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had been his fellow clerk at Mr. Bulkley's for four years, was deemed sufficient to attend to the business, but it grew so rapidly that in less than two months he engaged the services of Mr. George J. Ohr, and two months later a third in the person of Miss Annie Baier, who remained with him until her marriage two years after, when her place was supplied by Miss Nula Nagel, who four years later married his head salesman, Mr. Schmidt, her place being taken in the store by Miss Rose Wallinger. Six months after Miss Baier's engagement with him, George C. Kirschner entered his employ, and in 1887 Willie Peppler began his clerkship. Mr. Lauer, while opposed to partnerships, believed in giving his clerks an interest beyond their regular salary, and has adopted the plan of giving them a percentage of the profits as compensation for faithful service, by which means he holds them firmly to his interests, never having had occasion to discharge an employe.

Mr. Lauer's proud and independent spirit, hatred of cant and humbug, with a genial, affable temperament, and his frankness, made many friends and keeps them, among whom was Matilda, the accomplished and beautiful daughter of George F. and Wilhelmina (Stoeckcrt) Finzel, to whom he was married January 3, 1882. Her father has long been known as one of the most popular hardware merchants in Monroe. Mr. Lauer is justly proud of his two daughters, Nora, born October 4, 1882, and Bertha, born November, 1884.

In March, 1887, Mr. Lauer, not satisfied with his almost phenomenal success in building up a large mercantile business from the smallest beginning, started a branch store at Petersburgh, placing it in charge of his elder brother, Emanuel S. Lauer, which from its inception has proved an eminent success, has been well patronized and is highly complimented by the Petersburgh press and people in that section of the county. In speaking of it the Petersburgh Journal says:

"This branch enables Mr. L. to buy more largely and gives him the advantages always possessed by large buyers, by which his customers are in turn benefited, as he can carry a much larger stock, of which he proposes always to have the best and choicest in the market."

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is in New York now, purchasing a mammoth stock of fall and winter goods for his two stores. The trip of Ed. G. J. Lauer to New York calls to mind some of the brilliant enterprises he has undertaken and carried forward to a full success. Notably among these is his branch store in this village. Realizing that Petersburgh was about midway between Adrian and Monroe, and thinking to concentrate the trade which before was divided among several small towns, he started a branch store here, and under the efficient management of his brother, E. S. Lauer, the object sought was accomplished and he has a large and increasing trade. Men with push always find 'kickers,' and Mr. Lauer was no exception to the rule, for it was prescribed by that class that three months' would be the limit of his ability to make things work; but he was a 'stayer' as well as a 'pusher,' and from February 14, 1887, his business has continued to increase."

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While Mr. Lauer is of full German descent (for many years an active member of the Arbiter Unterstuetzungs Verein) he is thoroughly American in his views and principles, and believes the same to be fully embodied in the doctrines of the Democratic party. He has not been what might be termed a politician, although taking an active interest in anything that may tend to advance the welfare of his native city, from 1885 to 1888 serving as a member of the board of education, and his popularity is shown by his having been in 1888 elected alderman for two years from the strong Republican ward (the second) in which he resides.

In every movement of public interest Mr. Lauer not only stands ready to take a leading part in advice and suggestions, but unlike many who pose before the public with empty words as an advocate of improvement, he

makes it a rule to advocate no measure which he is not willing to support his argument by a generous contribution from his bank account. In fact, whenever any object which might tend, directly or indirectly, to advance the interests or promote the general prosperity of his native city is suggested or proposed, he is among the first to advocate and support it.

While Mr. Lauer is much sought after by the representatives of wholesale houses, he We copy the following from the Petersburgh largely deals directly with trade centers, to do

which necessitates several trips to New York each year, thus enabling him to take advantage of markets to which otherwise he would be a total stranger.

As an example of a self-made man, rising from the humblest walks in life by his own unaided energy and pushing qualities to the

enviable position of one of the representative business men of Southern Michigan, Mr. Lauer's career shows in a most remarkable manner what can be accomplished by carnest application, integrity and honest dealing, and he well merits the verdict rendered by an appreciative public.

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CHAPTER XXVIII.

HISTORY OF STATE ADMINISTRATIONS.

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His administration as governor was one of decided success, and while it secured great results to the Territory, it bound him to the people by the strongest bonds of respect and love. Nor did his connection with them cease in after years. He represented the State in the Senate of the United States for two successive terms; was Minister to France and Secretary of War under President Jackson, and Secretary of State under President Buchanan. His was a long life spent in public service, and he well deserved the rewards due to a faithful, honest and able public servant. The statue ordered by our legislature and placed in the capitol at Washington during this year among the statues of the most eminent men of other States of the Union, is a just tribute to his memory. Michigan honors herself in thus honoring her most illustrious statesman.

The next person appointed governor of the Territory was George B. Porter, of Pennsylvania. He was commissioned in August, 1831, but died after a short incumbency of the office.

He was succeeded in the performance of the executive duties by Stevens T. Mason, secretary of the Territory, who became acting governor on the death of Governor Porter. He continued to perform the duties of the office until September 8, 1835, when he was removed by President Jackson.

prepared a constitution for the future State, which was adopted by popular vote in October, 1835.

In this year occurred the memorable controversy with Ohio in reference to the southern boundary line, a controversy which greatly excited the public mind on both sides of the line, and made conspicuous the governors both of Ohio and Michigan. The subject of the controversy was really very simple, but the prospective importance of Toledo and its posi tion on navigable waters, prompted the almost frantic efforts of Ohio to secure it for that State. The disputed territory lay within the recognized limits of Monroe county, a county which was organized in 1817, and had continued from the first to exercise uninterrupted jurisdiction over it in every respect as a part of its territory, until the adverse claims to possession were urged in 1835. Resistance to lawful authority assumed an alarming aspect, the particulars of which are fully given under the chapter entitled "The Toledo War."

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The national authorities at Washington were alarmed with the threatened collision. president referred the question of legal rights to the attorney-general, and that officer on the 21st of March, 1835, in an exhaustive and lucid. opinion, concluded as a result “that the Territory in dispute must be regarded as forming a part of the Territory of Michigan, and that it was the duty of the President so to regard it, and to protect and maintain it; that the act of the legislature of Ohio extending the jurisdiction of that State over it, was repugnant to the acts of Congress on the subject, and its enforcement would involve a most serious violation of the laws of the United States." He held also that the act of the legislative council of Michigan making it a criminal offense, punishable by fine and imprisonment, in any person who should exercise or attempt to exercise any official functions, or officiate in any office or · [371]

This period of the last four years of Territorial government is one of note in the history of Michigan. During the time population was rapidly pouring into the Territory and spread ing itself widely through the interior, building up towns and villages and beautifying the country with cultivated farms. Near the close of this period was held the convention which

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