USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan > Part 54
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met with a fair measure of success and has led a very busy life.
On the 24th of June, 1883, Mr. Wisner was married to Miss Mary Foley, who was born in Ireland, and came to America with a brother after the death of their parents. By her marriage she has five children: Bessie, at home; Maud, the wife of Samnel MeGongial; Sarah ; George : and Elmer. All of the children were born in Manchester, and Mr. Wisner still owns the farm there.
In politics he is independent, and is now filling the office of street commissioner of Ann Arbor, to which position he was appointed June 5. 1905. While living in Manchester he was trustee of the village for four or five years, and he has ever been found true to the confidence reposed in him whether in public office or business life.
FRANKLIN C. PARKER.
Prominent among the representatives of real- estate interests in this section of the state is num- bered Franklin C. Parker, of Ann Arbor, who is a native son of this city, born on the 25th of No- vember, 1870. His parents were Franklin L. and Lucy D. (Stow ) Parker. The father was born in the state of New York and came to Wash- tenaw county in the early period of its develop- ment. By profession he was a lawyer, well versed in the science of jurisprudence, and he became largely interested in real-estate operations here. He married Lucy D. Stow, a daughter of Warren P. and Elizabeth ( Ward) Stow, representatives of an old New England family of Litchfield, Con- necticut. Mr. and Mrs. Parker became the par- ents of five children : Lucy P., the wife of Dr. Huber, of Ann Arbor, by whom she has three children. Lucy, Paul and John Franklin : William Morgan, deceased: Franklin C., of this review ; Edwin R .. who has gone to Denver, Colorado. for his health; and John M., who is engaged in the practice of law in Detroit. The father. Franklin L. Parker, was for many years a promi- nent and representative citizen of Ann Arbor of good standing at the bar and in real-estate circles.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
He is now deceased but is still survived by his wife, who in 1856 came to Ann Arbor to live with an aunt and is a graduate of the high school of this eity.
Franklin C. Parker has always remained a resi- dent of Ann Arbor and completed his literary education here. He is also a graduate lawyer but gives his undivided attention to real-estate dealing at the present time. He has been in this business since 1889 and deals in both city and country property, improved and unimproved. He also represents various old-time and reliable life and fire insurance companies and has large offices in the Henning Block at the corner of Huron and Fourth streets. His clientage is extensive and his business profitable.
In 1807 Mr. Parker was married to Faith H. Gilbert, of Detroit, Michigan, and unto them were born two children, Evangeline and Constance. aged respectively seven and three years. Mr. Parker is a member of the Royal Arcanum and of the Presbyterian church and is prominent and popular socially in the city where his entire life has been passed and where many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood.
MICHAEL J. FRITZ.
Michael J. Fritz, well known in the banking and business world in general as the cashier of the Ann Arbor Savings Bank, was born in Scio township. June 6, 1856. His father, John Michael Fritz. an admirable type of that magnificent Germanic race, who have stamped the impress of their splendid national character for all time on Washtenaw county, was a native of Wurtem- berg. Germany, and was born about 1820. He came to America in the early 'Los and located in Cincinnati, where he worked about a year. after which he came to Washtenaw county, set- tling in Scio township, where he engaged in farming. Here he was married to Anna Bar- bara Beck, who was born in Wurtemberg in 1822. and who came with her parents to Washtenaw county in 1831. the family settling in Scio town- ship on section 24. Of this union were born
John, Louis and Christian, who occupy the old homestead in Seio township, where their mother's family first settled ; Mrs. Catherine Bross, of Lakeland, Michigan : Michael J. and Mary, who live with their mother in Ann Arbor.
John Michael Fritz died in 1856, universally regretted by his large circle of friends and ac- quaintances. In 1862 Mrs. Fritz married Louis Fritz. brother to her former husband. Louis Fritz was engaged in the meat business in Ann Arbor for thirty years, but lived in retirement for fifteen years prior to his death. He died in 1886. He was widely known and highly re- spected in Ann Arbor and throughout the county.
Michael J. Fritz was educated in the district school in Scio township until twelve years of age, at which period in his career he moved with lis mother to Ann Arbor. Here he entered the second ward and grammar schools, after which he attended the high school until 1873. In 1874 be entered the Ann Arbor Savings Bank as mes- senger, and filled every successive position up to that of assistant cashier, to which position he was promoted in 1892. In this capacity he dem- onstrated ability and integrity of the highest or- der, and served until 1001, when he was elected cashier, which position he fills at present. He was elected as a director of the bank in the same year. and is also secretary and treasurer of the Lib- erty Street Building Company.
That he has hosts of personal friends in the business world and throughout Washtenaw county it is hardly necessary to remark. In his busy business career. Mr. Fritz never had any time to devote to polities. His mother and family are members of the German Lutheran Evan- gelical church.
MATTHEW MAX.
Among the native sons of Ypsilanti who have always maintained their residence within her borders is numbered Matthew Max, whose birth here occurred on the 5th of September. 1877. He is a representative of one of the old and promi- nent families here, his father being Nicholas Max, who for more than forty years has been a
MICHAEL J. FRITZ.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
factor in the business life of Ypsilanti, known and honored because of his industry, enterprise and business integrity. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Henneger, and unto them were born five children, three sons and two daughters, as follows: Matthew ; Fred, who is living in Ypsilanti ; Cora, who is a graduate of the high school of this city and is now engaged in teach- ing : Ruth, who is a public-school student ; and Clarence, who is attending the kindergarten.
Matthew Max was reared under the parental roof, devoting his time between play, work and duties of the schoolroom in the usual manner of lads of this day and age. He attended the gram- mar and high schools of Ypsilanti, thus acquiring a good education, which qualified him for the practical duties that come when the school books are laid aside and one enters the business world. He was connected with the shoe trade of the city for a number of years and then, turning his at- tention in another direction, he became proprie- tor of a buffet and restaurant at No. 56 Cross street, Ypsilanti, where he is accorded a liberal and growing patronage.
Mr. Max has always endorsed democratic prin- ciples and voted for the men and measures of the party, and is regarded as one of the leading repre- sentatives of democracy in his home community.
He is now acting as alderman of the fifth ward. having been elected for the second term on the democratic ticket. and his second election was practically unanimous, a fact which indicates his capability and efficient service during his first term. He is a very energetic and enterprising young man with a large social and business acquaintance.
HENRY PAUL.
Henry Paul, deceased, was long identified with agricultural interests in Washtenaw county and was a representative of one of its pioneer families. His birth occurred in this county, in Scio town- ship, on the 3d of June, 1840, his parents being Jacob and Anna Mary Paul, who were natives of Germany. With a large family of children they came to America and on reaching the shores of
the new world continued their journey into the interior of the country. They made their way di- rect to Washtenaw county and cast in their lot with its early settlers. Mr. Paul purchased a farm in Scio township, to the improvement and development of which he gave his energies for many years. Eventually, however, with a hand- some competency that he had acquired through his unremitting diligence he removed to Ann Ar- bor to live a retired life, residing with his son Henry in this city for five years. He then re- turned to Scio township and made his home with his son Gottfred until his death. His wife died upon the old farm homestead in that township. They were esteemed and worthy German people of the locality and enjoyed the warm regard of many with whom they had come in contact.
Henry Paul attended the country schools of Scio township, thus his boyhood and youth being passed in the usual manner of farm lads. When a young man he was in poor health and was un- able to do any hard manual labor so that he de- sired to give his attention to office work. On that account he came to Ann Arbor and attended school for five months, subsequent to which time he and his nephew entered into partnership and built a large factory, in which they began the manu- facturer of furniture under the firm style of Paul & Bissinger. This became one of the leading industrial enterprises of the city and employment was furnished to a large number of men. Mr. Paul continued in business for about three years and then sold out, turning his attention to the lime business, which he conducted near the Michi- gan Central Railroad depot, that enterprise claim- ing his time and energies for a few years. He next formed a partnership with Mr. James in the conduct of a marble business near the postoffice building in Ann Arbor and his time was thus oc- cupied for several years, during which period he was largely upon the road traveling in the inter- ests of his house and also for the benefit of his health. He was not benefited thereby, however, and decided to return to agricultural life. He then purchased a farm in Pittsfield township, two miles south of Ann Arbor on what is known as the old Saline road and throughout his remaining days was connected with agricultural interests.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
Prior to his removal to Ann Arbor Mr. Paul was united in marriage in this city to Miss Cath- erine Cook, who was born in Freedom township, Washtenaw county, October 13, 1843, and is a daughter of John George and Catherine Cook, both of whom were natives of Germany. At an early day they came to this country and settled in Freedom township, Washtenaw county, where the father purchased forty acres of land, of which thirty-nine acres was covered with timber. On the remaining acre he raised potatoes, which were almost everything the family had to live on for a year. With characteristic energy, however, he began clearing the remainder of the farm and built thereon a log cabin. He had an ox team with which he did his hauling and plowed his land. Ann Arbor was the nearest market, fifteen miles distant, and Mrs. Cook would frequently walk to that city, carrying with her butter and eggs which she disposed of to merchants there. Mr. Cook hauled his wood to town with his ox team and thus the family struggled on for a few years, during which time they saved enough money to purchase a large and better farm in the same township. A few years later Mr. Cook sold his second property and removed to Lodi town- ship, where he purchased what is known as the old Thomas Morris farm, residing thereon until 1853. when he deeded this property to his son. At that time he bought a tract of land in Pitts- field township, whereon he carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1869, when he decided to retire from active business life. Removing to Ann Arbor he erected a large brick residence on Division street and there lived retired in the en- joyment of the fruits of his former toil until his death, which occurred August 7, 1902. His wife passed away in this city in November, 1900.
Mr. and Mrs. Paul became the parents of five children, but only two are now living : Alfred J., who is proprietor of a saloon at Ann Arbor and is represented elsewhere in this work; and Amelia M., the wife of Andrew Reule, of the firm of Reule, Conlin & Fiegel, clothing merchants of this city, also represented elsewhere in this vol- ume. Of those deceased, two died in infancy, while Augusta passed away in 1905. at the age of twenty years.
Mr. Paul continued to devote his time and ener- gies to agricultural pursuits in Pittsfield township up to the time of his death, which occurred De- cember 20, 1891. He held several local offices in the township and took an active interest in polit- ical questions, being a stanch supporter of the democracy. He was a man always fearless in defense of his honest convictions, reliable in his business relations and true to every trust reposed in him in any relation of life. During a long residence in the county, covering a period of fifty- one years, he enjoyed in large measure the con- fidence, respect and friendship of his fellowmen and his death was the occasion of deep and wide- spread regret. Following her husband's demise Mrs. Paul resided on the farm for a few years and then rented the property to her son, who oc- cupied it until he removed to Ann Arbor. She also took up her abode in this city about the same time but she yet owns the farm, which she rents. She also has a nice home at No. 541 Packard street, where she resides.
VALENTINE ARNOLD.
Among the German-American citizens of Ann Arbor who, thrifty and reliable in business, are meeting with the success that always attends close application and earnest purpose, is numbered Valentine Arnold, who was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, on the 18th of February, 1863. His par- ents were Justus and Marie (Klinkenbeck) Ar- nold, both of whom are natives of Germany. The father is a shoemaker by trade, and is now living at Long Island City, New York. His wife, how- ever, departed this life in 1869. In the family were six children, of whom three are living : Rupert, who is residing in Germany : Mackarius, who is with his father in New York; and Val- entine.
Valentine Arnold spent the first nineteen years of his life in the land of his nativity, and in ac- cordance with the laws of his native country, ob- tained his education. He came to Ann Arbor in 1902, and has since been a resident of this city. TIe is now engaged in the conduct of a large con-
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tracting and stone-cutting business under the firm name of Feinkbeiner & Arnold. The firm are large contractors for all kinds of cut stone and flagging, and a liberal patronage is accorded them, their business having constantly increased as their straightforward methods and reliability have become known to the public. The large vards and buildings are located at 213 East Ann street, Ann Arbor.
In 1893 Mr. Arnold was married to Miss So- phia Johanna Johansen, of Georgetown, Texas. and they have one son, Valentine Peter, who at the age of twelve years is a student in the schools of Ann Arbor. Mr. Arnold has never had oc- casion to regret his determination to seek his for- tune in the middle west, for he found here favor- able business opportunities, and through the ex- ercise of his native talents, his energy and his close application he has gained a business which in extent and importance has made him one of the substantial residents of this city. While his life in many respects has been a quiet one, it is never- theless creditable to the city of his adoption, and his native land as well. Socially he is connected with the Sons of Herman, and in religious faith is a Catholic, while his political affiliations accord with the principles of democracy.
WILLIAM HENRY MORTON.
William Henry Morton, who owns and culti- vates forty-two acres of land within the corpora- tion limits of Ann Arbor, his home being at No. 1413 Packard street, was born in Cambridge, Wisconsin, June 28, 1861. His father, William Morton, was a native of Ireland, born on the 20th of March, 1812, and for some time he was a steward of the Northwestern Steamship Com- pany. He was also interested in real estate. He came to America in 1815 and in 1865 removed to Ann Arbor to educate his children. ITis wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza Crummer. was born in Rockdale, Pennsylvania, on the 4th of March, 1822, and died October 8. 1896, having survived him for several years, as he passed away on the 24th of October, 1883.
In the family of this worthy couple were the following children : John W., a well known prac- ticing physician of Ann Arbor for the past twen- ty-eight years, was graduated from the literary department of the University of Michigan with the class of 1872, and was graduated from Rush Medical College of Chicago with the class of 1877. He was married in 1890 to Miss Cora .1. Wetmore, of Concord, Michigan, and they have two sons, Willard Wetmore Morton, aged eight years, and Hobart Crummer Morton, aged five years. Edward, who was a partner of S. W. Beakes, in the ownership and publication of the Ann Arbor Argus, died in 1802. Maggie com- pleted the classical course in the Ann Arbor high school and was graduated in 1877. She also graduated from the literary department of the University of Michigan in 1881, and afterward served as principal of the high schools of Tecum- seh, Allegan and Ludington. She married Ed- ward Mitchell, of Ludington, and died in 1888. leaving one son, Latham Hudson Mitchell, who still resides in Ludington. Fred died in Ann Ar- bor. October 6, 1882. William Henry, of this review, completes the family.
William H. Morton was four years of age when brought by his parents to Ann Arbor, and here he has since made his home. Ilis education was acquired in the public schools, wherein he continued his studies until he had completed the high-school course. His attention is now given to farming and the real-estate business, and he owns and operates forty-two acres of land on Packard street. He also deals in real estate and has negotiated a number of important property transfers.
On the 27th of December, 1892, Mr. Morton was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Shadford. of Ann Arbor, a daughter of John and Mary ( Keedle) Shadford. Her father, a miller by oc- cupation, was born in England, and came to America in 1851. Her brothers and sisters are: Mrs. L. Beckler, of Ann Arbor : William, who is connected with the firm of Dean & Company. of Ann Arbor : Mrs. Lucy Raymond, of Detroit : and John and Lizzie, both residents of Ann Ar- bor. Mr. and Mrs. Morton have one son, Wil- liam S., born May 20, 1896. For fourteen years
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
Mrs. Morton was engaged in the millinery busi- ness on Washington street, and had a large patronage and was well known to the purchasing public.
In his social affiliations Mr. Morton is a Knight of the Maccabees, and in religious connection is a member of the Methodist church. Having al- ways resided in this city from the age of four years, he has a wide acquaintance, and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from boyhood to the present time, is an indication of his honorable and up- right life.
JUDSON W. WHEELOCK.
Judson W. Wheelock, following the occupation of farming on section 33, Pittsfield township, was born December 30, 1851, in this township, where his parents located at an early day. His father was James L. Wheelock, a native of New York, born in 1825, and a son of Rue Wheelock, who in pioneer times entered from the government a tract of land of eighty acres at Bridgewater, Sa- line township, Washtenaw county. James L. Wheelock acquired a public-school education, and in 1838, when but thirteen years of age, started out in life on his own account, from which time he was dependent entirely upon his own re- sources. He arrived in Michigan in 1829, and as the years passed, became an enterprising and prosperous agriculturist of Washtenaw county, owning one hundred and thirty acres of land, which was devoted to general agricultural pur- suits and stock-raising. In community affairs he was active and influential, and his political alle- . giance was given to the whig party and afterward to the republican party. For sixteen years he filled the office of justice of the peace, his long continuance in the position being excellent evi- dence of his capability and impartiality in the dis- charge of his duties. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church, in which he long held mem- hership. He married Miss Irene J. Haynes, who was born in New York, and was a daughter of Anson Haynes, who became a shoemaker of Ann Arbor and spent his last days in that city. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Wheelock were born four children : Judson W .: Nettie J., now deceased ; Ettie M., died when thirty-six years of age, and Rosie J., who died at the age of twenty-three years.
Judson W. Wheelock was reared to the occu- pation of farming and from an early age assisted in the cultivation of the old homestead, remaining thereon until twenty-three years of age. In 1875 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Sud- daby, a native of Pittsfield township, and a daugh- ter of Isaac Suddaby, who was a farmer by occu- pation, and came to Michigan from England in 1856. Making his way at once to this state, he purchased eighty acres of land in York township, Washtenaw county, and thereafter devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits and stock-rais- ing. He had considerable invested in stock as well as a good capital in the bank at the time of his death, which occurred about 1898. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wheelock have been born two daugh- ters and two sons: Ora, now the wife of F. C. Hollis, of Milan, by whom she has two children : Dot I., born in 1881 ; John B., born in 1887; and Ward S., born in 1893.
Mr. Wheelock is the owner of forty acres of land, which he inherited from his grandfather, Samuel Walter Wheelock, and the deed has never been out of possession of a representative of the family name. His realty possessions altogether aggregate one hundred and fifty-seven acres in Pittsfield and York townships, and his farm is de- voted to the general raising of grain and stock. In his work he is quite energetic and industrious, and is therefore quite successful. He votes with the republican party, but has no desire for office.
ERNEST REHBERG.
Ernest Rehberg, the president and treasurer of the Ann Arbor Brewing Company, is a na- tive son of Michigan, his birth having occurred in Detroit on the 30th of December, 1859. His parents were Louis and Henrietta Rehberg, na- tives of Prussia, Germany, who came to America in the year 1857. Both have passed away. They resided for some years in the city of Detroit. In
MR. AND MRS. J. W. WHEELOCK.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
their family were fourteen children, nine of whom are yet living : Sophia, who is the widow of Amandas Hahn and lives in Detroit: Erustina, the wife of Charles Meyer, of Detroit : Mrs. Ber- tha Munz, who is also a widow living in Detroit : Louis, who is retired from active business life and makes his home in the same city : William, who is engaged in the livery business in Cali- fornia : Ernest, of this review: Frederick, living in Chicago: Minnie, the wife of Rudolph Martin, of Detroit : and Augusta, of the same city.
Ernest Rehberg acquired his education in the publie schools of Detroit, and when he put aside his text-books he entered the brewery owned by Jacob Mann in that eity and there learned the trade, which he thoroughly mastered in principle and detail. He came to Ann Arbor in 1884. as foreman of the Northern Brewery, and in 1892 the Ann Arbor Brewing Company was organized. of which he is the president and treasurer. while H. Hardinghaus is vice president and secretary. They are manufacturers and bottlers of export and lager beer. Theirs is a fine plant, having a large capacity, and they manufacture a fine bottle beer, enjoying an extensive trade. Mr. Rehberg is not only the president and treasurer, but also the practical manager of the enterprise, and his through understanding of the business in every department enables him to carry it forward along practical. economieal and successful lines.
In 1881 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Rehberg and Miss Sarah Dahlinger, of Detroit. and they have three children: Louis J., who is pursuing an engineering course in the Univer- sity of Michigan : Olga and Carl. aged respee- tively fourteen and eleven years, who are now students in the public schools here.
Since coming to this eity. Mr. Rehberg has been active in affairs of Ann Arbor, taking a helpful interest in progressive measures here. co-operating in many movements that have been of material benefit. In 1892 he was elected to the office of alderman of the fifth ward on the democratie ticket for a two years' term, and in that period he succeeded in securing the passage of very important measures of direet benefit to his ward. He belongs to the Zion Lutheran church, to which he contributes generously, and
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