Joseph Arens’s biography, Westphalia, Clinton County, Michigan

Copyright © 1999 by Jan Sedore. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb 
Archives.  

 



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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY
Page 133-134
JOSEPH ARENS

Joseph Arens, now deceased, was for many years a well-known resident of Clinton 
County honored and respected by all who knew him. He was born and reared on a farm 
within a mile and a half of the village of Westphalia and at the age of fourteen
years left the old homestead and went to Detroit in order to pursue a commercial 
course of study. After successfully passing the examinations there he returned to 
Westphalia, where he became bookkeeper for Casper Rademacher, who was at that time
conducting a flourishing mercantile business at this point. For five years Mr. 
Arens remained in his employ, at the end of which time Mr. Rademacher failed in 
business. Mr. Arens then became associated with his brother-in-law, Peter Thome, 
and they purchased the brick store building and the stock, which was sold at the 
assignee sale. They then entered upon what proved to be a most successful business 
venture, being accorded a liberal and extensive patronage. The partnership between
them was continued until 1882, when Mr. Thome sold his interest to John P. Arens 
and Joseph Bohr, now deceased, the former a brother of our subject. Subsequently 
Joseph Arens purchased the interests of these two gentlemen and became sole owner 
of the business. In 1885, however, he entered into partnership with John P. Arens 
and Joseph Bohr for the purpose of conducting an extensive creamery and later a 
fine cold storage plant was added. The creamery has been one of Westphalia's most 
flourishing institutions and has been of benefit to the locality as well as to the 
proprietors, furnishing a market for the farmers of the surrounding district. The 
enterprise is now conducted by Anthony P. Arens, a son of Joseph Arens. The  
mercantile business, of which our subject was so long the head, is also conducted 
under the name of Joseph Arens, being at the present time owned by the sons. For a 
long period Mr. Arens was one of the most enterprising and prominent business men 
of his locality, constantly extending the scope of his labors and successfully 
managing his invested interests, so that he profited in all of his undertakings.
He passed away May 6, 1894, at the age of forty-five years but the community still 
benefits by the business inaugurated through his enterprise and labor. His death 
resulted from an operation performed on the 7th of June, 1893, for the removal of 
a tumor and the community mourned the loss of one of its most honored and 
representative citizens, a man whom to know was to respect and esteem.

Mr. Arens in early manhood had wedded Miss Mary Thome, and she is still living. 
She was born in Westphalia and is yet associated with her sons in the mercantile 
business. In their family were seven children: Josephine, now the wife of Michael
Spitzley, of Westphalia township; Augusta; Anthony P., who is living in 
Westphalia; William J.; Rosa, Anna and Joseph, all at home.

Anthony P. Arens, spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, early became 
associated with his father in his business enterprises and is now conducting the 
Westphalia Creamery. He was born September 23, 1897, in the village of Westphalia,
was educated in parochial school and afterward in Assumption college at Sandwich, 
Ontario, and in the Detroit Business University. He manifests excellent business 
ability and capacity in the control of his extensive interests and like his father 
has made a creditable name for himself in business circles. He was married October 
14, 1902, to Miss Regina Nau, a daughter of Constantine Nau, of Westphalia, and 
their children are Marion and Esther. 

William J. Arens, another son of Joseph Arens, is now assisting in the conduct of 
the business interests left by his father. He was born in Westphalia, July 7, 
1881, and after attending the parochial schools continued his education in 
Assumption college at Sandwich and in the Detroit Business University. In 1898 he 
then entered his father's store and has since been connected with the conduct of 
the business.

In the death of Joseph Arens there was not a man in Westphalia but felt that he 
has sustained a personal loss because he had been a patron, benefactor and friend 
to all. He was quiet and unassuming by nature but possessed those qualities, which 
never fail to manifest themselves, being interwoven with the daily life and 
conduct of the individual. He was ever ready to help those who were willing to 
help themselves and the laboring man found in him a true friend. He desired the 
business advancement of the community and was ever ready to encourage others or 
give to them material assistance if needed. As a citizen he was progressive, 
lending his support to any worthy movement or plan for the upbuilding of that 
community, while the extensive patronage that his house received testified to his 
rare talents as a man of business. In politics he was a democrat and served as
township clerk but preferred to leave office holding to others. Of St. Mary's 
Catholic church he was a devoted communicant and at all times he furthered the 
material, intellectual, social and moral welfare of his community. He stood as a 
strong man, strong in his honor and good name and in his friendships and his 
devotion to his family was one of the sterling traits of his character.


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