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 31
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FRED L. LINDERMAN. Many years of continuous participation in all activities of large importance to the city of St. Clair have made Mr. Fred L. Linderman one of its most widely and favorably known citi- zens; one whom the community is proud to claim as a native son, and who has spent his entire life in the city of his birth.
Mr. Linderman has exercised throughout his entire career com- mendable and unfailing industry and has thoroughly proven himself to be fully worthy of the confidence of the people and he has been sev- eral times rewarded with official honor. His conscientious devotion to
N. a. HaPrima
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publie trust was amply demonstrated during the years 1906 and 1907, when he served the public in the office of city treasurer of St. Clair and when he occupied the position of deputy city clerk.
As proprietor of Linderman's Hand Laundry Mr. Linderman is intimately known in leading commercial circles. He at all times gives the best service to those who patronize him in a business way and has conducted his plant most profitably ever since he established it here in 1890.
Mr. Linderman was born in St. Clair on October 3, 1869, his father and mother, William and Fredericke (Schultz) Linderman, being of German birth. The parents were married in Germany and after that happy event came to the United States, arriving in this vicinity in 1866. The father was a shepherd in his native country and continued to en- gage his talents in the same line of work after coming here until his death in 1869, three days after the birth of his son, Fred L. Linderman.
His widowed mother was not able to give her son as many advan- tages as she would have liked and Fred was obliged to leave school at the tender age of thirteen years and become a wage earner. IIe secured his first position in the brick yard of Belknap & Phillips as yard boy, but did not remain there a great length of time, he having subsequently secured a position with Mr. Sheldon. When seventeen years old he beeame a clerk in the store of Strauss Sons, retaining his position with that firm until he went into the grocery business for himself, and con- tinned for four years. He was with the Moore Grocery Company seven years and with H. A. Smith for four years, and on October, 1910, he engaged in his present business.
On October 12, 1892, occurred the marriage of Mr. Linderman to Miss Minnie Welser, who also claims St. Clair as her birthplace, her natal day being in October, 1867. Iler parents, Mathias and Sophia (Stein ) Welser, like those of Mr. Linderman, were native born Germans who when young came to St. Clair township and took up land, Mr. Welser being the owner of a fine farm up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Linderman have a family of four children, the oldest, Ludwig W., having been born in 1895. He is a bright and industrious young man and holds a clerkship at the Dia- mond Crystal Salt Works. Eleanor, the second child, was born in No- vember, 1896. The birth of Franeelia occurred in February, 1899, and Carl was born in November, 1909.
The best social and religions life of the city is indebted to Mr. and Mrs. Linderman, whose influence and leadership are always in the direc- tion that points to the bettering and uplifting of the people of the eom- munity which they have throughout their lives proudly claimed as home. Mr. Linderman is a gentleman of unimpeachable personal in- tegrity and enjoys the highest esteem of all with whom he comes in con- taet in any way.
HANNIBAL ALLEN HOPKINS, postmaster of St. Clair, is not only one of the most efficient and well known of his calling in the service of Unele Sam, but at the same time is one of the most prominent and able of the representatives of the Fourth Estate in this section of Michigan. He is the proprietor and former editor of the St. Clair Republican, a weekly journal of influence and prestige, and is even more widely known as the
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man who established the "Postmaster Everywhere," a magazine which is recognized as the official organ of the postmasters of America. Mr. Hopkins is one of the leaders in local Republicanism and is noted as one of the most public-spirited of citizens, his loyalty to all that affects the public welfare being more than a mere rhetorical expression. He be- longs to one of the oldest families in America, his forebear, Stevens Hopkins, having been one of the valiant little company which crossed the Atlantic nearly three hundred years ago and landed on the bleak shores of New England to found that civilization whose influence reaches so definitely to the present day. He has successfully lived up to his high ancestral precedent and it is indeed a pleasure to incorporate in a history of this character a brief outline of his career.
Mr. Hopkins was born at Spring Lake, Ottawa county, Michigan, January 23, 1871, the son of Hannibal Allen and Emma (Camfort) Hopkins, natives of the Empire state. Hannibal Hopkins, Sr., and a brother came to St. Clair at an early date and engaged in lumbering, at that day the opportunities in this line being great. The subject re- ceived his early education in the public schools of Spring Lake and in 1887 he entered the agricultural college at Lansing, Michigan. In 1889 he was appointed to a position as page in the legislature and held that office for a year. Proving faithful and efficient, he became popular in the legislative body and was advanced and for the following four sessions of the assembly he held the office of press clerk. In 1894 he went to Washington, D. C., to engage in newspaper work and while there formed the acquaintance of Congressman Justin R. Whiting, whose daughter he subsequently married.
On July 1, 1895, Mr. Hopkins purchased the St. Clair Republican, a weekly newspaper, and proved very successful in its editorship. He still owns the Republican, but its management is in other hands, the stress of other duties making it impossible for Mr. Hopkins to continue at the head of a publication of this character. On February 25, 1898, he was appointed to the postmastership of St. Clair, which office he still holds and in which he has given the greatest satisfaction to people and the government he represents. He established the before-mentioned "Post- master Everywhere" on January 1, 1903, and shortly after this gave up the management of the Republican to George H. Pond, to whom the plant is leased. In 1900 he was elected secretary of the Michigan Press Association and in eloquent manifestation of his popularity with the journalistic world is the fact that he has been re-elected each succeeding year, at the present time holding the office for the eleventh time. He is of the best and most enlightened type of newspaper man, of the type which any community is fortunate to have in a position to influence and
control public life and opinion. In 1902 Mr. Hopkins was elected sec- retary and treasurer of the Michigan Postmasters' Association, and in this organization there is the same feeling in regard to him, for he still holds this office. In the year following his election to the foregoing of- fice he was elected secretary and treasurer of the National Association of Postmasters of America (second and third class postmasters), and continues in this capacity.
Mr. Hopkins was happily married on April 30, 1895, the lady to become his wife and the charming mistress of his household being Miss Pamelia Whiting, of St. Clair, daughter of Congressman Justin R. and
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Emily (Owen) Whiting. The Hon. Mr. Whiting, whose demise oc- curred January 31, 1903, was engaged in mercantile business and was interested extensively in lake traffic and shipping, being part owner of several boats. Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins share a home renowned for its hospitality, with one daughter, Rosamonde Allen, born in 1900.
Mr. Hopkins is a Mason, who exemplifies the fine ideals of the most ancient of orders in his daily living. He wears upon occasion the white- plumed helmet of the Knight Templar and has "traveled east" with the Shriners. IIe also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Maccabecs, the Woodmen and the Foresters. He pays deference to his patriotic ancestry as a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Mrs. llopkins is past regent of the Otsiketa Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is president of the St. Clair History Class. Mr. Hopkins and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church and are justly counted as among the most valued and helpful of the citizens of St. Clair.
CHARLES B. STOCKWELL, M. D., was born in Friendsville, Pennsyl- vania, March 5, 1851, and in 1851 was brought by his parents to Port IIuron, Michigan, where he has since made his home. ITis parents were Dr. Cyrus M. and Clarissa C. (Stockwell) Stockwell. His father was born in Colesville, New York, June 20, 1823, and died in Port Huron, Michigan, in 1899. He, Dr. Cyrus M. Stockwell, was educated at Ox- ford Academy, New York, and took up the study of medicine in a prac- ticing physician's office at Binghamton, New York, and afterward, in 1850, graduated from the Berkshire Medical College, Pittsfield, Massa- chusetts. He came to Port Huron from Pennsylvania by boat from New York, and from Detroit to Port Huron his boat passed through the little used channel in St. Clair Lake, known as Sny-Carty, and landed at Port Huron at five o'clock in the afternoon of April 29, 1851. There- after until his death he practiced medicine in Port Huron. He was elected first president of the Michigan State Medical Society after its reorganization in 1866, and just forty years later his son, Dr. Charles B. Stockwell, was elected president of the society. Dr. Cyrus M. Stock- well was universally respected by all who knew him, and his death was felt as a personal loss to the people of Port Huron. His professional career was one of distinction. At the outbreak of the Civil war he was voluntarily tendered, by Governor Blair, a commission as assistant surgeon at Fort Gratiot, and for a score or more years he served as United States pension surgeon. He and wife had five children, namely, G. Archie Stockwell and Charles B. Stockwell, both physicians; Clara V,. Martha E. and a son that died in infancy.
Dr. Charles B. Stockwell is of splendid parentage and ancestry. Ile fondly relates a story of his maternal grandfather who when a young man serving at "general training" was called upon by the captain to open the exercises with prayer. He had no great store of affection for the militia general and so he prayed thus: "O Lord, we read in Thy word that Thou winkest at ignorance of sin, but, O Lord, if Thou shouldst wink at the ignorance of our general, Thou knowest, O Lord, it would keep Thee winking all the time."
Dr. Charles B. Stockwell attended the Port Huron public schools, and was one of the first graduates of the high school of the city. In
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1873 he graduated from Olivet College, Michigan, and then for two years he taught in the Port Huron high school. In 1878 he graduated in medicine from the Harvard Medical College, and during the follow- ing year took a post-graduate course at the institution, and began the practice of medicine at Port Huron in partnership with his father. He has held many offices of honor and trust in the medical societies of the county and state, having served as president (three times) of the North- eastern District Medical Society, and in 1904 and 1905 was the Mich- igan delegate to the American Medical Association, and in 1906 he was unanimously nominated and elected president of the Michigan State Medical Society. The Doctor is a man of broad culture and attain- ment. Skilled as a musician, especially in rendering the old Scotch songs, he has been for a number of years musical director of the Port Huron Musical Society, and for forty-five years a member of the choir of the Congregational church, of which church he has long been a de- vout communicant and valuable worker. Of a happy spirit and gener- ous nature, his life dominated by a deep sense of honor and unswerv- ing adherence to principle, he has not only won the confidence of all people who have known him, but has done much to maintain the dignity and respect of his profession. Aside from his personal practice Dr. Stockwell holds the positions of district surgeon for the Grand Trunk Railway and local surgeon for the Pere Marquette. It is eminently fitting and fortunate that he should write on the organization of the medical profession for the history of the county in which he has done much to keep that profession one of spotless reputation.
Dr. Stockwell has been twice married. In 1884 he married Mary A. Gross, a beautiful and accomplished young lady of Boston, who was born in Sommerville, Massachusetts, and whose father was born in Cape Cod, and whose mother was a native of Wallpool, New Hampshire. No children were born unto this marriage. After twenty-two years of happy married life Mrs. Stockwell passed away in death. In 1888 Dr. Stockwell and his wife visited Europe, where he took special courses in such work as he felt would be of advantage to him in his profession, visiting the famous medical centers there. In 1908 Dr. Stockwell mar- ried Mrs. Eva L. Kanouse, whose maiden name was Eva L. Welch. She was born in Maine, and her parents were John and Ruth Avery Welch. Her parents were natives of Maine, and are now deceased. For three terms her father was mayor of Saginaw, Michigan. Mrs. Stockwell's first husband was John Kanouse, by whom she became the mother of one daughter, Ruth, now the wife of Frank A. Hatch, of Montour Falls, New York.
Dr. Stockwell has led an exemplary life. He is of genial manner, and public spirited, a Christian, and a respected citizen.
FREDERICK A. RIEBLING. There are certain staple articles which have been necessary to mankind since time immemorial-certain things which no innovations or inventions could displace, and this fact has made the trade of broom-making one of the time-honored occupations. In the ranks of this vocation have been found men of the highest char- acter and integrity, and one who has made it his life work is Frederick A. Riebling, owner and proprietor of the Port Huron Broom Factory, at No. 407 Water street. Mr. Riebling is a native of Germany, and was
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born November 1, 1866, a son of Albert and Alexandria (Neubauer) Riebling, both of whom were natives of the Fatherland.
The Riebling family was established in Port Huron in 1880. Albert Riebling had been a miller and millwright in the old country, but on coming to Port Huron secured employment in the shops of the Grand Trunk Railway System, where he continued to work until his death, in 1909, and was buried in Lakeside Cemetery. His widow, who is now seventy years of age, makes her home with her son Frederick. Mr. Riebling's adopted sister, Bertha, is now the wife of Rev. Herman Landsky, of Pembroke, Ontario, Canada. Frederick A. Riebling se- cured his primary education in the schools of Germany, and was one of the first students of the J. R. Goodyear Business College, in Port Huron, where he took an English and general business course. He started to work at the age of fourteen years in the broom factory of Edward Percival, in the same building which he is now occupying, and was advanced from time to time until he became foreman, a capacity in which he acted for nine years. After William Thompson & Com- pany had bought the business from Mr. Percival he continued for eight years as manager, and in 1900 engaged in business on his own account, at 1047 Water street, and he now manufactures all kinds of brooms and whisks, which he disposes of throughout the state. He has built up an excellent trade from a humble beginning. For the past twenty years he has resided in a pretty home at 1417 Wells street, and he has numerous friends in the neighborhood of his residence. He is a self- made man in every sense of the word, and his present position in the business world has been gained through his own persistent labor and energetic effort. His reputation is that of a man whose word is as good as his hond, while personally he is of a very jovial disposition, be- lieving that it is a man's duty to get all the pleasure possible out of life. His popularity was evidenced when he was elected alderman of the Fourth ward of Port Huron, on the Republican ticket, and he was acting in that capacity when the commission form of government was adopted in Port Huron. Fraternally he is connected with Moose Lodge, Knights of Pythias and the German Aid Society.
On September 15, 1891, Mr. Riebling was married to Miss Emily Eichhorn, who was born on Court street, Port Huron, daughter of Charles F. and Mary (Bachus) Eichhorn, natives of the Fatherland. Mr. Eichhorn, who was a cigar manufacturer, and one of the pioneer business men of Port Huron, died in 1906, while his widow still sur- vives and makes her home in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Riebling have reared a family of children who are a credit to their parents and their community. They have been given good educational advantages and fitted for whatever position in life they may desire to occupy. Carl. the oldest, eighteen years of age, attended the public schools and husi- ness college, and is now ticket clerk in the offices of the Grand Trunk Railway; Herbert, aged sixteen, is attending high school; and Albert, eleven years old, and Hilda, eight, are attending the graded schools. Mr. and Mrs. Riebling are devoted members of St. John's Evangelical church. Mrs. Riebling was organist for ten years at Trinity German Lutheran church, and is also a talented performer on the violin and piano.
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AUGUST W. SCHULTZ. There is something in the sturdy nature of the German that enables him to succeed in whatever he undertakes, and when he is given the opportunities offered in this country he develops remarkably and becomes a prosperous man, solid in his community and honored for his industry, integrity and thrift. One of the leading Ger- man-American citizens of Port Huron, Michigan, who has the added dis- tinction of being a self-made man, is August W. Schultz, a general con- tractor and builder of 803 Bancroft street, who has designed and erected some of the largest buildings in the city. Mr. Schultz was born in Ger- many, May 4, 1860, and is a son of Daniel and Florentine (Haberling) Schultz, natives of the Fatherland, where Daniel Schultz died in 1884, while his widow still survives him and lives there.
August W. Schultz received a good common school education, and after completing his studies learned the trade of bricklayer, which he followed in Germany until 1891, on May 16th of which year he landed in America. Coming at once to Port Huron, he worked at his trade as a journeyman until 1894, and then embarked in the contracting business on his own account, his first big job being the erection of a large foundry on Twenty-fourth street, the plant of the Murray Iron Works. Among other large structures which he has built may be mentioned the school building at Twentieth and Bancroft streets, the Bricker building, the Port Huron Hospital, the Cass Motor building, the Port Huron Cream- ery and Hose House No. 3, and he at present has the contract for the erection of the new Elks Temple, at Military and Pine streets. In addi- tion he has built numerous private residences, and his reputation as a careful, honest and conscientious builder has spread to such an extent that he is kept continually busy filling his contracts. He has been prom- inently before the public as a city official, serving as alderman from the Eighth ward for one term and as a member of the board of estimates for three terms, to both of which offices he was elected on the Republican ticket. Fraternally he is connected with the American Brotherhood.
In 1885 Mr. Schultz was married to Miss Hulda Veilhar, who was born in Germany, as were also her parents. Her father is deceased, but the mother, Johanna (Thrun) Veilhar, is now living with Mr. and Mrs. Schultz. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schultz, all in St. Clair county, namely : Martha M., born July 13, 1891, the wife of Otto Schultz, living in Port Huron; Clara W., born February 5, 1894, a graduate of a business college, living at home; Herbert D., born Feb- ruary 8, 1899, attending school; and Arnold William, born October 4. 1900, at home. The Schultz family home, at 803 Bancroft street, was erected by Mr. Schultz in 1892, and is one of the prettiest in that part of the city. Mr. Schultz has worked hard for his possessions, has reared a fine family and can look with pride on what he has accomplished. He and his wife are members of St. Martin's German Lutheran church, of which he has been trustee for twelve years and treasurer for six years, and both have been active in movements of a religious and charitable character.
PATRICK H. PHILLIPS. A lawyer by profession, possessing sound judgment and a splendid knowledge of the principles of the law, Patrick H. Phillips, of Port Huron, holds high rank among his colleagues of the St. Clair County Bar. He is a native of New York City, where he was
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born October 11, 1853. His father, George Phillips, was born in Ireland, immigrating to America in early life and locating in the city of New York. His mother, Mary (Mitchell) Phillips, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, afterwards removing to New York. In 1857 Mr. Phillips' parents removed from New York City to Port Huron, where they resided up to the time of their decease. His father died in 1885 and his mother in 1905.
Mr. Phillips received substantially all of his schooling in the public schools of Port Huron. He was obliged to leave school at an early age. When fifteen years of age he began working at the printing trade, which he followed up to the time he began the study of law. In 1876 he entered the office of Atkinson Brothers, which firm was composed of the late O'Brien J. Atkinson and his brother, Colonel John Atkinson. He re- mained with this firm until the organization of the firm of Atkinson & Stevenson, which occurred at the time of the removal of Colonel John Atkinson to Detroit, the new firm being composed of O'Brien J. Atkinson and Elliott G. Stevenson. Mr. Phillips remained with this firm until he was admitted to the bar, and shortly thereafter he formed a co-partner- ship with the late Judge Samuel W. Vance, under the firm name of Phillips & Vance. This partnership continued for a comparatively short time, it being dissolved when Mr. Phillips formed a law partnership with Elliott G. Stevenson, with whom he was associated until the year 1885. when Mr. Stevenson removed to Detroit to enter into a partner- ship with Hon. Don M. Dickinson of that city.
Soon thereafter Mr. Phillips formed a co-partnership with Mr. W. L. Jenks, under the firm name of Phillips & Jenks, which co-partnership still exists. The firm is one of the most prominent in the city and their time is considerably taken up in looking after large corporate interests whose legal affairs are entrusted to their care and attention. They occupy offices in the Stewart Block ; these offices have been continuously occupied by Mr. Phillips from the time the building was erected.
In politics Mr. Phillips has always been a Democrat and ever ready to champion the principles of that party. He has. however, shown his independence by refusing to support candidates of his party whom he was convinced represented principles and platforms which he deemed undemocratic. Prior to 1896 he had for years been prominent in the councils of the party and took an active part in all political campaigns. Since that time he has indulged little in politics. He served one term as prosecuting attorney of the county, and was city attorney of Port Huron for several terms, the greater part of the time under Republican administration, he being continued in the office because of his efficient administration of the legal affairs of the city and the confidence reposed in him by the aldermen belonging to both parties. Fraternally he be- longs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, to the Knights of the Maccabees and to the Foresters.
Mr. Phillips married in 1882 Kate B. Atkins, who was born in Port Huron, a daughter of Lewis and Jane (Fleming) Atkins. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have three children, Zaida I., born in 1885; Harold Bradley. born in 1890, and Hope. born in 1897. His son graduated from the University of Michigan in 1911.
JOHN P. WHITING. Fortunate is he who has back of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished, even though it entail the responsibility of
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maintaining a high precedent. John P. Whiting, of the Whiting-Zink Company, hardware dealers, is blessed with forebears of unusual honor and distinction and the lines of his own life have been cast in harmony therewith. He is a native son of St. Clair and of the type which the city is particularly proud to claim as its own. Within the pleasant bound- aries of the town his eyes first opened to the light of day November 18, 1871. His parents were Justin R. and Emily Frances (Owen) Whiting. The father was born in Steuben county, New York, in 1847, and came here with his parents when two years of age. His father, Colonel Henry Whiting, was a West Pointer, having graduated from that renowned military institution in the same class as General U. S. Grant. He was at one time stationed on Mackinac Island. It was his lot to serve in two wars, the first being the Mexican war. Some years later he resigned from the service, but upon the outbreak of the rebellion, although ad- vanced in years, he offered his services and was accepted. He entered th Federal army with the rank of colonel and continued until the termin- ation of the great conflict between the states. He then returned to St. Clair and resumed active business, his son, Justin R., becoming asso- ciated with him.
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