Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Part 43

Author: Beakes, Samuel W. (Samuel Willard), 1861-; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 886

USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan > Part 43

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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

In 1858 Mr. Wood was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Freer. a daughter of A. Freer. of Lima township. They became the parents of three children but all have passed away, Edward dying at the age of four and a half years Mildred at the age of three and a half years, while Frank reached the age of eighteen years. They now have an adopted daughter. Mary E .. who is the wife of William Schmartnan, of Chelsea.

Mr. Wood has voted with the prohibition party since 1882 for it embodies his ideas upon the temperance question which he regards of para- mount issue before the people at the present time. Active and influential in community affairs his fellow townsmen recognizing his worth and abil- ity have frequently called him to public office. He has served as president of the village for two terms, has for seven terms been a member of the board of trustees and for eighteen years has been a member of the school board. Since 1904 he has been justice of the peace and his decisions are strictly fair and impartial so that he has won "golden opinions" from all sorts of people. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. of which he is one of the trustees and he stands as a champion of social. material. intellectual and moral progress in his community, giving his support to many interests that have for their object the welfare. upbuilding and advancement of his fellowmen.

J. FREDERICH SCHAEBERLE.

J. Frederich Schaeberle, whose interpreta- tion of music has made him a prominent factor in the art circles of Ann Arbor, was born Novem- ber 27. 1844. in Oeschelbronn. Wurtemberg, Ger- many. His father, Anton Schaeberle, who was born in Germany in 1818. crossed the Atlantic to the new world in 1854 and became a resident of Ann Arbor in July of that year. He is a harness- maker by trade and throughout the years of active business he followed that pursuit. He still makes his home in this city at the venerable age of eighty-seven years and has long been a de-

voted member of the Bethlehem German Evan- gelical church, living a consistent Christian life. His wife bore the maiden name of Katherine Voegele. Unto this worthy couple were born six children but three have passed away, the others being J. Frederich. Mary C., who is act- ing as her father's housekeeper. and J. Martin, who is a distinguished astronomer residing in Ann Arbor.

J. Frederich Schaeberle, provided with excel- lent educational privileges, attended both the public and private schools of Ann Arbor, having been brought to America when a youth of nine years. At the age of eighteen years he entered the dry goods business with Christian Mack and subsequently he was for four years engaged in harness making in connection with his father. During all these years he devoted much of his leisure time to the study of music and in order to perfect himself in the art went to Chicago, where he continued his studies under some of the best masters of that city. He likewise bene- fited by instruction from noted teachers in Ger- many and following his stay abroad he returned to Ann Arbor, where for thirty years he was known as a most capable, efficient and promi- nent music teacher. In fact his name is in- separably associated with musical circles in this city and for eighteen years from 1877 until 1895. he was also a teacher in the famous Lindenhall Seminary at Lititz, Pennsylvania, a Moravian school which was founded more than one hun- dred and eleven years ago. In the year 1896 Mr. Schaeberle established a music store at No. 114 West Liberty street, Ann Arbor, where he handles all kinds of musical merchandise and pianos and organs manufactured by some of the best houses of the country. He also does piano tuning and his business has become extensive. He is him- self an accomplished performer, with an under- standing and love of the art that is character- istic of the German race. While still a young man he passed beyond the ranks of the amateur performer and gained distinction in musical cir- cles, his reputation making him known far be- yond the boundaries of Michigan.

Professor Schaeberle was married in 1873 to Miss Katherine Kemmler. a native of Germany,

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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

and they have two sons and two daughters : Ernest A., who was graduated from the engineer- ing department of the University of Michigan with the class of 1893: Mary J., a bookkeeper in her father's store; Fred M., a student in the university ; and Katherine A., who is acting as bookkeeper for the firm of Hutzel & Company, of Ann Arbor. The family are identified with the Lutheran church, while politically Mr. Schae- berle is independent. With a love for and skill in music that enables him not only to interest but touch the heart strings of his hearers, Mr. Schaeberle has won a notable place in musical circles and his position is that which is accorded to one who has advanced far beyond mediocrity in the interpretation of the masters.

W. ALFRED HUTZEL.

W. Alfred Hutzel, one of the leading and prominent farmers, also well known in local po- litical circles in Pittsfield township and Washte- naw county, was born in Lodi township, July 15. 1863. His father, J. George Hutzel, was a na- tive of Germany, born in February, 1843. and in the year 1857, when a youth of fourteen sum- mers, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, landing at New York. He did not tarry in the eastern metropolis, however, but made his way at once to this county and secured employ- ment in Lodi township, where he worked for sev- eral years until his labors had brought him suf- ficient capital to enable him to purchase a farm of his own. He then bought one hundred and twenty acres of land that is now the property of his son, Alfred, and Miss Elizabeth Hutzel, and at once began the cultivation and improvement of this place, which he transformed into a valu- able farm. He married Miss Caroline Bach, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1851 and was edu- cated there. Mr. Hutzel passed away about twelve years ago, while the mother of our sub- ject died seven years ago.

In taking up the personal history of W. Alfred Hutzel, we present to our readers the life rec- ord of a farmer well known in this part of the

state. He acquired a good education in the dis- trict schools, in the high school of Ann Arbor, and the State University, being graduated on the completion of the chemical engineering course. He afterward followed that profession for three or four years, when, on account of the decline of his father's health, he was compelled to return to the farm, and has since made his home there. He has a fine home, his land being well improved and yielding good harvests in return for the care and labor bestowed upon it. There are large barns and cattle sheds upon the place, the latest im- proved machinery, and in fact, all the modern equipments that facilitate farm work. Mr. Hut- zel carries on general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, and both branches of his business are proving profitable. He has one hundred and twenty acres of land and lives upon the old home- stead with his only sister, Miss Elizabeth.

In his political views Mr. Hutzel is an earnest republican, and has taken quite an active and helpful part in local political work. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to office and he is now serving as supervisor of Pittsfield township, having filled the position for the past five years. He has also been town treasurer. Fraternally he is connected with the Gleaners, the Grange and the American Society of Equity, and he has gained many warm friends among his brethren of those orders. Miss Hutzel belongs to the Zion Lutheran church.

CORNELIUS L. TUOMY.

Cornelius L. Tuomy, who is engaged in dairy- ing in Ann Arbor township with a business that is now yielding him a gratifying financial return, was born in Scio township, Washtenaw county. in 1843. his parents being Timothy and Johanna (Roach) Tuomy. The father came from Ireland on the 6th of June. 1835. and bought a farm of two hundred and eighty acres in Scio township. this county, to which he afterward added one hun- dred and twenty acres. He was one of the pioneer settlers of this portion of the state, for he found here a largely unimproved and undeveloped re-

J. GEORGE HUTZEL.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

gion when he came but with characteristic energy he began the cultivation of his land and in the course of time had wrought a splendid transfor- mation in the appearance of his farm, bringing the fields up to a high state of cultivation. He also erected a fine house and large barns and suc- cessfully carried on general farming. His death occurred in the year 1862, while his wife sur- vived until 1879. In their family were ten chil- dren, as follows: William and John, both of whom have passed away; Margaret ; Johanna ; Patrick, who was killed in 1903: Ellen ; Osborn ; Mary : Cornelius L. ; and Hanor, deceased.

Cornelius L. Tuomy entered the district schools of Scio township at the usual age and later at- tended the Ann Arbor high school for three years, therein mastering the branches of English learn- ing usually taught in such institutions. He was reared upon the home farm in Scio township. working in the fields from the time that he was old enough to handle the plow and thus he gained good practical knowledge that enabled him to profitably carry on his own business interests when in 1874 he bought a farm of two hundred and twelve acres in Ann Arbor township. To this he added a fifteen-acre tract and he now owns two hundred and twenty-seven acres of fine land on section 34. Ann Arbor township. He carries on general farming, also feeds stock and in 1898 turned his attention to the dairy business, keeping on hand twenty-two head of milch cows for this purpose. He had a milk route in the city for the retail trade until 1904, since which time he has sold to the wholesale trade. In all of his business he is thorough and systematic and his farm gives every evidence of the careful supervision and pro- gressive methods of the owner, who is classed with the leading agriculturists of this part of the county.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tuomy have been born three children: Cornelius William, Catherine G. and Thomas Carney. The parents are communi- cants of St. Thomas Catholic church at Ann Ar- bor. In his political views Mr. Tuomy is an ear- nest democrat and for three terms served as su- pervisor, discharging the duties of the office in capable manner, which led to his re-election. His entire life has been passed in Washtenaw county

and his business interests have been crowned with success because of his practical methods and his untiring diligence. Ilis farm is now a valuable property splendidly improved and is one of the attractive features in the landscape in Ann Arbor township.

FREDERICK J. WEISSINGER.

Frederick J. Weissinger, of Ann Arbor, was born in Tecumseh, Michigan, October 16, 1870, and comes of German lineage, for his father, Frederick J. Weissinger, is a native of Wurtem- berg. In early life, however, he left the land of his birth and came to Michigan, settling in Te- cumseh, where for many years he was actively en- gaged in business as a general merchant. Ile now resides in Saline, Washtenaw county, where he is conducting a furniture store and is regarded as one of the representative business men of that place. He exercises his right of franchise in sup- port of the men and measures of the democracy and is a member of the German Lutheran church. He married Adelaide Howard, and they have be- come the parents of two sons and a daughter : Au- gustus, of this city : Frederick J. ; and Donna, the wife of Homer B. Godfrey, of Ann Arbor.

Frederick J. Weissinger began his education in the graded schools of Saline and continued his studies there until he had completed a high school course by graduation. In his early business ca- reer he went to Chicago, where he learned the trade of sign painting in all its branches, being employed by large companies in that line in the metropolis. He continued there for four years, attaining skill and proficiency and later was upon the road for four years for a sign company. In 1895 he located in Ann Arbor in the business of sign painting, at No. 305 South Main street and he executes high grade work in the manufacture of wood, metal, glass and copper signs. Hle not only has a large patronage in Ann Arbor, but has many patrons out of town for whom he executes extensive orders. His work certainly approaches the artistic, displaying excellent coloring and de- sign as well as a perfection of mechanical drawing.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

In 1808 Mr. Weissinger was married to Miss Clara Kuster, of Ann Arbor, and their son, Floyd H., seven years of age, is attending school.

Mr. Weissinger is an Odd Fellow and is also a valued representative of other fraternal organiza- tions, being now chief forester of the degree team in the Modern Woodmen camp and worthy chan- cellor of the Home Guards. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church.

WOODSON T. WILLS.

Woodson T. Wills, agent for the Ann Arbor Railway Company at Ann Arbor, is a representa- tive of an old southern family. He was born in Mount Cove, West Virginia, on the 5th of May. 1861, and his parents, Dr. Joel B. and Martha C. (Tyrec) Wills, were both natives of Virginia. The father, practicing medicine as a life work and rendering valuable service to his fellowmen by reason of his broad knowledge and his accuracy in the administration of medical principles to the needs of suffering humanity, made his home in Monroe county. West Virginia, until his death, which occurred in 1862. His widow long sur- vived him and passed away in March, 1899. In their family were five children, of whom three are yet living : Lawrence P., residing at Mount Cove. West Virginia, where he follows farming : Otie B., who is traveling salesman, residing at Austed, West Virginia : and Woodson T.

The last mentioned was only a young lad at the time of his father's death, but spent his boyhood days in his mother's home and acquired his early education in district school No. 19. in Monroc county, West Virginia. He studied telegraphy in a school established for the teaching of that art in Oberlin, Ohio, and after mastering the business became operator on the Chesapeake & Ohio Rail- road for fifteen years, acting as operator and sta- tion agent at various points on that line, including Covington and Charleston. At the last named he was also cashier for the company. He now makes his home in Ann Arbor and is filling his present position to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. On the 25th of September. 1888, Mr. Wills was

married to Miss Nina Blundon, of Charleston, West Virginia, a daughter of Edgar B. and Sarah F. (Young) Blundon, and a granddaughter in the maternal line of John V. Young, who was a captain in the Union army during the Civil war. In the paternal line she is a granddaughter of Mrs. Elizabeth ( Micholson ) Blundon, who was only two years old at the time the British entered Washington in the war of 1812. The archives were taken from the capitol and other public building to her father's house and the family home was used as a hospital. She lived to the very venerable age of ninety-five years, having passed away in 1904. Three of her sons were soldiers in the Civil war and her grandfather was one of the heroes of the Revolution.

Edgar B. Blundon father of Mrs. Wills, was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, iden- tified with the West Virginia conference and his influence in behalf of the denomination was of no restricted order. He served his country as a loyal defender of the Union cause at the time of the Civil war and died in March, 1873. leaving behind him the influence of a noble life, whose ef- forts were far-reaching and beneficial. His widow still survives him and now makes her home in Charleston, West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Wills have become the parents of two sons: Bernard Louis, who at the age of fourteen years is at- tended school, and Lawrence Blundon, five years of age. Mr. Wills became a Mason in Lafayette lodge. at Fayetteville, West Virginia, and has also affiliated with the Modern Woodmen, while his religious belief has caused him to become a mem- ber of the Methodist church.

GREGORY H. SCHARF.

Gregory H. Scharf is a typical representative of the spirit of the age-the spirit that has given America pre-eminence along its various business lines and the undaunted enterprise, indomitable perseverance and resolute purpose which have ever characterized him have been the means of raising him from a position of comparative ob- scurity to one of prominence in Washtenaw county, commanding the admiration of commer-

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cial circles. His labors, too, have been of much benefit in the development and substantial prog- ress of Ypsilanti, where since 1891 he has made his home. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, in 1856. a son of Nicholas Scharf, whose birth occurred in Baden, Germany, and who became a resident of Toledo in 1851. The father was the son of a linen weaver, and learning the trade he followed that pursuit in his native land. He was the in- ventor of the "Schnell Schusz," meaning quick- shot motion of the shuttle, and having about the time of his marriage removed to a different part of the town he became known there as "Schnell Schusz." This machine was a hand loom the adapting of which to machinery only being a short step easily and quickly accomplished by other minds. Mrs. Scharf, being a weaver's daughter and a weaver's wife, was privileged to attend the weavers' banquet in Germany, an an- nual affair at which only weavers were in at- tendance, there being only two women eligible when she was present. On coming to this ecun- try Mr. Scharf turned his attention to the tailor's trade and likewise engaged in the manufacture of carpet rugs in the latter part of his life.

Gregory H. Scharf had no special advantages in his youth but made the most of his opportuni- ties and such a course has been characteristic of his entire life. When a young man he learned the trade of wood carving but. meeting with an accident. he was obliged to discontinue work in that line and accepted a clerk- ship in a dry-goods store in 1 Toledo. He was the originator of the Scharf Tag & Label Company, which was organized in 188, at Toledo and was there conducted by him as its general manager and the vice president of the company, which was incorporated at its organiza- tion. He continued in that line of business in Toledo until 1801. when the controlling stock was purchased by the Ypsilanti Paper Box Company of Ypsilanti. The enterprise had become a profit- able one and when the transfer was made the two businesses were consolidated and the plant of the Scharf Tag & Label Company was brought to Ypsilanti. The business was merged under the firm name of the Scharf Tag, Label & Box Com- pany and was incorporated in 1801. Mr. Scharf

still continuing as general manager and vice pres- ident. thus retaining his connection with the en- terprise until 1897, when he sold his interest and resigned his position. The business. however, had become a profitable industry and its worth as a promoter of the business prosperity of the city was widely acknowledged. Mr. Scharf how- ever. disposed of his interests in order to concentrate his energies upon other busi-

ness enterprises. He had evolved, after much study and careful consideration of the question, ideas that took form in the invention of the Scharf smoke preventor and he organized a company for the manufacture of this device. In 1000 the business was incorporated under the name of the G. H. Scharf Company, Gregory H. Scharf vice president and manager. In this line Mr. Scharf has evolved a device of the greatest practical value and benefit. The secret and prob- lem up to the time he placed his invention on the market were to get the igniting point down to the degree of heat found after firing. He solved this problem by introducing air and steam into the furnaces by automatic attachments. These formed with the hydro-carbons a water gas that burns at a low temperature. By this means the fuel that ordinarily goes up the smokestack heats the boiler. No other alleviator of the smoke nui- sance approaches the degree of excellence of the Scharf smoke preventor. The device came into. general favor and the company is now repre- sented upon the road by several traveling sales- men and there is quite a large force of workmen employed in the operation of the plant in Ypsi- lanti. As a business proposition the smoke pre- ventor recommends itself to the users of coal. careful tests showing that there is a saving of from ten to fifteen per cent. The following things are claimed: Prevents ninety per cent. of the smoke: makes perfect combustion : keeps the boiler tubes practically clean : increases the ca- pacity and efficiency of the boiler plant : and de- creases the fuel bills at least ten per cent. That all this is done is shown by upwards of twelve hundred machines now in operation throughout the country. The business has long since become a profitable investment and its patronage is con- stantly increasing.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

Mr. Scharf was married to Miss Mary .A. Reager, who was born in New York state and died in 1004. He is a member of the Catholic church and is connected with the Maccabees and the Woodmen, while in his political views he is a democrat. He has never sought or desired office but his value as a citizen is equal if not superior to that of many who fill positions of public trust and responsibility from the fact that he has fathered a number of interests that have been of great ben- efit to his adopted city and his co-operation is given to all measures for the general good. His advancement in life is not the outcome of propi- tious circumstances but the honest reward of labor, good management, ambition and energy, without which no man can win prosperity.

MARTIN J. SCHALLER.

Martin J. Schaller, whose record as a mer- chant of Ann Arbor dates from 1894 and is cred- itable because of his strict conformity to a high standard of commercial ethics, was born in Ba- varia. Germany, January 14. 1870. His father. Anton Schaller, also a native of Germany, was for many years engaged in the manufacture of mirrors and he departed this life in 1895. His wife, Mrs. Walburga Schaller, died in 1876. They are survived by their six children : George. who is an artist of this city ; Mrs. Bebby Veide- man, of Ann Arbor : Kate, who married Dr. John 1. Schmid and is living in Nuremburg. Ger- many: Mrs. Nina Stadler, whose home is at Leon. Saxony, Germany : Martin J., of this re- view: and Philip, a commercial traveler living at Ann Arbor.

Martin J. Schaller spent the first fifteen years of his life in the land of his nativity and his edu- cation which was gained there was completed in the schools of Ann Arbor, where he located in 1885. He afterward entered the employ of George Osius & Company, proprietors of a book store, in which he continued until 1889. when he went to New York city, where for three years he was connected with the well known firm of Rand. McNally & Company. On the expiration of that

period he went abroad, spending two years in his native land, where he renewed many of the as- sociations of his early boyhood days. Coming again to the United States, he once more took up his abode in Ann Arbor, where in 1894 he em- barked in business on his own account at No. 203 East Washington street, remaining there until 1897. when he removed to his present location at No. 116 South Main street, where he conducts an extensive book and news store, having one of the largest business interests of the kind in the city. His business affairs are carefully managed, for he is watchful of all the indications of the trade, earnestly desiring to please his patrons and by reasonable prices and honorable dealing has secured a constantly growing business.

In 1895 Mr. Schaller was married to Miss Bertha Weinman, of Ann Arbor. and they have two children. Clarence A., eight years old and Florence, about eight months old. Mr. Schaller is a Mason, his membership being with Golden Rule lodge, No. 159. A. F. & A. M., and Ann Arbor chapter. R. A. M. He also affiliates with the Woodmen of America and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, while his study of the political issues and questions of the day has led him to vote with the democratic party. He is also a member of the Zion Lutheran church. The business opportunities of the new world, wherein effort is not hampered by cast or class, have proved a profitable field of labor for Mr. Schaller, whose energy has enabled him to take advantage of business conditions and work his way upward until he is now recognized as one of the leading merchants of his adopted city.

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Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Part 43

Author: Beakes, Samuel W. (Samuel Willard), 1861-; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago : The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 886

Author: Beakes, Samuel W. (Samuel Willard), 1861-; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 886