USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan > Part 44
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REUBEN P. SCHLEMMER.
Reuben P. Schlemmer, who conducts the Ann Arbor Carpet Cleaning Works, is one of the young business men of the city who has already won a notable place in trade circles because of his close application and unfaltering energy. He was born in Ann Arbor, April 14, 1878, his parents being George and Katharine ( Trautwein) Schlemmer, who are represented on another page
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of this work in connection with the history of their son, Henry J. Schlemmer. Reared and edu- cated in this city, he has always made his home here and for nine years was with the Fluff Rug Company. His business interests are now repre- sented by the Ann Arbor Carpet Cleaning Works. his patronage having become extensive. so that he utilizes large floor space in an immense building. He employs the latest improved machinery for carpet cleaning and carpets are there cleaned. made over and laid.
In 1902 Mr. Schlemmer was married to Miss Elizabeth Gappa. of Manchester. Washtenaw county, and they have an interesting little daugh- ter. Eva Henrietta, now in her second year. Mr. Schlemmer is a member of the Home Guards and of the Bethlehem German Lutheran church and for nine years he was a member of the Knights Templar band of Ann Arbor, which indicates his musical talent and his understanding of the art. He is well known in the city where his entire life has been passed and he is now recognized as a prosperous young business man, whose friends include many of his boyhood's acquaintances and those whom he has met in later years.
HON. ARTHUR J. WATERS.
Hon. Arthur J. Waters, representative from his district to the state legislature, wherein he has made a creditable record by his advocacy of reform movements and his opposition to mis- rule in public life. is a native son of Man- chester. born in 1860. His father. John Waters, was born in Lincolnshire. England, and in 1848 came to the United States, settling in Manches- ter township. Washtenaw county, upon a farm. He was one of the pioneer residents of this lo- cality and prospered in his busines undertakings. leaving a large estate at the time of his death. which occurred in 1806, when he was seventy- four years of age. He landed in New York with one gold sovereign in his pocket but by industry and frugality became one of the solid moneyed men of his adopted county and was also influential and active in public affairs. He voted with the
republican party. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Jane Sutton, was born in Jackson county. Michigan, and died in October. 1903. at the age of fifty-six years. Her parents were Rev. Richard and Ann ( Matthews) Sut- ton, her father a minister of the Freewill Baptist church. Unto Mr. and Mrs. John Waters were born three children: Nellie, now deceased ; Arthur J .: and Belvia M., the wife of Ebon Horney, cashier of the Farmers' State Bank at Brooklyn. Jackson county, Michigan. By a previous marriage the father had four children : William, a farmer, of Leslie, this state: Editha. the wife of B. J. Guiett, a liveryman of Jack- son, Michigan : Sarah Ann, the wife of Edwin Antcliff. a farmer of Livingston county. Michi- gan : and John. a real-estate dealer of Adrian. Michigan.
Reared in his parents' home. Arthur J. Waters. at the usual age, entered the schools of Man- chester and passed through successive grades until he was graduated from the high school. He afterward engaged in teaching school for three terms and then in 1888 entered the law department of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in the class of 1800. He located for practice in his native village and has been very successful here in the conduct of his legal business, being accorded a large and distinctively representative clientage that has connected him with much of the im- portant litigation tried in the courts of his dis- trict. He was also one of the organizers and is now a director of the Union Savings Bank of Manchester. He likewise owns three hundred acres of land constituting the old family home- stead and other lands.
On the oth of June. 1895. Mr. Waters was married to Miss Cora 1. Halladay, a daughter of T. B. and Jennie Halladay and a native of Norvell. Jackson county, Michigan, born De- cember 21. 1871. Her parents were natives of New York and at an early day came to Michi- gan. where the father followed the occupation of farming. Mrs. Halladay bore the maiden name of Jennie Blanchard and was of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Waters have but one child. Gaita Louise. Mrs. Waters belongs to
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the Baptist church and occupies a prominent position in social circles of the city. Mr. Waters holds membership relations with the Masons, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Brotherhood and is also a Granger. His political support is unfalteringly given to the republican party and he is recog- nized as one of its leaders in this part of the state, having made a thorough and compre- hensive study of the issues of the day and his knowledge, added to his public spirited devotion to the general welfare, makes him well worthy of the trust that has been reposed in him through his election to various offices. He was village president for two terms and city attorney for six years and in 1904 was elected to the state legis- lature, becoming an active working member of the house. He is the author of a number of bills, including the primary reform bill, which he pre- sented and valiantly supported. A bill was passed during that session which embodied certain fea- tures of Mr. Water's bill. He is a strong advocate of the election of United States senators by popu- lar vote and is an orator of recognized ability, who has been heard upon many of the questions and issues of the day, his audiences listening to him with attentive interest. He possesses worthy ambitions, is recognized as an able lawyer, a fine speaker, a valued citizen and is well liked by friends and neighbors. He is a member of the re- publican central committee of Washtenaw county and has taken a most active and helpful part in the work of the party, frequently presiding at its conventions. Mr. Waters is a great lover of out- door sports, finding much pleasure as well as rest from arduous professional and political labor in fishing and hunting.
JOHN M. BRAUN.
The attractiveness of Washtenaw county as a place of residence is indicated by the fact that many of its native sons have spent their entire lives here, content with its opportunities and priv- ileges and enjoying the many advantages afforded in this part of the state. To this class belongs
John M. Braun. He was born in Ann Arbor, August 16, 1843, his parents being John and Anna Maria ( Eberhardt ) Braun. The father was a na- tive of Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to America in 1836. By trade he was a mason and he worked in Ann Arbor in that line for fourteen years in partnership with a Mr. Shoemaker. They were contractors and erected many of the leading buildings of Ann Arbor at that day. In 1852, however, Mr. Braun withdrew from building op- erations and purchased eighty acres of land in Scio township, whereon he resided for eight years, when he sold that property and in 1860 became the owner of one hundred and eighty acres on section 5. Ann Arbor township. To that tract he afterward added sixty acres, so that he became the owner of two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land. He was a prosper- ous agriculturist, carrying on general farming in a capable manner that resulted in the acquirement of a comfortable competence. He died January (, 1876, while his wife, who had come from Ger- many to America in 1837, passed away March 11, 1804.
John M. Braun pursued his education in the schools of Ann Arbor and Scio township. He as- sisted his father in the operation of the home farm and there remained up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated April 17, 1879. Miss Caroline R. Kapp becoming his wife. She was a danghter of Christian Kapp, of Northfield township. This marriage has been blessed with one child. Athniel J., who was born February 18. 1885, and is assisting his father in the farm work.
Mr. Braun purchased one hundred and forty acres of land on section 5, Ann Arbor township, in 1875. and as his financial resources increased he added to the property until he now owns two hundred acres, a small part of which lies across the boundary line in Northfield township. He has carried on general farming and feeds his grain to his stock. In 1893 he started his orchard and at the present time he has three thousand peach trees, eight hundred apple trees, one hundred pear trees and fifty cherry trees. His is a splendidly improved property. He has a fine residence upon the place and large barns, one of which is sixty-
J. M. BRAUN.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
eight by thirty-eight feet and the other forty by twenty feet. He also has a shed eighty by twenty feet and there is a tenant's house upon the place. for he employs a man throughout the year to aid him in the work of the farm. In all that he un- dertakes he is thorough, systematic and practical and is recognized as one of the most successful farmers of the locality.
In his politics Mr. Braun is an earnest demo- crat. but liberal in his views, having given his support to that party since age gave to him the right of franchise. He has served as justice of the peace for sixteen years, filling the office at the present time for the fourth term. He has also been a member of the school board for eighteen years and is greatly interested in religions work. holding membership in the Zion Lutheran church of Ann Arbor, of which he is now one of the elders. His life has been honorable. his actions manly and sincere, and in the county where he has always lived he has won the favorable regard and friendship of many with whom he has come in contact.
JOHN W. ILLL.
It is a notable fact in the history of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw county that many of its repre- sentative citizens are of German birth or lineage and the material, intellectual and moral progress of this portion of the state is attributable in large measure to the representatives of the Teutonic race. To this class belongs Mr. Illi, who was born on the 9th of August. 1866, in Wurtem- berg. his parents being George and Barbara ( Stow!) Illi. In the year 1888 they bade adieu to friends in the fatherland and sailed for the new world, arriving here five years after their son John crossed the Atlantic. The father was a farmer by occupation, carrying on agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career. His death occurred in December. 1800, while his widow is yet living, her home being in Ann Arbor. They became the parents of eight chil- dren and the family history is notable in that there has never been a death among the sons and daughters of this household. Paulina is now
Mrs. Kies. Gottlob, proprietor of a saloon. Mrs. Annie Yetter. William, a baker. Alrs. Carrie Finkbeiner. Mrs. Mary Hettler and Mrs. Ma- tilda Kurtz are all residents of Ann Arbor.
John W. Ili secured his education in the fa- therland. where he remained until seventeen years of age, when in 1883 he came to the United States. The reports which he had heard con- cerning business opportunities were most favor- able and he determined to enjoy the superior ad- vantages afforded in America. Making his way to Ann Arbor, he entered the bakery of Mr. Hendrickson on State street and learned the trade and when he had thoroughly mastered the business and had secured funds by savings from his earnings sufficient to enable him to embark in business on his own account he established a large bakery at No. 116 West Washington street. Three years have since passed and his trade has constantly grown until he is now conducting a big business which is most satisfactory in its extent and profits.
In 1880 John W. Illi was married to Bar- bara Krant and they have two daughters: Clara Anna, who is assisting her father in the busi- ness : and Ida, yet a student in school. The par- ents and their children are members of the Bethlehem German Evangelical church. Mr. Illi is independent politically, while socially he is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Arbeiter Verein, a local German society. The hope that led him to seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found busi- ness conditions which have led him to success and has also gained here a large circle of friends. so that for many years he has had the deepest attachment for his adopted land, her institutions and her people.
J. GOTTFRIED BECK.
J. Gottfried Beck, deceased. was a represent- ative of the oldl Beck family of Scio township and was born in that township March 18. 1839. his parents being Jacob and Catherine ( Beck ) Beck. The father with his parents and the other
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members of the family emigrated to America about 1832 and made their way direct to Wash- tenaw county, where the grandfather of our sub- ject purchased a farm lying in Scio township. It was all covered with timber which he cleared away and after preparing the land for the plow he engaged in general agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death. His son Jacob afterward took charge of the home farm and was thus actively identified with general agricultural pursuits in Scio township for many years. Eventually, how- ever, he sold the farm to his son Gottfried and removed to the city of Ann Arbor, where he lived retired. He purchased twenty acres of land which was then at the edge of the city but is now on west Liberty street. There he built a large brick residence making it his home until the time of his demise, his wife also passing away there. While residing in Ann Arbor he had no business cares but enjoyed the rest which he had truly earned and richly deserved.
J. Gottfried Beck pursued his education in the country schools of Scio township and during the periods of vacation assisted in the labors of the home farm, early becoming familiar with the duties of field and meadow. He continued to assist his father until the latter's removal to Ann Arbor, when Mr. Beck, of this review, purchased the old homestead. He had been married to Miss Mary Dorothea Laubengayer, a native of this county and a daughter of John U. and Barbara ( Hess) Laubengaver, both natives of Germany. whence they came to America about 1832, settling in Freedom township, this county. Here the father engaged in farming for a few years, after which he took up his abode in Scio township, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until his death. His wife also died on that place. Mr. and Mrs. Beck became the parents of six children, but only two are now living: Armenia, the wife of Joseph Burkhardt, a farmer residing in Lodi township, this county; and Otillie, who has always made her home with her mother. Those deceased are: Herman Jacob, Annie Ma- tilda. John Oscar David and Martha Dorothea.
After his marriage Mr. Beck resided upon the old homestead in Scio township and carried on the work of field and
meadow. He owned a large farm there which he brought to a high state of cultivation. so that he annually harvested good crops. He also owned a threshing machine which he oper- ated throughout the county, doing a good busi- ness in that line. He continued upon the home farm until his death, passing away on the 19th of April, 1889, in the house in which he was born. He lived an upright, honorable life characterized by activity, industry and integrity and those who knew him respected him for his genuine worth. He held several minor township offices in Scio township and was a democrat in politics. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the German Lutheran church of Scio township and his widow and daughter now belong to the German Lutheran church in Ann Arbor. Both the Beck and Laubengayer families are well known among the pioneer German residents of Washtenaw county. After the death of her hus- band Mrs. Beck resided upon the farm for a few years but in 1896 sold that property and removed to Ann Arbor, building her present residence at No. 532 South First street, where she and her daughter now make their home.
JOHN B. EIBLER.
John B. Eibler, whose jewelry establishment is one of the productive mercantile investments of Ann Arbor, claims the fatherland as his nativity. his birth having occurred in Wurtemberg, on the 19th of March, 1855. His parents were Joseph and Mary ( Hukley) Eibler, and the father fol- lowed the occupation of farming. He died in the year 1876, and for sime time was survived by his widow, who passed away in 1898. In their family were five children: George. Agatha. Anna and Joseph, all of whom are residents of Germany; and John B.
In accordance with the public-school system of his native land John B. Eibler acquired his edu- cation and later he learned the trade of a jeweler and watchmaker, becoming an expert in those lines. Crossing the Atlantic to America in 1883, when twenty-eight years of age, he took up his
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abode in Ann Arbor and here secured a position in a jewelry store, where he remained for twenty years, a most trusted employe, whose capable service was entirely satisfactory to the house which he represented. He is now proprietor of a jewelry store at No. 100 West Liberty street. and carries a well selected line of goods and also does expert watch and jewelry repairing. He established the business about a year ago and many of the patrons of the house with which he was formerly connected have given him their trade because he had won their warm friendship and good will.
In 1884 Mr. Eibler was married to Miss Mary Schlenker, of Germany, and their children are four in number: Rudolph, who is associated in business with his father : Erwin, who is in school : Walter and Herbert. Mr. Eibler is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and has served as president, secretary and treasurer, of the Harugari society, while his political ballot supports the men and measures of the democracy. He has never had cause to regret his determina- tion to seek a home in the new world and with local interets in his adopted land he is known here as a worthy citizen and has already made for himself a creditable name in his mercantile circles.
EMANUEL L. SCHNEIDER.
This is a utilitarian age-an era of business ac- tivity in which energy is directed toward the de- velopment of labor saving devices and of con- veniences which add to the comforts of life. No country has made such rapid strides in invention as has the United States and Mr. Schneider has contributed to the sum total of American produc- tion along these lines. He has for the past eleven years conducted an extensive plumbing business at the corner of Third and Liberty streets under the name of the West Side Plumbing Shop, and in this connection he has perfected a number of inventions, the value of which is proven by a ready and extensive sale on the general market.
A native son of Ann Arbor, Mr. Schneider was born May 2, 1864. His father. John Schneider.
became a resident of Michigan in 1847, and re- moved to this city in 1852. Ile was of German birth and was a blacksmith by trade. He mar- ried Anna Maria Stein, who was brought to Ann Arbor in 1830. when only six years of age. John Schneider departed this life in January. 1902, in the faith of the Lutheran church, of which he had long been a member, and he is still survived by his wife, who yet makes her home in Ann Ar- bor. Mr. Schneider had ten children, the living members of the family being : John. Frederick. who is now living retired in Jackson, Michigan : Mrs. Elizabeth Attzenhofer, of Jackson: Jacob, a wagonmaker, of Ann Arbor: Emanuel L. ; Pauline: William R., who is engaged in the plumbing business in this city : Mrs. Amelia Illi, of Ann Arbor : and Mrs. Bertha Hoefer, who also resides in Ann Arbor. Christine died November 7. 1905.
At the usual age Emanuel L. Schneider en- tered the public schools and passed successively through the different grades of the primary. grammar and high schools, thus acquiring a good practical education, after which he entered upon his business career as an employe of the firm of Hutzel & Company, plumbers of Ann Ar- bor, in whose service he remained for five years beginning in 1879. During that time he thor- oughly mastered the trade in every department. becoming an expert workman: and he subse- quently removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan. where for eight years he conducted business on his own account. Returning to this eity in 1894. he established a large plumbing business at the corner of Third and Liberty streets, his establish . ment being known as the West Side Plumbing Shop. His patronage is extensive and well mer- ited because of the excellence of workmanship and the honorable business methods of the pro- prietor. Mr. Schneider keeps in touch with the improvements that are continually being made in the line of plumbing, and is himself the in- ventor of several devices in the way of bath heaters. He has given to the world Schneider's Instantaneous Bath Heater whereby artificial or natural gas is used in the heating of water. . \ company has been organized for its manufacture under the name of the Schneider Closet & Heater
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Company, and already the sale has reached large proportions, for the utility and value of this in- vention is easily demonstrated.
In 1887 Mr. Schneider was united in marriage to Miss Christine Stein, of Adrian, a daughter of Mathias Stein, a pioneer of Michigan, who died in 1882. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Eva Mary Haist, is living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Unto to Mr. and Mrs. Schneider have been born three children: Leota, Hugo and Me- lita, aged nine, six and three years respectively. They have an attractive home which adjoins the large building that Mr. Schneider occupies for his business. He is a member of the Odd Fel- lows society and the D. O. H., Golden Rule lodge, No. 159. A. F. & A. M., and the Knights of the Maccabees, having become captain in the uni- formed rank of the last named. He is likewise identified with several German societies, and with the Bethlehem Evangelical church, while in his political views he is a stanch democrat. In 1900 he was chosen supervisor of the second ward and served for one term. He has the qualities which make him popular with a large circle of friends, and is especially well known in German- American circles of the city. His devotion to the public welfare is manifest in his hearty and earnest co-operation in movements for the gen- eral good, but his chief interest centers upon his business, wherein he has made steady progress. his methods being in entire harmony with a high standard of commercial ethics.
PHILIP BLUM.
Philip Blum, an attorney practicing at the Ann Arbor bar, was born in Washtenaw county, June 7. 1862, his parents being Philip and Catherine Blum, both of whom were natives of Germany, whence they came to America in early life, about the year 1837. the former at the age of sixteen, the latter at the age of thirteen. Their respective families settled in Washtenaw county, and Philip Blum, Sr., having acquired a common-school edu- cation learned and followed the blacksmith's trade, as he preferred that to the butcher's trade,
which he had learned in Germany, making the occupation of a blacksmith his life work with the exception of the four years that he was county treasurer of Washtenaw. He died at the age of seventy-seven years, while his wife passed away at the age of fifty-six years.
They were the parents of five children, all yet living: Frank, a resident of Detroit : Mrs. Mary Geddes, of Lodi township, Washtenaw county ; George, a resident of Ann Arbor; Mrs. Clara O'Hara, of Saline, Michigan ; and Philip.
In the common schools Philip Blum began his education and after passing the examination which admitted him to the University of Mich- igan he became a student in the law department in 1805. He had perviously read law extensively under private tutelage and had thus mastered many of the principles which constitutes an im- portant part of the curriculum. He was gradu- ated in the class of 1806, after having completed the full course. In November of the same year he entered upon the duties of deputy county clerk for a term of four years, after which he was elected and served for two terms as county clerk of Washtenaw county. He retired from that office on the 31st of December, 1904, and on the Ist of January, 1905, he entered upon the private practice of law with an office in the Ann Arbor Savings Bank Building. His attention is now de- voted exclusively to his legal interests and a lib- eral patronage has been accorded him with much of the important litigation tried in the courts of this district.
On the 15th of February, 1899, Mr. Blum was married to Miss Mabel E. Wallace, of Lodi, a (laughter of Timothy Wallace, a farmer of Lodi township. Her mother bore the maiden name of Carrie Vreeland. Mr. Wallace was a native of Canada and when twelve years of age came to Washtenaw county with his parents, so that he was numbered among the pioneer settlers of this part of the state. His mother is yet living in Lodi at the advanced age of eighty-eight years but Mr. Wallace passed away at the age of forty-seven years, his remains being interred in Lodi cem- etery. His widow still survives him and has now reached the age of fifty-nine. Mr. and Mrs. Wal- lace became the parents of seven children, of
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