Henry James Felker
Henry James Felker—In no profession is there a career requiring a greater degree of talent than that of the law, and in no field of endeavor is there demanded a more careful preparation or a more thorough appreciation of the ethics of life and of the underlying principles which form the basis of human rights and privileges. Intuition, wisdom and unflagging application are the concomitants necessary to insure success and prestige in this great profession, which stands as the conservator of justice, and no one should enter upon it as a life work without a full recognition of the obstacles to be surmounted for success comes only as the result of capacity and unmistakable ability. These elements have entered largely into the professional career of Mr. Felker, the subject of this review, who for several years has been accounted one of the able lawyers and successful practitioners of the Kent county bar.
A native of Michigan, Mr. Felker was born January 22, 1847, in Park township, St. Joseph county, and he is a son of Philip and Sarah (Hoats) Felker, of Baden, Germany, and Pennsylvania, respectively. These parents were married in St. Joseph county, Mich., and there resided on a farm until their death the father dying in 1858, and the mother in the year 1888. They reared a family of five children, whose names are as follows: Louis K., deceased; Carrie F., who married M. J. Ulrich, a business man of Grand Rapids; Julia, deceased; Henry J. and Peter H., the last named a publisher of St. Louis, Mo.
Henry James Felker was educated in the schools of his native county and of Three Rivers, and in 1868 entered Albion college, from which he was graduated with the degree of B. S. in 1872. On the completion of his collegiate course, he began the study of law at Charlotte, Mich., in the office of P. T. Vanzile, also received instruction from Isaac M. Cutcheon, of that place, and in April, 1874, was admitted to the bar at Marshall by Judge Woodward. He entered upon the active practice of his profession in Marcellus, Cass county, Mich., but after a short time came to Grand Rapids, accepted a place in the office of Godwin & Holmes, with whom he remained until 1876. In that year he became associated with Andrew J. Reeves, a partnership lasting until 1883, when he opened an office with Edgar A. Maher, the firm this constituted continuing until 1890, since which time he has been alone in the practice. In 1894 Mr. Felker was appointed by Hon. E. B. Fisher, mayor of Grand Rapids, city attorney, the duties of which position he discharged for five years, having been once re-appointed and once elected by the common council.
Mr. Felker’s practice steadily grew as he demonstrated his ability to handle with skill the intricate problems of jurisprudence, and he now enjoys a lucrative business, being retained as counsel in some of the most important litigations heard in the courts of Grand Rapids and Kent county. For fifteen years he has served as a member of the city board of education and for three years was presiding officer of that body. He takes an active interest in the welfare of the city schools and is public spirited in all other matters pertaining to the material advancement of Grand Rapids and the county of Kent.
Mr. Felker was united in marriage in Constantine, Mich., October 3, 1875, to Miss Lois L. Teesdale, daughter of Samuel and Frances F. (Bryan) Teesdale, native respectively of England and the state of New York. Mr. Felker’s home in the city is situated at No. 333 Scribner street, besides which he owns other property, including a good farm in Walker township, where he occasionally finds a welcome respite from his many professional duties. He is connected with several fraternal organizations, being a member of Dorris lodge, F. & A. M.,; Columbian Chapter, No. 152, R. A. M.; Daisy lodge, No. 48, B. P. O. E., Redmen and Modern Woodmen. In Politics he is a republican, and as a party worker has contributed much to the success of the party in several local, state and national campaigns.