Bay County, Michigan - Chapter 16, 1905 (part 11 of 12)

In 1897 our subject was given charge of the carpet and curtain department for the Bay City Cash Dry Goods Company, which position he held when President McKinley's call for volunteers brought him to the colors in 1898. He had enlisted in the Peninsulars, June 16. 1892, and been promoted, through competitive examinations, to I St sergeant. Company C, Third Michigan Infantry, by 1897. Shortly before war was declared he was united in marriage to Elizab.eth Almira Henrietta Richardson, daugh- ter of Mr. and Airs. Robert Richardson, of the West Side, and wlien on April 26, 1898, he marched fortli with his company he left in care of his brother Emil not onh' the aged mother and two sisters, but also a young, brave but disconsolate bride. Rejected tlirough a technical error on the regular army medical examination, later corrected, he became a member of Company D, 34th Michigan Vol. Inf., and orderly to Colonel Petermann, commanding: the reelment, having charge of the regiment's mail at Camp Eaton, Camp Alger, Virginia, and much of the time before Santiago. The regimental staff correspondent of the Detroit Tribune and Evening Nezvs declined to go to Cuba, and at the last moment the assignment was given Captain Gansser, and during the stirring scenes before Santiago, in addition to his regular military duties, he did his best to keep the people of Michigan informed of the doings of their regiments serving with General Shafter's Fifth Army Corps, through the Detroit Tribune, Muskegon Chronicle, Detroit Netcs, Bay City Times and Bay City Freie Presse. On July 3d, when the hospitals in the rear of the San Juan battle-field and the supply trains for the front were being fired on by Spanish sharpshooters from the chaparral west of General Shafter's headquarters, he volunteered with 20 members of his regiment under Lieut. Angus McDonald, for special duty with regulars to clear the San Juan valley of these bushwhackers, and for 10 days, armed with Krag-Jorgensen rifles and ammunition secured from the dead American regulars, this detachment did its share of the work in protecting the extreme right flank of the army. Tropical heat and insect pests made trailing through the rocky and wooded heights near Santiago an arduous task, and a number of that detachment were so weakened by the strain, that the first attack of prevailing fevers, shortly after the surrender, brought death.

Some weeks after the surrender (July 17, 1898) were spent in guarding the prisoners and in a vain endeavor to make a tropical camp in the rainy season habitable for men direct from the North. Devoted nursing saved many, and peace brought speedy relief, yet 21 of that fated company of 86 gave their lives for "Cuba Libre." Assisting the sick of the regiment on the homeward trip, the robust volunteer of April, weighing 154 pounds, came home in September, a mere skeleton, weighing 118 pounds on arriving at Detroit. Then followed months of intermittent fever and ague, campaign reminders that spasmodically torment to this day. Outdoor life, nature's best remedy, prevented a return to former avocations and perforce Captain Gansser entered the insurance and free lance newspaper field. In 1902 with a class of 48 he took the civil service examination at Detroit, standing sixth, being appointed United States ganger for the Michigan Chemical Company, a position he still holds.

Mrs. Johanna Gansser, the devoted mother, died May 29, 1902, in her 60th year. She lived to see two little girls bless the home of her daughter, and four sons the home of Captain Gansser, three of whom survive, - Emil Augustus, Webster Homer and Victor Lincoln.

Since 1898 Captain Gansser's promotion in the State militia service has been rapid. He was commissioned ist lieutenant and adjutant by Governor Pingree in June, 1899, ^d lieutenant of Company B, July 17. 1900, and captain commanding Company B, by Governor Bliss, May 15, 1901, being in 1905 senior captain of the regiment. With Company B, he had the distinction of being Alichigan's sole military representatives and body guard to Governor Bliss at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, October 8 to 17, 1904.

publican County Committee for four )-ears, 1 898- 1 902, and for 10 years past has commanded the marching dix'isions of the Young Mcn"s Republican League. He is editor and pubHshed of The Modern Archer; a regular contributor to various journals; for nine 3'ears secretary of the local Clerks' Association ; member of the Knights of Pythias, Arbeiter Unterstuetzung \^erein and Spanish \Var Veterans; is inspector general. National League of Veterans and Sons ; member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Union Life Guards, Knights of the Loyal Guard and Modern Archers of America. As a citizen. Captain (iansser has always been ready to assist wortliy public enterprises, intended to benefit the city of his adopted home.

ERMAN RUTERBUSH, whose excellent farm of 70 acres is situated in section 7, Portsmouth township, township treasurer and leading citizen generally, was torn December 11, 1852, in Pommerania, Prussia, Germany, and is a son of Charles and Minnie (Dummert) Ruterbush. The parents of Mr. Ruterbush were farming people in Germany and moved to Canada in 1866. Charles Ruterbush was born March 30, 1819. and found in his declining years a comfortable home with our subject. He died January 19, 1905. His wife, Minnie Dummert, was born January 13, 1832, in Germany, and died in Michigan, February 26, 1889, aged 57 years. Of their 14 children, three sons and five daughters still survive, all of whom reside in Bay County.

Prior to leaving his German home. Herman Ruterbush had attended school regularly. The family reached Quebec in 1866 and settled in the village of Arnprior, Ontario. 40 miles from

Ottawa, removing later to Stratford, Ontario. After three years in that section, the family settled at Port Huron, Michigan, in 1871 and came to Bay City in 1873. Previous to settling on the present farm which was originally taken up by the family and contained 144 acres, our subject was variously employed, mainly in sawmills. After locating on the farm, there was plenty of work to be done by his brothers and himself as the whole tract was heavily timbered. They cleared the land and put it under cultivation. On his portion of the property Mr. Ruterbush built his fine brick home, one of modern construction and convenience and probably one of the very best farm houses in the county. With this handsome dwelling he has two substantial l)arns and numerous other buildings.

In addition to general farming and stockraising, Mr. Ruterbush has utilized his fine pasture land in raising a first-class grade of milch cows and for six and a half years operated a milk route in Bay City, but now he sells exclusively at wholesale. He has experimented extensively and successfully with sugar beets.

On January 16, 1884, Mr. Ruterbush was married to Rose Hubner. who was born iSLirch 3. 1861, in Bay City. Michigan, and is a daughter of Charles and Margaret (Steinbauer) Hubner, natives of Bavaria, Germany. Upon coming to this country, Mr. Hubner settled on a farm in Portsmouth township and both he and his wife spent their last days on their homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Ruterbush have lost four children, namely : Herman, the oldest child, who died when two and a half years old; Max, the second child, who died when a fewdays old; Carl, who died aged eight years; and Norman, who died four days later, aged 18 months. In 1900 five of the children were stricken at one time with that dread disease, diphtheria, and little Carl and Norman did not recover. The survivors of the family are : Ahna, Elsie, Hugo, Otto and Martin Bernhardt. The family belong to the German Lutheran Church in Merritt township.

Mr. Ruterbush has always been identified with the Republican party and on many occasions he has been called upon to serve his fellow-citizens in responsible positions. In 1889 he was elected township treasurer, served two terms, was again elected in 1893 and once more in 1894 and is now serving in the office. He is a man of sterling character, and has the confidence of all who know him and stands as one of the representative men of his locality.

ORLD'S STAR KNITTING COMPANY, one of the great industries of Bay County, was organized in the spring of 1895 at West Bay City by its present officers, members of the Galbraith family. The story of its rise, from an experiment conducted within the confines of the domestic circle, to the building of great factories and the equipping of them with modern machinery, in order to meet the world's demand, is one of the most interesting connected with the growth of this city's many gigantic concerns. Archibald Galbraith, the founder of the business, still survives.

Mr. Galbraith was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, December 25, 1845, ^""^^ '^ ^ ^o" °^ Donald and Catherine Galbraith, who came to Canada in the boyhood of their son. They settled near Toronto and there Archibald was reared and attended the schools of Durham District. The father engaged in lumbering, but the son preferred a less active life and engaged in business in a grocery store at Bowmanville. Later he embarked in a dry goods business for himself, at Guelph, which he continued until 1892.

He was gifted with natural mechanical ability and it was during his mercantile life that he saw what might be accomplished if a high grade of hosiery could be placed on the market at a reasonable price and manufactured without a large outlay. He entered upon the business as an experiment, with hand knitting machines, and manufactured a very superior article for his own retail trade. The business increased rapidly, the experiment proving a success, so much so that in 1890 he disposed of his store and devoted all his energies to the manufacture of hosiery for the wholesale trade. He was prospering and a bright future seemed before him, when the financial panic of 1892 brought embarrassment upon him as to the number of large concerns which he carried on his books, and the result was absolute failure.

Mr. Galbraith then came to West Bay City. He still had faith in the line of business that he had developed, and started in again with a few hand knitting machines, all of the business being confined to the family circle. One memlier disposed of the product by canvassing from house to house and met with most encouraging success. The capital with which Mr. Galbraith and family began operations at West Bay City consisted of two hand knitting machines and $100, and the product had to be finished by hand. Within the first six months the orders exceeded the capacity of the workers and it became necessary to employ help, this being but the beginning of the expansion which has continued to the present day.

Early in January, 1899, the business was moved to Bay City and a store was opened at No. 410 Washington avenue in which to retail the finished product, but two years later the store was discontinued as that room was required for additional manufacturing purposes. In the spring of 1901 the company built an addition to the store and soon was obliged to rent an adjoining store at No. 412 Washington avenue, all the space being used for factory purposes. In July, 1902, the company purchased the McDonald flouring mill property. This they remodeled to suit the requirements of their business, equipped it with the best of modern machinery which enabled them to still turn out the best of goods with less cost of production. The business still continued to expand, making necessary, in 1905, still larger additions. The company has a main building 96 by 180 feet, with three stories and basement, and the machinery is operated by electricity. The company has a modern power plant for generating electricity which is conducted to the individual motors connected directly with each machine. This does away with shafting and belting and not only materially adds to the cleanliness of the work and surroundings but also to the safety of the employees. This plant furnishes employment to 200 operators, while 500 salesmen are required to carry the finished product to consumers, the policy of the house continuing the same as at its beginning, the selling of the product directly from factory to home, one which the remarkable growth of the business has shown to be satisfactory to all concerned. The company has recently opened another department, installing machinery in its newest mill for the knitting of underwear. Each garment is custom made, built according to the measurements of the purchaser. This promises to be one of the most appreciated departments, people of taste gladly supplying themselves with garments so perfect in fit and finish. The company has been so well managed that there has been little or no friction. It has been generous in providing comforts and conveniences for its employees, facilities being afforded for providing hot meals at the factory, and a rest room has been set aside where all the luxuries of a home may be enjoyed during the periods of relaxation, including the supplying of periodicals and other literature. A cordial feeling of mutual esteem makes this great hive of industry like one big family.

One of the main factors in the almost unparalleled success of this company has been the maintenance of the quality of the goods without fluctuations in price^ regardless of the cost of material. Another has been the marketing of the goods through agents directly to the consumer. In 1899 the business was incorporated as the Bay City Knitting Company and under this name its goods have gone all over the world. For this very reason the name became too local and one of wider significance became a matter of policy. Thus it came about, that in 1905, the old name was abandoned and the present one - World's Star Knitting Company - was adopted, which is more in consonance w^ith the great territory covered by the company's sales. Through all the changes and growth of this great industry, Mr. Galbraith has been one of its leading spirits and to his courage, perseverance, judgment and ability, much of its success is due. He continues the master mechanic of the mills.

Mr. Galbraith was married in Canada to Angeline Van Camp, who was a daughter of Thomas Van Camp, a resident of Durham District. She died in 1880, leaving two children: Clarence A. and David Leonard. The former was born March 24, 1873, 'i"<^l '^^^ '^^^" associated with the business since its inception. He is now the capable superintendent of the factory. He is a well-known citizen, respected in business circles all over the country, and is a member of the Knights of the Loyal Guards. The second son. David Leonard, was Ixirn April 24, 1877 and he, too, has always been connected with the family concern. He is now the secretary and treasurer of the company, and in addition has charge of the office and man- ages the selling force. He is a member of the Knights of the Loyal Guards ; Eden Tent, No. 225, Knights of the Modern Maccabees, and is an of^cial in Lodge No. 88, B. P. O. E. He married Helen Pearl, who is a daughter of Anton Pearl, of Bay City, and they have one son, Stuart Dranoel.

In 1882 Mr. Galbraith was married to Elspeth MacRobb, who was liorn at Oshawa, Ontario. They have one son, Frederick Norman. The family has always been identified with the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Galbraith belongs to the Canadian Order of Foresters.

ALENTINE KNODLE, a prosperous farmer of Bay County, whose farm is located in section 20, Eraser township, was born in Germany in 1836, and when an infant was brought to America by his parents. They lived on the corner of Clinton and Scranton streets, Rochester, New York, and in that home two more children were born to them : Peter, who died in Bay City in 1903: and John, who died in the army during the Civil War.

The father of our subject was a soldier in Company I. 161 st Reg., New York Vol. Inf. and served in Grover's division during General Banks' expedition. He died in the Soldiers' Home at Bath, New York, in his 85th year. The mother died when she was about 84 years old.

The subject of this sketch attended school in Rochester, New York, and when the family moved to Danville, Livingston County, New York, he went to work on a farm. In 1864 he came to Bay City and was employed in boiling salt, continuing thus for 13 years. In 1S75 he located on his present farm of 80 acres. It was then a dense forest, and Mr. Knodle has cleared every foot of the tract, having logs piled 40 feet high. He now has a fine orchard of 100 trees, covering two acres, and is engaged in general farming- and stock-raising. He is also occupied in threshing.

On November 17, 1859, Mr. Knodle was married to Christiana Sick, a daughter of Philip and Christiana (Kiefer) Sick, both natives of Germany, who were engaged in farming near Danville, New York.

Mr. and Mrs. Knodle have had eight children, as follows: Sophia, Julia C, William, Catherine, Charles, Frank E., Lewis Henry and Doroth}'. Sophia was born in Danville, New York, January 4, i860. She is the wife of James Coughill, and lives at Harbor Beach, Michigan. Julia C. was born November 19, 1862. She married John Lameraux, and has eight children, among which are the following: Thomas, Isabelle. Martha, Hollis, Pearl and Dewey. William was born April 3, 1864. Catherine was born November 5, 1865. She married Hugh Dining, and has five children : Lilly, Sophia, Valentine, Pearl and Roy. Charles was born November 8, 1867; Frank E. was born September 29, 1874. Lewis Henry and Dorothy are deceased.

ON. JAMES VANKLEECK, soldier, lawyer and statesman, was born in Exeter. Monroe County, Michigan, September 26, 1846. He is a direct descendant on the parental side of Baltus Van- Kleeck, who came to New York from Holland in 1 610. His grandfather moved across the Canadian border, where his father, Robert \'anKleeck. was born and grew to manhood,

James VanKleeck was an ambitious student in the Monroe High School, when I'ort Sumter was fired on, and he promptly came forward when less than 16 years old, in answ^er to Abraham Lincoln's call for volunteers. But none of the first regiments would ha\'e him as he was too young and too small. But he was not to be denied the privilege of serving his country, and in 1862 his patriotic ardor triumphed over the scruples of the commander of Company D, 17th Reg., Michigan Vol. Inf., who mustered him in as "drummer boy," that being the only legal way of enrolling the 16-year-old volunteer. But from the first he shouldered the musket with the rest of Company D, bearing all the hardships of McClellan's Peninsular campaign with as much fortitude as many older men.

At the battle of Antietam the 17th Michigan was in the forefront of battle, and his older comrades to this day delight to recall the fighting ardor of "Young VanKleeck," as they still call him. Late in the day, when the fortunes of battle were going against the Union Army, the little volunteer received a minie bullet in his left side, which he still carries, and from this wound he has suffered to this day. He lay for hours on the battle-field, among the dead and dying. He was finally carried to a field hospital, and later taken to the town made famous by Whittier's immortal song "Barbara Frietchie," the quaint hamlet of Frederick, Maryland, where he was placed in a German Lutheran Church, which was being used as an emergency hospital for the thousands wounded in that campaign, and for eight long, dreary months, he lay under the belfry, too weak to be moved. This long siege has earned for him among Michigan's veterans the record for longest continuous church attendance! The

German pastor was indefatigable in his care for the wounded, being with them often day and night, together with the army nurses. Many anecdotes are told of this venerable preacher. Comrade Hopkins of the 17th Michigan died from wounds in this church hospital, and his brother, now Maj. George Hopkins, of Detroit, and once private secretary to General x\lger, Secretary of War, wanted to escort the remains to their native heath in far-off Michigan. It was a critical period for the .\rmy of the Potomac, and furloughs w^ere out of the question. But the resourceful pastor concluded the soldier's uniform needed alterations, so he furnished Hopkins with civilian clothes, also passports for a friend to see the dead soldier safely home, and ere many days had passed, that uniform w-as mended, returned to its owner, and thereafter saw much active service. But VanKleeck was less fortunate. The wound would not heal, and on November 17, 1863, he was discharged for disability.

Refreshed by the cool breezes of Lake Erie he read law with Bakhvin & Rafter at Monroe, entered the University of Michigan in 1868, and graduated from the law department in June, 1870. Shortly after he located at Midland, with a "cash paid-up capital of $4" to begin life and practice for himself. Pluck carried the day. He served tw^o terms as city attorney and two terms as county prosecutor. In 1882 be was elected to the State Legisture, where he served for several years on the judiciary and University of Michigan committees.

In 1885 he crossed the county line to the east, and entered into a partnership with George W. Mann in Bay City. He was appointed commissioner of immigration by Governor Alger in 1885, and elected prosecuting attorney in 1886. He served four years on the Board of Education, two years as president, and contributed much to the development of the present splendid school system. In 1890 he was the Republican candidate for Congress in the loth Congressional District of Michigan, when that district was favorable to the opposition, T. A. E. Weadock, Democrat, winning out by a narrow margin.

Mr. VanKleeck is a past commander of U. S. Grant Post, No. 67, G. A. R. He was unanimously chosen department commander for Michigan, 1901-02, being presented with a beautiful, solid gold past commander's badge. It is inscribed: "Presented to Comrade James VanKleeck, Department of Michigan, G. A. R., as a token of their appreciation of his services as department commander for the term ending January 13, 1902." In his annual address the retiring commander covered vigorously all the various departments and features of Michigan's G. A. R., lauded the army nurses of the South as well as the North, and praised the loyal service of the volunteers then serving in the Philippines, who were being assailed at home and abroad as inhuman, insisting that men who are brave are also humane and tenderhearted. The address was widely circulated and heartily endorsed.

In addition to being a member of U. S. Grant Post, No. 67, G. A. R., Mr. VanKleeck is a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Sheridan Camp, No. 5, National League of Veterans and Sons.

In 1872 Mr. VanKleeck wooed and won Juliette C. Carpenter, daughter of Thomas J. Carpenter, one of Midland's most prominent pioneers. Three children have blessed the union : James C, aged 21, now in the Attorney General's ofifice at Lansing, assisting in the famous State case against the railroads of Michigan, who are trying to evade State taxation; Edith A., graduate of the literary department of the University of Michigan ; and Delia, a student at Michigan's famous University. The family are members of the First ^ilethodist Episcopal Church, and reside on Fifth avenue. Few men in Michigan are more widely and favorably known than Mr. VanKleeck.

DGAR B. FOSS. Among the representative, public-spirited business men of Bay City, no one stands higher in the esteem of his fellow-citizens than the gentleman whose career is here briefly traced. Edgar B. Foss was born in Willimantic, Connecticut, in 1853. His parents, John and Sarah (Slade) Foss, were natives of New England, his father having been born in Rhode Island, of English parents, while his mother, the daughter of a Quaker minister, was born in L^xbridge, Massachusetts. There were 10 children in the family, one of whom, Samuel S., served through the Rebellion as adjutant of the Eighth Regiment, Connecticut Vol. Inf., receiving a wound at Fort Darling.

Edgar B. Foss, the youngest of the family, was reared to young manhood in Rhode Island, attending the common schools of Woonsocket and later a business college at Providence, Rhode Island. At the age of 17 he came to Michigan and entered the employ of D. A. Ballou, of Kawkawlin, Bay County, a lumber manufacturer of that place. As he was unacquainted with the work, he began at the bottom but soon worked his way up and in 1872 accepted a very desirable position which was tendered him by Van Etten, Kaiser & Company as their representative, his territory being the entire State of Ohio. Six years later, with his brother Samuel, he formed the company of S. S. & E. B. Foss and purchased the lumber of his former employers. Van Etten, Kaiser &

Company, continuing the business there until 1879, when they disposed of it and moved to Bay City to take advantage of the better facilities for putting their stock on the market. Their first location was on the West Side, but they later moved to their present yards in Bay City, where they have every convenience for shipping. In 1883 Samuel S. Foss was thrown from a buggy and killed. His interest m the business was then purchased by our subject, who soon after took J. M. Leiter into partnership. In 1888 Mr. Leiter retired, since which time Mr. Foss has managed the large business alone. In addition to his lumber-yard, which is one of the largest and best situated in the county, Mr. Foss operates a large plant for the manufacture of dressed lumber, turning out the best grades ; the business requires a number of salesmen to keep it up to the standard at which he has placed it. He is a director of the Old Second National Bank, and treasurer and manager of the W'enona Coal & Mining Company.

While Mr. Foss has never sought political preferment, he has always given the weight of his influence to all public movements which promised increased prosperity for Bay City. He served the city efficiently for four years as a member of the Board of Aldermen. In 1905 Mr. Foss was given the honor of carrying the Michigan electoral vote to Washington. His name was suggested when, after a spirited contest in tJie Electoral College, it became evident that none of the aspirants for the honor could win, and he was chosen on the 26th ballot. He enjoyed the privilege of admission to the floor of the Senate on January 15th, it being one of the electoral messenger's perquisites. He was also the recipient of many courtesies from the United States Senators from Michigan. He was presented to President Roosevelt in the White House.

Mr. Foss was married in 1871 to Elizabeth Fitzgerald, a native of Limerick, Ireland, by whom he has three children, - Walter I., Edgar H. and Edith H. Mrs. Foss is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church and a lady whose kind, motherly heart and sympathetic manner have won her a host of warm friends among both old and young. Mr. Foss occupies a prominent place in both social and business circles. He has taken every degree in Free Masonry to the 33rd degree. He is a memof Joppa Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M. ; Blanchard Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M. ; Bay City Commandery, No. 26, K. T. ; and Bay City Council, No. 53, R. & S. M., all Scottish Rite bodies in Bay City ; and Michigan Sovereign Consistory, S. P. R. S., and Moslem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Detroit.

YRELLE RABY, one of the wellknown citizens of Bay County, whose 30 acres of well-improved land in section 29, Hampton township, he has owned and occupied since 1885. was born December 15, 1842, at Ottawa Lake, some 36 miles north of Montreal, Canada. He is a son of Hyacinth and Joset (Charlette) Raby.

The father of Mr. Raby was born at Quebec, of French parents. The mother was of German and French extraction. Hyacinth Raby, who was a farmer by occupation, was 65 years of age when he came to Bay County, Michigan. For years prior to his death, at the age of 87 years and four months, he lived retired. The mother was a native of Montreal and spent the last few months of her life with our subject, who was one of her 1 1 children, dying at the age of 62 years.

and a brother came to Bay County which has been his home ever since. For several years he worked at carpenter work and then bought a comfortable home on i8th street, Bay City, which he occupied for 23 years and still owns. He entered the Bradley mills, where for 17 years he was superintendent and millwright, with 100 men in his employ, hax'ing complete charge. After 23 years in mill work, Mr. Raby decided to try farming, securing his present place when it was still wild land. This he cleared himself and placed under cultivation, operating it for some time but now having his son take charge of affairs. Its many improvements make this one of the most attractive and comfortable homes on the Center avenue road.

On July 16. 1866, Mr. Raby was married to Mary Bauer, who was born June 20, 1842, at Quebec, Canada, and came to Bay City, with her brother, a few months prior to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Raby have four children, namely: Emma (Mrs. Gregory), of Bay City, who has two sons and one daughter : Cyrelle, who married Mary Spegel and operates the home farm; James, an officer in the United States Navy, who was married in 1896 to Janetta Callahan and has one daughter; and Joseph, of Bay City, who married Cora Conlon. Mr. Raby and family belong to St. John's Catholic Church at Essexville.

Mr. Raby's son, Lieut. James Raby, has made an honorable record in the navy. He was born September 17, 1874, at Bay City, and was 16 years old when he was admitted to the great United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. Maryland. On July i, 1897. he was commissioned ensign, and later was advanced to lieutenant and the latest advices received in November, 1904, from his ship, the "Monadnock." then stationed at Shanghai, China, were to the effect that he was to be made navigator and have charge of the target practice as ordnance

OHN L. WEBER, who owns one of the fine homes of Portsmouth township, consisting of 63 acres of wellcultivated land in section i, where is located one of the modern residences of the locality, 20 acres in section 36 and 40 more acres in section 7,1,, is a native of Bay County, and was born February 24, i860, in Hampton township. He is a son of Philip and Mary (Saxlinger) Weber.

Philip Weber was born in Germany some 80 years ago and now resides at Bay City. The mother of our subject was also born in Germany and has passed her 61 st birthday. They have a comfortable home on Park avenue. Bay City. They have six children, namely ; Mrs. Mary Rodel, of Bay City; John L. ; Mrs. Minnie Gies, of Portsmouth township; Mrs. Maggie Boehringer, of Bay City ; George, who is farming the old homestead ; and Mrs. Barbara Weber, of Hampton township.

John L. Weber was reared in Hampton township and attended school there but has lived on his present farm for the past 20 years. When he located on it, only 15 acres of the property had been cleared ; all the subsequent clearing was done by him. He has erected a fine home and substantial barns and shelters and has placed his land under a fine state of cultivation. He carries on general farming, paying most attention to grain and hay, and keeps 40 head of cattle. He is ranked with the successful and enterprising agriculturists of the county.

gust 15, 1861, and is a daughter of Paul and Barbara Schabel, natives of Germany. Their family of four cliildren - Fred John, Minnie, WilHam Piiilip and Leo Ciiarles - are all at home yet and make a happy, united family.

Mr. Weber has never taken any very active part in politics beyond voting - the duty of every good citizen - and he has always supported at such times the candidates and measures of the Republican party.

r.L'RIG LLOYD DAVIES, secretary and treasurer of the North American Chemical Company, whose plant is located in Bay City. was born in Liverpool, England, October 3, 1865, and is a son of William H. and Elizabeth Lloyd (Griffith) Davies.

Mr. Davies' father was torn in Liverpool, England, September 11, 1830, and still resides in his native city. The greater ])art of his life has been spent in business as an estate agent.

Mr. Davies of this sketch was educated at the Liverpool College and the Liverpool University and received his business training with the noted chemical firm of James Muspratt & Sons. In i8go that firm, together with the greater number of the large chemical operators, was absorbed in the United Alkali Company, Ltd., capitalized at $42,000,000. This is the parent company of the North American Chemical Company.

The North American Chemical Company was incorporated April 21, 1898, with John Brock, of Liverpool, England, as president: and Meurig L. Davies, as secretary and treasurer. The company purchased the McGraw mill property and erected mills suitable for the manufacture of its products, locating the plant on the Saginaw River south of 40th street.

The main building is a one-story brick, 625 by 225 feet in dimensions, and other smaller buildings are utilized. The company has a saltblock and manufactures salt both by the grainer and \acuum pan processes. The main products are chlorate of potash and chlorate of soda, which go to supply the match, bleaching and fire-works industries of the country. The production of both coarse and fine salt from their 2j wells, 1,000 feet in depth, is a very large part of their business, it being probably the largest concern of its kind in the world.

This company has a river frontage of nearly one and a half miles, giving fine transportation in that direction, and they have the best of railroad facilities, both the Pere Marquette and the Michigan Central railroads running through the plant. The greater part of the salt is shipped by water and is entirely consumed the United States. A force of 160 men is used in connection with the chemical works.

In order to provide fuel for these factories, the same capitalists acquired the Bay Coal Mining Company, which owns coal lands in Frankenlust township, some six miles away. The chemical works alone consume 4,700 tons of coal a month. The coal company does 1)oth a wholesale and retail business. In 1904 it hoisted 60,000 tons, but the company handles a large amount of coal over what its own mines produce. The plant of the chemical company at Bay City represents an investment of $1,250,000. Its location in the United States is a direct result of the McKinley tariff bill. The annual pay-roll exceeds $150,000. Mr. Davies came to take personal charge of this plant in 1899. In addition to his official relations with the North .\merican Chemical Company, Mr. Davies is also president of the Bay Coal Mining Company, vice-president of the Bay County Coal Operators' Exchange, and a director of the Michigan Salt Association. Mr.

In 1893 ^^- Davies married Lillian Simister, who is a daughter of Timothy Simister, of Runcorn, England. They have one daughter, Marjorie Myering. Both Mr. and Mrs. Davies are members of the Protestant Episcopal Church and Mr. Davies' love of music led him to become a member of the church choir.

Fraternally Mr. Davies is a Mason, a member of Bay City Lodge, No. 129, F. & A. M., Blanchard Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M. ; Bay City Council. No. 53, R. & S. M. : and ail of the Scottish Rite bodies up to the 32d degree. He belongs to the Michigan Sovereign Consistory, S. P. R. S., and Moslem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Detroit. Socially he is a member of the Bay City Club, Bay City Boat Club, Married People's Club and Golf Club. Politically he has identified himself with the Republican party, seeing in its principles the foundations of wise government for the L'nited States.

Although this great enterprise at Bay City is controlled by English wealth, it is managed strictly on American principles, from an American standpoint.

ENRY H. THOMAS, a prominent citizen of Bay City, has been extensively engaged in the manufacture of dynamite in Kawkawlin township for many years. He is a veteran of the Civil War, bearing an honorable record for service in the Union Army. Mr. Thomas was born at Stafford, New York, December 13, 1843. ^'""^^ '^ a son of Henry and Catherine (Collins) Thomas. Henry Thomas was born in Bideford, Devonshire, England, his parents having come from

Wales. He came to America at the age of 21 years and located at Stafford, New York. He first engaged in farming, and later established a factory for the manufacture of potash, continuing in that business the remainder of his life. He married Catherine Collins, who came of an old pioneer family of Geneseo. New York. ' The}' had six children, as follows : Emma, wife of Solomon Ford, of Buffalo, New York; George H., deceased; James P., of Titusville, Pennsylvania ; Henry H. ; Horatio, deceased ; and Daniel W., of Raton, New Mexico. Religiously, the family were Methodists, the father being a devout Christian and a class leader in the church.

Henry H. Thomas left home at the age of nine years to learn photography, and it was this work which gave him a taste for chemistry. He made daguerreotypes and later ambrotypes, commonly called tintypes. After the Civil War broke out, in 1862 he enlisted in Company G, 129th Reg. New York Vol. Inf., which afterward was reorganized as the Eighth New York Heavy Artillery. He served in all the engagements of the regiment, and was seriously wounded before Petersburg, being sent to the general hospital at Buffalo, New York. In 1864, he was made a sergeant and upon more than one occasion covered himself with glory, although unjustly deprived of the honors in the official records. The War Department refused to entertain his claims for recognition of his services, although accompanied by the recommendations of his comrades, as it was claimed no reference to the events, upon which his claims are based, had been made in the records of the ofifice. The colonel of his regiment, however claims that a full statement of the facts were included in the history of the regiment. Mr. Thomas has in his possession the following statement, signed and sworn to by Lieutenant LeRny Williams, ist lieutenant of Com- pany L, Eighth New York Heavy Artillery, relative to his bravery and valor on the battlefield, a tribute deserving of preservation in an imperishable form :

The following statement of facts, relative to Sergt. Henry H. Thomas of Co. G, 8th N. Y. H. Art., during the Civil War, are such as came under my personal observation, (viz.) at the battle of Boynton Plank Road on Hatcher's Run, as we called it. On the 2Sth day of November, 1864, (I think it was), Sergeant Thomas displayed wonderful coolness. The enemy advanced a column of infantry across the Run and deployed them as skirmishers in front of our battalion, which was at the time lying down in line of battle some forty rods distant across an open field. Sergeant Thomas discovered the move and at once ordered the men near him to open fire, setting the example himself by loading and firing his own piece repeatedly while urging the men to more active work. Our fire seemed to waver the advance of the enemy and he at once took in the situation and commanded the men to follow him and drive the enemy back across the Run, which was done, he being in the extreme advance. And again, at the battle of Five Forks (or as we knew the place. Crow House,) on the morning of April 2, 1865, the regiment was ordered to charge the enemy's works through a slashing of timber, which had been felled and burned over, and Sergeant Thomas again led the advance of his company and scaled the breastworks into a fort which was afterwards named Fort Porter, ordered the men in the fort to throw down their arms and surrender, and later marched 30 of the prisoners out of the sally-port at the rear of the fort and turned them over to an officer who praised him for his gallantry and said to him he "should receive a commission therefor," but taking the prisoners in charge reported them himself to headquarters and was, I am told, breveted captain for Sergeant Thomas' gallantry and the sergeant not mentioned. I believe this sergeant should even at this late date receive from the War Department some token or mark of recognition in the form of brevet rank or service medal, which could be handed down to his children, and proper inention of his personal service be made on the records at Washington.

After the war Mr. Thomas returned to Stafford, New York, for a short stay, then went to Titusville. Pennsylvania, in the days of the oil boom of 1865. He worked first as an engineer, then became an owner of wells and continued as a producer there until 1869. He then began operations in the oil regions of West Virginia, where he was an active producer until 1872. in which year he came to Bay City, Michigan, where he has since l>een located. He first engaged here in the manufacture of nitro-glycerine torpedoes for saltwells, and from that branched into the manufacture of all the various forms of high explosives in which nitro-glycerine and dynamite are used. His output is from 800,000 to 1.000,000 pounds of dynaiuite of various grades per year. His plant is located in Kawkawlin township. In December, 1904, his new factory was completely destroyed by fire, Init undaunted he rebuilt immediately and has his factory in running order and in full operation. On April 3, 1905, his store house in which a quantity of high explosives was kept, was destroyed in a terrific explosion of its contents. Three men, employees of the works, but who had no business at the storehouse, were blown to atoms, while windows for miles around suffered severely.

Mr. Thomas is a man of great energy and enterprise, honorable in his every act, and has attained success through his own industry, never profiting by another's misfortune. He possesses a strong personality and is highly esteemed by his many acquaintances.

^Ir. Thomas was first united in marriage with Maria L. Smith, a daughter of Thaddeus Smith of Bay City, who died leaving three children : Elizabeth M. : James P., of Bay Citv: and Hemw Randall, who died at the age of four years. Mrs. Thomas was a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Our subject formed a second matrimonial alliance with A. Delia Stewart, a daughter of John A. Stewart of Southfield, Michigan, by whom he has a daughter, Ida Belle. They attend the Presbyterian Church. Fraternally, Mr. Thomas is a member of Joppa Lodge, No. 315,

EORCiE C. TOUGH, who has resided for the past 10 years on his present farm of 40 acres, situated in section 21, Merritt township, is one of the prominent citizens of the locality. He was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, November 13, 1843, ^^^ is ^ son of Alexander and Jane (Copeland) Tough.

The old family farm on which our subject was born contained 100 acres and at the period of his birth had been in the possession of the Tough family for a number of generations. Both our subject's parents spent their lives there, the mother of George C. being Alexander Tough's second wife. By this marriage five daughters and three sons were born. Two daughters were born to the first marriage.

George C. Tough grew up on his father's farm and attended the schools in his native locality until he was 16 years of age, when he learned the trade of pattern-maker. He was too ambitious, however, to feel satisfied with his prospects in Scotland, and in 1871 he came to America and was employed for a time in the city of Chicago. Competition was so great there that he decided to seek another location and his travels brought him to Bay City in 1874. He was always handy with tools and, in addition to working at his trade, was occupied during a part of his residence in Bay City at work in the carpenter line. After purchasing his present farm, 25 years ago, he set to work to clear it. The tract was heavily timbered at the time Mr. Tough bought it. Prior to moving on it in 1895, he had cleared a considerable portion of it ; this work has now been completed and the whole farm has been placed under a fine state of cultivation. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, in which he meets with very satisfactory results. The comfortable home and barns and necessary farm buildings are of a substantial character and add greatly to the value of the property.

Mr. Tough has always been a man of progressive ideas and when he located on the farm he opened a general store which he conducted for eight years. For 1 5 years he was agent for the Mutual Fire Insurance Company, an organization he still represents. During President Cleveland's last administration he was appointed postmaster at Munger and held over through the administration of President Mc- Kinley, although he is a very stanch Democrat. He has always taken a very active part in political matters and has served his township in many public offices. For several years he was a justice of the peace, for two years was highway commissioner and has filled school offices for a long time.

In 1876, at Chatham, Canada, Mr. Tough was married to Ellen Graham, who was born December 13, 1854, in Oxford District, Ontario, and is a daughter of John and Jane (McAlpin) Graham, natives of Scotland. Mrs. Tough is a member of the Presbyterian Church, to which Mr. Tough liberally contributes. He assisted in the erection of the Presbyterian Church in his neighborhood, drawing the plans and helping in the construction. He has never united with the church, but he was the first trustee of this organization.

Capt. George Turner

was a poor man, a business venture having failed in Cliicago just prior to tliis. Thus he was obliged to begin at the bottom of the ladder. Patience, i)erseverance and industry all contributed to his success in a material way, while his sterling traits of character soon won him the respect and esteem of his fellowcitizens.

APT. GEORGE TURNER, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, has been city engineer of Bay City for 27, years and in that capacity has rendered invaluable services to the public as is evidenced by the public works erected under his supervision, which are unexcelled in the State of Michigan. Captain Turner was born in Clinton County, Michigan, January 29, 1835, and is a son of Joseph and Emeline (Knox) Turner, both natives of England, the former of Nottinghamshire and the latter of Birmingham.

Upon coming to the United States, our subject's parents first located in New York State. They came to Alichigan in the early "thirties," and Joseph Turner operated a gristmill at Clinton for some years and later one at Dearborn, where he remained until 1848. In that year he moved to Detroit, where he was identified at different times with the dry goods and grocery lines, in addition to operating grist-mills at Rochester and Stony Creek, Michigan. After two years he closed out the mercantile business and took up his residence at Stony Creek, where he continued in the milling business until his death at the age of 52 years. He was a Democrat in politics. He was a member of the Royal Arch Chapter, the highest IMasonic body in the State at that time, was past master of Detroit Lodge, F. & A. M., and at the time of his death was grand treasurer of the Grand Lodge, F. & A. M., of Michigan. He was united in marriage with Emeline Knox, whom he met in New York State, and they had six children who grew to maturity, namely: George: Charles K., of Saginaw, Michigan; William, of South Bend, Indiana; Edwin, deceased, who resided in Chicago : Albert, a member of Company B, loth Reg.. ]\Iichigan Vol. Inf., during the Civil War, who died of wounds received at the siege of Corinth ; and Joseph, who is a resident of Bay City. Religiously, the family are Episcopalians.

George Turner received his educational training principally in the public schools of Detroit. While still in school he became a cadet in the surveyor-general's department, United States Survey, under General Lyons, working mostly in Michigan. He thus gained a thorough knowledge of surveying. He continued with that department until the outbreak of the Civil War, although during the last three years of that time he was on leave of absence and served as county sur\-eyor of Midland County and as register of deeds. He was called into the service in 1861 as 2nd lieutenant of Company B, loth Reg., Michigan Vol. Inf., and subsequently was advanced to a ist lieutenancy in that company. He became captain of Company A, of the same regiment, and later captain of engineers, ist U. S. Veteran Volunteer engineers, which regiment was authorized by a direct act of Congress and was called "General Thomas' Regiment." He participated in the battles of Farmington, Booneville, luka. sige of Corinth, skirmishes about Nashville in 1862, battle of Stone River, advance on Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, advance on Atlanta and the battle of Nashville. Immediately after the battle of Chickamauga, he joined the engineering corps. At Stone River, on different days he was twice wounded.

once in the hand and once in the leg. He was mustered out of ser\-ice in 1865. and for a period of 16 years remained in the South, engaged in contracting in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Arkansas.

In tlie fall of 1881, Captain Turner returned to Michigan, locating at Bay City and the following spring became city engineer, a position he has filled creditably up to the present. Nearly all of the sewerage system was put in and all the present paving laid under his direct supervision. The City Hall, a magnificent granite structure costing $250,000 and one of the finest municipal buildings in the State, was erected under his supervision, as were the Belinda street bridge and the 23rd street bridge across the West Channel, both built in 1902. Captaui Turner was one of the promoters and since its inception has been a director in the Bay City Belt Line Railroad, a corporation whose lines are leased by the Pere Marquette Railroad Company.

Captain Turner was united in marriage with Julia Smith, a native of Michigan. They had one daughter, Edith, who is the wife of Richard Richardson, of Midland, Michigan. Captain Turner was again married in 1865 at Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Sophia P. Thompson, a native of Georgia, and they have one son, now grown to maturity, - G. Edwin, who is county surveyor and resides in Bay City.

Captain Turner is a member of U. S. Grant Post, No. 67, G. A. R., of which he is past commander. He is also a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and the LInion Veteran Legion. He is a member of Bay City Lodge, No. 23, Knights of Pythias ; is colonel of the Third Regiment, Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias; and a member of Lodge No. 88, B. P. O. E. In politics he has always been a stanch Republican since the organization of the party.

G. Edwin Turner, son of Capt. George Turner, attended the schools of Bay City and immediately after graduation entered his father's office, in which he gained a practical and technical knowledge of surveying. In 1898 he was elected county surveyor and has held that office ever since. He was joined in marriage with Kathleen Atkinson, a daughter of Robert Atkinson, of Bay City. Fraternally, he is a member of Portsmouth Lodge, No. 190, F. & A. M. ; Blanchard Chapter, Nc. 59, R. A. M. ; and Bay City Council, No. 53, R. & S. M. He is a Republican in politics, and both he and his wife are members of Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church.

OMER E. BUCK, born at Bath, Michigan, October 4, 1859, is to-day a living example of the possibilities before the enterprising and aggressive 3'outh of our great country. Attracted by the booming lumber town, the Buck family moved here in 1871, but all their liright prospects were soon blasted by the death of the father. A mother and sister alone remained to mourn with Homer. With the decision of character that has since contributed so much to his success in life, the little lad at once determined to provide for the lo\'ed ones at home. He became a newsboy, later circulation manager for the Detroit Ncn-s, earning $30 to $35 per month, and worked evenings, while attending school regularly.

\\'hen 16 years old Mr. Buck entered the employ of L. F. Miller & Company, where in five years he thoroughly mastered the wholesale grocery trade, and when scarcely of age went into business for himself. With Joseph Leighton he conducted for 14 years a most prosperous and successful commission store, which the latter is still maintaining.

Mr. Buck, after selling out, entered a newfield by opening offices in the Shearer Block, where he has since em joyed a constantly increasing business, as merchandise broker, importer's and manufacturer's agent, and car-lot shipper. This business calls him frequently (.)ut of the city, ijut that has ne\er appeared to interfere with the manifold public enterprises and public duties with which he has in late years become associated. He is at present president of the E. P. Roe Company, of Bad .Axe, Michigan; is a director in the Argentuil Gold Mining Company, with ])roperties located fin Jackfish Bay, Canada, and stockholder in a number of thriving local business institututions. He was one of the organizers and is a director of Bay City's beautiful city of the dead. - Elm Lawn Ceinetery. The first sugar beet seed brought into Bay County was secured by Mr. Buck from Germany for Hon. Nathan B. Bradley. C. B. Chatfield. and their colaborers.

Despite the constantly growing demands of his varied business interests, his prodigious energy, earnest devotion to the welfare of his home city and its higher institutions and keen interest in every public enterprise, have for many years carried him into every movement for the development and advancement of Bay County. He was instrumental in bringing here the first chicory factory, introduced to the markets of the country some of the first beet sugar manufactured in Bay City, contributed to the development of the coal mining industry locally, and through his years of devoted work on the executive committee of the Board of Trade has been actively identified with every new enterprise secured through that organization.

City's trade the rich farming country Iving to the east. On May i. 1905. with Hon. Nathan B. Bradley, Hon. George .\. Prescott, of Tawas (Secretary of State, 1905-06), W. C. Pennoyer, Edgar B. Foss and Hon. Chester L. Collins, he has succeeded in getting a good franchise for entering Port Huron with their proposed new road, - the Bay City & Port Huron Railroad. The line has been surveyed, has excellent terminals, good freight prospects in the products of farm and coal mine, touches a thickly settled urban district and will fill a long felt want for this part of Michigan.

Mr. Buck labored for years to bring about the consolidation of the Bay Cities, and when in 1905 the union seemed hopelessly lost he it was, who with Hon. Spencer O. Fisher, \\\ D. Young, and others, carried the vital matter before Governor Fred M. Warner and won out. Already some of the strongest opponents to this union of the sister cities are acknowledging the benefits following consolidation, and the years to come will surely place the seal of unqualified approval upon the union, brought about in the last analysis by a handful of public-spirited business men.

Mr. Buck has always found time from his business affairs for the plain duties of good citizenship. An ardent Republican, he cast his first vote for James G. Blaine in 1884. and his party service has since been continuous. For 15 years he served on his ward committee, for six years he was treasurer of the Repul>lican County Committee, being its chairman in 1900-02, proving there as ever an aggressive, energetic organizer. He has contributed much to the success of his party and its standardbearers in Bay Coimty during more than 20 years of active party service. He has never aspired to any public office, although his many friends would have been delighted to see him the first mavor of Greater Bav Citv. In the

State Convention at Grand Rapids in June, 1904, he was honored by being nominated as one of Michigan's electors at large, being elected on the Republican ticket in November, 1904, by the sweeping endorsement accorded President Theodore Roosevelt by the electors of the State, who organized the party under the oaks at Jackson half a century ago. Mr. Buck represented Bay County at that semicentennial celebration in July, 1904. He has served five years on the Board of Water Works ; five years on the Board of Fire Commissioners, two years of which he was president, and at present represents the Fifth Ward on the Board of Education, a member of some of its most important committees. He is an active member and deacon of the First Presbyterian Church, taking an active part in the building of the present magnificent house of worship, as well as in the recent eflfort, which resulted in wiping out the last indebtedness on this church. He is a Scottish Rite Mason, being a member of Bay City Lodge, No. 129, F. & A. M.; Blanchard Chapter. No. 59, R. A. M. ; and Bay City Council, No. 53, R. & S. M.. all of Bay City; and Moslem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Detroit. He is also an honorary member of the Peninsular Military Company, a member of the ^Modern Archers of America and of the Knights of the Loyal Guard.

Mr. Buck was married on April 23, 1884, to Alargaret Lewis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. M. Lewis, two of Bay County's oldest and most esteemed pioneers. Seven children have blessed their home : Homer Clifford ; I\Iary A. ; David Justice; Alma Blanche; Harold Lewis; Edna Marguerite and Helen Esther. Mrs. Buck is a true type of American womanhood, a loving, dutiful wife and mother, charitable to a degree, and beloved and respected lay the community.

The Buck family on the paternal side trace their ancestry back to 640 in Holland, the head of this branch going to England in 1500, a later sprig to Boston in 1647, and to New Amsterdam shortly after. The family is very prolific, members being now found all over the country, being especially noted for the number of civil engineers and surveyors it has has produced.

AULUS GREUL, who owns a fine farm of So acres in section 24, Monitor township, is one of the highly esteemed citizens of this locality and one of its well-informed men. Mr. Greul was born in Bavaria, Germany, August 7, 1836, and is a son of George and Margaret (Winter) Greul. The parents of "Sir. Greul spent their li\-es in Germany, Paulus and Adam being the only ones of the family of seven children to come to America.

Our subject was only 16 years of age when he left Germany and came to America with his uncle, John Winter. The travelers came right through to Saginaw City, where the youth found work at the Webster House for two years. He then came to Lower Saginaw, as Bay City was originally called, and was employed for seven and a half years teaming for Charles Fitzhugh. About this time he was married and embarked in hotel-keeping, having learned much about the business at the Webster House. With the asistance of his good wife he made money in this business and for 15 years conducted the Detroit House in Bay City. Li the meantime he had bought his present 80-acre farm and had it cleared and put under cultivation, and when his hotel burned in 1878 he moved upon the farm, where he has been comfortablv settled ever since. He has here e\crything a reasonable man could desire, - a fine home, two substantial barns and good out-buildings, a productive orchard and fields full of cattle and stock.

Mr. Greul was united in marriage with Margaret Meckler, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, October 31, 1841, and is a daughter of George and Christiana (Beyer) Meckler. Three children have been born to them : Eustace, who died in infancy ; ^largaret. who died aged six years and eight months; and Mary, who married Henry Gies. Mr. and Mrs. Gies live with our subject and wife; their only son, Oscar Gies, died when aged almost a year.

!Mr. Greul has never taken any active part in politics, preferring to vote more for the man than the party and satisfied if an honest citizen is elected who will execute the laws without any party bias. He has been one of the board of trustees of the German Lutheran Church at West Bay City for the past 12 years and is a man who is respected by all who know him. His industry and good management ha\'e brought him large returns and he is one of Monitor township's substantial men.

fl.LIAM W. SIMPSON, one of the early settlers of Portsmouth township, owning a fine farm in section 5, was born March 23. 1847. at Glasgow, Scotland, and is a son of William C. and Janet (W^ingfield) Simpson.

William C. Simpson was born October 27, 1 816, at Glasgow. Scotland, and came to the United States with his family in 1850. He came five years later to Bay County, where he died November 8, 1879. He was an experienced machinist and set up the first millstone in Bay County and ground the first corn at Mc- Ewan's mill. He was a fine man, one who deserved, as he received, the respect of all who knew him. He was a justice of the peace during two terms, was overseer of the highways for a number of terms and was one of the first officers of School District No. 5, Portsmouth township. He identified himself with the Republican party and supported its principles. The mother of our subject was born at Straven, Scotland. July 11, 1S21, and died in Bay County on March 27. 1902. Nine children were born to William C. Simpson and wife.

A tourist making his leisurely way over Portsmouth township, at the present day, would very probably select as the finest Irmd in view what was, when our subject came with his parents to Bay County, land all covered with water. The tourist would be right, for these former swamp lands, like the valley of the Nile, are undoubtedl)" the most fertile in this locality, but only those who have been engaged in the draining, clearing and cultivating of them, really know their value.

I\Ir. Simpson was three \-ears old when his parents reached New York and cannot recall the long overland trip to Detroit and thence to Carmeltown, Canada, where the family lived three years. In 1855 the father led the wav to Bay County, the family following in September, 1856. The father was engaged in lumbering at that time and they lived in Bay City until February. 1862. His rapidly increasing family made the father consider the advisability of securing land while plenty was in the market, and he took up 120 acres of swamp land in Portsmouth township, securing it under the swamp land act. We may imagine the little family supplying their needs from Bay City, walking a "blazed" trail, the only highway liy which they were able to reach Bay City for seven years after they settled here. Enough lumber was taken around by boat and then carried across the prairie, witii which to build a house i6 by 26 feet in ground dimensions and eight feet high. Tiiere were no dwehing houses between the family home and Bay City and this fact alone presents a most convincing picture of the lonely life and hardships which this worthy family lived through in those pioneer days. This was by no means all. When the spring rains came, the water in the undrained territory rose waist high, occasioning untold hardships, many thrilling adventures and a number of serious accidents.

Mr. Simpson and his father cut the hay growing wild on the prairies during the summers and in the winters the sale of this brought in an income. They hauled it over the ice in hand sleighs. They also hauled the hay for many of their neighbors who came later, and during a prosperous season hauled 15 tons in this way. In 1870, after years of hard and unremitting toil, almost everything was swept away by a forest fire. In addition to their buildings, the family lost t,;}, tons of hay, all their machinery and a great quantity of rails and cord wood. Following came sickness, the inevitable chills and fever associated with a wet country, and the result is that Mr. Simpson, in spite of his life of unvarying industry, has but a part of the original farm. This, however, is in a fine state of cultivation and, as noted, is of great fertility. He has worked in sawmills, and in lumbering camps and has cut the lumber off a large territory in Bay County.

In October, 1890, Mr. Simpson was married to .Mice C. Collin, who was born at Bay City, July 20, 1868, and is a daughter of William and Eliza (Burbridge) Collin, who were natives of England. They came to America on January i, 1850 and to Bay City in 1862. Mr. and Airs. Simpson have adopted three children from the Coldwater Home, giving

Mr. Simpson's political sympathies have always been with the Republican and Prohibition parties. He has taken an active part in the county's affairs, served for six years as overseer of highways and at present is justice of the peace, making an admirable ofiicial. Both he and his estimable wife belong to the Presbyterian Church.

OHN HEARIT, deceased, who was a prosperous and substantial farmer of Kawkawlin township, with farm in section 19, was born at St. Clair, Michigan, and is a son of George and Barbara (Pribster) Hearit. George Hearit died w'hen 32 years old, and his widow is now living at the age of 85 years.

In 1883, the subject of this sketch bought the farm of 80 acres that he left to his widow and children. Previous to this he owned another farm in Kawkawlin township, where he lived six years. He had been married just 20 years at the time of his death, which occurred February 9, 1898, in his 43d year. He was an upright and worthy man, and was much respected. In politics, he was a Republican. He was a member of the Catholic Church.

i\Ir. Hearit married Annie Cook, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Harris) Cook, and eight children resulted from their union, namely : Frank, Elizabeth, George, William Bertha, Mamie, Arthur and Charles. Frank was born in 1880. He married Annie Western, and they reared two children, - Elva and Ethel. George was born March 19, 1887. William was born November 19, 1888. Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of William ^^^est- ern. Bertha. Mamie, Arthur and Cliarles are aged, respectively, 14, 12, 10 and seven years. Mrs. Hearit was married August i, 1904, to Charles Baker, who was born in Canada, and lived for a time at Au Sable, Michigan.

EORGE RUEGER, Sr., who resides on his 40-acre farm in section 16, Frankenlust township, owns four 80-acre farms in the township, and is one of the representative citizens. He was born June 2, 1835, at Gunzenhausen, Bavaria. Germany, and is a son of Michael and Anna Barbara (Schu) Reuger.

Mr. Rueger's parents were farming people in Germany and passed their whole lives there. Of their six children, our subject is the only one that came to America. The others were : Andrew, Leonard, Michael, Barbara and Mary.

Our subject came to America in 1852, and after reaching Bay City secured employment in the sawmills, where he worked some three years. Then he bought 40 acres of land in section 16, Frankenlust township, for which he paid $160, as it was school reservation land, it was entirely unimproved, but he built a small home in which he lived alone for about five years, being mostly engaged during this time in clearing and hauling timber. There were no roads then where now fine stone highways invite transportation, and Mr. Rueger, like his neighbors, had to give many days' work to get roads of any kind over which they could drive their heavy wagons. Mr. Rueger has bought other farms, all in Frankenlust township, and is considered one of the substantial men.

subject. She accompanied her parents to America on the same ship in which Mr. Rueger crossed, and they came directly to Bay City. She was a daughter of Andrew and .'\nna Barbara Eichinger, and died February 22, 1900. She was the mother of these children : George, who is operating a farm in section 8, Frankenlust township; Michael, who married Margaret Lutz, a daughter of .\dam and Margaret Lutz, and operates the home farm ; .Andrew, whose farm is in section 18, Frankenlust township; Margaret, wife of George Seidel, of Saginaw County; and John, who is farming in section 8, Frankenlust township.

Mr. Reuger has been a Democrat ever since he has taken an interest in public affairs. He is a leading member of St. John's German Lutheran Church at Amelith and has been one of the most liberal contributors to the building of a new church structure. He has been one of the trustees of the church for si.x years.

ARVEY GILBERT, M. D., a prominent physician and surgeon at Bay City. Michigan, who, on account of his remarkable success in the treatment of that dire disease, smallpox, is generally considered smallpox specialist, is a native of the Dominion of Canada. He was born at Simcoe, Ontario, January 28, 1846, and is a son of John Wyckoff and Christine (Smith) Gilbert.

Col. Isaac Gilbert, the grandfather of Dr. Gilbert, was one of the United Empire Loyalists. He was born in Connecticut, but during the Revolutionary War adhered to the cause of the English Crown and removed to New Brunswick, and subsec|uently to Western Canada, and died in 1848 at Simcoe. Ontario. He acquired his title as a member of the

Canadian militia. His wife was Margaret Wyckoff. of Long Island. Her ancestors were born at Flatbush in an old mansion which was built there 22 years after the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock. Its ruins still are in existence. The family originated in Devonshire, England, and Great-grandfather Gilbert, a lieutenant on a man-of-war, was the original settler in New Brunswick, under the proclamation from the English Crown in favor of loyal Tories.

John WyckofT Gilbert, father of Dr. Gilbert, was born on his father's farm at Simcoe in 181 3. He became a man of influence, served for a long period as a justice of the peace, and died full of years and honors. He married Christine Smith, who was a daughter of Andrew Smith, of Paterson, New Jersey, and they had nine children, six of whom reached maturity, namely : Samantha, wife of William V. Culver, of Simcoe, Ontario; Peter, of Sterling, Michigan, formerly a member of the State Senate; Harvey, of this sketch; Isaac, an attorney at Bay City ; Albert, operating the homestead farm ; and Frank O., who is a dental surgeon at Bay City. In religious connection the parents of this family were Methodists, the mother ha\-ing lieen a devoted member of this church for 56 years. The father had been reared in the Protestant Episcopal Church, but attended religious services with his wife. They were in every way worthy, estimable people and their descendants have reason to recall them with both pride and affection.

Dr. Gilbert obtained his education in the common schools and the High School at Simcoe, and then entered upon the study of medicine with Drs. York and McDonald, in that city, subsequently graduating from a medical college in the citv of New York, and also from the New York Ophthalmic Hospital. In 1874 he came to Bay City where he practiced for six years as an eye, ear, nose and throat specialist. Since 1880 he has been a general practitioner and since 1900, he has been engaged in caring for contagious diseases.

Dr. Gilbert was one of the first health officers appointed by the Bay City Board of Health as now constituted. He holds an appointment under the Board of Supervisors as smallpox specialist, his remarkable success in handling this disease having brought him into prominence in this line. He has reversed the old methods of treatment. He favors light, air and water for the afflicted and depends mainly upon the skilled use of antiseptics. Very few of his patients show any marking after recovery. To have conquered, through zeal, watchfulness and personal courage, a dreaded scourge which has afflicted the human race, certainly since A. D. 572. one which has attacked the king on his throne as surely as the child of the slums, is something which justifies a feeling of pride, and clearly testifies to the supremacyy of skill and talent in the medical profession. Dr. Gilbert has handled over 1,600 cases in the present epidemic without anv fatal cases.

Dr. Gilbert married a daughter of a wellknown citizen of Simcoe, Ida A. Beemer, and they had three children : Carlton, who died at the age of nine years ; Leta, a student at Alma College, a member of the class of 1905 ; and John Van Campen, who will graduate from the Bay City High School in the class of 1905.

Dr. Gilbert is a member of the city and county medical societies and of the American Medical Association. He is fraternally associated with Bay City Lodge, No. 129, F. & A. M. and Blanchard Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M. In politics he is a Democrat.

JOHN ENDLIXE. one of the representative citizens and large farmers of Beaver township, has a beautiful home located in section 22 and owns 200 acres which extend through sections 22, 23 and 15. Mr. Endline was born in Germany, in 1849, 3nd is a son of Paulus Endline.

The father of Mr. Endline was a native of Germany. His death took place when his son John was 13 years old, at the comparatively early age of 41 years. Three years later, the mother remarried, and she died aged 62 years.

Our subject reached Detroit, Michigan, with his uncle on June 6, 1869, and during the following year he worked for the latter. In 1870 he came to Bay City, where he was employed in the Brooks & Adams mill until July, and worked for Miller Brothers in South Bay City until tlie fall of the year, when he was taken down with malaria and was obliged to remain idle, much against his wishes, all the succeeding winter. In the spring of 1871 he was engaged by Mr. Staudacher, of Salzburg, who owned a salt-block, store and farm, and he remained with him until January, 1872, when he went to teaming for Mr. Hecht. Since then he has devoted his attention to farming.

In No\-ember, 1872, Mr. Endline married Dorothy Betcolt, who was born in Germany and was a daughter of Simon Betcolt. She died in 1886. The six children of this marriage were: Annie; Barbara, wife of Gus Nitzchke : Andrew ; Michael : John and Frederick. In 1888 Mr. Endline married, as his second wife, Kate Conrad, who was born in Germany and is a daughter of Vitus and Margaret (Coiner) Conrad. They have six children : Dora, bom January 22, 1890; Johanna, born February 11, 1891 : Mary, born July 16, 1893; George, born August 4, 1895: Trongott and Maggie (twins), born December 6, 1900; and Katie, born May 7, 1903.

I Mr. Endline is a stanch Democrat and has been one of the important men of the township for a number of years. In 1877 and 1878 he was township treasurer; in 1880. 1881 and 1882, and from 1884 to 1893 he was supervisor, and then was reelected treasurer for two years more. He was elected township clerk in 1901 and still holds the office, and has been a school director or assessor for the past 25 years. These frequent elections to responsible positions testify plainly as to the confidence and esteem in which he is held by his fellow-citizens. He belongs to the German Lutheran Church.

nXA G. LEWIS, one of the active and enterprising business men of Bay City, and manager of the Lewis Manufacturing Company, one of the city's most flourishing industries, was born at Bay City, and is a son of Hon. George and Frances (Merrill) Lewis.

The Lewis family is of Welsh extraction, but for many generations it has been established in the State of New York. Its founders in America settled in Orange County, in the \icinity of West Point. There the paternal great-grandfather, John Lewis, died at the age of 86 years. The grandfather, James Lewis, was of less sturdy constitution, his death occurring at the age of 56 years. James Lewis married Elizabeth Thorn, who was a daughter of Da\-id Thorn, and a granddaughter of Jesse Thorn, an old and prominent English Quaker. Mrs. Elizabeth (Thorn) Lewis died at the age of 36 years, leaving six children, all of whom have long since passed away, the death of the youngest, George Lewis, the father of our subject, on January 29, 1897. closing that page of the family record.

and able business men of Bay City, one whose energy and enterprise left its mark in the firm founding of business concerns that still continue. He was born November 8, 1827, in Orange County, New York, and remained at home until the age of 21 years, securing as fair an education as was possible in the poineer log school house of his native locality. He was very likely better acquainted with farming and lumbering than with books. Prior to 1849 he came to Michigan which was then considered as the far, far West, and pleased with the outlook in the Saginaw Valley he located at Zilwaukee and embarked in a lumber business. At this time the most pressing demand in this locality seemed to be for fish barrels, and these Mr. Lewis resolved to make, despite the fact that he had no capital with which to buy machinery. He had, however, plenty of lumber, two strong and capable hands and inherited mechanical genius and until his removal, about 1857, to Bay City, he made fish barrels by hand, successfully competing with those who used the clumsy machinery of that day. Prior to leaving Zilwaukee he had served in a number of the local offices and was looked upon as one of the representative men of that place.

After coming to Bay City, Mr. Lewis was superintendent of a mill for about five years and then bought a one-half interest, with William Peter, in the Partridge sawmill which was then on the site now owned by the Campbell- Brown Lumber Company, on 26th street, and they started into the manufacture of lumber. Subsequently he disposed of this interest and opened the Bay City Savings Bank, continuing for two years sole proprietor, and then taking in George Young as a partner. Later it was incorporated with a capital of $50,000 and became the Bay City Bank. Mr. Lewis remained president of this institution until he

Mr. Lewis was interested in other successful business enterprises. In 1879 he formed a partnership with Albert Miller, under the firm name of Miller & Lewis, which did business until 1 89 1, when it was reorganized as George Lewis & Company. This company operated a large shingle mill on 26th street, which had capacity and facilities for turning out 40,000 shingles a day. During this same period, Mr. Lewis became connected with the lumber firm of G. H. Merrill & Company, which developed into and still continues as the Lewis Manufacturing Company.

It is interesting to note the rise and developing of large enterprises, typifying as they do the foresight and judgment of those who ultimately bring about their prosperity. The Lewis Manufacturing Company had its beginning in 1882, when Hyde & Trombley erected a planing mill at Lafayette and James streets, and that firm operated it for some two years. It then fell into the hands of the firm of Merrill & Campbell. The death of W. M. Campbell made a change in the firm style and for a time the business was conducted as G. H. Merrill & Company, George Lewis purchasing Mr. Campbell's interest. The status of the company continued thus until the death of G. H. Merrill, in 1895, when the Lewis Manufacturing Company was organized and incorporated, with George Lewis as president; G. H. Lewis as vice-president, and Adna G. Lewis as secretary and treasurer. The control of the mill remains in the hands of Adna G. Lewis, as manager. The business is the manufacturing of and dealing in all kinds of lumber, sash, doors and interior finishings. As a substantial, well-managed concern, it stands as a leader among the many great industries of Bay City.

Politically the late George Lewis was always identified with the Republican party. In Bay City he served two years as supervisor from the Sixth W'artl, and two years as a nieniher of the Board of Education. In 1872, witiiout undue effort on his part, he was elected a member of the State Legislature, and served consistently through the session of 1874 which was memorable, as it saw the revision of the State constitution. He was a liberal, broadminded man and an ideal citizen. He owned much Bay City property, especially in the residential districts and, as he conducted his business enterprises with marked ability, he became one of the largest capitalists of this section.

Mr. Lewis was twice married. His first union was with Martha Campbell, who died in Michigan. In 1866 he married Frances Merrill, who was a daughter of Alonzo Merrill, of Detroit, and who still survives. Six children were born to this marriage : Jennie, who is the wife of H. R. Albee, of Portland, Oregon; Adna G., who is the immediate subject of this sketch ; Elizabeth, who is the wife of W. W. Chapman, of Bay City; George H., deceased; Frank, a resident of Bay City ; and Marjorie. Mrs. Lewis is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Lewis held fraternal associations with the Knights of Pythias and the Masons. For eight years he was worshipful master of the Portsmouth Lodge, No. 190, F. & A. M., of which he was a charter member; he was also a member of Blanchard Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M. ; and Bay City Commandery, No. 26, K. T.

Adna G. Lewis was educated in the public schools of Bay City, and had the benefit of his father's teaching and experience in entering upon business life. From the beginning he was associated with some of his father's enterprises, and in 1895 he became manager of the Lewis Manufacturing Company. It is a pretty good test of a man's business capacity, in these days of fierce competition, to safely and securely guide a great business enterprise, avoiding labor complications and ca])italistic encroachments, and still not only continue but add to the concern's prosperity. ]\Ir. Lewis has the satisfaction of knowing, on consulting his balance sheet, that such is the case.

Mr. Lewis occupies one of the beautiful homes of Bay City and he has a domestic circle which includes a wife, son and daughter. He married Gertrude L. Layton, who is a daughter of Charles E. Layton, of Bay City, and their children are: George Merrill and Gertrude. In politics he takes the same interest in the Republican party as did his father, but he has accepted no office, the demands of his business taking up his time. He is a Mason, a member of Portsmouth Lodge, No. 190, F. & A. ^I., and Blanchard Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M.

RED C. VAN TUYL, secretary and treasurer of the F. C. Van Tuyl Company, funeral directors and embalmers of West Bay City, was born in Genesee County, Michigan, February 4, 1859, and is a son of William L. and C. Jeannette (Fifield) Van Tuyl.

The Van Tuyl family is of Dutch ancestry and was founded in New Jersey prior to the Revolutionary War. Grandfather Isaac Van Tuyl was born January 16, 1792 and died October 7, 1863, and was a son of John Van Tuyl, who was born in 1760. Isaac Van Tuyl was married March 31. 181 1, to Betsey Seeley. They lived at Ovid, Seneca County, New York, and in Oakland and Shiawassee counties, Michigan.

County, New York, Jul}- 24, 181 5, and died January 25, 1900. He came to Michigan in 1837, among the early pioneers, settling first in Oakland County. \\'hile there he farmed and served in local offices, but in 1844 he removed to Genesee County and cleared up a farm in Thetford township. In 1855 he went to Burton, Genesee County, where he also farmed and then embarked in a grocery business at Owosso and also operated a planingmill. In 1882 he came to West Bay City where he li\-ed retired until his death. Up to 1872 he had always voted with the Democratic party, but after that his influence was given to the Prohibition party. His children were four in nuinber, the two survivors being: Edwin, of West Bay City, born September 14, 1846; and Fred C, of this sketch. The mother still survives, making her home with her son Edwin. She is a lady with clear recollections of the early days in Michigan, her father having brought his family here in 1839. She was born August 21, 1824, and is a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Norris) Fifield. Mr. Fifield was born in New Hampshire, August 23, 1793. and died September 10, 1843. He moved to New York prior to his marriage, and settled in Monroe County where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years. He then moved to Erie County and lived there until 1839, when he came to Michigan, settling at Waterford, in Oakland County. He was married May 25, 1820, to Sarah Norris, who was born January 21, 1794, in New Hampshire and died May 26. 1884, at West Bay City. Mrs. Van Tuyl is the only surviving member of her own and of her husband's family.

Our subject was 12 years of age when his parents located at Owosso, and there he attended school six or seven years, in the meantime attendinsT to various duties in his father's store. In 1879 he commenced learning the cabinet-maker's trade and in 1881 came to West Bay City and entered the employ of the West Bay City Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of sash, doors and blinds, and he continued in that business until 1901, when he started in as a contractor and builder. This line he followed until 1903. In the fall of this year he entered upon the business of an undertaker, locating first at No. 203 South Henry street. On October 20, 1903, he opened his present place of business at No. 411 East Midland street.

Mr. Van Tuyl is a graduate of the Massachusetts College of Embalming of the class of 1897 and holds embalmer's license No. 165 from the State Board of Health. From 1895 to 1896 he was county coroner and was elected again in 1899, and is still in office.

Mr. Van Tuyl was married first to Gertrude H. Lester, who was a daughter of Capt. George H. Lester, of West Bay City. Mrs. \'an Tuyl died March 14, 1888, leaving one son. C. Brake. She was a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Van Tuyl was married second to May E. Martinell, of ^\'est Bay City, and they have four children : \\'. Stanley, Wyvel E., Floyd M.. and Vera I.

Mr. Van Tuyl has many pleasant fraternal connections. He is noble grand of Wenona Lodge, No. 221, I. O. O. F. ; and has membership with Othello Lodge, No. 116, Knights of Pythias; Court Miranda, No. 326, Independent Order of Foresters: Modern ^^^oodman of America : and the Union Life Guards.

Through his years of residence here, ]\Ir. Van Tuyl has maintained the same business status which became recognized as soon as he entered the business world. Strict attention to details and careful management have brought about very satisfactory results. He is highly esteemed as an intelligent, substantial citizen,

.LIAM C. WALSH, a well-known citizen oi the village of Pinconning, conducts a livery at that place and is extensively engaged in He was born at Pontiac, ^Michigan, and is a son of Redmond and Margaret (McAulifYe) Walsh.

Redmond Walsh was born in Ireland aiul reared in England, where he met and married the mother of our subject, who was born there. He came to this country, and for eight or ten years lived at Toronto, Canada, where he followed his trade of mason and also engaged in farming. He later moved to Pontiac, ]\Iichigan, and is now living at Owosso, Michigan, in his 71st year. His wife is in the 68th year of her age. Mr. and ^Irs. \^'alsh became parents of seven children, all of whom are living, namely: Nellie, wife of Peter Betzing; John M., a farmer of Owosso, Michigan; Redmowd, Jr. ; Margaret ; Neil R. ; of Owosso, Michigan ; Daniel J. ; and William C. The five first named were born in Toronto, Canada, and the two last named were born at Pontiac, Michigan.

William C. Walsh, after completing his schooling, turned his attention to mercantile business, buying bankrupt stocks. He later conducted a general store at Corunna, Michigan, five years, and in 1895 traveled through tlie Southern States for the Duncan .\rt Company, meeting with considerable success and gaining largely in experience. In 1896 he returned to Michigan, making the trip from Jacksonville, Florida, to New York City by steamer. He then purchased a bankrupt stock at Xew Eothrop, Michigan, which he closed out. then purchased one at Corunna, where he continued in the mercantile business some years. He had in mind at this time a stock farm, and, after selling his store, in igoo he purchased 200 acres of land in section 27, Pinconning township, where he has since been located. He still retains 160 acres of this farm, which is well-improved in every respect, and lias dealt in stock on a large scale. He makes a specialty of raising Durham and Shorthorn cattle, and Ohio Improved Chester W'hite hogs, which he sells to farmers for breeding purposes and has shipped in pairs to all parts of the country. He buys about 150 head of cattle of the common breeds during the summer months, fattens them and in the fall shi]3s in car-load lots to the BufYalo and Detroit markets, also buying of the farmers for immediate shipment. During the past year he has dealt largely in horses among the farmers of this section.

On April 6. 1899. Mr. Walsh was married to Clara Worth, a daughter of Williard Worth, a pioneer farmer of Maple Grove, Saginaw County, Michigan, who died in 1893. He is survived by his widow who resides at Mason, Michigan. This union resulted in the birth of three children : Kathleen. lx)rn February 9, 1900: Williard, born July 30, 1902; and Margaret. The Walsh family are Catholics. In politics our subject has been unswering in his support of the Democartic party.

IIILIP V. WAGNER, proprietor of the "Center Avenue Dairy Farm," which is situated in section 19, Hampton township, but two miles east of the city limits, has been a resident of Bay County since Iwyhood. He was born on the celebrated river Rhine, in the province of

Our subject's parents were born in the same part of the fatherland as himself, and they came to America in 1855. The father died in 1888, aged 68 years, after a life spent in farming. He was successful in his agricultural enterprises and left a good estate to his children. He was a man of sterling character and was selected for local offices on many occasions, serving as a justice of the peace and for 12 years was a member of the township board. He was a deacon in the German Lutheran Church. His estimable wife still survives, making her home with our subject and bearing well the weight of her 85 years. The family consisted of three sons and four daughters, namely : Frederick ; William ; Philip F. ; Mrs. Amelia Ramm. of Bay City; Mrs. Elizabeth Diehl, of Bay City; Mrs. Gertrude Shultz, deceased ; and Mrs. Louisa Flues, deceased.

Our subject was but eight years old when his parents settled in Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, at which time there were but few houses in the place. His father bought a farm of 40 acres, on which our subject resided until 1889, when he sold it and purchased 60 acres in section 19. Hampton township. Here he carries on general farming and dairying and his place is well known as the "Center Avenue Dairy Farm." He keeps 18 head of high grade milch cows and supplies a large city demand. Mr. Wagner has a first-class orchard of four acres and has erected excellent buildings and made many admirable impro\ements on his property.