Person:George Waber (3)

BIOGRAPHY: George T. Waber.- Among the native born citizens of Van Buren county who have spent their lives within its precincts, aiding in every possible way its growth and development, whether relating to its agricultural, mercantile or financial prosperity, is George T. Waber, an extensive landholder and prosperous agriculturist who is now engaged in mercantile pursuits in the village of Kendall, Pine Grove township, the township in which his birth occurred. A son of the late George Waber, he is a grandson of John Waber, the founder of the American family of Wabers, and of whom a brief account may be found on another page of this work, in connection with the sketch of Thomas Waber. Born in Bavaria, Germany, George Waber was educated in the Fatherland, and as a boy in his teens came to America with his parents. In Rochester, New York, he learned the trade of a butcher, but after accompanying the family to Michigan he worked out as a farm laborer by the month. Enlisting, a the breaking out of the Civil war, in the Thirteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, he went South with his regiment, and continued in active service until the expiration of his term of enlistment, when he was honorably discharged. Returning to Van Buren county, Michigan, he purchased a tract of timber in Pine Grove township, and having cleared a large portion of his land was there engaged in farming several seasons. Later, leaving his family on the farm, he took up a homestead claim in Baraga county, Michigan, made the necessary improvements to secure a title to the land, and then returned to his home in Pine Grove township, and was there a resident the remainder of his life. He married Miss Mary Miller, who was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, being a sister of Mrs. Thomas Waber. She died February 8, 1894, leaving the following children: George T., the subject of this sketch, Louis H., John N., Daniel K., and Elizabeth. Having completed his early studies in the common schools of his native township, George T. Waber assisted his father on the parental homestead until attaining man's estate. Beginning life for himself as a farmer, he started in on a modest scale, with a comparatively few acres of land which he could call his own. Meeting with encouraging results in his labors, he made subsequent investments in other tracts of land, acquiring title to upwards of two hundred acres of rich and fertile land, on which he as a substantial residence, a good barn and all the outbuildings and machinery required by an up-to-date agriculturist. In 1911 Mr. Waber embarked in the mercantile business in the village of Kendall, where he has a large store, well stocked with general merchandise, including a fine line of agricultural implements and machinery. Mr. Waber married, October 29, 1889, Martha E. Way, a daughter of Harrison S. Way, a granddaughter of Lyman Way and a great-granddaughter of John Way, of Vermont. Lyman Way, a native of Peacham, Vermont, was of a roving disposition, and not only lived in several different places in his native state, but made years in Minnesota. He spent his declining years, however, among three trips to California in pioneer days, and spent two or three the green hills of his native state, dying in the town of his birth. His wife, whose maiden name was Sophia Stevens, was born in Vermont, and there died, her death occurring at Barton Landing, at the age of eighty-two years. They were the parents of six children, as follows: Julia; Mary; Harrison S., father of Mrs. Waber; Richard; and Marshall and Marcellus, twins. Harrison S. Way began when young to assist his mother in her efforts to support the family, his father being away from home a large part of the time. On September 6, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Sixth Vermont Volunteer Infantry, for three years, during which time he was frequently in battle, having participated in the engagements at Williamsburg, Lees Mills, White Oak Swamp, Fair Oaks, the siege of Richmond.