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Also see [Railway Officials in America 1906]
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Westphalia township affords many fine examples of successful business enterprise as the result of industry and
close application, though perhaps the most signal instance is discovered in the career of Mr. Noeker. Be is the
son of Frank Noeker, who was horn in Westphalia, Prussia, in 1801, as was also his son, Frank, whose birth occurred
in December, 1834. When eleven years of age the parents were induced, at the earnest solicitation of their son,
to emigrate to America, and after a weary passage and an additionally tedious voyage on the Erie Canal, they landed
in Detroit. Mr. Noeker purchased an unimproved farm three miles from the city, where he resided until his death
in 1876. The son, having previously been educated in the rudiments in his native land, devoted himself to farming
pursuits, and at the age of twenty-five married Miss Mary Damitio, of Detroit, who was a native of the township
of Hamtrawick, where her parents were among the early German pioneers. Mr. Noeker, during the nine years that followed,
was occupied with his farming duties varied by the exciting life of a local politician. Land in the immediate vicinity
having increased rapidly in value, he decided to sell his possessions and remove to Westphalia, which he did in
1867. He became the popular host of the township, and four years later erected an extensive flouring-mill, which
so absorbed his time as to induce him to sell the hotel property.
He has since the first year of his arrival filled the office of justice of the peace, and has also served as school
director and drain commissioner. The political campaigu of 1879 found him the successful candidate of the Democratic
party as representative of his district in the State Legislature, where he for two years with ability and dignity
filled this responsible position. Mr. Noeker, by his force of character and manliness, has attained a considerable
influence among the people of his own nationality, while his genial character has rendered him deservedly popular
with them.
From:
History of Shiawassee and Clinton Counties, Michigan
With Illistrations and Biographical Sketches
of Their Men and Pioneers.
D. W. Ensign & Co., Philadelphia 1880
Press of J. B. Lippincoff & Co., Philadelphia.
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