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John
E. Johnson
John
E. Johnson, now a prominent business man of Casenovia, and for years prominently
identified with the farming interests of Muskegon County, was born in Northumberland
County, England, in the village of Allendale, April 22, 1844. His paternal
grandfather, John Johnson, was likewise a native of Allendale, and throughout
his entire life engaged in farming pursuits. He and his good wife reared
three sons and two daughters, namely: William, a resident of Platteville,
Wis.; Edward, who makes his home in Melbourne, Australia; John A., the
father of our subject; Ana, who married, and died in California; and Mrs.
Hannah Short, who died in England.
A native of Northumberland
County, England, the father of our subject first opened his eyes to the
light of day in 1813. in England he married Miss Deborah Hunter, and they
became the parents of seven children. William, their first-born, enlisted
in Company D, Eighth Michigan Infantry, and after serving for one and one-half
years was honorably discharged. On the 26th of March, 1867, he was killed
by the falling of a tree upon his body. Ann died in girlhood in Racine,
Wis.; Hannah passed away in Wisconsin. Mary, Mrs. William Bettis, and Betsey,
Mrs. O. D. Blanchard, are also deceased. The other two children born of
this union are Jasper and John E. The wife and mother died in August, 1864.
The second marriage of Mr. Johnson, Sr., united him with Mrs. Jane Peaks,
the widow of Samuel Peaks, who died in the army. This estimable lady still
survives.
In the spring of 1850,
Mr. Johnson, Sr., emigrated to America, and after a voyage of eleven days
landed in the United States. He arrived in Racine, Wis., on the 1st of
July, and there embarked in the business of shipping wood to Chicago, also
working at the trade of a Mason. In England he engaged in merchandising,
and also owned a fifty-acre farm. In 1860 he came to Muskegon County, where
he located on section 20, Casenovia Township, and began the work of clearing
one hundred and sixty acres which he had purchased prior to removing hither.
Later, disposing of the this property, he removed to Newaygo County, where
his death occurred in April, 1867. Politically, he was a Republican, but
not active in public affairs. In his religious convictions he had been
a member of the Church of England in his native land, and after coming
to America became identified with the Episcopal Church.
At an early age our
subject was brought to America by his parents, and he grew to manhood amid
the pioneer scenes of Wisconsin and Michigan. On the 4th of January, 1863,
he enlisted as a member of Battery B, First Michigan Artillery, and participated
in the campaign of Gen. Sherman in the South, taking part in the battles
of Resaca, Rome Cross Roads, Etawa River, Rome, Dallas, Chattahoochee River
and Atlanta. He followed Gen. Hood back to Huntsville, Ala., and afterward
marched to Macon, Savannah, Columbia, Bentonville and other Southern cities,
where he met the foe on many a bloody battlefield. At Creswellville, Ga.,
he was wounded in the right hand. He took part in the Grand Review at Washington,
June 14, 1865, and was afterward discharged at Detroit, Mich.
Returning home, he engaged
in farming pursuits on sixty acres situated on section 21, Casenovia Township.
In 1872 he commenced to work at the trade of a mason, which he followed
for twenty years in connection with agricultural pursuits. In 1886 he sold
his farm, and, coming to Casenovia, has since made his home in this village.
In July of 1890 he engaged in the furniture business, in which he met with
success from the inception of the enterprise. He has served as President
of the village and as Alderman, being one of the prominent members of the
Republican party at this place. Socially, he is identified with the Masonic
fraternity, the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Knights of the Maccabees.
June 18, 1866, Mr. Johnson
married Arminda, daughter of Cornelius and Emeline (Hilton) Bonter, natives
of New Jersey and Livingston County, Mich., respectively, who now reside
in Missouri. Four children were born of this union: Myrtia; Selden C.;
Frank, who died at the age of four; and Eddie. The wife and mother died
May 17, 1886. The present wife of Mr. Johnson was formerly Margaret Colman,
and is a lady of noble character, who has proved a devoted helpmate to
her husband. Mr. Johnson is exact and scrupulous in his business relations.
His word or promise in any transaction is taken without hesitation. In
like manner, he exacts the proprieties of life from all whom he comes in
contact. In his view the highest citizenship is comprehended in the morality,
enterprise and integrity of the people. A public-spirited man, his gifts
to public and religious institutions have been frequent and generous. He
gives to the churches, to the poor, to public and individual enterprises,
and he is as unostentatious in his benefices as he is in person and manner.
Nels P.
Nelson
Nels P.
Nelson, a prominent citizen and popular Street Commissioner of Muskegon,
Mich., and for a quarter of a century a leading factor in the promotion
of enterprise, has during these changing years occupied with honor and
fidelity to trusts involved various city and county positions. In 1880
elected Alderman from the First Ward, he served two years as a City Father,
vigorously aiding in the forwarding of needed local improvements and materially
advancing numerous public enterprises. In 1886 elected Sheriff of Muskegon
County, and in 1888 re-elected to the responsible position by a handsome
majority, Mr. Nelson was ever equal to the trying demands of the office,
and by his prompt discharge of duty gave universal satisfaction to the
general public. In 1892 appointed Commissioner, and in 1893 reappointed,
he is now handling this branch of the city work in a thoroughly practical
and energetic manner, which from the first has won the high commendation
of his fellow-citzens. Our subject, a native of Norway, was born near Christiana,
August 26, 1848. His father, Peter Nelson, also born in Norway, passed
his entire life in his native land, dying in 1873. The mother, Anna Nelson,
likewise a lifetime resident of Norway, entered into rest in 1869. The
father and mother, industrious and upright people, reared and educated
six children.
Our subject, spending the days
of boyhood in Norway, attended the common schools of his native land and
was likewise trained in habits of intelligent thrift. At sixteen years
of age he self-reliantly resolved to try his fortunes in the world of promise
beyond the sea. Safely crossing the Atlantic, after a long voyage he landed
in Quebec. He made no stay in the Canadian Dominion, but, journeying to
the United States, went to Illinois and for a twelvemonth made his home
in Chicago. The succeeding year locating in Manistee, Mich., our subject
worked in the lumber region two years. July 5, 1867, Mr. Nelson came to
Muskegon and received employment in the lath-mill of Bigelow & Co.,
continuing in the same business for the succeeding fifteen years. In 1882
Mr. Nelson, in partnership with Martin Birch, engaged in the meat business,
under the firm name of Nelson & Birch, and, remaining in this line
of trade, also conducted a general merchandise business on his own account.
A stalwart Republican and an ardent advocate of the principles of the party,
or subject has been prominent in the local councils, and as the candidate
of the Republican ticket has won in the official race.
Fraternally connected with
the Lowell Moore Lodge No. 182, A. F. & A. M., also a member of the
chapter, council and commandery, our subject likewise affiliates with the
Scandinavian Tent of the Maccabees. He is a member of Muskegon Lodge No.
133, A. O. U. W., and belongs to the Modern Woodmen, and in these various
societies numbers a wide acquaintance and many friends. March 21, 1872,
Nels P. Nelson and Miss Synava Johnson, o Muskegon, were united in marriage.
Ten years later the estimable wife passed away, leaving to the care of
her husband one son and one daughter: Anna, deceased; and Fred. February
21, 1883, our subject wedded his present wife, Emma O. Holter, of Muskegon
Two sons, Alvin H. and Carlton Lester, bless the second union. Mr. and
Mrs. Nelson reside in a handsome residence at No. 108 Lake Street and are
both valued members of the Lutheran Church, aiding liberally in its support
and the extension of religious influence. Respected by all who know them,
they are ever ready to assist in the good work and benevolent enterprises
of their locality, and our subject as a public man, a friend and neighbor
enjoys the confidence of his fellow-citizens throughout Muskegon County.
Hon. Elias W. Merrill Hon. Elias W. Merrill, a retired lumberman
and real-estate dealer of Muskegon, was born in Cumberland County, Me.,
October 2, 1812. He traces his ancestry to England, whence in 1635 representatives
of the family emigrated to the United States, making settlement in New
England. His father, Elias, was the son of Humphrey Merrill, a soldier
in the Revolutionary War, who passed his entire life in Maine, the State
of his birth. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Dolly Locke,
was also born and reared in Maine.
The years of his boyhood our subject passed in the
State of Maine, where he received a good education in the common schools.
Later he entered Maine Seminary, where he prosecuted his studies with diligence
for a period of two years. In 1837, having resolved to seek his fortune
in the West he came to Michigan, and locating in Grand Rapids, engaged
in the lumber business for two years in partnership with his brother Isaac.
Returning later to Maine, he spent two years in that State, and in 1844
again came to Michigan, this time locating in Muskegon, where he embarked
in the lumber business in connection with his brother, continuing thus
engaged for a period of eighteen years and meeting with the highest success.
In 1859 he turned his attention to the real estate business, in which for
a number of years he was successfully engaged. At the present time he owns
several business blocks and a number of residences in the city of Muskegon.
The public issues of State and nation have always
commanded the earnest attention of Mr. Merrill, whose peculiar abilities
eminently qualify him for official position. In hs political affiliations
he was formerly a Whig and a pronounced Abolitionist and is at present
a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party. In 1857 he
was elected to represent his district in the State Legislature, where he
served with fidelity to the interests of his constituents and with credit
to himself. Among the most important measures with which he was identified
was the bill providing for the division of the large county of Ottawa into
the two counties of Muskegon and Ottawa, the former having prior to that
time been a part of Ottawa. So satisfactory was the service rendered by
Mr. Merrill in the Legislature that he was elected in 1865 to the State
Senate, representing Ottawa and Muskegon Counties, in which capacity he
served for one term.
The marriage of Mr. Merrill was solemnized on the
24th of November, 1840, at which time he was united with Miss Sarah A.,
daughter of Moses and Sarah (Bachelor) Titcomb, natives of Maine. Mrs.
Merrill was a native of Maine and received her education in the schools
of North Yarmouth, where she grew to womanhood. She was the mother of one
son and four daughters. Three daughters yet survive: Ellen, Mrs. H. N.
Hovey, of Muskegon; Annie J., Mrs. James H. Smith; and Eliza M., wife of
Ernest A. Worden, also of Muskegon. The deceased were Sarah A. and George
W. The mother departed this life at her home on the 13th of May, 1893.
The family residence is a commodious structure, pleasantly located at No.
84 Muskegon Avenue, and is furnished in a manner indicating the refined
tastes of the inmates. Mr. Merrill is a man of string personality, unflinching
honesty and integrity, and for many years has been numbered among MUskegon's
most able and enterprising citizens. In judgment he is wise and accurate,
and his opinion upon matters of importance has the weight of authority
among his fellow-citizens. He is ever ready to take an active part in any
business undertaking or enterprise that will result profitably to the development
of Muskegon, and has been a prominent factor in the progress of this city.
John Albers
John Albers, the well-known
and enterprising wholesale dealer in meats of all kinds, and a commission
man, the Muskegon representative of Swift & Co., Chicago packers and
dealers in provisions, has been a leading citizen of his present locality
for thirty-six years, and has spent almost his entire life in the State
of Michigan. Born in Germany in 1842, our subject was the son of Henry
J. Albers, a man of more than ordinary business ability, who with his family
early crossed the ocean, and located in Allegan County, Mich., where he
resided until his death. he was an extensive shipper of stock and, widely
known in the Wolverine State, commanded universal esteem. The mother, Fannie
(Larman) Albers, also a native of Germany and yet surviving her husband,
continues to to make her home in Allegan County. Our subject was eight
years of age when with his parents he landed in the city of New York and
journeyed immediately after to the West. He enjoyed the benefit of a good
common-school education in the district of his home in Allegan County,
and at fifteen years of age Came to Muskegon, and here received a higher
grade of instruction in the excellent public schools of the city.
In 1870 Mr. Albers engaged in the grocery
business upon his own account, and a twelvemonth later began the handling
of meats, and later sold his grocery store, continuing profitably in the
meat business. In 1881 he opened a wholesale meat establishment, second
to none in the vicinity, and still continuing successfully in this line
of trade, in 1887 became likewise a commission merchant, working in the
interest of Swift & Co., of Chicago, and handling their meats upon
commission. At the beginning of his business career our subject served
a profitable apprenticeship as a clerk in the store of Ryerson & Morris
and Ryerson, Hills & Co., well-known and prosperous general merchants.
The four years which Mr. Albers spent with the firm gave him a clear insight
into business methods and insured him a wide acquaintance throughout the
county. He also clerked for a time in the boot and shoe store of W. M.
Sawyer, of Muskegon, and when, in 1870, he went into business for himself,
he possessed a fund of practical experience, which was a most valuable
reserve capital. In his present business, acquiring an extensive trade,
our subject has taken his place with the substantial business men of the
city and county, and in all matters of public welfare and enterprise is
ever ready to lend a helping hand.
In 1869 John Albers and Miss Emma Lake, of
Muskegon, were united in marriage. In 1883 Mr. Albers was married to his
present wife, Tryntje Ozinga, also of Muskegon. Four sons and one daughter
have blessed the home : Flora, Frank, Henry, George and James. Mrs. Albers
is a valued member of the German Reformed Church, and is active in religious
and benevolent work. The family residence is desirably located at No. 18
Sanford Street. Fraternally associated with the Maccabees and a member
of Union Tent No. 379, Mr. Albers is, politically, a Democrat, and a strong
advocate of the "Party of the People." Untroubled by aspirations for office,
our subject is yet intelligently posted in local and national issues and
is regarded by the general public as a man of liberal spirit and a true
American citizen.
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