J. P. HALLER is the leading dealer in books and stationery in Sault de Ste. Marie, and his extensive business interests have made him an important factor in commercial circles. The record of the lives of our forefathers are of interest to the modern citizen not alone for their historical value but also for the inspiration and example they afford to the present generation. Surroundings may differ, yet the essential conditions of human existence are ever the same, and a man may learn from the success of others around him if he will heed the obvious lessons contained in their history. The life of Mr. Haller should serve as an encouraging example, for it demonstrates what can be accomplished by perseverance, energy and a strong determination to make the best of opportunities presented.

A native of Rhenish-Prussia, he was born on the 21st of June, 1860, and was a child of eight years when his father, Peter Haller, sailed with the family for New York. After landing in that city he at once continued his journey until reaching Mt. Clemens, Michigan, where he made a location. He still makes his home in that city and has reached the age of sixty-seven years. By trade he is a tanner. He married Catherine Weller and they became the parents of the following children: J. P., whose name heads this record; Adam, Soo; and Mathias, Mt. Clemens.

For ten years Mr. Haller resided in Mt. Clemens, and on the 20th of April, 1878 came to Sault de Ste. Marie, then a young man of eighteen years. Here he secured a position as salesman in the drug store of E. M. Lacy, with whom he continued for seven years, serving in the capacity of clerk for six years and then becoming a partner. On leaving the drug store he opened a book, stationery and news stand on Water street, being the first to carry on an exclusive business in that line in Sault de Ste. Marie. He applied himself diligently to the work in hand, and his enterprise, industry and perseverance soon brought to him good returns. He was forced to enlarge his stock to meet the growing demand, and at length was obliged to move to more commodious quarters. On the 24th of October, 1889, he rented a store in the Gage block, a three-story brick building, with basement, covering 40 x 80 feet, and September, 1893, purchased the property. One large store-room and the basement are filled to their utmost capaciiy with a most complete assortmeot of everything to be found in his line for jobbing and the retail trade, and he how controls the great bulk of the book and stationery trade of the city—the immense volume of his business being the outgrowth of the small etand. He also has another store of this kind on Water street, and has about $12,000 invested in stock. He also owns a half interest in the business of Haller & Ryan, dealers in cigars and music. Mr. Haller is a man of most excellent business ability, sagacious and far-sighted, of keen discrimination and untiring perseverance. Thus he has steadily worked his way upward, rising from a humble clerkship until he baa become one of the leading merchants of his adopted city,—a most important factor in the commercial world of Chippewa county. To him and to others of similar character the West owes much of her present prosperity and greatness..

On the 10th of September 1883, Mr. Hailer was married in Sault de Ste. Marie to Miss Minnie A. Ryan, daughter of Daniel Ryan, a native of Ireland, now living in Borrisokane, county Tipperary. To Mr. and Mrs. Haller have been born three children,—John M., born in December, 1885; Eugene J., born in September, 1887; Ann Lucile, born in September, 1892; and Gerald A., born May 2, 1895. In politics Mr. Haller is a Democrat, and during his early residence here served as Village Assessor one year, Village Treasurer two years, and was a member of the Village Council when the city charter was adopted. He is a member of the Catholic Mutual Benevolent Association and the National Union:

From the "Memorial Record of the Northern Peninsula of Michigan 1895"