USA > Michigan > St Clair County > St. Clair County, Michigan, its history and its people; a narrative account of its historical progress and its principal interests, Vol. II > Part 23
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Mr. Sanderson is justly proud of the fact that he is a native of St. Clair county, his birth having occurred in the township of Birchville, July 5, 1876. Ile is the son of William and Margaret (Osborne) San- derson, both natives of the Wolverine state, and both now residing in Sanilae county, this state. Arthur was reared upon his father's farm and with the aid of its wholesome discipline learned those lessons of industry and thrift which have since stood him in such good stead. He received his education in the public schools, which he attended until his six- teenth year, when he devoted his young strength to the manifold tasks to be encountered upon his father's farm. He preferred, however, life in more of a commercial center and he came to Jeddo, where he pur- chased the blacksmith shop and learned that trade at which he worked successfully for a period of eight years. Hle then engaged in a kindred line of business-the implement, and helped to organize the Jeddo Hardware Company, with which he is now identified. This thriving concern is incorporated, Mr. Sanderson being president and general manager ; Joseph Meyers, vice-president ; and Frank D. Snyder. secre- tary and treasurer. They found it necessary to find large and com- modious quarters for a business as extensive as that which they main- tained and built their present large room in 1911. They carry a fine line of goods in hardware and implements, and, as before mentioned, also carry groceries.
Mr. Sanderson established an independent household in 1907, the lady to become his wife and the mistress of his home being Ella Minor. They share their pleasant home with three children and are prominent in the many-sided life of the community.
Since his earliest voting days the policies and principles of the Republican party have had the support and sympathy of Mr. Sander- son and for the past four years he has served as constable. lle is a member of the Maccabees and Gleaners and carries insurance in both orders. Ile is a hustling business man, a good citizen and by all is held in highest esteem. IFe belongs to the honored ranks of the self-made men and deserves great credit for establishing so sound and substantial a business, which has not only made him personally independent, but has added to the prosperity of the community in which his interests are centered. and it is indeed a pleasure to the compilers of this work to include within its pages a short review of his life.
IIENRY F. MARX. It is with pleasure that the biographer takes up the life record of one of St. Clair county's best known and most popular citizens, Ilenry F. Marx, chief of police of Port Huron, Michigan, and
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president and one of the founders of the German American Savings Bank. He is a native of Germany and manifests in himself those fine characteristics for which the citizen of Teutonic origin is justly famous, and which makes the Fatherland one of our most admirable sources of immigration. Mr. Marx was born in the village of Lauschied, Province of Rhein, Germany, April 28, 1865, the son of John and Elizabeth (Ullrich) Marx. He received a good education in the excellent German schools and then learned the details of the meat market business.
At the age of fifteen years young Marx bade farewell to the old asso- ciations and set sail for America, going forth like the hero of romance to seek his fortunes. He came at once to Port Huron, where an older brother had preceded him. The voyage from Bremen to New York consumed fourteen days. Upon reaching this place he became an assist- ant in a meat market and was thus employed from 1872 to 1877. He then started into business for himself, his previous industry and thrift having placed him in an independent position and he continued in the meat market business until 1900, when he sold out and has since devoted bis energies to his other interests.
For the past thirty years approximately, or since 1884, he has been actively identified with public life. In the year mentioned he was elected city treasurer and he was again chosen for the office in which he gave great satisfaction in 1885 and 1886. He also served as county treasurer from 1890 to 1894 two terms. He had taken out naturaliza- tion papers as soon as he could and he became a devoted supporter of Democratic principles, in whose efficacy he has always believed. In 1897 he was appointed police commissioner and served three years, mani- festing such an enlightened understanding of the needs of the depart- ment that in 1903 he was appointed chief of police and has held the office ever since. Unflagging energy and persistence in his purpose of securing the best possible conditions for the department have resulted in infinite benefit for the city and he is beloved both by the bluecoats and by the citizens to whom law and order are dear.
Chief Marx was married in Coruna, Canada, the young woman to become his wife and the mistress of his household being Miss Victoria Swan, who was born and reared on a farm in the vicinity of the Cana- dian city mentioned. She is the daughter of Theodore and Matilda (Gnaue) Swan, both of German birth. Into their household have been born the following three children: Harriet is a graduate of the Port Huron high school and of the Ypsilanti Normal school and for a time engaged as a teacher, her career as an instructor being terminated by her marriage to Charles Pfeiffer. They reside at Tacoma, Washington, and have a daughter, Betty. Arthur P. is a graduate of the Port Huron high school and of the legal department of the University of Michigan, and is now practicing law at Tacoma, Washington. Frances, who received her education in the Port Huron schools and the School of Domestic Science at Detroit, is one of Port Huron's admirable teach- ers. Chief Marx was reared in the Catholic faith and was confirmed in Germany at the age of fourteen years. The children have all re- ceived confirmation from Bishops Borgess and Foley, and live con- sistent with the teachings of the church of their fathers.
Chief Marx was one of the founders of the German American Sav-
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ings Bank on September 3, 1907, was subsequently elected its president and has contributed in no small measure to the high standing of this substantial monetary institution.
WILLIAM HEISLER. Industry and thrift have marked the career of William Heisler, the groceryman at Town Hall Store, St. Clair, and he has carved for himself a distinctive place in the commercial life of the community. Ile is a first generation American of German parentage. having been born in St. Clair township on April 12, 1869, the son of John and Josephine (Meganson) Heisler, both of whom were born in Germany, and they did not come to the United States until after their marriage. The elder Heislers settled upon a farm in St. Clair township and continued to reside thereon until the time of their death.
William Heisler until he attained the year of his majority lived in the rural community in which he was born. He went to the country school during those months of the year when it was in session and per- formed the usual farm tasks that fall to the part of the farmer's son at other times of the year. When he grew older and had finished the school work afforded he devoted his full time to agricultural tasks and proved himself a willing and efficient worker. His first position after he left the farm was in the lumbering business and he continued that character of work for a time before turning his attention to merchandising. His first mercantile venture was in the establishment of a small store near the home farm and his success there induced him to try a larger field. It was in 1895 that he started his business in St. Clair, and during the years that have passed since then he has built up a steadily increasing trade, having today a large list of customers and a splendid volume of trade in grocery lines.
Mr. Heisler has a comfortable home graced by the presence of his wife and four charming children. His marriage to Miss Tracy Fas- bender, of St. Clair, occurred on November 11. 1903. She was born in St. Clair township, the daughter of Anthony and Kate Fasbender, both of whom are still living. Mr. Fasbender is a well known and prosper- ous farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Heisler's four children are named as fol- lows, the date of their births being also given: George, born September 6, 1904: John Williams, born August 26, 1906; Mary Pearl, born Sep- tember 1. 1908; and Francis, born April 24. 1910. The parents are devout communicants of the Catholic church and are rearing their family in the tenets of that old and beautiful faith. They are also members of the Gleaners society. Politically Mr. Heisler is a believer in Repub- lican principles and he uses his influence in the furtherance of that party's power. In all departments of activity that are useful and tend to advance the interests of his home community he lends a most willing hand and as a man possessing many admirable qualities of character he is held in the highest esteem by all who have the pleasure of his ac- quaintance.
JOHN BROPHY CONROY, a well known citizen of Port Huron, Mich- igan, who is engaged in the coal and wood business on the corner of Thirty-second and Wooden Track streets, just outside of the city limits,
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is a native of this city, and was born May 29, 1865, a son of Bartholo- mew W. and Caroline (Brophy ) Conroy.
Bartholomew W. Conroy was born in Scarboro, north of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, November 7, 1837, and was married at Embro, Canada, to Caroline Brophy, a native of that place. Mr. Conroy was a black- smith at Downie, Canada, and an excellent business man, keeping a close account of all of his business. Although he had spent but a few days in school, he was able to write a very legible hand and to correctly keep his books, evidence of which facts will be found by a perusal of his accounts which are now in the possession of his son, John B. The entries, in pounds, shillings and pence, started January 6, 1857, and ended May 26, 1860. On June 1st of the latter year Mr. Conroy came to Port Huron and started a blacksmith shop on Butler, between Fort and Michigan streets, where he was engaged in business until 1870. About that time he opened a factory on Black river, on Quay street at the foot of Fourth, to manufacture a buggy wheel which he had in- vented, and in 1873 he moved to St. Clair and founded what was known as the Conroy Carriage Company. This venture proved unsuccessful, however, the panic of 1873 causing the company's failure, and Mr. Conroy returned to Port Huron, where he was engaged at his trade up to the time of his death, April 20, 1906. His widow survived him until March 17, 1909. While in Canada Mr. Conroy was treasurer of the school board, another evidence that he had educated himself well, and the name of the village was Conroy's Corners, in Downie township, so named after Bartholomew Conroy's father, who was the first settler at that point, the family having located there a short time before Bartholo- mew's birth, coming from Ireland. John Brophy Conroy also holds a share of stock, dated November 1, 1869, issued to his father by the Port Huron Driving Park Association, which had the first track in St. Clair county, and was located on the bank of the river, along Stone, Willow and other streets. A part of this track has not yet been levelled. W. P. Edison, a brother of the great inventor, Thomas A. Edison, was secre- tary of this association, and Henry Harward was president. Mr. Conroy and his wife were members of the Catholic church, and after coming to Port Huron attended St. Stephen's church. In political matters Mr. Conroy gave his support to the Democratic party, and served one term on the board of estimates from the First ward. Iu about 1870 Mr. Conroy, with one hundred fifty other intelligent citizens, entered into an agreement never to treat or be treated by others, and he adhered to this rule throughout his life, carrying it even so far as to refuse being treated by his sons. He wrote an article for the papers advocating the passing of laws forbidding this practice, and it attracted much atten- tion at the time, calling forth letters from governors and other high officials asking his views on the subject. Lately this matter has been given much attention by statesmen. Bartholomew W. and Caroline Brophy had a family of ten children, namely : Mary, who married Burt Cherriman, of Grand Rapids; William, a traveling salesman, whose home is in Lansing; Luke Bartholomew, a lumber dealer and manu- facturer of Oregon; Johu Brophy; Francis Peter, who lost his life iu the Cotton Belt region in Arkansas; Louise Catherine, who married Edward Smith, of Manchester, Illinois; Carrie, who married Leon Good- man, of Saginaw, Michigan ; Charles M., who lives in Detroit ; Frederick
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Michael, a resident of Cleveland; and Bertha, who married Leroy Pier- son, living in Port Huron.
As a boy John B. Conroy attended the public schools of Port Huron, graduating from the seventh grade at the age of twelve years. From that time until his father's death Mr. Conroy was associated contin- uously with him, with the exception of short periods spent away from home when he was engaged in shoeing racing horses at various large traeks. In 1911 he decided to engage in business in Port Huron, and since that time has been successfully engaged in the coal and wood busi- ness. He has inherited the industry, integrity and honest business principles of his father, and his success is a tribute to his early training.
On November 7. 1894, Mr. Conroy was married to Miss Alma Bour- bonais, who was born in Port Huron, daughter of Fred and Zita (Mar- tin) Bourbonais, who were born in Lower Canada, of French origin. One child has been born to this union: Francis Milton, now a student in the Port Huron high school. Young Conroy is quite an electrical genius, and has constructed a wireless telegraphy outfit at the home in Port Huron, with which he can communicate with Cleveland, Detroit and other cities.
Mr. Conroy is independent in his political views, although he was reared a Demoerat. He has never been an office seeker, although he represented the Fifth ward on the board of estimates for one year, but at the expiration of his term of office refused re-election. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks, the Woodmen of the World and the Mac- cabees, and he and Mrs. Conroy are consistent members of St. Stephen's Catholic church.
GUSTAV HILL, the popular and esteemed cashier of the First National Exchange Bank of Port Huron, Michigan, by virtue of his prominent position in the commercial as well as the social world is deserving of more than passing mention in the pages of this volume. Mr. Hill has been a resident of Port Huron all of his life, having been born at No. 906 Eighth street, a son of John P. and Barbara (Gable) Hill, natives of Germany. Mr. Hill's parents came to the United States about half a century ago, and for many years John P. Hill was engaged in the lumber business, but he is now retired, and with his wife is residing in the old home on Eighth street.
Gustav Hill was educated in the Port IIuron public schools, and for a short time after completing his educational training worked with his father in the lumber business. At the age of eighteen years he en- tered the employ of the First National Exchange Bank of Port Huron, and from time to time, as he became more valuable to the institution, he was promoted, rising from the humble position of messenger boy to that of cashier of one of the most substantial financial institutions in St. Clair county. Mr. Ilill has discharged the duties of his position now for something over a year, to the entire satisfaction of the business publie, and his uniformly pleasant method of performing these duties has made him a favorite with the bank's customers and the citizens generally. When he started with the bank its officials warned him that promotion depended on his ability and attention to his duties. The result speaks for itself. Mr. Hill is also secretary and director of the Port Huron Building and Loan Association and a director in the Port Huron Cream-
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ery Company, and in all his business dealings has had the fullest confi- dence of his associates, confidence that has not been misplaced. Polit- ically he is a Republican, although he has never sought office, pre- ferring to give his time and attention to his own interests and those of the institution with which he is connected. Fraternally his affilia- tions are with the Odd Fellows, the Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Shriners, the Knights Templars and the Maccabees, and he is finance keeper of the latter organization.
In 1895 Mr. Hill was married to Miss Jeanette McElroy, who was born in Port Huron, daughter of Patrick and Jane (Bain) McElroy, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Scotland. Mr. McElroy is now deceased, while his widow makes her home at No. 720 Union street. The Hill residence is at No. 819 Court street, and they also have a nice home at the beach, Keewahdin. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have five children: Eleanor, aged fifteen years; Bain, aged thirteen; Gor- don, aged ten years; Carleton, who is nine years old; and Mary Eliz- abeth, aged four, all being in school except the baby. Mr. Hill is a member of the Evangelical church, while his wife attends Grace church of the Episcopal denomination, and both are well known in church and society circles.
HORACE C. MUDGE, M. D. As a public official of St. Clair county since 1875, and the incumbent of one office during all the intervening years, Dr. Horace C. Mudge has builded a record of faithful and effi- cient service among his fellow men that will live when he is no longer carrying on the good work in which he has been so long engaged. A man of gentle nature and quiet, homelike inclinations, he has been con- tent to serve in his honored profession in a more humble manner than his natural qualifications and ability would limit him, but he has found work in plenty, and his reward has been in the glowing consciousness of a duty well done.
Dr. Horace C. Mudge was born April 27, 1849, in Blenheim, and is the son of Dr. Isaac S. Mudge and Abigail Wonch, and the grandson of John Mudge, who was a native of Pennsylvania and the son of Joel Mudge, a captain in the War of the Revolution. Dr. Isaac Mudge was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war. He served in Com- pany K, Third Michigan Infantry as a surgeon. Four of his sons also saw service with him, one of them being Dr. Horace C., of this review. The latter enlisted in Company C, Twenty-second Michigan, in 1864, and on the expiration of his term of service re-enlisted in the Third Michigan, Company K, serving from May 25, 1864, to May, 1866. He was severely wounded in the left side at Stone River, but recovered and completed the term of his enlistment period. Dr. Mudge is a pensioner and is prominent in Grand Army circles, being past commander of Oscar Bartlett Post, No. 233, and has served as surgeon of his post from 1884 up to the present time. In addition to his private practice Dr. Mudge has been medical director of the St. Clair County House since April 11, 1875, giving him a record of thirty-seven years in one office, surely an eloquent testimonial of the high regard of his fellow citizens and of his faithful administration of the duties of his position. The Doctor is also a member of the board of health, and has done good work for his com- munity in that capacity. He is a Republican, but has never taken more
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active part in the political affairs of the town and county than is called for by good citizenship. The Doctor and his family are members of the Episcopal church, and he and his wife are members of the Maccabees and the Gleaners, while Mrs. Mudge is a member of the Women's Re- lief Corps and has been an officer of that organization.
In 1869 Dr. Mudge married Miss Anna J. Koepfgen, and two chil- dren were born to them. Elva became the wife of Frank Aunsworth and Augusta married Joseph Darling. In later years the Doctor contracted a second marriage, Mina E. Roe becoming his wife on September 25, 1886. She was born in Canton, New York, on May 26, 1866, and was reared in Lapeer county, Michigan. Six children were born of this latter union: Myrtle is now the wife of Charles Yager; Ruby married William Kruse; Leo, aged eighteen years ; Mildred, aged ten ; and Wilma, now eight years of age; Lelia, aged eight years, died January 9, 1900.
FRED C. BALLENTINE. It does not take long for the average citizen to form an opinion of a business man and to decide whether or not he will give his patronage to the business man's establishment. If the goods sold prove as represented, if the proprietor is courteous and oblig- ing and if he seems to be giving his enstomers honest dealing, it matters not whether he has been the proprietor of his business for a year or a half century, he will get the call on the trade over the merchant who is not so conscientious in his methods. It is thus that Fred C. Ballentine, of 1519 Military street, has won such a generous patronage for his pharmacy, although he has been in business here only since 1906. Mr. Ballentine was born at Old Brockway, St. Clair county, Michigan, August 14, 1881, and is a son of William F. and Margaret (Church) Ballentine.
William F. Ballentine was well known in Port Huron, as he was proprietor of the Commercial House here for many years. Subsequently he hecame a commercial traveler and spent some six years on the road in the interest of a wholesale grocery house.
Fred C. Ballentine secured his education in the schools of Port Huron, entering the primary school when only five years old and com- tinuing until he had passed through the Tenth grade, afterward eom- pleting a commercial course in a business college. Thus prepared he was ambitious to enter upon a business career, his first choice of work being in the drug store of a business man of Port Huron, where he re- mained for several years. From there he went to work in a shipyard and later was employed for two seasons as a watehman. During these changes of employment, brought about by cireumstances, he had eon- tinned to cherish his ambition to become a pharmaeist and as soon as he felt financially prepared to do so, entered a school of pharmacy at Big Rapids, receiving his certificate as an assistant pharmacist when he took his first examination. A little over a year later he took the second required examination and received the diploma which entitled him to be registered as a pharmacist. After some experience as a clerk. in 1906 he embarked in the drug business at Port Huron. with a partner whose interest he subsequently purchased.
On June 29, 1904. at Port IIuron, hy Rev. John Munday, Mr. Ballen- tine was married to Miss Isabel May Warren. a daughter of George J. and Isabel E. (Miller) Warren. To Mr. and Mrs. Ballentine on De-
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cember 13, 1906, twin children were born, a son and daughter, Frederick and Isabel. Mr. Ballentine and wife are members of Grace Episcopal church. Nominally a Republican, Mr. Ballentine has independent ten- dencies, being an intelligent, well informed, thinking man, but has no political aspirations of any kind. He is identified fraternally with the Masons and is senior warden of Pine Grove Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and belongs to Huron Chapter, and is connected also with the order of Maccabees.
EDWARD L. MOAK. In the human race there is ever progressive change, and it becomes the part of biography, which is the essence of history, to record and accelerate it. It shows us how far we have ad- vanced beyond the past, and it treasures up the experience of that past for still further advance into the future. Without history we would constantly require to begin the march of improvement or progress anew, and society would be moving in a narrow, ever-returning circle, instead of one straight and forward line. While this is true of history in general, that of ourselves, our relatives, our people-crystallized into the form of biography, whereby are perpetuated the lives of the fittest- have special, even first, claims upon us; and it becomes a duty to both the present and coming generations to include in this biographical work records of the lives of such representative men of our time as the gen- tleman of whom it is our privilege to now write, whose success in busi- ness is due to the practical and sensible constitution of his mind, and to the thoroughness of his business training.
Edward L. Moak was born June 13, 1868, in St. Clair county, Mich- igan, and is a son of Charles J. and Alice (Carpenter) Moak, and a grandson of Nicholas Moak, who came to St. Clair county in 1837. Nicholas Moak was one of the prominent agriculturists and leading public men of his day and community, holding various township offices and helping to develop the interests of his section. He had four chil- dren, of whom three are still living. Many interesting stories of this old pioneer settler are told by his children and grandchildren, and it is related that on one occasion he shot a deer from the window of his house. At that time there lived in Riley township a tribe of Indians known as. the Riley Tribe, who on regular occasions made their way to Fort Gratiot to receive their allowances. Mr. Moak's farm was a convenient stopping-place, and here they would pitch their tents, make a camp and move on after a half-day's stop. On the return it was no unusual scene to see the squaws fighting for the possession of some trifle after their allowance had been spent for cheap whiskey.
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