Updates on the Alma Powell Branch Library can be found on kpl.gov/pow

Biographies

Alexander, Dr. C. Allen

“An extraordinary personality, who is a physician, surgeon, community leader, oral historian, sportsman, raconteur, and author.”–Paul L. Maier’s foreword to Alexander’s autobiography Photo by Don Rice Born in 1900, Cornelius…

Austin, Benjamin Miller

In the early 1830’s Kalamazoo was a developing village, then known as Bronson. In those early days the village changed from what had recently been wilderness to an expanding community with a courthouse, a jail, and churches. The community would...

Austin, Marilyn "Mamie"

There are many times when people never get a chance to see the impact of their work. Kalamazoo photographer Mamie Austin is one of those individuals. Her images taken for the Kalamazoo Public Library’s Art Department in the late 1930s and early...

Baldwin, Schuyler C.

The photographic images captured by Schuyler C. Baldwin between 1851 and 1900 survive to this day as important artifacts, indeed some of our finest examples of how life looked in nineteenth century Kalamazoo.

Batts, Henry Lewis, Jr. (Dr.)

“He introduced the word ‘ecology’ and its principles to this community” –Monica Ann Evans Kalamazoo Gazette, 17 May 1991 Few have left a more indelible legacy on local conservation efforts…

Baumann, Nicholas

Nicholas Baumann was a 19th century brewer, capitalist, and developer, who built more than a dozen stores in Kalamazoo, served several terms as a city official, and was an active member of Kalamazoo’s vibrant German community.

Bennett, Chauncey Z.

Chauncey Z. Bennett Today, the United Kennel Club, the second oldest and largest register of pure bred dogs, operates out of its 100 East Kilgore Road building, but its humble…

Bradley, Gilbert H., Jr.

“Gil has something unique to offer our community. During his ten years as a resident of Kalamazoo, he has been a student, factory worker, union member, teacher, social worker, and…

Bronson, Chester Z.

From an early age, Chester Z. Bronson was at the forefront of American popular entertainment during its most formative years. Though he called Kalamazoo home for much of his adult life, Bronson’s tireless professional career took him on the road...

Bronson, Titus

Like many pioneers of southern Michigan, Titus Bronson was a New Englander. Born in Middlebury, Connecticut, in November 1788, Bronson moved west in 1821 to Tallmadge, Ohio, where he learned to grow seed potatoes and earned his nickname...

Bronson, William S.

William S. Bronson was an extremely active, highly regarded Kalamazoo musician who was involved with several early musical organizations throughout West Michigan during the decades around the turn of the twentieth century...

Brooks, Ellis L.

Ellis L. Brooks (1848-1920) was a trombonist, composer and popular bandleader with strong ties to West Michigan. Brooks directed famous bands in New York and Chicago during the late nineteenth century, and was ranked among contemporaries...

Brown, Olympia

In 1999, the pioneering life of Olympia Brown, a native of Prairie Ronde Township, was added to the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame, making her only the fifth woman from…

Butterfield, Walter Scott

W.S. Butterfield, c.1916 When Tony Pastor’s Star Troupe brought “The Largest and Best Vaudeville and Specialty Company on Earth” to Kalamazoo’s Union Hall in November 1876, audience members that night…

Chaffee, Ada Gilmore

Kalamazoo-born artist Ada Gilmore Chaffee was a leading pioneer as a painter and woodblock printer, known primarily for her affiliation with the Provincetown Printers and their unique advances in the use of multi-colored woodblocks.

Crane, Caroline Bartlett

One of the most interesting and productive careers ever to unfold in Kalamazoo began with an unusual childhood. Caroline Bartlett was born in Hudson, Wisconsin, in 1858 to Lorenzo and Julia Bartlett. Her father was owner and captain of a small...

denBleyker, Harry

Harry denBleyker was one of the most successful realtors in Kalamazoo. From 1911 until his sudden death in 1920, he ran a company that worked to promote home ownership through…

denBleyker, Paulus

Paulus denBleyker, his family and employees were among the first Dutch pioneers to settle in Kalamazoo. In 1846 Rev. Albertus VanRaalte had preceded him to western Michigan, and in his letters he spoke of the opportunities and future that existed...

Desenberg, Edward B.

Music was clearly Edward Desenberg’s first love. Formally educated in Kalamazoo and abroad, Desenberg quickly became an instructor, composer and entertainer of substantial merit. Following closely in his father’s footsteps, Desenberg later...

Doubleday, Abner D.

Mistaken Identity Abner D. Doubleday, c.1880s In 1929, the Kalamazoo Gazette published an article with the headline: “Cousin of former local man was originator of first game called ‘baseball.’” For…

Share: Facebook Twitter