Hon. Frederick Walldorf Obituary, Monroe, Monroe, Michigan Copyright C 2004 by Sue Douglas. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. ************************************************************* USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. *************************************************************** Monroe Democrat May 3, 1894 Hon. Frederick Walldorf. Last Sunday eve the noon of night had passed, another of our old and honored citizens had reached the bottom of life's hill. There is something chilling in premeditated eulogy, and Mr. Walldorf was not a man who would care to have an extended biographical notice; but as a highlander will not pass the tumulus of his friend without adding a pebble thereto, so we offer this brief tribute to his memory. Frederick Walldorf was born in Welstein, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, January 7th, 1825, and came to this country with his parents in 1834, settling at Buffalo, N. Y., where he learned the milling business. In 1842, he came to Monroe, a boy of 18 years , and took charge of the City Flouring Mills. One year later he, with buffalo capitalists, made plans to go to Russia to erect flouring mills, but the death of one of his associates in the enterprise caused the abandonment of the plan, and he returned to Monroe and took charge of the Waterloo and City Mills, both of which he afterwards purchased. In 1852 Mr. Walldorf, in addition to his milling business, put a fleet of vessels, consisting of the schooners "Rebecca," "Snowdrop," "The Maid," "The Valley," "The Spanker," and "The Don," into the transportation business. Five years later, or in 1857, he built the plaster mill at the docks, and in 1888 he built the Walldorf binders' board mill, which he has since successfully operated. In politics Mr. Walldorf was a republican, and although Monroe has a good round majority of democratic voters, he was the city's first republican mayor, and was elected five times. He was a presidential elector for Lincoln and Grant. Was captain of the Cass Guards of Monroe, and colonel of the Michigan State Militia. He also served the city for five years as assistant chief of the fire department. Was a member of the school board for six years, and president of the Woodland Cemetary (sic) Association at the time of his death. Mr. Walldorf has been a stockholder and director of the First National Bank for many years, and for fifteen years was its president. The qualities that made him conspicuous among his fellows were not acquired, they were inate - they were God given. He was a practical rather than philosophic; dealing more with the concrete than the abstract. His judgement and sagacity were marked features of his constitution, and - reputation behind him. His life for more than half a century has been in part and parcel the history of Monroe and Monroe County. He was as familiar with its growth and development in all its different phases as with the pages of a book; and during all his business, social and political career, the charge of an evil, selfish or wrong intent remains yet to be made. The late Judge Wing in his history of Monroe County says of him: "While as a historian we would not give fulsome flattery to any meritorious subject, yet we can not pass this point without a brief sketch of one of Monroe's most popular citizens, who after nearly half a century of active business life, is known as one of the solid men of the city and while not at all ostentatious in the display of, yet is always open to the call of charity; never letting his left hand know what his right does. When he passes away at the call of the Creator to join the heavenly hosts, hundreds of worthy poor will without doubt mourn the loss of one whose watchful eye, ever on the lookout to relieve worthy destitution, is forever closed to the scenes of earth and can no more guide his hands in answer to the calls of suffering humanity. Born in a mill in Darmstadt, January 7, 1825, he came to this County with his parents, Adam and Mary (Maples) Walldorf in August, 1834 when they settled in Lyons, New York, his father entered the employ of the Erie Mills, at that time the largest in the Union, having a daily capacity of 5oo barrels of flour. In 1839 he removed to Black Rock, near Buffalo, New York, still in the employ of the same firm, and with whom he learned the secrets of the miller's trade. As a "dusty miller" he came to Monroe in 1842, and is justly looked upon by his brother millers as the patriarch of the business in this section." In June, 1844, he was married to Celestine Ann, daughter of James J. and Victoria (Navarre) Godfroy. When but a boy four yers old he was left without a mother, but had the council of a father until 1864. Comint to the land of the free he early imbibed the true principles of freedom, and himself and Hon. I. P. Christiancy were the fathers of the Republican party in Monroe, he being the first Republican mayor elected in the city, and presidential elector on that ticket from this district for several presidential elections. For years he has been a consistent member of the Lutheran church. From the early days of the First National Bank a director, he was elected president on its reorganization in 1877, which office he has since held. And thus he bore without abuse the grand old name of gentleman. For a year or more Mr. Walldorf has been suffering with what is known as the "Hodgkins" disease and for some little time has been confined to his bed. His death acurred (sic) on the 29th ult., at his residence on Macomb street, surrounded by his family, except his son Will C., who was hurrying home from Lewiston, Mont., but arrived too late to see his father alive. The funeral was held at the family residence yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock, and was conducted by Rev. Sell of Zion Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Walldorf was a member assisted by Rev. Franke of Trinity Lutheran. Rev Sell spoke in German, and Rev. Franke in English. The following were the pall-bearers: Honorary - Wm. H. Boyd, Morrison Paulding (Note: probably Spalding - sd), I. E. Ilgenfritz, Col. C. Luce, F. H. Reynolds, C. Post. C. G. Johnson, Jarvis Eldred, Col. I. R. Grosveuor, Julius Weiss. Active - Fred A. Nims, H. T. Cole, G. R. Hurd, G. W. A. Armitage, H. S. Noble, Gustav Stier. jic