Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Part 50

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 50

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ROBERT B. HOWELL, D. D. S.

Robert B. Howell, one of the leading instructors in the dental department of the University of Michigan, to whom is accorded a liberal patron- age in the private of his profession in Ann Arbor, was born in Pomeroy, Ohio, on the 18th of June. 1876. His father, Thomas S. Howell, was an

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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

expert accountant of Columbus, Ohio, for a num- ber of years but is now engaged in the insurance business in Toledo. He married Helen MI. Hoff. who resides with her son. Dr. Howell, in Ann Arbor. In the family were three children: Rob- ert B. : Nellie May, living in this city : and James Hoff, who is attending the high school of An Arbor.

Dr. Howell acquired his preliminary education in the public schools and Ohio State University of Columbus, Ohio. As a preparation for his chosen profession he matriculated in the University of Michigan in the fall of 1895 and completed the full course in the dental department in the class of 1808. Thus well equipped by theoretical train- ing for the duties he had chosen as a life work he put his knowledge to the practical test in practice in Ann Arbor and now has a splendidly equipped office at No. 711 North University avenue, which is an indication of his success in his chosen field of endeavor. He is thoroughly familiar with the modern methods of dental practice and his pains- taking care and accuracy in all of his work have gained for him a very gratifying success. His standing in the profession is also indicated by the fact that he has been chosen in the dental depart- ment of the university and as an educator he is capable. imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he has acquired.

Dr. Howell is a member of the Detroit Denta! Society, the Washtenaw County Dental Society. the Michigan State Dental Society and various other medical and dental societies for the dissem- ination of knowledge relating to the profession whereby proficiency of its representatives is pro- moted. He has fraternal relations with the Delta Sigma Delta and also with the Masonic lodge in Ann Arbor and he is a member of the Baptist church.

WESLEY E. HOWE.

Wesley E. Howe is a representative of one of Michigan's pioneer families, the name being found on the record of its population as early as 1827. in which year Luther Howe, father of Wesley E. Howe, removed to Allegan county.

He was a native of New Hampshire and a cabinet maker by trade but following his removal to the west he purchased a tract of land and for many years engaged in farming. He married Mary Eager and both he and his wife have passed away. In their family were eleven children but only four are yet living, the surviving daughters being Mrs. Abigal Stone, of Montcalm county, Michigan: Mrs. W. D. Jacobs, who is living in Van Buren county, this state; and Mrs. Elizabeth Tuthill, the wife of Rev. Tuthill, of Nashville. Michigan. One son of the family, Worthington S. Howe, was a soldier of the Civil war and lost his life in the disaster of the steamer Sultana. on the 16th of June. 1865.

Wesley E. Howe, the only surviving son of the family, is a native of Watson, Allegan county. Michigan, born on the Ist of October. 1845, and pursued his education in the public schools there. At the time of the Civil war when but eighteen years of age he gave proof of his patriotism and loyalty by his enlistment in the Union army, be- coming a member of Company A. Third Michi- gan Cavalry at Kalamazoo, on the 31st of De- cember. 1863. He was mustered out of service February 12. 1866, at San Antonio, Texas, after over two year's active service in the south. He came to Ann Arbor in 1878, and having in the meantime learned the milling business he became interested in a milling enterprise in this city. He afterward established a building and contracting business and many good structures of the city have been erected by him and display his handi- work and skill. He is systematic in all that he does and his business methods are in harmony with a high standard of commercial ethics.

In 1868 Mr. Howe was married to Miss Ellen M. Johnson, a representative of a prominent fam- ily of Erie county. New York. Her grand- mother became a resident of that county in the year 1812. Her father, William P'. Johnson, was a farmer and throughout his entire life devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. In his family were ten children, to all of whom the grandfather left fine farm property.

Mr. Howe gives his political allegiance to the republican party, is interested in its succes . and welfare and has served as supervisor of the

PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

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DANIEL C. HAAS.

Daniel C. Haas, representing mercantile in- nemesis of Ann Arbor as a dealer in groceries and provisions. was bom in Scio, Washtenaw county. His father. Daniel Haas, died before the birth of the son. He was a butcher by trade but eventu- ally- became the owner of a large farm. which he "Perated up to the time of his death. He is still survived by his widow, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Rauser and is now living in Ann Arbor township. In their family were three children: Fred G., who is engaged in business in Ann Arbor: Mrs. Mary Steffy, of Stock- briige: and Daniel C. Following the death of her first husband the mother married George Haas and the children of that union are : George. Herran. Elizabeth. John. Will and Eugene.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY

Daniel C. Haas was only two years old when his mother removed from Scio to Ann Arbor, so that he was reared in this city and acquired his education in its public schools. After putting aside his text-books he entered upon his business career as an employe of the firm of Rinsey & Seabolt, grocers of Ann Arbor, whom he repre- sented as a salesman for five years. On the ex- piration of that period he became agent for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and se- cured a good clientage in that line but at a re- cent date he purchased the grocery store at No. 207 South Main street, where he is now conduct- ing business as a senior member of the firm of Haas & Heibein. There, as dealers in gro- ceries and provisions, they are conducting a good business which is constantly growing and has be- come an important enterprise of the city. In all of his work Mr. Haas has manifested close ap- plication, unremitting diligence and that per- sistency of purpose without which success is never an assured fact and at all times he has been straightforward and reliable in his business transactions, so that he maintains an excellent reputation in trade circles.

Mr. Haas was married on the 18th of October, 1905, to Anna Pontney, of Pittsfield, Washtenaw county.

ADAM G. FAIST.

Adam (. Faist, who is engaged in the sale of agricultural implements and vehicles and also conducts a wagon and carriage manufactory and repair shop in Chelsea, was born in Sharon town- ship in 1868. his parents being David and Agatha ( Ohler) Faist. The father was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1819, and in the year 1864 crossed the Atlantic to America, settling in Sharon township, Washtenaw county. He was a baker by trade and followed that pursuit in Germany. Through his wife he acquired one hundred acres of land in this county, which has since been his home and through a long period he was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. U'nto Mr. Faist by his first marriage there were born three children. The mother died in Ger-

many and the father afterward married Agatha Ohler. There are two children of this marriage. Adam and Aggic, the latter the wife of Jacob Klein, of Sharon township. In his political views Mr. Faist is a stalwart democrat. having given his support to that party since becoming a natu- ralized American citizen. He belongs to the Lutheran church in Freedom township and both he and his wife are yet living upon the old home- stead farm in Washtenaw county, Mr. Faist hav- ing reached the venerable age of eighty-six years. He has lived a life of activity and enterprise and is one of the respected and worthy German citi- zens of the county.

Adam G. Faist acquired his early education in the district schools and also attended a German school in Freedom township. He afterward en- gaged in farming for eleven years, or until 1889. subsequent to which time he devoted four or five years to carpenter work. He then took up the millwright's trade, which he followed for a year in Chelsea and Jerusalem and on the ex- piration of that period he began the manufacture of wagons, opening a shop in this village. A year later he also began dealing in agricultural in- plements, which he continued to sell for five years, when he closed ont that branch of the business. He now carries a full line of vehicles and also engages in the repair and manufacture of wagons and buggies, having a good shop thirty-two by eighty-six feet and two stories in height, which he built. It is well equipped with the latest improved machinery for carrying on a successful business enterprise of this character and he employs on an average of four people throughout the year. He started by doing hand work but later added machinery and now has a well equipped plant.

In September, 1897. Mr. Faist was united in marriage to Miss Mary Scheible, a daughter of Fred Scheible, of Sylvan township. They have three children : Milda, Esther and Arthur. Mr. Faist is independent in his political views. Fra- ternally, however, he is connected with Olive lodge. No. 156. A. F. & A. M., Olive chapter. No. 140, R. A. M., and the Order of the Eastern Star and he is in full sympathy with the teach- ings and tenets of the craft. In his business

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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

career he has met with a gratifying measure of success owing to his unremitting diligence and capable management and is now a leading repre- sentative of industrial interests in Chelsea.

CLARENCE B. KING.

Clarence B. King, who without any special advantages at the outset of his business career has labored persistently and earnestly, so that he has made steady advancement in his chosen field of endeavor, is now the manager of the Washtenaw Home Telephone Company and makes his home in Ann Arbor. A native of New Castle, Delaware, he is descended from early American ancestry. His birth occurred on the 18th of February. 1864, and he is a son of Ethan B. and Sarah E. ( Morrison ) King. The father, also a native of Delaware, followed the occupation of farming as a life work and died in the year 1902. He served his country in the Civil war with the rank of colonel and by his ballot sup- ported the republican party. Religiously he was a Presbyterian. The mother is still living at the old homestead in Delaware, which is one of the oldest settled places of that portion of the country, the original deed to the property being signed by William Penn. In the family were five children : John M., who is engaged in the oil business in Chester, Pennsylvania ; Julia C., now Mrs. Baneroft, of Wilmington, Delaware; Clar- ence B., of this review: Harry A., who is an electrician in the employ of the Western Electric Company of New York : and George C., who is also an electrician with the same company.

Clarence B. King began his education in the public schools of Wilmington, Delaware, and in early manhood went to Chicago, where he sought employment in the electric works, where he re- mained for about a year. On the expiration of that period he accepted a position with the Electrie Street Railway Company at Battle Creek, Michigan, but subsequently returned to Chi- eago, where he was local manager for the Chi- eago Telephone Company. He next entered the service of the Western Electric Company in the

manufacturing department and served for three years as road electrician in the telephone central office equipment. He was later employed as electrician in the independent telephone field. after which he accepted the position of assistant engineer with the American Electric Telephone Company, and remained with them until he re- signed January 10, 1905. to become manager of the Washtenaw Home Telephone Company, which has plants in Dexter, Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor. This company does local and long dis- tance work throughout Washtenaw county and Mr. King is now its manager. His practical training in electrical work, his thorough knowl- edge of the business and his marked enterprise well qualify him for the position which he is fill- ing and which brings to him many responsibili- ties.

In the spring of 1893 occurred the marriage of Mr. King and Miss Sallie Harding, of New- port, Kentucky. Mr. King is a believer in the doctrines of Dr. Alexander Dowie, of the Chris- tian Catholic church, and in polities is independ- ent. A man of pleasing personality, very genial in manner and obliging in disposition, he has won many friends and the number is constantly increasing as the circle of his acquaintance widens.

WILLIAM A. SEERY.

William A. Seery, who has exercised consider- able influence in democratic circles and been honored with official preferment, while at the present time he is engaged in the grocery busi- ness in Ann Arbor, was born in Dexter. Michi- gan, on the 14th of October, 1863. His father, Michael J. Seery, was a native of Ireland and in early life came to America, residing for a time in the Empire state. He was married to Miss Rosanna Lavey, of Rochester, New York, and became a resident of Michigan in 1835, establish- ing his home in Dexter. His death occurred in this state in November, 1902. In his family were two daughters: Mary E., now the wife of Martin J. Cavanaugh, of Ann Arbor ; and Rosa,

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now the wife of Dr. Roy Munn, of Manistique, Michigan.

William A. Seery, the only son, spent his boy- hood and youth in his parents' home and is in- debted to the public school system for the edu- cational privileges he enjoyed. He has been a resident of Ann Arbor since 1876 and. actively interested in political questions since attaining his majority, he has labored earnestly and effect- ively for the success of the democratic party. of which he is a most earnest and zealous cham- pion. He served as deputy recorder of deeds twelve years, and in 1904 was the democratic candidate for recorder but was defeated though he ran some four hundred votes ahead of his party ticket. He is now engaged in the grocery business on East Catherine street. He carries a well selected line of staple and fancy groceries and the neat and attractive appearance of the store, as well as his honorable methods and earnest desire to please his customers, has se- cured to him a growing and gratifying business.

In November. 1893. William A. Seery was united in marriage to Miss Emma E. Schill, of Saline, and they have become the parents of two children, Clarence W., ten years of age, and Merciel, six years old, both attending school. The family are well known in this city, where they have many friends.

CHARLES HENRY GUTHARD.

Charles Henry Guthard, conducting a general hardware. stove and implement business in Saline township, was born on the 6th of May. 1868. in Saline township, but like many of Wash- tenaw county's citizens is of German lineage. His father. Henry Guthard, was a native of Kassel, Germany, and came to Washtenaw county, in 1845. after seventy-seven days spent on the voy- age between Germany and America. Here he became the owner of a farm of eighty acres. He found Washtenaw county an almost unbroken wilderness with only here and there a settlement to tell that the seeds of civilization had been planted which in due time were to bear rich fruit.

The farmers in those early days drove ox teams to Detroit, where they secured their supplies. In connection with the other early settlers Mr. Guth- ard aided in transforming the county into a rich agricultural district and he continued a valued resident here up to the time of his death, which occurred September 16, 1903. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Katherina Bieber, was also a native of Kassel, Germany, and her death occurred on the 19th of September. 1904. The members of the family were as follows: John, who is living on the old homestead farm in Saline township: Emma, who became the wife of Carl Bickel, of Cleveland, Ohio, and died in May, 1005 : Mary, the wife of Herman Weihe, of Mil- waukee, Wisconsin: Kate. the wife of John Heininger, of Saline township: Clara, the wife of Rev. James Rilling, of South Bend, Indiana ; and Miss Libbie Guthard.

The other member of the family is Charles Henry Guthard of this review, who at the usual age entered the district schools of Saline town- ship, wherein he continued his studies until thir- teen years of age, when he began work as a farm hand. He was thus employed for a number of years and when from his earnings he saved suf- ficient capital to engage in business on his own account he became a partner of Adam Hornung in the spring of 1903 in the conduct of a hard- ware business in the village of Saline. The part- nership was dissolved in April. 1904. at which time Mr. Guthard admitted Henry A. Schroen into partnership. They conduct an extensive business as dealers in stoves, general hardware, farm implements, buggies, paints, glass and seeds and draw a large trade from the surrounding country. Their specialty in stoves is the Round Oak. Their business is growing rapidly. yet along healthful lines and they are now accorded a liberal patronage which brings them a good return upon their investment.

On the 21st of April. 1892. Mr. Guthard was united in marriage to Miss Louise Schroen, a sister of Henry A. Schroen and a daughter of George Schroen, of Saline. They have two sons, Edgar and Raymond, the former a student in the Union high school. Fraternally Mr. Guthard is connected with Saline lodge of the Maccabees.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

while in his political affiliation he is a stalwart re- publican and in religious faith a German Lutheran. His entire life has been passed in the village and township of Saline and his life record is well known to his fellow citizens, who regard him as a man of genuine worth, thorough re- liability and excellent business capacity.

LOUIS P. HALL. D. D. S.

Louis P. Hall, a representative of the dental fraternity in Ann Arbor, was born in Toledo, Ohio, on the Ist of June, 1860, his parents being Israel and Olivia B. ( Bigelow ) Hall. Removing to this city, the father became one of its promi- nent and leading residents, wielding a wide in- fluence in public affairs and giving tangible sup- port to many measures that have had direct benefit upon the welfare and development of Ann Arbor. He was particularly interested in the school system and his labors were effective in furthering the cause of public education. Many other lines, however, felt the stimulus of his energy, his sound judgment and his effective labor and his value and worth as a citizen were so uniformly acknowledged and appreciated that his death was the occasion of deep and wide- spread regret when, in 1800, he was called from this life. His widow, still surviving him, yet re- sides in Ann Arbor. In their family were six children : Mrs. Mary B. Dubois, of this city; Eugene B., a business man of Ann Arbor ; Mrs. M. L. Walker; Mrs. Sidney E. Eastman ; Louis P .: and Charles A. B., of Johnson City, Ten- nessee.

Louis P. Hall was a young lad when brought by his parents to Michigan and at the usual age he became a public-school student, continuing his studies until he was graduated. On the com- pletion of the high-school course he entered the literary department of the University of Michi- gan, spending one year there. He then entered business life, with which he was associated for several years when, in 1886, he matriculated in the dental department of the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated with the

class of 1889. Thus having determined upon the practice of dentistry as a life work he opened an office in Ann Arbor and has been accorded a liberal patronage, for he soon demonstrated his ability, having the mechanical skill and the scientific knowledge that make the competent dentist. Upon his graduation from the dental department, he was appointed first assistant to the professor of operative dentistry and has for some years been at the head of that department.

In 1885 Dr. Hall was married to Miss Eliza- beth C. Douglas, a daughter of Judge Samuel T. Douglas, of Grosse Isle, Michigan. They have four children : Douglas, Louis P., Jr., Richard N., and Elizabeth Olivia.

Dr. Hall is a member of the Washtenaw County Dental Association, the Michigan State and the Detroit Dental Associations and an honorary member of the Toledo Dental Associ- ation. He is likewise a member of the Institute of Dental Pedagogics and of the Delta Sigma Delta fraternity. Dr. Hall is interested more or less in affairs outside of his profession, having been a director in the Omega Portland Cement Company at Jonesville since its first year, and is also a director and the president of the Ann Arbor Cattle Company, of Wyoming. An active church member. he is secretary of the vestry in the Episcopal church and takes a help- ful and effective part in promoting the various church activities. For his family he has pro- vided a beautiful residence at No. 1530 Hill street.

CHARLES BRAUN.

Charles Braun, interested in general agricultu- ral pursuits in Ann Arbor township, was born in the city of Ann Arbor on the 20th of May, 1848. His parents were John and Anna Maria ( Eber- hardt ) Braun, both of whom were natives of Germany, but their marriage was celebrated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The father was born in 1816 and in 1836 crossed the Atlantic to America with a company of young men. In 1837 the mother came with a party to the new world. Mr.

CHARLES BRAUN.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

Braun was a mason by trade and followed that pursuit in Michigan until 1852. when he pur- chased eighty acres of land in Scio township west of Ann Arbor and began farming. He lived upon that place until 1860, when he sold out and bought one hundred and eighty acres of land on section 5, Ann Arbor township, to which he after- ward added until his farm comprised two hundred and forty acres of land, which he brought to a high state of cultivation. He carried on general farming and stock raising, meeting with a cred- itable measure of success, and his life was charac- terized by unremitting diligence and energy. He died January 9. 1876, at the age of forty-nine years, while his wife survived him for a long period, passing away on March 11, 1894. His po- litical allegiance was given to the democratic party. In the family were eight children: Fred B., who was born in 1840 and died in 1902: John M .. born August 16, 1843: Catherine, who was born July 22, 1845, and is the wife of J. M. Stein ; Charles, of this review; Christian, who was born February 23, 1850, and died December 16, 1902; Christina, who was born March 23, 1851, and is the wife of Fred Kern ; Henry, who was born May 20, 1854; and Simon, who was born February 2. 1857, and died August 3, 1887.

Charles Braun of this review was reared in the usual manner of farm lads, early becoming fa- miliar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and his education was ac- quired in the public schools. After all the chil- dren were grown he purchased their interests in the farm, thus coming into possession of the old homestead property, on which he carried on gen- eral farming until 1803. He then concentrated his energies upon agricultural pursuits and is to- day one of the best known fruit raisers of this part of the state, having a peach orchard of twenty acres, while nine are planted to apples. He has also bought and fed stock and in later years has bought and sold stock. The farm is a well improved property on which are two good barns, one fifty-six by thirty-eight feet. the other sixty by thirty-eight feet, together with good buildings for the shelter of the grain, stock and farm machinery. The residence was erected in 1867.

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Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Part 50

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