, he has attained to the responsible, paying position, in which he is very efficient and he is also popular socially.
WILLIAM H. RICE.
William H. Rice, deceased, was a representa- tive of one of the first families of Washtenaw county and for many years was identified with ag- ricultural and stock-raising interests here. He was born in Ypsilanti township about seven miles east of the city of Ann Arbor October 28, 1838. his parents being Asa and Susanna ( Smith ) Rice, the latter a native of Dutchess county. New York, and the former of Warsaw, that state. With his family he came to Washtenaw county, Michigan, in 1826 and cast in his lot with the pioneer set- tlers, purchasing a farm in Ypsilanti township. two miles west of Ypsilanti. There in the midst of the forest he cleared and developed a tract of land which, responding readily to the labor he bestowed upon it, was converted into productive fields which yielded to him good harvests as he carried on farm work up to the time of his death. In the meantime, however, he had purchased a residence in Ypsilanti, intending to make his home there in the enjoyment of a well earned rest but death intervened. His widow, however, re- moved to Ypsilanti and Miss Lucy Rice resided with her up to the time of her death, which oc-
curred when she had reached the advanced age of eighty-six years. All but three of the children of that family have also passed away.
William H. Rice began his education in the common schools of this county and afterward at- tended the normal school at Ypsilanti, thus ac- quiring a good education. In his youth he as- sisted his father on the home farm and when he had finally saved from his earnings enough capi- tal to justify the purchase of land he became the owner of a farm of his own about five miles northwest of Ypsilanti in Ann Arbor township. It was all covered with timber and with the aid of his father and two hired men he cleared this, built a house and began the further cultivation and de- velopment of his property. As the years passed he continued his farm work tilling the fields and harvesting good crops of the grain best adapted to soil and climate. He was also a lover of fine horses and engaged quite extensively in dealing in them and also raised horses to some extent. He continued his farming operations until 1888, when he removed to the city of Ann Arbor and there his wife purchased a residence which he made his home up to the time of his death, enjoying in well earned ease the fruits of his former toil.
William H. Rice was married March 24, 1863. in the village of Dixboro, this county, to Miss Sarah E. Clements, a daughter of James P. and Mary Ann ( Finch ) Clements, both of whom were natives of Saratoga county, New York, where they were married October 29, 1839. Soon after- ward they came to the west, settling in this county among its pioneer residents. They took up their abode in the village of Dixboro in Superior town- ship and the father purchased a farm in Ann Arbor township. He was also a photographer and conducted a gallery in the village, at the same time superintending his general agricultural pur- suits. There he made his home until the time of his death. The heirs have since sold the property but most of the children still reside in the county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rice were born four children. Fred R., who pursued a commercial course in the high school at Ann Arbor, now resides on the home farm five miles east of the city. He mar- ried Emily Helena Fleming and has six children : Roscoe William, Ernest J., Sarah E., Walter F.,
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MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM H. RICE.
MR. AND MRS. JAMES P. CLEMENTS.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
LeRoy and Norman Clements, Hattie B. Rice. who pursued the English course in the high school, is now the wife of Charles M. Irwin and resides in Wichita, Kansas, where he is engaged in the practice of law and also conducts a real- estate business. They have one child. Lois Amanda. Bert C .. who pursued the scientific course in the high school and also attended the University of Michigan for three years, is resid- ing in Kansas City, Missouri, where he is engaged in the manufacture of crackers and confectionery. which he sells to the wholesale trade. He married Jessie Lehan and they have one child. William Joseph. James Finch Rice. the other member of the family, died at the age of nine months and twenty-one days.
The death of Mr. Rice occurred in Ann Arbor. November 14, 1800, and he was buried in High- land cemetery, Ypsilanti. He was never an office seeker but held several minor positions in his township and he gave an unfaltering support to the republican party, keeping well informed on the issues of the day. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a self-made man whose well directed business interests won him success. Ile realized the value of energy and diligence and upon those qualities as a foundation he builded his prosperity and moreover he won an honorable name as well as a comfortable competence. Mrs. Rice now owns a fine brick residence at No. 530 South Division street, where she has resided since coming to Ann Arbor. She also owns her dower right in the home farm of one hundred and forty-nine acres on sections 24 and 25. Ann Arbor township, the remainder being owned by her son, and has an- other farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 12. Ann Arbor township. about a half mile north of the village of Dixboro.
HENRY B. FELDKAMP.
Henry B. Feldkamp, who since 1880 has resided on his present farm in Ann Arbor township, was born in Freedom township, this county, in 1854. His parents were Lambert and Katherine Feld-
kamp, both natives of Germany. The mother came to Michigan with her parents in 1836 and the father arrived in this state about 1838. Ac- cording to the laws of his native country he had rendered military service as a member of the Ger- man army for three years. On crossing the At- lantic he located first in the state of New York. whence he afterward came to Michigan and was employed as a farm hand for several years. When his labor had brought to him sufficient capital to justify his purchase of a farm he became owner of eighty acres of land in Freedom township, to which he afterward added a tract of forty acres. Ile then continued the further cultivation and im- provement of his one hundred and twenty-acre farm until 1860, when he sold that property and removed to Saline township, where he bought two hundred and fifty acres. lle had the usual ex- perience of pioneer farming, but as the years passed brought his land up to a high state of culti- vation and became one of the prosperons agricul- turists of his community. He voted with the democracy and was quite active in support of the party. His death occurred in 1871. while his wife survived until 1806. In their family were seven children : Frederick : William : Carrie, the wife of W. M. Clements, of Lodi, Michigan : Henry B. : Sarah, the wife of Christian Weidmayer, of Lodi : Lydia, the wife of Frederick Brennion. also of Lodi ; and Dinah, the wife of George Weidmayer. of Lodi.
Henry B. Feldkamp, of this review, pursued his early education at Rogers Corners and afterward continued his studies in Saline township. He re- mained upon the home farm until twenty-two years of age. during which time he became fa- miliar with all the work that falls to the lot of the agriculturist. He was afterward employed as a farm hand for several years, and in 1880, with the money he had saved from his own earnings. he purchased one hundred and forty-five acres on section 11, Ann Arbor township. He added to this in 1800 a tract of one hundred and twenty- five acres and later bought eighty acres additional. so that he now has a valuable and extensive farm of three hundred and fifty acres, all in one body. In 1904 he built a fine home containing twelve rooms, at a cost of thirty-five hundred dollars. It
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
is finished in oak, which he sawed from timber on the farm, and it is one of the attractive residences of this part of the county. In 1888 he built a good barn thirty-four by one hundred and fourteen feet and he has a horse barn twenty-eight by thirty- eight feet. Here he carries on general farming. feeding all of his grain to his stock except his wheat crop. Two hundred and ninety acres of his land is improved, while sixty acres is covered with timber.
On the 30th of March, 1880, Mr. Feldkamp was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Bissinger, a daughter of Conrad Bissinger, of Scio township, who spent his last days in Ann Arbor, where he died at the venerable age of ninety-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Feldkamp have four children : Cora. Edwin, Emma and Edna. In politics Mr. Feld- kamp is an earnest democrat, and his fellow towns- men, recognizing his worth and ability, have fre- quently called him to public office. He has served on the school board, on the board of review and as road commissioner and justice of the peace and in all of these offices has discharged his du- ties with promptness and fidelity. He belongs to the Bethlehem Evangelical church and has lived an honorable and upright life. Moreover, he is entitled to praise for what he has accomplished. He started out for himself as a farm hand and has steadily worked his way upward, overcoming many difficulties and obstacles, yet persevering in his labor until he is now the owner of one of the finest farms of the county and is classed with the substantial citizens of Ann Arbor township.
HERBERT B. TENNY.
Herbert B. Tenny, proprietor of the Varsity Laundry of Ann Arbor, is a native of Ypsilanti. born on the 22d of October. 1872, his parents being Alfonzo and Kitty (Eaton) Tenny. The father is a native of this state, a molder by trade and now makes his home in Ypsilanti. His po- litical views accord with the principles of the de- mocracy and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church. He was then called upon to mourn the loss of his
wife, who died about seven years ago and is sur- vived by five of their six children, namely : Frances, who is the wife of Charles Closson, a resident farmer of Nebraska; Charles F., who is foreman of the Delivery Men's Trip Associa- tion at Ypsilanti; Herbert B., of this review ; Mrs. Carrie Smith, who is living in Belleville, Michigan ; and Leon, a resident of Detroit, who is with the firm of Dean & Company.
Reared in Ypsilanti, Herbert B. Tenny was a student in its public school and entering his busi- ness career. was connected with the White Laun- dry of that place for ten years, during which time he learned all the details of the business and the best methods of carrying on the work. His la- bors, however, were interrupted by military serv- ice, for at the time of the Spanish-American war he volunteered with the Thirty-first Michi- gan Infantry and went to Cuba in the capacity of bugler with his regiment. Later he was made orderly on the staff of Battalion Adjutant Fred Green. He made a creditable military record in the last war in which this country has engaged and which demonstrated as no other one thing has done that the United States deserves to be ranked with the great powers of the world. Fol- lowing his return home, he soon afterward went to the Canadian Soo, where he was manager for the Pearl Steam Laundry Company, Limited, of that place.
In January, 1905, Mr. Tenny came to Ann Arbor, looked over the business situation and in February established his Varsity Laundry, one of the finest steam laundries in the state, being equipped with the most extensive and improved machinery for fine work and conducting a con- stantly growing business which has already reached immense proportions. The laundry is lo- cated at No. 217 South Fourth street and in this enterprise Mr. Tenny is associated with B. E. Cook, who, however, is away from the city most of the time, being engaged in other business pur- suits, so that Mr. Tenny is manager of the busi- ness here, employment being furnished to six- teen operatives. The public are invited to visit and inspect this model plant, which is most in- teresting in its workings and the number of op- eratives employed indicates that the firm have
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY
built up an extensive trade and are now conduct- ing a profitable business.
On the 24th of December, 1904, Mr. Tenny was married to Miss Harriet O. Harris, and they now have a little son. His political views are in accord with republican principles and he has supported the party since age gave to him the right of franchise. In his religious views he is a Methodist. . \ typical representa- tive of the business life of the day, alert and en- ergetic and of pleasing personality, Mr. Tenny is welcomed to the ranks of the business men of Ann Arbor and has already attained success that many a man of much older years might well envy.
CHRISTIAN H. OVERBECK.
Christian H. Overbeck, senior partner of the firm of Overbeck & Klingler, dealers in groceries and meats in Ann Arbor, maintains a high stand- ard of commercial ethics in his business relations and with a full realization of the value of energy and efficient service is conducting an enterprise that is bringing to him a gratifying measure of success. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, December 8, 1800, and is one of the seven children whose parents were Hermann H. and Mary Angell ( Heager ) Overbeck. The father, a native of Hanover. Germany, settled in Wood county, Ohio, upon coming to the United States, taking up his abode upon a farm of forty acres which borders the corporation limits of the city of To- ledo. This was in the year 1854, and he continued to reside upon that farm for almost a half century, giving his time and energies to its cultivation and improvement. His death occurred in February, 1901, and he is still survived by his wife, who yet lives upon the old homestead. Six of their chil- dren are living, as follows : Hermann, a resident farmer of Woodville, Ohio; Christian H. ; Mary, the wife of Jolin Young, who is living in Mill- bury, Ohio: Sophia the wife of a Mr. Busdieker, of Toledo, Ohio; Mrs. Annie Ackerman, also of Millbury : and Henry, who is upon the home- stead farm with his mother.
In his youthful days Christian H. Overbeck was a student in Olney School in Wood county. Ohio, and in the periods of vacation he assisted in the labors of the home farm and after putting aside his text-books his entire attention was given to farm work until twenty-two years of age. when, feeling that other occupation might prove more congenial, he abandoned the plow and turned his attention to the flour and feed business, dealing in those commodities in Toledo for two years. He arrived in Ann Arbor in 1886, at which time he entered the grocery trade and is now in conjunction with Mr. Klingler, proprietor of a large grocery and meat market at the corner of Liberty street and Fourth avenue. The firm carries an extensive line of staple and fancy gro- ceries and good meats and the integrity of their business methods and their earnest desire to please their customers have secured them a pat- ronage of considerable extent and importance, so that the business has for many years been one of the profitable enterprises of the city.
In 1802 Mr. Overbeck was married to Miss Mary Burkhardt, of Ann Arbor, and they have two children, Marguerite and Erwin, who at the ages of twelve and seven years, respectively, are students in the public schools here. Mr. Over- beck is a member of the Knights of the Mac- cabees, the Woodmen of America, the D. O. H., a local German society, and of the Bethlehem German Evangelical church, while his political views accord with the principles of the repub- lican party.
ANDREW JACKSON WARREN.
Andrew Jackson Warren, editor of the Saline Observer, was born in York township, Washte- naw county, January 7. 1856. His father, Aaron Warren, was a native of Deerfield, New York, born January 2, 1802, and was a great-nephew of General Joseph Warren, who commanded the American forces at the battle of Bunker Hill, and there gave his life on the altar of liberty. Aaron Warren was both a farmer and a carpen- ter and he died in the year 1860. His widow,
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
who bore the maiden name of Mary Ann Hart. was born in New Jersey June 12, 1825, and is now living in Saline, Michigan.
A. J. Warren of this review, an only child, pursued his education in the district schools and in Saline Union school. He was reared to the oc- cupation of farming until seventeen years of age, when in 1876 he became connected with mer- cantile life as a partner of C. M. Webb, with whom he remained for two years. Through the succeeding two years he clerked in the dry goods store of C. Parsons and later he occupied a posi- tion as pharmacist and clerk for six years with Nichols Brothers, the following four years being spent in the agricultural business. In March, 1890. he purchased the Saline Observer, which he has since edited and published. It is an ex- cellent country paper, devoted to the dissemina- tion of local and general news, has a good adver- tising patronage and a large circulation list.
On the 23d of July, 1876, Mr. Warren was married to Miss Edith L. Parsons, a daughter of Cornelius and Mary A. ( Rouse) Parsons, of Saline. He was born an Andrew Jackson demo- crat and has since affiliated with the party. On its ticket he has been elected to several local of- fices, serving as clerk and treasurer, both of the village and township, also ex-member of the vil- lage council, while at the present writing he is justice of the peace. For three years he was master of the Masonic lodge of Saline and is now serving for the third as worthy patron in the Order of the Eastern Star here. He likewise be- longs to the Knights of the Maccabees and to the Foresters and since 1875 he has been a mem- ber of the Baptist church.
JAMES P. WOOD.
James P. Wood, a produce and commission merchant who has built and maintained a large warehouse for the storage of beans in Chelsea. was born in Putnam. Livingston county. Michi- gan, on the 7th of August, 1836, and is a son of Ira and Jane ( Pullen ) Wood. The father came to Michigan from Gorham, New York, in 1824.
He was a farmer by occupation and settled first in Washtenaw county, while later he removed to Livingston county. He owned a farm in the for- mer county and later spent a few years in Liv- ingston county, locating near Stockridge. He became owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land there, making his home thereon until 1865, when he sold that property and removed to Jack- son county, where he bought a farm, residing thereon up to the time of his demise, which oc- curred on the 18th of October, 1882. His entire life was devoted to agricultural pursuits and he was a man of energy and persistency of purpose. lle long survived his wife who passed away in 1847. In their family were seven children, Lou- isa. Marcia. Mary, John, Henry L. and Harvey.
James P. Wood, the other member of the fam- ily, pursued his education in the schools of Stock- ridge until sixteen years of age, when he con- tinued his studies in the schools of Chelsea, with which he was connected until attaining his ma- jority. In the meantime he learned the wagon- maker's trade and after permanently putting aside his text-books he embarked in the business of manufacturing wagons and carriages at this place, continuing therein until 1868. under the firm style of Wood Brothers. In the meantime he had responded to the country's call for troops during the Civil war, enlisting in 1862 as a mem- ber of the Twenty-fourth Michigan Infantry band. This was the brigade band and with it he served for a year and a half. He continued with the army until honorably discharged in July, 1865. when he returned home and assumed industrial interests as a member of the firm of Wood Brothers. They continued as carriage and wagon manufacturers until 1868, when they sold out and purchased a dry-goods store, in which they con- tinued together until 1886, carrying a large and carefully selected line of general merchandise. In that year they disposed of their goods and for three years Mr. Wood of this review was not actively connected with business interests. In 1801. however, he turned his attention to the pro- duce business, erected an elevator and has since been handling beans. He employs from forty to fifty people during the busy season, mostly girls, and his annual sales reach a large figure.
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