History of Michigan, / by Charles Moore. [Vol. 3]

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN

1533

Harley is architect for the Michigan State Fair Society, and designed a
number of the buildings erected on the grounds. He has membership in
the Detroit Board of Commerce, the Detroit Young Men's Christian Association, the Methodist church and the Masonic order. In this city he married Maymie A. Slyfield, who was born in Detroit, a daughter of the late
Captain H. J. Slyfield, prominent as a river and lake captain.
JOSEPH EMMER. One of the most faithful and efficient workers in
the city government of Grand Rapids is Joseph Emmer, whose record of
continuous service has been unusual. In I889 he took his seat in the
city council, and with the exception of four years, during which he served
as a member of the board of public works, has sat in that body ever since,
representing the seventh ward. His record is such that he is again and
again spoken of as one of the tried and true, is devoted to the welfare
of his own city, and can be depended upon for action and influence whenever any worthy movement is inaugurated. He has never made a serious
campaign for re-election, and his friends in the seventh ward vote for
him as a matter of course and will probably continue to do so as long
as he consents to serve. Mr. Emmer is a Democrat, and his popularity is
shown by the fact that he served twice as president of the council during
Republican administration.
Joseph Emmer was born in the city of Grand Rapids November 26,
I849. He has always lived within half a mile of his birthplace, and it is
said he has never been away from the city for a longer time than ten
days. His birth occurred at his father's home on Canal street, at which
point his father then conducted a blacksmith and carriage shop. His
parents were Joseph and Catherine (Schlich) Emmer, both of whom
were born in Germany, the father in 1824, and the mother on November 6, 1825. The father died May 5, 1883, and the mother August 28,
I868. The parents were married at Grand Rapids on November 6, 1848.
The Emmer family have been identified with Grand Rapids since 1842,
and was one of the pioneer families to locate in what was then a small
village on the western edge of settlement in this state. The senior Joseph
Emmer was a carriage and wagon maker, and for a number of years had
his shop on Canal street, but in 1856 moved his business to the corner of
Crescent and Kent streets, where he continued to do business until his
death. He was a Democrat in politics, and he and his family were members of St. Andrew's Catholic church. There were seven children, and
the three living include Joseph Emmer, Fred W., in the carriage and
wagon business; and Edmond C., in the liquor business in Grand Rapids.
Joseph Emmer grew up in Grand Rapids, attended the city schools,
and graduated from the old Union school in I865. As a boy he was taken
into his father's shop, learned the trade of carriage maker, and continued
at work under his father until the latter's death, and has since conducted
a prosperous carriage and sign painting establishment. His place of business is now at 312 Bond avenue.
In I872 Mr. Emmer married Frances Nagle, the daughter of Patrick
Nagle. Mrs. Emmer was born in Grand Rapids, and, like her husband,
has never lived more than a half mile from her birthplace. There are
three children: Charles W., who is manager of the Beaumont Independent Telephone Company in Beaumont, Texas; Josephine E., cashier
in the Michigan Telephone Company's offices at Grand Rapids; and
Florence E., a school teacher at Grand Rapids. The family worship at
St. Mary's Catholic church, and Mr. Emmer affiliates with Lodge No. 48,
B. P. 0. E., and with St. Joseph's Society.
CHARLES SCOT CUNNINGHAM. A member of the Michigan State
Board of Railroad Commissioners by appointment from Governor
Vol. 111-21