Bay County, Michigan - Chapter 16, 1905 (part 8 of 12)

Jesse Underwood came to America with his wife in 1857. She was then the mother of five children. The family settled on 40 acres of land, located on the Center avenue road in Hainpton township, which Mr. Underwood cleared and upon which he made many improvements. There he died on November 7. 1903, and his wife on November 26, 1897. aged yy years. The eight children of the family were: Clara (Mrs. Gracey), of Portsmouth township: Henn.-. of Portsmouth township; Jennett (Mrs. Miller), who died in California; Selena (Mrs. Cassedy), of Grand Rapids, Michigan : Abner. who was accidentally killed in Hampton township, at the age of. 27 years: Charles C. of this sketch: .Mbert. of Portsmouth township : and Ira, who lives on the old homestead in Hampton township.

On November i, 1882, Mr. Underwood was married to Mary Whalen, who was born in Bay City, on September 19, 1865, and is a daughter of Alva and Rosella (Young) \\"halen, the former of whom w-as born in New York and the latter in ^lichigan. They have a family of four daughters who have been afforded excellent educational opportunities : Alice M., wife of \\'illiam E. Collins, of Bay City; and Mary Jennett, Maggie Ann and Agnes E., who reside at home. ilrs. Underwood and her daughters are valued members of the Baptist Church.

Politically ^Ir. Underwood has always affiliated with the Republican party. He is a member of two fraternal bodies, the Maccabees and the Gleaners.

UCIEX S. CO^IAX, deceased, was for many years engaged in the wholesale and retail drug trade at Bay City and took rank among the foremost business men of the county. He was bom at ilorrisville. New York, and was a son of Smith and Louise (Bickwell) Coman, his inaternal grandfather being Major Bickwell.

Lucien S. Coman received his educational training in the public schools of Morrisville, New York, and from his Ixiyhood days was identified with the drug business. .\t the age of 19 years, he came \^'est to Bay City, ^lichigan, to manage a drug-store, and later started in business for himself. He was a man of great energy and enterprise and made a success of his venture from the first. He gave encouragement to all worthy young clerks he employed.

Many of these young men, becoming imbued with his principles and business methods, went forth into the world and now own stores of their own, some of them having stores in Bay City. ^Ir. Coman's success was such as to w-arrant him in extending the field of his energies and he established a wholesale and retail drug-store, which he conducted until his death in 1887. After his death, his widowcontinued the business for two and a half years, employing a manager. Mr. Coman was united in marriage with Mrs. Helen F. Clark, uee Barclay, and their home life approached the ideal.

Helen F. Barclay was bom in Detroit, Michigan, and is a daughter of Hon. Jonathan Smith and Sarah Ann (Sweeney) Barclay, her father having been a prominent man of Bay City in its early days and for many years thereafter. She received a good education, and is a woman of culture and refinement. Her first marriage was with Harry J. Clark, who was the first cashier of the First National Bank of Bay City, and thej' had one daughter. Grace Barclay Clark, who now resides with her mother. After the death of ^Ir. Clark, Mrs. Clark was married to Mr. Coman. To this union two children were born, namely : Harrison L.. who is at home: and Marian Louise, wife of Harry B. Phelps, of Detroit. ^Ir. Coman was a Royal Arch ]\Iason and Knight Templar. Mrs. Coman has been regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and was the first president and founder of the Bay City \\'oman's Club, which had its inception in her parlors. She moves in the Itest circles of the city and is identified with its literary clubs and societies, being a \-ery able writer. Her memory of the happenings in the early days of Bay County is remarkably fresh and she has at times written articles for newspapers and the D. A. R. Mrs. Coman has been an extensive traveler at home and abroad, having visited all foreign lands. She is a fluent speaker of the German language, which has proved of great convenience in her travels. She had the pleasure of seeing the palace of Frederick the Great, of Germany, and as there were royal functions at the time of her visit she saw the Empress with her body-guard and many of the royalty of Europe.

ILLIAM E. :\IAGILL, :\I. D.. physician and surgeon and also city treasurer of \\'est Bay City. Michigan, was born at Port Stanley, Ontario, November 3, 1847. and is a son of Alexander and Sarah (Mclnnis) Magill.

The father of Dr. Magill was born at the village of WHiitern, near Glasgow, Scotland, in 1788 and died in Canada in 1849. ^g^d 61 years. He emigrated to Canada in 1834. being among the early pioneers in Ontario, where he secured a large holding of land and followed agricultural operations all his remaining years. In Scotland he married Sarah Mclnnis. who was a daughter of Henry iMcInnis. and they had 1 1 children born to them, those who reached maturity being: Henry and John, now deceased ; Alexander, a practicing physician at Midland. Michigan; Elizabeth, who married William Glover and lives on the old homestead at Port Stanley: Mary, who married Samuel Mason, of London, Ontario: Sarah, of Chicago; William E., of this sketch: and Bessie, of Chicago. For generations the family has belonged to the Presbyterian Church.

^\'ilHam McGill was primarily educated in the public schools and then read medicine and prepared for higher study under the preceptorship of Dr. James McLaughlin, of Fingall, Ontario, and subsequently entered the Western Reserve Medical College at Cleveland, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1870. He located at West Bay City and has continued here ever since with the exception of the years 1876 and 1877, which he spent in post-graduate work at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City, receiving his medical degree from that great school in 1877.

Dr. Magill is a very intelligent, progressive citizen and has always taken an active interest in public affairs. Originally a Greenbacker, he was twice elected mayor on this ticket, serving in 1881 and 1882. and in the fall of the latter year was elected county treasurer on the same ticket and held the office for two j^ears, and in 1886 was re-elected and held office until 1890. During Governor \\'inans' administration. Dr. Magill was appointed insurance commissioner for Michigan, an office he filled acceptably for two years. In April, 1903, he was elected treasurer of West Bay City. His public services have always been of such a character as to command the confidence of the public, irrespective of party ties.

Dr. Magill married Adeline Keefer, who is a daughter of Abram Keefer. a prominent citizen of Lawrence. Kansas, and they have had four children, viz. : Arthur K., who died aged 14 years; Walter A., of West Bay City; Donald A. and Frances Sarah. The family belong to the Presbyterian Church.

Loyal Guard and of tlie Independent Order of Foresters. Dr. ]Magill is a very prominent citizen and is known professionally far beyond the confines of West Bav City.

ICHAEL T. ARNOLD, whose fine farm of 200 acres is situated in section 10, Monitor township, was born December 6, 1861, in Frankenmutli township. Saginaw county, and is a son of John ]\I. and Barbara (List) Arnold.

John ^I. Arnold, the father of our subject, was born October 20, 1820, in Hosstetten Kloster, Heilsbronn, ^littelfranken, Bavaria, Germany, while his wife was born in the neighboring town of Rosstall Cadolzburg, in ]\Iittelfranken, Bavaria, Germany, April i, 1S25. Both left the fatherland on the 7th day of April, 1847, and on June 12th of that year arrived in Frankenmuth township, Saginaw County, Michigan. After living there about 18 years, they sold the farm and left for Bay County, April 17, 1865, arriving at Stone Island the next day. ]\Ir. Arnold erected a sawmill, which he continued to operate until he sold it June 27, 1867. He then purchased 180 acres of land in section 36, Monitor township, on which farm he died February 8, 1878. The subject of this sketch has one brother and four sisters in Michigan, namely : Adam J., who owns a farm in Monitor township ; Mary, who is the widow of George Staudacher, of Kawkawlin township; Rose, the wife of Fred Staudacher; Barbara, who is the wife of Fred Lowessell; and Mary. The three last mentioned are residents of Salzburg, Bay County.

Alichael J. Arnold attended the district school of the neighborhood and assisted on his father's farm until h.e started out for b.imsclf. about 1887. At thp.t time lie purchased his present farm of 200 acres, only four acres of which had been cleared. At the present time, 120 acres are under cultivation, the remainder of the farm being in pasture and brush land. Mr. Arnold has made many substantial impro\ements on the property and has just completed a fine residence of 18 rooms, which contains all the comforts and conveniences of a city home. The polished oak trimmings, which give the interior such an artistic finish, came from timber that was cut on his estate.

Mr. Arnold was married first, in 1890, to Annie Swatz, who was a daughter of Christian Swatz. Mrs. Arnold at her death left one daughter, Emma R., born January 3, 1892, who resides at home. On January 27. 1895, Mr. Arnold was married to Mrs. Mary Kraenzlein, the widow of Henry Kraenzlein. whose death was caused by fatal injuries recei\-ed from being run over by a railroad train, his death occurring two weeks after the accident. Mrs. Arnold has two children by her first marriage, - John M. and Katie M. Kraenzlein. Our subject and his wife have one daughter, Laura B. Arnold, born June 3, 1896.

Mrs. Arnold was born December 16. 1865, in Mittelfranken, Bavaria, Germany, and is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Oeder. Mr. Oeder was a carpenter in Bavaria, Germany, before coming to this country, at which time Mrs. Arnold was three years of age, and therefore does not recall many events of the long six weeks' voyage on the ocean. Mr. and Mrs. Oeder first lived in Bay City, afterward operated a farm in Bangor township, which they later sold and moved to Standish, Michigan, where they live at the present time. There were seven children in their family as follows : Fred, of Bangor township ; Alichael, who resides with his father at Standish ; Margaret B., wife of John P. Ittner, of Beaver township; Barbara, wife of George Gerbauser, of Frankenlust township; Katherine. wife of William Hubner, of Portsmouth township; Sophia, wife of Edward Schuman, of Bangor township; and Mary, the wife of the subject of this sketch. The Oeder family are members of the German Lutheran Church.

Mr. Arnold is best known, perhaps, for his connection with the coal industry of this section. He has been interested in the discovery of some of the most prominent and best known coal mines of Bay County. On September i8, 1896, he found and struck the first coal on the Albert Pfundt place, at a depth of 121 feet. The following year two shafts were erected, and the two mines are known as the Michigan and Central mines. On January 6, 1898, in the presence of Messrs. Maxon, Flower and Lewis Howe, he found a vein of coal on the Von Alstein Place, in Bangor township, at a depth of 124 feet. This was the first test-hole put down for coal in that vicinity ; it was somewhat outside of what has been found to be the main vein and consequently only a small quantity of coal was struck. But one year later, however, Messrs. Voss and Jackson had a good shaft erected three-quarters of a mile east of the test-hole and have been mining ever since. This is the well-known Wenona mine. Mr. Arnold also enjoys the distinction of having been the first one to discover Wolverine coal here. While drilling on his farm in the southern part of section 10, in Monitor township, on Decemlier 6, 1898, he discovered coal. From there the vein runs directly southwest to the present shaft of the mine called Wolverine mine No. 2. A litttle over a year later, while drilling on the Everson farm, he located another coal bed, and struck on March 20. 1900, in tlie presence of his helper, Henry Erbisch, and Messrs. Everson, Johnson and Hunter, what has proved to be one of the best-]iaying coal mines in the State of Michigan, which is known as Wolverine No. 3. Views of the Wenona and Wolverine No. 3 are shown earlier in this work, on a foregoing page. As these mines have been very extensively operated ever since their discovery, and as the Pere ]\Iarquette Railroad to the Wolverine mines was built especially for the purpose of providing transportation for the product of the mines, it can be said that Mr. Arnold, through his discoveries of coal, has been of great assistance in developing Bay County and bringing prosperity to the doors of its inhabitants.

About the same time that he made these discoveries of coal, he leased some 3,000 acres of land of the farmers in his neighborhood for coal development purposes, but on May 29, 1901 , he sold all his leases and machinery to the Handy Brothers Mining Company, of Bay City, with the exception of the famous drill that has brought him so much wealth. He has no intention of parting with it.

Mr. Arnold is a progressive and enterprising man, one w'ho has shown judgment and foresight in business life, and he stands well in his community. In politics he is a Republican.

E\'. EDWARD AUGUSTIN LEFEBVRE, pastor of St. Michael's Catholic Church at Pinconning, was Irani at Saginaw, Michigan, in 1868, and is a son of Augustin and Rachael (Viau) Lefebvre. His father died in 1878, in his 47th year, and his mother now resides with him at the parsonage in Pinconning.

Father Lefebvre received his primary education at St. Andrew's Academy and the High School at Saginaw, and afterward took an academic course at Assumption College. Sandwich, Ontario, from which he was graduated in 1886. He then completed his philosophical and theological courses in the Grand Seminary at Montreal, Pro\ince of Quebec, and was then ordained to the priesthood. He became assistant pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church, West Bay City, and at the end of seven months was transferred to Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Au Sable. Michigan, as assistant pastor. He remained there until March, 1893, when he was called to St. ^Michael's Catholic Church at Pinconning, of which he has since had charge. The parsonage, which was under course of construction at his coming, he completed, adding improvements to the amount of $1,000. He has also added $2,500 in improvements to the church, increasing its seating capacity by one-third, and under his direction the congregation has purchased a cemetery of five acres lying along the river.

Prior to the organization of a parish here, Pinconning was visited by a Jesuit missionary. Father Shular, whose devoted work through this section of the county was of such value to the church as to live as a monument to his memory. He discontinued his visits here in 1889 and was succeeded by Rev. John G. Sanson, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church at West Bay City, whose mission it continued until 1 89 1. In that year Rev. C. H. Dequoy was appointed pastor of St. Michael's Catholic Church and its missions, which included Linwood. Gladwin. Standish and AuGres. He was succeeded in 1893 by Father Lefebvre, who was assisted from October, 1893, until April of the following year by Rev. L. H. Gourin, D. D., and again from April, 1899, to November, 1901, by Rev. Arthur La Montague. In 1894, the Linwood mission was detached and made the parish of St. Ann. and in 1901 the Standish mission was detached and made the parish of St. John the Baptist. But one mission remains attached to St. Michael's, that of the Sacred Heart, at Gladwin. St.

Michael's Church has a congregation of mixed nationality, and in 1904 the Polish element erected a chapel at Nine ]\Iile. a flag station in Mount Forest township. Father Lefebvre has labored faithfully and well over his charge, and many are the kind deeds and charities traceable to his door.

Orton Gallagher. M. D.

ORTON GALLAGHER. M. D., one of the leading medical practitioners of Bay City, was born May 19, 1863, at Portland, Ontario, Canada, and is a son of William Gallagher.

The father of Dr. Gallagher was born in the North of Ireland, and the mother, in Canada. W'illiam Gallagher was a pioneer in his section of Ontario, where his 10 children were born. All survive with one exception, and our subject is the ninth member of the family.

Morton Gallagher was educated in the public schools at Portland and the Athens (Ontario) High School and then taught a country school for several years. During these years. 1882 and 1883, he prepared for entrance to the Queen's Medical College, at Kingston, Ontario. The records of that institution show that at the end of his third year he stood third in a competitive examination and was awarded the position of interne for six months. He was graduated with the class of 1887, but was then obliged to pass still another examination, that of the physicians and surgeons, before he could practice in Ontario, where the rules governing medical practice are more strict than this side of the border. Each student passes three searching examinations : the primary, the intermediate and the final. To the public this seems as it should be, for upon the physician's knowledg'e and in his trained liands rest responsibilities of vast consequence to his fellow mortals.

After Dr. Gallagher was thus well prepared to enter upon practice, he settled in the town of Campbell ford, Ontario, where he remained for seven years. In looking about for another location where he would find a wider field of etTort, he selected Bay City and came here in May, 1894, previously having taken, in 1893, a post-graduate course at the Polyclinic College and Hospital, New York City. Dr. Gallagher is well known to the public of Bay City, both professionally and otherwise, and is held in universal esteem. He is president of the Bay County Medical Society and belongs also to the American Medical Association and the Michigan State Medical Society.

Dr. Gallagher was married in Ontario to Emily Tucker, who was born in Canada. They have a family of seven children, viz: Sherman G., Florence E.. William H., Fletcher T., Helen J., Marion M. and Pauline.

Dr. Gallagher has served as a member of the Board of Health of Bay City and also on the Board of Education. He is an active member of a number of social bodies and fraternal organizations, including the Odd Fellows and the Masons.

SAAC H. HILL. Among the history builders of Bay City. Michigan, was the late Isaac H. Hill, whose portrait accompanies this sketch. He was president of the Michigan Pipe Works, manager of the Bay City Bridge Company and closely identified with many of the other great business interests of this section. Mr. Hill was born in Tompkins County, New York, in 1814. After the death of his first wife, he moved to

Tyrone, Schuyler County, and after his long and useful life had closed, his remains were taken back and laid to rest with the dust of his ancestors.

Mr. Hill was of great service to Bay City in many capacities. His business abilities, executive power and high sense of commercial integrity made his service of great importance. He was one of the moving spirits in the founding of numerous industries and the present prosperity and scope of the Michigan Pipe Works are due directly to his efiforts. In many other departments of activity, he was prominent. His was a busy life, one which reflects credit and honor upon this city and his name will long be perpetuated by what he succeeded in accomplishing.

In 1848, Mr. Hill was married, in Steuben County, New York, to his second wife, - Mrs. Susan Ann Hale, widow of Samuel P. Hale and daughter of Henry S. and Margaret (Teeple) Williams. Mrs. Hill was born June 30, 1829. Her two children by her first marriage are deceased. Four children were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Hill, the two survivors being: Mary, who is the wife of H. B. Smith, of the Alichigan Pipe Works; and Charles H. Hill, also financially interested in the Michigan Pipe Works and a resident of Bay City, who married Bertha Hay.

The father of Mrs. Hill was a merchant in Steuben County, New York, for many years, also county judge for several years, in which office he was serving at the time of his death. Mrs. Hall was reared and educated in Steuben Cotmty, being one of a family of six children. Her interests have been centered in Bay City for more than half her life-tiine and there are few ladies in private life here who are more beloved or esteemed for noble qualities of mind and heart. She can recall all the various steps by which Bay City has climbed from a small lumber town to its present prosperity, and in the furthering of all those agencies looking to the establishment of schools, churches and charities, she has taken an active part. Her beautiful home is situated at No. 1403 Fifth street, Bay City.

OHN C. ROWDEN, a well-known citizen of Auburn, Bay County, Michigan, is a lawyer by profession and enjoys a fair land and pension practice. He was born in Devonshire, England, February 9, 1844, and is a son of John and Mary (Crispin) Rowden.

John Rowden, the father, was Ijorn in England and came to this country with his wife and four children in the fall of 1854. The voyage from Plymouth, England, to Quebec, Canada, on the sailing vessel "Oriental" consumed more than seven weeks. They proceeded straightway to Detroit, JMichigan, thence to Williams township, Bay County, the latter part of the journey taking three weeks, as there were no roads. They followed bridle paths and frequently found it necessary to go ahead and cut a way. His oldest son. Samuel, had preceded him by two years, and together they took up 80 acres under the preemption act. They cleared the virgin land of its timber and underbrush, erected a cabin and then set to work to cultivate the land. Provisions were exceedingly scarce and they experienced all the hardships incidental to pioneer life. The father was a Republican in politics, and a man of a high order of intellect. He possessed a wonderful memory, and, although not a member of any church, was able to tell the book and verse of any passage in the Bible when he heard it. He died in 1877, at the age of 79 years, and his wife died one month later, at the same age. He had two brothers, William, a private in the

Queen's Guards, of the English Annv, who probably lost his life in the siege of Sebastopol, as he was last heard of there ; and Robert, who was commander of the battleship "Warrior," in the English Xavy. j\lr. Rowden married Mary Crispin and they had the following children: Samuel, of West Bay City; Mrs. Mary Ann Kent, a widow ; Mrs. Susan Dutton, who died in 1903 and was buried at Fentonville, Michigan ; John and Martha, who died in England; and John C, our subject.

John C. Rowden's schooling was limited to two years, and his education was mainly acquired by private research in such books as he could borrow. He frequently walked a distance of 10 miles to borrow a book, which he would peruse thoroughly and carefully. He developed a taste for study and began reading law, gaining his knowledge in a slow way as opportunity presented itself. He passed the examinations of the Department of the Interior in 1 88 1, and in 1895 was admitted to the bar of Bay County. He has established a remunerative land and pension practice, and maintains his office at Auburn. He voted the Republican ticket until 1866, since which time he has been independent in politics. In 1901, he was elected representative from the Second District, on the Industrial ticket, receiving the endorsement of the Democratic party. He served one term in that capacity, two terms as supervisor and two terms as justice of the peace.

On August 2, 1862, at the age of 18 years, Mr. Rowden enlisted in Company F, 23rd Reg., Michigan Vol. Inf., and was mustered in on September i itli for a term of three years. He was shot in the hip joint while serving at Dallas, Texas. May 28, 1864. and on No\'ember 30th of that year received a bullet wound in the head at the battle of Franklin, Tennessee. He rose from private to 2d sergeant as a result of bravery in carrying ammunition to the firing line in tlie face of severe fighting, being promoted over 1 1 non-commissioned officers, who magnanimously congratulated him for merited reward. He later was advanced to be 1st sergeant, April 5, 1865, and was discharged at Salisbury, North Carolina, June 28, 1865. He participated in the following engagements : Campbell's Station, Lenoir, siege of Knoxville, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Altoona, Atlanta, Franklin, Nash\-i!le, Fort Anderson, W'ilmington and Goldsboro. He is a member of Marshall Post No. 407, G. A. R.

On December 31, 1865. Mr. Rowden married Alice Moore, a daughter of Joseph and Eleanor Moore, and they have three children : Joseph, of Beaver township; Robert, who lives at home : and George Vleit, who at the death of his mother, in March, 1880, was taken to raise by the Vleit family. Our subject was again married July 20, 1881. to Selina Gilbert, a daughter of Joseph and Chastina Gilbert.

REDERICK BEYER, a prosperous farmer residing in section 8. Merritt township, was born in ^lichelbach, Bavaria, Germany. September 6, 1844, and is a son of Christian and Christine (Brunenmeyer) Beyer.

Christian Beyer was born in Bavaria, (jermany, August i, 181 3, and came to America in 1854, locating in Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, Michigan. He worked in sawmills and cut cord-wood until he retired and went to live at the home of bis son, Frederick, where he died July 6, 1900, at the age of eighty-seven years. He was always a very active and energetic man and continued so to the time of his death, having been walking around the bouse within a half hour of the final summons. He was a Democrat in politics. Religiously, he was a member of the German Lutheran Church, and three times assisted in building the German Lutheran Church at Madison avenue and Eighth street. Bay City. He married Christine Brunenmeyer, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, and died in Bay City, at the age of 69 years and five days. They were parents of four children, as follows: Adam, a farmer of Portsmouth township; Frederick, our subject; John, who died at the age of 15 years; and Mary, of Muskegon, Michigan.

Frederick Beyer when a boy came to this country w-ith his brother, their parents having preceded them to this country about one year. They made the journey from Hamburg to New York in a sailing vessel, the voyage consuming 42 days, and during this period occurred the nth anniversary of the birth of our subject. The law at that time was such that Frederick and his brother were too young to travel alone, so a friendly lady took oath that she would see the boys safely to their parents. She took them to Buffalo, Detroit, Toledo and Chicago, finally leaving them in the latter city. There they remained for seven weeks, the landlord of their house taking excellent care of them, and when he finally sent them to their uncle in Aurora, Illinois, returned their money to them. They lived with their uncle two months and then went to Pontiac, Michigan, by rail, thence by stage to Saginaw, where they joined their father and mother. All the trouble had been caused by letters being missent. Frederick lived at home until he reached the age of 23 years, working in a sawmill as early as he was able. Later, in partnership with his brother, he conducted a lath and stave mill for some years. Later they both moved to Portsmouth township. Bay County, each buying a tract of 40 acres of good farm land, which they cultivated. Frederick Bever sold his 40 acres to good advantage and purchased a farm of 120 acres in section 8, Merritt township, where he has since resided. He has since disposed of 60 acres of this farm by sale, and one acre by donation to the churcli, retaining 59 acres at the present time. At the time he acquired it, the property was all woodland and unimproved. He cleared it of its timber and erected a number of good substantial buildings, necessary for the successful pursuit of farming. With the hardheads he cleared from his place he built the foundation for his home, which is one of the best farm houses in the township. He has engaged in general farming and stock-raising; making a specialty of Jersey and Durham cattle of a high grade, and keeps an average of about 12 head, of which fi\'e are usually milch cows.

On April 28, 1869. Frederick Beyer was united in marriage with Rosena Armbruster, who was born in Ohio, February 12, 1850, and was a daughter of William Armbruster, of Wurtemburg, Germany. She died May 8, 1889, having given birth to the following children: Fred, of Bay City: Mary, wife of George Berndall, of Bay City; William, of Muskegon, Michigan; Annie, wife of John Kamiscke, of Detroit: Adam, who died young; Maggie, wife of Walter Pertenfelder, of Bay City; Adam, who lives in Bay City ; Matthew, of Bay City ; and Dora.

On September 20, 1890, Mr. Beyer married Mrs. Justina Mayer, nee Koebres, widow of Fred Mayer and a daughter of Adam Koebres of Germany. She was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, February 24, 1850, and after her first husband's death came to this country with her two children : Charles Mayer, of Merritt township; and Maggie (Man) of Bay City. As a result of this union Mr. and Mrs. Beyer have a son, Henry, who is attending school at Bay City.

Our subject was a Democrat in politics until recent years ; he is now a Republican. He served as highway commissioner three years, as drainage commissioner two years, as justice of the peace eight years, as treasurer of Merritt township two years, and as township clerk 13 consecutive years, filling that office at the present time. Owing to the delicate condition of his health he has refused offices of greater responsibility. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church, to which he donated one acre of his farm, and assisted in the erection of the present church.

Eorge Learned Mosher

EORGE LEARNED MOSHER, president and manager of the George L. Mosher Company, of West Bay City, Michigan, retail dealers in hardware, house furnishings, farm implements and carriages, was born in West Troy, New York, January 16, 1850, and is a son of Alfred and Amaretta (Learned) Mosher.

Zabad Mosher, grandfather of our subject, was born in Vermont, followed the occupations of farming and teaching, and died in 1872, aged 81 years. His son Alfred Mosher, father of our subject, was born April 14, 1819, at Royalton, Vermont, and died September 12, 1898, at Watervliet, New York.

Alfred Mosher left home when about 16 years of age and became a grocery clerk in an establishment at Troy, New York, which permitted him to serve in this capacity during the winters and to spend his summers on a sloop sailing on the Hudson River, He became master and then owner of a vessel and continued on the river some 12 years. He then went into a lumber business at West Troy, his facilities for freighting on his own vessels making this very profitable. He became a prominent citizen of

W'est Troy, served on the Police Board and was elected president of the village. The opening u]) of the great lumher interests in this section of Michigan attracted him hither in 1870, and he immediately began operating in timber lands. In 1879 he formed a partnership with his son Alfred, the firm name being Mosher & Son, and the business continued until it became financially embarrassed in 1895. While this proved disastrous in a monetary way to Mr. Mosher, it proved to him the high regard in which he had been held by his fellow-citizens. They had implicit confidence in his business integrity and they showed that his great misfortune had not caused it to be withdrawn. On account of the large operations and connections of this firm, its failure was a public disaster in the sister cities, but Mr. Mosher's honesty was never for one moment questioned. Five of his nine children reached maturity, viz: George L., of West Bay City; Emily R., wife of George H. Tilden, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts; Charles A., who died in 1885; Ella, who died in 1881 : and Alfred, of Bay City. Our subject's parents were members of the North Dutch Reformed Church of West Troy.

George L. Mosher came to West Bay City in 1873 and was employed for about two years in his father's lumber office. Then he purch;ised an interest in his present Inisiness, which at that time \\as conducted by the firm of Moots & Rupff. and the firm style became Motts, Crane & Mosher, which continued two years, at the close of which period Mr. Mosher purchased his partners' interests and conducted the business alone from 1877 to 1896. In the latter year it was incorporated as the George L. Mosher Company, with our subject as president and manager, and his son, Alfred Locke Mother, as secretary and treasurer. This is the oldest hardware house in W'est Bay City and probably has a larger trade than any other

Mr. Mosher married Sarah J. Locke, who is a daughter of Charles Locke, of W'est Troy, New York, and they have three children : Alfred Locke, Ambrose R. and Emily. The famil\' belong to the Westminster Presbyterian Church, of West Bay City. Mr. Mosher is past master of W'enona Lodge, No. 296, F. & A. M. ; and is a member of Bay City Chapter, No. 136, R. A. ]\I. ; and Bay City Commandery, No. 26, K. T.

EORGE E. W^EDTHOFF, register of deeds for Bay County, Michigan, is one of the well-known, reliable and substantial citizens of Bay City. Mr. Wedthoff was born at Bay City, February 20, 1870, and is a son of the late Albert R. and Louise (Schultz) Wedthoff.

Our subject's parents were both born in Germany. They are both deceased and are survived by four sons, our subject being the youngest. One brother, W^illiam F., is associated with the New York Life Insurance Company.

George E. Wedthoff is one of Bay City's sons who has attained prominence through personal endeavor. His school days ended at the age of 15 years and in 1885 he entered Judge Webster's office. In 1889 he was employed by Webster & Pettipiece, who were engaged in the abstract business. He was apt, careful and observing and after the formation of the Bay County Abstract Company he became its manager in 1895. He continued with that corporation until his election as register of deeds in 19CX). In 1903 he purchased a set of abstract books and has continued in the business for himself ever since. His careful, accurate, thorough work in this line has made his services of the greatest value. Mr. Wedthoff is also interested in other enterprises and is vicepresident (jf the Mutual Building & Loan Association of Bay County. -

On September 12, 1894, Mr. \Vedthoff was united in marriage with Nellie H. Crippen. who was born at Saginaw. Michigan. They have one son, Guy G. Mr. Wedthoff is a Republican in politics. Fraternally he is associated with many of the leading organizations, viz: Masons, Elks, Modern Woodmen of America, Foresters and Loval Guards.

APT, JOHN Y. McKINNEY, who is engaged in market gardening with good success, is the owner of a valuable tract of land in Portsmouth township, on the boundary line of Bay City. He was engaged in the sawmill business for a period of 28 years, and is well known to the citizens of this county.

Captain McKinney was born in Detroit, Michigan, June 28, 1836, and is a son of Ira and Elizabeth (Somerville) McKinney. His father was born in Orange county. New York, December 27, 1804, and was reared on a farm. He worked on the home farm until he arrived at his majority, then went to New York City and engaged in mercantile business. He later engaged in the grocery business there, and took an active part in politics, being a stanch \Miig. His connection with politics led to the ruin of his business, although he was not a seeker for ofifice himself. About 1834, he removed to Detroit and went to work in a sawmill, continuing there until 1850, in which year he came to Bay City. He formed a partnership with C. L. Russell, of Cleveland. Ohio, under the firm name of Russell & ^IcKinney, and engaged in the sawmill business, their mill being located on Fremont avenue. They continued actively in the business until i860, when the mill was rented to John Y. ^McKinney, our subject. In 1 858 Ira McKinney bought of the government a farm of 40 acres on the west side of what is now Michigan avenue, opposite the present home of our subject. He carried on general farming and lived on this property until his death on April 4, 1888. Politically he was first a Whig and in after years a Republican. January 15, 1827, he was joined in marriage with Elizabeth Somerville, who was born in Ireland May 10, 1 80 1, and was the youngest of 18 children born to her parents. She came to America with two brothers and was married to Mr. McKinney in New York City. They were parents of the following children : Sarah Jane, born December 5, 1827, and deceased October 12, 1878, who was the wife of Humphrey Owen, a prominent lumberman of Detroit; James Renwick, born January 17, 1830, deceased August 30, 1848; Lucinda, born December I, 1832, who was first married to Charles Wilber, and later to Clark Johnson, of Bay City, - she is now a widow and resides in St. Paul, Minneapolis ; Mary Ellen, born March 12, 1834, who married Henry N. Eastman, December 22, 1850, and is now a widow residing in Des Moines, Iowa : John Y.. our subject ; William, who was born and died on January 16, 1840; and Eliza, born June i, 1843, who is the wife of Daniel Campbell, of Denver, Colorado. ]\Irs. ]\IcKinney died October 2. 1865, aged 64 years. She and her husband were members of the Universalist Church.

John Y. McKinney attended the public schools of Detroit and Bay City, and during his boyhood days worked in his father's mill. In i860, he rented this mill and conducted it until 1861. when it was destroyed by an explosion.

He then placed in operation the first circularsaw sawmill on the Saginaw River. On July 3, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, 23rd Reg.. Michigan Vol. Inf., and served with the regiment throughout the Civil War. He went out as a lieutenant and in 1864 was promoted to a captaincy. He was honorably discharged in 1865 and returned to Bay City, where he became foreman of a sawmill. He continued identified with sawmills until 1893, and in that time accumulated quite an estate, which included six stores, a skating rink and a fine residence. He then purchased I73^ acres of land in Portsmouth township, adjoining Bay City, and has a fine truck garden, orchard and vineyard. He has 200 grape vines, and an orchard of 400 trees, comprised of peach, pear, plum, cherry and apple. He is a man of energy* and enterprise and has met with deserved success.

On February 13, 1872, INIr. McKinney was united in marriage with Harriet Hudson, a daughter of John R. Hudson, of Grand Lodge, Michigan. She was born in St. Lawrence County, New York. To them were born the following children : John H., was born June 29, 1874, who is identified with the Northern Pacific Railroad, and lives at Superior, Wisconsin; Ira H., born August 25, 1876, who is a chemist in the employ of the Marine City Sugar Company, of Marine City. Michigan; Nellie, born March 28. 1878. deceased, who was the wife of Van Rensselaer B. Gark of ^letamora, by whom she had two children, John McKinney and Helen Gark McKinney, the latter having been adopted by our subject: and Mary, born December 25, 1879. who is a teacher in the Bay City public schools. Religiousl\-. Mr. McKinney and Jiis family belong to the Fremont .\venue Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was trustee for many years. He resides with his familv in a comfortable sevenroom home, which he built at the time of moving upon his place in 1893. Politically, he is a Republican but has never taken an active part in political affairs.

HARLES NERRETER, a thrifty farmer, whose farm is situated in section 35. Fraser township, was Ijorn at Clio, Saginaw County, Michigan, May 12, 1869. He is a son of John and Minnie (Myser) Nerreter, who came from Germany, where they were married, before the Civil War. The father enlisted for service in that war in a Michigan infantry regiment. He engaged in farming and lumbering at the close of the war. He died about 18S6. when 64 years old. His W'idow is still living, aged about 75 years.

school days worked at farming and on the river. For 16 years he was employed as an engineer on lake steamers, and for the last nine years of that period worked for Bigelow Brothers, of Chicago. He bought his farm in Fraser township, which consists of 80 acres, in March, 1902.

On January 2. 1896. Mr. Nerreter was married to Carrie Watkins, a native of Pennsylvania, a daughter of Homer and Sarepta (Gilmore) Watkins. Homer Watkins was born in W^est Bloomfield, Ontario County, New York, on July 26, 1825. His father, Lewis Watkins. was born November 27, 1789, in Connecticut, and removed to Western New York when quite voung. He learned the shoemaker's trade, and carried on a shop in the then village of Buffalo, where he was living before the War of 18 12. He afterward moved to Black Rock, then a separate village but now a part of the city of Buffalo, and had a shop there. On January 28, j8iS, he married Philena Rew, a native of East Bloomfield, New York. Her father, Lot Rew, was one of the first settlers of East Bloomfield, having moved there from Connecticut. Homer Watkins' mother died in Bloomfield. October 13, 1831. In 1832 his father came to Michigan, and bought 80 acres of land in the town of Farmington, Oakland County.

Sarepta (Gilmore) Watkins, Mrs. Nerreter's mother, was a daughter of Oliver and Tyla (Wilson) Gilmore, who were natives of New York State, where Mrs. Watkins was born. Her grandfather, John Gilmore, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and lived many years in Chautauqua County, New York.

Mr. and Mrs. Nerreter have reared five children, namely: Ferris Watkins, horn November 5, 1896; Ferolene Beatrice, born October 18, 1898: Charles Harris, Jr., l)orn Novemljer 3, 1900: and Ruth and Helen (twins), born December 5, 1903. Politically, Mr. Nerreter is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a Mason. His religious views are non-sectarian.

YMAN RIVKIN, who is a successful general merchant at Linwood, Bay County, Michigan, was born in 1851 at Mogelem, Russia, his parents being natives of that place.

Mr. Rivkin lost his father when he was a child of nine years. His mother was dependent upon her son's support, and as soon as he had completed his education, in the common schools of his native village, he began to teach, and continued in the educational field for 21 years. In 1890 he decided to emigrate to America, his one regret being that his mother could not accompany him. She died one year later. When Mr. Rivkin reached West Bay City, Michigan, his capital was exhausted and he was obliged to work from the bottom in building up a business. His family joined him one year later ailM Mr. Rivkin attributes much of his success to the advice and assistance of his capable wife. He engaged in a dry goods business at West Bay City for about 18 months and then located at Linwood where he has remained ever since, building up here a business second to none in the locality. He carries a large and varied stock of seasonable goods, giving his patrons careful and courteous attention and sells at the lowest prices.

In 1870 Mr. Rivkin was married to Lottie Chwerbilou, who was born in his native place. Their children were born in Russia and accompanied the mother to America in 1891. They are as follows: Jacob, born in 1871, who is engaged in a junk business at Buffalo, New York; Lena, born in 1873, who is the wife of A. Cohen, who was born in Russia: Samuel, born in 1875, who is a general merchant at Omer, Annie, born in 1877, who married Benjamin Terris, a native of Russia, and resides in Detroit: Ida, born in 1884, who on April 6, 1905, was married to Julius Rosenberg, a native of Russia, now a resident of Alpena, Michigan: and Lillian, born in 1887, who resides at home. In addition to this family of affectionate children, all of whom are doing well, Mr. Rivkin has 11 grandchildren, as follows : Bluma and Morris, JacolVs children ; Sylvia, Florence, William and Pearl, Lena's children : Fivus, Freda and Marcus, Samuel's children : and Zimka and Eveline. Annie's children. When there is a family reunion, joy abounds, for all are closely united in affection. Mr. and Mrs. Rivkin have worked hard and are now al)le to enjoy the fruits of their in(histry' and economy. They are very lii,<,dily respected by the residents of Linwood. Poh'licallv Mr. Rivkin is a Repubhcan, but he is no seeker for otifice, his time and attention lieing aI)sorl5ed in his business, his family and liis pleasant social connections. He is a member of the Maccabees. The family is Jewish in religious belief.

A^IES H. POTTER, one of the representative citizens of Portsmouth township, Bay County, Michigan, who resides on his fine farm of 137 acres in section 34, township 14, range 5, was born in Surrey County, England, within 20 miles of London, on April 24, 1844, and is a son of James and Sarah (Adams) Potter, an old English family.

Our subject is the sixth member of a family of 13 children and, with the exception of his late brother William, the only member of the family to come to Michigan. In 1856 he went to Brighton, England, and found employment in that fashionable seaside city, remaining there until 1870, when he emigrated to .\merica. Prior to this he had been employed by the great contracting firm of John Aird & Sons and assisted in the construction of the great gas works at Bromley, Kent ; spent four years assisting in the construction of the Millwall docks ; spent two years at Hampton assisting in the construction of the Vauxhall water-works ; helped build the Charter gas works at Barkin on the Thames, and was employed in much railroad building in and around the city of London.

New York, and worked a short time in a brickyard near Rochester. In July he reached the Saginaw Valley and found employment in the construction of the Michigan Central Railroad for a few months and then turned his attention to lumbering, working first in a sawmill and then in a lumber camp in the woods. He then went to California and while there bored a number of artesian wells in the San Francisco Valley. Finally he returned to the Saginaw Valley and worked for the leading companies in various capacities in the lumber region for 16 years, 14 of these in the woods.

When Mr. Potter decided to settle down permanently, his knowledge of values served him well and his selection of land proved most fortunate. The tract he secured was entirely unimproved, but Mr. Potter soon placed it under cultivation. He was obliged to cut a road through to his property and to make a number of public improvements on his own account, all of which tended to make his farm more valuable. As soon as practicable he built a substantial residence and commodious barn and outbuildings, to which he has added as necessity has demanded. In 1900 he added to his holdings by the purchase of 97 additional acres adjoining his original 40-acre tract, his land being situated in section 34. For the past 1 6 years he has operated a first-class dairy, his place bearing the name, - "Alderney Dairy Farm." He has made a specialty of sugar beets and has devoted 20 acres to them. Few men have had a wider experience in \-arious lines than has Mr. Potter and few have been more successful in what they have undertaken.

Mr. Potter was married first, in England, in 1866, to Hannah Chipperfield. who remained in England until 1873, when she joined Mr. Potter. She died in 1893, without issue. In 1895 Mr. Potter was married to Nancy Richter, who was bom in 1862, in Ontario, Canada,

IIRISTIAX APPOLD, who owns a fine farm bordering on the Saginaw River, consisting of 120 acres in sections 5, 6 and 7. township 13, range 5. in Frankenlust township, was born on this farm December 17, 1861, and is a son of John C. and Barbara (Arnold) Appold.

The parents of Mr. Appold were both born at Bayern, Germany, the father on August 9, 1826, and the mother on June 21, 1824. John C. Appold died on his farm in Frankenlust township, April 9. 1903. one of the most highly valued men of the southern section of Bay County, one who for years had directed every energy to the development of this section and who had been more than usually honored by his fellow-citizens. He came to America and directly to Bay County in 1852. For some four years he worked at the carpenter trade in Lower Saginaw, by which name Bay City was at that time known, and then bought 30 acres in Frankenlust township, now included in our subject's farm. At that time the land was still covered with its virgin growth of timber. He started in at once to clear and put the property under cultivation, and for a while lived in a little shanty where housekeeping was carried on in a primitive way. He w-as a man not only of industry and determination, but also of business foresight. He soon erected a sawmill and then operated it for 12 years, being succeeded by Schaller & Stevens. He subsequently bought over 300 acres of pine lands in Frankenlust township, and at his death left an improved farm of 130 acres.

Politically John C. Appold was in perfect accord with the Republican party and in the early days was one of the only three members of this party in the township. During a period of 12 years he served as a delegate to every convention. With the greatest honesty and efficiency he served in the office of highway commissioner, drainage commissioner, pathmaster, school inspector, for 25 years was school moderator and for a long time was a justice of the peace. He was always among the foremost to urge improvements of a public character in the township, while at the same time he was a careful guardian of the public funds. When the project was advanced concerning the building of the first German Lutheran Church in the township, he was one of the handful of earnest men who were ready to insure its completion. Before coming to America he had loyally served his own country for six years in the army.

The mother of our subject was Barbara Arnold, who came to America on the same vessel that brought Mr. Appold across the ocean. They were married at Bay Cit}- one year later. She died here on the homestead in Frankenlust township, December i, 1890, the mother of seven children : Michael, of Frankenlust township ; John Jacob, of Monitor township ; Mary Barbara, of Frankenlust township ; George, of Williams township; Christian, of this sketch ; Fred, of Frankenlust township ; and Leonard, of Huron County.

Our subject has always resided on the old home farm which he operates as a grain and stock farm. He has, like his late father, always been identified with county politics and is usually selected as a delegate to the Republican county conventions, but has refused to accept office. He has also been very active in the affairs of St. Paul's German Lutheran Church

On November 31, 1889. Mr. Appold married Anna Xeumeyer, wlio was born August 15, 1866, at Salzburg, Bay County, and is a daughter of Martin and Mary (Schwap) Neumeyer, natives of Germany and pioneers of this county. They have six children : George J., Benjamin, Jacob. Christina. Carl and Christian, Jr.

OHN H. SHARPE. one of the prominent men of Bay County, who resides on his well-cultivated farm of 20 acres, situated in section 17, Hampton township, has been identified with public affairs and educational progress in this locality for the past 30 years. Mr. Sharpe was born September 3, 1849. "^^^ Kingston. Ontario, Canada, and is a son of Andrew and Delila (Kronke) Sharpe.

The Sharpe ancestry is traced to James P. Sharpe, Archbishop of Sterling, who suffered death in the time of Charles II of England. Lawrence Sharpe, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Perthshire, Scotland, and came to America at a very early day, settling in the State of New York in Revolutionary times.

Andrew- Sharpe was born near Oswego, New' York and was 1 5 years old when the family removed to Canada, where it remained through his life. Andrew Sharpe took part in the iMcKinzie Rebellion in 1837. His occupation was farming. His death took place at the age of 73 years. The Sharpe family was represented by several members in the military operations of the War of 1812. The mother of our subject was hnrn in Ontario, Canada, where she died at the age of 67 years. The family

Our subject was 15 years old when he left the home farm and entered Prince Albert College, at Belleville, Canada, where he enjoyed three years of collegiate training. Then he crossed the border and resided at W^atertown, New York, working at various callings for some two years, and then came West to Michigan, becoming bookkeeper for a large woolen mill at Flint. After 18 months at Flint he went to Hawley and later to Lapeer, and finally, in 1873, settled in Bay County. This section of the State has been his chosen home ever since and he has resided for the past 26 years upon his present compact little farm, which is noted for its fertility, and is mainly devoted to fine gardening and fruit-growing.

Mr. Sharpe has been one of the most vigorous promoters of education in this section of Bay County. After locating here, he taught country schools for three years and then w-as principal of the Essexville School for one year; later he became principal of the Sterling School and taught also at other points. His services were valued and he was made county school examiner and for six years was secretary of the local School Board and for two years held other official positions.

Mr. Sharpe is now identified with the Democratic party and has been honored by the party on numerous occasions. He served one term as township clerk and for the past 20 years has been a justice of the peace.

In 1873 Mr. Sharpe was united in marriage with Mary Dillon, who was born near London. Ontario. Canada, August 17, 1853, and is a daughter of John and Johanna Dillon, natives of Ireland. They have had nine children : Harold, of Everett, Washington ; Carl S., of Seattle. Washington: Agnes M., wife of F. P. Sawyer, of Everett, W^ashington ; John

Air. Sharpe's fraternal associations are with the St. Andrew's Society and other Scottish clans. As one of the representative men of this section, Mr. Sharpe exerts a wide influence and is probably as well-known as any other agriculturist in Bay County.

HESLEY WHEELER, one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of Bay City, is a retired ship-builder, who was born in Warren County, New York, June 17, 1823, and is a son of George and Sally (Padden) Wheeler.

George Wheeler was born in Eastern New York, and devoted his entire life to farming. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was stationed at Sackett's Harbor. There the United States government had built a large vessel for war purposes, which, peace having been declared, was never launched. The subject of this sketch well remembers going over this vessel, after it had lieen housed in and placed on exhibition. The father died in 1831 in Jefferson County, New York. His death was the result of diseases caused by over exertion, and the exposure incident to frontier life.

Chesley Wheeler's mother had six sons and four daughters, of whom he and three sisters are the only survivors. Of these, Mrs. Mary Ann Eaton, who is next older than he. lives in St. Louis, Michigan. Another, Mrs. Emma Williams, lives in Columbus, Pennsylvania. The third sister. Mrs. Melissa Casselman. resides in Chautauqua County. New York. The mother of this family was a native of New York, but of Scotch extraction. In religious faith, she was a Presbyterian.

Chesley Wheeler grew up in Jefferson County, New York, where he receixed his mental training and where he was married. Before and after his marriage, he was engaged in farming. Subsequent to that event, he learned the trade of ship carpenter, which he followed until within the last few years. Before coming to Bay County, he built a few small vessels on contract.

Mr. Wheeler arrived in Saginaw, ]\Iichigan, in the fall of 1865 and started a shipyard there. Eight years afterward he moved to West Bay City, where he started another shipyard, having discontinued the one at Saginaw. He remained in West Bay Cif)' until about 1878, when his son, Frank Willis Wheeler, who up to that time had been in partnership with his father, became sole owner of the yard.

The "Elfin Mere" was the property of Chesley Wheeler, and was operated by him as a freight steamer until 1901, when the boat was destroyed by fire. Mr. Wheeler gave employment at times to a force numbering from 300 to 400 men.

On February 14, 1843. M^. Wheeler married Eliza Hoselton. of Jefferson County, New- York. They had five children, four of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Jane L., wife of William Durand, of Bay City; Fred D., deceased ; Emma, wife of John R. Goodfellow, of Los Angeles, California; and Frank ^\'illis. The mother of this family died December 12, 1 89 1, aged 65 years. She was a member of the Congregational Church.

Mr. Wheeler subsequently married Airs. Chauncey Greenman, iicc Imogene Thurber, a daughter of Noah Thurber. of Penn Yan, New York. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

cally, and exercised a powerful influence in public affairs, although he was absorbed in business to such an extent as to preclude the idea of holding office. Fraternally, he is a member of Joppa Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M.

Hon. Fr.\nk Willis Wheeler was born March 2, 1853, and received his mental training in the public schools of Saginaw. He learned the trade of ship carpenter with his father, with whom he entered into partnership about the time they came to Bay City. In this line he continued until the trust bought up the shipyards on the Great Lakes. He then went to Detroit, where he engaged in business as a ship owner. He purchased 200,000 acres of timber land in North Carolina, and incorporated a company with a capital of $1,000,000, Frank W'illis W'heeler married Eva Armstrong, of Saginaw, and they have one daughter, Mary, who is the wife of George Clark, of Detroit. Mr. Wheeler, like his father, is a Republican in politics. He w-as elected to Congress in 1888 from this district. Fraternally, he belongs to Joppa Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M.

LLlAAl REID, manager of the L'nion Ice Company, at Bay City, Michigan, was born in Perthshire, Scotland, March 30, 1850. and is a son of John and Ann (Morrison) Reid.

John Reid was a native of Perthshire. In 1850 he left his native land and settled in Huron District. Ontario. Canada, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until the close of his life, in 1900. at the age of 74 years.

Our subject was reared in Canada and obtained his education in the public schools. In 1870 he came to Bay City and spent five seasons in the lumber regions. He then secured the position of gang sawyer and continued in that work for some 10 years, after which he operated a salt-block for a like period and for the same company, and cleared the mill of lumber and refuse. During this time he was also engaged in farming, carrying on extensive operations for some nine years on the Watson farm, which he had rented. He raised wheat, oats and hay and had 20 head of stock, mainly horses. Mr. Reid then returned to lumbering during the winter seasons, working for Butman & Rusk, his former employers, having been two years engaged in clearing E. Y. Williams' mill. In his lumbering operations he was associated with John Redy, the firm style being Reid & Redy. and the partnership continued for two years. In 1893 ^^^- Reid lx)ught the wood business of Smalley & Woodruft". admitted Samuel Mapes to a partnership and the business was conducted under the firm name of Mapes & Reid, for six years. Then W. H. Reed bought the partner's interest, and the firm became Reid & Reed, one year later our subject becoming the sole ow-ner.

When the Union Ice Company was organized in 1899. Mr. Reid became its manager and it is the oldest and best equipped ice concern in the city, doing the major part of the ice business. The company cuts its own ice, consisting of about 35,000 tons annually, and sells both wholesale and retail. H. H. Aplin is president and Robert Beutel is secretary and treasurer of this company, both being well-known capitalists.

Mr. Reid married Jessie Foote, who is a daughter of John Foote. of Huron District, Ontaria, Canada, and they have four children : James L., Mabel May. William H. and Jessie T. The family belong to the Memorial Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Reid has been a trustee for about 10 years.

has served two terms as alderman from the Fifth \\'ard. His fraternal ties include membership with the Maccabees and with Bay City Lodge, No. 129, F. & A. yi.

ILLIAM GEORGE KELLY, M. D.. C. M., a well-known physician of Bay City, was born at Kingston, Ontario, February 5, 1874. He is a son of Isaac and Susan (Faucett) Kelly, and a grandson of William and Mary Kelly. William Kelly, the grandfather, came from the North of Ireland and settled in Kingston, where he followed the trade of a carpenter.

Isaac Kelly was born at Kingston, Ontario, March 17, 1847. When a boy he learned the trade of a pattern maker, which occupation he followed until the very day of his death, - August 5, 1904. He was a stanch Liberal. During the Fenian raid, he did military duty and received a grant of land for his services. He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he officiated as an elder. Fraternally, he belonged to the A. O. U. W. The wife of Isaac Kelly was born in Ireland and landed in Canada, after a three months' voyage, when she was about seven years of age. She is now 55 years old, and is in the enjoyment of excellent health. In religious faith she is a Presbvterian, and a consistent member of the church. Isaac Kelly and his wife had four children, namely: Henry J., who lives in St. Louis, Missouri: William George: Isaac John, of Toledo, Ohio : and Nettie Louise.

The subject of this sketch received his early mental training in the public schools of Kingston, and afterward entered the medical department of the Queen's L^niversity in that city, where he was graduated in 1897 with the degrees before mentioned. In the same year lie

Doctor Kelly married Florence Ethel Landeryon, a daughter of John C. Landeryon, of Kingston, Ontario, and they have one daughter, - Dorothy May. The Doctor is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Professionally, he belongs to the Michigan State Medical Society, and the Bay County jMedical Society. Fraternally, he is a member of Bay City Lodge, No. 129, F. & A. M., of which he is senior warden ; Blanchard Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M., and Bay City Commandery, No. 26, K. T. In politics, the Doctor is a Republican.

AMUEL F. WAIT, a prominent citizen and postmaster of Auburn, in Williams township, was born September 12, 1852, at Ogdensburg, New York. He is a son of Ebenezer and Caroline (Pierce) Walt, and is a descendant of Thomas Wayte, who was one of the signers of the death warrant of King Charles I, of England.

Ebenezer Wait was a native of New York State, and was one of several children born to his parents, among them being: Calvin, a farmer and real estate dealer who died and was buried at Malone, New York: and Lucy, wife of Daniel O. Files, of St. Regis Falls, New York. Ebenezer Wait became a machinist and engineer on lake boats, and was the first to put a walking beam on a propeller, putting it on the "B. F. Wade." He went to Chicago and for several years worked for Savage Brothers, machinists, and later was manager of a large sugar refinery in that city. In 1891, he retired from business and came to Bay County to live with our subject, dying here November 23, 1902. He was buried in Pine Grove Cemeterv in Williams township. He married Caro- line Pierce, a native of New Plampshire and a daugliter of Daniel Pierce, and they became parents of tliree children : Daniel Edward, of Chicago, who was an engineer on the Great Lakes and was drowned, it is thought, in the sinking of the steamship "Oconto ;" Charles, a farmer of Tuscola County, Michigan ; and Samuel F.

Samuel F. Wait was seven years of age when his mother died and thereafter shifted for himself. At the age of 10 years, Thomas Wolverton, a shipbuilder, saw and was attracted to the boy and persuaded the latter to go with him to his farm on the St. Clair River. There Samuel attended the district school at Robertson Landing, working before and after school hours on the farm. The farm was sold two years and a half after, and he accompanied the family of his benefactor to Belle River Mills, Michigan, where he worked on a farm for a daughter of Mr. Wolverton. In September of the same year he moved with this family to what was then Portsmouth, now South Bay City, and attended school that winter, being then 14 years old. The following spring he went to work in Watrous Brothers' shinglemill. He attended school in Portsmouth whenever he could until he was ig. He worked in the lumber camps during the winter months and was scaler for Watrous Brothers until he was 24 years old. He then accompanied Mr. Wolverton to a farm of 134 acres in section 19, Monitor township, which the latter had purchased, and for six years worked at clearing and cultivating the land. He purchased 40 acres of this tract and engaged in farming it, in the meantime continuing to live with Mr. Wolverton, whose house and barn he helped to build. At the end of six years he left the home of that gentleman and became clerk for Ira E. Swart in the iatter's furnishing store at Auburn, continuing 12 years, serving as deputy postmaster to Mr. Swart for the same period.

After leaving the employ of Mr. Swart, Mr. Wait engaged in the grocery business for himself one year, then returned to his farm and remained until he was appointed postmaster of Auburn. July 29, 1897. He took charge on September 15 of that year jind has since served most creditably in that capacity. He has been unswerving in his support of the Republican party, and has held numerous township offices. He was elected township clerk in 1883 and served 12 years in the office and a like period on the School Board. He is progressive and public-spirited and it was largely through his efforts that the Town Hall was built in 1894. He was also instrumental in securing the new, modern school at Auburn. The business of the Auburn post office has been more than doubled under his administration, and there are now three rural delivery routes running from his office. He has served 20 years as a notary public.

On January 28, 1884, ]\Ir. Wait was joined in marriage with Mary A. Hershey, who was born in Ritchfield, Ohio, and is a daughter of Abraham and Mary (Shoemaker) Hershey of Bath, Ohio. She is one of seven children, as follows: Samuel J., a farmer and wholesale butcher of Williams township: Irving B.. an attorney of Cleveland, Ohio; Elmer G., a farmer and wholesale butcher of Williams township; Mary A., wife of our subject; Matilda, wife of Linus W. Oviatt. supervisor of Williams township, a stock breeder and State speaker for the Farmer's Institute ; Ella M., wife of George R. Beattie, a farmer and wholesale butcher of Williams township ; and Sarah J., widow of T. D. Oviatt, who was a lawyer of Warren, Ohio. Mr. and ]\Irs. Wait have five children: Iva Glenn. Ralph H., Clyde F., Charles F. and Mvron R. Fraternallv, our sub- ject has been a member of tlie Independent Order of Foresters since March 12, 1891, has fiUed the offices of financial secretary and court deputy and is now treasurer of Court Auburn, No. 758. Rehgiously, he is a memljer of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

EORGE A. NUFFER, one of the enterprising business men of Amelith, I-'rankenlust township, who controls a number of successful enterprises and industries here, was born March 30, 1872, at Amelith, Bay County, Michigan, and is a son of William and Mary (Kranzlein) Nuffer.

The parents of Mr. Nufifer were born in Germany, but came to America before marriage. William Nuffer came to Bay County in i860, and died at the age of 38 years. The mother of our subject lived to be 58 years of age. They had six children : Margaret, wife of Michael Uhlrich, of Saginaw; Barbara, deceased, who was the wife of Adolph Wirth ; John M., of Auburn; William, deceased; George A. ; and Henry, of Frankenlust township. Mrs. Nufifer married again after her husband's decease, and reared eight more children.

Until he was 14 years old Mr. Nuffer attended German and American schools, and then devoted hiinself to assisting on his father's farm until he embarked in the general mercantile and cheese business some 12 years ago. This venture was joined in by his brother and the firm name was Nuffer Brothers, and the business continued until last fall when it was dissolved. John M. Nuffer took the cheese factory and store, used in their joint business, to Auburn where the output of his cheese factory is about 8,000 pounds a day. The one our subject conducts on his place at Amelith turns out

5,000 pounds a day, the quality being superior and meeting with ready sale. Mr. Nuffer has an acre of land on which all his plants are located, - cheese factory, cider mill and store building. The last named building is 30 by 46 feet in dimensions and is well stocked with seasonable goods. He also deals in farm implements. These buildings were all put up by our subject and his brother, with the exception of the cheese factory, and are in section 15, Frankenlust township.

Mr. Nuffer was married February 16, 1896, to Maggie Bauer, who was born in Frankenlust township. Bay County, and is a daughter of George Bauer who was born in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Nuffer have three l)right, interesting children : Adolph, John and Eleanor.

Mr. Xuffer is a Republican and has frequently been put forward by his party for responsible offices, being a man well-qualified for the same. He is one of the leading members of St. John's German Lutheran Church at Amelith and a liberal supporter of its enterprises.

OHN ANDREW FEINAUER, one of the representative citizens of Monitor township, and the owner of a wellinipro\e(l farm of 80 acres, situated in section 29, was born February 29, 1856, at Bay City, and is a son of those well-known pioneers, John M. and Margaret B. (Sexlinger) Feinauer.

John M. owned a farm in Ba\'aria, Germany, but felt that he could do better in the United States and, with two sisters, took passage in a sailing vessel in 1846. The ship was almost wrecked and its supplies ran out before land was reached, and this three months of danger was never forgotten by those who endured it. The party came directly to Bay City, Micliigan, by way of Buffalo. Two years later Margaret B. Sexlinger came to Bay City, and soon after her arrival she and Mr. Feinauer were married. Our subject's father easily secured work as sawyer and millwright and the ruins of the first mill in which he worked, dismantled some two years ago, can still be seen in Bay City. He subsequently purchased a tract of 80 acres of land, where the Michigan coal mine was recently opened, taking charge in the fall of 1856. About three years later he added 40 acres to the original purchase and continued to operate this farm of 120 acres until 1898, when he retired and went to live with his son, John C. Feinauer, in Monitor township. Here he died in March, 1900, a man respected by all who knew him. He was a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party and was frequently selected for responsible offices. For seven years he served as a justice of the peace and was also elected township treasurer and highway commissioner. His aged widow still survives and is an honored and beloved member of the household of her youngest daughter, who lives in Frankenlust township.

Our subject is the second member of the family of 10 children bom to his parents, the others being: John G., of Frankenlust township; George M. and John C, both of Monitor township : John Leonard, deceased ; Christina B., wife of A. Schwab; Louisa W., wife of Charles F. Engelhardt, of Hampton township ; Mary B., wife of F. Smith, of Monitor township; .\nna M., wife of George Richard; and Mary M., wife of John Lutz, of Frankenlust township.

After completing his education, our subject worked for his father for four years and then learned the milling trade and later that of l)utchering, and followed the latter for three

\'ears pri(.)r to settling on his farm of 80 acres, which he had bought in 1877. At that time it was in its native state, all covered with forest and brush. He did all the clearing himself and made use of the fine timber in building his own handsome residence and large barn. Mr. Feinauer has an exceptionally fine house which he built in 1899 at a cost, for construction, of $r,200. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, his land being well adapted to l:oth industries.

John A. Feinauer was married on September 3, 1879, to Margaret E. Schmitt, who is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Webl>er) Schmitt, and they have had seven children ; Christina B.. who died aged 18 years; Lizzie L. W., who is the wife of Leonard Uhlman, of Garfield township; John F.. of Monitor township; Annie M., wife of Charles Geiser; and George M., Minnie W. and Martilla M., the last three living at home. The family belong to the German Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Feinauer has been a trustee for six years. In politics he is a Republican and is moderator of the School Board, a position he has held for three years past.

ELSON NELLES. For many years the late Nelson Nelles, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, was one of Bay City's prominent and successful business men, closely identified with her lumber interests. Mr. Nelles was born March 2. 1830, in York, Canada, and died at Bay City, April 22, 1901. He was a son of Col. William and Margaret Sophia (Clements) Nelles.

House of Parliament. The late Colonel Nelles was a man of prominence in his locality, a magistrate and during the rebellion of 1837- 38 he was captain of a company there, later becoming colonel in the militia. He was a member of the Church of England. His wife was born at Niagara, Canada, and died in York, aged 50 years, and was survived by her husband 15 years. They had 11 children and 10 of these grew to maturity.

The late Nelson Nelles was reared on his father's farm and remained at home until the age of 22 years, his education being secured in the district schools. His inclinations did not lead him to adopt an agricultural life, turning rather to business. Several years after he had started out for himself, he accepted employment in a lumber yard at Vienna, Canada. During his residence there he advanced from the position of tally-boy to that of manager, his employers being a firm, whose headquarters were in Albany, New York. Mr. Nelles was employed by this firm for five years at Vienna, Canada, inspecting and shipping lumber, and then he went into the business on his own account, and successfully pursued it for the next five years. Attracted by the great development of the lumber interests at Bay City, he came here in 1870. He inspected lumber here for a large firm during the first year and shipped millions of feet and then went into the business for himself, continuing his extensive operations. In 1888 he admitted his son, J. Alexander Nelles, to partnership and they continued the business until 1896, when our subject retired. During his long and successful business life he was known for sturdy honesty as well as commercial ability, while he had few equals in this section as a lumber expert.

In 1865, Mr. Nelles was married at Shelby, Ohio, to Jennie E. Alexander, who was born at St. Thomas, Ontario. Mrs. Nelles still survives with five children, viz : Margaret, who is the wife of Lieut. H. G. Gates, United States Navy ; J. Alexander, of North Hampton street, Bay City ; Helen E., a graduate of the Bay City High School and the University of Michigan, who is the wife of L. L. Axford, of Detroit ; Frederick N., of Chicago, a civil engineer, class of 1900, University of Michigan; and Charles A., of Bay City.

Mr. Nelles always took a prominent part in civic life but he neither sought nor held political office. His large business operations made him well-known all through this section.

Ussell Warner Brown

USSELL WARNER BROWN, M. D., physician and surgeon, whose office is located at No. 207 North Walnut street, Bay City, West Side, was born at Summerfield, Monroe County, Michigan, March 2^, 1864, and is a son of George R. and Mary (Hunter) Brown.

The father of Dr. Brown was born in Massachusetts in 1829, and died at Deerfield, Michigan, September 20, 1904, aged 75 years. He came West with his father, Doctor Jonas Brown, in boyhood, and spent his whole subsequent life in Michigan, mainly engaged in agricultural pursuits. His wife Mary was a daughter of Benjamin and Ann Hunter.

Dr. Brown was educated in the comiuon and high schools of Petersburg and Deerfield, Michigan, where his parents resided during different periods of his boyhood and youth, and began to read medicine under the careful preceptorship of Dr. Dayton Parker, of Blissfield, Michigan. He thus prepared for entrance to the Michigan College of Medicine at Detroit, from which he was creditably graduated in 1889. After one year of practice at Republic, Marquette County, he removed to Meredith,

Clare County, wlicre he practiced for four years and made man_\- friends. In 1894 he came to West Bay City, where he has 1jeen in practice ever since. He is well equipped naturally for his noble profession, and he keeps well posted concerning its scientific advancement, belonging to both county and State medical organizations.

Dr. Brown was united in marriage with Victoria A. Mcintosh, who is a daughter of Joseph Mcintosh, a native of Ontario. They iiave two children : Mary Evangeline and Frederick yi. Dr. Brown and wife belong to Grace Protestant Episcopal Church, of which he is a vestryman.

For a number of years Dr. Brown has been prominent in various fraternal organizations. He is a member of Wenona Lodge, No. 296, F. & A. M.; Othello Lodge, No. 116, K. P.; and Wenona Lodge. No. 221, I. O. O. F., all of Bay City, West Side, and is past grand of the Odd Fellows lodge at Meredith, Michigan. He is also a member of Salzburg Tent, No. 909, Knights of the Modern Maccabees: Michigan Tent, No. 2, Knights of the Maccabees of the World; John A. Logan Post, No. 8, L'nion Life Guards; and Perfect Primary, No. 23, Prudent Patricians of Pompeii, all of Bav Citv, West Side.

TCHARD PADLEY. Among the many prominent men whose business ability and public spirit have contributed to the material prosperity of Bay City, the late Richard Padley occupied a leading place. Mr. Padley was born April 25. 1824, near Boston, Lincolnshire, England, and passed away in the fall of 1903, in his 80th year.

making a career for himself. Circumstances led to his locating at Bay City, Bay County, Alichigan. Here he entered into the industries of the section, working in the lumber districts, in sawmills and even on a pile-driver, finding excitement and adventure in this far Westem country a\ hich made him resolve to remain here permanent!}-. In 1857 he purchased his first farm, located on the Tuscola plank road. This land he cleared and cultivated but never resided upon it, later selling it and going into the shingle business. For five years he was associated with the late Theodore Walker, and then he resumed farming, buying tracts of land in Bangor township. He also followed contracting at Bay City and built many houses both on his own and other property.

]\Ir. Padley also was the maker or constructor of the early macadamized roads about Bay City and not two years before his death he received a letter from the mayor of Detroit, asking him to undertake a contract to construct many miles of such roads in and about Detroit. As he had retired from business over 30 years before, he wrote and declined the work.

Air. Padley was prominent in civic affairs and accepted public office when called upon by his fellow-citizens to do so, serving as supervisor, as a meiuber of the School Board and as alderman. His business interests were numerous and he was financially connected with many of the city's most successful enterprises. Mr. Padley was one of the founders of Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church, of Bay City.

By his first marriage, with Mary Barton, Mr. Padley had two daughters, - Charlotte (Mrs. Henry W. Weber), of West Bay City, and Eliza, who died in infancy. On July 18, 1 89 1, in London, England, he was married to tlie talented lady who still sur\nves him, - Phillis Donnison, who is a daughter of the late Frederick Donnison. of the Stock Exchange, and of Angel Park Gardens, Southwest London. Since the death of Mr. Padley, Mrs. Padley has admirably managed his large interests. She occupies one of the most elegant homes in Bay City and many of the exquisite paintings, which adorn this perfect home, are the works of this artistic lady's brush. Her standing among artists in London is \'ery high. She lias exhibited a number of fine landscapes in the London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester and Newcastle-on-Tyne annual exhibitions. Mrs. Padley is a charter member of the Bay City Woman's Club and has prepared many interesting papers of literary excellence for this society.

ILLL-\M WAGNER, supervisor of Portsmouth township, one of the old and respected residents, resides on his well-cultivated farm of 80 acres, situated in section 7. Mr. Wagner was torn in Nassau, Prussia^ Germany. May 12, 1843, and is a son of Carl and Elizabeth (Herbert) Wagner.

The Wagners were people of intelligence and respectability in the community in Germany from which they came to America in search of better agricultural conditions. Li the fall of 1856 Carl Wagner, with his family, sailed from the port of Havre for New York, proceeded to Detroit by rail and started for Bay City, but the season was too far advanced for navigation and the steamer was ice-bound, the passengers not reaching their destination until the following April. Mr. Wagner first rented a 40-acre farm which he operated one year and then bought 40 acres in Hampton township. Bay County. Here he lived until the close of his useful life. He was born in Germany in 1 8 19, and died in 1884, aged 65 years.

He served 18 years on the township board, was a justice of the peace for a long period, and was one of the leading men of his community. He married Elizabeth Herbert, who was torn in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1820, and who still survives, making her home with her son, Philip Wagner. They had seven children, one of whom was born on the ocean. The record is as follows : Frederick, of Portsmouth township ; William, of this sketch ; Mrs. Amelia Ramm, of Bay City; Philip, a sketch of whom will be found in this work; Mrs. Gertrude Shultz. deceased; Mrs. Louisa Flues, deceased; and Elizabeth, of Bay City.

Soon after reaching Bay City, our subject found employment with Thomas Stevenson, with whom he remained for two years. He then worked at home and in sawmills for the next seven years. He assisted in building and keeping in repair the old plank toll road in Hampton township, being thus employed for si.x years. He also conducted a meat market in Bay City for 18 months, his store being on the site of the present Federal Building on Third street. After his marriage he came to his present farm, which he had purchased in 1863. about 10 acres of the 80 having been previously cleared. The remainder he cleared and placed under cultivation himself, and in 1890 he erected his comfortable dwelling and two substantial barns. He has carried on general farming, has done some raising of sugar beets, keeps 10 cows and cares for an orchard which covers three acres.

Li 1870 Mr. Wagner was married to Henrietta N. Stenz. who was born May 4, 1848, at Monroe. Michigan, and is a daughter of Conrad and Kunegunde (Seibert) Stenz, natives of Bavaria. Germany, who come to America in 1846. Mr. Stenz died in 1884. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wagner were: Minnie, wife of Herman Smith of Bav Citv. who has six children ; Amelia, wife of Peter Smith, of Bang'or township. Bay County, who has six children; Mrs. Augusta Diehl, of Denmark township. Saginaw County, who has two children ; and Philip and Henry, who live at home. Mr. Wagner has always been affiliated with the Repyhlican party, casting his first presidential vote at the second election of Abraham Lincoln. In 1895 Mr. Wagner was first elected supervisor of his township and has held this office continuously ever since, with the exception of two terms. For eight years he served as highway commissioner ; was township treasurer for seven terms and has almost continuously been a school director since 1870. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church, of which he has been treasurer for 13 years and a trustee for nine years.

UGENE FIFIELD, secretary of the Bay City-Michigan Sugar Cumpany, one of the largest business enterprises in this section of the State, is also identified with other important business concerns of this locality, which have been furthered more or less by his influence and good management. Mr. Fifield was born in Waterford township, Oakland County, Michigan, March 5, 1851, and is a son of Hon. Francis W. and Joan (Morris) Fifield and a grandson of Samuel and Sarah (Norris) Fifield.

Samuel Fifield was born in New Hampshire, August 23, 1793, from which state he entered the patriot army during the Revolution. He died September 10. 1843. Until her death, his widow drew a pension on account of his services. She was born in New Hampshire January 21. 1794. and died in Bay City, May 26. 1884.

father, was bom April 10, 1821, and came with his parents to Michigan, where the older Infield took up land in Oakland County. In early manhood he bought a farm in Waterford township, Oakland County, which he operated successfully until 1865, when he embarked in a mercantile business in the town. He was a man of business enterprise and owned and operated at this time a flouring-mill, a plaster-mill and an old-time, upright sawnu'll. In 1877 he disposed of his mercantile and manufacturing interests and returned to farming, settling in Decatur township, VanBuren County, where he lived until his death, December 3, 1893. He was one of the representative men of his time in his locality, a strong Democrat and an able member of his party. In 1863 he was elected to the State Legislature and at various times filled local offices of trust and responsibility. His name is still recalled as that of a man who was noted for his ability and for his uprightness of character. For many years he was a member of Waterford Lodge of Masons, of which he was worshipful master for 21 years, and he was also high priest of Decatur Chapter, Royal Arch Masons.

Francis W. h'ifield married Joan IMorris, who died in July, 1899, aged 80 years. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of their seven children, onl}- three grew Xo maturity ; Eugene, of this sketch ; Ann Nettie, who married Cassius M. Lanning, of Decatur Michigan, and with her husband lives on the Fifield farm in Decatur township; and Hattie. who is the wife of Samuel S. Bradt, of Detroit.

Eugene Fifield was reared by a wise father and a pious mother. He grew to manhood in the family home, securing a good, commonschool education and then l)ecoming his father's chief clerk in the store and subsequently, in 1871, his partner, the firm style being Fifield

& Son. This continued until 1876, when our subject came to Bay City and went into partnership with Gustin & ^Merrill, the firm name becoming Gustin, IMerrill & Company. This firm did a large grocery business and Mr. Fifield continued in tliis association of interests until 1884. when changes were made, our subject and Mr. Merrill buying the Gustin interest. The firm then became Merrill, Fifield & Company. This congenial business association was formed without any legal papers, simply the spoken agreement of two honorable and upright men. Without a single jar or difference of opinion, the partnership continued until broken by the sudden death of Mr. Merrill on November 17, 1891. Mr. Fifield deeply felt the loss of his friend lx)th in a personal and business way, but he continued the business alone until the partnership term expired in 1893, '^nd then closed out its affairs, his other business interests pressing for more attention. In 1892 Mr. Fifield, with others, operating under the firm name of Mundy & Fifield, bought a tract of 1.200 acres of land in Buena Vista and Zilwaukee townships, Saginaw County, Michigan. At that time this land was submerged during the greater part of the year, but when the new owners took charge a dredge was put in, dykes constructed and three centrifugal pumps installed, each having a capacity of 10,000 gallons of water per minute. A large part of this land is devoted to the growing of sugar beets, but general farming is also carried on, grain and hay being harvested and stock raised. Mr. Fifield also owns a farm of 240 acres in Monitor township, Bay County. This was formerly owned by Gustin & Merrill and later came into the possession of Merrill. Fifield & Company. Mr. Fifield operates both farms in the same w^y. Before he became so thoroughly identified with the beet sugar industry, he made a specialty of Shropshire sheep and Hereford cattle, but he found that in order to make them profitable he would have to de- \"ote too much time to them, which was more valuable to him in other pursuits. On this farm, therefore, he now raises high grade cattle only for market purposes. In 1903 the F. ^l. B. Live Stock Company, of which Mr. Fifield is a member, purchased 2,100 acres of land in Iosco County for a sheep and cattle ranch. The sheep and cattle are wintered on the 1,200 acre farm in Saginaw County, and the 240-acre farm in ^lonitor township, Bay County, and in the spring are driven back to this ranch, in Iosco County, where they are summered.