LIBRARY OF CONGRESS DDDSDSEbBT? Class. Book. HISTORY -^ ^ OF WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN EMURACINd A Concise Review of its Early Settlement, Industrial Development and Present Conditions, COMPILED BY JOHN H. W^HEBLER TO \VHICH IS APPENDED A Comprehensive Compendium of National Biography and Life Sketches of Well-known Citizens of the County. ILLUSTRATED B. F. BOWEN PUBLISHER ^^{^s-C^ /^-l^^'^ PUBLISHER'S PREFACE fN PLACING the History of Wexford County before the citizens, the pubHsher can conscientiously claim that he has carried out in full every promise made in the Prospectus. He points with pride to the elegance of the binding of the volume, and to the beauty of its typography, to the superiority of the paper on which the work is printed, and the truthfulness depicted by its portraits and the high class of art in which they are finished. Every biographical sketch has been submitted for approval and correction, to the person for whom it was written, and therefore any error of fact, if there be any, is solely due to the person for whom the sketch was prepared. The publisher wouM here avail himself of the opportunity to thank the citizens of Wexford County for the uniform kindness with which they have regarded this undertaking, and for their many setvices rendered in assisting in the gaining of necessary information. Confident that our efforts to please will fully meet the approbation of the public, we are. Respectfully, B. F. BowEN, Publisher. AUTHOR'S PREFACE ♦0"N PREPARING the biography of any prominent person something of the scenes II and incidents contemporaneous with the Hfe of the individual are deemed essential to fully bring out motives and incentives that may have prompted the doings or sayings of the man or woman. It is often the case that lives of the parents and even earlier ancestors are alluded to to show the environments surround- ing the birth and early life of the person and how they may have helped or hindered in the early formation of character. The same is true in writing the history of a city or community. There are always reasons why people congregate in one place rather than another, in starting a village that may grow into a great city, and these reasons are always of interest to the reader and give him a far better conception of the subject matter that is to follow. What is true of an individual or a city is equally true of a county. There is always an interest in contemplating the reasons which lead people to leave an old settled country, where every facility for comfort and enjoyment are within reach, and emigrate to a wilderness country, remote from civilization, and destitute of even the most necessary conveniences that minister to the comfort of the individual. The "Forty-niners" journeyed across a continent in ten-o.x wagons for gold; and within the past few years we have seen a steady stream of adventurous people mi- grating to the frozen north-land, drawn thither by the glitter of the same shining object. The home-seekers in a new country are lured by no such glittering bauble. While it is no doubt true that every pioneer to a new country e.xpects to better his financial condition by the change, he knows that this betterment must come slowly, and must be accompanied with unceasing toil and untold privations. Bearing in mind these great privations and this continuous toil which is the lot of all pioneers, I have considered it important to devote the first part of this work to a review of some of the causes which led up to the early settlement, rapid growth and wonderful development of this section of the State, including Wexford County, after which the work will be confined entirely to the county. The Author. INDBX COMPENDIUM OF NATIONAL BIOGRAPHY PAGE Abbott, Lyman 144 Adams, Charles Kendall 143 Adams, John 25 Adams. John Quincy 61 Agassiz, Louis J. R 137 Alger, Russell A 173 Allison, William B 131 Allston, Washington 190 Altgeld, John Peter 140 Andrews, Elisha B 184 Anthony, Susan B 62 Armour, Philip D 62 Arnold. Benedict 84 Arthur, Chester Allen 168 Astor, John Jacob 139 Audubon, John James 166 Bailey, James Montgomery... 177 Bancroft. George 74 Barnard, Frederick A. P 179 Barnum, Phineas T 41 Barrett, Lawrence 156 Barton, Clara 209 Bayard, Thomas Francis 200 Beard, William H 196 Beauregard. Pierre G. T 203 Beecher, Henry Ward 26 Bell, Alexander Graham 96 Bennett, James Gordon 206 Benton, Thomas Hart 53 Bergh, Henry 160 Bierstadt, Albert 197 Billings, Josh 166 Blaine, James Gillespie 22 Bland, Richard Parks 106 PAGE Boone, Daniel 36 Booth, Edwin 51 Booth, Junius Brutus 177 Brice, Calvin S 181 Brooks, Phillips 130 Brown, John 51 Brown, Charles Farrar 91 Brush, Charles Francis 153 Bryan, Williain Jennings 158 Bryant, William Cullcn 44 Buchanan, Franklin 105 Buchanan, James 128 Buckner, Simon Boliver 188 Burdette. Robert J 103 Burr. Aaron 1 1 1 Butler, Benjamin Franklin... 24 Calhoun, John Caldwell 23 Cameron, James Donald 141 Cameron, Simon 141 Cammack, Addison 197 Campbell, Alexander 180 Carlisle, John G 133 Carnegie, Andrew 7i Carpenter. Matthew Hale.... 178 Carson. Christopher (Kit)... 86 Cass. Lewis no Chase, Salmon Portland 65 Childs, George W 83 Choafe. Rufus 207 Chaflin. Horace Brigham 107 Clay, Henry 21 Clemens. Samuel Langhorne. 86 Cleveland. Grovcr 174 Clews, Henry 153 PAGE Clinton, DeWitt no Colfax, Schuyler 139 Conkling, Alfred 32 Conkling. Roscoe 32 Cooley, Thomas Mclntyre. . . . 140 Cooper, James Fenimore 58 Cooper, Peter 37 Copeley, John Singleton 191 Corbin, Austin 205 Corcoran. W. W 196 Cornell. Ezra 161 Cramp, William 189 Crockett. David 76 CuUom, Shelby Moore 116 Curtis, George William 144 Cushman. Charlotte 107 Custer, George A 95 Dana. Charles A 88 "Danbury News Man"' 177 Davenport. Fanny 106 Davis, Jefferson 24 Debs, Eugene V 132 Decatur, Stephen loi Deering, William 198 Depew, Chauncey Mitchell... 209 Dickinson, Anna 103 Dickinson. Don M 139 Dingley, Nelson. Jr 215 Donnelly, Ignatius 161 Douglas, Stephen Arnold.... 53 Douglass, Frederick 43 Dow, Neal 108 Draper, John William 184 INDEX— PART I. PAGE Drexel, Anthony Joseph 124 Dupont, Henry 198 Edison, Thomas Alva 55 Edmunds, George F 201 Ellsworth, Oliver 168 Emerson, Ralph Waldo 57 Ericsson. John 127 Evarts, William Maxwell 89 Farragut, David Glascoe.... 80 Field, Cyrus West 173 Field. David Dudley 126 Field. Marshall 59 Field, Stephen Johnson 216 Fillmore, Millard 113 Foote, Andrew Hull 176 Foraker, Joseph B 143 Forrest. Edwin 92 Franklin, Benjamin 18 Fremont. John Charles 29 Fuller, Melville Weston 168 Fulton, Robert 62 Gage, Lyman J 71 Gallatin, Albert 112 Garfield, James A 163 Barrett, John Work 200 Garrison, William Lloyd 50 Gates, Horatio 70 Catling, Richard Jordan 116 George. Henry 203 Gibbons, Cardinal James 209 Gilmore, Patrick Sarsfield.... 77 Girard, Stephen 137 Cough, John B 131 Gould, Jay 52 Cordon. John B 215 Grant, Ulysses S 155 Cray, Asa 88 Gray. Elisha 149 Greeley, Adolphus W 142 Greeley, Horace 20 Greene, Nathaniel 69 Gresham, Walter Quintin . . . 183 Hale, Edward Everett 79 Hall. Charles Francis 167 Hamilton, Alexander 31 Hamlin. Hannibal 214 Hampton, Wade 192 Hancock, Winfield Scott 146 Hanna, Marcus Alonzo 169 Harris, Isham C 214 Harrison, William Henry.... 87 Harrison, Benjamin 182 Harvard, John 129 Havemeyer, John Craig 182 Hawthorne. Nathaniel 135 Hayes. Rutherford Birchard.. 157 Hendricks, Thomas Andrew. . 212 Henry. Joseph 105 Henry. Patrick 83 Hill, David Bennett 90 PAGE Hohart. Garrett A 213 Holmes, Oliver W^endell 206 Hooker, Joseph 52 Howe. Elias 130 Ho wells, William Dean 104 Houston, Sam 120 Hughes, Archbishop John.... 157 Hughitt, Marvin 159 Hull, Isaac 169 Huntington, Collis Potter.... 94 Ingalls, John James 114 Ingersoll. Robert G 85 Irving, Washington ^2 Jackson. Andrew 71 Jackson, "Stonewall" 67 Jackson, Thomas Jonathan.. 67 jay, John 39 Jefferson, Joseph 47 Jefferson. Thomas 34 Johnson, Andrew 145 Johnson, Eastman 202 Johnston. Joseph Eccleston. . 85 Jones, James K 171 Jones, John Paul 97 Jones, Samuel Porter '15 Kane, Elisha Kent 125 Kearney, Philip 210 Kenton. Simon 188 Knox, John Jay 134 Lamar, Lucius Q. C 201 Landon, Melville D 109 Lee, Robert Edward 38 Lewis. Charles B 193 Lincoln. Abraham 135 Livermore, Mary Ashton 131 Locke. David Ross 172 Logan, John A 26 Longfellow. Henry Wadsworth 37 Longstreet, James 56 Lowell, James Russell 104 Mackay, John William 148 Madison. James 42 Marshall, John 156 Mather, Cotton 164 Mather, Increase 163 Maxim. Hiram S 194 McClellan. George Brinton.. 47 McCormick. Cyrus Hall 172 McDonough'. Com. Thomas. . 167 McKinley. William 217 Meade, George Gordon 75 Medill, Joseph 159 Miles, Nelson A 176 Miller. Cincinnatus Heine. . . 218 Miller, Joaquin 218 Mills, Roger Quarles 211 Monroe, James 54 Moody, Dwight L 207 Moran, Thomas 98 PAGE Morgan, John Pierpont 208 Morgan, John T 216 Morris, Robert 165 Morse, Samuel F. B 124 -Morton, Levi P 142 Morton, Oliver Perry 215 Motley, John Lathrop 130 "Nye, Bill" 59 Nye. Edgar Wilson 59 O'Conor. Charles 187 Olney, Richard 133 Paine. Thomas 147 Palmer. John M 195 Parkhurst. Charles Henry.... 160 "Partington, Mrs." 202 Peabody, George 170 Peck. George W 187 Peffer. William A 164 Perkins, Eli 109 Perry, Oliver Hazard 97 Phillips, Wendell 30 Pierce, Franklin 122 Pingree. Hazen S 212 Plant. Henry B 192 Poe, Edgar Allen. .. 69 Polk. James Knox 102 Porter, David Dixon 68 Porter, Noah 93 Prentice. George Denison.... 119 Prescott, William Hickling. . 96 Pullman, George Mortimer. . 121 Quad, M 193 Quay, Matthew S 171 Randolph, Edmund 136 Read. Thomas Buchanan.... 132 Reed, Thomas Brackett 208 Reid. Whitelaw 149 Roacli. John 190 Rockefeller, John Ravison... igs Root, George Frederick 218 Rothermel, Peter F 113 Rutledge, John 57 Sage. Russell 211 Schoficld. John McAlister. . . . igg Schurz. Carl ■ 201 Scott, Thomas Alexander.... 204 Scott, Winfield 79 Seward, William Henry 44 Sharon, William 165 Shaw. Henry W 166 Sheridan, Phillip Henry 40 Sherman. Charles R 87 Sherman. John 86 Sherman. William Tecumseh. 30 Shillaber. Benjamin Penhallow 202 Smith, Edmund Kirby 114 Sousa. John Philip.. 60 Spreckles, Claus 159 INDEX— PART I. PAGE Stanford, Leiand loi Stanton, Edwin McMasters. . 179 Stanton, Elizabeth Cady 126 Stephens, Alexander Hamilton 32 Stephenson, Adlai Ewing. ... 141 Stewart. Alexander T 58 Stewart, William Morris.... 213 Stowe, Harriet Elizabeth Beecher 66 Stuart, James E. B 122 Sumner, Charles 34 Talmage, Thomas DeWitt... 60 Taney, Roger Brooks 129 Taylor, Zachary 108 Teller, Henry M 127 Tesla. Nikola 193 Thomas, George H "/t, Thomas, Theodore 172 Thurman, Allen G 90 PACE Thurs-ton, John^M 166 Tilden, Samuel J 48 Tillman, Benjamin Ryan.... 119 Toombs, Robert 205 "/Twain. Mark" 86 Tyler, John 93 Van Buren, Martin 78 Vanderbilt, Cornelius 35 Vail, Alfred 154 Vest, George Graham 214 Vilas, William Freeman 140 Voorhees, Daniel Wolsey.... 95 Waite, Morrison Remich 125 Wallace, Lewis 199 Wallack, Lester 121 Wallack, John Lester 121 Wanamaker, John 89 Ward, "Artemus" 91 PAGE Washburne, Elihu Benjamin. . 189 Washington, George 17 Watson, Thomas E 178 Watterson, Henry 76 Weaver, James B 123 Webster, Daniel 19 Webster. Noah 49 Weed, Thurlow 91 West, Benjamin 113 Whipple. Henry Benjamin... 161 White, Stephen V 162 Whitefield, George 150 Whitman, Walt 197 Whitney, Eli 120 Whitney, William Collins.... 92 Whittier, John Greenleaf 67 Willard, Frances E 133 Wilson, William L 180 Winchell, Alexander 175 Windom, William 138 PORTRAITS OF NATIONAL CELEBRITIES. PAGE Alger, Russell A 16 Allison, William B 99 Anthony, Susan B 63 Armour, Philip D 151 Arthur, Chester A 81 Barnum, Phineas T 117 Beecher, Henry Ward 27 Blaine, James G 151 Booth, Edwin 63 Bryan, Wm. J 63 Bryant, William Cullen 185 Buchanan, James 81 Buckner, Simon B 16 Butler, Benjamin F 151 Carlisle. John G 151 Chase. Salmon P 16 Childs. George W 99 Clay, Henry 81 Cleveland, Grover 45 Cooper. Peter 99 Dana, Charles A 151 Depew, Chauncey M 117 Douglass, Fred 63 Emerson. Ralph Waldo 27 Evarts, William M 99 Farragut, Com. D. G 185 Field, Cyrus W 63 PAGE Field. Marshall 117 Franklin, Benjamin 63 Fremont, Gen. John C 16 Gage, Lyman J 151 Garfield. James A 45 Garrison. William Lloyd.... 63 George, Henry 117 Gould, Jay 99 Grant, Gen. U. S 185 Greeley. Horace 81 Hampton, Wade 16 Hancock, Gen. Winfield S.... 185 Hanna. Mark A 117 Harrison, Benjamin 81 Hayes, R. B 45 Hendricks. Thomas A 81 Holmes. Oliver W 151 Hooker. Gen. Joseph 16 Ingersoll. Robert G 117 Irving, Washington 27 Jackson. Andrew 45 Jefferson. Thomas 4S Johnston, Gen. J. E 16 Lee, Gen. Robert E 185 Lincoln, Abraham 81 Logan, Gen. John A 16 Longfellow. Henry W 185 PAGE Longstreet, Gen. James 16 Lowell. James Russell 27 McKinley, William 45 Morse, S. F. B 185 Phillips, Wendell 27 Porter, Com. D. D i8s Pullman. George M 117 Quay, M. S 99 Reed, Thomas B 151 Sage, Russell 117 Scott, Gen. Winiield 185 Seward, William H 45 Sherman, John 99 Sherman, Gen. W. T 151 Stanton. Elizabeth Cady 27 Stowe, Harriet Beecher 27 Sumner, Charles 45 Talmage. T. DeWitt 6^ Teller, Henry M 99 Thurman, Allen G 81 Tilden. Samuel J 117 Van Buren, Martin 81 Vanderbilt. Commodore 99 Webster, Daniel 27 Whittier, John G 27 Washington, George 45 Watterson, Henry 63 INDEX-HISTORICAL PAGE. Chapter I — Michigan 210 II — Kautawaubet or Wexford County 22.'! Ill — Arrival of New Settlers Continues 227 IV— First Election 232 V— First Railroad 239 VI — Woman Suffrage — State Census — County Elections — Bear Trapping 244 VII — The County Seat — Efforts to Secure its Removal from Sherman — Schemes to Prevent - Removal —Final Result 249 VIII — New Judicial Circuit — Greenback Party 25(5 IX — New Railroad--New Villages — New Impetus to Farming and Lumbering , 262 X — City and Village Organizations 209 XI — Our Honored Dead Pioneers 299 XII— Old Pioneers Who Have Removed from Our Midst 310 INDEX BIOGRAPHICAL PAGE. A Allen, George 430 Anderson, Aaron F 546 Anderson, Gustave 459 Anderson, Johannas 551 Auer, Henry C 385 AveriU, David B 498 B Baker, James A 545 Ballou, Henry 410 Bechtel, Charles J 521 Billings, Henry M 556 Blue, George W 360 Bostick, Charles H 550 Boyd, Marion B 525 Boynton, Elisha M 345 Bredahl, Rasmus P 514 Brehm, Edward C 389 Burman, Axel G 522 C Cadillac State Bank 337 Callis, T. Henry 461 Carlson. Charles J 434 Carnahan, Samuel 404 Cassety, Samuel J 387 Chittenden, Hon. Clyde C... 325 Cobbs, Frank J 321 Cobbs, Jonathan \V 365 Colvin, Marvin D 463 Corlett, Thomas A., M. D. . .. 517 Cornell, Elon 448 Co.\, Edward 382 Crawford. Ralph W 457 Crosby, Thomas W 392 Cummer, Jacob 327 Cummer, Wellington W 338 Curtis, D.W 408 D Daugherly, Chester C 495 Davidson, Donald 374 Dayhuff, Mrs. Cynthia 480 Denike, Andrew B 400 PAGE. Denike, Thomas P 509 De\oe, Henry 1 487 Diggins, Fred A 324 Discher, Jacob 534 Drury, Charles H 478 Dunbar, John 413 Dunham, Charles C 473 Dunham, Nelson H 524 Dunton, Lucius A 453 Dutton, Charles W 436 E Evilts, John A 496 F Fales, Willford D 381 Frederick, George A 515 Frederick, Reuben D 489 G Gasser, Sanford 435 Gates, Lucas W .553 Gilbert, Esedore 464 Goldsmith, John 438 Goodyear, Frank L 476 Graham, George S .^49 Gray, Taylor W 481 Gray, William H 508 Guernsey, Willis D 358 Gustafson, John A 402 H Hagstrom, Carl E 422 Hagstrom, Otto 423 Hansen, Henry 426 Hanthorn, James 396 Harger, Ezra 537 Harvey, John 458 Haskin, John A 399 Haynes, James 492 Hector, Frederick W 380 Hodgson, Thomas 440 Hogue,JohnR 510 Holmberg, Andrew 377 Huff, Henry B 394 PAGE. Huntley, Victor F., M. D ... 506 Hutzler, Horace G .'■)47 J Jenkins, Ira 502 Johnson, Andrew 519 K Kaiser, Daniel E 4,56 Kellogg, Phillip 528 Kelley, William 497 Kluss, John 427 Kneeland, Dr. Howard S 518 Knowlton, Henry 342 L Lake, George A 349 Loveless, William W 376 M McBrian, Nelson 403 McCane, Joseph .520 McCoy, Daniel 467 Mclntyre, Donald 'E 334 McNitt, Henry C 4.50 McNitt, William 536 Macey, Lester C 445 Manning, John H 424 Mansfield, James E 491 Massey, Richard W 485 Miller, Carroll E., M. D 354 Miller, Humphrey W 432 Mitchell, Austin W 370 Mitchell, George A 318 Mitchell, William W 322 Moffit, Edward G 3.57 Morgan, Edward, M. D 512 Morken, Elias 471 N Neilson, Nels 487 Nichols, Isaac 386 Nichols, John J 505 Nordstrom, Nels P 469 Norris, Richard C 532 INDEX— BIOGRAPHICAL. PAGE. o Olsen, John 443 Ostensen, Hans 530 Otis, George H 364 P Parker, John T 368 Parker, Lyman E 540 Payne, Henry 1 418 Peck, Alvah 397 Peck, KIwood 483 Peterson, Carl B 541 Powers, Perry F 362 Prud'homme, Rev. L. M 378 R Reynolds George A 504 Reynolds, Norman A 534 Rose, William 351 Rydquist, Peter A 416 S Saunders, William L 331 Sawyer, Eugene F 346 PAGE. Seaman, Sylvester R 463 Seaman, Warren 428 Shaver, William H 412 Smith, Albert L 442 Smith, Elijah 466 Smith, N. Jacob 472 Smith, Ward P 527 Southwick, Albert B 488 Southwick, W. E 431 Stanley, George S 391 St. Ann's Church 379 Starkweather, Isaac 405 Stewart, Joseph :!59 Sturtevant, Heman B 383 Sturtevant, Walter L 409 T Teed, George C 390 Terwilliger, J. M 333 Thomas, George E 420 Tibbits, Lemuel A 516 Torrey, John S 419 PAGE. Torrey, Nelson R 415 Tripp, Lewis J 353 Tweedie, Ariel W 406 Tyler, Cyril H 451 V \'ance, Asaph T 477 W Waddell, Robert M 369 Wall, Samuel J 538 Warden, Joshua M., M. D. . . 372 Webber, Arthur H 454 Westbrook, William P 395 Westover, George D 446 Whaley, James 417 Wheeler, John H 317 Wheeler, Porter 500 Williams, George F 542 Williams, Walter S 554 Wilson, Lewis T 367 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY . . OF . . Celebrated Americans ■■9 t-* Jl ^^ |eORGE WASHINGTON, ?| 1 -J^ I the first president of the Unit- 1-s ^*^" f ed States, called the "Father > yy/;v<|r>n c«. brother, Lawrence, who acted as bis guar, dian. George's inclinations were for a sea- faring career, and a midshipman's warrant was procured for him; but through the oppo- sition of his mother the project was aban- doned, and at the age of sixteen he was appointed surveyor to the immense estates of the eccentric Lord Fairfax. Three years were passed by Washington in a rough fron- tier life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very essential to him In 175 1, when the Virginia militia were put under training with a view to active service against France, Washington, though only nineteen years of age, was appointed adjutant, with the rank of major. In 1752 Lawrence Washington died, leaving his large property to an infant daughter. In his will George was named one of the executors and as an eventual heir to Mount Vernon, and by the death of the infant niece, soon succeeded to that estate. In 1753 George was commis- sioned adjutant-general of the Virginia militia, and performed important work at the outbreak of the French and Indian war, was rapidly promoted, and at the close of that war we find him commander-in-chief of 18 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. all the forces raised in Virginia. A cessation of Indian hostilities on the frontier having followed the expulsion of the French from the Ohio, he resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Virginia forces, and then proceeded to Williamsburg to take his seat in the Virginia Assembly, of which he had been elected a member. January 17, 1759, Washington marred Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Curtis, a young and beautiful widow of great wealth, and devoted himself for the ensuing fifteen years to the quiet pursuits of agriculture, inter- rupted only by the annual attendance in winter upon the colonial legislature at Williamsburg, until summoned by his coun- try to enter upon that other arena in which his fame was to become world-wide. The war for independence called Washington into service again, and he was made com- mander-in-chief of the colonial forces, and was the most gallant and conspicuous figure in that bloody struggle, serving until Eng- land acknowledged the independence of each of the thirteen States, and negotiated with them jointly, as separate sovereignties. December 4, 1783, the great commander took leave of his officers in most affection- ate and patriotic terms, and went to An- napolis, Maryland, where the congress of the States was in session, and to that body, when peace and order prevailed everywhere, resigned his commission and retired to Mount Vernon. It was in 1789 that Washington was called to the chief magistracy of the na- tion. The inauguration took place April 30, in the presence of an immense multi- tude which had assembled to witness the new and imposing ceremony. In the manifold de- tails of his civil administration Washington proved himself fully equal to the requirements of his position. In 1792, at the second presi- dential election, Washington was desirous to retire; but he yielded to the general wish of the country, and was again chosen presi- dent. At the third election, in 1796, he was again most urgently entreated to con- sent to remain in the executive chair. This he positively refused, and after March 4, 1797, he again retired to Mount Vernon for peace, quiet, and repose. Of the call again made on this illustrious chief to quit his repose at Mount Ver- non and take command of all the United States forces, with rank of lieutenant-gen- eral, when war was threatened with France in 1798, nothing need here be stated, ex- cept to note the fact as an unmistakable testimonial of the high regard in which he was still held by his countrymen of all shades of political opinion. He patriotic- ally accepted this trust, but a treaty of peace put a stop to all action under it. He again retired to Mount Vernon, where he died December 14, 1799, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. His remains were depos- ited in a family vault on the banks of the Potomac, at Mount Vernon, where they still lie entombed. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, an eminent American statesman and scientist, was born of poor parentage, January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was appren- ticed to his brother James to learn the print- er's trade to prevent his running away and going to sea, and also because of the numer- ous family his parents had to support (there being seventeen children, Benjamin being the fifteenth). He was a great reader, and soon developed a taste for writing, and pre- pared a number of articles and had them published in the paper without his brother's knowledge, and when the authorship be- came known it resulted in difficulty for the COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. r3 young apprentice, although his articles had been received with favor by the public. James was afterwards thrown into prison for political reasons, and young Benjamin con- ducted the paper alone during the time. In 1823, however, he determined to endure his bonds no longer, and ran away, going to Philadelphia, where he arrived with only three pence as his store of wealth. With these he purchased three rolls, and ate them as he walked along the streets. He soon found employment as a journeyman printer. Two years later he was sent to England by the governor of Pennsylvania, and was promised the public printing, but did not get it. On his return to Philadelphia he estab- lished the "Pennsylvania Gazette," and soon found himself a person of great popu- larity in the province, his ability as a writer, philosopher, and politician having reached the neighboring colonies. He rapidly grew in prominence, founded the Philadelphia Li- brary in 1842, and two years later the American Philosophical Society and the University of Pennsylvania. He was made Fellow of the Royal Society in London in 1775. His world-famous investigations in electricity and lightning began in 1746. He became postmaster-general of the colonies in 1753. having devised an inter-colonial postal system. He advocated the rights of the colonies at all times, and procured the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766. He was elected to the Continental congress of 1775, and in 1776 was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, being one of the commit- tee appointed to draft that paper. He rep- resented the new nation in the courts of Europe, especially at Paris, where his simple dignity and homely wisdom won him the admiration of the court and the favor of the people. He was governor of Pennsylvania tour vears; was also a member of the con- vention in 1787 that drafted the constitution of the United States. His writings upon political topics, anti- slavery, finance, and economics, stamp him as one of the greatest statesmen of his time, while his "Autobiography" and "Poor Richard's Almanac " give him precedence in the literary field. In early life he was an avowed skeptic in religious matters, but later in life his utterances on this subject were less extreme, though he never ex- pressed approval of any sect or creed. He died in Philadelphia April 17, 1790. DANIEL WEBSTER.— Of world wide reputation for statesmanship, diplo- macy, and oratory, there is perhaps no more prominent figure in the history of our coun- try in the interval between 181 5 and 1861, than Daniel Webster. He was born at Salisbury (now Franklin), New Hampshire, January 18, 1782, and was the second son of Ebenezer and Abigail (Eastman) Webster. He enjoyed but limited educational advan- tages in childhood, but spent a few months in 1797, at Phillip Exeter Academy. He completed his preparation for college in the family of Rev. Samuel Wood, at Boscawen, and entered Dartmouth College in the fall of 1797. He supported himself most of the time during these years by teaching school and graduated in 1801, having the credit of being the foremost scholar of his class. He entered the law office of Hon. Thomas W. Thompson, at Salisbury. In 1S02 he con- tinued his legal studies at Fryeburg, Maine, where he was principal of the academy and copyist in .the office of the register of deeds. In the office of Christopher Gore, at Boston, he completed his studies in 1804-5, ^nd was admitted to the bar in the latter year, and at Boscawen and at Ports- mouth soon rose to eminence in his profes- 20 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. sion. He became known as a federalist but did not court political honors; but, at- tracting attention by his eloquence in oppos- ing the war with England, he was elected to congress in 1S12. During the special session of May, 181 3, he was appointed on 4 the committee on foreign affairs and made his maiden speech June 10, 1S13. Through- out this session (as afterwards) he showed his mastery of the great economic questions of the day. He was re-elected in 1S14. In 1 8 16 he removed to Boston and for seven years devoted himself to his profession, Jarning by his arguments in the celebrated "Dartmouth College Case" rank among (he most distinguished jurists of the country. \n 1820 Mr. Webster was chosen a member of the state convention of Massachusetts, to revise the constitution. The same year he delivered the famous discourse on the "Pil- grim fathers," which laid the foundation for his fame as an orator. Declining a nomi- nation for United States senator, in 1822 he was elected to the lower house of congress and was re-elected in 1824 and 1826, but in 1827 was transferred to the senate. He retained his seat in the latter chamber until 1 841. During this time his voice was ever lifted in defence of the national life and honor and although politically opposed to him he gave his support to the administra- tion of President Jackson in the latter's con- test with nullification. Through all these rears he was ever found upon the side of eight and justice and his speeches upon all ihe great questions of the day have be- come household words in almost every family. In 1841 Mr. Webster was appointed secretary of state by President Harrison and was continued in the same office by President Tyler. W^hile an incumbent of this office he showed consummate ability as a diplomat in the negotiation of the " Ash- burton treaty " of August 9, 1849, which settled many points of dispute between the United States and England. In May, 1843, he resigned his post and resumed his pro- fession, and in December, 1845, took his place again in the senate. He contributed in an unofficial wa\' to the solution of the Oregon question with Great Britain in 1S47. He was disappointed in 1848 in not receiv- ing the nomination for the presidency. He became secretary of state under President Fillmore in 1S50 and in dealing with all the complicated questions of the day showed a wonderful mastery of the arts of diplomacy. Being hurt in an accident he retired to his home at Marshfield, where he died Octo- ber 24, 1852. HORACE GREELEY.— As journalist, author, statesman and political leader, there is none more widely known than the man whose name heads this article. He was born in Amherst, New Hampshire, Feb- ruary 3, 181 1, and was reared upon a farm. At an early age he evinced a remarkable intelligence and love of learning, and at the age of ten had read every book he could borrow for miles around. About 1821 the family removed to Westhaven, Vermont, and for some years young Greeley assisted in carrying on the farm. In 1826 he entered the office of a weekly newspaper at East Poultne}-, Vermont, where he remained about four years. On the discontinuance of this paper he followed his father's family to Erie county, Pennsylvania, whither they had moved, and for a time worked at the printer's trade in that neigh- borhood. In I S3 1 Horace went to New York City, and for a time found employ- ment as journeyman printer. January, 1833, in partnership with Francis Story, he published the Morning Post, the first penny COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. paper ever printed. This proved a failure and was discontinued after three weeks. The business of job printing was carried on, however, until the death of Mr. Story in July following. In company with Jonas Winchester, March 22, 1834, Mr. Greeley commenced the publication of the New Yorker, a weekly paper of a high character. For financial reasons, at the same time, Greeley wrote leaders for other papers, and, in 1838, took editorial charge of the Jeffer- soniau, a Whig paper published at .ALlbany. In 1840, on the discontinuance of that sheet, he devoted his energies to the Log Cabin, a campaign paper in the interests of the Whig party. In the fall of 1S41 the latter paper was consolidated with the Ne7^' Yorker, un- der the name of the Tribune, the first num- ber of which was issued April 10, 1S41. At the head of this paper Mr. Greeley remained until the day of his death. In 1848 Horace Greeley was elected to the national house of representatives to fill a vacancy, and was a member of that body until March 4, 1849. In 1851 he went to Europe and served as a juror at the World's Fair at the Crystal Palace, Lon- 'don. In 1855, he made a second visit to the old world. In 1S59 he crossed the plains and received a public reception at San Francisco and Sacramento. He was a member of the Republican national con- vention, at Chicago in i860, and assisted in the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for President. The same year he was a presi- dential elector for the state of New York, and a delegate to the Loyalist convention at Philadelphia. At the close of the war, in 1865, Mr. Greeley became a strong advocate of uni- versal amnesty and complete pacification, and in pursuance of this consented to be- come one of the bondsmen for Jefferson Davis, who was imprisoned for treason. In 1867 he was a delegate to the New York state convention for the revision of the constitution. In 1870 he was defeated for congress in the Sixth New York district. At the Liberal convention, which met in Cincinnati, in May, 1872, on the fifth ballot Horace Greeley was nominated for presi- dent and July following was nominated for the same office by the Democratic conven- tion at Baltimore. He was defeated by a large majority. The large amount of work done by him during the campaign, together with the loss of his wife about the same time, undermined his strong constitution, and he was seized with inflammation of the brain, and died November 29, 1872. In addition to his journalistic work. Mr. Greeley was the author of several meritori- ous works, among which were: "Hints toward reform," "Glances at Europe," ' ' History of the struggle for slavery exten sion," "Overland journey to San Francis- co, " " The American conflict," and " Rec- ollections of a busy life." HENRY CLAY. — In writing of this em- inent American, Horace Greeley once said: " He was a matchless party chief, an admiirable orator, a skillful legislator, wield- ing unequaled influence, not only over his friends, but even over those of his political antagonists who were subjected to the magic of his conversation and manners. " A law- yer, legislator, orator, and statesman, few men in history have wielded greater influ- ence, or occupied so prominent a place in the hearts of the generation in which they lived. Henry Clay was born near Richmond, in Hanover county, \'irginia, April 12, 1777, the son of a poor Baptist preacher who died when Henry was but five j'ears COMPENDIUM OF BJOGRAPHT. old. The mother married again about ten years later and lemoved to Kentucky leav- ing Henry a clerk in a store at Richmond. Soon afterward Henry Clay secured a posi- tion as copyist in the office of the clerk of the high court of chancery, and four years later entered the law office of Robert Brooke, then attorney general and later governor of his native state. In 1797 Henry Clay was licensed as a lawyer and followed his mother to Kentucky, opening an office at Lexington and soon built up a profitable practice. Soon afterward Kentucky, in separating from Virginia, called a state convention for the purpose of framing a constitution, and Clay at that tim.e took a prominent part, publicly urging the adoption of a clause providing for the abolition of slavery, but in this he was overruled, as he was fifty years later, when in the height of his fame he again ad- vised the same course when the state con- stitution was revised in 1850. Young Clay took a very active and conspicuous part in the presidential campaign in 1800, favoring the election of Jefferson; and in 1803 was chosr^n to represent Fayette county in the state 'egislature. In 1806 General John Adair, then United States senator from Kentucky, resigned and Henry Clay was elected to fill the vacancy by the legislature and served through one session in which he at once assumed a prominent place. In 1807 he. was again a representative in the legislature and was elected speaker of the house. At this time originated his trouble with Humphrey Marshall. Clay proposed that each member clothe himself and family wholly in American fabrics, which Marshall characterized as the " language of a dema- gogue." This led to a duel in which both parties were slightly injured. In 1809 Henry Clay was again elected to fill a va- cancy in the United States senate, and two years later elected representative in tne low- er house of congress, being chosen speaker of the house. About this time war was de- clared against Great Britain, and Clay took a prominent public place during this strug- gle and was later one of the commissioners sent to Europe by President Madison to ne- gotiate peace, returning in September, 181 5. having been re-elected speaker of the house during his absence, and was re-elect- ed unanimously. He was afterward re- elected to congress and then became secre- tary of state under John Quincy Adams. In 1 83 1 he was again elected senator from Kentucky and remained in the senate most of the time until his death. Henry Clay was three times a candidate for the presidency, and once very nearly elected. He was the unanimous choice of the Whig party in 1 844 for the presidenc}', and a great effort was made to elect him but without success, his opponent, James K. Polk, carrying both Pennsylvania and New York by a very slender margin, while either of them alone would have elected Clay. Henry Clay died at Washington Juoe 29, 1852. TAMES GILLESPIE BLAINE was one i his are " The Rosary," " Margaret Per- cival in America." "Sketches of Christian iistory," "Kansas and Nebraska," " Let- ,;ers on Irish Emigration," " Ninety Days' Worth of Europe," " If, Yes, and Perhaps," "Ingham Papers," "Reformation," "Level 8est and Other Stories, " " Ups and Downs, " "Christmas Eve and Christmas Day," " In His Name," "Our New Crusade," "Work- ingmen's Homes," " Boys' Heroes," etc., etc., besides many others which might be mentioned. One of his works, "In His Name," has earned itself enduring fame by the good deeds it has called forth. The numerous associations known as ' 'The King's Daughters," which has accomplished much good, owe their existence to the story men- tioned. DAVID GLASCOE FARRAGUT stands pre-eminent as one of the greatest na- val officers of the world. He was born at Campbell's Station, East Tennessee, July 5, 1 80 1, and entered the navy of the United States as a midshipman. He had the good fortune to serve under Captain David Por- ter, who commanded the " Essex," and by whom he was taught the ideas of devotion to duty from which he never swerved dur- ing all his career. In 1823 Mr. Farragut took part in a severe fight, the result of which was the suppression of piracy in the West Indies. He then entered upon the regular duties of his profession which was only broken into by a year's residence with Charles Folsom, our consul at Tunis, who was afterwards a distinguished professor at Harvard. Mr. Farragut was one of the best linguists in the navy. He had risen through the different grades of the service until the war of 1861-65 found him a captain resid- ing at Norfolk, Virginia. He removed with his family to Hastings, on the Hudson, and hastened to ofter his services to the Federal government, and as the capture of New Orleans had been resolved upon, Farragut was chosen to command the expedition. His force consisted of the West Gulf block- ading squadron and Porter's mortar flotilla. In January, 1862, he hoisted his pennant at the mizzen peak of the "Hartford" at Hampton roads, set sail from thence on the 3rd of February and reached Ship Island on the 20th of the same month. A council of war was held on the 20th of April, in which it was decided that whatever was to be done must be done quickly. The signal was made from the flagship and accordingly the fleet weighed anchor at 1:55 on the morning of April 24th, and at 3 130 the whole force was under way. The history of this brilliant strug- gle is well known, and the glory of it made Far- ragut a hero and also made him rear admir- al. In the summer of 1 862 he ran the batteries at Vicksburg, and on March 14. 1863, he passed through the fearful and destructive fire from Port Hudson, and opened up com- munication with Flag-officer Porter, who COMPEXDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 83 had control of the upper Mississippi. On May 24th he commenced active operations against that fort in conjunction with the army and it fell on July 9th. Mr. Farragut filled the measure of his fame on the 5th of Au- gust, 1S64, by his great victory, the capture of Mobile Bay and the destruction of the Confederate fleet, including the formidable ram Tennessee. For this victory the rank of admiral was given to Mr. Farragut. He died at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Au- gust 4, 1870. GEORGE W. CHILDS, a philanthropist whose remarkable personality stood for the best and highest type of American citizenship, and whose whole life was an object lesson in noble living, was born in 1829 at Baltimore, Maryland, of humble parents, and spent his early life in unremit- ting toil. He was a self-made man in the fullest sense of the word, and gained his great wealth by his own efforts. He was a man of very great influence, and this, in conjunction with his wealth, would have been, in the hands of other men, a means of getting them political preferment, but Mr. Childs steadily declined any suggestions that would bring him to figure prominently in public affairs. He did not choose to found a financial dynasty, but devoted all his powers to the helping of others, with the most enlightened beneficence and broadest sympathy. Mr. Childs once remarked that his greatest pleasure in life was in doing good to others. He "always despised mean- ness, and one of his objects of life was to prove that a man could be liberal and suc- cessful at the same time. Upon these lines Mr. Childs made a name for himself as the director of one of the representative news- papers of America, "The Philadelphia Pub- i:c Ledger," which was owned jointiv by 5 himself and the Drexel estate, and which he edited for thirty years. He acquired con- trol of the paper at a time when it was be- ing published at a heavy loss, set it upon a firm basis of prosperity, and he made it more than a money-making machine — he made it respected aSv an exponent of the best side of journalism, and it stands as a monument to his sound judgment and up- right business principles. Mr. Childs' char- itable repute brought him many applications for assistance, and he never refused to help any one that was deserving of aid; and not only did he help those who asked, but he would by careful inquiry find those who needed aid but were too proud to solicit it. He was a considerable employer of labor and his liberality was almost unparalleled The death of this great and good man oc- curred February 3d, 1S94. PATRICK PIENRY won his way to un- dying fame in the annals of the early history of the United States by introducing into the house of burgesses his famous reso- lution against the Stamp Act, which he car- ried through, after a stormy debate, by a majority of one. At this time he exclaimed ' ' Caesar had his Brutus, Charles I his Crom- well and George HI " (here he was inter- rupted by cries of " treason ") " may profit by their example. If this be treason make the most of it." Patrick Henry was born at Studley, Hanover county, Virginia, May 29, 1736, and was a son of Colonel John Henry, a magistrate and school teacher of Aberdeen, Scotland, and a nephew of Robertson, the historian. He received his education from his father, and was married at the age of eighteen. He was twice bankrupted before he had reached his twenty-fourth year, wnen after six weeks of study he was admitted to 84 COMPEXDir.^r OF BIOGRAPH7-. the bar. He worked for three years with- out a case and finally was applauded for his plea for the people's rights and gained im- mense popularity. After his famous Stamp Act resolution he was the leader of the pa- triots in Virginia. In 1769 he was admitted to practice in the general courts and speed- ily won a fortune by his distinguished ability as a speaker. He was the first speaker of the General Congress at Philadelphia in 1774. He was for a time a colonel of militiain 1775, and from 1776 to 1779 and 1 78 1 to 1786 he was governor of Virginia. For a number of years he retired from pub- lic life and was tendered and declined a number of important political offices, and in March, 17S9, he was elected state senator but aid not take his seat on account of his death which occurred at Red Hill, Charlotte county, Virginia, June 6, 1799. BENEDICT ARNOLD, an American general and traitor of the Revolution- ary war, is one of the noted characters in American history. He was born in Nor- wich, Connecticut, January 3, 1740. He ran away and enlisted in the army when young, but deserted in a short time. He then became a merchant at New Haven, Connecticut, but failed. In 1775 he was commissioned colonel in the Massachusetts militia, and in the autumn of that year was placed in command of one thousand men for the invasion of Canada. He marched his army through the forests of Maine and joined General Montgomery before Quebec. Their combined forces attacked that city on December 31, 177S, and Montgomery was killed, and Arnold, severely wounded, was compelled to retreat and endure a rigorous winter a few miles from the city, where they were at the mercy of the Canadian troops had they cared to attack them. On his re- turn he was raised to the rank of brigadier- general. He was given command of a small flotilla on Lake Champlain, with which he encountered an immense force, and though defeated, performed many deeds of valor. He resented the action of congress in pro- moting a number of his fellow officers and neglecting himself. In 1777 he was made major-general, and under General Gates at Bemis Heights fought valiantly. For some reason General Gates found fault with his conduct and ordered him under arrest, and he was kept in his tent until the battle of Stillwater was waxing hot, when Arnold mounted his horse and rode to the front of his old troop, gave command to charge, and rode like a mad man into the thickest of the fight and was not overtaken by Gates' courier until he had routed the enemy and fell wounded. Upon his recovery he was made general, and was placed in command at Philadelphia. Here he married, and his acts of rapacity soon resulted in a court- martial. He was sentenced to be repri- manded by the commander-in-chief, and though Washington performed this duty with utmost delicacy and- consideration, it was never forgiven. Arnold obtained com- mand at West Point, the most important post held by the Americans, in 1780, and immediately offered to surrender it to Sir Henry Clinton, British commandsr at New York. Major Andre was sent to arrange details with Arnold, but on his return trip to New York he was captured by Americans, the plot was detected, and Andre suffered the death penalty as a spy. Arnold es- caped, and was paid about $40,000 by the British for his treason and was made briga- dier-general. He afterward commanded an expedition that plundered a portion of Vir- ginia, and another that burned New Lon- don, Connecticut, and captured Fort Trum- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPUr 85 bull, the commandant of which Arnold mur- dered with the sword he had just surren- dered. He passed the latter part of his life ill England, universally despised, and died in London June 14, iSoi. ROBERT G. INGERSOLL, one of the most brilliant orators that America has produced, also a lawyer of considerable merit, won most of his fame as a lecturer. Mr. Ingersoll was born Auf;ust 24, 1S33, at Dryden, Gates county. New York, and recei\ed his education in the common schools. He went west at the age of twelve, and for a short time he attended an academy in Tennessee, and also taught school in that state. He began the practice of law in the southern part of Illinois in 1854. Colonel Ingcrsoll's principal fame was made in the lecture room by his lectures in which he ridiculed religious faith and creeds and criti- cised the Bible and the Christian religion. He was the orator of the day in the Decora- tion Day celebration in the city of New York in 1882 and his oration was widely com- mended. He first attracted political notice in the convention at Cincinnati in 1876 by his brilliant eulogy on James G. Blaine. He practiced law in Peoria, Illinois, for a num- ber of years, but later located in the city of New York. He published the follow- ing: "The Gods and other Lectures;" "The Ghosts;" "Some Mistakes of Moses;" "What Shall I Do To Be Saved;" "Inter- views on Talmage and Presbyterian Cate- chism ;" The " North .American Review Controversy;" "Prose Poems;" " A Vision of War;" etc. JOSEPH ECCLESTON JOHNSTON, gate to the convention of that party in i8;-9. This national convention nominated him for the second place on the ticket with General William H. H. Harrison, and he was elected vice-president in November, 1840. President Harrison dying one month after his inauguration, he was succeeded by John Tyler. He retained the cabinet chosen by his predecessor, and for a time moved in harmony with the Whig party. He finally instructed the secretary of the treasury. Thomas Ewing, to submit to congress a bill for the incorporation of a fiscal bank o[ the United States, which was passed by con- gress, but vetoed by the president on ac- count of some amendments he considered unconstitutional. For this and other meas- ures he was accused of treachery to his party, and deserted by his whole cabinet, except Daniel Webs' ar. Things grew worse until he was abandoned by the Whig party formally, when Mr. Webster resigned. He was nominated at Baltimore, in May, 1844, at the Democratic convention, as their pres- idential candidate, but withdrew from the canvass, as he saw he had not succeed- ed in gaining the confidence of his old party. He then retired from politics until February, 1861, when he was made presi- dent of the abortive peace congress, which met in Washington. He shortly after re- nounced his allegiance to the United States and was elected a member of the Confeder- ate congress. He died at Richmond, Janu- ary 17, 1862. Mr. Tyler married, in 181 3, Miss Letitia Christian, who died in 1842 at Washington. June 26, 1844, he contracted a second mar- riage, with Miss Julia Gardner, of New York. COLLIS POTTER HUNTINGTON, one of the great men of his time and who has left his impress upon the history of our national development, was born October 22, 1 82 1, at Harwinton, Connecticut. He received a common-school education and at the age of fourteen his spirit of get- ting along in the world mastered his educa- tional propensities and his father's objec- tions and he left school. He went to Cali- fornia in the early days and had opportunities which he handled masterfully. Others had the same opportunities but they did not have his brains nor his energy, and it was he who overcame obstacles and reaped the reward of his genius. Transcontinental railways. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPtir. 95 "were inevitable, but the realization of this masterful achievement would have been de- layed to a much later day if there had been no Huntington. He associated himself with Messrs. Mark Hopkins, Leland Stanford, and Charles Crocker, and they furnished the money necessary for a survey across the Sierra Nevadas, secured a charter for the road, and raised, with the government's aid, money enough to construct and equip that railway, which at the time of its completion was a marvel of engineering and one of the wonders of the world. Mr. Huntington be- came president of the Southern Pacific rail- road, vice-president of the Central Pacific; trustee of the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Company, and a director of the Occidental and Oriental Steamship Company, besides being identified with many other business enterprises of vast importance. GEORGE A. CUSTER, a famous In- diart fighter, was born in Ohio in 1840. He graduated at West Point in 1861, an- served in the Civil war; was at Bull Run id 1861, and was in the Peninsular campaign, being one of General McClellan's aides-de, camp. He fought in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam in 1863, and was with General Stoneman on his famous cavalry raid. He was engaged in the battle of Gettysburg, and was there made brevet- major. In 1863 was appointed brigadier- general of volunteers. General Custer was in many skirmishes in central Virginia in 1863-64, and was present at the following battles of the Richmond campaign: Wil- derness, Todd's Tavern, Yellow Tavern, where he wasbrevetted lieutenant-colonel; Meadow Bridge, Haw's Shop, Cold Harbor, Trevil- lian Station. In the Shenandoah Valley 1 864-65 he was brevetted colonel at Opequan Creek, and at Cedar Creek he was made brevet major-general for gallant conduct during the engagement. General Custer was in command ot a cavalry division in the pursuit of Lee's army in 1865, and fought at Dinwiddle Court House, Five Forks, where he was made brevet brigadier-general; Sailors Creek and Appomattox, where he gained additional honors and was made brevet major-general, and was given the command of the cavalry in the military division of the southwest and Gulf, in 1865. After the establishment of peace he went west on frontier duty and performed gallant and valuable service in the troubles with the Indians. He was killed in the massacre on the Little Big Horn river, South Dakota, June 25, 1876. DANIEL WOLSEY VOORHEES, cel- brated as " The Tall Sycamore of the Wabash," was born September 26, 1827, in Butler county, Ohio. When he was two months old his parents removed to Fount- ain county, Indiana. He grew to manhood on a farm, engaged in all the arduous work pertaining to rural life. In 1845 he entered the Indiana Asbury University, now the De Pauw, from which he graduated in 1849. He took up the study of law at Crawfords- ville, and in 185 i began the practice of his profession at Covington, Fountain county, Indiana. He became a law partner of United States Senator Hannegan, of Indi- ana, in 1852, and in 1856 he was an unsuc- cessful candidate for congress. In the fol- lowing year he took up his residence in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was United States district attorney for Indiana from 1857 until 1 86 1, and he had during this period been elected to congress, in i860. Mr. Voorhees was re-elected to congress in 1 862 and 1 864, but he was unsuccessful in the election of 1866. However, he was returned to con- 96 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. gress in 1868, where he remained until 1874, having been re-elected twice. In 1S77 he was appointed United States senator from Indiana to fill a vacancy caused by the death of O. P. Morton, and at the end of the term was elected for the ensuing term, being re- elected in 1885 and in 1891 to the same of- fice. He served with distinction on many of the committees, and took a very prom- inent part in the discussion of all the im- portant legislation of his time. His death occurred in August, 189 . ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL, fa- mous as one of the inventors of the tele- phone, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, March 3rd, 1847. He received his early education in the high school and later he attended the university, and was specially trained to follow his grandfather's profes- sion, that of removing impediments of speech. He emigrated to the United States in J 872, and introduced into this country his father's invention of visible speech in the institutions for deaf-mutes. Later he was appointed professor of vocal physiology in the Boston University. He worked for many years during his leisure hours on his telephonic discovery, and finally perfected it and exhibited it publicly, before it had reached the high state of perfection to which he brought it. His first exhibition of it was at the Centennial Exhibition that was held in Philadelphia in 1876. Its success is now established throughout the civilized world. In 1882 Prof. Bell received a diploma and the decoration of the Legion of Honor from the Academy of Sciences of France. WILLIAM HICKLING PRESCOTT, the justly celebrated historian and author, was a native of Salem, Massachu- setts, and was born May 4, 1796. He was the son of Judge William Prescott and the grandson of the hero of Bunker Hill, Colonel William Prescott. Our subject in 1808 removed with the family to Boston, in the schools of which city he received his early education. He entered Harvard College as a sophomore in 181 1, having been prepared at the private classical college of Rev. Dr. J. S. J. Gardi- jner. The following year he received an in- ury in his left eye which made study through life a matter of difficulty. He graduated in 18 14 with high honors in the classics and belle lettres. He spent several months on the Azores Islands, and later visited England, France and Italy, return- ing home in 18 17. In June, 1818, he founded a social and literary club at Boston for which he edited "The Club Room," a periodical doomed to but a short life. May 4, 1820, he married Miss Susan Amory. He devoted Several years after that event to a thorough study of ancient and modern history and literature. As the fruits of his labors he published several well written essays upon French and Italian poetry and romance in the " North American Review." January 19, 1826, he decided to take up his first great historical work, the " History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella." To this he gave the labor of ten )'ears, publish- ing the same December 25, 1837. Although placed at the head of all American authors, so diffident was Prescott of his literary merit that although he had four copies of this work printed for his own convenience, he hesitated a long time before giving it to the public, and it was only by the solicitation of friends, especially of that talented Spanish scholar, George Ticknor, that he was in- duced to do so. Soon the volumes were translated into French, Italian, Dutch and German, and the work was recognized COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr. 97 throughout the world as one of the most meritorious of historical compositions. In 1843 he published the "Conquest of Mexi- co," and in 1847 the "Conquest of Peru." Two years later there came from his pen a volume of " Biographical and Critical Mis- cellanies." Going abroad in the summer of 1850, he was received with great distinction in the literary circles of London, Edinburgh, Paris, Antwerp and Brussels. Oxford Uni- versity conferred the degree of D. C. L. upon him. In 1855 he issued two volumeri of his "History of the Reign of Philip the Second," and a third in 1858. In the meantime he edited Robertson's "Charles the Fifth, " adding a history of the life of that monarch after his abdication. Death cut short his work on the remaining volumes Oi' " Philip the Second," coming to him at Boston, Massachusetts, May 28, 1859. OLIVER HAZARD PERRY, a noted American commodore, was born in South Kingston, Rhode Island, August 23, 17S5. He saw his first service as a mid- shipman in the United States navy in April, 1799. He cruised with his father. Captain Christopher Raymond Perry, in the West In- dies for about two years. In 1804 he was in the war against Tripoli, and was made lieutenant in 1807. At the opening of hostili- ties with Great Britain in i S 1 2 he was given command of a fleet of gunboats on the At- lantic coast. At his request he was trans- ferred, a year later, to Lake Ontario, where he served under Commodore Chauncey, and took an active part in the attack on Fort George. He was ordered to fit out a squad- ron on Lake Erie, which he did, building most of his vessels from the forests along the shore, and by the summer of 1 8 1 3 he had a fleet of nine vessels at Presque Isle, now Erie, Pennsylvania September loth he attacked and captured the British fieet near Put-in-Bay, thus clearing the lake of hostile ships. His famous dispatch is part of his fame, " We have met the enemy, and they are ours." He co-operated with Gen. Har- rison, and the success of the campaign in the northwest was largely due to his victory. The next year he was transferred to the Po- tomac, and assisted in the defense of Balti- more. After the war he was in constant service with the various squadrons in cruising in all parts of the world. He died of yellow fever on the Island of Trinidad, August 23, 1 8 19. His remains were conveyed to New- port, and buried there, and an imposing obelisk was erected to his memory by the State of Rhode Island. A bronze statue was also erected in his honor, the unveiling taking place in 1885. TOHN PAUL JONES, though a native J of Scotland, was one of America's most noted fighters during the Revolutionary war. He was born July 6, 1747. His father was a gardener, but the young man soon be- came interested in a seafaring life and at the age of twelve he was apprenticed to a sea captain engaged in the American trade. His first voyage landed, him in Virginia, where he had a brother who had settled there several years prior. The failure of the captain released young Jones from his apprenticeship bonds, and he was engaged as third mate of a vessel engaged in the slave trade. He abandoned this trade after a few years, from his own sense of disgrace. He took passage from Jamaica for Scotland in 1768, and on the voyage both the captain and the mate died and he was compelled to take command of the vessel for the re- mainder of the voyage. He soon after became master of the vessel. He returned to Virginia about 1773 to settle up the estate 9a COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPH1 of his brother, and at this time added the name "Jones," having previously been known as John Paul. He settled down in Virginia, but when the war broke out in 1775 he offered his services to congress and was appointed senior lieutenant of the flag- ship "Alfred," on which he hoisted the American flag with his own hands, the first vessel that had ever carried a flag of the new nation. He was afterward appointed to the command of the " Alfred," and later of the "Providence," in each of which ves- sels he did good service, as also in the " Ranger," to the command of which he was later appointed. The fight that made him famous, however, was that in which he captured the " Serapis," off the coast of Scotland. He was then in command of the "Bon Homme Richard," which had been fitted out for him by the French government and named by Jones in honor of Benjamin Franklin, or " Good Man Richard," Frank- lin being author of the publication known as " Poor Richard's Almanac." The fight between the " Richard" and the "Serapis" lasted three hours, all of which time the vessels were at close range, and most of the time in actual contact. Jones' vessel was on fire several times, and early in the en- gagement two of his guns bursted, rendering the battery useless. Also an envious officer of the Alliance, one of Jones' own fleet, opened fire upon the " Richard " at a crit- ical time, completely disabling the vessel. Jones continued the fight, in spite of coun- sels to surrender, and after dark the " Ser- apis" struck her colors, and was hastily boarded by Jones and his crew, while the "Richard" sank, bows first, after the wounded had been taken on board the "Serapis." Most of the other vessels of the fleet of which the " Serapis" was con- voy, surrendered, and were taken with the "Serapis" to France, where Jones was received with greatest honors, and the king presented him with an elegant sword and the cross of the Order of Military Merit. Congress gave him a vote of thanks and made him commander of a new ship, the "America," but the vessel was afterward given to France and Jones never saw active sea service again. He came to America again, in 1787, after the close of the war, and was voted a gold medal by congress. He went to Russia and was appointed rear-admiral and rendered service of value against the Turks, but on account of personal enmity of the fav- orites of the emperor he was retired on a pen- sion. Failing to collect this, he returned to France, where he died, July 18, 1792. THOMAS MORAN, the well-known painter of Rocky Mountain scenery, was born in Lancashire, England, in 1837. He came to America when a child, and showing artistic tastes, he was apprenticed to a wood engraver in Philadelphia. Three years later he began landscape painting, and his style soon began to exhibit signs of genius. His first works were water-colors, and though without an instructor he began the use of oils, he soon found it necessary to visit Europe, where he gave particular at- tention to the works of Turner. He joined the Yellowstone Park exploring expedition and visited the Rocky Mountains in 1871 and again in 1873, making numerous sketches of the scenery. The most note- worthy results were his ' ' Grand Canon of the Yellowstone," and " The Chasm of the Colorado, " which were purchased by con- gress at $10,000 each, the first of which is undoubtedly the finest landscape painting produced in this country. Mr. Moran has subordinated art to nature, and the subjects he has chosen leave little ground for fault COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 101 finding on that account. "The Mountain of the Holy Cross," "The Groves Were God's First Temples," "The CHffs of Green River," " The Children of the Mountain," "The Ripening of the Leaf," and others have given him additional fame, and while they do not equal in grandeur the first mentioned, in many respects from an artis- tic standpoint they are superior. L ELAND STANFORD was one of the greatest men of the Pacific coast and also had a national reputation. He was born March 9, 1824, in Albany county. New York, and passed his early life on his father's farm. He attended the local schools of the county and at the age of twenty began the study of law. He entered the law office of Wheaton, Doolittle and Hadley, at Albany, in 1845, and a few years later he moved to Port Washington, Wisconsin, where he practiced law four years with moderate success. In 1852 Mr. Stanford determined to push further west, and, accordingly went to California, where three of his brothers were established in business in the mining towns. They took Leland into partnership, giving him charge of a branch store at Michigan Bluff, in Placer county. There he developed great business ability and four years later started a mercantile house of his own in San Fran- cisco, which soon became one of the most substantial houses on the coast. On the formation of the Republican party he inter- ested himself in politics, and in i860 was sent as a delegate to the convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln. In the autumn of 1861 he was elected, by an im- mense majority, governor of California. Prior to his election as governor he had been chosen president of the newly-orga- nized Central Pacific Railroad Company, and after leaving the executive chair he de- voted all of his time to the construction of the Pacific end of the transcontinental rail- way. May 10, 1869, Mr. Stanford drove the last spike of the Central Pacific road, thus completing the route across the conti- nent. He was also president of the Occi- dental and Oriental Steamship Company. He had but one son, who died of typhoid fever, and as a monument to his child he founded the university which bears his son's name, Leland Stanford, Junior, University. Mr. Stanford gave to this university eighty- three thousand acres of land, the estimated value of which is $8,000,000, and the entire endowment is $20,000,000. In 1885 Mr. Stanford was elected United States senator as a Republican, to succeed J. T. Farley, a Democrat, and was re-elected in 189 1. His death occurred June 20, 1894, at Palo Alto, California. STEPHEN DECATUR, a famous com- modore in the United States navy, was born in Maryland in 1779. He entered the naval service in 1798. In 1804, when the American vessel Philadelphia had been run aground and captured in the harbor of Trip- oli, Decatur, at the head of a few men, boarded her and burned her in the face of the guns from th e city defenses. For this daring deed he was made captain. He was given command of the frigate United States at the breaking out of the war of 18 12, and in October of that year he captured the British frigate Macedonian, and was re- warded with a gold medal by congress. Af- ter the close of the war he was sent as com- mander of a fleet of ten vessels to chastise the dey of Algiers, who was preying upon American commerce with impunity and de- manding tribute and ransom for the release j of American citizens captured. Decatur 102 COMPENDIUM OF BTOGRAPHT. captured a number of Algerian vessels, and compelled the dey to sue for peace. He was noted for his daring and intrepidity, and his coolness in the face of danger, and helped to bring the United States navy into favor with the people and congress as a means of defense and offense in time of war. He was killed in a duel by Commo- dore Barron, March 12, 1820. JAMES KNOX POLK, the eleventh president of the United States, 1845 to 1849, was born November 2, 1795, in Meck- lenburg county. North Carolina, and was the eldest child of a family of six sons. He removed with his father to the Valley of the Duck River, in Tennessee, in 1806. He attended the common schools and became very proficient in the lower branches of education, and supplemented this with a course in the Murfreesboro Academy, which he entered in 18 13 and in the autumn of 1815 he became a student in the sopho- more class of the University of North Caro- lina, at Chapel Hill, and was graduated in 18 1 8. He then spent a short time in re- cuperating his health and then proceeded to Nashville, Tennessee, where he took up the study of law in the office of Feli.x Grundy. After the completion of his law studies he was admitted to the bar and removed to Columbia, Maury county, Tennessee, and started in the active practice of his profes- sion. Mr. Polk was a Jeffersonian " Re- publican " and in 1823 he was elected to the legislature of Tennessee. He was a strict constructionist and did not believe that the general government had the power to carry on internal improvements in the states, but deemed it important that it should have that power, and wanted the constitution amended to that effect. But later on he became alarmed lest the general government might become strong enough to abolish slavery and therefore gave his whole support to the " State's Rights" movement, and endeavored to check the centralization of power in the general government. Mr. Polk was chosen a member of congress in 1825, and held that office until 1S39. He then withdrew, as he was the successful gubernatorial candidate of his state. He had become a man of great influence in the house, and, as the leader of the Jackson party in that body, weilded great influence in the election of General Jackson to the presidency. He sustained the president in all his measures and still remained in the house after Gen- eral Jackson had been succeeded by Martin Van Buren. He was speaker of the house during five sessions of congress. He was elected governor of Tennessee by a large majority and took the oath of office at Nash- ville, October 4, 1839. He was a candidate for re-election but was defeated by Governor Jones, the Whig candidate. In 1844 the most prominent question in the election was the annexation of Texas, and as Mr. Polk was the avowed champion of this cause he was nominated for president by the pro- slavery wing of the democratic party, was elected by a large majority, and was inaug- urated March 4, 1845. President Polk formed a very able cabinet, consisting of James Buchanan, Robert J. Walker, Will- iam L. Marcy, George Bancroft, Cave John- son, and John Y. Mason. The dispute re- garding the Oregon boundary was settled during his term of office and a new depart- ment was added to the list of cabinet po- sitions, that of the Interior. The low tariff bill of 1846 was carried and the financial system of the country was reorganized. It was also during President Polk's term that the Mexican war was successfully conducted, which resulted in the acquisition of Califor-- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPI/i: 103- nia and New Mexico. Mr. Polk retired from the presidency March 4, 1849, after having declined a re-nomination, and was succeeded by General Zachary Taylor, the hero of the Mexican war. Mr. Polk retired to private life, to his home in Nashville, where he died at the age of fifty-four on June 9, 1849. ANNA DICKINSON (Anna Elizabeth Dickinson), a noted lecturer and pub- lic speaker, was born at Philadelphia, Oc- tober 28, 1842. Her parents were Quakers, and she was educated at the Friends' free schools in her native city. She early man- ifested an inclination toward elocution and puMic speaking, and when, at the age of iS, she found an opportunity to appear before a national assemblage f(jr the discussion of woman's rights, she at once established her reputation as a public speaker. From i860 to the close of the war and during the ex- citing period of reconstruction, she was one of the most noted and influential speakers before the American public, and her popu- larity was unequaled by that of any of her sex. A few weeks after the defeat and death of Colonel Baker at Ball's Bluff, Anna Dickinson, lecturing in New York, made the remarkable assertion, " Not the incom- petency of Colonel Baker, but the treachery of General McClellan caused the disaster at Ball's Bluff." She was hissed and hooted off the stage. A year later, at the same hall and with much the same class of audi- tors, she repeated the identical words, and the applause was so great and so long con- tinued that it was impossible to go on with her lecture for more than half an hour. The change of sentiment had been wrought by the reverses and dismissal of McClellan and his ambition to succeed Mr. Lincoln as presi- dent. Ten years after the close of the war. Anna Dickinson was not heard of on the lec- ture platform, and about that time she made an attempt to enter the dramatic profession, but after appearing a number of times in dif- ferent plays she was pronounced a failure. ROBERT J. BURDETTE.— Some per- sonal characteristics of Mr. Burdette were quaintly given by himself in the follow- ing '.vords: "Politics.'' Republican after the strictest sect. Religion .' Baptist. Per- sonal appearance .-' Below medium height, and weigh one hundred and thirty- five pounds, no shillings and no pence. Rich .'' Not enough to own a yacht. Favorite read- ing.' Poetry and history — know Longfellow by heart, ahnost. Write for magizines } Have mo.'e ' declined with thar^ks ' letters than would fill a trunk. Never able to get into a magazine with a line. Care about it.' Mad as thunder. Think about starting a magazine and rejecting everbody's articles except my own." Mr. Burdette was born at Greensborough, Pennsylvania, in 1844. He served through the war of the rebellion under General Banks "on an excursion ticket" as he felicitously described it, "good both ways, conquering in one direction and running in the other, pay going on just the same." He entered into journalism by the gateway of New York correspondence for the "Peoria Transcript," and in 1874 went on the "Burlington Hawkeye" of which he became the managing editor, and the work that he did on this paper made both him- self and the paper famous in the world of humor. Mr. Burdette married in 1870, and his wife, whom he called "Her Little Serene Highness," was to him a guiding light until the day of her death, and it was- probably the unconscious pathos with which he described her in his work that broke the barriers that had kept him out of the maga- 104 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. zines and secured him the acceptance of his "Confessions" by Lippincott some years ago, and brought him substantial fame and recognition in the Hterary world. WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS, one of the leading novelists of the present century and author of a number of works that gained for him a place in the hearts of the people, was born March i, 1837, at Martinsville, Belmont county, Ohio. At the age of three years he accompanied his father, who was a printer, to Hamilton, Ohio, where he learned the printer's trade. Later he was engaged on the editorial staff of the " Cincinnati Gazette" and the " Ohio State Journal." During 1861-65 he was the United States consul at Venice, and from 1 87 1 to 1878 he was the editor-in- chief of the "Atlantic Monthly." As a writer he became one of the most fertile and readable of authors and a pleasing poet. In 1885 he became connected with "Har- per's Magazine. " Mr. Howells was author of the list of books that we give below: "Venetian Life," " Italian Journeys," "No Love Lost," " Suburban Sketches," "Their Wedding Journey," "A Chance Acquaint- ance," "A Foregone Conclusion," "Dr. Breen's Practice," "A Modern Instance," "The Rise of Silas Lapham," "Tuscan Cities," "Indian Summer," besides many others. He also wrote the " Poem of Two Friends," with J. J. Piatt in i860, and some minor dramas: "The Drawing Room Car," "The Sleeping Car," etc., that are full of exqusite humor and elegant dialogue. TAMES RUSSELL LOWELL was a son , lieutenant-colonel and assistant com- missary-general of the state, private secre- tary of the famous war governor of Pennsyl- vania, Andrew G. Curtin, colonel of the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylva- nia Infantry (nine months men), military state agent and held other offices at different times. Mr. Quay was a member of the house of representatives of the state of Pennsylvania from 1865 to 1868. He filled the office of secretary of the commonwealth from 1872 to 1878, and the position of delegate-at- large to the Republican national conventions of 187*, 1876, 1880 and 1888. He was the editor of the "Beaver Radical" and the "Philadelphia Record" for a time, and held many offices in the state conventions and on their committees. He was elected secre- tary of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1869, and served three years, and in 1885 was chosen state treasurer. In 1886 his great abilities pointed him out as the natural candidate for United States senator, and he was accordingly elected to that posi- tion and re-elected thereto in 1892. He was always noted for a genius for organiza- tion, and as a political leader had but few peers. Cool, serene, far-seeing, resourceful, holding his impulses and forces in hand, he never quailed from any policy he adopted, and carried to success most, if not all, of the political campaigns in which he took part. JAMES K. JONES, a noted senator and political leader, attained national fame while chairman of the national executive committee of the Democratic party in the presidential campaign of 1896. He was a native of Marshall county, Mississippi, and was born September 29, 1839. His father, a well-to-do planter, settled in Dallas county, Arkansas, in 1848, and there the subject of this sketch received a careful education. During the Civil war he served as a private soldier in the Confederate army. From 1866 to 1873 he passed a qCiiet life as a planter, but in the latter year was admitted to the bar and began the practice of law. About the same time he was elected to the Arkansas senate and re-elected in 1874. In 1877 he was made president of the senate and the following year was unsuccessful in obtaining a nomination as member of con- gress. In 1880 he was elected representa- tive and his ability at once placed him in a foremost position. He was re-elected to congress in 1882 and in 1884, and served as an influential member on the committee of ways and means. March 4, 1885, Mr. Jones took his seat in the United States senate to succeed James D. Walker, and was after- ward re-elected to the same office. In this branch of the national legislature his capa- bilities had a wider scope, and he was rec- 172 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. ognized as one of the ablest leaders of his party. On the nomination of William J. Bryan as its candidate for the presidency by the national convention of the Democratic prarty, held in Chicago in 1896, Mr. Jones was made chairman of the national com- mittee. THEODORE THOMAS, one of the most celebrated musical directors America has known, was born in the kingdom of Han- over in 1835, and received his musical educa- tion from his father. He was a very apt scholar and played the violin at public concerts at the age of six years. He came with his parents to America in 1845, and joined the orchestra of the Italian Opera in New York City. He played the first violin in the orchestra which accompanied Jenny Lind in her first American concert. In 1861 Mr. Thomas established the orchestra that be- came famous under his management, and gave his first symphony concerts in New York in 1864. He began his first "summer night concerts" in the same city in 1868, and in 1869 he started on his first tour of the principal cities in the United States, which he made every year for many years. He was director of the College of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio, but resigned in 1880, after having held the position for three years. Later he organized one of the greatest and most successful orchestras ever brought together in the city of Chicago, and was very prominent in musical affairs during the World's Columbian Exposition, thereby add- ing greatly to his fame. CYRUS HALL McCORMICK, the fa- mous inventor and manufacturer, was born at Walnut Grove, Virginia, February 15,1 809. When he was seven j'ears old his father invented a reaping machine. It was a rude contrivance and not successful. In 1 83 1 Cyrus made his invention of a reaping machine, and had it patented three years later. By successive improvements he was able to keep his machines at the head of its class during his life. In 1 845 he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, and two years later located in Chicago, where he amassed a great fortune in manufacturing reapers and harvesting machinery. In 1859 he estab- lished the Theological Seminary of the Northwest at Chicago, an institution for pre- paring young men for the ministry in the Presbyterian church, and he afterward en- dowed a chair in the Washington and Lee College at Lexington, Virginia. He mani- fested great interest in educational and re- ligious matters, and by his great wealth he was able to extend aid and encouragement to many charitable causes. His death oc- curred May 13, 1884. DAVID ROSS LOCKE.— Under the pen name of Petroleum V. Nasby, this well-known humorist and writer made for himself a household reputation, and estab- lished a school that has many imitators. The subject of this article was born at Vestal, Broome county. New York, Sep- tember 30, 1833. After receiving his edu- cation in the county of his birth he en- tered the office of the " Democrat," at Cort- land, New York, where he learned the printer's trade. He was successively editor and publisher of the ' 'Plymouth Advertiser, " the "Mansfield Herald," the " Bucyrus Journal," and the "Findlay Jeffersonian." Later he became editor of the "Toledo Blade." In i860 he commenced his " Nasby" articles, several series of which have been given the world in book form. Under a mask of misspelling, and in a auaiot COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 178 and humorous style, a keen political satire is couched — a most effective weapon. Mr. Locke was the author of a num- ber of serious political pamphlets, and later on a more pretentious work, " The Morals of Abou Ben Adhem." As a news- paper writer he gained many laurels and his works are widely read. Abraham Lincoln is said to have been a warm admirer of P. V. Nasby, of " Confedrit X Roads" fame. Mr. Locke died at Toledo, Ohio, February 15, 1888. RUSSELL A. ALGER, noted as a sol- dier, governor and secretary of war, was born in Medina county, Ohio, February 27, 1836, and was the son of Russell and Caroline (Moulton) Alger. At the age of twelve years he was left an orphan and pen- niless. For about a year he worked for his board and clothing, and attended school part of the time. In 1850 he found a place which paid small wages, and out of his scanty earnings helped his brother and sister. While there working on a farm he found time to attend the Richfield Academy, and by hard work between times managed to get a fair education for that time. The last two years of his attendance at this institu- tion of learning he taught school during the winter months. In 1857 he commenced the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1859. For a while he found employ- ment in Cleveland, Ohio, but impaired health induced him to remove to Grand Rapids, where he engaged in the lumber business. He was thus engaged when the Civil war broke out, and, his business suf- fering and his savings swept away, he en- listed as a private in the Second Michigan Cavalry. He was promoted to be captain the following month, and major for gallant conduct at Boonesville, Mississippi, July i. 1862. October 16, 1862, he was made lieutenant-colonel of the Sixth Michigan Cavalry, and in February, 1863, colonel of the Fifth Michigan Cavalry. He rendered excellent service in the Gettysburg cam- paign. He was wounded at Boonesboro, Maryland, and on returning to his command took part with Sherman in the campaign in the Shenandoah Valley. For services ren- dered, that famous soldier recommended him for promotion, and he was brevetted major-general of volunteers. In 1866 Gen- eral Alger took up his residence at Detroit, and prospered exceedingly in his business, which was that of lumbering, and grew quite wealthy. In 1884 he was a delegate to the Republican national convention, and the same year was elected governor of Michigan. He declined a nomination for re-election to the latter office, in 1887, and was the following year a candidate for the nomination for president. In 1889 he was elected commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, and at different times occupied many offices in other or- ganizations. In March, 1897, President McKinley appointed General Alger secretary of war. CYRUS WEST FIELD, the father of submarine telegraphy, was the son of the Rev. David D. Field, D.D., a Congre- gational minister, and was born at Stock- bridge, Massachusetts, November 30, 1819. He was educated in his native town, and at the age of fifteen years became a clerk in a store in New York City. Being gifted with excellent business ability Mr. Field pros- pered and became the head of a large mer- cantile house. In 1853 he spent about six months in travel in South America. On his return he became interested in ocean teleg- raphy. Being solicited to aid in the c^^u- 174 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. struction of a land telegraph across New Foundland to receive the news from a line of fast steamers it was proposed to run from from Ireland to St. Johns, the idea struck him to carry the line across the broad At- lantic. In 1850 Mr. Field obtained a con- cession from the legislature of Newfound- land, giving him the sole right for fifty years to land submarine cables on the shores of that island. In company with Peter Cooper, Moses Taylor, Marshall O. Roberts and Chandler White, he organized a company under the name of the New York, New- foundland & London Telegraph Company. In two years the line from New York across Newfoundland was built. The first cable connecting Cape Breton Island with New- foundland having been lost in a storm while being laid in 1855, another was put down in 1856. In the latter year Mr. Field, went to London and organized the Atlantic Tele- graph Company, furnishing one-fourth of the capital himself. Both governments loaned ships to carry out the enterprise. Mr. Field accompanied the expeditions of 1857 and two in 1858. The first and second cables were failures, and the third worked but a short time and then ceased. The people of both continents became incredulous of the feasibility of laying a successful cable under so wide an expanse of sea, and the war breaking out shortly after, nothing was done until 1865-66. Mr. Field, in the former year, again made the attempt, and the Great Eastern laid some one thousand two hun- dred miles when the cable parted and was lost. The following year the same vessel succeeded in laying the entire cable, and picked up the one lost the year before, and both were carried to America's shore. After thirteen years of care and toil Mr. Field had his reward. He was the recipient of many medals and honors from both home and abroad. He gave his attention after this to establishing telegraphic communication throughout the world and many other large enterprises, notably the construction of ele- vated railroads in New York. Mr. Field died July 1 1, 1892. G ROVER CLEVELAND, the twenty- second president of the United States, was born in Caldwell, Essex county. New Jersey, March 18, 1837, and was the son of Rev. Richard and Annie (Neale) Cleve- land. The father, of distinguished New England ancestry, was a Presbyterian min- ister in charge of the church at Caldwell at the time. When Grover was about three years of age the family removed to Fayetteville, Onondaga county. New York, where he attended the district school, and was in the academy for a short time. His father be- lieving that boys should early learn to labor, Grover entered a village store and worked for the sum of fifty dollars for the first year. While he was thus engaged the family re- moved to Clinton, New York, and there young Cleveland took up h>s studies at the academy. The death of his father dashed all his hopes of a collegiate education, the family being left in straightened circum- stances, and Grover started out to battle for himself. After acting for a year (1853- 54) as assistant teacher and bookkeeper in the Institution for the Blind at New York City, he went to Buffalo. A short time after he entered the law office of Rogers, Bowen & Rogers, of that city, and after a hard struggle with adverse circumstances, was admitted to the bar in 1859. Hebe- came confidential and managing clerk for the firm under whom he had studied, and remained with them until 1863. In the lat- ter year he was appointed district attornej' COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 175 Oi Erie county. It was during his incum- bency of this office that, on being nominated by the Democrats for supervisor, he came within thirteen votes of election, although the district was usually Republican by two hundred and fifty majority. In i866Grover Cleveland formed a partnership with Isaac V. Vanderpoel. The most of the work here fell upon the shoulders of our subject, and he soon won a good standing at the bar of the state. In 1869 Mr. Cleveland associated himself in business with A. P. Laning and Oscar Folsom, and under the firm name of Laning, Cleveland & Folsom soon built up a fair practice. In the fall of 1870 Mr. Cleve- land was elected sheriff of Erie county, an office which he filled for four years, after which he resumed his profession, with L. K. Bass and Wilson S. Bissell as partners. This firm was strong and popular and shortly was in possession of a lucrative practice. Mr. Bass retired from the firm in 1879, and George J. Secard was admit- ted a member in 188 1. In the latter year Mr. Cleveland was elected mayor of Buffalo, and in 1882 he was chosen governor by the enormous majority of one hundred and ninety-two thousand votes. July 11, 1884, he was nominated for the presidency by the Democratic national convention, and in November following was elected. Mr. Cleveland, after serving one term as president of the United States, in 1888 was nominated by his party to succeed himself, but he failed of the election, being beaten by Benjamin Harrison. In 1892, however, being nominated again in opposition to the then incumbent of the presidency, Mr. Har- rison, Grover Cleveland was elected pres- ident for the second time and served for the usual term of four years. In 1897 Mr. Cleveland retired from the chair of the first magistrate of the nation, and in New York City resumed the practice of law, in which city he had established himself in 1889. June 2, 1886, Grover Cleveland was united in marriage with Miss Frances Fol- som, the daughter of his former partner. ALEXANDER WINCHELL, for many years one of the greatest of American scientists, and one of the most noted and prolific writers on scientific subjects, was born in Duchess county. New York, Decem- ber 31, 1824. He received a thorough col- legiate education, and graduated at the Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connect- icut, in 1847. His mind took a scientific turn, which manifested itself while he was yet a boy, and in 1848 he became teacher of natural sciences at the Armenian Semi- nary, in his native state, a position which he filled for three years. In 185 1-3 he oc- cupied the same position in the Mesopo- tamia Female Seminary, in Alabama, after which he was president of the Masonic Fe- male Seminary, in Alabama. In 1853 he became connected with the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, at which institu- tion he performed the most important work of his life, and gained a wide reputation as a scientist. He held many important posi- tions, among which were the following: Professor of physics and civil engineering at the University of Michigan, also of geology, zoology and botany, and later professor of geology and palaeontology at the same insti- tution. He also, for a time, was president of the Michigan Teachers' Association, and state geologist of Michigan. Professor Winchell was a very prolific writer on scien- tific subjects, and published many standard works, his most important and widely known being those devoted to geology. He also contributed a large number of articles to scientific and popular journals. 176 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. ANDREW HULL FOOTE, of the United States navy, was a native of New England, born at New Haven, Con- necticut, May 4, 1808. . He entered the navy, as a midshipman, December 4, 1822. He slovvly rose in his chosen profession, at- taining the rank of lieutenant in 1830, com- mander in 1852 and captain in 1861. Among the distinguished men in the break- ing out of the Civil war, but few stood higher in the estimation of his brother officers than Foote, and when, in the fall of 1861, he was appointed to the command of the flotilla then building on the Mississippi, the act gave grea"; satisfaction to the service. Although embarrassed by want of navy yards and supplies, Foote threw himself into his new work with unusual energy. He overcame all obstacles and in the new, and, until that time, untried experiment, of creat- ing and maintaining a navy on a river, achieved a success beyond the expectations of the country. Great incredulity existed as to the possibility of carrying on hostilities on a river where batteries from the shore might bar the passage. But in spite of all, Foote soon had a navy on the great river, and by the heroic qualities of the crews en- trusted to him, demonstrated the utility of this new departure in naval architecture. All being prepared, February 6, 1862, Foote took Fort Henry after a hotly-contested action. On the 14th of the same month, for an hour and a half engaged the batteries of Fort Donelson, with four ironclads and two wooden gunboats, thereby dishearten- ing the garrison and assisting in its capture. April 7th of the same year, after several hotly-contested actions. Commodore Foote received the surrender of Island No. 10, one of the great strongholds of the Confederacy on the Mississippi river. Foote having been wounded at Fort Donelson, and by neglect it having become so serious as to endanger his life, he was forced to resign his command and return home. June 16, 1862, he re- ceived the thanks of congress and was pro- moted to the rank of rear admiral. He was appointed chief of the bureau of equipment and recruiting. June 4, 1863, he was ordered to the fleet off Charleston, to super- cede Rear Admiral Dupont, but on his way to that destination was taken sick at New York, and died June 26, 1863. NELSON A. MILES, the well-known sol- dier, was born at Westminster, Massa- chusetts, August 8, T 839. His ancestors set- tled in that state in 1643 among the early pioneers, and their descendants were, many of them, to be found among those battling against Great Britain during Revolutionary times and during the war of 18 12. Nelson was reared on a farm, received an academic education, and in early manhood engaged in mercantile pursuits in Boston. Early in 1 86 1 he raised a company and offered hi? services to the government, and although commissioned as captain, on account of his youth went out as first lieutenant in the Twenty-second Massachusetts Infantry. In 1862 he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel and colonel of the Sixty-first New York In- fantry. At the request of Generals Grant and Meade he was made a brigadier by President Lincoln. He participated in all but one of the battles of the Army of the Potomac until the close of the war. During the latter part of the time he commanded the first division of the Second Corps. General Miles was wounded at the battles of Fair Oaks, Fredericksburg and Chan- cellorsville, and received four brevets for distinguished service. During the recon- struction period he commanded in North Carolina, and on the reorganization of the COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. VII regular army he was made colonel of in- fantry. In 1880 he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general, and in 1890 to that of major-general. He successfully con- ducted several campaigns among the In- dians, and his name is known among the tribes as a friend when they are peacefully inclined. He many times averted war with the red men by judicious and humane settlement of difficulties without the military power. In 1892 General Miles was given command of the proceedings in dedicating the World's Fair at Chicago, and m the summer of 1894, during the great railroad strike at the same city. General Miles, then in command of the department, had the disposal of the troops sent to protect the United States mails. On the retirement of General J. M. Schofield, in 1S95, General Miles became the ranking major-general of the United States army and the head of its forces. JUNIUS BRUTUS BOOTH, the great actor, though born in London (1796), is more intimately connected with the Amer- ican than with the English stage, and his popularity in America was almost un- bounded, while in England he was not a prime favorite. He presented " Richard III. " in Richmond on his first appearance on the American stage in 1821. This was his greatest role, and in it he has never had an equal. In October of the same year he appeared in New York. After a long and successful career he gave his final perform- ance at New Orleans in 1852. He con- tracted a severe cold, and for lack of proper medical attention, it resulted in his death on Noyember 30th of that year. He was, without question, one of the greatest tra- gedians that ever lived. In addition to his professional art and genius, he was skilled in languages, drawing, painting and sculp- ture. In his private life he was reserved, and even eccentric. Strange stories are related of his peculiarities, and on his farm near Baltimore he forbade the use of animal food, the taking of animal life, and even the felling of trees, and brought his butter and eggs to the Baltimore markets in person. Junius Brutus Booth, known as the elder Booth, gave to the world three sons of note: Junius Brutus Booth, Jr., the husband of Agnes Booth, the actress; John Wilkes Booth, the author of the greatest tragedy in the life of our nation; Edwin Booth, in his day the greatest actor of America, if not of the world. JAMES MONTGOMERY BAILEY, fa- mous as the "Danbury News Man," was one of the best known American humor- ists, and was born September 25, 1841, at Albany, N. Y. He adopted journalism as a profession and started in his chosen work on the "Danbury Times," which paper he pur- chased on his return from the war. Mr. Bailey also purchased the "Jeffersonian," another paper of Danbury, and consolidated them, forming the "Danbury News," which paper soon acquired a celebrity throughout the United States, from an incessant flow of rich, healthy, and original humor, which the pen of the editor imparted to its columns, and he succeeded in raising the circulation of the paper from a few hundred copies a week to over forty thousand. The facilities of a country printing office were not so com- plete in those days as they are now, but Mr. Bailey was resourceful, and he put on re- lays of help and ran his presses night and day, and always prepared his matter a week ahead of time. The "Danbury News Man" was a new figure in literature, as his humor was so different from that of the newspaper 178 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. -wits — who had preceded him, and he maybe called the pioneer of that school now so familiar. Mr. Bailey published in book form "Life in Danbury" and "The Danbury News Man's Almanac. " One of his most admirable traits was philanthrophy, as he gave with unstinted generosity to all comers, and died comparatively poor, notwithstand- ing his ownership of a very profitable busi- ness which netted him an income of $40,000 a year. He died March 4, 1894. MATTHEW HALE CARPENTER, a famous lawyer, orator and senator, •was born in Moretown, Vermont, December 22, 1824. After receiving a common-school ■education he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, but only remained two years. On returning to his liome he commenced the study of law with Paul Dillingham, afterwards governor of Vermont, and whose daughter he married. In 1847 he was admitted to practice at the bar in Vermont, but he went to Boston and for a time studied with Ruf us Choate. In 1 848 he moved west, settling at Beloit, Wisconsin, and commencing the practice of his profes- sion soon obtained a wide reputation for ability. In 1856 Mr. Carpenter removed to Milwaukee, where he found a wider field for his now increasing powers. During the Civil war, although a strong Democrat, he was loyal to the government and aided the Union cause to his utmost. In 1868 he was counsel for the government in a test case to settle the legality of the reconstruc- tion act before the United States supreme court, and won his case against Jeremiah S. Black. This gave him the election for sen- ator from Wisconsin in 1869, and he served until 1875, during part of which time he was president pi-o tempore of the senate. Failing 01 a re-election Mr. Carpenter resumed the practice of law, and when William W. Belknap, late secretary of war, was im- peached, entered the case , for General Belknap, and secured an acquittal. During the sitting of the electoral commission of 1877, Mr. Carpenter appeared for Samuel J. Tilden, although the Republican man- agers had intended to have him represent R. B. Hayes. Mr. Carpenter was elected to the United States senate again in 1879, and remained a member of that body until the day of his death, which occurred at Washington, District of Columbia, Feb- ruary 24, i8S£. Senator Carpenter's real name was De- catur Merritt Hammond Carpenter but about 1852 he changed it to the one by which he was universally known. THOMAS E. WATSON, lawyer and congressman, the well-known Geor- gian, whose name appears at the head of this sketch, made himself a place in the his- tory of our country by his ability, energy and fervid oratory. He was born in Col- umbia (now McDuffie) county, Georgia, September 5, 1856. He had a common- school education, and in 1872 entered Mer- cer University, at Macon, Georgia, as fresh- man, but for want of money left the college at the end of his sophomore year. He taught school, studying law at the same time, until 1875, when he was admitted to the bar. He opened an office and com- menced practice in Thomson, Georgia, in November, 1876. He carried on a success- ful business, and bought land and farmed on an extensive scale. Mr. Watson was a delegate to the Demo- cratic state convention of 1880, and was a member of the house of representatives of the legislature of his native state in 1882. In 1888 he was an elector-at-large on the COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 179 Cleveland ticket, and in 1890 was elected to represent his district in the fifty-second congress. This latter election is said to have been due entirely to Mr. Watson's "dash- ing display of ability, eloquence and popular power." In his later years he championed the alliance principles and policies until he became a leader in the movement. In the heated campaign of 1896, Mr. Watson was nominated as the candidate for vice-presi- dent on the Bryan ticket by that part of the People's party that would not endorse the nominee for the same position made by the Democratic party. FREDERICK A. P. BARNARD, mathe- matician, physicist and educator, was born in Sheffield, Massachusetts, May 5, 1809. He graduated from Yale College in 1828, and in 1830 became a tutor in the same. From 1837 to 1848 he was professor of mathe- matics and natural philosophy in the Uni- versity of Alabama, and from 1848 to 1850, professor of chemistry and natural history in the same educational institution. In 1854 he became connected with the Univer- sity of Mississippi, of which he became president in 1856, and chancellor in 1858. In 1854 he took orders in the Protestant Episcopal church. In 1861 Professor Barnard resigned his chancellorship and chair in the university, and in 1863 and 1864 was con- nected with the United States coast survey in charge of chart printing and lithography. In May, 1864, he was elected president of Columbia College, New York City, which he served for a number of years. Professor Barnard received the honorary degree of LL. D. from Jefferson College, Mississippi, in 1855, and from Ya'e College in 1859; also the degree of S. T. D. from the University of Mississippi in i86r, and that of L. H. D. from the regents of the University of the State of New York in 1872. In 1 860 he was a member of the eclipse party sent by the United States coast sur- vey to Labrador, and during his absence was elected president of the American Asso- ciation for the Advancement of Science. la the act of congress establishing the National Academy of Sciences in 1863, he was named as one of the original corporators. In 1867 he was one of the United States commis- sioners to the Paris Exposition. He was a member of the American Philosophical Society, associate member of the Amer- ican Academy of Arts and Sciences, and many other philosophical and scientific societies at home and abroad. Dr. Barnard was thoroughly identified with the progress of the age in those branches. His published works relate wholly to scientific or educa- tional subjects, chief among which are the following: Report on Collegiate Education; Art Culture; History of the American Coast Survey; University Education; Undulatory Theory of Light; Machinery and Processes of the Industrial Arts, and Apparatus of the Exact Sciences, Metric System of Weights and Measures, etc. EDWIN McMASTERS STANTON, the secretary of war during the great Civil war, was recognized as one of America's foremost public men. He was born Decem- ber 19, 1 8 14, at Steubenville, Ohio, where he received his education and studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1836, and was reporter of the supreme court of Ohio from 1842 until 1845. He removed to Washington in 1856 to attend to his prac- tice before the United States supreme court, and in 1858 he went to California as counsel for the government in certain land cases, which he carried to a successful conclusion. Mr. Stanton was appointed 180 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. attorney-general of the United States in December, i860, by President Buchanan. On March 4, 1861, Mr. Stanton went with the outgoing administration and returned to the practice of his profession. He was appointed secretary of war by President Lincoln January 20, 1862, to succeed Simon Cameron. After the assassination of Presi- dent Lincoln and the accession of Johnson to the presidency, Mr. Stanton was still in the same office. He held it for three years, and by his strict adherence to the Repub- lican party, he antagonized President John- son, who endeavored to remove him. On August 5, 1867, the president requested him to resign, and appointed General Grant to succeed him, but when congress convened in December the senate refused to concur in the suspension. Mr. Stanton returned to his post until the president again removed him from office, but was again foiled by congress. Soon after, however, he retired voluntarily from office and took up the practice of law, in which he engaged until his death, on December 24, 1869. ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, the eminent theologian and founder of the church known as Disciples of Christ, was born in the country of Antrim, Ireland, in June, 1788, and was the son of Rev. Thomas Campbell, a Scoth-Irish "Seceder. " After studying at the University of Glasgow, he, in company with his father, came to America in 1808, and both began labor in western Pennsylvania to restore Christianity to apostolic simplicity. They organized a church at Brush Run, Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 181 i, which, however, the year following, adopted Baptist views, and in 181 3, with other con;;regations joined a Baptist as'^ociation. Some of the under- lying principles and many practices of the Campbells and their disciples were repug- nant to the Baptist church and considerable friction was the result, and 1827 saw the separation of that church from the Church of Christ, as it is sometimes calied. The latter then reorganized themselves anew. They reject all creeds, professing to receive the Bible as their only guide. In most mat- ters of faith they are essentially in accord with the other Evangelical Christian churches, especially in regard to the person and work of Christ, the resurrection and judgment. They celebrate the Lord's Supper weekly, hold that repentance and faith should precede baptism, attaching much importance to the latter ordinance. On all other points they encourage individual liberty of thought. In 1841, Alexander Campbell founded Bethany College, West \'irginia, of which he was president for many years, and died March 4, 1866. The denomination which they founded is quite a large and important church body in the United States. They support quite a number of institutions of learning, among which are: Bethany College, West Virginia; Hiram College, Hiram, Ohio; Northwestern Christian University, Indianapolis, Indiana; Eureka College, Illinois; Kentucky Univer- sity, Lexington, Kentucky; Oskaloosa College, Iowa; and a number of seminaries and schools. They also support several monthly and quarterly religious periodicals and many papers, both in the United States and Great Britain and her dependencies. WILLIAM L.WILSON, the noted West Virginian, who was postmaster-gener- al under President Cleveland's second ad- ministration, won distinction as the father of the famous " Wilson bill," which became a law under the same administration. Mr. Wi'iijon was born May 3, 1843, in Jeffer- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 181 son county, West Virginia, and received a good education at the Charlestown Academy, where he prepared himself for college. He attended the Columbian Col- lege in the District of Columbia, from which he graduated in i860, and then attended the University of Virginia. Mr. Wilson served in the Confederate army dur- ing the war, after which he was a professor in Columbian College. Later he entered into the practice of law at Charlestown. He attended the Democratic convention held at Cincinnati in 18S0, as a delegate, and later was chosen as one of the electors for the state-at-large on the Hancock ticket. In the Democratic convention at Chicago in 1892, Mr. Wilson was its per- manent president. He was elected pres- ident of the West Virginia University in 1882, entering upon the duties of his office on September 6, but having received the nomination for the forty-seventh congress on the Democratic ticket, he resigned the presidency of the university in June, 1883, to take his seat in congress. Mr. Wil- son was honored by the Columbian Uni- versity and the Hampden-Sidney College, both of which conferred upon him the de- gree of LL. D. In 1884 he was appointed regent of the Smithsonian Institution at Washington for two years, and at the end of his term was re-appointed. He was elected to the forty-seventh, forty-ninth, fiftieth, fifty-first, fifty-second and fifty- third congresses, but was defeated for re- election to the fifty-fourth congress. Upon the resignation of Mr. Bissell from the office of postmaster-general, Mr. Wilson was ap- pointed to fill the vacancy by President Cleveland. Hi.s many years of public serv- ice and the prominent part he took in the discussion of public questions gave him a national reputation. CALVIN S. BRICE, a successful and noted financier and politician, was born at Denmark, Ohio, September 17, 1845, of an old Maryland family, who trace their lineage from the Bryces, or Bruces, of Airth, Scotland. The father of our subject was a prominent Presbyterian clergyman, who removed to Ohio in 18 12. Calvin S. Brice was educated in the common schools of his native town, and at the age of thir- teen entered the preparatory department of Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, and the following year entered the freshman class. On the breaking out of the Civil war, although but fifteen years old, he enlisted in a company of three-months men. He re- turned to complete his college course, but re-enlisted in Company A, Eighty-sixth Ohio Infantry, and served in the Virginia campaign. He then returned to college, from which he graduated in 1863. In 1864 he organized Company E, One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio Infantry, and served until the close of hostilities, in the western armies. On his return home Mr. Brice entered the law department of the University of Michigan, and in 1866 was admitted to the bar in Cincinnati. In the winter of 1870- 71 he went to Europe in the interests of the Lake Erie & Louisville Railroad and pro- cured a foreign loan. This road became the Lake Erie & Western, of which, in 1887, Mr. Brice became president. This was the first railroad in which he had a personal interest. The conception, build- ing and sale of the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad, known as the "Nickel Plate," was largely due to him. He was connected with many other railroads, among which may be mentioned the following: Chicago & Atlantic; Ohio Central; Rich- mond & Danville; Richmond & West Point 1S2 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. Terminal; East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia; Memphis & Charleston; Mobile & Birmingham; Kentucky Central; Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic, and the Marquette, Houghton & Ontonagon. In 1890 he was elected United States senator from Ohio. Notwithstanding his extensive business inter- ests, Senator Brice gave a considerable time to political matters, becoming one of the leaders of the Democratic party and one of the most widely known men in the country. BENJAMIN HARRISON, twenty-third president of the United States, was born August 20, 1833, at North Bend, Hamilton county, Ohio, in the house of his grandfather. General William Henry Har- rison, afterwards president of the United States. His great-grandfather, Benjamin Harrison, was a member of the Continental congress, signed the Declaration of Inde- pendence, and was three times elected gov- ernor of Virginia. The subject of this sketch entered Farm- ers College at an early age, and two years later entered Miami University, at O.xford, Ohio. Upon graduation he entered the office of Stover & Gwyne, of Cincinnati, as a law student. He was admitted to the bar two years later, and having inherited about eight hundred dollars worth of property, he married the daughter of Doctor Scott, pres- ident of a female school at Oxford, Ohio, and selected Indianapolis, Indiana, to begin practice. In i860 he was nominated by ihe Republicans as candidate for state supreme court reporter, and did his-^first political speaking in that campaign. He was elected, and after two years in that position he organized the Seventieth Indi- ana Infantry, of which he was made colonel, and with his regiment joined General Sher- man's army. For bravery displayed at Re- saca and Peach Tree Creek he was made a brigadier-general. In the meantime the office of supreme court reporter had been declared vacant, and another party elected to fill it. In the fall of 1864, having been nominated for that office. General Harrison obtained a thirty-day leave of absence, went to Indiana, canvassed the state and was elected. As he was about to rejoin his command he was stricken down by an attack of fever. After his recovery he joined General Sherman's army and participated in the closing events of the war. In 1868 General Harrison declined to be a candidate for the office of supreme court reporter, and returned to the practice of the law. His brilliant campaign for the office of governor of Indiana in 1876, brought him into public notice, although he was defeated. He took a prominent part in the presidential canvass of 1880, and was chosen United States senator from Indiana, serving six years. He then returned to the practice of his profession. In 1888 he was selected by the Republican convention at Chicago as candidate for the presidency, and after a heated campaign was elected over Cleveland. He was inaugurated March 4, 1889, and signed the McKinley bill October I, 1890, perhaps the most distinctive feature of his administration. In 1892 he was again the nominee of the Republican party for president, but was defeated by Grover Cleveland, the Democratic candidate, and again resumed the practice of law in Indian- apolis. JOHN CRAIG HAVEMEYER, the celebrated merchant and sugar refiner, was born in New York City in 1833. His father, William F. Havemeyer, and grand- father, William Havemeyer, were both sugar COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 183 refiners. The latter named came from Buckeburg, Germany, in 1799, and settled in New York, establishing one of the first refineries in that city. William F. succeeded his father, and at an early age retired from business with a competency. He was three times mayor of his native city, New York. John C. Havemeyer was educated in private schools, and was prepared for college at Columbia College grammar school. Owing to failing eyesight he was unable to finish his college course, and began his business career in a wholesale grocery store, where he remained two years. In 1854, after a year's travel abroad, he assumed the responsibility of the office work in the sugar refinery of Havemeyer & Molter, but two years later etablished a refinery of his o«n in Brooklyn. Thi_ v.ft-rwards developed into the immense bus inf. •SO' Havemeyer & Elder The capital was furn.shed by his fathar, and, chafing under the anxiety caused by the use of borrowed money, he sold out his interest and returned to Havemeyer & Molter. This firm dissolving the next year, John C. declined an offer of partnership from the successors, not wishing to use borrowed money. For two years he remain- ed with the house, receiving a share of the profits as compensation. For some years thereafter he was engaged in the commission business, until failing health caused his retirement. In 1871, he again engaged in the sugar refining business at Greenport, Long Island, with his brother and another partner, under the firm name of Havemeyer Brothers & Co. Here he remained until 1880, when his health again declined. During the greater part of his life Mr. Havemeyer was identified with many benev- olent societies, including the New York Port Society, Missionary Society of the Methodist Church, American Bible Society, New York Sabbath School Society and others. He was active in Young Men's Christian Association work in New York, and organized and was the first president of an affiliated society of thesa.me at Yonkers. He was director of several railroad corpo- rations and a trustee of the Continental Trust Company of New York. WALTER QUINTIN GRESHAM, an eminent American statesman and jurist, was born March 17, 1833, near Cory- don, Harrison county, Indiana. He ac- quired his education in the local schools of the county and at Bloomington Academy, although he did not graduate. After leav- ing college he read law with Judge Porter at Corydon, and just beiorc the wa.- >" be- gan to take an interest in politics. Mr. Gresham was elected to the legislatu'-' .rom Harrison county as a Republ can; previous to this the district had been represented by a Democrat. At the commencement of hostilities he was made lieutenant-colonel of the Thirty-eighth Indiana • Infantry, but served in that regiment only a short time, when he was appointed colonel of the Fifty- third Indiana, and served under General Grant at the siege of Vicksburg as brigadier- general. Later he was under Sherman in the famous "March to the Sea," and com- manded a division of Blair's corps at the siege of Atlanta where he was so badly wounded in the leg that he was compelled to return home. On his way home he was forced to stop at New Albany, where he re- mained a year before he was able to leave. Pie was brevetted major-general at the close of the war. While at New Albany, Mr. Gresham was appointed state agent, his duty being to pay the interest on the state debt in New York, and he ran twice for congress against ex-Speaker Kerr, but was 184 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. defeated in both cases, although he greatly reduced the Democratic majority. He was held in high esteem by President Grant, who offered him the portfolio of the interior but Mr. Gresham declined, but accepted the appointment of United States judge for Indiana to succeed David McDonald. Judge Gresham served on the United States district court bench until 1883, when he was appointed postmaster-general by Presi- dent Arthur, but held that office only a few months when he was made secretary of the treasury. Near the end of President Arthur's term, Judge Gresham was ap- pointed judge of the United States circuit court of the district composed of Indiana, Illinois and contiguous states, which he held until 1893. Judge Gresham was one of the presidential possibilities in the National Re- publican convention in 1888, when General Harrison was nominated, and was also men- tioned for president "n 1892. Later the People's party maae f^ strenuous effort to induce him to become their candidate for president, he refusing the offer, howeve', and a few weeks before the election he an- nounced that he would support Mr. Cleve- land, the Democratic nominee for president. Upon the election of Mr. Cleveland in the fall of 1892, Judge Gresham was made the secretary of state, and filled that position until his death on May 28, 1895, at Wash- ington, District of Columbia. ELISHA B. ANDREWS, noted as an ed- ucator and college president, was born at Hinsdale, New Hampshire, January 10, 1844, his father and mother being Erastus and Elmira (Bartlett) Andrews. In 1861, he entered the service of the general gov- ernment as private and non-commissioned officer in the First Connecticut Heavj' Ar- tillery, and in 1863 was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. Returning home he was prepared for college at Powers In- stitute and at the Wesleyan Academy, and entered Brown University. From here he was graduated in 1870. For the succeeding two years he was principal of the Connecti- cut Literary Institute at Suffield, Connecticut. Completing a course at the Newton Theo- logical Institute, he was ordained pastor of the First Baptist church at Beverly, Massa- chusetts, July 2, 1874. The following year he became president of the Denison University, at Granville, Ohio. In 1879 he accepted the professorship of homiletics, pastoral duties and church polity at Newton Theological Institute. In 1882 he was elected to the chair of history and political economy at Brown University. The Uni- versity of Nebraska honored him with an LL. D. in 1884, and the same year Colby University conferred the degree of D. D. In 1888 he became professor of political economy and public economy at Cornell University, but the next year returned to Brown University as its president, '^rom the time of his inauguration the college work broadened in many ways. Many timely and generous donations from friends and alumni of the college were influenced by him, and large additions made "to the same. Professor Andrews published, in 1887, "Institutes of General History," and in 1888, " Institutes of Economics." JOHN WILLIAM DRAPER, the subject of the present biography, was, during his life, one of the most distinguished chemists and scientific writers in America. He was an Englishman by birth, born at Liverpool, Maj' 5, 181 1, and was reared in his native land, receiving an excellent education, graduating at the University of London. In 1833 he came to the United States, and COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 187 settled first in Pennsylvania. He graduated in medicine at the University of Philadel- phia, in 1836, and for three years following was professor of chemistry and physiology at Hampden-Sidney College. He then be- came professor of chemistry in the New York University, with which institution he was prominently connected for many years. It is stated on excellent authority that Pro- fessor Draper, in 1839, took the first photo- graphic picture ever taken from life. He was a great student, and carried on many important and intricate experiments along scientific lines. He discovered many of the fundamental facts of spectrum analysis, which he published. He published a number of works of great merit, many of which are recognized as authority upon the subjects of which they treat. Among his work were: "Human Physiology, Statistical and Dyna- mical of the Conditions and Cause of Life in Man," "History of Intellectual Develop- ment of Europe," "History of the Ameri- can Civil War," besides a number of works on chemistry, optics and mathematics. Pro- fessor Draper continued to hold a high place among the scientific scholars of America until his death, which occurred in January, 1882. GEORGE W. PECK, ex-governor of the state of Wisconsin and a famous journalist and humorist, was born in Jeffer- son county. New York, September 28, 1840. When he was about three years of age his parents removed to Wisconsin, settling near Whitewater, where young Peck received his education at the public schools. At fifteen he entered the office of the "Whitewater Register," where he learned the printer's art. He helped start the "Jefferson County Republican" later on, but sold out his interest therein and set type in the office of the "State Journal," at Madison. At the outbreak of the war he enlisted in the Fourth Wisconsin Cavalr}' as a private, and after serving four years returned a second lieutenant. He then started the " Ripon Representative," which he sold not long after, and removing to New York, was on the staff of Mark Pomeroy's "Democrat." Going to La Crosse, later, he conducted the La Crosse branch paper, a half interest in which he bought in 1874. He next started "Peck's Sun," which four years later he removed to Milwaukee. While in La Crosse he was chief of police one year, and also chief clerk of the Democratic assembly in 1874. It was in 1878 that Mr. Peck took his paper to Milwaukee, and achieved his first permanent success, the circulation increasing to 80,000. For ten years he was regarded as one of the most original, versa- tile and entertaining writers in the country, and he has delineated every phase of country newspaper life, army life, domestic experience, travel and city adventure. Up to 1890 Mr. Peck took but little part in politics, but in that year was elected mayor of Milwaukee on the Democratic ticket. The following August he was elected gov- ernor of Wisconsin by a large majority, the "Bennett School Bill" figuring to a large extent in his favor. Mr. Peck, besides many newspaper arti- cles in his peculiar vein and numerous lect- ures, bubbling over with fun, is known to fame by the following books: "Peck's Bad Boy and his Pa," and "The Grocery Man and Peck's Bad Boy." CHARLES O'CONOR, who was for many years the acknowledged leader of the legal profession of New York City, was also conceded to be one of the greatest lawyers America has produced. He was 188 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. born in New York City in 1804, his fatlier being an educated Irish gentleman. Charles received a common-school education, and early took up the study of law, being ad- mitted to practice in 1824. His close ap- plication and untiring energy and industry soon placed him in the front rank of the profession, and within a few years he was handling many of the most important cases. One of the first great cases he had and which gained him a wide reputation, was that of "Jack, the Fugitive Slave," in 1S35, in which his masterful argument before the supreme court attracted wide attention and com- ment. Charles O'Conor was a Democrat all his life. He did not aspire to office- holding, however, and never held any office except that of district attorney under Presi- dent Pierce's administration, which he only retained a short time. He took an active mterest, however, in public questions, and was a member of the state (New York) con- stitutional convention in 1864. In 1868 he was nominated for the presidency by the " Extreme Democrats." His death occurred in May, 1884. SIMON BOLIVAR BUCKNER, a noted American officer and major-general in the Confederate army, was born in Ken- tucky in 1823. He graduated from West Point Military Academy in 1844, served in the United States infantry and was later as- signed to commissary duty with the rank of captain. He served several years at fron- tier posts, and was assistant professor in the military academy in 1846. He was with General Scott in the Mexican war, and en- gaged in all the battles from Vera Cruz to the capture of the Mexican capital. He was wounded at Cherubusco and brevetted first lieutenant, and at Molino del Rey was brevetted captain. After the close of the Mexican war he returned to West Point as assistant instructor, and was then assigned to commissary duty at New York. He re- signed in 1855 and became superintendent of construction of the Chicago custom house. He was made adjutant-genenal, with the rank of colonel, of Illinois militia, and was colonel of Illinois volunteers raised for the Utah expedition, but was not mustered into service. In i860 he removed to Kentucky, where he settled on a farm near Louisville and became inspector-general in command of the Kentucky Home Guards. At the opening of the Civil war he joined the Con- federate army, and was given command at Bowling Green, Kentucky, which he was compelled to abandon after the capture of Fort Henry. He then retired to Fort Don- elson, and was there captured with sixteen thousand men, and an immense store of pro- visions, by General Grant, in February, 1862. He was held as a prisoner of war at Fort Warren until August of that year. He commanded a division of Hardee's corps in Bragg's Army of the Tennessee, and was afterward assigned to the third division and participated in the battles of Chickamauga, and Murfreesboro. He was with Kirby Smith when that general surrendered his army to General Canby in May, 1865. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the vice- presidency on the Gold Democratic ticket with Senator John M. Palmer in 1896. SIMON KENTON, one of the famous pio- neers and scouts whose names fill the pages of the early history of our country, was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, April 3, 1755. In consequence of an affray, at the age of eighteen, young Kenton went to Kentucky, then the "Dark and Bloody Ground," and became associated with Dan- iel Boone and other pioneers of that region. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. If For a short time he acted as a scout and spy for Lord Dunmore, the British governor of Virginia, but afterward taking the side of the strugghng colonists, participated in the war for independence west of the Alle- ghanies. In 1784 he returned to Virginia, but did not remain there long, going back with his family to Kentucky. From that time until 1793 he participated in all the combats and battles of that time, and until "Mad Anthony" Wayne swept the Valley of the Ohio, and settled the suprem- acy of the whites in that region. Kenton laid claim to large tracts of land in the new country he had helped to open up, but : throiis:h ignorance of law. and the growing value of the land, lust it all and was reduced 10 poverty. During the war with England in i.Ni:!-i5, Kenton took part in the inva- sion (if Canada with the Kentucky troops and participated in the battle of the Thames. He finally bad land granted him by the legislature of Kentucky, and received a pen- sion from the United States government. He died in Logan county, Ohio, April 29, 1836. ELIHU BENJAMIN WASHBURNE, an American statesman of eminence, was born in Livermore, Maine, September 23, 1 8 16. He learned the trade of printer, but abandoned that calling at the age of eight- een and entered the Kent's Hill Academy at Reading, Maine, and then took up the study of law, reading in Hallowell, Boston, and at the Harvard Law School. He began prac- tice at Galena, Illinois, in 1840. He was elected to congress in 1852, and represented his district in that body continuously until March, 1869, and at the time of his retire- ment he had served a greater number of consecutive terms than any other member of the house. In 1873 President Grant ap- pointed him secretary of state, which posi- tion he resigned to accept that of minister to France. During the Franco-Prussian war, including the siege of Paris and the reign of the Commune, Mr. Washburne re- mained at his post, protecting the lives and property of his countrymen, as well as that of other foreign residents in Paris, while the ministers of all other powers abandoned their posts at a time when they were most needed. As far as possible he extended protection to unfortunate German residents, who were the particular objects of hatred of the populace, and his firmness and the suc- cess which attended his efforts won the ad- miration of all Europe. Mr. ^^'ashburne died at Chicago, Illinois, October 22, 1887. "\S riLLIAM CRAMP, one of the most V V extensive shipbuilders of this coun- try, was born in Kensington, then a suburb, now a part of Philadelphia, in 1806. He received a thorough English education, and when he left school was associated with Samuel Grice, one of the . most eminent naval architects of his day. In 1830, hav- ing mastered all the details of shipbuilding, Mr. Cramp engaged in business on his own account. By reason of ability and excel- lent work he prospered from the start, until now, in the hands of his sons, under the name of William Cramp & Sons' Ship and Engine Building Company, it has become the most complete shipbuilding plant and naval arsenal in the western hemisphere, and fully equal to any in the world. As Mr. Cramp's sons attained manhood they learned their father's profession, and were admitted to a partnership. In 1872 the firm was incor- porated under the title given above. Until i860 wood was used in building vessels, al- though pace was kept with all advances in the art of shipbuilding. .\t the opening of 190 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. the war came an unexpected demand for war vessels, which they promptly met. The sea-going ironclad "New Ironsides" was built by them in 1862, followed by a num- ber of formidable ironclads and the cruiser "Chattanooga." They subsequently built several war vessels for the Russian and other governments which added to their reputation. When the American steamship line was established in 1870, the Cramps were commissioned to build for it four first- class iron steamships, the "Pennsylvania," "Ohio," "Indiana" and "Illinois," which they turned out in rapid order, some of the finest specimens of the naval architecture of their day. William Cramp remained at the head of the great company he had founded until his death, which occurred January 6, 1879. Charles H. Cramp, the successor of his father as head of the William Cramp & Sons' Ship and Engine Building Company, was born in Philadelphia May 9, 1829, and received an excellent education in his native city, which he sedulously sought to sup- plement by close study until he became an authority on general subjects and the best naval architect on the western hemis- phere. Many of the best vessels of our new navy were built by this immense con- cern. WASHINGTON ALLSTON, probably the greatest American painter, was born in South Carolina in 1779. He was sent to school at the age of seven years at Newport, Rhode Island, where he met Ed- ward Malbone, two years his senior, and who later became a pamter of note. The friendship that sprang up between them un- doubtedly influenced young Allston in the choice of a profession. He graduated from Harvard in 1800, and went to England the following year, after pursuing his studies for a year under his friend Malbone at his home in South Carolina. He became a student at the Royal Academy where the great American, Benjamin West, presided, and who became his intimate friend. Allston later went to Paris, and then to Italy, where four years were spent, mostly at Rome. In 1809 he returned to America, but soon after returned to London, having married in the meantime a sister of Dr. Channing. In a short time his first great work appeared. "The Dead Man Restored to Life by the Bones of Elisha," which took the British Association prize and firmly established his reputation. Other paintings followed in quick succession, the greatest among which were "Uriel in the Center of the Sun," "Saint Peter Liberated by the Angel," and "Jacob's Dream," supplemented by many smaller pieces. Hard work, and grief at the death of his wife began to tell upon his health, and he left London in 18 18 for America. The same year he was elected an associate of the Royal Academy. During the next few years he painted "Jeremiah," "Witch ofEndor," and "Beatrice." In 1830 Alls- ton married a daughter of Judge Dana, and went to Cambridge, which was his home until his death. Here he produced the "Vision of the Bloody Hand," "Rosalie," and many less noted pieces, and had given one week of labor to his unfinished master- piece, "Belshazzar's Feast," when death ended his career July 9, 1843. JOHN ROACH, ship builder and manu- facturer, whose career was a marvel of. industrial labor, and who impressed his in- dividuality and genius upon the times in which he lived more, perhaps, than any other manufacturer in America. He was born at Mitchelstown, County Cork, Ire- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 191 land, December 25, 181 5, the son of a wealthy merchant. He attended school until he was thirteen, when his father be- came financially embarrassed and failed and shortly after died; John determined to come to America and carve out a fortune for himself. He landed in New York at the age of sixteen, and soon obtained employ- ment at the Howell Iron Works in New Jer- sey, at twenty-five cents a day. He soon made himself a place in the world, and at the end of three years had saved some twelve hundred dollars, which he lost by the failure of his employer, in whose hands it was left. Returning to New York he began to learn how to make castings for marine engines and ship work. Having again accumulated one thousand dollars, in company with three fellow workmen, he purchased a small foundry in New York, but soon became sole proprietor. At the end of four years he had saved thirty thou- sand dollars, besides enlarging his works. In 1856 his works were destroyed by a boiler explosion, and being unable to collect the insurance, was left, after paying his debts, without a dollar. However, his credit and reputation for integrity was good, and he built the Etna Iron Works, giving it capacity to construct larger marine engines than any previously built in this country. Here he turned out immense engines for the steam ram Dunderberg, for the war ves- sels Winooski and Neshaning, and other large vessels. To accommodate his increas- ing business, Mr. Roach, in 1869, pur- chased the Morgan Iron Works, one of the largest in New York, and shortly after sev- eral others. In 1871 he bought the Ches- ter ship yards, which he added to largely, erecting a rolling mill and blast furnace, and providing every facility for building a ship out of the ore and timber. This immense plant covered a large area, was valued at several millions of dollars, and was known as the Delaware River Iron Shipbuilding and Engine Works, of which Mr. Roach was the principal owner. He built a large percentage of the iron vessels now flying the American flag, the bulk of his business being for private parties. In 1875 he built the sectional dry docks at Pensacola. He, about this time, drew the attention of the government to the use of compound marine engines, and thus was the means of im- proving the speed and economy of the ves- sels of our new navy. In 1883 Mr. Roach commenced work on the three cruisers for the government, the "Chicago," "Boston" and "Atlanta," and the dispatch boat " Dolphin." For some cause the secretary of the navy refused to receive the latter and decided that Mr. Roach's contract would not hold. This embarrassed Mr. Roach, as a large am.ount of his capital was in- volved in these contracts, and for the pro- tection of bondsmen and creditors, July 18, 1885, he made an assignment, but the financial trouble broke down his strong con- stitution, and January 10, 1887, he died. His son, John B. Roach, succeeded to the shipbuilding interests, while Stephen W. Roach inherited the Morgan Iron Works at New York. JOHN SINGLETON COPLEY, one of the two great painters who laid the foundation of true American art, was born in Boston in 1737, one year earlier than his great contemporary, Benjamin West. His education was limited to the common schools of that time, and his training in art he ob- tained by his own observation and experi- ments solely. When he was about seven- teen years old he had mapped out his future, however, by choosing painting as his pro- 192 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. fession. If he ever studied under any teacher in his early efforts, we have no au- thentic account of it, and tradition credits the young artist's wonderful success en- tirely to his own talent and untiring effort. It is almost incredible that at the age of twenty-three years his income from his works aggregated fifteen hundred dollars per annum, a very great sum in those days. In 1774 he went to Europe in search of ma- terial for study, which was so rare in his native land. After some time spent in Italy he finally took up his permanent residence in England. In 1783 he was made a mem- ber of the Royal Academy, and later his son had the high honor of becoming lord chancellor of England and Lord Lyndhurst. Many specimens of Copley's work are to be found in the Memorial Hall at Harvard and in the Boston Museum, as well as a few of the works upon which he modeled his style. Copley was essentially a portrait painter, though his historical paintings at- tained great celebrity, his masterpiece being his " Death of Major Pierson," though that distinction has by some been given to his "Death of Chatham." It is said that he never saw a good picture until he was thirty-five years old, yet his portraits prior to that period are regarded as rare speci- mens. He died in 181 5. HENRY B. PLANT, one of the greatest railroad men of the country, became famous as president of the Plant system of railway and steamer lines, and also the Southern & Te.xas Express Co. He was born in October, 18 19, at Branford, ■Connecticut, and entered the railroad serv- ice in 1844, serving as express messenger on the Hartford & New Haven Railroad until i8<3, during which time he had entire ■charge of the exprpsf business of that road. He went south in 1853 and established ex- press lines on various southern railways, and in 1 86 1 organized the Southern Express Co., and became its president. In 1879 he purchased, with others, the Atlantic & Gulf Railroad of Georgia, and later reorganized the Savannah, Florida & Western Railroad, of which he became president. He pur- chased and rebuilt, in 1880, the Savannah & Charleston Railroad, now Charleston & Savannah. Not long after this he organ- ized the Plant Investment Co., to control these railroads and advance their interests generally, and later established a steamboat line on the St. John's river, in Florida. From 1853 until i860 he was general superintendent of the southern division of the Adams Express Co., and in 1867 be- came president of the Texas Express Co. The "Plant system" of railway, steamer and steamship lines is one of the greatest business corporations of the southern states. WADE HAMPTON, a noted Confeder- ate officer, was 'tjorn at Columbia, South Carolina, in 181 8. He graduated from the South Carolina College, took an active part in politics, and was twice elected to the legislature of his state. In 1861 he joined the Confederate army, and command- ed the " Hampton Legion " at the first bat- tle of Bull Run, in July, 1861. He did meritorious service, was wounded, and pro- moted to brigadier-general. He command- ed a brigade at Seven Pines, in 1862, and was again wounded. He was engaged in the battle of Antietam in September of the same year, and participated in the raid into Pennsylvania in October. In 1863 he was with Lee at Gettysburg, where he was wounded for the third time. He was pro- moted to the rank of lieutenant-general, and commanded a troop of cavalry in Lee's COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 193 armj- during 1864, and was in numerous en- gagements. In 1865 he was in Soutii Car- olina, and commanded the cavalry rear guard of the Confederate army in its stub- born retreat before General Sherman on his advance toward Richmond. After the war Hampton took an active part in politics, and was a prominent figure at the Democratic national convention in 1868, which nominated Seymour and Blair for president and vice-president. He was governor of South Carolina, and took his seat in the United States senate in 1879, where he became a conspicuous figure in national affairs. NIIvOLA TESLA, one of the most cele- brated electricians America has known, was born in 1S57, at Smiljau, Lika, Servia. He descended from an old and representative family of that country. His father was a a minister of the Greek church, of high rank, while his mother was a woman of remarka- ble skill in the construction of looms, churns and the machinery required in a rural home. Nikola received early education in the public schools of Gospich, when he was sent to the higher "Real Schule" at I'Carl- stadt, where, after a three years' course, he graduated in 1873. He devoted him- self to experiments in electricity and magnetism, to the chagrin of his father, who had destined him for the ministry, but giving way to the boy's evident genius he was allowed to continue his studies in the polytechnic school at Gratz. He in- herited a wonderful intuition which enabled him to see through the intricacies of ma- chinery, and despite his instructor's demon- stration that a dynamo could not be oper- ated without commutators or brushes, began experiments which finally resulted in his rotating field motors. After the study of languages at Prague and Buda-Pesth, he became associated with M. Puskas, who had introduced the telephone into Hungary. He invented several improvements, but being unable to reap the necessary benefit from them, he, in search of a wider field, went to Paris, where he found employment with one of the electric lighting companies as electrical engineer. Soon he set his face westward, and coming to the United States for a time found congenial employment wfth Thomas A. Edison. Finding it impossible, overshadowed as he was, to carry out his own ideas he left the Edison works to join a company formed to place his own inven- tions on the market. He perfected his rotary field principle, adapting it to circuits then in operation. It is said of him that some of his proved theories will change the entire electrical science. It would, in an article of this length, be impossible to ex- plain all that Tesla accomplished for the practical side of electrical engineering. His discoveries formed the basis of the at- tempt to utilize the water power of Niagara Falls. His work ranges far beyond the vast department of polyphase currents and high potential lighting and includes many inventions in arc lighting, transformers, pyro and thermo-magnetic motors, new forms of incandescent lamps, unipolar dyna- mos and many others. CHARLES B. LEWIS won fame as an American humorist under the name of " M. Quad." It is said he owes his celebrity originally to the fact that he was once mixed up in a boiler explosion on the Ohio river, and the impressions he received from the event he set up from his case when he was in the composing room of an ob- scure Michigan paper. His style possesses a peculiar quaintness, and there runs through 194 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. it a vein of philosophy. Mr. Lewis was born in 1844, near a town called Liverpool, Ohio. He was, however, raised in Lansing, Michigan, where he spent a year in an agri- cultural college, going from there to the composing room of the "Lansing Demo- crat." At the outbreak of the war he en- listed in the service, remained during the entire war, and then returned to Lansing. The explosion of the boiler that "blew him into fame," took place two years later, while he was on his way south. When he re- covered physically, he brought suit for dam- ages against the steamboat company, which he gained, and was awarded a verdict of twelve thousand dollars for injuries re- ceived. It was while he was employed by the " Jacksonian " of Pontiac, Mich., that he set up his account of how he felt while being blown up. He says that he signed it "M Quad," because "a bourgeoise em quad is useless except in its own line — it won't justify with any other type." Soon after, because of the celebrity he attained by this screed, Mr. Lewis secured a place on the staff of the " Detroit Free Press," and made for that paper a wide reputation. His sketches of the "Lime Kiln Club" and " Brudder Gardner " are perhaps the best known of his humorous writings. HIRAM S. MAXIM, the famous inventor, was born in Sangersville, Maine, February 5, 1840, the son of Isaac W. and Harriet B. Maxim. The town of his birth was but a small place, in the woods, on the confines of civilization, and the family endured many hardships. They were without means and entirely dependent on themselves to make out of raw materials all they needed. The mother was an expert spinner, weaver, dyer and seamstress and the father a trapper, tanner, miller, blacksmith, carpenter, mason and farmer. Amid such surroundings young Maxim gave early promise of remarkable aptitude. With the universal Yankee jack- knife the* products of his skill excited the wonder and interest of the locality. His pn.rents did not encourage his latent genius but apprenticed him to a coach builder. Four years he labored at this uncongenial trade but at the end of that time he forsook it and entered a machine shop at Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Soon mastering the details of that business and that of mechanical drawing, he went to Boston as the foreman of the philosophical instrument manufactory. From thence he went to New York and with the Novelty Iron Works Shipbuilding Co. he gained experience in those trades. His inventions up to this time consisted of improvements in steam engines, and an automatic gas machine, which came into general use. In 1877 he turned his attention to electricity, and in 1878 produced an incandescent lamp, that would burn 1,000 hours. He was the first to design a process for flashing electric carbons, and the first to "standardize" carbons for electric light- ing. In 1880 he visited Europe and exhibit- ing, at the Paris Exposition of 1881, a self- regulating machine, ^as decorated with the Legion of Honor. In 1883 he returned to London as the European representative of the United States Electric Light Co. An incident of his boyhood, in which the recoil of a rifle was noticed by him, and the apparent loss of power shown, in 188 1-2 prompted the invention of a gun which utilizes the recoil to automatically load and fire seven hundred and seventy shots per minute. The Maxim- Nordenfelt Gun Co., with a capital of nine million dollars, grew from this. In 1883 he patented his electric training gear for large guns. And later turned his attention to fly- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 195 ing machines, which he claimed were not an impossibility. He took out over one hundred patents for smokeless gunpowder, and for pe- troleum and other motors and autocycles. JOHN DAVISON ROCKEFELLER, one of Am.erica's very greatest financiers and philanthropists, was born in Richford, Tioga county, New York, July 8, 1839. He received a common-school education in his native place, and in 1853, when his parents removed to Cleveland, Ohio, he entered the high school of that city. After a two-years' course of diligent work, he entered the com- mission and forwarding house of Hewitt & Tuttle, of Cleveland, remaining with the firm some years, and then began business for himself, forming a partnership with Morris B. Clark. Mr. Rockefeller was then but nineteen years of age, and during the year i860, in connection with others, they started the oil refining business, under the firm name of Andrews, Clark & Co. Mr. Rockefeller and Mr. Andrews purchased the interest of their associates; and, after taking William Rockefeller into the firm, established offices in Cleveland under the name of William Rockefeller & Co. Shortly after this the house of Rockefeller & Co. was es- tablished in New York for the purpose of finding a market for their products, -and two years later all the refining companies were consolidated under the firm name of Rocke- feller, Andrews & Flagler. This firm was f.ucceeded in 1870 by the Standard Oil Company of Ohio, said to be the most gigantic business corporation of modern times. John D. Rockefeller's fortune has been variously estimated at from one hun- dred million to two hundred million dollars. Mr. Rockefeller's philanthropy mani- fested itself principally through the American Baptist Educational Society. He donated the building for the Spelman Institute at Atlanta, Georgia, a school for the instruction of negroes. His other gifts were to the University of Rochester, Cook Academy, Peddie Institute, and Vassar College, be- sides smaller gifts to many institutions throughout the country. His princely do- nations, however, were to the University of Chicago. His first gift to this institution was a conditional offer of six hundred thou- sand dollars in 1889, and when this amount was paid he added one million more. Dur- ing 1892 he made it two gifts of one million each, and all told, his donations to this one institution aggregated between seven and eight millions of dollars. JOHN M. PALMER.— For over a third of a century this gentleman occupied a prominent place in the political world, both in the state of Illinois and on the broader platform of national issues. Mr. Palmer was born at Eagle Creek, Scott county, Kentucky, September 13. 18 17. The family subsequently removed to Christian county, in the same state, where he acquired a common-school education, and made his home until 1831. His father was opposed to slavery, and in the latter year removed to Illinois and settled near Alton. In 1834 John entered Alton College, or- ganized on the manual-labor plan, but his funds failing, abandoned it and entered a cooper shop. He subsequently was en- gaged in peddling, and teaching a district school near Canton. In 1838 he began the study of law, and the following year re- moved to Carlinville, where, in December of that year, he was admitted to the bar. He was shortly after defeated for county clerk. In 1843 he was elected probate judge. In the constitutional convention of 1847, Mr. Palmer was a delegate, and from 1849 to 196 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 1851 he was county judge. In 1852 he be- came a member of the state senate, but not being with his party on the slavery question he resigned that office in 1854. In 1856 Mr. Palmer was chairman of the first Re- publican state convention held in Illinois, and the same year was a delegate to the national convention. In i860 he was an elector on the Lincoln ticket, and on the breaking out of the war entered the service as colonel of the Fourteenth Illinois Infan- try, but was shortly after brevetted brigadier- general. In August, 1862, he organized the One Hundred and Twenty-second Illi- nois Infantry, but in September he was placed in command of the first division of the Army of the Mississippi, afterward was promoted to the rank of major-general. In 1865 he was assigned to the military ad- ministration in Kentucky. In 1S67 General Palmer was elected governor of Illinois and s'='rved four years. In 1872 he went with the Liberal Republicans, who supported Horace Greeley, after which time he was identified with the Democratic party. In 1890 he was elected United States senator from Illinois, and served as such for six j-ears. In 1896, on the adoption of the sil- ver plank in the platform of the Democratic party. General Palmer consented to lead, as presidential candidate, the National Dem- oc "-ats, or Gold Democracy. WILLIAM H. BEARD, the humorist among American painters, was born at Painesville, Ohio, in 1821. His father, James H. Beard, was also a painter of na- tional reputation. William H. Beard be- gan his career as a traveling portrait painter. He pursued his studies in New York, and later removed to Buffalo, where he achieved reputation. He then went to Italy and after a short stay returned to New York and opened a studio. One of his earliest paintings was a small picture called "Cat and Kittens," which was placed in the National Academy onexhibition. Among his best productions are "Raining Cats and Dogs," "The Dance of Silenus, " "Bears on a Bender," "Bulls and Bears," " Whoo!" " Grimalkin's Dream," " Little Red Riding Hood," "The Guardian of the Flag." His animal pictures convey the most ludicrous and satirical ideas, and the intelligent, human expression in their faces is most comical. Some artists and critics have re- fused to give Mr. Beard a place among the first circles in art, solely on account of the class of subjects he has chosen. WW. CORCORAN, the noted philan- throphist, was born at Georgetown, District of Columbia; December 27, 1798. At the age of twenty-five he entered the banking business in Washington, and in time became very wealthy. He was noted for his magnificent donations to char- ity. Oak Hill cemetery was donated to Georgetown in 1847, and ten years later the Corcoran Art Gallery, Temple of Art, was presented to the city of Washington. The uncompleted building was utilized by the government as quartermaster's headquar- ters during the war. The building was completed after the war at a cost of a mil- lion and a half dollars, all the gift of Mr. Corcoran. The Louise Home for Women is another noble charity to his credit. Its object is the care of women of gentle breed- ing who in declining years are without means of support. In addition to this he gave liberally to many worthy institutions of learning and charity. He died at Wash- ington February 24, 1888. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 197 ALBERT BIERSTADT, the noted paint- er of American landscape, was born in Dusseldorf, Germany, in 1829, and was brought to America by his parents at the age of two years. He received his early education here, but returned to Dusseldorf to study painting, and also went to Rome. On his return to America he accompanied Lander's expedition across the continent, in 1S58, and soon after produced his most popular work, "The Rocky Mountains — Lander's Peak. " Its boldness and grandeur were so unusual that it made him famous. The picture sold for twenty-five thousand dollars. In 1867 Mr. Bierstadt went to Europe, with a government commission, and gathered materials for his great historic- al work, "Discovery of the North River by Hendrik Hudson." Others of his great works were " Storm in the Rocky Mount- ains," "Valley of the Yosemite," "North Fork of the Platte," "Diamond Pool," "Mount Hood," "Mount Rosalie," and "The Sierra Nevada Mountains." His "Estes Park" sold for fifteen thousand dollars, and "Mount Rosalie" brought thirty-five thousand dollars. His smaller Rocky mountain scenes, however, are vast- ly superior to his larger works in execution and coloring. ADDISON CAMMACK, a famous mill- ionaire Wall street speculator, was born in Kentucky. When sixteen years old he ran away from home and went to New Orleans, where he went to work in a ship- ping house. He outlived and outworked all the partners, and became the head of the firm before the opening of the war. At that time he fitted out small vessels and en- gaged in running the blockade of southern ports and carrying ammunition, merchan- dise, etc., to the southern people. This made him a fortune. At the close of the war he quit business and went to New York. For two years he did not enter any active business, but seemed to be simply an on-looker in the great speculative center of America. He was observing keenly the methods and financial machinery, however, and when, in 1867, he formed a partnership with the popular Charles J. Osborne, the firm began to prosper. He never had an office on the street, but wandered into the various brokers' offices and placed his orders as he saw fit. In 1873 he dissolved his- partnership with Osborne and operated alone. He joined a band of speculative conspirators known as the "Twenty-third party," and was the ruling spirit in that or- ganization for the control of the stock mar- ket. He was always on the ' ' bear " side and the only serious obstacle he ever encoun- tered was the persistent boom in industrial stocks, particularly sugar, engineered by James R. Keane. Mr. Cammack fought Keane for two years, and during the time is said to have lost no less than two million dollars before he abandoned the fight. WALT. WHITMAN.— Foremost among the lesser poets of the latter part of the nineteenth century, the gentleman whose name adorns the head of this article takes a conspicuous place. Whitman was born at West Hills, Long Island, New York, May 13, 1809. In the schools of Brooklyn he laid the foundation of his education, and early in life learned the printer's trade. For a time he taught coun- try schools in his native state. In 1846-7 he was editor of the " Brooklyn Eagle, " but in 1848-9 was on the editorial staff of the "Crescent," of New Orleans. He made an extended tour throughout the United States and Canada, and returned to /98 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. Brooklyn, where, in 1850, he published the "Freeman. " For some years succeeding ^Jhis he was engaged as carpenter and builder. During the Civil war. Whitman acted as a volunteer nurse in the hospitals at Washington and vicinity and from the close of hostilities until 1873 he was employed in various clerkships in the government offices in the nation's capital. In the latter year he was stricken with paralysis as a result of his labors in the hospital, it is said, and being partially disabled lived for many years at Camden, New Jersey. The first edition of the work which was to bring him fame, "Leaves of Grass," was published in 1855 and was bat a small volume of about ninety-four pages. Seven or eight editions of "Leaves of Grass" have been issued, each enlarged and enriched with new poems. "Drum Taps," at first a separate publication, has been incorporated with the others. This volume and one prose writing entitled "Specimen Days and Collect," constituted his whole work. Wait. Whitman died at Camden, New Jersey, March 26, 1892. HENRY DUPONT, who became cele- brated as America's greatest manufact- urer of gunpowder, was a native of Dela- ware, born August 8, 18 12. He received his education in its higher branches at the United States Military Academy at West Point, from which he graduated and entered the army as sei ond lieutenant of artillery in 1833. In 1834 he resigned and became proprietor of the extensive gunpowder manufacturing plant that bears his name, near Wilmington, Delaware. His large business interests interfered with his tak- ing any active participation in political life, although for many years he served as adjutant-general of his native state, and during the war as major-general command- ing the Home Guards. He died August 8, 1889. His son, Henry A. Dupont, also was a native of Delaware, and was born July 30, 1838. After graduating from West Point in 1 86 1, he entered the army as second lieutenant of engineers. Shortly after he was transferred to the Fifth Artillery as first lieutenant. He was promoted to the rank of captain in 1864, serving in camp and garrison most of the time. He was in com- mand of a battery in the campaign of 1863-4. As chief of artillery of the army of West Virginia, he figured until the close of the war, being in the battles of Opequan, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, besides- many minor engagements. He afterward acted as instructor in the artillery school at Fortress Monroe, and on special duty at West Point. He resigned from the army March i, 1875. WILLIAM DEERING, one of the fa- mous manufacturers of America, and also a philanthropist and patron of educa- tion, was born in Maine in 1826. His an- cestors were English, having settled in New England in 1634. Early in life it was Will- iam's intention to become a physician, and after completing his common-school educa- tion, when about eighteen years of age, he began an apprenticeship with a physician. A short time later, however, at the request of his father, he took charge of his father's business interests, which included a woolen mill, retail store and grist mill, after which he became agent for a dry goods commission house in Portland, where he was married. Later he became partner in the firm, and removed to New York. The business pros- pered, and after a number of years, on ac- count of failing health, Mr. Deering sold his interest to his partner, a Mr. Milner. The COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 199 business has since made Mr. Milner a mill- ionaire many times over. A few years later Mr. Deering located in Chicago. His beginning in the manufacture of reapers, which has since made his name famous, was somewhat of an accident. He had loaned money to a man in that business, and in 1878 was compelled to buy out the business to protect his interests. The busi- ness developed rapidly and grew to immense proportions. The factories now cover sixty- two acres of ground and employ many thou- sands of men. JOHN McAllister schofield, an vJ American general, was born in Chautau- qua county. New York, September 29, 183 i. He graduated at West Point in 1853, and was for live years assistant professor of nat- ural philosophy in that institution. In 1861 he entered the volunteer service as major of the First Missouri Volunteers, and was ap- pointed chief of staff by General Lyon, under whom he fought at the battle of Wilson's Creek. In November, 1861, he was ap- pointed brigadier-general of volunteers, and was placed in command of the Missouri militia until November, 1862, and of the army of the frontier from that time until 1863. In 1862 he was made major-general of volunteers, and was placed in command of the Department of the Missouri, and in 1864 of the Department of the Ohio. During the campaign through Georgia General Scho- field was in command of the Twenty-third Army Corps, and was engaged in most of the fighting of that famous campaign. Novem- ber 30, 1864, he defeated Hood's army at Franklin, Tennessee, and then joined Gen- eral Thomas at Nashville. He took part in the battle of Nashville, where Hood's army was destroyed. In January, 1865, he led his corps into North Carolina, captured Wilmington, fought the battle of Kingston, and joined General Sherman at Goldsboro March 22, 1865. He executed the details of the capitulation of General Johnston to Sherman, which practically closed the war. In June, 1868, General Schofield suc- ceeded Edwin M.- Stanton as secretary of war, but was the next year appointed major- general of the United States army, and order- ed to the Department of the Missouri. From 1870 to 1876 he was in command of the De- partment of the Pacific; from 1876 to 1881 superintendent of the West Point Military Academy; in 1883 he was in charge of the Department of the Missouri, and in 1886 of the division of the Atlantic. In 1888 he became general-in-chief of the United States army, and in February, 1895, was appoint- ed lieutenant-general by President Cleve- land, that rank having been revived by con- gress. In September, 1895, he was retired from active service. LEWIS WALLACE, an American gen- eral and famous author, was born in Brookville, Indiana, April 10, 1827. He served in the Mexican war as first lieutenant of a company of Indiana Volunteers. After his return from Mexico he was admitted to the bar, and practiced law in Covington and Crawfordsville, Indiana, until 1861. At the opening of the war he was appointed ad- jutant-general of Indiana, and soon after be- came colonel of the Eleventh Indiana Vol- unteers. He defeated a force of Confeder- ates at Romney, West Virginia, and was made brigadier-general in September, 1861. At the capture of Fort Donelson in 1862 he commanded a division, and was engaged in the second day's fight at Shiloh. In 1863 his defenses about Cincinnati saved that city from capture by Kirby Smith. At Monoc- acy in July, 1864, he was defeated, but 200 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. his resistance delayed the advance of Gen- eral Early and thus saved Washington from capture. General Wallace was a member of the court that tried the assassins of President Lincoln, and also of that before whom Cap- tain Henry Wirtz, who had charge of the Andersonville prison, was tried. In 1881 General Wallace was sent as minister to Turkey. When not in official service he devoted much of his time to literature. Among his better known works are his "Fair God," "Ben Hur," "Prince of India," and a " Life of Benjamin Harrison." THOMAS FRANCIS BAYARD, an Ameri- can statesman and diplomat, was born at Wilmington, Delaware, October 29, 1828. He obtained his education at an Episcopal academy at Flushing, Long Island, and after a short service in a mercantile house in New York, he returned to Wilmington and entered his father's law office to prepare himself for the practice of that profession. He was admitted to the bar in 185 1. He was appointed to the office of United States district attorney for the state of Delaware, serving one year. In 1869 he was elected to the United States senate, and continuously represented his state in that body until 1885, and in 1881, when Chester A. Arthur entered the presidential chair, Mr. Bayard was chosen president pro tempore of the senate. He had also served on the famous electoral commission that decided the Hayes-Tilden contest in 1876-7. In 1885 President Cleve- land appointed Mr. Bayard secretary of state. At the beginning of Cleveland's sec- ond term, in 1893, Mr. Bayard was selected for the post of ambassador at the court of St. James, London, and was the first to hold that rank in American diplomacy, serving until the beginning of the McKinley admin- istration. The questions for adjustment at that time between the two governments were the Behring Sea controversy and the Venezuelan boundary question. He was very popular in England because of his tariff views, and because of his criticism of the protective policy of the United States in his public speeches delivered in London, Edinburgh and other places, he received, in March, 1896, a vote of censure in the lower house of congress. JOHN WORK GARRETT, for so many years at the head of the great Baltimore & Ohio railroad system, was born in Balti- more, Maryland, July 31, 1820. His father, Robert Garrett, an enterprising merchant, had amassed a large fortune from a small beginning. The son entered Lafayette Col- lege in 1834, but left the following year and entered his father's counting room, and in 1839 became a partner. John W. Gar- rett took a great interest in the develop- ment of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. He was elected one of the directors in 1857, and was its president from 1858 until his death.. When he took charge of the road it was in an embarrassed condition, but within a year, for the first time in its exist- ence, it paid a dividend, the increase in its net gains being $725,385. After the war, during which the road suffered much damage from the Confederates, numerous branches and connecting roads were built or acquired, until it reached colossal proportions. Mr. Garrett was also active in securing a regular line of steamers between Baltimore and Bremen, and between the same port and Liverpool. He was one of the most active trustees of Johns Hopkins University, and a liberal contributor to the Young Men's Christian Association of Baltimore. He died September 26, 1884. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAFHT. 201 Robert Garrett, the son of John W. Garrett, was born in Baltimore April 9, 1847, and graduated from Princeton in 1867. He received a business education in the banking house of his father, and in 1871 became president of the Valley Railroad of Virginia. He was made third vice-presi- dent of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in 1879, and first vice-president in 1881. He succeeded his father as president in 1884. Robert Garrett died July 29, 1896. CARL SCHURZ, a noted German-Ameri- can statesman, was born in Liblar, Prus- sia, March 2, 1829. He studied at the Uni- versity of Bonn, and in 1849 was engaged in an attempt to excite an insurrection at that place. After the surrender of Rastadt by the revolutionists, in the defense of which Schurz took part, he decided to emigrate to America. He resided in Philadelphia three years, and then settled in Watertown, Wis- consin, and in 1859 removed to Milwaukee, where he practiced law. On the organiza- tion of the Republican party he became a leader of the German element and entered the campaign for Lincoln in i860. He was appointed minister to Spain in 1861, but re- signed in December of that year to enter the army. He was appointed brigadier- general in 1862, and participated in the second battle of Bull Run, and also at Chancellorsville. At Gettysburg he had temporary command of the Eleventh Army Corps, and also took part in the battle of Chattanooga. After the war he located at St. Louis, and in 1869 was elected United States sena- tor from Missouri. He supported Horace Greeley for the presidency in 1872, and in the campaign of 1876, having removed to New York, he supported Hayes and the Re- publican ticket, and was appointed secre- tary of the interior in 1877. In 1881 he became editor of the "New York Evening Post," and in 1884 was prominent in his opposition to James G. Blaine, and became a leader of the "Mugwumps," thus assist- ing in the election of Cleveland. In the presidential campaign of 1896 his forcible speeches in the interest of sound money wielded an immense influence. Mr. Schurz wrote a "Life of Henry Clay," said to be the best biography ever published of that eminent statesman. GEORGE F. EDMUNDS, an American statesman of national reputation, was born in Richmond, Vermont, February i, 1828. His education was obtained in the public schools and from the instructions of a private tutor. He was admitted to the bar, practiced law, and served in the state legislature from 1854 to 1859, during three years of that time being speaker of the lower house. He was elected to the state senate and acted as president pro tempore of that body in 1861 and 1862. He became promi- nent for his activity in the impeachment proceedings against President Johnson, and was appointed to the United States senate to fill out the une.xpired term of Solomon Foot, entering that body in 1866. He was re-elected to the senate four times, and served on the electoral commission in 1877. He became president pro tempore of the senate after the death of President Garfield, and was the author of the bill which put an end to the practice of polygamy in the ter- ritory of Utah. In November, 1891, owing to impaired health, he retired from the sen- ate and again resumed the practice of law. LUCIUS Q. C. LAMAR, a prominent political leader, statesman and jurist, was born in Putnam county, Georgia, Sep- "202 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY temberij, 1825. He graduated from Emory College in 1845, studied law at Macon under Hon. A. H. Chappell, and was admitted to the bar in 1847. He moved to Oxford, Mississippi, in 1849, and was elected to a professorship in the State University. He resigned the next year and returned to Cov- ington, Georgia, and resumed the practice of law. In 1853 he was elected to the Georgia Legislature, and in 1854 he removed to his plantation in Lafayette county, Mis- sissippi, and was elected to represent his district in the thirty-fifth and thirty-sixth congresses. He resigned in i860, and was sent as a delegate to the secession conven- tion of the state. He entered the Confed- erate service in 1861 as lieutenant-colonel of the Nineteenth Regiment, and was soon after made colonel. In 1863 President Devis appointed him to an important diplo- matic mission to Russia. In 1866 he was elected professor" of political economy and social science in the State University, and was soon afterward transferred to the pro- fessorship of the law department. He rep- resented his district in the forty-third and forty-fourth congresses, and was elected United States senator from Mississippi in 1877, and re-elected in 1882. In 1885, be- fore the expiration of his term, he was appointed by President Cleveland as secre- tary of the interior, which position he held until his appointment as associate justice of the United States supreme court, in 1888, in which capacity he served until his death, January 23, 1894. BENJAMIN PENHALLOW SHILLA- BER won fame in the world of humorists under the name of "Mrs. Parting- ton." He was born in 1841 at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and started out in life as a printer. Mr. Shillaber went to Dover, where he secured employment in a printing office, and from there he went to Demerara, Guiana, where he was employed as a com- positor in 1835-37. In 1840 he became connected with the "Boston Post," and acquired quite a reputation as a humorist by his "Sayings of Mrs. Partington." He remained as editor of the paper until 1850, when he printed and edited a paper of his own called the "Pathfinder," which he con- tinued until 1852. Mr. Shillaber be- came editor and proprietor of the "Carpet Bag," which he conducted during 1850-52, and then returned to the "Boston Post," with which he was connected until 1856. During the same time he was one of the editors of the "Saturday Evening Gazette," and continued in this line after he severed his connection with the "Post," for ten years. After 1866 Mr. Shillaber wrote for various newspapers and periodicals, and during his life published the following books: "Rhymes with Reason and Without," "Poems, " "Life and Sayings of Mrs. Part- ington," "Knitting Work," and others. His death occurred at Chelsea, Massachu- setts, November 25, 1890. EASTMAN JOHNSON stands first among painters of American country life. He was born in Lovell, Maine, in 1824, and be- gan his work in drawing at the age of eight- een years. His first works were portraits, and, as he took up his residence in Wash- ington, the most famous men of the nation were his subjects. In 1846 he went to Bos- ton, and there made crayon portraits of Longfellow, Emerson, Sumner, Hawthorne and other noted men. In 1849 he went to Europe. He studied at Dusseldorf, Ger- many; spent a year at the Royal Academy, and thence to The Hague, where he spent four years, producing there his first pictures COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 203 of consequence, "The Card-Players " and "The Savoyard." He then went to Paris, but was called home, after an absence from America of six years. He lived some time in Washington, and then spent two years among the Indians of Lake Superior. In 1858 he produced his famous picture, "The Old Kentucky Home." He took up his permanent residence at New York at that time. His " Sunday Morning ip (Virginia " is a work of equal merit. He was espe- cially successful in coloring, a master of drawing, and the expression conveys with precision the thought of the artist. His portrayal of family life and child life is un- equalled. Among his other great works are "The Confab," "Crossing a Stream,' "Chimney Sweep," "Old Stage Coach," " The New Bonnet," " The Drummer Boy," "Childhood of Lincoln," and a great vari- ety of equally familiar subjects. PIERCE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAU- REGARD, one of the most distin- guished generals in the Confederate army, was born near New Orleans, Louisiana, May 28, 1 81 8. He graduated from West Point Military Academy in 1838, and was made second lieutenant of engineers. He was with General Scott in Mexico, and dis- tinguished himself at Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, and the battles near the City of Mexico, for which he was twice brevetted. After the Mexican war closed he was placed in charge of defenses about New Orleans, and in i860 was appointed superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He held this position but a few months, when he resigned February 20, 1 86 1, and accepted a commission of briga- dier-general in the Confederate army. He directed the attack on Fort Sumter, the first engagement of the Civil war. He was 12 in command of the Confederates at the first battle of Bull Run, and for this victory was made general. In 1862 he was placed in command of the Army of the Mississippi, and planned the attack upon General Grant at Shiloh, and upon the death of General Johnston he took command of the army and was only defeated by the timely arrival of General Buell with reinforcements. He commanded at Charleston and successfully defended that city against the combined at- tack by land and sea in 1863. In 1864 he was in command in Virginia, defeating Gen- eral Butler, and resisting Grant's attack upon Petersburg until reinforced from Rich- mond. During the long siege which fol- lowed he was sent to check General Sher- man's march to the sea, and was with Gen- eral Joseph E. Johnston when that general surrendered in 1865. After the close of the war he was largely interested in railroad management. In 1866 he was offered chief command of the Army of Roumania, and in 1869, that of the Army of Egypt. He de- clined these offers. His death occurred February 20, 1893. HENRY GEORGE, one of America's most celebrated political economists, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 2, 1839. He received a common- school education and entered the high school in 1853, and then went into a mer- cantile office. He made several voyages on the sea, and settled in California in 1858. He then worked at the printer's trade for a number of years, which he left to follow the editorial profession. He edited in succession several daily newspapers, and attracted at- tention by a number of strong essays and speeches on political and social questions. In 1 87 1 he edited a pamphlet, entitled " Oui Land and Policy," in which he outlined a 204 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. theory, which has since made him so widely known. This was developed in " Progress and Poverty," a book which soon attained a large circulation on both sides of the Atlan- tic, which has been extensively translated. In 1880 Mr. George located in New York, where he made his home, though he fre- quently addressed audiences in Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, and throughout the United States. In 1886 he was nominated by the labor organizations for mayor of New York, and made a campaign notable for its development of unexpectedpower. In 1887 he was candidate of the Union Labor party for secretary of state of New York. These cam- paigns served to formulate the idea of a single tax and popularize the Australian ballot sys- tem. Mr. George became a free trader in 1888, and in 1892 supported the election of Grover Cleveland. His political and eco- nomic ideas, known as the "single tax," have a large and growing support, but are not confined to this country alone. He wrote numerous miscellaneous articles in support of his principles, and also published: "The Land Question," "Social Problems," "Protection or Free Trade," "The Condi- tion of Labor, an Open Letter to Pope Leo XIII.," and " Perple.xed Philosopher." T^HOMAS ALEXANDER SCOTT. —This 1 name is indissolubly connected with the history and development of the railway systems of the United States. Mr. Scott was born December 28, 1823, at London, Franklin county, Pennsylvania. He was first regularly employed by Major James Patton, the collector of tolls on the state road be- tween Philadelphia and Columbia, Penn- sylvania. He entered into the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in 1850, and went through all the different branches of work until he had mastered all the details of the office work, and in 1858 he was ap- pointed general superintendent. Mr. Scott was the next year chosen vice-president of the road. This position at once brought him before the public, and the enterprise and ability displayed by him in its manage- ment marked him as a leader among the railroad men of the country. At the out- break of the rebellion in 1861, Mr. Scott was selected by Governor Ciirtin as a mem- ber of his staff, and placed in charge of the equipment and forwarding of the state troops to the seat of war. On April 27, 1861, the secretary of war desired to establish a' new line of road between the national capital and Philadelphia, for the more expeditious transportation of troops. He called upon Mr. Scott to direct this work, and the road by the way of Annapolis and Perryville was completed in a marvelously short space of time. On May 3, 1 861, he was commis- sioned colonel of volunteers, and on the 23d of the same month the government railroads and telegraph lines were placed in his charge. Mr. Scott was the first assistant secretary of war ever appointed, and he took charge of this new post August i, 1861. In Janu- ary, 1862, he was directed to organize transportation in the northwest, and in March he performed the same service on the western rivers. He resigned June i, 1862, and resumed his direction of affairs on the Pennsylvania Railroad. Colonel Scott directed the policy that secured to his road the control of the western roads, and be- came the president of the new company to operate these lines in 1871. For one year, from March, 1871, he was president of the Union Pacific Railroad, and in 1874 he suc- ceeded to the presidency of the Pennsyl- vania Company. He projected the Te.xas Pacific Railroad and was for many years its president. Colonel Scott's health failed COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 205 him and he resigned the presidency of the road June I, 1880, and died at his home in D irby, Pennsylvania, May 2 i, 1881. ROBERT TOOMBS, an American states- man of note, was born in Wilkes coun- ty, Georgia, July 2, 18 10. He attended the University ( f Georgia, and graduated from Union College, Schenectady, New York, and then took a law course at the University of Virginia. In 1830, before he had attained his majority, he was admitted to the bar by special act of the legislature, and rose rapidly in his profession, attracting the attention of the leading statesmen and judges of that time. He raised a volunteer company for the Creek war, and served as captain to the close. He was electedto the state legislature in 1837, re-elected in 1842, and in 1844 was elected to congress. He had been brought up as a Jeffersonian Democrat, but voted for Harrison in 1840 and for Clay in 1844. He made his first speech in congress on the Oregon question, and immediately took rank with the greatest debaters of that body. In 1853 he was elected to the United States senate, and again in 1859, but when his native state seceded he resigned his seat in the senate and was elected to the Confederate con- gress. It is stated on the best authority that had it not been for a misunderstanding which could not be explained till too late he would have been elected president of the Confederacy. He was appointed secretary of state by President Davis, but resigned after a few months and was commissioned brigadier-general in the Confederate army. He won distinction at the second battle of Bull Run and at Sharpsburg, but resigned his commission soon after and returned to Georgia. He organized the militia of Georgia to resist Sherman, and was made brigadier-general of the state troops. He left the country at the close of the war and did not return until 1867. He died Decem- ber 15, 1885. AUSTIN CORBIN, one of the greatest railway magnates of the United States, was born July 11, 1827, at Newport, New Hampshire. He studied law with Chief Justice Gushing and Governor Ralph Met- calf, and later took a course in the Harvard Law School, where he graduated in 1849. He was admitted to the bar, and practiced law, with Governor Metcalf as his partner, until October 12, 1851. Mr. Corbin then removed to Davenport, Iowa, where he re- mained until 1865. In 1854 he was a part- ner in the banking firm of Macklot & Cor- bin, and later he organized the First Na- tional bank of Davenport, Iowa, which commenced business June 29, 1863, and which was the first national bank open for business in the United States. Mr. Corbin sold out his business in the Davenport bank, and removed to New York in 1865 and com- menced business with partners under the style of Corbin Banking Company. Soon after his removal to New York he became interested in railroads, and became one of the leading railroad men of the country. The development of the west half of Coney Island as a summer resort first brought him into general prominence. He built a rail- road from New York to the island, and built great hotels on its ocean front. He next turned his attention to Long Island, and secured all the railroads and consoli- dated them under one management, became president of the system, and under his con- trol Long Island became the great ocean suburb of New York. His latest public achievement was the rehabilitation of the Reading Railroad, of Pennsylvania, and 206 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. during the same time he and his friends purchased the controlling interest of the New Jersey Central Railroad. He took it out of the hands of the receiver, and in three years had it on a dividend-paying basis. Mr. Corbin's death occurred June 4, 1896. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, Sr. , was one of the greatest journalists of America in his day. He was born Septem- ber I, 1795, at New Mill, near Keith, Scot- land. At the age of fourteen he was sent to Aberdeen to study for the priesthood, but, convinced that he was mistaken in his vocation, he determined to emigrate. He landed at Halifa.\, Nova Scotia, in 1819, where he attempted to earn a living by teaching bookkeeping. Failing in this he went to Boston and found employment as a proof reader. Mr. Bennett went to New York about 1822 and wrote for the news- papers. Later on he became assistant editor in the office of the "Charleston Courier, "but returned to New York in 1824 and endeavored to start a commercial school, but was unsuccessful in this, and again returned to newspaper work. He continued in newspaper work with varying success until, at his suggestion, the "En- quirer" was consolidated with another paper, and became the "Courier and En- quirer," with James Watson Webb as editor and Mr. Bennett for assistant. At this time this was the leading American newspaper. He, however, severed his con- nection with this newspaper and tried, without success, other ventures in the line of journalism until May 6, 1835, when he issued the first number of the "New York Herald." Mr. Bennett wrote the entire paper, and made up for lack of news by his own imagination. The paper became popu- lar, and in 1838 he engaged European jour- nalists as regular correspondents. In 1841 the income derived from his paper was at least one hundred thousand dollars. Dur- ing the Civil war the " Herald " had on its staff sixty-three war correspondents and the circulation was doubled. Mr. Bennett was interested with John W. Mackay in that great enterprise which is now known as the Mac- kay-Bennett Cable. He had collected for use in his paper over fifty thousand biographies, sketches and all manner of information re- garding every well-known man, which are still kept in the archives of the "Herald" office. He died in the city of New York in 1872, and left to his son, James Gordon, Jr., one of the greatest and most profitable journals in the United States, or even in the world. OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES, a noted American, won distinction in the field of literature, in which he attained a world-wide reputation. He was born at Cambridge, Massachusetts, August 29, 1809. He received a collegiate education and grad- uated from Harvard in 1829, at the age of twenty, and took up the study of law and later studied medicine. Dr. Holmes at- tended several years in the hospitals of Europe and received his degree in 1836. He became professor of anatomy and phys- iology in Dartmouth in 1838, and re- mained there until 1847, when he was called to the Massachusetts Medical School at Boston to occupy the same chair, which position he resigned in 18S2. The first collected edition of his poems appeared in 1836, and his "Phi Beta Kappa Poems," "Poetry," in 1836; "Terpsichore," in 1843; "Urania," in 1846, and "Astraea," won for him many fresh laurels. His series of papers in the "Atlantic Monthly," were: COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 207 "Autocrat of the Breakfast Table," "Pro- fessor at the Breakfast Table," "Poet at the Breakfast Table," and are a series of masterly wit, humor and pathos. Among his medical papers and addresses, are: "Cur- rents and Counter-currents in the Medical Science," and "Borderland in Some Prov- inces of Medical Science." Mr. Holmes edited quite a number of works, of which we quote the following: "Else Venner, " "Songs in Many Keys," "Soundings from the Atlantic," "Humorous Poems," "The Guardian Angel," "Mechanism in Thoughts and Morals," "Songs of Many Seasons," "John L. Motley" — a memoir, "The Iron Gate and Other Poems," ''Ralph Waldo Emerson," "A Moral Antipathy." Dr. Holmes visited England for the second time, and while there the degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him by the University of Edinburgh. His death occurred October 7. 1894- RUFUS CHOATE, one of the most em- inent of America's great lawyers, was born October i, 1799, at Essex, Massachu- setts. He entered Dartmouth in 18 15, and after taking his degree he remained as a teacher in the college for one year. He took up the study of law in Cambridge, and subsequently studied under the distinguished lawyer, Mr. Wirt, who was then United States attorney-general at Washington. Mr. Choatebegan the practice of law in Danvers, Massachusetts, and from there he went to Salem, and afterwards to Boston, Massa- chusetts. While living at Salem he was elected to congress in 1832, and later, in 1 84 1, he was chosen United States senator to succeed Daniel Webster, Mr. Webster having been appointed secretary of state under William Henry Harrison. After the death of Webster, Mr- Choate was the acknowledged leader of the Massa- chusetts bar, and was looked upon by the younger members of the profession with an affection that almost amounted to a rever- ence. Mr. Choate's powers as an orator were of the rarest order, and his genius made it possible for him to enchant and in- terest his listeners, even while discussing the most ordinary theme. He was not merely eloquent on the subjects that were calculated to touch the feelings and stir the passions of his audience in themselves, but could at all times command their attention. He re- tired from active life in 1858, and was on his way to Europe, his physician having ordered a sea voyage for his health, but had only reached Halifax, Nova Scotia, when he died, July 13, 1858. D WIGHT L. MOODY, one of the most noted and effective pulpit orators and evangelists America has produced, was born in Northfield, Franklin county, Massachu- setts, February 5, 1837. He received but a meager education and worked on a farm until seventeen years of age, when he be- came clerk in a boot and shoe store in Boston. Soon after this he joined the Con- gregational church and went to Chicago, where he zealously engaged in missionary work among the poor classes. He met with great success, and in less than a year he built up a Sunday-school which numbered over one thousand children. When the war broke out he became connected with what was known as the "Christian Com- mission," and later became city missionary of the Young Men's Christian Association at Chicago. A church was built there for his converts and he became its unordained pas- tor. In the Chicago fire of 1871 the church and Mr. Moody's house and furniture, which had been given him, were destroyed. The 208 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. church edifice was afterward replaced by a new church erected on the site of the old one. In 1873, accompanied by Ira D. Sankey, Mr. Moody went to Europe and excited great religious awakenings through- out England, Ireland and Scotland. In 1875 they returned to America and held large meetings in various cities. They afterward made another visit to Great Britain for the same purpose, meeting with great success, returning to the United States in 1884. Mr. Moody afterward continued his evangelistic work, meeting everywhere with a warm reception and success. Mr. Moody produced a number of works, some of which had a wide circulation. JOHN PIERPONT MORGAN, a financier of world-wide reputation, and famous as the head of one of the largest banking houses in the world, was born April 17, 1837, at Hartford, Connecticut. He re- ceived his early education in the English high school, in Boston, and later supple- mented this with a course in the University of Gottingen, Germany. He returned to the United States, in 1857, and entered the banking firm of Duncan, Sherman & Co., of New York, and, in i860, he became agent and attorney, in the United States, for George Peabody & Co., of London. He became the junior partner in the banking firm of Dabney, Morgan & Co., in 1864, and that of Drexel, Morgan & Co., in 1871. This house was among the chief negotiators of railroad bonds, and was active in the re- organization of the West Shore Railroad, and its absorption by the New York Central Railroad. It was conspicuous in the re- organization of the Philadelphia & Read- ing Railroad, in 1887, which a syndicate of capitalists, formed by Mr. Morgan, placed on a sound financial basis. After that time many other lines of railroad and gigantic financial enterprises were brought under Mr. Morgan's control, and in some respects it maybe said he became the foremost financier of the century. THOMAS BRACKETT REED, one of the most eminent of American states- men, was born October 18, 1839, at Port- land, Maine, where he received his early education in the common schools of the city, and prepared himself for college. Mr. Reed graduated from Bovvdoin College in i860, and won one of the highest honors of the college, the prize for excellence in Eng- lish composition. The following four years were spent by him in teaching and in the study of law. Before his admission to the bar, however, he was acting assistant pay- master in the United States navy, and served on the " tin-clad" Sybil, which pa- trolled the Tennessee, Cumberland and Mississippi rivers. After his discharge in 1865, he returned to Portland, was admit- ted to the bar, and began the practice of his profession. He entered into political life, and in 1868 was elected to the legislature of Maine as a Republican, and in 1869 he was re-elected to the house, and in 1870 was made state senator, from which he passed to attorney-general of the state. He retired from this office in 1873, and until 1877 he was solicitor for the city of Portland. In 1876 he was elected to the forty-fifth congress, which assembled in 1877. Mr. Reed sprung into prominence in that body by one of the first speeches which he delivered, and his long service in congress, coupled with his ability, gave him a national reputation. His influence each year became more strongly marked, and the leadership of his party was finally conceded to him, and in the forty-ninth and fiftieth COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAFHY. 2^' congresses the complimentary nomination (or the speakership was tendered him by the Republicans. That party having obtained the ascendency in the fifty-first congress he was elected speaker on the first ballot, and he was again chosen speaker of the fifty- fourth and fifth-fifth congresses. As a writer, Mr. Reed contributed largely to the magazines and periodicals, and his book upon parliamentary rules is generally rec- ognized as authority on that subject. CLARA BARTON is a celebrated char- acter among what might be termed as the highest grade of philanthropists Amer- ica has produced. She was born on a farm at Oxford, Massachusetts, a daughter of Captain Stephen Barton, and was educated at Clinton, New York. She engaged in teaching early in life, and founded a free school at Bordentown, the first in New Jer- sey. She opened with six pupils, but the attendance had grown to six hundred up to 1854, when she went to Washington. She was appointed clerk in the patent depart- ment, and remained there until the out- break of the Civil war, when she resigned her position and devoted herself to the al- leviation of the sufferings of the soldiers, serving, not in the hospitals, but on the bat- tle field. She was present at a number of battles, and after the war closed she origi- nated, and for some time carried on at her own expense, the search for missing soldiers. She then for several years devoted her time to lecturing on "Incidents of the War." About 1868 she went to Europe for her health, and settled in Switzerland, but on the outbreak of the Franco-German war she ac- cepted the invitation of the grand duchess of Baden to aid in the establishment of her hospitals, and Miss, Barton afterward fol- lowed the German army She was deco- rated with the golden cross by the granc duke of Baden, and with the iron cross by the emperor of Germany. She also served for many years as president of the famous Red Cross Society and attamed a world- wide reputation. CARDINAL JAMES GIBBONS, one of the most eminent Catholic clergymen in America, was born in Baltimore, Mary- land, July 23, 1834. He was given a thorough education, graduated at St. Charles College, Maryland, in 1857, and studied theology in St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland. In 1861 he became pastor of St. Bridget's church in Baltimore, and in 1868 was consecrated vicar apostolic of North Carolina. In 1872 our subject be- came bishop of Richmond, V'irginia, and five years later was made archbishop of Bal- timore. On the 30th of June, i885, he was admitted to the full degree of cardinal and primate of the American Catholic church. He was a fluent writer, and his book, "Faith of Our Fathers,' had a wide circulation. CHAUNCEY MITCHELL DEPEW.— This name is, without doubt, one of the most widely known in the United States. Mr. Depew was born April 23, 1834, at Peekskill, New York, the home of the Depew family for two hundred years. He attended the common schools of his native place, where he prepared himself to enter college. He began his collegiate course at Yale at the age of eighteen and graduated in 1856. He early took an active interest in politics and joined the Republican party at its for- mation. He then took up the study of law and went into the office of the Hon. Will- iam Nelson, of Peekskill, for that purpose, and in 1858 he was admitted to the bar. 210 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. He was sent as a delegate by the new party to the Repubhcan state convention of that year. He began the practice of his profes- sion in 1859, but though he was a good worker, his attention was detracted by the '-ampaign of i860, in which he took an act- ive part. During this campaign he gained his first laurels as a public speaker. Mr. Depew was elected assemblyman in 1862 from a Democratic district. In 1863 he se- cured the nomination for secretary of state. and gained that post by a majority of thirty thousand. In 1866 he left the field of pol- itics and entered into the active practice of his law business as attorney for the New York & Harlem Railroad Company, and in 1869 when this road was consoli- dated with the New York Central, and called the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad, he was appointed the attor- ney for the new road. His rise in the rail- road business was rapid, and ten years after his entrance into the Vanderbilt system as attorney for a single line, he was the gen- eral counsel for one of the largest railroad systems in the world. He was also a director in the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, Michigan Central, Chicago & Northwestern, St. Paul & Omaha, West Shore, and Nickel Plate railroad companies. In 1874 Mr. Depew was made regent of the State University, and a member of the commission appointed to superintend the erection of the capitol at Albany. In 1882, on the resignation of W. H. Vanderbilt from the presidency of the New York Cen- tral and the accession to that office by James H. Rutter, Mr. Depew was made second vice-president, and held that posi- tion until the death of Mr. Rutter in 1885. In this year Mr. Depew became the execu tive head of this great corporation. Mr. Depew's greatest fame grew from his ability and eloquence as an orator and " after-din- ner speaker," and it has been said by emi- nent critics that this country has never pro- duced his equal in wit, fluency and eloquence. PHILIP KEARNEY.— Among the most dashing and brilliant commanders in the United States service, few have outshone the talented officer whose name heads this sketch. He was born in New York City, June 2, 181S, and was of Irish ancestry and imbued wit!i all the dash and bravery of the Celtic race. He graduated from Columbia College and studied law, but in 1837 ac- cepted a commission as lieutenant in the First United States Dragoons, of which hi; uncle, Stephen W. Kearney, was then colo- nel. He was sent by the government, soon after, to Europe to examine and report upon the tactics of the French cavalry. There he attended the Polytechnic School, at Samur, and subsequently served as a vol- unteer in Algiers, winning the cross of the Legion of Honor. He returned to the United States in 1840, and on the staff of General Scott, in the Mexican war, served with great gallantry. He was made a cap- tain of dragoons in 1846 and made major for services at Contreras and Cherubusco. In the final assault on the City of Mexico at the San Antonio Gate, Kearney lost an arm. He subsequently served in California and the Pacific coast. In i8si he resigned his commission and went to Europe, where he resumed his military studies. In the Italian war, in 1859, he served as a volun- teer on the staff of General Maurier, of the French army, and took part in the battles of Solferino and Magenta, and for bravery was, for the second time, decorated with the cross of the Legion of Honor. On the opening of the Civil war he hastened home, and; offering his services to the general gov- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 211 srnment, was made brigadier-general of volunteers and placed in command of a bri- gade of New Jersey troops. In the cam- paign under McClellan he commanded a di- vision, and at WilHamsburg and Fair Oaks his services were valuable and brilliant, as well as in subsequent engagements. At Harrison's Landing he was made major-gen- eral of volunteers. In the second battle of Bull Run he was conspicuous, and at the battle of Chantilly, September i, 1862, while leading in advance of his troops. Gen- eral Kearney was shot and killed. RUSSELL SAGE, one of the financial giants of the present century and for more than an average generation one of the most conspicuous and celebrated of Ameri- cans, was born in a frontier hamlet in cen- tral New York in August, 18 16. While Rus- sell was still a boy an elder brother, Henry Risley Sage, established a small grocery store at Troy, New York, and here Russell found his first employment, as errand boy. He served a five-years apprenticeship, and then joined another brother, Elisha M. Sage, in a new venture in the same line, which proved profitable, at least for Russell, who soon became its sole owner. Next he formed the partnership of Sage & Bates, and greatly extended his field of operations. At twenty-five he had, by his own exertions, amassed what was, in those days, a consid- erable fortune, being worth about seventy- five thousand dollars. He had acquired an iniluence in local politics, and lour years fater his party, the Whigs, elected him to the aldermanic board of Troy and to the treasuryship of Rensselaer county. In 1848 he was a prominent member of the New York delegation to the Whig convention at Philadelphia, casting his first votes for Henry Clay, but joining the "stampede" which nominated Zachary Taylor. In 1850 the Whigs of Troy nominated him for congress, but he was not elected — a failure which he retrieved two years later, and in 1854 he was re-elected by a sweeping majority. At Washington he ranked high in influence and ability. Fame as a speaker and as a polit- ical leader was within his grasp, when he gave up public life, declined a renomination to congress, and went back to Troy to de- vote himself to his private business. Six years later, in 1863, he removed to New York and plunged into the arena of Wall street. A man of boundless energy and tireless pertinacity, with wonderful judg- ment of men and things, he soon took his place as a king in finance, and, it is said, during the latter part of his life he con- trolled more ready money than any other single individual on this continent. ROGER QUARLES MILLS, a noted United States senator and famous as the father of the "Mills tariff bill, "was born in Todd county, Kentucky, March 30, 1832. He received a liberal education in the com- mon schools, and removed to Palestine, Texas, in 1849. He took up the study of law, and supported himself by serving as an assistant in the post-office, and in the offices of the court clerks. In 1850 he was elected engrossing clerk of the Texas house of rep- resentatives, and in 1852 was admitted to the bar, while still a minor, by special act of the legislature. He then settled at Cor- sicana, Texas, and began the active prac- tice of his profession. He was elected to the state legislature in 1859, and in 1872 he was elected to congress from the state at large, as a Democrat. After his first elec- tion he was continuously returned to con- gress until he resigned to accept the posi- tion of United States senator, to which he 212 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. was elected March 23, 1892, to succeed Hon. Horace Chilton. He took his seat in the senate March 30. 1892; was afterward re-elected and ranked among the most use- ful and prominent members of that body. In 1876 he opposed the creation of the elec- toral commission, and in 1887 canvassed the state of Texas against the adoption of a prohibition amendment to its constitution, which was defeated. He introduced into the house of representatives the bill that was known as the "Mills Bill," reducing duties on imports, and extending the free list. The bill passed the house on July 21, 1888, and made the name of "Mills" famous throughout the entire country. HAZEN S. PINGREE, the celebrated Michigan political leader, was born in Maine in 1842. Up to fourteen years of age he worked hard on the stony ground of his father's small farm. Attending school in the winter, he gained a fair education, and when not laboring on the farm, he found employment in the cotton mills in the vicinity. He resolved to find more steady work, and accordingly went to Hopkinton, Massachusetts, where he entered a shoe fac- tory, but on the outbreak of the war he en- listed at once and was enrolled in the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. He partici- pated in the battle of Bull Run, which was his initial fight, and served creditably his early term of service, at the expiration of which he re-enlisted. He fought in the battles of Fredricksburg, Harris Farm, Spottsylvania Court House and Cold Har- bor In 1864 he was captured by Mosby, and spent five months at Andersonville, Georgia, as a prisoner, but escaped at the end of that time. He re-entered the service and participated in the battles of Fort Fisher, Boyden, and Sailor's Creek. He was honorably mustered out of service, and in 1866 went to Detroit, Michigan, where he made use of his former experience in a shoe factory, and found work. Later he formed a partnership with another workman and started a small factory, which has since become a large establishment. Mr. Pin- gree made his entrance into politics in 1889, in which year he was elected by a surpris- ingly large majority as a Republican to the mayoralty of Detroit, in which office he was the incumbent during four consecutive terms. In November, 1896, he was elected gov- ernor of the state of Michigan. While mayor of Detroit, Mr. Pingree originated and put into execution the idea of allowing the poor people of the city the use of va- cant city lands and lots for the purpose of raising potatoes. The idea was enthusiast- ically adopted by thousandsof poor families, attracted wide attention, and gave its author a national reputation as "Potato-patch Pin- gree." THOMAS ANDREW HENDRICKS, an eminent American statesman and a Democratic politician of national fame, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, Septem- ber 7, 1 8 19. In 1822 he removed, with his father, to Shelby county, Indiana. He graduated from the South Hanover College in 1 84 1, and two years later was admitted to the bar. In 1851 he was chosen a mem- ber of the state constitutional convention, and took a leading part in the deliberations of that body. He was elected to congress in 1 85 1, and after serving two terms was appointed commissioner of the United States general land-ofiice. In 1863 he was elected to the United States senate, where his dis- tinguished services commanded the respect of all parties. He was elected governor of Indiana in 1872, serving four years, and in ,876 was nominated by the Democrats as candidate for the vice-presidency with Til- den The returns in a number of states were contested, and resulted in the appoint- ment of the famous electoral commission, which decided in favor of the Republican candidates. In 1884 Mr. Hendricks was again nominated as candidate for the vice- presidency, by the Democratic party, on the ticket with Grover Cleveland, was elected, and served about six months. He died at Indianapolis. November 25, 1885. He was regarded as one of the brainiest men m the party, and his integrity was never ques- tioned, even by his political opponents. /BARRETT A. HOBART. one of the VJ many able men who have held the high office of vice-president of the United States, was born June 3, i844, m Mon- mouth county. New Jersey, and in i860 en- tered the sophomore class at Rutgers Col- lege from which he graduated in 1863 at the 'age of nineteen. He then taught school until he entered the law office of Socrates Tuttle. of Paterson, New Jersey, with whom he studied law. and in i86g was admitted to the bar. He immediately began the active practice of his profession in the office of the above named gentleman. He became interested in political life, and espoused tl.e cause of the Republican party, and in 1865 held his first office, serving as clerk for the grand jury. He was also city . -'ounsel of Paterson in 1871, and in May 1872 was elected counsel for the board of chosen freeholders. He entered the state legislature in iSzsi and was re-elected to the assembly in 1874. Mr. Hobart was made speaker of the assembly in 1876, and and in 1879 was elected to the state senate. After serving three years in the same, he was elected president of that body m 18S1 and the following year was re-elected o that office. He was a delegate-at^arge to the Republican national convention m ib70 and 1880, and was elected a member of the national committee in 1884, which pos-tion he occupied continuously until 1896. He was then nominated for vice-president by the Republican national convention, anf was elected to that office in the fall of 1896 on the ticket with William McKinley. WILLIAM MORRIS STEWART, noted as a political leader and senator, was I born in Lyons. Wayne county. New York, Au-ust 9, 1827. and removed with his par- entis while still a small child to Mesopota- mia township, Trumbull county. Ohio. He attended the Lyons Union school and Farm- ington Academy, where he obtained his ed- ucation. Later he taught mathematics in the former school, while yet a pupil and with the little money thus earned and the assistance of James C. Smith, one of the iudgesof the supreme court of New\ork he entered Yale College. He remained there until the winter of 1849-50, when, at- tracted by the gold discoveries in California he wended his way thither. He arrived at San Francisco in May, 1850, and later en- gaged in mining with pick and shovel in Ne- vada county. In this way he accumulated some money, and in the sprmg of 1852 he took up the study of law under John R. McConnell. The following December he was appointed district attorney, to which office he was chosen at the general election of the next year. In 1854 he was ap- pointed attorney-general of California, and in i860 he removed to Virginia City. Ne- vada, where he largely engaged m early mining litigation. Mr. Stewart was also in- terested in the development of the "Com- stock lode," and in 186. was chosen a 214 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. member of the territorial council. He was elected a member of the constitutional con- vention in 1863, and was elected United States senator in 1864, and re-elected in 1869. At the expiration of his term in 1875, he resumed the practice of law in Nevada, California, and the Pacific coast generally. He was thus engaged when he was elected again to the United States sen- ate as a Republican in 1887 to succeed the late James G. Fair, a Democrat, and took his seat March 4, 1887. On the expiration of his term he was again re-elected and be- came one of the leaders of his party in con- gress. His ability as an orator, and the prominent part he took in the discussion of public questions, gained him a national rep- utation. GEORGE GRAHAM VEST, for many years a prominent member of the United States senate, was born in Frank- fort, Kentucky, December 6, 1848. He graduated from Center College in 1868, and from the law department of the Transyl- vania University of Lexington, Kentucky, in 1853. In the same year he removed to Missouri and began the practice of his pro- fession, In i860 he was an elector on the Democratic ticket, and was a member of the lower house of the Missouri legislature in 1860-61. He was elected to the Con- federate congress, serving two years in the lower house and one in the senate. He then resumed the practice of law, and in 1 879 was elected to the senate of the United States to succeed James Shields. He was re-elected in 1885, and again in 1891 and 1897. His many years of service in the National congress, coupled with his ability as a speaker and the active part he took in the discussion of public questions, gave him a wide reputation. HANNIBAL HAMLIN, a noted American statesman, whose name is indissolubly connected with the history of this country, was born in Paris, Maine, August 27, 1809. He learned the printer's trade and followed that calling for several years. He then studied law, and was admitted to practice in 1833. He was elected to the legislature of the state of Maine, where he was several times chosen speaker of the lower house. He was elected to congress by the Demo- crats in 1843, and re-elected in 1845. In 1848 he was chosen to the United States senate and served in that body until 1 861. He was elected governor of Maine in 1857 on the Republican ticket, but resigned when re-elected to the United States senate the same year. He was elected vice-presi- dent of the United States on the ticket with Lincoln in i860, and inaugurated in March, 1861. In 1865 he was appointed collector of the port of Boston. Beginning with 1869 he served two six -year terms in the United States senate, and was then ap- pointed by President Garfield as minister to Spain in 1881. His death occurred July 4, TSHAM G. HARRIS, famous as Confed- 1 erate war governor of Tennessee, and distinguished by his twenty years of service in the senate of the United States, was born in Franklin county, Tennessee, and educated at the Academy of Winchester. He then took up the study of law, was ad- mitted to the bar, and commenced practice at Paris, Tennessee, in 1841. He was elected to the state legislature in 1847, was a candidate for presidential elector on the Democratic ticket in 1848, and the next year was elected to congress from his dis- trict, and re-elected in 185 1. In 1853 he was renominated by the Democrats of his COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 215 district, but declined, and removed to Mem- phis, where he took up the practice of law. He was a presidential elector-at-large from Tennessee in 1856, and was elected gov- ernor of the state the next year, and again in 1859, and in 1861. He was driven from Nashville by the advance of the Union armies, and for the last three years of the war acted as aid upon the staff of the com- manding general of the Confederate army of Tennessee. After the war he went to Liverpool, England, where he became a merchant, but returned to Memphis in 1867, and resumed the practice of law. In 1877 he was elected to the United States senate, to which position he was successively re- elected until his death in 1897. NELSON DINGLEY, Jr., for nearly a quarter of a century one of the leaders in congress and framer of the famous " Dingley tariff bill," was born in Durham, Maine, in 1832. His father as well as all his ancestors, were farmers, merchants and mechanics and of English descent. Young Dingley was given the advantages first of the common schools and in vacations helped his father in the store and on the farm. When twelve years of age be attended high school and at seventeen was teaching in a country school district and preparing him- self for college. The following year he en- tered Waterville Academy and in 185 1 en- tered Colby University. After a year and a half in this institution he entered Dart- mouth College and was graduated in 1855 with high rank as a scholar, debater and writer. He next studied law and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1856. But instead of practicing his profession he purchased the " Lewistown (Me.) Journal," which be- came famous throughout the New England states as a leader in the advocacy of Repub- lican principles. About the same time Mr. Dingley began his political career, although ever after continuing at the head of the newspaper. He was soon elected to the state legislature and afterward to the lower house of congress, where he became a prominent national character. He also served two terms as governor of Maine. OLIVER PERRY MORTON, a distin- guished American statesman, was born in Wayne county, Indiana, August 4, 1823. His early education was by private teaching and a course at the Wayne County Seminary. At the age of twenty years he entered the Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, and at the end of two years quit the college, began the study of law in the office of John New- man, of Centerville, Indiana, and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1847. Mr. Morton was elected judge on the Democratic ticket, in 1852, but on thi passage of the " Kansas-Nebraska Bill" he severed his connection with that party, and soon became a prominent leader of the Re- publicans. He was elected governor of In- diana in 1 86 1, and as war governor became well known throughout the country. He received a paralytic stroke in 1865, which partially deprived him of the use of his limbs. He was chosen to the United States senate from Indiana, in 1867, and wielded great influence in that body until the time of his death, November i, 1877. JOHN B. GORDON, a brilliant Confeder- ateofficer and noted senatoroftheUnited States, was born in Upson county, Georgia, February 6, 1832. He graduated from the State University, studied law, and took up the practice of his profession. At the be- ginning of the war he entered the Confederate service as captain of infantry, and rapidly 216 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. rose to the rank of lieutenant-general, commanding' one wing of the Confederate army at the close of the war. In 1868 he was Democratic candidate for governor of Georgia, and it is said was elected by a large majority, but his opponent was given the ofSce. He was a delegate to the national Democratic conventions in 1868 and 1872, and a presidential elector both years. In 1873 he was elected to the United States senate. In 1886 he was elected governor of Georgia, and re-elected in 1888. He was again elected to the United States senate in 1890, serving until 1897, when he was succeeded by A. S. Clay. He was regarded as a leader of the southern Democ- racy, and noted for his fiery eloquence. STEPHEN JOHNSON FIELD, an illus- trious associate justice of the supreme court of the United States, was born at Haddam, Connecticut, November 4, 1S16, being one of the noted sons of Rev. D. D. Field. He graduated from Williams College in 1837. took up the study of law with his brother, David Dudley Field, be- coming his partner upon admission to the bar. He went to California in 1849, and at once began to take an active mterest in the political affairs of that state. He was elected alcalde of Marysville, in 1850, and in the autumn of the same year was elected to the state legislature. In 1857 he was elected judge of the supreme court of the state, and two years afterwards became its chief justice. In 1863 he was appointed by President Lincoln as associate justice of the supreme court of the United States. During his incumbency, in 1873, he was appointed by the governor of California one of a com- mission to examine the codes of the state and for the preparation of amendments to the same for submission to the legislature. In 1877 he was one of the famous electoral commission of fifteen members, and voted as one of the seven favoring the election cf Tilden to the presidency. In 1880 a Jarge portion of the Democratic party favored his nomination as candidate for the presidenc}'. He retired in the fall of 1897, having served a greater number of 3'ears on the supreme bench than any of his associates or predecessors, Chief Justice Marshall coming next in length of service. JOHN T. MORGAN, whose services in the United States senate brought him into national prominence, was born in Athens, Tennessee, June 20, 1824. At the age of nine years he emigrated to Alabama, where he made his permanent home, and where he received an academic education. He then took up the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1845. He took a leading part in local politics, was a presi- dential elector in i860, casting his ballot for Breckenridge and Lane, and in 1861 was a delegate to the state convention which passed the ordinance of secession. In May, of the same year, he joined the Confederate army as a private in Company I, Cahawba Rifles, and was soon after made major and then lieutenant-colonel ofthe Fifth Regiment. In 1862 he was commissioned colonel, and soon after made brigadier-general and as- signed to the command of a brigade in Vir- ginia. He resigned to join his old regiment whose colonel had been killed; He was soon afterward again made brigadier-gen- eral and given command of the brigade that included his regiment. After the war he returned to the prac- tice of law, and continued it up to the time of his election to the United States senate, itr 1877. He was a presidential elector in 1876 and cast his vote for Tilden and Hendrick* COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 217 He was re-elected to the senate in 1883, and again ia 1889, and 1895. His speeches and the measures he introduced, marked as they were by an intense Americanism, brought him into national prommence. WILLIAM McKINLEY, the twenty-fifth president of the United States, was born at Niles, Trumbull county, Ohio, Jan- uary 29, 1844. He was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and received his early education in a Methodist academy in the small village of Poland, Ohio. At the outbreak of the war Mr. McKinley was teaching school, earning twenty-five dollars per month. As soon as Fort Sumter was fired upon he en- listed in a company that was formed in Poland, which was inspected and mustered in by General John C. Fremont, who at first objected to Mr. McKinley, as being too young, but upon examination he was finally accepted. Mr. McKinley was seventeen when the war broke out but did not look his age. He served in the Twenty-third Ohio Infantry throughout the war, was promoted from sergeant to captain, for good conduct on the field, and at the close of the war, for meritorious services, he was brevetted major. After leaving the army Major Mc- Kinley took up the study of law, and was admitted to the bar, and in 1869 he took his initiation into politics, being elected pros- ecuting attorney of his county as a Republi- can, although the district was usually Demo- cratic. In 1 876 he was elected to congress, and in a call upon the President-elect, Mr. Hayes, to whom he went for advice upon the way he should shape his career, he was told that to achieve fame and success he must take one special line and stick to it. Mr. McKinley chose tariff legislation and he became an authority in regard to import duties. He was a member of congress for many years, became chairman of the ways and means committee, and later he advo- cated the famous tariff bill that bore his name, which was passed in 1S90. In the next election the Republican party was overwhelmingly defeated through the coun- try, and the Democrats secured more than a two thirds majority in the lower house, and also had control of the senate, Mr. McKinley being defeated in his own district by a small majority. He was elected gov- ernor of Ohio in 1891 by a plurality of twenty-one thousand, five hundred and eleven, and two years later he was re-elected by the still greater plurality of eighty thou- sand, nine hundred and ninety-five. He was a delegate-at-large to the Minneapolis Re^ publican convention in 1892, and was in- structed to support the nomination of Mr. Harrison. He was chairman of the con^ vention, and was the only man from Ohio to vote for Mr. Harrison upon the roll call. In November, 1892, a number of prominent politicians gathered in New York to discuss the political situation, and decided that the result of the election had put an end to Mc- Kinley and McKinleyism. But in less than four years from that date Mr. McKinley was nominated for the presidency against the combined opposition of half a dozen rival candidates. Much of the credit for his suc- cess was due to Mark A. Hanna, of Cleve- land, afterward chairr.ian of the Republican national committee. At the election which occurred in November, 1896, Mr. McKinley was elected president of the United States by an enormous majority, on a gold stand- ard and protective tariff platform. He was inaugurated on the 4th of March, 1897, and called a special session of congress, to which was submitted a bill for tariff reform, which was passed in the latter part of July of that year. 218 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. piNCINNATUS HEINE MILLER, V> known in the literary world as Joaquin Miller, "the poet of the Sierras," was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1841. When only about thirteen years of age he ran away from home and went to the mining regions in California and along the Pacific coast. Some time afterward he was taken prisoner by the Modoc Indians and lived with them for five years. He learned their language and gained great influence with them, fight- ing in their wars, and in all modes of living became as one of them. In 1858 he left the Indians and went to San Francisco, where he studied law, and in i860 was ad- mitted to the bar in Oregon. In 1866 he was elected a county judge in Oregon and served four years. Early in the seventies he began devoting a good deal of time to literary pursuits, and about 1874 he settled in Washington, D. C. He wrote many poems and dramas that attracted consider- able attention and won him an extended reputation. Among his productions may be mentioned "Pacific Poems," "Songs of the Sierras," "Songs of the Sun Lands," "Ships in the Desert," " Adrianne,aDream of Italy," "Danites," "Unwritten History," " First Families of the Sierras " (a novel), " One Fair Woman " (a novel), "Songs of Italy," "Shadows of Shasta," "The Gold- Seekers of the Sierras," and a number of others. /^EORGE FREDERICK ROOT, a VJ noted music publisher and composer, was born in Sheffield, Berkshire county! Massachusetts, on August 30, 1820. While working on his father's farm he found time to learn, unaided, several musical instru- ments, and in his eighteenth year he went 10 Boston, where he soon found employ- ment as a teacher of music. From 1839 until 1844 he gave instructions in music in the public schools of that city, and was also director of music in two churches. Mr. Root then went to New York and taught music in the various educational institutions of the city. He went to Paris in 1850 and spent one year there in study, and on his re- turn he published his first song. "Hazel Dell." It appeared as the work of "Wur- zel." which was the German equivalent of his name. He was the originator of the normal musical institutions, and when .the first one was started in New York he was one of the faculty. He removed to Chicago. Illinois, in i860, and established the firm of Root & Cady. and engaged in the publication of music. He received, in 1872, the degree of "Doctor of Music" from the University of Chicago. After the war the firm became George F. Root & Co., of Cincinnati and Chicago. Mr. Root did much to elevate the standard of music in this country by his compositions and work as a teacher. Besides his numerous songs he wrote a great deal of sacred music and pub- lished many collections of vocal and instru- mental music. For many years he was the most popular song writer in America, and was one of the greatest song writers of the war. He is also well-known as an author, and his work in that line comprises: "Meth- ods for the Piano and Organ," "Hand- book on Harmony Teaching, " and innumer- able articles for the musical press. Among his many and most popular songs of the war time are: " Rosalie, the Prairie-flower, " "Battle Cry of Freedom." " Just Before the Battle," "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, the Boys are Marching," "The Old Folks are Gone." "A Hundred Years Ago," "Old Potomac Shore, "and " There's Music in the Air." Mr. Root's cantatas include " The Flower Queen" and "The Haymakers." He died in 1896. HISTORY OF WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. CHAPTER 1. MICHIGAN. Micliigan is a part of that almost un- known quantity designated at the beginning of tlie last century as the Northwest Terri- tory. In 1805 a ])art of this great territory was set off and given the name of "Michi- gan Territory." The lines describing this territory were not the same as those now defining the boundaries of the state of Mich- igan, for it is said that owing to some dis- pute as to the southern boundary line, con- gress, to appease the desire of the Michigan representatives for more land, "threw in" the portion of the state now known as the Upper Peninsula, which has proven to be the depository of untold mineral wealth, placing Michigan well in the front rank of mineral producing states of the Union. Owing to the fact that in those days all inland Iransportatii )n and tra\el was by wagun and stage coach, settlements remote from the lake shore were for many years very few and were usually found along such rivers as were navigable, and these grew very slowly. The lack of transportation fa- cilities was not the only retarding element in the settlement of the state. The ague had full sway throughout nearlv the whole southern part of the state, and it soon be- came known everywhere that to go to Mich- igan meant to be shaken with .the ague for a year or more, \\-ith accompanying doctor and drug bills, and there is little doubt that ihe fear of the ague diverted many of those who were constantly joining in the "west- ward march of empire" from the fertile lands of Michigan to more distant homes in the still newer "West."* In this age of rapid transit and rapid development, when vil- lages and even cities spring up almost in a day, it looks strange that it should have tak- en over thirty years for the territory of Mich- igan to h;i\e .■n'ri\ccl at the .'lijo of * "West" was the designation given by eastern people to all the country lying west of the state of New York. The author well remembers that when his grandfather moved from Cattaraugus county. New York, to Oakland county, Michigan, they called 220 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. stateliood : Ijut when we go back to that peri- od and in our mind's eye see conditions as tliey then existed we ahnost \\onder that enongli people could have been induced to find homes within the lx)unds of the state to entitle it to admission into the Union. In June. 1836, congress passed an en- abling- act to admit Michigan to the Union, but there were certain conditions contained in tiie act which had to be complied with on the part of the state. In due course of time these stipulations were carried out and on January 26, 1837, a supplemental act was passed by congress by which Michigan was declared to be "one of the United States of America, and admitted into the Union on an equal footing with the original states, in all respects whatever." At that time there was not a mile of rail- road in Michigan except what was known as the Erie & Kalamazoo, which had been built from the town of Port Lawrence (which name was later changed to Toledo) to .Adrian, a distance of twenty-three miles. Tiiis was what was known in those days as a "strap" railroad, the rails being made of wood and coxered with a wide bar or strap of wrought iron. The cars on this line had been drawn by horses up to within six davs of the lime Michigan became a state, but on January 20, 1837. the owners of this line put on a steam locomotive, which was the first locomotive ever used in the state. Previous to this time there had been much talk alxjut railroads, and as carlv as 1830 a ciini))any was organized to build what was to be called the Detroit & St. Joseph Railroad. The name was changed later to the Michigan Central. After the company had expended about one hundred and twentv-five thousand dollars and within tv>-o months after the state had started in to do business for itself, an act was passed ijy the legislature authorizing the purchase of this road by the state and pro- viding for its early completion. The work was taken hold of on the part of the state, money being raised on state bonds to pay for the work, and within a year from its birth the state had completed its railroad from Detroit to Dearborn, a distance of ten miles. At this rate it would have taken twenty years and more to have completed the road, but the state kept on issuing its bonds and trying to build its railroad until finall) it was forced to call a halt, as the continual process of issuing bonds had so injured the credit of the state that an issue of fifty thousand dollars of bonds were sold in New York in 1845 foi" eighteen cents on the dollar. This condition of things created a strong desire on the part of the state to sell its "ele)jhant." and negotiations were forthwith authorized with that end in view. After many months of delay the sale was at la.st made, and on September 23, 1846, the road passed into the hands of the Michigan Central "Railroad Company. So anxious had been the state to get the road off its hands that t!ic company drove a remarkably good bargain, one which has caused the state a good deal of annoyance since. During this time the state had had a somewhat similar experience with the Mich- igan Sl- lars in the construction of this road, antl upon its sale to the Southern Michigan Railroad Company, in December, 1846, it could only realize fi\e hundred thousand dollars from its investment. WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 221 While these ventures in railroad build- ing were not a source of profit to the state in a financial way, they attracted public at- tention lo Michigan, and the people along their Imes, no doubt, came into the enjoy- ment of railroad privileges much earlier than they would have done had railroad building been confined to private enter- prise. Witli the building of railroads came new settlers in increased numbers, until at the tinie of the adoption of the present consti- tution in 1850, the census reports show a population of three hundred and ninety-five thousand and seventy-one, as compared with about one hundred and eighteen thousand when the state was admitted. This growth, however, had been confined almost entirely to that portion of the state lying south of the center line of the Lower Peninsula. In ma^iy of tlie northern counties not even township lines had been survexed when the territory became a state in 1837. It is not strange, therefore, that the whole of this northern end of the Lower Peninsula should have been looked upon by those living in the southern counties as a valueless wilder- ness. At that time there were the remnants of several tribes of Indians living in what now constitutes the counties of Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Kalkaska, Grand Trav- erse and Leelenau. and as early as May, 1839, two evangelical missionaries located at what is now known as Old Mission, in Grand Traverse county, with the purpose in view of teaching and Christianizing the Indians. They were well received and their work bore good fruit. Three years later the result of the work of the missionaries was shown 1)y a desire on the part of the Indians to raise something more than corn for food, consequently a barrel of wheat was brought by them from Green Bay, Wiscon- sin, and sown under instructions of the mis- sionaries. This was probably the first wheat sown in northern Michigan, certainly the first of which we can find any authentic rec- ord. Little by little civilization kept encroach- ing upon savagery and more white people were getting a knowledge of the natural ad- vantages offered by this hitherto unknown part of the state, and in the year 1847 3. hardy homeseeker by the name of Board- man took up his residence where Traverse City now stands. He built the first house that was put up on the present site of Trav- erse City, and from him the river, empty- ing into the bay at that point, and the lake a short distance up the river, received their name. He also built a .small .saw-mill, op- erated by water ])()\ver on a creek which enters linanlman river about a mile from its mouth. When this mill was erected there was not another saw-mill within a hundred miles in any direction. In 185 1 the firm of Hannah, Lay & Company located at wiiat is now known as Traverse City and started upon a business career which pnned wonderfully successful. Mr. Hannah liad [irexiously visited that lo- cality and ascertained by personal examina- tion the great quantity of pine timber along the Boardman river, and, having had consid- erable experience in the lumber business, saw at once that there was a grand opening for a lucrative business. The firm bought a large quantity of pine land that cost them only one dollar and a quarter per acre. I'hey started in in a moderate way, for in those days markets were limited, prices were low, and transportation facilities were confined 222 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. exclusively to sailing vessels on the lakes and it took from six to nine days to land a small cargo of lumber in Chicago from Tra- verse Bay. Their first saw-mill was the one heretofore mentioned as having been built by Mr. Boardman and which they purchased of him. This was what was known as a "muley mill," having but one upright saw, which under the most favorable circumstan- ces would ntit cut more than two and a half or three thousand feet of lumber in twelve hours. This proved to be altogether too slow a process even for those slow times and accordingly, in the spring of 1852, they commenced tlie construction of the first steam saw-mill ever built in northern ]\Iichi- gan. Having already cleared out the Board- man ri\x'r far enough to reach the first or nearest of their pine lands, they were in po- sition to do what was then considered a "big lumber business." i he advent of Hannah. Lav & Company was the "dawning of the morning" in the settlement and de\'elo]Mnent of the whole ( irand Traserse region. Thev furnished work for all ajjplicants. 'Jdiey supplied the wants of all newcomers, and In- their liberal .and honorable dealings did much to encour- age tli(jse seeking homes. But the liome seekers were not numerous for the first few years. The \ast unbroken forest that stretched back from the little opening made at Tra\erse City to a seemingly unlimited distance was not very inviting to those who had lived in an old settled country. So the 'fifties passed by and the total population in Cirand Traverse county (Indians excepted) was twelve hundred and eight v-six. This included the ])eople who were connected with the mill, the boarding house, the lum- ber camps and those who had been bold enough to strike out into the forests to make homes for themselves. Then came the great, cruel war, and for four weary, woeful years huncheds of thous- ands of "the flower of manhood" had to face far more dangers and difficulties than a Michigan wilderness ofifered, and the thoughts of seeking new homes in the"west" ga\e way to thoughts of how to economize and care for the little ones at home while the husbands and fathers were fighting the battles for the Union on southern fields, lan- guishing in pestilential prison pens, or sleep- ing the last long sleep in unknown graves in the blood-stained "sunny South." But in spite of all this strife and carnage in one sec- tion of our country there was still a steady increase in the popvdation around Traverse Bay, the census of 1864 showing two thous- and and twenty-six, or an increase of only se\en hundred and forty in four years. In the spring of 1865 the war ended and thous- ands upon thousands of the boys in blue re- turned to their former homes. The spirit of ad\enture arouseil !)y army service would not permit many of the returning soldiers to settle down to the humdrum routine to which they had been accustomed before enlisting, and the westward stream of adventurous homeseekers grew into a mighty river and such a growth and development as the new stales .'ind territories of the west witnessed in the next ten \ears has ne\er had a parallel in the history of the world. One important factor in this great stride of advancement was the l)ui!(ling of the trans-continental railroad. This, in addition to the passage of the homestead law. giving every head of a family one hundred and sixty acres of land, bv the ])avnicnl of a nominal sum and living on the land for five years, soon peo- WEXFORD COUNTY, iMICHIGAN. 223 pled a vast area of country which otiierwise wmild ha\c' cnntimied to remain in its pri- nie\al state tor an indelinite len,i;1h ol lime. Tliis great western mo\'ement of poiju- lation came at a time wlien northern Miclii- gan was ripe to receive it, and the tide surged back from tlie shores of the great lakes, and particularly from Traverse Bay, until the bounds of one countv were too limited to recei\'e and contain it, and it soon began to ]-A\> ovev into ;idiacent counties as if deter- mined that the time had come when the giant forests which for centuries had held full swav throughout this whole section of the state should yield its scepter to man, the lord of creation, and henceforth administer to his desires and demands. CHAPTER 11. KAUTAWyVUBET OR WEXFORD COUNTY. 1 )ii|-ing- the years iS^dand i S^;: the 1 'ni- leeratc in seclusion. Among the arrivals in the fall of 1865 was J. H. Wheeler, from western Xew York, who had heard of the wonders of Wexfortl comity through a brother of B. W. Hall, the first settler in the county. Being some- what familiar with the saw-mill business, he came with the intent of building a saw-mill with which to supply the needs of the new settlers in the way of lumber. It should be remarked here that nearly every house in the settlement had thus far been built prac- tically without a foot of lumber, for lum- ber was very high priced and, besides, it would cost thirty to forty dollars per one thousand feet to hire it hauled from Trav- erse City, the nearest place where a board could be found. After the settler had got the "body" of his house up, he w<.)uld hew- out some pt>les for rafters, split out some "ribs" and nail then to the rafters, from six inches to one foot apart (according to whether he intended to use "shakes" or shingles), and nail the shingles or "sliakes" to these "ribs." By setting up other hewed WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 229 poles in the gable ends of tlie house from the top log to the rafters and nailing "ribs" and "shakes" to them, the same as for the roof, he soon had his house enclosed. The flocir was usually made of thin slabs of elm or bass-wood split out and hewed straight on the edges and then fitted to the sleepers on the lower sides, after which they couUl be lined and hewed to make them as even as possible on the upper surface. Some- times roofs were made of bark and occa- sionally an entire "shanty" was built of that material. Mr. Hall lived a year in a bark "shanty" when he first settled in the county. We can yet see, occasionally, a log house that was built thirty or thirty-five years ago as a home for some homesteai.ler when he first became a resident of the county. The whole settlement were anxious to have a saw-mill built and readily subscribed a liberal amount of work toward its erection. Plans were perfected during the winter and work commenced the following spring, but owing to unforseen obstacles encountered in building the dam the work was delayed un- til the summer of 1867, when the mill was started, much to the gratification of the community, as well as the owner. This was the first saw-mill built in We.Kford county. It was an old fashioned "muley" mill, something like the one heretofore de- scribed as the first mill in northern Michi- gan, but it performed an important part in the early development of the county. It was built on what for many years was known as the Wheeler creek, which empties into the Manistee river about a mile north of the present village of Sherman. A mill still oc- cupies the same site, though two structures on the same site ha\'e been destroyed by fire. Mr. Wheeler also built a frame house in the summer of 1867, which was the fir.st frame house built in the county. I had almost forgotten to describe the manner of wintering the stock in those early days. Hay there was none for the first two years on the homestead, and straw was \erv scarce, so some other food nuist he substituted. After it was too late in the spring to plant ordinary crops the settler would clear off a patch for turnips or rutabagas, even sometimes sowing the seed among the logs after the brush had been burned away, not having tim.e to entirely clear the land. This crop could be put out as late as the 20th of July with good results and needed no care from seed time until late in the fall, when they were pulled and put into pits for the winter use. When the snow got so deep that the cattle could no longer subsist on the "Michi- gan clover," heretofore referred to, the set- tler would start in on his winter's job of felling trees upon which to browse his stock. The cattle soon began to relish and even thrive upon the fine twigs of the ma- ples, and this, with a liberal feeding of the turnips or rutabagas, brought them through the winter apparently in as good condition as if they had been wintered upon the best quality of hay. At the same time necessity on the part of the settler to provide for his stock was really a virtue in another direc- tion, for the more timber he was, obliged to cut in the winter the more acres he could clear oft" in the summer. Judge Chubb, one of the first settlers in the township of Cleon, once forming a part of Wexford county, and who still resides at Copemish in that township, often relates his experience in getting through his stock the first winter after his arrival. Among 230 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. the other animals he brought with him were some pigs, never dreaming of tlie difficulty of getting them through the winter, thirty miles from the nearest point where feed could he had, and with roads — such as they were — made impassible by four feet of snow. When he had fed out the last of w hat he had provided for them, and with no possible way of getting more fucKl, he was in rle- spair and was sure they wouUl the. If tliey liad been in condition to make pork, he says, he would have killed them and got some ben- efit from tbt-m in that way, but to put off the evil day as long as possible in the hope that the snow might settle so that he could got (lul to Traverse City for supplies, the ratiuns to the pigs had been curtailed al- most to the st.arxrition point so that there was not much left of the pigs, as he puts it. but their "s(|ueal." As a last resort, and entirely as an e.\])erinient, having never heard of the like before, he dro\e his pigs lo the woods one morning with the rest of the stock and. to his lUter amazement, they took right hold of the "browse," and from that day on to s])ring they followed the cattle every morning to the woods and he actually kept them the remainder of that winter on "browse." In 1867 Oren Fletcher settled in Wex- ford county and being a miller by trade, and seeing the absolute necessity of a grist-mill, he interested the people in the matter, and through the encouragements received and. donations offered, at once commenced the construction of the first grist-mill in the county, riic work was pushed vigorously and before \\ inter set in the settlers had the satisfaction of kn(-nving that they could get their gristing done wiliiout ha\ing to go twenty-five or thirty miles to Traverse City for it, as had hitherto been the case. This mil! was built on the creek ever since known as I'detciier creek and for some ten years was the only grist-mill in the county. It was also (Ui'ing the summer of 1867 that the work of putting the state road in passable shai)e for travel was completed. While a goodly number of .settlers had al- ready arrixed in the county o\er "the trail," it was, as the word indicates, only a "trail" in many places and far from being in a suit- al)le condition for travel. However, steps had beer, taken for an overland mail route and the first thing to be done was to put the state road in shape for travel. This being done, the mail route was established, aner there and back as it would to hire the work done by hand. The hotel was finished some time in January. 1872. and E. Gilbert, now a prosperous merchant at Sherman, was in- stalled as its first landlord. A large school house was also put up in the county seat town during the fall of 1871 and was ready for use in December of that year. Previ- ous to this there had been no public school in the new village, although a private school had been taught a part of the time, Mrs. Gilbert and H. B. Sturtevant having at different times been in charge as teacher. At the annual meeting of the board of supervisors in 1871 a resolution was passed authorizing the superintendents of poor to purchase a poor farm on section 16, in what is now Antioch township. This was done and the following summer a large two-story building was erected in which to care for such unfortunates as might be- come a county charge. In the early da\'s of 1872 there came to the county seat town two young and energetic men from Ibnvell. Liv- ingston county, to see what encourage- ment they could get toward the establish- ment of a newspaper. Everybody was anx- ious to have a newspaper started and it did not take long to secure pledges enough to warrant the venture, and on the first day of May. 1872, the first issue of the Wex- ford County Pioneer was printed. The publishers were Charles E. Cooper, late ed- itor of the Manton Tribune, and A. W. Tucker. This was the first newspaper ven- ture in the county. During the year 1872 three new town- ships were organized by the board of su- per\isors, \iz : Clam Lake, Cedar Creek and Antioch. Quite a village had sprung up where now stands the city of Cadillac, and it was not long until it became ap- parent that an effort would be made to se- cure the removal of the county seat from Sherman to the new village of Clam Lake. The inauguration, development and success of this effort will be treated in a separate chapter in order to give the details in a more connected manner than occasional ref- erence thereto with contemporaneous his- tory. The court house was completed in 1872 and also a county jail, thus giving the county ample room for its officers and courts, its prisoners and its paupers. In the spring of 1872 Rev. Jonas Den- ton, a Congregational minister, located at the county seat and through his efforts a Congregational church society was organ- ized with the following meml^ership, viz : H. I. Devoe and wife, C. L. Northrup and wife, A. Anderson and wife and Gifford Northrup. Ser\ices were held in the \il- lage school house once in two weeks, al- ternating with the ]\Iethodist Episco])al services. The new county had its first gen- uine experience with politics in 1872. In 242 WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. tliat year was held tlie first presidential election since the organization of the coun- ty. That election witnessed probably the greatest number of presidential candidates in the history of the country. There were seven in all, as follows: Gen. U. S. Grant, renominated by the Republican party; Horace Greeley, nominated by the Lib- eral Republicans and endorsed by one wing of the Democratic party; Charles O'Con- nor, nominated by the "straight-out" Dem- ocrats; James R. Black, by the Prohibition- ists; W. S. Groesl^eck, by the Revenue Re- formers; David Davis, by the Labor Re- form party, and Charles Francis Adams, by the Anti-Secret Society party. During this memorable campaign the first political club ever known in Wexford county was organized at the county seat. As a matter deemed worthy of historical preservation, the names of the meml>ers of Wexford county's first political club are here given as follows: W. J. Austin, L'. P. Champenois. E. Gilbert, J. H. Alberts, E. S. Carpenter, S. Gasser. Harvey Burt. E. J- Copley, N. L. Hanna, J. P. Barney, Jonas Denton, Isaac Johnson, Moses Cole, Mar- tin Daniels, T. H. Lyman. Charles E. Cooper, Charles Fancher, C. McClintock, William Cole, A. Finch. William McClin- tock, H. J. Carpenter, T. A. Ferguson, William Mears, Arthur Morrell, Nathan E. Soles, B. Woods, C. L. Northrup, H. B. Sturtevant. J. S. Walling, J. L. New1)erry, Stephen Snyder, S. C. Worth. J. B. Paul, A. E. Smith, George W. Wheeler. James Seaton, A. W. Tucker, J. S. York, J. H. Wheeler, forty. It was called the Grant and \\'ilson Club and of its forty memljers at least one-half are still living, and al- though a few hrne drifted into other po- litical organizations, nearly all of the sur- viving members are still true to the party whose principles they subscribed to over thirty years ago. We had few speeches, no torch-light processions, no barbecues, no bonfires ; in- deed, there was no occasion for such things, for Wexford county politics in those days was somewhat like the handle to a jug — w'onderfully one-sided. The total vote for presidential electors w^as three hundred and fifty-one, of which two hundred and sev- enty-seven were in favor of U. S. Grant and seventy-four for Horace Greeley. Neither of the other five candidates re- ceived a vote in Wexford county. At the November election in 1872 the following county officers were elected, all Republi- cans : Sherifi^. E. D. Abbott ; clerk, and register, H. B. Sturtevant : treasurer. F.zra Harger; prosecuting attorney and circuit court commissioner, S. S. Fallass; judge of probate. \\'illiani Mears; snr\eyor. A. K. Herrington. In this election Hon. T. A. Ferguson was elected representative in the state leg- islature for the district to which Wex- ford county was attached. The bill intro- duced by him, and which his efforts secured the passage of, which most largely inter- ested his constituents and gained for him their united praise was the act taxing rail- road lands. The railroad company claimed that their lands should not be taxed until five years after the issuing of the patents therefor, and even after the passage of this bill introduced by Mr. Ferguson they re- fused to pay the first ta.x levied against their lands, claiming the law to be unconsti- tutional. They took the case to the su- preme court, got beaten and thereafter their WEXFORD COUXTV. MICHIGAN. 243 lands hel[)e(l to pay the burden borne by the public for the support of government. During the summer of 1872 the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad was pushed on through the county and as a result another new village came into existence. It was at first called Cedar Creek, after the township in which it was located, but later the name was changed to Manton. This shortened the distance from the county seat to the railroad by nearly one-half and enabled the making of a round trip in a day instead of taking two days, as before. The mail route was soon changed and all railroad business was thereafter transferred to the new sta- tion. A second newspaper was started in the county in 1872, its first issue appearing June 1st. It was given the name of the Clam Lake News, and was published by C. L. Frazier for a few months, but in No- vember of that year its management was assumed by S. S. Fallass, the new prose- cuting attorney-elect. The year 1S72 witnessed the inau- i^uration of the stupendous lumbering (i])erations, which has at last swept away nearly the last vestige of the large tracts of pine timber which the county then possessed. In addition to the heavy opera- tions along the Manistee river, the new vil- lage of Clam Lake was a genuine lumbering town. As early as June, 1872, there had been two saw-mills, each with a capacity of twenty-five thousand feet per day, put in operation, and a few months later two oth- ers were started, with a capacity of forty and sixty thousand feet per day, respective- ly. These four mills manufactured about four million feet of luml)er per month, or nearly fifty million per year. If one stops a moment to contemplate the work of these mills, and those built soon afterward at Haring, Long Lake, Bond's Mills, McCoy's Siding and on the shores of Clam lake, and their constant operation for ten. fifteen and twenty years each, he can get some idea of the vast wealth in the pine forests in Wexford county at that early day. During the legislative session of 1873 an act was passed detaching the tow'nship of Cleon from Manistee county and attach- ing it to Wexford county. The act was thought to be unconstitutional, as it changed the boundaries of legislative and judicial districts in effect, though not specifically providing for such changes, consequently it had to be re-enacted at the next session of the legislature. This town remained a part of Wexford county until the year 1881, when, by act of the legislature, it was set back into Manistee county. While it re- mained in Wexford county, Alonzo Chubb, one of its most prominent citizens, was elected judge of probate for Wexford coun- ty and served a four-year term. Two new townships were organized by the legislature of 1873, viz: Haring and Greenwood, the former consisting of town- ship 22 north of range 9 west, and the lat- ter of town 24 north of ranges 9 and 10 west, making thirteen townships in the coun- ty. The first agricultural society in the coun- ty was organized in October, 1873, with Alonzo Chubb as president ; A. M. Lamb, of Clam Lake. T. A. Ferguson, of Hanover, and Warren Seaman, of Cedar Creek, vice- presidents ; George Manton, of Colfax, as secretary, and C. J. Rlankletow. of Selma, as treasurer. Rev. R. Rideoff succeeded Mr. Denton as pastor of the Congregational church at Sherman in April, 1873, '^"'i through his 244 WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. efforts the society built a churcli building- (luring the summer, which was dedicated October 1 1 of that year. This was the first cliurch Iniilding- erected at the county seat and the second in the county, the Methodist Episcopal society of Clam Lake having got- ten their church edifice in condition for oc- cupancy in July of that year. As a result of the taxation of the rail- roaeen borne ])y the people of the county. CHAPTER VI. WOMAN SUFFRAGE -STATE CENSUS—COUNTY ELECTIONS- BEAR TRAPPING. To show tliat Wexford county was still quite a wilderness in 1874, two local trappers, by the name of Walter and Jesse Mesick, caught twenty-four bears in the spring of that year, besides the capture of several others by other resitlents of the county. Deer were also very numerous and many a settler saved a considerable portion of his meat bill by eating venison ; in fact, many of them were without the necessary means to purchase meat, and wild meat was all they had. Many a saddle of venison was left at the door of needy settlers by the Mesick brothers, with no thought of re- ward. it must I)e borne in mind that the early settlers in this county, as in all new coun- ties, were of limited means, and by the time they had paid for moving their families and household goods thirty to fifty miles to their homesteads and had gotten u]) a little house to shelter them, their money in manv in- stances was about exhausted. One of to- day's prosperous men in Wexford county had to work out by day's work to earn the money to pay the freight on his goods aft- er their arrival at Traverse City. It was no uncommon occurrence that people would sometimes live for days and weeks upon potatoes and salt. Even leeks were resorted to as an article of diet by some, and there are merchants and ex-postmasters still fix- ing in the county who can well remember the odor brought into their places of busi- ness by those who resorted to this produc- tion of nature to eke out their scanty supply of food. It may be said that these men might have gone out and worked for others and earned enough to have lived more com- fortably, but let any such imagine a man WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 245 witli a family going twenty-iive miles from tiie nearest trading point, throngh a dense forest, and starting in to make a home. No team, no cow, nothing Init his hands with which to fell and clear away the monarchs of the forest and erect a log house to live in. His neighhors were few and, for the most part, in like circumstances as himself. When such conditions are realized, one can see that the result must have heen privation. Of course these pioneers had to work out some of the time, but they had the courage and fortitude to suffer privation for a time, that they might the sooner be in a position to raise the necessaries of life upon their own land. The census of 1874 showed a popula- tion of thirty-one hundred and twenty-five, as compared with six hundred and seventy in 1870, a gain of over four hundred and fifty per cent. This is the most rapid growth in the history of the county and was the direct result of the building of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad and the advent of newspapers in the county. Many a settler was induced to come to the coun- ty from reading about it in the papers pub- lished in the county. The legislature of 1873 passed a resolu- tion submitting to the people a constitu- tional amendment granting to women the right of suffrage, the vote on its adoption to be taken at the general election in No- vember, 1874. There was an animated dis- cussion of the question in the county dur- ing' the summer, but of course the amend- ment was defeated. The public mind was not ripe for such a movement at that early date. It might not Ije amiss to reproduce a prediction made by "Zelma," a correspond- ent of -the Wexford County Pioneer dur- ing that canvass: "But with all the oppo- sition men can offer, this measure will be- come a law all over the United States. 'Tis just as certain to be as the sun is to rise. It will probably be years before it becomes general, but, like the eels, they'll like it when they get used to it." This prophecy of near- ly thirty years ago has, in part, been ful- filled already, and who shall say the time will not come when it will be true entirely? The township of Liberty was organized by the board of supervisors in October, 1874, making fourteen organized townships in the county. The county campaign of 1874 was really the first hotly contested one hail in the county. Both parties put up strong tickets, and a vigorous fight was made by each. The opposing tickets were as follows : Sheriff, J. Shackleton, Repub- lican, J. E. Culver, Democrat ; treasur- er, E. Harger, Rep., I. H..]\Taqueston, Dem. ; clerk and register. H. B. Sturtevant, Rep. : clerk, E. Shay, Dem. ; register, I. N. Carpenter, Dem. ; prosecuting attorney and circuit court commissioner, D. A. Rice, Rep., E. F. Sawyer, Dem. ; surveyor, C. J. Mankleton, Rep., S. H. Beardsley, Dem. : superintendent of schools, A. K. Harring- ton, Rep., William L. Tilden, Dem.; coro- ners, H. N. Green and George Roth, Reps., H. B. Wilcox and William E. Dean, Dems. The Republicans elected their entire ticket except the surveyor, though some of the majorities were quite small. Sheriff Shackleton had 226 majority ; H. B. Sturt- evant had 1 13 majority for clerk and 80 for register; E. Harger had 22^ majority for treasurer; S. H. Beardsley (Dem.). 39 ma- jority for surveyor; D. .\. Rice had 483 majority for prosecuting attorney, and cir- cuit court commissioner, Mr. Sawyer having 246 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. withdrawn from the contest; A. K. Har- rington had 227) majority for superintend- ent of schools ; and H. N. Green and George l^oth had 214 and 8, respectively, for cor- oners. Hon. T. A. Ferguson was renominated for representative in tlie state legislature, his ojjponent being a Mr. Holbrook, of Clam Lake. Owing to the fact that Mr. Ferguson in his first term had secured the passage of the bill annexing Cleon to Wex- ford county, and the further fact that it was thought to be necessary to do the work over again to make it entirely legal, and also to the fact that the people of Clam Lake did not want the town to remain in \\'e.xford county, as it tended to prevent the removal of the county seat to that village, the Clam Lake News, a Republican journal, espoused the candidacy of Mr. Holbrook. the nomi- nee of the Democratic party, and did all in its power to secure his election. Notwith- standing this, Mr. Ferguson was elected by nearly five hundred majority in the district. The first agricultural fair in Wexford county was held in October, 1874. A very good display was made in the various de- partments, but, owing to the newness of the country, the only fruit shown was a plate of grapes grown by H. J. Carpenter. C. L. Northrup, one of the early settlers in the county, having taken up the study of the law in the office of T. A. Ferguson, was ad- mittetl to the bar in the summer of 1874 and commenced practicing with Mr. Ferguson, the name of the new firm being Ferguson & Nortrup. .\s previously stated, the Grand Rap- ids & Indiana Railroad Company took the case of the taxation of their lands to the su- preme court, and in March, 1875. a decision was' reached upholding the law and requir- ing the company to pay taxes that had been assessed aginst its lands. As a result of this decision, there was paid into the treasury of Wexford county in the spring of 1875 the sum of $33,207.08, which should have been paid during the two preceding years. .\ large portion of the money — in fact, near- ly all of it— went back to the townships, consequently the latter were enabled to make great improvements in roads and school houses and to pay up indebtedness caused by the refusal of the railroad company to pay their ta.xes when they were due. At the spring election in 1875 Harrison H. Wheeler was elected judge of the cir- cuit to which Wexford county belonged, over S. W. Fowler, of Manistee, his Dem- ocratic opponent. Judge Wheeler had previ- ously served the circuit some time, having been appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge White. So well was Judge Wheeler liked that he received almost the solid vote of Wexford county and in several townships in the county there was not a vote cast for his opponent. In those days there was no limit to the number of special meetings the board of supervisors could have during a year, and such meetings were sometimes \ery fre- quent. To such an extent were these special meetings inchilged in that it came to be re- marked, when the notice of a special meet- ing was seen, "It must be that the super- visors are getting out of pork again." Two of these special sessions of the lx)ard were held during the summer of 1875. at lx)th of which a petition for the organization of a township, to be called the township of Sum- mit, was presented, .\ction on these i)eti- tions was frustrated at lx)th of these meet- IJ-EXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 247 iiigs, principally because of the bearing the organization of this town would have on the county seat question, but at the annual ses- sion of the board the matter was again brought up under a new petition, asking that the same territory be organized into a township to be called Boon. This effort was successful and another township was added to the roll of townships in the county. The Colorado potato beetle, a few spec- imens of which hail been noticed in 1874, became quite numerous in 1875. Many ways of destroying them were suggested and tried, but nothing except the poison method succeeded. Much was said at the time against the use of paris green, it be- ing claimed that the plant would absorb the poison and convey it to the tubers and thus injure those who ate them, but experience has proved the fallacy of such reasoning. Much was written about the new pest, and the general Ijelief was that it would not re- main long, but pass away like the locusts. Subsequent experience, however. has shown this little beetle to have the great- est staying qualities of anything known to the nineteenth century. It seems a little strange that this destructive beetle should have remained in its native haunts and let potatoes grow for two or three hundred years unmolested, and then sucklenly swoop down upon the whole land in numbers suf- ficient to destroy the entire crop, if let alone. Perhaps the rapaciousness of its appetite can be partially accounted for by these long years of waiting for its favorite dish of 1X3- tatoes. The most destructive June frost ever ex- perienced in the count)- occurred on June 12, 1875. Winter wheat and rye had headed out and were thus ruined by the frost. A few settlers tried the experiment of mowing down the growth already made, and those who did so were rewarded with a second growth, which yielded ten or twelve bushels to the acre, but the fields that were left uncut proved almost an utter failure. The frost was so severe that it killed the new growth on the beech tree branches and the leaves as well. It did no injury to fruit, for the very good reason that there had been no fruit trees planted long enough to bud or blossom. The usual early snow falls did not occur in the fall of 1875 and the year closed with the mild- est weather for the season ever before known since the first settlement of the coun- ty. Games of base ball were played the first day of the year 1876 in Sherman, and it was not until near the close of January that sufiicient snow fell to make g(X)d sleighing. An effort was made early in 1876 to organize a company to be known as The Manistee River Navigation Company, with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, the object being to put a boat on the river to run between Manistee and Sherman, but the project was abandoned as sufficient sub- scription for stock could not be secured. The first mowing machine brought into Wexford county was purchased by Jerome Hartley in the summer of 1876. Previous to this time all hay and grain raised in the county had been cut with the scythe and the cradle. At the election of November, 1876, the county cast nine hundred and thirty-eight votes for president, six hun- dred and eighteen for Hayes and Wheeler, three hundred and eighteen for Tilden and Hendricks, one for Peter Cooper (Green- 248 WEXFORD COUXTY, MICHIGAX. back) and one for the Prohibition candi- date. The new county officers were all Re- I)ublican, thongh one of them, Alonzo Chubb, judge of probate, was elected on an "independent" ticket, defeating the Repub- lican nominee for that office. Rev. .\. L. Thurston. As a general, rather than a local, his- toric fact, it might lie well to mention the first effort toward the resumption of specie payment by the government. Congress had provided for the coinage of twenty-six mil- lions of silver bullion into minor coins with w'hich to redeem the fractional paper cur- rency^ that had served the people for "change" since 1863. It was a novel thing to many of the younger people to see "hard" money instead of "soft" money in circula- tion, as no one under eighteen years of age could remember to have seen the like before. It was not lung until the great volume of "shin ])lastcrs" had entirely disappeared and their ])lace hlled by the minor silver coins. This was a wonderful help in paving the way for a complete resumption of specie payment, which was brought alx)ut only a few years later. The legislature of 1877 passed a law granting a city charter to the village of Clam Lake, though under a new name, Cadillac. It is quite doubtbul if this little town would have thought of being made a city, much less to change its name, had it not been for its desire to liecome the county seat. A bill of this kind would have met with strenuous objections from other sections of the county had not its origin and pathway through the legislature been shielded by a new and mysterious name. So completely did this name hide the object of the bill that no one e.xcept those on the "inside" were aware of the object sought until it had passed both houses and been signed by the governor. This act provided for dividing the city into three wards and giving to each ward a supervisor, who, of course, was a member of the board of supervisors, thus giving to the townshij) of Clam Lake a representa- tion of four on the board, one from the town and three from the city, that was within the limits of the to\m, except a little strip that was taken from the township of Rar- ing. There were only about six or seven hundred people in the new city, the school census for the previous year showing but three hundred and fifty children of school age in the entire township of Clam Lake, including the village . The number of school children in the other townships of the county at that time was as follows : Antioch, 90; Cedar Creek, 119; Cherry Grove, 25 ; Cleon, 23 ; Colfax, 92 : Green- wood. 8; Hano\er, 58; Haring, 10: Hen- derson, 4; Lilxjrty, 13; Selma, 51; Spring- ville, 20; Wexford, 100; total for the coun- ty, 958. Another new township by the name of Sherman, was organized in 1877, consisting of section i in town 23. north of range 12 west, section 6 in town 23, north of range 1 1 west, section 31 in town 24, north of range 1 1 west, and section 36 in town 24, north of range 12 west. During the latter part of the year 1877 a company was organized with the object in view of building a narrow gauge rail- road from Sherman to Cadillac. A pre- liminary surxey was made of the projxised road and the route pronounced feasible, but the promoters were not able to interest cap- italists with sufficient means to warrant the building of the road and nothing further was ever done in the matter. CHAPTER VII. THE COUNTY SEAT— EFFORTS TO SECURE ITS REMOVAL FROM SHER- MAN—SCHEMES TO PREVENT REMOVAL— FINAL RESULT. The first effort made for the removal of tlie county seat from Sherman was at the annual meeting of the board of supervisors in 1872. Mr. Hollister, supervisor from Clam Lake township, introduced the reso- lution, and the place designated for the pro- posed location was the village of Clam Lake. This resolution was defeated by a vote of four yeas to five nays. Not daunted by this defeat, Mr. Hollister renewed his efforts at the January meeting of the board in 1873. but the result was more disastrous than before, there being but three votes for the resolution to six against. During the legislatixe session of 1873 the township of Cleon, as before stated, was attached to Wexford county, which was a purely coun- ty-seat move. The legislature had some scruples against taking this town away from Manistee county and placing it in Wexford county, and it was necessary to secure a petition signed by residents of Manistee county, outside of the township of Cleon, as well as those in that township, who favored the proposition. According- ly a messenger was sent to Manistee vil- lage with a properly drawn petition and a long list of names was secured. To show how easily one can get names signed to al- most any kind of a petition, this messenger reported that he would go ino a saloon, call up all hands for a drink, pull out his petition, and nine out of ten would sign it without reading it or hearing it read. To look at the petition when it came back one would think that every last resident of Manistee wanted Cleon to go, and would almost be willing to pay something if she would go. W^ith petitions by the yard from Wex- ford county, the names upon which were too often fictitious, and such a formidable petition from Manistee county, it was not very hard to convince the legislature that Wexford county ought to have Cleon. One of the strong arguments used was the de- scription of an almost impenetrable swamp adjoining Cleon on the west and south which made it almost impossible to get to Manistee, twenty-five miles away, while the distance to Sherman, the county seat of Wexford county, was only six to eight miles, with- comparatively good roads. The arguments and petitions did their work and Cleon come into Wexford county and re- 250 WEXFORD COUXTV, MICHIGAN. mained with us until 1881. With five su- pervisors tliat could be depended upon to vote against removal, the question was not again brought before the board of supervis- ors until June. 1876, although it frequently cropped out in the newspapers and once again in the legislature, in 1875, when the Cleon bill liad 10 be re-enacted, owing to the fact that the first l)iil was thought to be un- constitutional. On the 14th of June, 1876, two resolu- tions for removal were introduced at a special meeting of the board of supervisors, one by Warren Seaman, of Cedar Creek township, for removal to Manton village, which had by this time become an aspirant for county-seat honors, and the other by William Kelley, of Clam Lake township, to remove to the village of Clam Lake. On each of these resolutions the votes stood, yeas, eight, and nays, eight. .\t a special meeting of the board held January 11, 1877, a resolution was intro- duced ])y R. D. Cuddeback, supervisor of Haring township, to remove the county seat to section 5, in town 23, north of range 9 west, the vote on wliich resolution was six yeas and nine nays. When it became known, some time in March. 1877, that the village of Clam Lake had been transformed into a city under the name of Cadillac, and that after the first Monday in April she would have three members on the board of supervisors, steps were at once taken to checkmate this new scheme for the removal of the county seat. I'lans were devised for the organization of four new townships in the northern part of tlie county, in order to hold the balance of power on the board of supervisors. One of these new townships was to consist of that part of Cedar Creek township lying on the west side of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, and was to be called Westside. .\nother was to consist of the north half of the township of Colfax and to be called Wheatland. The third was to consist of town 22, north of range 12 west, t(^gether with the southern tier of sections from town 23, north of range 12 west, which were put in. in order to have voters enough to hold the offices, and was to be christened Dover, and the fourth was the township of Sher- man, heretofore described. In order to get these towns organized and officers elected in time to prevent any mischief which might be done by the addition of the three new supervisors from the city of Cadillac, a special meeting of the board was called for March 30th. For fear that dilatory- tactics would be resorted to in this work, a rule was adopted as soon as the board was called to order, which provided that no member should speak more than once on any sub- ject without the consent of the board and should not have more than fifteen minutes time without such consent. L'nder this "gag rule" the resolutions organizing these towns were passed. The board took a recess until seven o'clock in the evening, and the supervisors from the northeast part of the county requested a conference at the house of H. B. Sturte- \ant with the supervisors from the north- west part of the county before the Iward should re-assemble. The object of this con- ference was kept an entire secret until all were present, when the subject of a vote to remo\e the county seat to Manton was broached. The writer was a member of that conference, and when this proposition was made the Sherman supervisors, as those WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 251 from the northwest part of the county were designated, protested and argued that the question of removal had not been consid- ered in the preliminary work of making tiiese four towns, only so far as it would offset the ad\antage that Cadillac had gained by the city charter. The supervisors from Manton were obstinate and when the Sherman supervisors would not yield, they declared that they would have the resolu- tions organizing the new towns reconsid- ered if they could not secure the passage of a resolution to remove the county seat to Manton. This ojien threat was too much for the Sherman suj^ervisors and they "bolted" the conference. When the evening session of the board con\-ened the Manton members, true to their threat, moved to reconsider one after an- otlier of these organization resolutions and lay them upon the table, the Cadillac su- per\isors being only too glad to assist in this work. A halt was called when the Sherman resolution was reached and then it began to dawn upon the members from Manton that they were playing with dan- gerous weapons, and an effort was made to take these resolutions from the table, but a motion was immediately made to adjourn, and, in explaining his vote on this motion, S. S. Fallass, of Clam Lake, took the floor and made a lengthy speech, reading copi- ous extracts from the statutes of the state and the constitution to consume time. He was called to order time and again, but the chairman ruled that he was not out of or- der, and when an appeal was taken and a majority voted against the ruling of the chair, the chairman boldly asserted that it took a two-thirds vote to overrule the de- cision of the chair, and thus Mr. Fallass was allowed to continue his random, time-con- suming speech, and openly declared he would talk the session into Sunday before he would yield the floor for any motion ex- cept to adjourn. He even went so far as to send over to the hotel about ten o'clock for a lunch and ate his lunch during the inter- vals in his speech, until finally the board, becoming convinced that they were power- less to do business under the decision of the chair, adjourned, leaving the one township of Shemian saved out of the wreck. This was practically the turning point in the county-seat struggle, for had the resolu- tions organizing these other towns re- mained as originally passed, Sherman would have held the key to the county-seat situation and would doubtless still have re- tained the county seat. The supervisor from the new township of Sherman was, for a long time, denied a seat upon the board of supervisors, through another ar- bitrary act of the clerk in refusing to call his name, it being claimed that the organi- zation of the town was illegal. The matter was taken to the courts, where the organiza- tion was sustained, after which the super- visor was accorded his rights upon the board. At this March meeting of the board of supervisors another resolution for the re- moval of the county seat was offered, this time to section 3.?, in Colfax township. This point was very nearly the geograph- ical center of the county and on the shore of Dayhuff lake, quite a pretty sheet of water at that time, but which, through the clear- ing up of the surrounding lands, is gradu- ally drying up. This resolution was tabled. 252 WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. pending the passage of the resohitions to organize the new townships and, hke those resolutions, laid on the table and died. The broaching of this subject of mov- ing the county seat to the center of the county was to form a combination to secure all the votes possible in favor of removal to some place. The insincerity of the talk of the supervisors about the county seat go- ing to the center of the county, where it would be as far from a railroad as it was from Sherman to the railroad, was so trans- parent that it deceived no one, although it might have had some little influence occa- sionally with the supervisor of that town, Colfax. However we find that on the i6th day of April, 1877, a resolution was offered by S. S. Fallass, supervisor of the second ward of Cadillac, to remove the county seat to this same point on the Dayhuff lake. This resolution was killed on a tie vote, nine to nine, as was a similar resolution of- fered by R. S. McClain on May 31. 1877. On this last-named date Mr. Fallass offered a resolution of removal to Cadillac, which received ten yeas to eight nays, but not hav- ing the requisite two-thirds of the board, as provided for in the statutes. On neither of these questions was the supervisor from Sherman allowed to vote, although pres- ent at every meeting of the board. June I, 1877, ^^^- Fallass again offered a reso- lution of removal to the center of the coun- ty, which, like all its predecessors, failed to pass, the vote being nine to nine. June 12, 1877, W. r. Smith, supervisor of Cedar Creek township, oft'ered a resolution to re- move the county seat to the village of Man- ton, but it was killed on a tie vote, nine to nine. The same day William Kelley, of Cadillac, introduced a resolution to re- move the county seat to Cadillac, but there is no record of a vote being taken on this resolution. The matter was then allowed to rest un- til the January meeting in 1878. There were three resolutions for removal offered at this meeting, one by S. S. Fallass, to re- move the county seat to Cadillac, one by Supervisor Dayhuff, to remove to the cen- ter of the county, and one by H. C. Mc- Farlan, supervisor of Cedar Creek, to re- move to Manton. Mr. Dayhuff's resolution was lost, the vote standing ten yeas and nine nays. The next vote was upon the resolu- tion to remove to Manton and this received the necessary two-thirds of the votes, the result being thirteen yeas to six nays. This resolution having been adopted, of course the one introduced by Mr. Fallass was not voted upon. The resolution to remove the county seat to Manton provided that the popular vote should be on the first Monday in April, 1879, and the Manton people were quite elated at the prospect of that town be- ing the seat of justice for the county, for they confidently believed that the proposi- tion would be ratified by the people, but when the vote upon the question was can- vassed there proved to be only two hun- dred and ninety for removal and nine hun- dred and seventy-one against, so the coun- ty seat still remained at Sherman. The sixteenth resolution for removal was offered March 5, 1880, by S. S. Fallass, the place designated in the resolution be- ing at the center of the county, but his res- olution was defeated by a vote of seven yeas to ten nays. By this time the Cadillac side of the fight, under the leadership of Col. T. J. Thorp, who was then county clerk I and register of deeds, came to the conclu- py EX FORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 253 sion tliat it would be better to get the coun- ty seat away from Sherman, even if it went to Man ton, and trust to the future to get it to Cadillac. They were aware of the fact that there was a tacit understanding between the Manton and Sherman interests whereby Sherman would have to favor Manton whenever a resolution favoring the latter place came before the board, as it was feared that otherwise Manton would join hands with Cadillac to spite Sherman. Banking on these conditions, they said to Manton, "You introduce another reso- lution to remove the county seat to Manton, and test the good faith of the Sherman people, and you will find that we will be as loyal to you as Sherman will." According- ly, on tlie 13th of October, 1881, Supervisor McFarlan, of Cedar Creek, introduced the seventeenth resolution for the removal of the county seat, and designated the village of Manton as the proposed new location. When the roll was called upon the question of adopting the resolution it was found that sixteen supervisors had voted in the affirm- ative and only two in the negative. Many thought that while the supervis- ors from the city of Cadillac and surround- ing towns had \-oted that the county seat should go to Mant(in, their constituents would not do likewise when called upon to ratify or reject the proposition, but this time, as before stated, the people of Cadillac had determined to get the prize cm the wing and try and prevent it from getting much of a foothold until it was landed in Cadillac. Sherman, too, must needs give a good vote in favor of Manton, else Manton. failing to get it, would accuse Sherman of bad faith, and these two localities would then be at odds. Therefore it is not surprising that a heavy vote in favor of Manton was polled. Had the people of Sherman known just what the plans of the Cadillac people were, the vote would have been somewhat different, but the result showed that if every vote in the northwest part of the coun- ty had been cast against removal, it would still have carried by a large majority, as Manton and Cadillac gave practically a sol- id vote in favor of the proposition. The total vote on this question was twelve hun- dred and fifty-five, of which eleven hundred and nine were in favor of removal and one hundred and forty-six against. Thus, aft- er a struggle of nearly nine years, Sherman at last had to part with the county seat. The agitation was not to stop here, how- ever, and even before the county property had been conveyed to its new home, Mr. Fallass. a supervisor from Cadillac, on the 27th day of April, 1881, introduced the eighteenth resolution on this subject, which was referred to the committee on towns and counties and never reported out. During the summer of 1881 the people of Cadillac, profiting by the scheme resorted to by the northern part of the county. — splitting up townships for the purpose of increasing the membership of the board of supervisors, — fiirmnlated a plan to organize six new town- ships. To carry out this plan, a special meeting of the board was called in August, at which the petitions for organizing these six townships were presented and granted by the board. It should be here stated that Henry F. May, of Cadillac, was elected as representative to the state legislature in 1880 and during the session of that body, in the winter of 1881, succeeded in getting a bill passed setting Cleon back into Manis- tee countv. and another disorganizing: the 254 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. townsliip of Sherman. Before these bills took effect and while a majority of the board of supervisors were opposed to the county seat going to Cadillac, the township of Concord was organized, consisting of the east half of the former township of Sher- man and section 5, in Antioch, and section 32, in Hanover. This organization was de- clared by the courts to be illegal, and thus the number of supervisors opposed to an- other remo\-al of the county seat was di- minished by two, giving the Cadillac inter- ests a majority of the board, but not the requisite two-thirds to secure the long- wished-for prize. The object in organiz- ing these six new townships was to secure this two-thirds vote. Of these six town- ships, five of them were made by splitting up the township of Haring, which was then the scene of active lumliering operations, having a saw-mill at Haring station, an- other at McCoy's siding, another at Bond's Mills and still another at Long Lake. These five townships were named Copley. Kysor, Garfield, Lindon and Long Lake. The sixth new town was matle from the north half of Cherry Grove and w'as called Nel- son. The vote on the organization of these townships is recorded as ten yeas and one nay, there being nothing to show whether the rest of the boanl of supervisors were present or not. The first election for these new town- ships was fixed for the first Monday in Feb- ruary, 1882, and a set of township officers Avas at that time duly elected for each of them. Another special meeting of the board of suijervisors was called for Febru- ary 14th, at which all of these new town- ships were represented on the board. The right of these representati\es from the new townships to seats on the board was ques- tioned and the matter was referred to a speciaj committee for investigation. Pend- ing the report of this committee. Supervis- or J. R. Bishop, of the second ward of Cad- illac, offered the nineteenth and final reso- lution, to date, for the removal of the coun- ty seat from Manton to Cadillac. Without the six new townships, the Cadillac con- tingent must gain one vote from the oppo- sition in order to have this resolution adopted, while with the new towns they had votes to spare. What inducements were held out to gain this one vote from the enemy was not, and perhaps never will be, known, but the vote on the resolution was taken before the report of the committee alx)ve referred to was made, and it dis- closed a startling fact to the people of Man- ton. The supervisor from Liberty, a town- ship adjoining that in which Manton vil- lage was located, had voted for the resolu- tion, giving it exactly the two-thirds re- cjuired for its passage — twelve yeas and six nays. The object sought in the organi- zation of the six new townships having been accomplished without their actual partici- pation therein, the committee reported that they found the organization of the new townships "fatally defective, and that the said townships have no legal existence, and that to avoid all complications that might otherwise arise, we recommend that the su- pervisors froin the said townships be de- clared not entitled to seats on this board." This report was adopted and thus the mush- room townships of a few months' growth died a natural death, without a pang or a struggle. They had wrought the desired work, howe\'er, by showing what could be done, and thus inriuencinq: one man to vote WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 255 against his constituents, against the inter- ests of his section of the county, and prob- ably against his own conscience. The question of removal, having thus been placed before the people again to be voted upon, at the ensuing April election, was carried by a vote of thirteen hundred and sixty-three for removal to six hundred and thirty-six against, and at daybreak the morning after the vote was taken the peo- ple of Manton were aroused by the toot of a special train which had come up from Cadillac for the county property. They ral- lied out sufficient force to baffle for the time being the efforts to take the county's property on board the cars, and the train went back to Cadillac with only part of its object carried out. .V call was made for volunteers to go back to Manton for the rest of the public property, which was responded to by alx)ut one hundred and fifty mill men and campmen, many of them taking along a bottle or two of "fire water," and by the time they reached Manton tlrey were ready for any undertaking. Under such circum- stances it is quite needless to say that be- fore noon all the county property was safe- ly housed in Cadillac. The reason for this unseemly haste in taking the county property to Cadillac was to prevent the delay and expense of in- junction proceedings, which had been threatened in case the popular vote was in favor of Cadillac. Such proceedings would have been dragged out at as great a length as possible to enable Manton to hold on to the prize that much longer, even if she had to let it slip in the end. This brought the county seat warfare to a final end. At times it had been very bitter, and its inner history would reveal a vast deal more of corruption than it is worth while here to portray. One or two incidents will suffice to show to what lengths such things will sometimes run. There were several times in the history of this struggle when the change of one vote would mean the passage of a resolution for removal. On one of these occasions one supervisor had been approached and offered ten dollars to vote for a resolution to remove the county seat to Clam Lake. He told the party he would do it, and received the money, but when his name was called to vote upon the resolution he revealed the whole transaction, told who had given him the money, and then voted against the reso- lution. There was much confusion among the friends of removal at this turn in affairs and considerable talk of arrests for at- tempted bribery, but nothing was done in the matter. At another time three hundred dollars was paid to a supervisor living near Sher- man and an agreement made to buy his farm at a good price and give him a house and lot in Clam Lake, in consideration for which he was to vote for a resolution to re- move the county seat to that village. He was to be furnished protection from violence from the people of Sherman, whom he woultl thus have betrayed and whose wrath he expected the act would have merited, and would undoubtedly have voted for the reso- lution when the board met had he not, in an unguarded moment, made a confidant of a fellow workman, who laid the matter before H. B. Sturtevant, who was then clerk and register, largely through whose efforts the scheme miscarried. When the board con- vened there were a score or more of people at Sherman from Clam Lake, besides the supervisor, and arrangements had been 256 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. made by the Sherman people with WiUiam McCHntock, who was running a kiinber camp four miles east of Sherman, to be on hand with a large number of his men to see that no one was molested after the vote was taken. Odds of two to one were offered by the Clam Lake sympathizers that the resolution would pass, so confident were they that the arrangement would be carried out. Even George A. ]\Iitchell, the one who had platted and fostered the village of Clam Lake, was present to witness, as he sup- posed, the end of his efforts to secure the county seat. The excitement was intense until the announcement of the vote deciding the resolution lost, when a great shout went up from the people of Sherman over the de- feat of their enemies and a corresponding look of dismay was displayed by the friends of the resolution. Tiie Sherman people were so sure that they would come out ahead that they had prepared to celebrate their victory by the firing of anvils, and had already commenced this work when Mr. Mitchell came along on horseback. ha\ing started on his return home, and begged the boys to desist until he could get by with his horse. This request was cheerfully com- plied with and after he had ridden past he was given a parting salute. For many years following the removal of the county seat from INIanton to Cadillac there remained a bitter feeling on the part of those who had "loved and lost," and even yet there occasionally crops out a tinge of this bitterness, but nearly all parts of the county \\z\t come to realize that the present location is the proper one and the most con- venient for the majority of those whose business calls them to the countv seat. CHAPTER VIII. NEW JUDICI.VL CIRCUIT— GREENB.VCK PARTY. Taking up the thread of our history where we left oft' to narrate the events con- nected with the county-seat struggle, we commence with the year 1878. As yet there had been \ery little agitation of the Green- back question in Wexford county, but the county iiad arrived at that stage where there were a good many more aspirants for office than there were offices to fill, and it fre- quently occurred that there were defeated candidates in the ranks of Ijotli the okl i)ar- ties who, holding spoils aboxe jirinciple, were ready to do almost anything that they thought would land themselves in a good office. In the meantime the question of the re- sumption of specie payment by the govern- ment was being agitated and as a condition IV EX FORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. precedent to such action tlie volume of greenbacks was gradually reduced. This in a measure caused a contraction of the cir- culating medium, and this was taken up by those who were anxious to have a new party organized, that they might have a chance to once more get a taste of the "loaves and fishes," and accordingly the new party started out with an active and schooled leadership. Many speakers were employed throughout the state, and in Wexford county a thorough canvass was made. The new party wanted an "organ" in the county, and as both the county papers were Repub- lican they tried to get control of one of them — the Pioneer — and make it a Green- back paper. H. F. Campbell, who had been working on the paper for about a year, had secured an option to purchase it at a stated price by paying one hundred dollars down and the balance in one year. As the time approached for making this payment Mr. Campbell saw he was going to be unable to meet it, and a consultation was had among the Republican candidates on the county ticket and other Republicans at the county seat, the result being that J. H. Wheeler furnished the one hundred dollars to make the payment agreed upon, and became a half owner of the paper. The former ow-ner was so anxious to get the paper back that he refused to take the money offered him, and a legal tender had to be made, and he was obliged in the end to take it. The campaign was waged with the ut- most \igor. the Democrats and Green back- ers having "fused" on the county ticket, and through their untiring efforts they suc- ceeded in electing one of their candidates, the treasurer, by a small niajority. The candidates and the votes each polled were as follows : Sheriff, William Kelley, Rep., 407; William Marin, Dem., 355. Clerk and register, C. J. Manlelow, Rep., 559; A. J. Teed. Dem., 518. Treasurer, R. D. Cudde- back. Rep., 399; E. Shay, Dem., 499. Prose- cuting attorney, D. A. Rice, Rep., 537 ; E. F. Sawyer, Dem., 521. Circuit court commis- sioner, D. E. Mclntyre, Rep., 544; E. F. Sawyer, Dem., 523. It will thus be seen that the largest ma- jority any candidate on the Republican ticket received was fifty-two for Sheriff Kelley. Mr. Kelley died before the time arri\ed for him to assume the duties of his office, January i, 1879, and a special election was held on the first Monday of April to fill the vacancy, at which election Charles C. Dunham was elected, receiving five hun- dred and seventy-nine votes to four hundred and four cast for E. Harger and two hun- dred and thirty-two for I'Vank Weaver. On the 5th of August. 1878, George A. Mitchell, the founder of the village of Clam Lake (now city of Cadillac), met with a fatal accident on the streets of that village. The village was yet in its infancy and the main streets were incumbered with the stumps from which the pine trees had been cut. Mr. Mitchell had a shingle mill at that time on Pine street, and while return- ing to his home from the mill he was thrown from his buggy, his head striking against a stump by the roadside, rendering him un- conscious, from which state he never fully recovered. He died August 8, and his death was a severe blow to the community. He was a very public-spirited man. having do- nated sites for the different churches in the village and giving liberally of his means toward the erection of church buildings. 258 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. W'lieii tlie war of the Rebellion commenced " he was given the appointment of paymaster. He proved such a competent and energetic official that when the war closed he had risen to the rank of brevet lieutenant-colonel. During his services in this position he re- ceived and paid out millions of dollars for the government, and it was said of him that his accounts always balanced to a cent. It had been one of his greater desires to see the county seat located in Clam Lake and he had reserved block "F" of the original plat for such purpose, but his death came nearly four years before its arrival. About this time E. Shay, mentioned heretofore as having been elected county treasurer in the fall of 1878, invented a logging engine which practically revolu- tionized logging operations. Hitherto all logging had been done with teams and sleighs in the winter and with "big wheels" with occasional "tram." or "i)ole," roads in the summer. With this new invention it was possible to haul long trains of log cars over considerable grades and at much less expense than with teams, and to extend lumbering operations to a much greater dis- tance from the mills, or water courses, with profit, than could possibly be done by handling the logs with teams. With the aid of this new means of conveying forest prod- ucts to the mills, the mill owners of Cadillac began to enlarge their holdings of timber by purchasing tracts in adjoining counties, and thus the lumbering business, which it was thought could not last more than eight or ten years, has continued until the present time, with timber enough still in sight to keep the mills of Cadillac busy for the next fifteen or twenty years. It was not long after the inauguration of the narrow-gauge railroad logging that it was found practica- ble to move logs on the standard railroads, and this business has now grown to such gi- gantic proportions that the railroads find it almost impossible to furnish cars enough to supply the demand and logs are often car- ried a hmidred miles to be manufactured. The extension of one of these logging railroads, running northeasterly from Cad- illac, gave Lake City, in Missaukee county, her first railroad connection with the out- side world. This was known as the Cadillac & Northeastern Railroad, and for several years it ran regular passenger trains to Lake City. The Grand Rapids & Indiana Rail- road finally extended its Long Lake branch to Lake City, and the Cadillac & Northeast- ern discontinued its passenger trains, but was still used for logging purposes until the summer of 1901, when, having exhausted the supply of timber through which it ran, it was abandoned and its rails and rolling stock were used in building and equipping a similar road which is now penetrating the forests in a northwesterly direction from the city of Cadillac, supplying the mills and chemical plant of Cummer, Diggins & Com- pany with the necessary material to keep them in constant operation. The Greenback heresy had somewhat lost its hold upon the people in 1880 and as a result the Republican county ticket nomi- nated that year was elected by old-time ma- jorities, except the treasurer, for which office the vote was quite evenly divided, and also on prosecuting attorney, for which office there were three candidates, D. A. Rice running as an independent candidate. The candidates and the vote for each is here- with given : Judge of probate, H. N. Green, Rep., WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 259 926; I. N. Carpenter, Deni., 707. Sheriff, C. C. Diinliam, Rep., 1190; W. H. Gushing, Dem., 404. County clerk, T. J. Thorp, Rep., 852; J. Crowley, Dem., 495; C. J. Mankleton, Intl., 301. Register of deeds, T. J. Thorp, Rep., 774; J. Crowley, Dem., 502; C. J. Mankleton, Ind., 300. Treas- urerr, John Mansfield, Rep., 878; H. C. Mc- Farlan, Dem., 755. Prosecuting attorney, S. J. Wall, Rep., 738; J. B. Rosevelt, Dem., 292; D. A. Rice, Ind., 600. The legislature which convened in Janu- ary, 1 88 1, passed an act creating the twenty - eighth judicial circuit, composed of Benzie, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Roscommon and Wexford counties. The first judge of the new circuit was John M. Rice, who was appointed soon after the act creating the circuit took effect, but resigned in April, 1882. His successor was Silas S. Fallass, •then living" in Cadillac, who served out the balance of the term for which Judge Rice was appointed and the next full term of six years. Wexford county has been honored by furnishing a judge for the twenty-eighth judicial circuit ever since its first organiza- tion until the present time. The several in- cumbents have been John M. Rice, Silas S. Fallass, Fred H. Aldrich and Clyde C. Chit- tenden, who is now serving his third year on the bench. Great improvements had been made in the county for the first ten years of its ex- istence as a county, as shown by the census of 1S80, which showed a population of sixty-eight hundred and fifteen, compared with thirty-one hundred and ninety-four at the state census of 1874 and sevea hundred and eighty in 1870. Many pieces of land were purchased by new settlers from the railroad company, and from the state, which had reserved several thousand acres of the farming lands in the county, under an act authorizing the reservation of a large quantity of land for the support of an agri- cultural college. This last class of lands could be purchased then for three dollars per acre, and only one-quarter of this was required at the time of purchase, the balance to run as long as the purchaser chose to let it run, by paying interest at the rate of seven per cent, per annum. The railroad lands were for a long time sold on one-quarter payment at time of purchase and balance in four or five annual payments. The price of the railroad lands varied according to location, but none were sold for less than six dollars per acre. Many people have thought that the land-grant system was a great injury to the county, but in the light of experience this claim will hardly stand close scrutiny. Had all the land in the county been subject to homestead entry the timber would largely have disappeared, as farming would have been the chief industry, and the vast forests of hardwood woukl have been swept away to enable the homesteaders to raise the necessaries of life. In looking over the county at the present time one may see hun- dreds of farms upon which once stood a splendid growth of hardwood, nearly all of which disappeared long before it had any commercial value. By occasionally raising the price of their lands the state and the railroad company had to keep most of their lands until the time was ripe for the utiliza- tion of the hardwoods and hemlock witli which they were principally covered, and this paved the way for the present most prosperous times the county has ever seen, when hemlock and hardwood lumbering dis- 260 jy EX FORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. tributes more money tliroughout the county and furnishes a better market for the prod- ucts of the farm tlian chd tlie pine lumbering in its palmiest days. "The poor ye have always with you," and consequently all counties have to take care of such indigent persons as live within their borders. The county had erected a commodious poor house, as heretofore noted, but the location did not suit those who were bent on moving the county seat lo Cadillac. It happened that the superin- tendents of the poor were obliged to take care of a family by the name of Root, in consequence of the husband and father hav- ing been sentenced to the state prison for quite a long term of years. The family con- sisted of the mother and six or seven chil- dren, ranging from one to fourteen or fif- teen years of age. The sujjerintendents de- cided that the county should be reimbursed for the cost it might be put to in caring for tlie family, so they took a mortgage on the farm, subject to a mortgage that had already been given. The result was that the county had to foreclose its mortgage and take care of the first mortgage, and thus it was that the county came into possession of the pres- ent i)oor farm. As early as 1880 an effort was made to have the old county farm sold and make a poor farm out of the "Root farm," but without success. At the annual meeting of the board of supervisors in 1881 a resolution was adopted making the chair- man of the board a committee of one to rccei\e proposals for the sale of the poor farm. A sale was effected as the outgrowth of this action, the price agreed upon being nineteen hundred and twenty-five dollars, less than the buildings had cost, to say noth- ing of the hundreds of dollars that had been expended in clearing and fencing the land. Of this amount one thousand dollars was paid in cash and a mortgage given for the balance. The county was obliged to fore- close the mortgage and several years later sold the farm again for eighteen hundred dollars. At the same session of the Ijoard which took action to sell the 6ld poor farm provis- ion was made for putting the buildings on the Root farm in condition to care for such paupers as might have to be permanently supported by the county, and the next year a large and well-equipped building was erected and furnished for this purpose. Hitherto all expenses for the support of the ]ioor had been borne by the county at large, but at the annual meeting of the board of supervisors a resolution was passed reviving the distinction between town and county poor. Under this arrangement each town had to support its own poor, and only transient poor were cared for by the county. The towns could send their paupers to the county house and have them cared for there by the week, or could hire them supported el.sewhere if they preferred. As it took a year to gain a residence in the county to make the expense of an indigent person chargeable to any town or city, and as the support of such had to be borne b\' the county at large in the meantime, and the towns had to bear their share of this ex- pense, as well as the expense of caring for their own ])oor, tlic arrangement was not very satisfactory and only remained in force a couple of years before the distinction was abolished, since which all poor exjjenses have been borne by the county. The valuation of the county as fixed by the board of supervisors at its annual meet- WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 261 ing in 1882 was $3,676,739.25. This was a fine showing for the county in view of tlie fact that thousands of acres of pine land had been denuded of its forests, and the lum- l)er had been shipped out of the cotmty dur- ing the preceding ten years, and augured well for the future greatness of the county as an agricultural community. At this meeting of the board a resolution was also passed to submit to a vote of the people at the April election of 1883 the ques- tion of bonding the county for five thousand dollars for the purpose of building a county jail at Cadillac. The proposition was car- ried by a vote of eight hundred and eighty- eight to six hundred and sixty-nine, but a question arising as to tlie legality of the passage of the resolution of the board, the matter was again placed before the people at the spring election in 1884 and was again carried by a vote of eleven hundred and nine to nine hundred and five, but the bonds were never issued. When the county seat was removed to Cadillac the second story of the building then owned by Fred S. Kieldsen was rented for county offices and court room. This building stood on the site now occupied by the city hall. The county continued to oc- cupy the second floor until 1887, when it rented the second floor of the Laber & Cornwell building, which it occupied for several years. When the Masonic fraternity decided to erect a temple in Cadillac a com- mittee was appointed to confer with the board of supervisors with a view to having the second story of their proposed building fitted especially for the use of the county, provided the county would contract to rent it for a period of ten years at a rental to be agreed upon between the contracting par- ties. This arrangement was carried out, and in March, 1890, the county moved into its new quarters, where it has remained until the present time. The new quarters con- sisted of a large court room, a commodious supervisor's room, a suite of three rooms for the clerk and register of deeds, two rooms for the prosecuting attorney and one each for the judge of probate, sheriff, treas- urer and superintendent of the poor. One or two attempts have been made to have the board of supervisors pass a resolution sub- mitting to the people the question of bonding the county for the purpose of building a court house, but without success. At the election in 1882 the Republican party was again successful on its entire ticket except prosecuting attorney, the can- didates of the two parties and the vote given for each being as follows : Sheriff, David C. Cook, Rep., 726; Horton Crandall, Dem., 288: F. Weaver, Ind., 427. County clerk, T. J. Thorp, Rep., 881 ; James Crowley, Dem., 566. Register of deeds, T. J. Thorp. Rep., 887: James Crowley, Dem., 568. Treasurer, John Mansfield, Rep., 1079; C. T. Chapin, Dem., 352. Prosecuting attor- ney, E. F. Sawyer, Rep., 562: J. B. Rose- velt, Dem., 32: D. T-:. Mclntyre, Ind., 689. The salary of the prosecuting attorney was raised to twelve hundred dollars at the October session of the board of supervisors, which induced Mr. Mclntyre to enter the race for that office as an independent can- didate, and so strenuous did he wage his campaign that he won by more than a hun- dred plurality. CHAPTER IX. NEW RAILROAD NEW VILLAGES— NEW IMPETUS TO FARMING AND LUMBERING. The one great hindrance to the rapid de\eIopment of the county was the lack of facihties for reaching a market. The whole western half of the county had to drive either to Cadillac or Manton, on the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, to reach a market for a load of potatoes or any other farm product. To some the distance was over twenty miles, necessitating a two-days trip. The roads were rough and the hills sandy, and thirty or thirty-five bushels of potatoes was all a team could draw. By the time the farmer had paid for his expenses at the hotel over night he would not have much left out of his load of potatoes unless they brought more than twenty-five or thirty cents per bushel. Under these circumstances it is not strange that there was a lack of "push" on the part of the farmers. About the only farm product that there was any money in was hay. The close proximity of the linnbering camps afforded a ready sale for all the hay the farmers could spare, at a good price, sometimes running as high as twenty dollars ])er ton. The fact that hay always found a ready sale caused many farmers to keep their land seeded to grass SI) much that it greatly imi)i>\erishe(l the soil and thus retarded future farming, as a light soil once run down is very hard to again put into condition to raise good crops. During the winter of 1883-4 the survey- ors of the Chicago & West Michigan Rail- road visited northern Michigan, taking ob- servations as to the most desirable route for the extension of their road. They visited Sherman and looked up the approaches to the Manistee river from the north and south, and expressed themselves as well satisfied with the feasibility of crossing at that point and following the valley of the Wheeler creek northward, running a little east of \\^exford Corners anil then drop- ping o\er into the Boardnian ri\er valley, thus making an easy grade into Traverse City. The people in the western part of the county were greatly elated over the pros- pects of having a railroad near their farms, but railroads have cjueer ways and their building is accompanied often with vex- atious delays, and so it happened that when the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad was built several years later it took an entirely new route and did not touch Wexford WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 263 county ; in fact, it was run so far west as to be of very little practical benefit to the farm- ers of the county. In the meantime the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan Railroad Company had !:)een organized and had started in to build a road to some point on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. The projectors of this un- dertaking were the Ashleys, of Toledo — father and two sons, Harry and James, or "Jim," as he was familiarly called. Neither of these parties had much money of their own, but they had enterprise and push, especially "Jim." who could overcome more difficulties and surmount more obstacles than half a dozen ordinary business men, and it was largely through these qualities that the road was completed, though its building covered a period of several years, and more than once it was said, "The Ash- leys ha\e got to the end of their rope and the road will never go any farther;" but still the next year would witness another exten- sion, and so, little by little, the work pro- gressed. In the summer of 1886, through the promise of thirty-five thousand dollars on the part of the city of Cadillac, the work of extending the road from Mt. Pleasant, its then terminus, to Cadillac was under- taken. A large force of men were put to work at various points along the line and before September the laying of rails was commenced. This work progressed from both ends of this section, the rails being brought to Cadillac over the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad to use in laying the northern end of the section. Winter set in before the last rail was laid, and some of the grading and several miles of track lay- ing was done when the snow covered the ground to a depth of several inches. But notwithstanding the cold and the snow the first train over the new extension reached Cadillac within the time agreed upon, Janu- ary I, 1887, and its arrival marked a new era in the county's history. To fittingly celebrate this event the rail- road company gave a free excursion to Alma and a free dinner at the celebrated Wright Hotel at that place, inviting many of the prominent men of the city and the county at large, and the city arranged for a grand banquet at the Hotel McKinnon when the party, including railroad officials and the railroad commissioner of the state, should return in the evening. The night preceding the day fixed for the excursion a heavy snow storm set in, accompanied with a gale of wind, and when morning dawned the streets and sidewalks in Cadillac were piled so full of snow that it was impossible for ladies to get to the train, and a number of the gentlemen who otherwise would have taken the trip staid at home an account of the drifts. As the road ran nearly all the way to Farwel! through the woods, there was not much diffi- culty experienced in making the run to Alma, but the storm continued all day and it was not without some misgivings that the return journey was begun. A delay of over two hours in starting was caused by a wreck on a branch of the D. L. & N. Railroad, which crossetl the Toledo, Ann Arbor & Northern Michigan Railroad just north of the station at Alma, by which a freight car was thrown upon the track just where the two roads intersected each other, and it had to be removed before the excursion train could start. Some of the excursionists were 264 JV EX FORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. wise enough to return to the village, a half mile distant, and purchase a lunch, fearing they would be late at the banquet in Cadillac. At last, just as it had begun to grow dark, the train pulled out. By the time il had reached L'larc, on the Mint & Pere .Manpiette Railroad, those who had not ])ro\ided themselves with a lunch at Alma made a rush for the lunch room kept at that station, and soon had purchased everything eatable in sight. Here a tele- gram was sent to tho.se in charge of the banquet at Cadillac that the train would arrive there about nine o'clock. Soon after leaving Farwell the train ran into a snow bank and came to a dead stop. Half a hundred men jumped out in the snow, tore boards from the fence beside the track, and by flint of stamping and pushing away the snow ivom the engine, the train was soon started again. /\1I went well while on a down grade to the crossing of the Mus- kegon river, though progress was slow ow- ing to the fact that eight or ten inches of snow had fallen during the day and there having as yet been no freight trains over the new road the engine had to push its way through this fresh snow all the way. After crossing the Muskegon riser there was a long up-grade to make, and while using all the steam possible to push through the snow and make the grade, the train suddenly came to a stop. In\estigation disclosed the fact that the rails had spread and the engine was ofif the track. All the balance of the night the tr.iinmcn worked to get the engine on the rails again. The tall form of "Jim " .'\shley could be seen directing the work and assisting the men in their efi'orts to fi.x the track and right the engine. The accident was caused by the carelessness or negligence of the track layers, who had failed to prop- erly spike the rails to the ties, and in the ex- tra pressure caused by the resistance of the snow the engine had found a weak spot and left the mils. The train w as going at such a slow rate that there was hardly a jar felt by those on board, and at first they would hardly believe it could be so. When it was realized that a long time would be required to get under way again, all hope of getting a taste of the banquet at the Hotel McKin- non was banished and those who were for- tunate enough to have provided themselves with crackers and cheese proceeded to satisfy their appetites for the time being, hoping that Cadillac would be reached in time for breakfast. As before stated, it was long after daylight when evervthing had been gotten ready for a start, but by this time the engine's supply of water and coal was nearly exhausted and a trip must be made to Cadil- lac for a supply before it could haul the train in. It should be stated that as yet there was no telegraph line erected along the road, and as the accident occurred alxiut half way between Farwell and Cadillac, in a dense forest devoid of roads or settlers, it was therefore impossible to communicate with any one. If it had been thought that it would take all night to get started, a mes- senger could have been dispatched to Cadil- lac and another engine and better api)liances could have been sent to the rescue; but of course it was expected that it would not take more than an hour or two to get under way again, but hour after hour went by without witnessing success on the part of the work- ers. The engine found great difficulty in reaching Cadillac, and by the time it had rcceiver that office. The vote was large, as the canvass had been waged with great spirit on both sides, but the Republi- cans came out victors on their entire ticket, as follows ■ Judge of probate, H. AI. Dun- ham, Rep.. 1,460; TI. r>. Sturtevant, Dem., 1,035. Sheriff, \\'. L. Sturtevant, Rep.. 1.392; B. Woods, Dem., 1,140. Clerk and register, S. J. Wall, Rep., 1,283; George A. Cummer, Dem., 1,266. Treasurer, E. Har- ger, Rep., 1,501; C. E. Haynes, Dem., WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 267 1,038. Prosecuting attorney, C. C. Chit- tenden, Rep., 1,588; D. A. Rice, Dem., 598. Circuit court commissioner, E. E. Haskins. Rep., i,5-'6: J. R. Bishop, Dem., 1,085. After tlie county seat was removed to Cadillac efforts were soon made to have the county buy a lot and build a jail, and twice had the matter been brought before the elect- ors in the form of a proposition to bond the county for that purpose, but the bitterness resulting from the two remo\'als of the county seat was for a time so great that the matter was finally compromised by tlie county agreeing to rent a jail and sheriff's residence if one was erected according to plans and specifications to be furnished by the county. That was done and the matter remained in statu quo until the annual meet- ing of the board of supervisors in 1887, when a resolution was adopted by the board providing for the purchase of the jail prop- erty and providing for submitting to the electors of the county at the annual town- ship meeting in April, 1888, the question of raising by tax the forty-two hundred and fifty dollars agreed upon as the purchase price. The vote on this proposition was ten hundred and fifty-one in favor of it and eight hundred and forty-six against. So the question was carried and the county soon after became the owner of a jail and sher- iff's residence. The coming of the Toledo, Ann Arbor & Northern Michigan Railroad gave such an impetus to the settlement of the county that the census of 1890 disclosed the fact that the population of the county had more than doubled since 1880, the total being sixteen thousanil, eight hundred and forty-five as compared with sixty-eight hundred and fif- teen in 1880, the increase thus lieing a little more than ten thousand in ten years, or an a\erage of over a thousand a year. Few new counties in the state could show such a wonderful growth at a corresponding period of its history. The growth was also of a permanent character, as the transient lumbering operations along the Manistee ri\er had moved on up the river until they had passed the limits of the county. The Republican party, having made a clear sweep with its county ticket in 1888, has carried the elections for every county office since that year except the office of treasurer in 1890, when J. W. Ransom, Democrat, defeated Rinaldo Euller, Repub- lican, by a plurality of forty-nine votes. The candidates of the parties that year and votes cast for each were as follows : Sheriff, W. L. Sturtevant, Rep., 1,020; F. D. Seeley, Dem., 817. Clerk and register, S. J. Wall, Rep., 1,005; L. M. Patterson, Dem., 842. Treasurer, R. Fuller, Rep., 905; J. W. Ran- som, Dem., 944. Prosecuting attorney, C. C. Chittenden, Rep., 1,777; no Democratic candidate. Circuit court commissioner, R. F. Tinkham, Rep., 1,810; no Democratic candidate. The following tables will show who were nominated by the leading parties, Republi- can and Democratic, and the vote given for the several candidates of each party cover- ing the period from 1892 to 1902 inclusive 1892 — Judge of probate, John Mans- field, Rep., 1,365 : C. E. Cooper, Dem., 1,199 Sheriff — C. C. Dunham, Rep., 1,377: J. P Kundsen. Dem., ^ ,i()2. County clerk, S J. Wall, Rep., 1,400; Lewis R. Bishop Dem., 1,165. Register of deeds, S. J Wall, Rep., 1,400; Lewis R. Bishop, Dem., 1,165. Treasurer, E. Harger, Rep., 1,342; J. W. Ronsom, Dem., 1,207. I'rosecuting 268 ]y EX FORD COUKTY, MICHIGAN. attorney, D. A. Rice, Rep.. 1.413: no Demo- cratic candidate. Circuit court commis- sioner, Fred S. Lamb, Rep.. 1,408; no Democratic candidate. 1894 — Sheriff, C. C. Dunliam, Rep., 1.443; Barton Colvin, Dem., 744. Covmty clerk, S. J. Wall, Rep., 1,411; Charles H. Bostick, Dem., 801. Register of deeds. S. J. Wall. Rep.. 1.442: J. B. Yarnell, Dem., 767. Treasurer. E. W. Wheeler, Rep., 1.423: William E. Dean, Dem., 442; Will- iam Hoag, Ind., 338. Prosecuting attorney, D. A. Rice, Rep., 1,489; I. C. Wheeler, Dem.. 516. Circuit court commissioner, Fred S. Lamb, Rep.. 1.5 10 : H. B. Sturte- vant, Dem., 470. 1896 — Judge of probate, John Mans- field, Rep., 2,019; E. F. Sawyer, Dem., 1 401. Sheriff, George A. Troy, Rep., 1,774; James Mather, Dem., 1.648. County clerk, Menry Hansen, Rep.. 2.036; George S. Stanley, Dem., 1.383. Register of deeds, P. W. Hinman. Rep., 1,995; C. D. Phelps, Dem., 1.436. Treasurer, E. A\'. Wheeler. Rep., 2,074: William E. Dean, Dem., 1,350. Prosecuting attorney, Fred S. Lamb, Rep., 2,032: L C. Wheeler, Dem., 1.394. Circuit court commissioner, Elwood Peck, Rep.. 2.044; H. B. Sturtevant. Dem.. 1.374. 1898 — Sheriff", George A. Troy, Rep., 1.326; James Mather, Dem., 924. County clerk, Henry Hansen, Rep., 1,376; George S. Stanley, Dem., 869. Register of deeds, P. W. Hinman. Rep., 1,496; C. H. Bos- tick. Dem.. ^2^. Treasurer, J. H. Wheeler, Rep.. 1. 401; James Whaley, Dem., 842. Prosecuting attorney, h'red S. Lamb, Rep.. 1. 481; T. R. Bishop. Dem., 748; Circuit count commissioner, F.lwood Peck, Rep., 1,495; I- C. Wheeler. Dem.. 726. 1900 — Judge of ])robate. Fred S. Lamb. Rq)., 2,183: James R. Bishop, Dem., 1,226. Sheriff, Silas W. Huckleberry, Dem., 2,232; Herbert Kellogg, Dem., 1,132. County clerk, David F. Garver, Rep.. 2,162; W. S. Randall, Dem., 1,186. Register of deeds, Henry Hansen. Rep., 2.204; William H. Gray, Dem.. 1,139. Treasurer, J. H. Wheeler, Rep.. 2,069 • J- -^- Gustafson, Dem., 1.277. Prosecuting attorney, Fred C. ^\'etmore, Rep., 2,515; no Democratic can- didate. Circuit court commissioner, D. A. Rice, Rep., 2,504; no Democratic candidate. 1902 — Sheriff, S. W. Huckleberry, Rep., 1.379; ]\L J. Compton, Dem., 470. County clerk, D. F. Garver, Rep., 1,315; B. C. Dean. Dem., 537. Register of deeds, Hen- ry Hansen, Rep., 1.346; G. A. Frederick, Dem., 504. Treasurer, C. C. Daugherty, Rep., 1,226; J. A. Gustafson, Dem.. 433. Prosecuting attorney. F. C. Wetmore. Rep., 1.397; "o Democratic candidate. Circuit court commissioner, J. R. Bishop. Rep.. 1.374; no Democratic candidate. By an amendment to act No. 147, of session laws of 1891, made at the legisla- tive session of -1893, the office of county commissioner of schools was made elective, the first election to take place on the first Monday of April, 1893, and every two years thereafter, and term of office to begin July first following the election and continue for two years. At the first election under this law George E. Herrick, of Cadillac, was elected by a vote of 1.108 to ySy for J. E. Wood, at th;it time i)rincii)al of the Sherman schools. In 1895 H. C. Foxworthy was elected to this office over L. A. Tibbitts, the vote being 1,076 for Mr. Foxworthy to 446 for I\Ir. Tibbitts. Mr. Foxworthy was re- elected in. 1897. bis opponent being Charles WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 269 D. Phelps and tlie vote being 1,418 for Fox- worthy and 898 for Mr. Phelps. He was also a candidate for a third term in 1899, hnt was defeated in the convention by i'. C. Siemens, of Sherman, who received the nomination and was elected by a majority of 528 over Genette E. Chick, his Demo- cratic opponent. Mr. Slemons was renomi- nated in 1 90 1 and elected by a vote of 1,664 to 2^2 for his opponent. Miss Renie Torry, of Cadillac. At the Republican county convention in 1903 \\'illiam A. Faunce received the nomi- nation for this office and at the Democratic county convention Miss Renie Torry, who had a few days previously been nominated by the Prohibition county convention, was endorsed for this office and a strong effort made throughout the county to secure her election. The result was 1,204 votes for Mr. Faunce and 1,123 for Miss Torry, giving the former a majority of 81. CHAPTER X. CITY AND VILLAGE ORGANIZATIONS. SHERMAN. Sherman, being the oldest village in the county, naturally comes first in historical order. In 1869 Sanford Gasser had that portion of the south half of the southeast quarter of section 36, in town 24, north of range 12 west, lying east of the Manistee river, platted and gave it the name of tlie \illage of Sherman. The place at that time contained Init c)iie house and one business l)lace, a grocery kept by Lewis J. Clark. The village being at the corner of four townships, though situated in only one of them, there was one other house near the corner oi the village, owned and occupied by Dr. John Perry, as he was familiarly called, though it was a mystery how he came to be called doctor, unless it was because he owned a set of "turn-keys" (the usual in- strument for pulling teeth in those days) and occasionally pulled a tooth for an af- flicted pioneer. At all events he was the first "doctor" in the county and also the first postmaster at Sherman. He also built the second saw-mill in the county on the stream now known as Cole's creek, one mile east of the village. This he operated for about a year, after which he sold it to H. B. Sturt- evant. When Sherman was made the county seat by the act organizing the county, quite 270 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. a building boom was inaugurated. L. P. Champenour, the first county clerk, J. H. Wheeler, the first county treasurer, and T. A. Ferguson, the first resident prosecuting attorney, each erected houses in the summer of i86q. Maqueston Brothers also had a large store building erected, as elsewhere noted. There were several other buildings erected during that summer, and there began to be cjuite a \illage in fact as well as in name. A change of postmasters took place in 1869, L. J. Clark succeeding Mr. Perry, since which time the following persons have had the office in the order named : E. W. Stewart, J. S. Walling, C. E. Cooper, H. B. Sturtevant, H. F. Campbell, J. H. Wheel- er, 1. N. Carpenter, E. W. Wheeler, Mabel Ramsey, L. P. Champenois and the present incumbent, R. D. Frederick, pro- prietor of the Sherman Pioneer. The ofiice is now the third in point of business in the county, Cadillac and Manton being the first and second in the order named. It soon developed that locations on lands adjoining the village plat were more desir- able for residence purposes than those plat- ted, and the larger portion of the village has been built upon unplatted lands. In 1882 a tract of land in the northeast corner of sec- tion I in Springville township was platted as Crippin's addition to Sherman and nearly all of these lots are now occupied. The vil- lage was situated on the Newaygo and Northport State Road and near the Manis- tee ri\cr, the distance to the river being less than half a mile in a western direction and a little nmro than three- fi mrtlis of a mile to the niirth. When the work of clearing the river for running logs had lieen completed and lumbering operations were extended up the river to the extensive pine forests a lit- tle east of the village, Sherman was on the direct line between Manistee and the lumber camps, and this fact, coupled with the fact that it was almost impossible to haul supplies all the way from Manistee, gave the merchants of Sherman a very large and lu- crative trade. Occasionally some jobber would run behind and lea\e the store- keepers with bad debts on their hands, but these failures were very few and not of a serious nature. Sherman had the honor of having the first newspaper published in the county, the Wexford County Pioneer, owned and edited by C. E. Cooper and A. W. Tucker. After running the paper together a few years Mr. Tucker sold out his interest to Mr. Cooper, who continued in control until 1877, when he sold it to C. S. Marr, who conducted it for a little more than a year. It then went into the hands of H. F. Campl)cll and J. H. W'heeler, where it remained until January, 1880, when Mr. Campbell sold his interest to Mr. Wheeler, who thus Ijecame the sole owner. Mr. Wheeler published the paper for twelve years, at the end of which time he sokl it to R. D. Frederick, who still retains it. In politics it has always been Re- publican, though efforts were made at one time to make it a Greenl}ack paper, and at another to purchase it and make it Demo- ccatic. The first business venture where Sher- man now stands was made by Lewis J. Clark, who built a .small frame building and put in a small stock of goods suitable for a new countrv trade. This building was erccteil in the summer of iSdS, and was the first frame structure of any kind built on the south side of the Manistee river in the conn- ir EX FORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 271 ty. The first hotel was started by Sylvester Clerk ill a log building that was origiially put up by the man who homesteaded the land on which the village was platted. When this land was first located as a home- stead there was not even a highway south of the river. The state road had been chopped out, but not cleared for travel and the roads made by the few settlers on the south side of the river wound arountl through the woods wherever they could be made passi- ble. It was not until after the organization of the county that the work of stumping and grading the state road was completed. It is not much wonder, therefore, that the first man to settle on this piece of land should have got homesick and abandoned it. Soon after the hotel was started a frame addition was put up and for at least two years it was the only hotel in the village. The original log part of this relic of pioneer days still stands, though long since enclosed with lum- ber to give it the appearance of a frame building. The first term of the circuit court for the county was held in this same building, as was also the first meeting of the board of supervisors. The first lawyer to locate in Sherman, aside from T. A. Ferguson, who was ap- pointed prosecuting attorney soon after the county was organized, was E. \V. Stewart, who located in the village in 1870. The first resident preacher was Jonas Denton, who arrived in 1871. The first practicing physician was H. D. Griswold, who located in the village in 1872. Mr. Denton organ- ized the First Congregational church in 1872 and his work was taken up by Rev. R. Redeoff in 1873, through whose efforts a church edifice was erected in 1874 and dedicated October 11, of that year. Mr. Redeoff was pastor of the church until 1877, when he removed to Rockford, Michigan, remaining there several years. Returning to Sherman in 1880, he resumed his pas- toral work and continued to serve the church for seventeen years, making twenty- one years' service in all. During his ab- sence the pulpit was filled by Rev. William P. Esler the first year and by Rev. J. W. Young the ne.xt two years. Mr. Young was ordained at Sherman July 2, 1878. The present pastor is Rev. A. Bentall, whose work commenced in October, 1899. Mr. Bentall was also ordained in the Shennan church in May, 1902. The Alethodist Episcopal church socie- ty was organized in 1870 and preaching ser- vices were held once in two weeks by Rev. Thomas Cayton. At the conference held that vear Rev. A. L. Thurston was assigned this work, often traveling sixteen miles through rain and snow, heat and cold, from his homestead in Selma township, to fill his appointments. The next year Rev. John Hall was designated as "supply" for the Sherman charge, and in 1872 the socie- tv secured its first resident minister. Rev. W. R. Stinchcomb. Preaching services were held each alternate Sunday in conjunc- tion with the Congregational society, first in the school house until the Congregational church was built, then in the church part of the time and a part of the time in the court house until the year 1881, when they built a house of worship. This was enlarged and somewhat remodeled in 1897, giving it a much greater seating capacity and greatly improving its appearance. When the village of Sherman was plat- ted there was no road to the west leading to the Fletcher grist-mill, as such a road 272 J VEX FORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. would require tlie bridging of the Manistee river, consccjuently tliose living on the south side of the river were obhged to come to Sherman and follow the state road nearly two miles north and then go west and south to the mill, making the trip nearly four miles longer than it would be if they could go directly west from Sherman. In 1872 the board of supervisors made an appropria- tion to aid the construction of a bridge over the river west of the village and the new route to the grist-mill was opened up, much to the gratification of the settlers living south and east of Sherman. The constant increase of settlers in the county and the ever-increasing area of cul- tivated lands soon taxed the capacity of the little grist-mill on the Fletcher creek beyond its limit, and large quantities of grain had to be sent to Traverse City for milling. Several efforts were made by the people of Sherman to induce some one to put up a good gristing mill near that village, and finally a couple of gentlemen of Clam Lake, named Shackleton and Bennett, were in- duced to undertake the work. A suitable building was to be erected by the citizens of Sherman and donated to these gentlemen on condition that they would put in the nec- essary machinery and operate it. The mill was built in the fall of 1876, J. H. Wheeler having the contract for the building and the dam being put in by W. E. Dean and Daniel Baldwin. The machinery was furnished and placed in position by Butterworth & Lowe, of Grand Rapids. The mill was forty by fifty feet in size and three stories high, with a capacity of two hundred and fifty or three hundred bushels of grain per day. Under charge of Mr. Bamett. who was a practical miller, lia\-ing learned his trade in Scotland, the mill proved of inestimable value to the farmers, not only a large share of those in Wexford county, but a goodly number of those living in the southern tier of town- ships of Grand Traverse county and in the northeastern part of ALanistee county. Early in 1878 the mill burned down, which so discouraged the proprietors that they sold the property to L H. !\Iaqueston, who was just then closing out his mercantile business in the village preparatory to re- moving to the city of New York. This pur- chase changed his whole business career, as he commenced at once to Iniild the mill, putting up a better and more commodious structure than the one burned down and equipping it with the most improved appli- ances for a custom and merchant mill. He re-stocked his large store and was active and liberal in everything that tended to the development of the village and the farming interests surrounding it. One of the monu- ments to his memory and generosih* swings in the belfry of the Congregational church in .Sherman, being a fine bell, costing two hundred and fifty dollars, donated by him to the church. An untimely death overtook him in March, 1886. It was on Sunday and an alarm of fire had called out the villagers, the fire being in a house near the center of the village. Mr. IMaqueston energetically joined in the efforts to subdue the flames, which attempt in a short time proved .suc- cessful. He then went to his hotel for din- ner, after which he went to his store, as was his custom Sundjjy afternoons, for a nap. An hour or so later some one wishing to see him went to the store door and called to him, but without response. At length the door was forced open and he was found lying on one of the counters dead. The sad news WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 273 .'■pread tlirough tlie village like wildfire and a throng of people hastened to the store to see for theiiiseh'es if the report was true. The shock was great to the community, and the loss equally so. The remains were sent to New York for burial, and as a mark of respect and keen sorrow, nearl}' the whole village followed the hearse to Manton, six- teen miles distant, where his lifeless form was taken on its last journey eastward. In 1887 an act was passed by the legis- lature granting a charter to the village, and the first village election was held on the 5tli day of May, 1887. One of the principal objects in securing the charter was to enable the village to issue bunds fur tlie purpose of securing the Toledo, Ann Arbor & Northern -Michig'an Railroad, which was then being pushed from Harrietta on to Frankfort. The bonds were issued and deli\-ered to the railroad company, but owing- to a decision of the supreme court of the state just prior to that time it found dilliculties in neg<.>tiat- ing them, and they were finally retiu"ned to the \illage authorities. The result was that the proposed "spur" was ne\er built, al- though it has appeareil on the county atlas for the past twelve years. The failure to get this railroad connection was another se- vere blow to Sherman, as it made possible the building up of another trading point, the village of Mesick, thus dividing the business which should have all gone to one town to have made it grow and prosper. B_\- a recent action of the \illage it has again voted to issue its bonds for fi\-e tluni- sand dollars with which to grade a street through the village. This has been done in the interests of the .Manistee & North- eastern Railroad, which now proposes to build a line running within the corporate limits of the village. If this plan succeeds Sherman will continue to be the largest \ illage in the northwestern part of the coun- ty, but will nc\er loe what it would ha\'e been had it secured connection with the Ann Arbor Railroad when that road first passed through the county. After the county seat left Sherman the court house was purchased by the school dis- trict and by a few changes was conxerted into a very convenient school building. The school attendance had increased to such an extent that it became necessary as early as 1887 to employ three teachers, and in 1896 it was formally made a graded school. The village now has a population of about fi\e hundred, has three large general stores, three hotels, two hardware stores, two drug stores, two blacksmith shops, two churches, one large floin-ing-mill, two grocery stores, besides a bank, a millinery store, saw and planing mill, saloon and other necessary adjuncts to a modern \illage. It is situated on the table land, some eighty or a hundred feet above the Manistee river, and is sur- rounded by one of the very best agricultural districts in the country. In 1897 the Ann Arbor Railroad built a spur (or rather the people of Sherman built it and presented it to the railroad com- pany) which came within a mile of Sherman to the west, where a little burg has sprung up sometimes called West Sherman, and sometimes Clagget\ ille, from Claggett, the name of the man in whose interests the sjjur was built, and wlu.i erected a large sta\e and heading mill, with dr\- kiln and storing sheds, the entire i)lant and yards cos'ering several acres of ground. This plant has al- ways been operated from Sherman, the pro- prietors and many oi the laborers lixing in 274 Py EX FORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. that village. The place has grown to be a great shipping point for potatoes, wheat, lumber and logs, and all freight for Sher- man in car lots is unloaded at this point. The officials of the railroad are now contem- plating the erection of a station on this spur, so that all freight and railroad business for Sherman may be done there instead of go- ing to Mesick, nearly three miles distant. The first secret society organized in Sherman was Powhattan Tribe No. 12, Im- pro\e(l Order of Red Men. This was a be- nevolent and social organization, after- wards taking up the life insurance idea so prevalent now with nearly all secret orders. This tribe was instituted through the efforts of C. S. Marr, a young attorney who had then just entered uyjon the practice of law and had located in Sherman in the spring of 1876. The organization was perfected in May of that year and flourished for a nuinl)er of years, some of its members be- ing prominently identified with the great council of the state and the United States. One of its members, J. H. Wheeler, served one term as great sachem of the great coun- cil of the state and was representative of the state in the great council of the United States at three of its aiuiual sessions, one at Philadelphia, one at Atlantic City and one at Springfield, Illinois. This order took its name and much of its ritualistic work from the aborigines of the country, its officers being sachem, prophet, sagamore, chief of records, keeper of wam- pum, etc., its candidates for admission, ])ale faces, and its members, warriors. Its ceremonial work was unic(ue and impressive, and was pronounced by those competent to judge as superior to that of many of the older orders. It is a little strange that a branch of such an order should not have succeeded in Sherman when the order at large has l)een constantly growing and counts its membership in the United States by the tens of thousands, but the average American is always looking for something new and novel and with the coming of the Grange, the Odd Fellows, the Masons and other secret orders the old love was cast ofi' for the new in many instances, and this, with the death and removal of some of the prom- inent workers in the tribe, caused its ranks to grow so thin that at last it resolved to surrender its charter, which it did in 188S. The Patrons of Husbandry was the next order to establish a branch in Sherman, which was done in February, 1877. This branch was known as Sherman Grange Xo. 632, and also had a large membership and regular attendance for a number of years, but at last, like its predecessor, the Red Men, it "folded its tents" and disappeared. Next came the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, under the title of Sherman ]-odge Xo, 336, which was instituted in March. 1880. This lodge is still in a flour- ishing condition, and now has its auxiliary Rebekahs. The lodge owns its own hall and has a good membership. T. A. Ferguson Post Xo. 226. Grand Army of the Republic, was the next to per- fect an organization in Sherman, the date being March 4, 1884. The name has since been changed to "Abram I'inch I'osl." in honor of an old soldier whu located a home- stead on section 12. in Springxille townshij), and who ditd .'iboul the time the county was organized. As none but ex-soldiers of the war of the Rebellion can belong to this order its ranks are vearlv growing thinner and WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 275 it too will ere long be but a memory. It lias been the inspiration of many observations of tbe beautiful Memorial tlay exercises of the order and for this alone its passing will sadden the hearts of the many who ha\e wit- nessed these heart-felt tributes to fallen comrades in arms. The work of instituting a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was undertaken in 1884 and a dispensation secured as the pre- liminary step to organization, which in due course of time was effected. It has bad a steady and continuous growth, notwith- standing the fact that the charter mem- bership was that much tabooed number thir- teen, and now has one hundred members in good standing. It owns the entire second story of the E. Gilbert store building, which is divided into lodge rooms, ante rooms, kitchen and dining room, all tastily fitted and well furnished. An auxiliary Eastern Star was organized several years ago and now has a membership of eighty-one. As the years passed organizations mul- tiplied and there is now Maqueston Tent Xo. 654. Knights of the Maccabees ; Our Choice Hive, Ladies of the Maccabees ; Sherman Lodge No. 212. Knights of Pythias; Sherman Camp No. 5514, Mod- ern Woodmen of America. For a number of years the Good Templars kept up an or- ganization, and the Woman's Christian Temperance L'^nion have for many years had an organization in the village and also a county organization. An old saying that "blessed be nothing" can well be quoted by Sherman just now. as it has no lawyer. While the county seat re- mained there it always had one, generally two and sometimes three lawyers, and they all lived, therefore the people had to sup- port them. Since the county seat was re- mo\'ed. the village has lieen without a law- yer most of the time, and there was very lit- tle litigation, for it took money and time to go to Cadillac to see a lawyer, and the time nearly always had such a cooling effect on the angry, would-be litigant, that his bet- ter manhood asserted itself, and thus many a law-suit was avoided and much useless ex- pense prevented. Of doctors there have nearly always been two for the past twenty years, and sometimes three or four; at the present time there are two : Dr. E. A. McManus and Dr. D. L. Rose. In other professional call- ings may be found S. Gasser, real estate dealer; R. D. b'rederick, insurance agent; J. H. Glover, photographer, and A. S. Moreland & Son, bankers. VILLAGE OF CLAM LAKE. The secimd \illage to lie started in the county was tbe village of Clam Lake. As previously stated, it was ' situated at the eastern end of Little Clam lake, from which it derived its name. The name of this lake has but recently been changed to Lake Cad- illac by act of the legislature. The village of Clam Lake was platted in July, 1872, since wdiich time there have been many addi- tions and subdivisions platted until now the city of Cadillac, a name adopted when the village became a city, covers nearly ten times as much territory as did the orignal plat. In fact if tbe lands attached to the city in 1895 '^'J enalile it to build and control a road way or boule\-ard around the lake were tak- en into consideration, the area of the pres- ent city would be more than twenty-five times as great as was the original plat. 276 ly EX FORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. In 1879 an addition was platted, called sub-division of outlots 5 and 6. Cohh and .Mitchell plaited their first addition in Au- gust. iNl^'o, and their sect)nd ami third addi- tiiins in September, 1881. May and Mitch- ell's addition was platted in Xovember, 1881, and in May Cummer and Ilaynes platted an addition. The next month three other plats were recorded, viz: A plat of the northwest quarter of section 3. township 21 north, range 9 west; a plat of the south- west quarter of section 3, township 21 north, range 9 west, and a plat of the north- cast quarter of section 33, township 22 nortli, range 9 west. |. Cummer & Sons platted their first ad- dition in October. 1882, and in No\-ember, 1SS3. an ade- sides the addition secured through the leg- islatiu'e extending the city limits around the lake. The first effort to clear away any portion of the forests which covered the ground where the city of Cadillac now stands was for the building of camps used in the con- struction of the extension of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad. Col. J. C. 1 ludnutt was the railroad company's civil engineer at that time and when he was or- dered to swing around the eastern end of Little Clam lake, instead of passing Ijetween the two lakes, as was first intended, be con- cluded that it meant the building of a town at that point. With this idea in view, he decided to buy any or all land bordering on the eastern shore of the Lake and I'or this purpose he started for the government land office, then located at Traverse City, in the fall of 1 87 1, to ascertain what there was IfEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 277 in tliat locality tliat could be purcliased. The only road to Traverse City then was the State road, running through Sherman, and as the stage was the only conveyance it took two days to make the trip from the northern end of the railroad, which was then just this side of Big Rapids, to the land oiYice. The Colonel stopped over night in Sher- man and in conversation with some i:)f the business men of that village casually re- marked that he was on his way to the United States land ofTlce "to buy a city." I. II. Mequeston, one of Sher- man's first merchants, boarded at the hotel antl. o\erhearing this remark of tlie Colonel's, adroitly drew out the facts that the "city" was yet in embryo, but that it was to be built on the eastern shore of the Little Clam lake, so while the Colonel was enjoying a much needed night's rest, Mr. ]Ma(|ueston started for Traverse City, where he arri\ed in the middle of the night. How he found the residence of the register of the land office or hrnv much he gave him to leave his warm bed and go to the land office at that unseemly hour of the night will probably always remain a mystery, as both have been dead for many years, but certain it is that when Col. Hudnutt reached the land office the next day he discovered the fact that government lots i, 3 and 5 of sec- tion 4. in Clam Lake township, or ratlier what is now Clam Lake township, had been sold to L. J. Clark and I. H. Maqueston, of Sherman. This was the land upon which the original village of Clam Lake was plat- ted. The village has now become the city of Cadillac, so that Mr. Hudnutt's facetious remark about Ijuying- a city, proved the truth of the old adage that "many a truth is spok- en in jest." Messrs. Clark and Macjueston sokl their "city" purchase to George A. Mitchell, who soon alter platted it into the village of Clam Lake. Even liefore the ,'irri\al of the first regu- lar train, which w'as on J'elirnary 20, 1872, and months before the village was platted, there began to be evidences of a village. Rude log houses and hotels were constructed, the first hotel being the Clam Lake House, sit- uated near where the Ann Arbor dqiot now stands. Another large log hotel, known as the Mason House, was commenced late in the fall of 1 87 1 and was nightly filled with travelers liefore the cracks between the .logs had been sufficiently "chinked" and "mossed" to keep out the snow. Beds and even cots for the nightly crowds were out of the question, and it was sometimes hard to secure room to lie on the floor and sleep. It is said that with the crowds came the saloon and that the first establishmait of the kind consisted of a barrel of whisky and the top of a pine stump sawed off square on which to set the glasses and bottles, but when it is remembered that there was then a prohibitory liquor law upon our statute books, it is quite doubtful that the law was so openly defied as this would indicate. The writer drove over from Sherman to make the first arrests in the new burg for violation of the Ii(juor law. This was early in 1872, when the Mason House was yet unfinished, and he bad to sleep on its bare floor. In the morning he looked up the two places complained of, one of which stood on the ground now included in the city park and the other near the present site of the Michigan Iron Works. He found no evidences of liquor selling, yet the parties were convicted of the offense, the proof showing that the work of selling had been 278 WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. slyly instead of openly done, which leads him to believe that the "pine stump and bar- rel of wliisky" story is considerably o\'er- drawn. The first saw-mill was built by a I\Ir. Yale in the fall of 1871, the site being near- ly the same as that now occupied by what is desiijnated as Cobbs and Mitchell's little mill. A postofiice was established in January, 1872. with John S. McClain as postmaster. His successors have been as follows, in the order named : H. F. May, Byron Ballon, J. A. Whitmore, J. Nixon, James Crowley, P.yron Ballou, L. J. Law and S. J. Wall, who is now serving his second term. The office passed into the presidential class in 1878 and become a second-class office in 1 88 1. Free delivery service was inavigu- rated in 1901. The present force in the em- ploy of the government in the ofiice is Post- master Wall, Assistant A. V. Harmer. who fills the position of money order and regis- try clerk. Mailing Clerk Judd Miller, a de- li\ery and stamp clerk, an assorting antl se])- arating clerk and three carriers, besides one substitute carrier whose work depends upon the sickness or disability of the regular car- riers. The salaries paid are as follows : Postmaster, $2,400, assistant postmaster, $1,000, mailing clerk, $900, delivery and separating clerks, $700 each, carriers, $850 each, making a total of $8,250, besides the extra compensation to the substitute car- rier. The total receipts of the oftice for the quarter ending March 31, 1903, was $3,- 890.56. Under directions from the post- office de])artment, all mails received and dis- l)atched for seventy days ending May 12, 1903, \vere weighed, the tot.d weight for that time being 67,947 pounds, which did not include the mail deposited for local de- livery or that sent out on the daily and tri- weekly star routes which run out from the city in three difYerent directions. In giving the history of the early days of Clam Lake (now Cadillac) no more re- liable source of information can be found than the files of the local newspaper, there- fore we shall quote liberally from the first issue of the Clam Lake News, the first news- paper to be published in the village. The paper was founded in 1872 by C. L. Frazier. Later S. S. P'allass became interested finan- cially in the paper and was an editorial con- tributor. It was afterwards sohl to J. .\. & O. Whittemore. In 1878 it was under the management of Rice & Chapin and in 1881 Mr. Terwilliger took Mr. Rice's place as one of the managers and in the latter part of that year it was entirely under the man- agement of Mr. Chapin. In 1882 J. W. Giddings succeeded to the management of the paper. Mr. Giddings having l>een elected to the state senate, the ownership of the News went into the hands of the News Publishing Company. C. T. Chapin, after severing his connection wjth Ihe News, formed a partnership with Mr. Sill and started the Saturday Express, the first num- ber appearing in December, 1886. In the following May this paper consolidated with the News and the paper was thenceforth known as the News and Express. The new l)aper remained in the hands of the News Publishing Company until December i, 1897, when the present publisher, Hon. Perry I", l^owers, became the owner. It was started as a six-column folio, later en- larged to a six-column quarto and is now a seven-column cpiarto and has a daily edi- tion in its second volume. It has always WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 279 been a strong advocate of Republican prin- ciples and a supporter of Repnbbcan candi- dates, except on one occasion when it sup- ported the nominee of the Demo-Greenljack party for member of the house of represent- atives in the state legislature, but as this was solely on account of county-seat matters, the candidate being a resident of the village of Clam lake, it had some excuse for the position it took in that campaign. It may be well in this connection to briefly note the other newspaper ventures that have been started in the village and city since the starting of the News in 1872. The first to make its appearance was the Daily Enterprise, launchetl in the summer of 1880. It had not much excuse for an exist- ence at that time except the one object of creating sentiment favorable to the removal of the county seat to Cadillac, but it soon found that a newspaper of one idea was a difficult thing to interest the people with and consequently it was not very long lived. The next paper to make its appearance was the Cadillac Weekly Times, which made its first bow to the people of Wexford county in June, 1882, under the manage- ment of A. Rindge. At first it was a seven- column folio, but in a few months was en- larged to a seven-column quarto. The paper was soon afterwards merged into the Mich- igan State Democrat, a paper that had been started in Detroit by M. T. Woodmff, who transferred it to Cadillac. In December, 1 89 1, it was purchased by its present owner, George S. Stanley. As its name indicates, it has always been Democratic in politics and has lalxjred zealously for its party. Its owner has been nominated for various coun- ty and city offices and was once elected may- or of the city. He is thoroughly alive to the interests of his home city and is an earnest and active worker in everything that tends to its growth and prosperity. The Wexford County Citizen maile its appearance in August, 1884. If was edited and published by H. M. Enos and printed in the job office of C. T. Chapin. It only lived about nine months and was not much missed when it was discontinued. The Arbitaren made its advent in March, 1890. It was a weekly paper pul)- lished exclusively for Scandinavian readers by C. E. Thornmark and printed in the State Democrat office. After about four years of existence in Cadillac it was re- moved to Grand Rapids, but still supplied its Cadillac readers for some time after its removal. The Cadillac Globe was launched in the newspaper field in September, 1898, by J. M. Terwilliger. Two years later Mr. Ter- williger took in a partner, R. W. Craw- ford, and the paper is still managed by them. In the spring of 1901 they started a daily edition, which they continued to publish for about a year, finally selling their interests in the daily to the publishers of the Daily News. The Globe has never taken a very active part in politics, being rather neutral in that line, though leaning to the Demo- cratic side of the fence. It has a good cir- culation and a good advertising patronage and is no small factor in the ui)building and onwanl progress of the city. We will go back now to the first issue of the Clam Lake News, which was on the first day of June, 1872. The village was \ery new then, which may have had some- thing to do wit'i the naming of the paper the News, for there was not a superabundance of matter out of which to put up a good 280 WEXFORD COUXTY, MICHIGAN. newsy paper; nevertheless its first issue was a notal)le one, being the initiatory step in a career that has brought success to its pub- lisher and a worthy record lor itself. In that first issue its editor gave an extended review and summary of the \illage, which we quote at length : "But little more than seven months since, the place where the village of Clam Lake now stands was but a dense forest and the \oice of a human being w^as seldom heard. The site being on the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, upon the banks of one (^f the most beautiful lakes in Michigan and a proper distance from large places on either side, the spot was selected as a desir- able place for a town. George A. Mitchell, the original prime mover and proprietor of the village plat, commenced operating here sometime in October last. Since that time he has been an earnest and faithful worker in the interests of the place. The liberal spirit which he has manifested in all his dealings has won for him many warm friends. The village plat covers about eigh- ty acres of ground. It torders on the west and commands a beautiful view of Little (."lam lake. The railroad divides the town into two nearly equal parts and the depot is situated in the most central jxjrtion. "The \illage now contains about one hundred and twenty-live families and a pop- ulation (if upwards of six hundred actual settlers. The lakes called the Little and Big Glam cover an area of about eight square miles; the distance intervening between the two is about sixty rods. The channel be- tween the lakes is from two to five feet deep and from one to two rods wade. The work of clearing it of logs and old rubbish is now progressing and when opened it will be naxigable for steamers of considerable size and will be very convenient for floating logs that may eventually come from the Big Lake and through this channel to the mills. These lakes abound largely witli ex- cellent varieties of fish and the country around with wild game, affording a grand field for hunting and fishing. The land bor- dering on these lakes and for several miles around is covered with a heavy growth of pine that will l>e tributary to them and here worked into lumber. "The capacity of the mills now^ in opera- tion and the two large ones soon to start will be about four million feet per month. At this rate it is estimated that it will take fif- teen years to consume the pine. Taking this into consideration, the pleasant locality for a town, and the excellent farming lands in the vicinity that will be tributary to the place and support it when the pine is gone, you may judge for yourself what the future of Clam Lake will be. We make mention of the following more important places of busi- ness : "S.\w ]\riLi.s — The mills that are now in successful operation are those of J. R. Hale and Slinger & Company; the first named, the Pioneer mill, has been running some fi\e or six months. It is now being finished up in good sha])e, some new' and much-needed machinery has been added and is now capable of cutting about twenty-five thou- sand feet per day. The latter. Slinger iK: Company's new and improved portable mill, is doing a good business, with a capacity of about twenty-five thou.sand feet per day. The above named mills are both under the management of Mr. Lydle, who has been doing everything in his power to sui)])ly the great demand for luiiiber. IV EX FORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 281 "The new mills of Shockleton & Green and Harris Brothers are expected to be ready to start by the middle of this month and when completed will be a credit to the town and to the builders. The first named is thirty by ninety-six feet, two stories high, and a boiler house fourteen by thirty-six feet. There are two boilers, eighteen feet long and forty-four inches in diameter. The cylinder is fourteen inches in diameter and twenty-four inch stroke. It will contain one large circular with top saw and gang edger. It is expectetl to be capable of cut- ting forty thousand feet per day. ^Messrs. Shockleton cSc Green are energetic business men and every part of their mill is built in a substantial and business-like manner. "Harris Bros.' mill, which is also expect- ed to be ready for operation by the middle of this month, will, when completed, compare in every respect with anj- mill in northern Michigan. The main building is thirty-six by one hundred and fifteen feet, two stories high, and attached to this is a boiler house twenty-eight by fifty feet, which is to con- tain three large boilers twenty feet long and four feet in diameter. The cylinder is twenty inches in diameter and forty-eight inch stroke. The capacity of the engine will be one hundred and fifty horse power to six- ty pounds of steam. This mill will have one large circular, a gang of forty saws and one edger with three saws. It will contain all the latest and most improved laljor-saving machinery and neither time nor money will be spared to make it a first-class mill. Capt. Silas Pelton, of Grand Rapids, has had full charge of the mill from the beginning and his work proves him to be a man of much mechanicMl skill and ingenuity. "]\Ierc.\xtile Est.\blishme!nts — Among the most important of which we would make special note is that of Messrs. Holbrook & May, who keep a well-selected stock of everything in the line of dry goods, groceries and provisions. They are ener- getic business men and are having a lively trade, which they well deserve. The next of importance is the general hardware store of \V. Fl. -Hicks & Company. They keep a first-class stock and propose to sell at Grand Rapids prices. Mr. Hicks is a young man of energy and ability antl is deserving of patronage. Messrs. Cornwell & Labor have a large store in Messrs. Mosser & White's building, well stocked with flour, feed, gro- ceries and provisions. They are having a good trade. L. Ballou, on Mason street, also dealer in flour, feed and groceries and provisions, is doing a lively business. He is a young man of good business tact and is bound to succeed. Mr. Bunyen, on Lake street, keeps a good line of groceries and provisions. He was among the first set- tlers in the place and is deserving of patron- age. Messrs. Sanders & Morrow are large dealers in dry goods and groceries. Messrs. Russell & \Vliite have opened a meat market on Lake street and their stock is new and fresh from Grand Rapids every day. Dr. Leeson has his drug store in successful op- eration. Mr. Studley has opened a first- class restaurant on Mason street. Messrs. Reed & Ferris have a large black.smith shop and are doing a prosperous business. D. F. nmal has a boot and shoe shop on Ma- son street. "We have at present four hotels, all of which are doing a prosperous business. The Mason House, so well known to the public, is being thoroughly overhauled. The rooms are all being newly ceiled, i)apcred and fin- 282 WEXFORD COUXTY, MICHIGAN. islied in the most comfortable manner. The walls, which are now known to be made of logs, are to l)e sided on the outside so that it will appear to be a log building no more. Mr. Mason is a pleasant and obliging land- lord and is ready to do anything for the comfort and entertainment of all who are so fortunate as to stop with him. He has placed on the lake for the entertainment of his guests a fine pleasure boat that is truly delightful to ride in. The tables are spread with the very best the market affords and everything presents a tidy and tasty ap- pearance. The American Hotel, on Mitch- ell street, nearly opposite the depot on the east, quite recently opened, presents a fine appearance and is acknowledged by every one as having first-class accommodations. The building is thirty by sixty feet and two stories high. Messrs. Teller & Parks, pro- prietors of the Clam Lake House, are still occupying their old quarters on Lake street. Their new building on Mitchell street is now enclosed and will soon be ready for occu- pancy. When finished it will be the largest ;uid dccidcflly the handsomest building in tciwn. "Messrs. Sanders & Walker have pur- chased the new l)nilding of Bremyer Broth- ers and ai:e putting in a stock of groceries and provisions. Abbott & Turner have opened their new store on Mason street, having a good line of groceries and confec- tioneries. Larcom & Motts have their new building on Lake street inclosed and when it is finished it is to be occupied i)\- llicni fur ;i fruit ruid \egetable store. Lanil) & Cole lia\c erected a new building on Mitchell street. They intend putting in groceries and proxisions. Dr. Dillenback has the fr;une up t'i>r his new drug store on Mitch- ell street. Mr. Bunyea, on ^litchell street, is enclosing his large building to lie used for groceries. Mr. Born has recently purchased the building occupied by Mr. Tracy for a dwelling and is fitting it up for a dry goods, boot and shoe store. Mr. Kirkbride is put- ting on the finishing tnuch to his new fur- niture rooms on Harris street, in which you may expect to see a full line of furniture. C. B. Earl is making ready to lay the foun- dation of a large store on Mason street im- mediately east of the railroad, in which he projxjses to keep for sale sash, doors, blinds, glass, paints, oils, etc. Mr. \'aughn has purchased of R. P. Thurber the large store and boarding house block which is to be painted outside and the rooms now occupied for a boarding house are to have a genera! overhauling and to be fitted up in the most improved manner. The number of new buildings that are being- erected each week would have to be reckoned by the dozen. "A lot has been selected and given by Mr. Mitchell for the erection of a school building. It covers one whole block, lying on an elcvatiini commanding a most beau- tiful view (if the town. The contract has been let for the building of a temporary house to be used for a .sea.son. when a build- ing is to be erected that will be an ornament to the village. The Presbyterian and Meth- odist societies have selected lots, which have been given by Mr. Mitchell for church pur- poses. iV movement is already on foot to build suitable edifices for public worship." This is indeed a pretty gocxl showing for a \illage less than a year old. No wonder tli;it the editor goes into raptures over the beauty and grandeur of the scene. Xo one who has not gazed upon a l)eautiful, mir- ror-like k'ike. surrounded b\- .m unbroken t VEX FORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 283 forest of tall pines and picturesque cedars and Iiemlocks, can form anything like a cor- rect idea of the picture afforded the early settlers in the \illage of Clam Lake. It seems almost sacrilege that such beauty of scenery should have had to yield before the insatiable maw of the woodman's ax and the saw-mill's glittering teeth, but the marts of commerce have no sentiment or romance, and nature's loveliness must be yielded up to the demands of business, and the glory of her forests and the grandeur of its solitudes must be laid waste that man may reap for- tunes out of what it has taken her centuries to produce. If the denuded lands had been turned into waving wheat fields there would have seemed to be some recompense for the ruthless slaughter of the forests, but to see the vast areas of lands covei-ed with noth- ing but stumps and a stuliby growth of bushes, makes one wish that the task of cutting away the great forests of pine had been much less rapidly done, so that the present and future generations could have had a glimpse of their royal l^eauty and sublimity. But how useless it is to moralize. In looking over the foregoing extract from the News we find that a few, a very few, of the names therein mentioned are still familiarly known in Cadillac — the city to which the village of Clam Lake has grown. J^r. Leeson is still doing business in the city, and. though not the owner of a drug store, is engaged in the manufacture of "Tiger "Oil," a medicine of well recog- nized merits which has found a way into nearly every state in the Union. The Doc- tor can boast of being a charter member of two organizations which will d6ubtless re- main as long as the city continues to exist. One is the Methodist Episcopal church and the other the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is hale and hearty and may be seen almost any summer day going to or returning from his farm, situated two miles out of the city. Mr. Cornwell, mentioned in the items quoted relative to Cornwell & La- bar, is still in the same business as then, the firm name now being J. Cornwell & Sons. Mr. Labar severed his connection with the firm some eight or ten years ago, moved to the southern part of the state and has since gone to his long rest. Mr. Harris, of the firm of Harris Brothers, long years ago re- tired from the mill business and now lives in a modest home on the street bearing his name. His lx)wed form and whitened locks are frequently seen on the streets, and though not engaged in business, he will re- count the struggles and triumphs of an early lousiness life in the village of Clam Lake with a great deal of zest to any one who wishes to question him about the early days in the history of the village. Mr. Born is still an active business man of the city, his chief occupation being that of moving build- ings from place to place or raising them and putting under new foundations. Of the many others named in this article, some are dead, many entirely forgotten, some doing business in other states and other sections of this state, and one — Dr. Dillenbeck — is an inmate of the Northern Michigan Insane Asylum, where he has been for some twelve or fifteen years. At the conclusion of its first volume the News published a review of the year. In this review mention is made of the burning of the first brick made in the village and also of the erection of the Haynes planing mill. This was built by the father of the present owners. It has been greatly enlarged 284 WEXFORD COUNT y. MICHIGAN. and capacity increased until it is now one of the best equipped mills of the kind north of Grand Rapids. One item mentions the fact that "on the extreme south of the vil- lage is the mill owned by J. W. Cobbs, a fine mill for its size, and doing a very handsome business. Its capacity is about thirty-five thousand feet per day." Some years later Mr. Cobbs associated himself with Mr. Mitchell, the firm being known as Cobbs & Mitchell. Their mill property was enlarged and later a second mill was erected, the two having been in constant operation from that time until the present, with timber enough in sight to last twelve or fifteen years. Their timber now comes mostly from Charlevoi.x county, where they have large tracts of the finest hardwood and hemlock lands in the state, with a sprinkling of pine intermixed. Their output is now nearly all hemlock and hard- wood, the latter being sold in the finished product of maple flooring, to manufacture which they have here one of the largest maple-flooring plants in the world. The Methodists and Presbyterians each erected church buildings in i^^y^i' 'i" \^en\ in the News of June 7, 1873, reading as fol- lows : "A little less than four weeks ago the first work was done on the Methodist Episcopal church, yet last Sunday's serv- ices were held there and will continue to be in the future." In September a new bell was put in the tower of the church. It weighed five hundred pounds and cost one hundred and twenty-five dollars. In 1888 the society commenced the erection of its present brick edifice, and in December, 1889, the dedicatory services were held. The new structure cost about eight thousand dollars. The society now has a membership of about three hundred, has a large Sunday school, an Epworth League, a Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society and is in excel- lent condition financially. Its present pas- tor, Rev. E. A. Armstrong, is serving his fourth year. Touching the earlier history of this society, it is related that the first serv- ice held in the village of Clam Lake was in the evening of December 10, 1871, and the society was organized in 1872 by Rev. A. L. Thurston, the total membership at that time being seven; one of the charter mem- bers. Dr. J. Leeson, still has his name on the church books and is an active worker for the cause he has so long labored for. The First Presbyterian church was or- ganized in 1872 through the efforts of Rev. John Redpath. This society also built a church in 1873. A recent fire damaged the building to such an extent that services therein have been discontinued and at a recent meeting of the society it was decided to build a new house of worship this year at a cost of about twenty thousand dollars. The growth of the society recently had shown that a larger church building was needed and this work will now be hastened in consequence of the fire. The present pastor. Rev. .\. \V. Jnhustouc, Ph. D.. is now serving his tenth year in the pulpit, which is ample evidence of the esteem in which he is held by his parishioners. The church has the usual auxiliary societies and a well attended Sunday school. It was not until the year 1882 that the Congregationalists made an effort to organ- ize a society in the village. The work was accomplished through Rev. C. H. Beals, and in January. 1883, a society consisting of thirty members was organized. The first board of trustees was composed of Jacob WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 285 Cummer, N. L. Gerish, J. G. Mosser, E. F. Sawyer and 1". H. Messmore. In the sum- mer of that year a church edifice was erected and dedicated December 14, 1883. A par- sonage was also built that year, the com- bined cost of the buildings being eight thou- sand five hundred dollars. An annex was built in 1884 for kindergarten purposes and since that time, through the liberality of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Cummer, a free kindergar- ten has been maintained. The church now has a membership of one hundred and sixty- nine, has a large Sunday school, a Junior Endeavor society, a Ladies Aid and Home and Foreign Missionary society. The pres- ent pastor, Re\-. F. M. Hollister, succeecletl l\e\-. N'. S. r>ra(lJev, who had ser\cd the society from the summer of 1895 uiitil his resignation in 1901 to accept a call from Saginaw. The Free Methodists organized a society in the summer of 1875, through the work of Re\-. L. D. Russell, and a church building was erected the same year largely through his efforts. There are now about fifty mem- bers and they liaxc a well-attended Sunday schn,,l. A Swedish Evangelical Lutheran church was organized in 1874 and a church build- ing started in 1876, but was not dedicated until 1882. It has a very large membership, one of the largest Sunday schools in the city, a Ladies society, the Willing Workers, composed of girls under fifteen years of age, the Sorosis society, the Men's Aid society and the Little Boys' society. Besides these tliev ha\'e a semi-monthly gathering of all the young people of the church, at which religious and literary programs of interest are rendered. The present pastor. Rev. Carl A. Tolin, has served the congregation since the summer of 1899, succeeding the Rev. N. Gibson, who had labored seven years for the society. A Baptist society was organized in 1876, but several years passed before a church building was erected. In 1883 the Swedish members of the society, about one-half of the total membership, withdrew for the pur- pose of organizing a Swedish Baptist church. This somewhat crippled the parent church for a time, but it soon recovered the lost ground and is now in a thriving condi- tion. The Swedish Baptist church was organ- ized on the 23d of June, 1883, with a mem- bership of twenty-nine. In 1S88 a church was built under the pastorate of Rev. Erick- son. The membership now numbers nearly one hundred and fifty, with a largely at- tended Sunday school. The St. Ann's Catholic church was or- ganized in 1881 and through the efforts of the first resident priest. Rev. Milligan, the church building, which for some time had been in process of construction, was com- pleted in 1883. The present priest. Rev. L. M. Prud'homme, last year interesteil his parishioners in the matter of building a new brick church and the work was at once be- gun, and with systematic effort will te ac- complished the present summer, when they will have one of the finest houses of wor- ship in the city. The Swedish Mission church is an in- stitution of the fatherland, having been started in Sweden some twenty-five years ago. In almost every Swedish commun- ity of any considerable size in this country may be found a Swedish Evangelical Mis- sion church. A church was organized in this city in 1880 and in 1882 a church Imild- 286 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. ing was erected. Tlie cluircli lias a mem- liersliip of about one liuiulred and tifty, a Sunday school with over one hundred mem- bers and is in a flourisliing condition. The doors of the church are i:)pen nearly every evening in the year, where any one, Ije he resident or transient, ma}- find welcome and friends. In August, 1884. a German Evangeli- cal Lutheran Immanuel church was organ- ized. The society as yet has no church building, but services are regularly held at the parsonage. The present pastor. Paul C. Noffze, has ministered to the church since 1899. The Sexenth Day Adventists had a few members here for years, and during the summer of 1899 an extra effort was made to increase their membership. So well did they succeed that in the fall of that year they decided to purchase a building for church purposes and they now own the building form^^ly known as the Sahation Army barracks. There are those who have religious be- liefs differing from anv of these denomi- nations here mentioned, li\ing in the city, but none of sufficient numbers to be al)le to form societies. Perhaps the most num- erous in this respect are those who believe in the Christian Science idea. Services are regularly held by these adherents on the second floor of the State Bank building. The Latter Day Saints also have regular weekly services. PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The first school in the village of Clam Lake was in the spring of 1872 in a Imild- ing owned by Mosscr & White, /v frac- tional district had been organized from parts of C!lam Lake and Haring townships, and in June of that sailie year a small buiUling had been erected on the square donated by Mr. Mitchell for school purposes. The school census taken in September of that year gave the number of children of school age — between fi\-e and twenty years — at one hundred and five. The fall and winter terms following were taught by C. L. Frazier, with Miss Nettie Brink as assistant. An addi- tion to the school building was built in 1S73 and the spring term opened with George Addison as principal and Miss Born as as- sistant. Rev. W. L. Tilden, the Methodist Episcopal i)astor, taught the winter term of 1873-4. In 1874 the school was under the management of \V. A. Fallass, who came from Lowell, Michigan. With the constant increase of population the need of more school room became an absolute necessity and in the summer of 1876 a new buikling was erected. This building was twenty-eight by sixty-two feet in size and two stories high, each floor being divided into two rooms. The cost of the building above the foundation was three thousand six hundred dollars, ex- clusive of the seats and desks, which were of the "Triumph" patent, being the first introduction of the patent seats and desks in the county. The first term in the new- building was under the professorship of M. ,S. Groesbeck, who had for his assistants Miss Hattie Caswell and Miss Carrie Sip- ley. Mr. Groesbeck continued in charge for two years, his successor behig Prof. F. C. Pifcr. wilt I remained but one year, being succeeded l)y Prof. H. M. Enos. In the meantime it had been found neces- sarv to make additions to the school build- WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 287 ing, the original rooms now becoming so overcrowded that it was impossible to seat the increasing number of scholars seeking admission. The erection of a larger school Imilding was seen to be an absolute necessity in the near future and the matter was ab- ruptly forced upon the school board by the destruction of the school building by fire in the winter of 1880. During the summer of 1881 a new and much larger building was erected, which was thought to have suffi- cient capacity to meet the growing needs of the city for many vears to come. l)ut in a few years it was found necessary to provide ward buildings, which have been added from time to time until each ward has a school house of its own. Fire again destroyed the central school building in 1S90. when the present commodious brick structure was erected, which is as line a school l)uilding as can be found anywhere north of Grand Ixapids. Professor Enos was succeeded by A. A. Hall in 1885 and a year later Prof. A. S. Hall was engaged and continued in charge of the school for three years. In the fall of 1889 Prof. E. P. Church was engaged and his services were so satisfactory that lie was kept for four years. Prof. George R. Catton succeeded Mr. Church and he'd the position for three years. Prof. J. H. Kaye succeded Mr. Catton in 1896 and has continued in charge of the schools until Ihe present time. The whole num])cr of cliildren of school age in the city is nineteen hundred and thir- ty-one and the number attending school for a period of three months during the last school year was eighteen hundred and sixty. The number of teachers employed the pres- ent year is thirty-four, not counting a music teacher or Professor Kaye. There was spread upon the tax rolls of the city last year for school purposes the sum of $19,- 693.00 and the sum of $5,269.50 was re- ceived from the state primary school fvmd. The first and fourth ward school buildings will soon be replaced with new and larger ones, as the buildings are now overcrowded. At the commencement exercises in 1903 the graduates numbered twenty-nine, which, with one exception, was the largest class ever graduated, the exception being the class of 1902, which numbered thirty. The names of the graduates are as follows : Georgia E. Jackson, Olivia May Johnson, Kate Hel- len Ballon, Bessie L. Troutman, Clyde A. Saunders, Frank Morris fTecox, Susan A. Florer, Winnie Alice Kaiser, Chas. V. Crom- well, Edna Sayles Law, Amaryllis M. Cote;,% Corinne W. Foster, Essie May Bland, Grace Ellen Spencer, Helen Amanda Kelley, Doug- las Campbell, Arthur V. Gibson, Audrey I'. Dillenbeck, Gene Lulu Romig, Henry P. Grund, Bessie Hodges. Elida K. McGillis, M. \'eronica Murray, Rosalie L. Kelleher, Aland M. Carpenter, Genia Belle Torrey, Archibald Thomson, Oscar Abel Peterson and William F. Campbell. The first one in the list graduated from the classical and also from the Latin courses ; the next six from the Latin; the next six from the scientific ; the next four from the English preparatory antl the last twehe from the English. The first doctor and druggist in the vil- lage was Dr. John Leeson. He made a trip to the new town in November, 1871, but the outlook was so discouraging that he passed but one night in the place, sleeping on the floor at that, in the kitchen of the Clam Lake House. He returned in March, 288 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 1872, bought a lot and put up a building, in which he started the first drug store. Be- fore he had his building ready for occu- pancy he occupied a room in which J. S. McClain kept a small stock of groceries and also the postoffice. This building stood on Mason street. From the best information we can se- cure it appears that Holbrook & May started the first store on the site of the new village. This was in March, 1871, and was in a little log building near the shore of the lake. They afterwards put up a two-story store build- ing on the corner of Mason and Mitchell streets, in which they did a thriving busi- ness for a number of years. In the first issue of the Clam Lake News we see no mention of lawyers, but during the year two law firms were established, Fal- lass & Sawyer and Rice & Rice. It appears tliat the first attorney was S. S. Fallass, who came in the fall of 1872. The next one was D. A. Rice, who came for the purpose of securing the nomination for prosecuting at- torney, but found that the convention had been held a few days before his arrival and Mr. Fallass had secured the nomination. The members of the bar now living in the city are: J. R. Bishop, E. E. Haskins, Fred S. Lamb, D. E. Mclntyre, C. F. Bur- Ion, E. F. Sawyer, George S. Stanley, S. J. Wall, Fred \\'etmore and Circuit Judge C. C. Chittenden. From the city members of the bar four attorne3's have been raised to the circuit court bench of the twenty- eighth judicial circuit, viz : Hon. S. S. Fal- lass, Hon. J. M. Rice, Hon. F. H. Aldrich and the present judge, Hon. C. C. Chitten- den. For more than twenty years in suc- cession the circuit judge of the district to wliich ^^'exford county belongs has been a resident of Cadillac. It \\ ould be impossible to give in detail the vast lumbering operations that have built up and still largely sustain the thriving city by the lakes. For nearly thirty-two years, simimer and winter, and many times day and night, has the work gone on. Some idea may be formed of the vast proportions of this business from a present description of the mills and factories. For years the Cummer interests ran two mills, cutting from two hundred thousand to two hundred and fifty thousand feet of lumber per day. Two years ago one of these mills ceased do- ing business, for the reason that the pine timber had become exhausted. The other mill runs on hardwood and hemlock, cut- ting about sixty thousand feet of the for- mer or one hundred and thirty thousand feet of the latter per day. To this firm belongs the di.stinction of having first replaced their circular saws with band saws. This at first was looked upon as a foolish experiment, it being the universal opinion of mill men that the band saw could not stand the rapid "feed" neces- sary to turn out such a large quantity of lumber per day. Init the trial proved a suc- cess, and revolutionized the mill business throughout the country. Not only couki lumber be manufactured as rapidly and as evenly with the band saw as with the cir- cular or gang saws, but the saving of tim- ber in consequence of the difference in the thickness of the saws is nearly enough to pay the expense of manufacturing the lum- ber, and it was not long before all the larger mills in the country were using band saws. This firm manufacture a large portion of WEXFORD COUXTV. MICHIGAN. 289 their beech and maple lumber into flooring, having a large planing-mill in connection with their plant. They also have five pairs of retorts for making charcoal out of the refuse from cutting their hardwood lumber and also from the wood they cut out of such timber as is not suitable for lumber. They have a chemical plant in connection with the charcoal business, which turns out wood alcohol, acetate of lime and coal tar, The output of these per day is as follows : Six hundred gallons of wood alcohol and ten thousand pounds of acetate of lime. The coal tar is used for fuel, consequently no account is kept of that. They make about three thousand bushels of charcoal per day. (^obbs & Mitchell lia\e two saw-mills with a capacity of one hundred eight thous- and feet of hardwood or one hundred eight}- thousand feet of hemlock per day. Both mills \yere run entirely on pine until that timber was all cut out and now only hard- wood and hemlock, with occasionally a little pine mixed in, is cut. After the pine in this county had all l)een cut, they purchased one hundred and fifty million feet in Grand Traverse county and later sixty million feet in Kalkaska county, which was brought here for manufacture. Since turning their atten- tion to hardwood they have added a maple- flooring mill and dry kilns to their estab- lishment in this city, where they make from fifty thousand to sixty thousand feet of beech and maple flooring per day. The firm of Murphy & Diggins have a saw-mill with a capacity of about thirty-five thousand feet of lumber per day, nearly all of which is hemlock and maple. Wilcox Brothers ha\e a saw-mill capable of cutting some t\venty-five thousand feet per day. They also manufacture a patent basket and use quite a large quantity of timber each year for that purpose. Last year the fiini of Williams Brothers built a large last- block factory, with a saw-mill attachment. The last-block business consumes about tv.o hundred thousand feet of maple timber per year, while their saw-mill will cut forty thousand feet of lumber per day. They do not expect to do continuous business with the lumber mill, but use it to cut such timber as will not make last-blocks. Mitchell Brothers ha\'e a handle factory which re- quires about two million feet of beech and maple timber per annum. They only oper- ate a part of the year, but when running turn out abt)ut forty thousand handles per day. The Oviat \'eneer Works require two million feet of timber jjer annum to supply their plant. They use beech, birch, maple, basswood, ash, oak, cherry and elm timber. The Cadillac Tie & Shingle Company have a plant with saw-mill attachment, capable of turning out twenty thousand feet of lumber and forty thousand shingles per da}'. A little computation will show what a large amount of timber it recjuires each day to keep the mills and factories of Cadillac in operation, and the army of men given employment in the mills and camps by the lumber interests centered in this city. Haynes Brothers have a large custom planing mill and in connection keep all kinds of lumber, mouldings, door and window frames, also shingles, lath, doors and win- dows. The Cummer Manufacturing Com- pany do a large business in making ladders, potato crates and numerous small articles for hotisehold and ofifice use. The Michigan Iron works is an insti- tution that the city may well be proud of. It does everything in the shape of iron and 290 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. steel working, from the building of a loco- motive down. It has a foundry where cast- ings weighing several tons can be made. William Haynes has a boiler shop in the same block as the iron works and turns out boilers and smoke stacks for all kinds and sizes of plants, as well as locomotive boil- ers. Another manufacturing business of which the city may well be proud is the City Flouring Mills. The property is owned by J. Cornwell & Sons, successors to Labor & Cornwell. The business is the outgrowth of the small beginning made in 1872, men- tion of which, under the name of Cornwell & Labor, is heretofore given in the extract from the first copy of the Clam Lake News. It has grown to such proportions that the firm keep a man on the road constantly, sell- ing its products at wholesale to the dealers along the Grand Rapids & Lidiana Railroad and Ann Arbor Railroad. They buy wheat along the whole northern lines of these rail- roads, have an elevator of their own at Shep- ard for wheat, and besides these sources of supply they receive many car loads of wheat and all of their corn from Chicago and other western points. l"his firm also does a whole- sale and retail grocery business, haxing two stores in the city. The first system of water works was inaugurated by H. N. Green in 1878. The mains laid at that time were of wood bound with iron, the largest having only six inch bore for water. In 1893 a franchise was granted to W. \V. Cummer to furnish a water supply for thirty years. The old wooden mains were replaced with iron pipes, the principal ones having a water capacity of twelve inches diameter. A stand pipe was built upon one of the highest elevations in the city and this is kept filled with water at all times, to guard against any mishap to the pumps or engines. There are now over ten miles of water mains in the city and the average daily consumption of water is about a million and a quarter gallons. About the time that Mr. Cummer secured the water franchise he started in the electric lighting business, using the same building that contained the pumping outfit for his dynamos. This branch of the business grew rapidly and it was not long before every business place and many of the residences had been supplied with electric lights. A little later street lights were put in place which gave the newly fiedged city (juite a dignified appearance. A year ago a gas company was organ- ized and gas mains were laid in the princi- pal streets and a large number of peojilc ha\e substituted gas for electricit)-, while some use both. Gas is furnished for heal- ing as well as lighting purposes, and the hardware stores now have a good trade in gas sto\es and ranges. Cadillac, like all other cities, is blessed with an abundance of secret societies. The two which have the longest existance are Clam Lake Lodge Xo. 23 1. Free and .Ac- cepted Masons, and Viola Lodge Xo. 259, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which were both organized in the spring of 1875. The list that follows is a long one. Init we will give the names so that the reader can see what a town can do in the matter of secret orders when it sets itself about it. There is Cadillac Chapter X'o. 103, Royal Arch Masons; Cadillac Chapter X'o. 177, Order of the Eastern Star; Cadillac En- campment No. 93, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Twin Lake Lodge X^o. 198, WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 291 Rebekalis; Cadillac Lodge No. i8i. Anci- ent Order of United Workmen ; Cadillac Branch No. 131, Catholic Knights and La- dies of America ; The Ancient Catholic For- resters Association ; Court Lodge No. 300. Independent Order of Foresters ; Com- panion Court Dewey No. 181, Lide- pcndent Order of Foresters ; Ruby Council, F. A. A. ; W'ashington Post No. 444, Grand Army of the Republic ; Cadillac Council, Royal and Select Masters; Twin Lake Camp No. 1596, Modern Woodmen of America ; Cadillac Lodge No. 46, Knights of Pythias: Eureka Division No. 67, Loyal Guards: Cadillac Tent No. 232, Knights of the Modern Maccabees: Cadillac Hive No. 698, Ladies of the Modern Maccabees : Estella D. Hive No. 368, Ladies of the Ahidern ^laccabees ; Cadillac Lodge No. 173, O. M. P.: Cadillac Royal Circle: Gotha Lodge No. 5, Swedish L^nited Sons of America ; Wexford Lodge No. 674, Brotherhood of Railroad Train- men, and possibl)' others whose names we have been unable to learn, besides un- ions of carpenters, clerks, barbers, cigar- makers, masons,' etc. Two years after the \illage of Clam Lake was platted the question of having the village incorporated was submitted to the electors living in the territory to be included in the village, on the 15th of April, 1S74, and was carried almost unanimously, tiiere being but one negative vote to se\enty-two in favor of the propositimi. This action was taken under the proxisioii of the general village incorporation law, and in accordance with that law the circuit judge, upon being notified of the result of the election, made an order declaring the \illage of Clam Lake duly incorporated. The first village election was held on the iith day of ^lay, 1874. The first village president was J- Shack- leton and the first clerk, David A. Rice. The first board of trustees were L. O. Harris. F. W. Hector, Daniel McCoy, George Hoi brook, A. N. McCarthy and J. W. Cobbs. It was only a couple of months after this election that ihc su]ireme court declared the general village incorporation law to be un- constitutional, and the new village officers were thrown out of a job. The following winter, however, an act was passed by the legislature reincorporating the village. The same president as before was elected, and some of the same trustees, but E. F. Sawver was elected clerk. In th.e winter of 1877 efforts were made to get a city charter under the name of "City of Cadillac" and an act was intro- duced in the state legislature for that pur- pose. So skillfully was this work done that Wexford county had a city within its boun- daries before half a dozen of the citizens, outside of those living in the village of Clan; Lake, knew it. The first- city election was held on the first [Monday of April, 1877, at which the following officers were elected : Maj'or, George A. Mitchell ; marshal, Hor- ton Crandell: clerk, Lorenzo Ballon: treps- urer, D. F. Comstock : collector, Horton Crandell: street commissioner, Charles Cole: school inspectors, Levi O. Harris, three years, Jacob Cummer, two years, Charles M. Aycr, one year: justices of the peace, H. N. Green, four years, E. F. Sawyer, three years, J. B. Rose\elt, two years, Rob- ert Christensen, one year : alderman at large. M. J. Bond, two years, D. W. Peck, one }'ear. The following is a list of those who have held the office of mayor since Mr. Mitchell's 292 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. second term in 1878, viz: Jacob Cummer, one year ; D. McCoy, four years ; B. Bal- lon, one }ear; E. L. Metheany, two years; F. H. Huntley, one year; James liaynes, one year; J. H. Hixon. one year; James Mc- Adani. one year; W. \\\ Cummer, one year; L. J. Law. one year; Frecl A. Diggins, six years; S. J. Wall, two years; George S. Stanly, one year, and C. C. Donham, who is now serving his second year. The city has a neat little park, covering about a block, located between the Ann Ar- bor and Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad tracks, which commands a fine view of the lake. Last year a tract of land near the western end of Lake Cadillac was purchaseil for j)ark i)nri)oses. Tiiis will, when prop- erly fixed up, be a fine place for picnics and pleasure drives, and from it a good view of the entire city will be afforded. A driving park association was organ- ized last year and immediately secured forty acres of land adjoining the city plat, and had (|uite a large proportion of it stumped before winter set in. This spring the work was renewed and the slumping is nearly ,'i11 (lone and the grading well under way. A ciintract has been let for the erection of a grand staiul and other buildings, and it is expected that the grounds and track will be in readiness for speed contests before the summer is o\er. As early as 1876 a bank was started by D. F. Comstock and since that time the city has had very good bank facilities, with the exception of a brief period following the failure of Rice & Mcsmore, which occurred in 18S3. In December, 1883, a new Ijank was started, known as the D. A. Blodgett & Company Bank, with D. F. Diggins as manager. Mr. Diggins retired in 1892, and Henry Knowlton was selected as his suc- cessor. In 1895 Mr. Blodgett decided to withdraw from business in Cadillac, and it was then that the Cadillac State Bank was organized. The officers were F. J. Cobbs. president ; S. W. Kramer, vice-president, and Henry Knowlton, cashier. The same officers have been re-elected from year to year until the present time. In 1901 the stockholders decided to erect a new bank building, more in keeping with the times and affording better facilities for the transaction of its constantly increasing business. The work of putting up the new brick building was begun early in the summer and in De- cember it was ready for occupancy. The outside walls are faced with yellow brick, giving the building a very attractive ap- pearance. The inside finishings and fur- nishings are of elegant design and modern in every particular, and the stockholders arc justly proud of their new banking house. Mr. Knowlton has several times had the pleasure of showing its meritorious appoint- ments to parties from other towns who were contemplating building, and in every case the visitors were much pleased with the con- venient arrangements for business adopted in its construction. The new building oc- cupies the same site as the old, on the corner of South Mitchell and West Cass streets. Some idea of the extent of its business may be had from its last fin;incial statement, is- sued l'"el)ruary Ci. 1903. which was as fol- lows : jy EX FORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 293 RESOURCES. Loans and Discounts, ... $ 48^ Bonds, Mortgages and Securities, - - 106 Premium paid on Bonds, Overdrafts, Hanking House, '21 Furniture and Fixtures, - - - . 1 U. S. Bonds, - - - $ 20,000.00 Due from Banks, - - 104,171.86 U. S. and Nat. Bank Currency, 11,244.00 Gold Coin, ... - 14,100.00 Silver Coin, - - - 4,255.35 Nickels and Cents - - 859.24 ,759.12 ,328.31 775.00 406.70 ,239.31 ,770.46 Checks and Cash Items, - LIAKILITIES. Capital .Stock paid in, Surplus Fund, Undivided Profits, Commercial Deposits, Certificates of Deposit, - Savings Deposits, $ 154,630.45 3,916.07 $ 772,825.42 $ 50,000.00 26,000.00 24,507.03 $ 211,960.78 - 325,480.14 135,877.47 $ 673,318.39 $ 772,825.42 III July, 1902, tlie People's Savings Bank was organized, with Charles E. Rus- sell, president; C. H. Drury, vice-president, and George Chapman, cashier. The capital stock was fifty thousand dollars, all paid ii>. Its statement issued May 15, 1903, shows deposits of $123,192.70; loans, $137,384.- 18, and total resources, $177,381.18. This shows a wonderful growth of business for the ten months the bank has Iieen running. The population of the city in now about seven thousand, having been 4,461 in 1890 and 5.997 in 1900. The last three years have witnessed a more rapid growth than any like period in the history of the town. At the last city election it was voted to bond the city for thirty-five thousand dol- lars for public improvements, it being well understood that this money was to be tised in sectiring more factories. A Board of Trade was organized early in the spring of 1903, the main object of which was to have charge of the matter of properly expending the money raised for public improvements. Heretofore this work had been looked after by the Commercial Club, but at a largely attended meeting of the business men of the city it was thought best to organize a Board of Trade, and the preliminary steps were then taken to accom- plish this object. The work has since been completed and the organization duly incor- porated under the state law. With the impetus which will be given to the growth of the city by the expenditure of the mone}' raised on the bonds voted, the city will more than likely reach the ten thousand mark at the next United States census. Residences by the score were built during the year 1902 and a large number will be erected during the present year. VILLAGE OF MANTON. We find it stated from what seems to be reliable authority that the village of Man- ton was started in 1872, but the first plat to be recortled w-as the Railroad Plat of 1874. Previous to this there seems to have been another plat, which was called Cedar Creek, lint it was not recorded until after the Railroad Plat had been recorded. In September, 1881, Seaman & Maqueston platted an addition and in Octol)er, 18S3, another addition was platted, known as the Dodds addition. Two more additions were platted in 1884, one by Mr. Wiles and one by Mr. Huff. 1885 witnessed the platting of two more additions, one by H. B. Sturte- 294 IV EX FORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. vaiit and one by Frank Weaver. Billiligs' addition was added in 1886, Sturtevant & Harger's addition in 1S97 and the Manton Development Association plat was made in igo2. It will thus be seen that the village has had a very uniform and substantial growth since its first organization. It is surrounded by a splendid farming country, which affords a sure and steady business for its merchants. Besides the farming indus- try it has always had a healthy and remun- erative manufacturing business. Ezra Harger and George Manton were the first persons to see the advantage of hav- ing a village at this point, having reached that point on a pnjspecting trip in the sum- mer of 1872. Mr. Harger purchased twenty acres of land and put up the first building in the place, which he filled with merchandise in the fall. William Meares also became in- terested in the place during the same fall and both he and Mr. Manton put up store buildings before the winter set in. Mr. Manton was a shoemaker by trade, and his stock of goods was mostly in that line, and he also had a shop in the rear end of the store for making and repairing footwear. The next year a saw-mill was erected and a hotel. The first religious service held in the new village was held in the railroad depot by the station agent, H. Brantlenburg, in the winter of 1872-,^. Mr. Brandenburg was a Methodist, and during the summer of 1873 organized a class of eighteen mem- bers. He was appointed local preacher in August of that year. The first school building in the village was erected in 1873. -^ term of school had previously been taught in a private dwelling house by Mrs. O. J. Golden. The village aiiade a rapid growth for the next two or three years, one very im- portant reason being that as soon as regular trains hatl commenced running over the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad and a passable road could be made through to Sherman, the mail route was changed, and instead of running from Cadillac to Sher- man and on to Tra\'erse City, the route was from IManton to Traverse City, via Sher- man, until the railroad reached Traverse City, and then it was simply from Sherman to Manton. Xot only was this daily mail route a great help to Manton, but that vil- lage was the only shipping point for the whole country for six miles on either side of a line directly west of Manton clear through tlie county and for eight or ten miles into ^Manistee county. These condi- tions helped the merchants and the hotel 1 of Manton to a wonderful degree and con- tinued until the building of the Toledo, Ann Arbor & Xorthern I\Iichigan Railroad through the county in 18S9. And thus it happened that we see the \illage spoken c>f in 1877 as ha\ing three good hotels and fi\e general stores. .\ second saw-mill had been Iniilt previous to that time, also a plan- ing mill. So rapidly had the village grown that the legislature of 1877 passed an act incorporating the village, but it was not un- til February 11, 1878. that the first village election was held. The same year Manton Lodge Xo. 347. Free and Accepted Masons, was organized! with twehe charter members. A Wom- an's Christian Temperance Union was or- ganized the same year. In May, 1881. Ris- ing Star Lodge Xo. 99, Ancient Order of L'nited Workmen, was organized, but after a few years of activity went to pieces. O. WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 295 P. Morton Post, Grand Army of the Ro- pnlilic. was mustered in April 26, 1882, and has had a good membership ever since that time, though for the past few years its ranks have been perceptibly thinned by death. An Odd Fellows lodge was organized as ear- ly as March, 1882, but with only six char- ter members. The village now has a tent of Knights of the Modern Maccabees, a hive of Ladies of the Modern Maccaljees, a lodge of Modern Woodmen of America and a Knights of Pythias lodge. A pretty good idea may be had of the \illage from the number of teachers employ- ed in its public schools and the number ot pupils in attendance. There are eight teach- ers employed and the pupils number two hundred and ninety. The village has a fine school building and its schools rank second in the county in size and number of teacli- ers employed. The present officers of the \illage are Charles H. Bostick, president; Arthur Bulkley, clerk ; George M. Brooks, treasurer : N. A. Reynolds, assessor ; An- drew J. Bennett, street commissioner, and Richard Xewland, marshal. In 1895 the \illage inaugurated a water-works system, and in 1901 it instituted an electric light plant. Both of these, we believe, are owned and o]jerated by the village. In the line of manufacturing industries we find the stave and heading factory of Andrew McAfee, employing from thirty to fortv men: the last-block factorv of the Williams Brothers Company, turning out four thousand fi\'e hundred to five thousand last blocks per day and employing about forty men. M. Xorthrup has a saw and planing-mill and lumber yard. He employs from ten tc thirty men, and turns out about twenty-five thousand feet of lumber per day while running his mill, which is only a part of the year, on account of the difficulty h\ getting logs in the summer time. The Man- ton flour-mill, owned by Phelps & Baker, has a capacity of ninety barrels of flour and twenty tons of feed per day. They employ fi\-e to seven men. The Manton Produce Company have a grain elevator and produce warehouse and also a mill for grinding feed. They have storage room for ten thousand bushels of grain and produce, and employ from five to ten men. The Rotary Seed Planter Manufacturing Company is of re- cent origin, and is composed of (Irs(.)n D. Park and H. G. Plutzler. They are the patentees and are just commencing to manu- facture the machines for the market. Tliey are very sanguine that they have an article that will find a ready sale when once put on the market, and its merits thoroughly tested. The Manton Tribune was established in October, 1870, Init for some time the press work \\'as done in Cadillac. The first edi- tor and ])ublisher was Marshal McLure, but in a short time it passfed into the hands of \. J. Teed, of Cadillac. Mr. Teed kept it but a short time, selling- out to C. E. Cooper, formerly owner of the Wexford County Pioneer, and a practical newspaper man, wdio soon made the paper worthy of a liberal support, which the people of Manton have ever since giva: it. In September, 1883, it was purchased by H. F. Campbell. Mr. Campbell was postmaster at that time and upon the expiration of his term of of- fice sokl the paper back to Mr. Cooper, who was also Mr. Campbell's successor as post- master. ]\Ir. Cooper continued in control of the paper until August, 1893, when he sold it to H. G. Hutzler, its present owmer. It was started as a five-column folio, but has 296 jy EX FORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. been enlarged two or three times, being now a six-column (juarto. It has always been Republican in ])iilitics except the last few years it was in Air. Cooper's hands, when it was Demo- Greenback. Its present owner is deputy state oil inspector for the district lo which W'exford county belongs. Early in 1873 '^ postoffice was estab- lished at Manton with O. P. Carver as the first postmaster. His successors have been H. M. Billings. H. Brandenburg, M. P. ( !i!1)ert. II. F. Campbell, C. E. Cooper, Frank • \\'ca\cr, C. E. Cooper and V. F. Huntley, the present incumbent, who is now serving his second term. The office passed into the presidential class in I'cbruary, 1899. The salary of the postmaster is fourteen hundred dollars per year, with six hundred and twenty-six dollars for his assistant and three hundred dollars for one clerk. There is a rural delivery route starting from the oH'ice and covering twenty-three miles in its rounds. The carrier is H. C. I'^)rw(iriliy. This is the only rural delivery ri)Ulc in the county. There has been considerable agitation cuer the subject of building a beet-sugar factory at Al.uilnn. but nothing definite has yet been dcnie. Se\eral experiments in the matter of raising sugar beets have been tried with very satisfactory results, and a beet- sugar factory for the \illage is more than a probability. 1 1. \ RU I KTT.\ \IL1..\C.K. The \illnge of I larrietta was platted in .\\)v'\]. iS.S(), by (he Aslilcys, who were build- ing the Toledo & .Ann .Vrbor Railroad. C.aston and Campbell platted an addition in April. iS(;o. and a year later the Ogden ad- dition was platted. The first "boom" the town had was upon the arrival of Gaston and Campbell, who built a saw-mill and manu- facturing establishment for the purpose of making novelties from the hardwood with which the village was surrounded. They bought expensive machinery and quite large tracts of land and started out with every prospect of success but the hard times over- took them and failure followed. Had they waited four years longer their enterprise would doul)tless ha\e proved a success and the village of Harrietta would no doul)t have been double its jiresent size. Harrietta, like all villages of any pre- tensions, had to have a newspaper, and one was started in 1S91. Its life was of but short duration, however, and in less than two years the village was without an "organ." Another attempt in this line was made in 1893, but, like the first effort, this also proved a failure. Sometime in 1894. Sam O. Coo- ley -started a newspaper in the village, but he soon left the place for a more sympathetic community. Soon after this John C. Stone started the llarrielta Xcws. which he con- tinued to publish until i8()7, when he sud- denly disai)i)earc(l and of course the paper was discontinued. For something like a year the Harrietta Messenger has now been running under the management of Tom R. Campbell. There is e\ery indication that this last newspaper effort will be more successful than its pred- ecessors, and that the citizens of Harrietta and the surrounding towns will ha\'e a home paper that they can feel a pride in. The local newspaper is something that a thriving village can ill afford to l)e without, and, though the calling is nf)t a very lucrative one ill small xillaijes, there arc alwavs those WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 297 ready and willing to undertake the task of running- a country paper, and, when properly managed, nothing does more for the pros- perity of a village than the village newspaper. Soon after the coming of the railroad a set of charcoal kilns were built and a chemi- cal plant for the manufacture of wood alco- hol erected, and for se\eral years these were kept in active operation, day and night. These were finally remo\'ed to Yuma, si.x miles further north, and this, too, was a se- vere blow to the village. A shingle mill was built and kept in operation for several years until the timber for that product had be- come exhausted, when it moved away. With all of these discouragements, the \illage has still held its own and now it is promised a brighter future. There is a fine trout stream, the Slagle creek, running through the edge of the vil- lage, and two years ago the state fish com- missioners decided that it was just the place for a fish hatchery. The necessary land was accordingly purchased and last year the work of clearing out the stream, building the nec- essary dams and chutes, and erecting build- ings was begun. The work is now well un- der wav, the state having expended some five thousand dollars last year, with a proba- ble expenditure of three or four thousand dollars the present year. It is proposed to make this one of the best fish hatcheries in the state, which will call for a yearly out- lay of several thousand dollars, all of which tends to brighten the future prospects of the village. Soon after the starting of the \illage the .Springdale postoffice, which for years had been kept at a private house about a mile north of the site of the village, to accommo- date the farming community in that vicin- ity, was mo\ed to the new village and its name changed to that of the \illage, llarri- etta. The village was incorporated in 1891, under the name of Gaston. This so vexed the railroad ofllcials that they threatened to take up the station unless the name was changed back to Harrietta. Accordingly in 1893 an act was passed by the legislature changing the name to Harrietta. At the first election after the passage of the act incor- porating the village, the following ofificers were elected, viz: President, John A. Bar- ry; clerk, Thomas H. Jackson; treasurer, J. Stewart Hood; assessor, Joseph Z. Stan- ley.- The present village officers are Will C. Barry, president: Charles S. Ogdcn, clerk: H. J. VanAukcn, treasurer: Jcjlin A. Barry, assessor. Among the industries of the village are the following : The Harrietta Sto\e Com- pany, established in 1891 by Ben F. Craig as manager, who has since become sole own- er of the plant. He pays out a large sum each year for stock and in wages, thus con- tributing in no small degree to the prosperity of the village. I'he Fellers Brothers have a saw-mill and also a stave-mill. They are now putting a planer and matcher in the mill, something the village has long felt the need of. This concern commenced operations in 1897 and have run almost constantly since that time. Their pay-roll each month contributes a large amount to the business volume of the village. The Harrietta Brick Compau}- was or- ganized in 1893 by h'rank I), (iaston and S. P. Millard. Mr. Gaston soon after retired and Robert Wilson, of Cadillac, l)ecame a member of the company. After a few years 298 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Mr. Milianl s.jM out to William Heath! so that the linn now is Wilson & Heath. Jhe \illage has a lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. i86, a Rebekah Lodge, No. 253, a tent of the Knights of the Modern Maccabees, and a hive of the Ladies of the r^lodern Maccabees. The population (il the \illage is nearly six hundred. The \ill;ige of Boon was platted in Ap- ril, iS.S(;, and in August, 1893, ^ P^'^^ of Bennett's addition was tiled. The village was never incorporated. It has two saw- mills and a bowl factory, and the usual places of business found in all small villages. In l'\4)ruary, 1H90, the village of Mes- ick was platted. I'his village now has one saw-mill and a handle factory. For sev- eral years the Williams Brothers operated a branch of their last-block business at this point, but last yeai" the equipment of their jilant in Mesick was moved to their new .'^ccne of operations in Cadillac. The village now has a weekly newsi)apcr, the Sun, which is in the fourth vear of its existence. One or two former efforts in the newspaper busi- ness had failed, but the Sun seems to be still shining as !n\igoratingly as ever. This place, since its birth, has been the railroad station at which has been done all the rail- road business for the village of Sherman, situated two and a half miles northeasterly from the station, except bulk freight, which h.as been loaded and unkjaded at the Clog- gett spur, a mile and a half north of the sta- tion. ,\ little o\er a year ago the inhabi- tants of the village petitioned the board of supervisors to be incorpt^-ated, and the board granted the jjctition. The first village elec- tit)n was held on the 5th day of March, 1902, at which the following officers were elected, viz : President, R. M. Harry : clerk. F. E. Rice; treasurer, W. W. Galloway; assessor, B. C. llalstead. 'i"he same otricers were re-elected at last s])ring"s election, except that J. M. Donnelly was elected treasurer in place of W. \V. Galloway. The village has a nice, large school build- ing, in which two teachers are employed for nine months of the year. The Seventh-Day Advent society ha\'e a good church build- ing in which regular services are held. There is also a tent of the Knights of the Modern Maccabees, a hive of the Ladies of the Mod- ern Maccabees and a camp of the Modern Woodmen of .\merica, all in a nourishing condition. In June, 1893, the village of Yuma was platted. This village is about half way be- tween Harrietta and Mesick. The \illage was the outgrowth of the removal of the Jenney coal kilns .'unl chemical plant from Plarrictta to this ])oint. The proprietors of these plants had made a purchase of a large tract of land, hca\ily tiiubered with hard- wooil near the railroad at this point, and ile- cided that is would be cheaper to move the plant to the timber than the timber to the plant. For a few years succeeding the start- ing of the \illage a saw-mill was in opera- tion, but that ceased to do business some seven or eight years ago, since which time the plants abo\-e mentioned have constituted the only manufacturing business in the place. The lumber camps in the vicinity and the farming interests have afforded a fairly good trade to the stores of the place, .and. being sru'rounded l)\- a good farming' counlr\-, it will alwavs be a market and shipping i)oint for farm ])roducts, even after the charcoal and chemical business, which brought it into existence, ceases to exist. The xillaire of Wexford never had a \il- WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 299 lage plat. From time to time building lots were sold by metes and Ijounds, and in this way it has slowly but surely grown in busi- ness importance until it has become an in- despensable trading point for the surround- ing community. It has ne\er had any manu- facturing . industry except a small saw-mill located alwut half a mile south of the center of th.e village. A part of the village is in Grand Traverse county, the main street east and west through the village being the county line. In 1878 the Methodist Episcopal so- ciety built a church building in which regu- lar services have been lield most of the time fince. I. Foust was the first merchant in the place, having commenced the grocery l)usi- ness, in a small way, back in the 'seventies. He kept adding to his stock little by little until finally he carried quite a full stock of general merchandise with his groceries. He held the postofllce for alx)ut twelve years. He was quite a musician and organized a martial band and for many years "Foust's Band" could be seen at all the gatherings where outdoor music was needed. He died about fifteen years ago and his son "Collie" succeeded to the business. The place has several secret societies, as follows : Fort- ney Tent No. 565, Knights of the Modern Maccabees; Murrea Hive No. 263, Ladies of the Modern Maccabees; Wexford Camp No. 8647, Modern Woodmien of America, and A. P. Earl Post, Grand Army of the Republic. There is a small cluster of buildings sev- en miles south of Cadillac and it was given the name of Hobart many years ago, and is still called the village of Hobart. For a good many years there was a custom grir^t- mill in the village, but last year it ceased to do business and was moved out of the county. There is at present no manufacturing indus- try there and the only places of business are the postoflice and a cnuntry store. CHAPTER XL OUR HONORED DEAD PIONEERS. B. W. Flail, as heretofore noted, was the first settler in Wexford county. He was born in Steuben county, New \'ork. His father rennn-ed to Cattaraugus county. New ^'ork, in 1S56, where he died soon after locating in his new home, leaving a widow, two sons and a daughter, the children all under eighteen years of age. Benjamin, the subject of this sketch, was of a roving dis- position and soon left home to seek his for- tune in the west. He settled first in south- ern Michigan, where he 'li\'ed until after the breaking out of the war of the Rebel- lion, and after tlie passage of the pre-emption law he came to the wilds of Wexford coun- t\'. arrix'ing in the fall of 1863. It was 300 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. then out of the (jnestion to get himber with which t(i 1iuil(l a Ikiusc. and it was equally diflicult to huild a log house, as there were not enough men within twelve miles of his homestead to roll the logs into a house, so he built a slranty with elm bark, where he and his wife lived for nearly two years. His wife then ran away with a Mr. Anise, and Mr. Hall rented his farm and went east to visit relatives, where he remained for nearly two years. Soon after his return he mar- ried again, but this union was not pleasant and after a few \cars a separation was se- cured through divorce proceedings. A few years later a third matrimonial venture was made, which proved more lasting than either of the others, the death of Mr. Hall in 1894 alone causing the separation. Mr. Hall, like many a lad of that period had meager opportunities for gaining an education, yet m his later years he was honored with near- ly all the ofiices in the gift of his townsmen at different times. He was industrious and frugal, and left his family a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, eighty of which were under cultivation. Dr. John Perry was another early pi- oneer in Wexford county, arri\'ing almost sinniltaneously with Mr. Hall. He, like Mr. Hall, was a native of New York state, and migrated to southern Michigan when the tide of emigration set in to the new states and territories of the west, a term given all the country west of the great lakes. He li\ed a year or two in Grand Traverse county before coming to Wexford county. He lo- cated a homestead in Antioch township, on section 6, a part of which is now included in the village of Sherman. He died in 1875 at the age of eighty-two years. Robert Mvliil! was a son-in-law of Dr. Perry, and came to the county soon after the arrival of Mr. Hall ami Mr.Perry. He set- tled on section 24 in Wexford township, where he remained until his accidental death in the spring of 1868. He had donated a site for a school house in the northeast cor- ner of his farm and the neighbors had set a day for cutting away the timber, prepara- tory to erecting a school-house. At this "bee" Mr. Myhill was struck by the limb of a falling tree, crushing his skull, causing death, though he lived for over twelve hours after the injury. William Masters was another early set- tler in the county, arriving in the autumn of 1863. He came from Steuben county. New York, and settled on section 12, in what is now Wexford township. He was noted for his hospitality, and many an early settler found food and shelter beneath his roof, "without money and without price." His home was headquarters for mail to an>l from Traverse City, and when the postoffice department was prewailcd upon to establish the first postoffice in the county he was ap- pointed the first postmaster. He served one term as county treasurer, and filled various township offices in his township. Largely with his own hands he felled and cleared the hca^-y timber from over a hundred acres of his homestead. For a number of years lie kept a small grocery, which was of the greatest value to those of the settlers who were without teams, as most of them were, thus enabling tlicni lo get the necessaries of life near enough so that they could pack them to their homes. He died in 1887, at the ripe age of eighty-three years, and was sincerely mourned by all the early settlers in the northwest part of the county. William E. Dean was one of the earlv WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 801 pioneers in the county, coming from Chau- tauqua county, New York. He located a homestead on section 2, in the present town- ship of SpringviHe, in 1865. He was the second supervisor from that township, which then consisted of six sur\-eyed townships, Antiocli, Boon, Henderson, Slagle and South Branch liaving heen organized out of the territory originally comprising the township of Springville. Mr. Dean served as supervisor many years in succession, and undoubtedly held that office more terms than any other person has held a similar of- fice in the county. He was prominent in the order of Patrons of Husbandry, when that order was in its palmy days in the country. He was twice nominated for the office of coiuity treasurer by tine Democratic party, hut was both times defeated. His death oc- curred at his home on the old homestead in June, 1903. Harmony J. Carpenter came to the county in 1865, and settled on section 6, in what is now Antioch township. He also came from Chautauqua county, New York, where he had lived for many years. He was in feeble health and well on in years when he came to the county, so that clear- ing away the forests to make a farm was slow ^vork for him, but by perseverance he at length succeeded in making a good sized clearing on his homestead. He was one of the early members of the Congregational church at Sherman, and served the church many years as deacon and trustee. He died in 1889 and his wife, who married several years after his death, died in 1898. Andrew .Anderson came to Wexford county from Canada in 1886, settling on section to, in what is now Hanover town- ship. He was the first shoemaker to arrive in the county, and the work he did in that line helped him greatly in clearing up his farm. .After the village of Sherman got well started he removed to that place and worked at his trade, keping a few goods in his line on sale, his wife at the same time running a little millinery store. Later he purchased an interest in a saw-mill at Sher- man, which howe\'er Inirned down in a short time after his purchase. He then purchased an interest in what was known as the Wheel- er mill in Hanover township, which he held for a few years. He also bought forty acres of railroad land adjoining the mill property for a home, the burning of the saw-mill having caused him to lose his old home, obliging him to start anew. Mr. Anderson was of Scotch descent and when the First Congregational church of Sherman was or- ganized he and his wife were charter mem- bers. He represented his township on tiie board of supervisors several years and held various other township offices at different times. He died in 1895, his widow sur- viving him only about a year and a half. S. C. Worth came to the 'county in 1866, taking up a homestead on section 20, in the present township of Hanover. He was a candidate for judge of probate at the first election for county officers in the county, but from the fact that some of the ballots were written (there was no printing press in the county in those days) with the full name and some with the initials only, he was defeated. He was afterwards appointed to the office of superintendent of the poor, serv- ing several years. He also served a number of years as supervisor and several terms as town treasurer and justice of the peace. He was among the early California gold seekers, and made the trip o\eriand before the trans- 302 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. continental railroads were thought of. Some seven or eight years ago he mo\e(l to Em- met county, this state, where he died in 1901. Charles Dalchow was a native of Ber- lin, Prussia, where he was born in 1825. He emigrated to America in 1857 in conse- f|uence of one of those political upheavals thai were of such frequent occurrence, half a century ago, in some of those petty coun- tries that now constitute the German em- pire. He first settled in St. Joseph county, this state, coming to this county in 1871. He was a farmer by occupation, though fre- (juently elected to different offices. His death occurred in 1896 at the age of seventy- one years. H. D. Griswold was the tirst practic- ing physician in the county. He was born in Jackson county, Michigan, in 1840. He commenced the practice of medicine in his native county soon after graduating from the State University at Ann Arbor in 1865. For several years he was connected with the newspaper business, having been a reporter for several different papers, and in widely separated fields, working in Detroit, St. Louis and Chicago. He came to Wexford county in 1872, and for many years was the only physician in the northwestern part of the county. He was an uncompromising Democrat and was always one of the coun- cilors of his party, and for many years chair- man of the party's county committee. His death occurred in 1899. Ezra Harger was born in Portage coun- ty, Ohio, in 1838. When the President made the call for seventy-five thousand three-months men to put down the rebellion, in April, 1861, he enlisted in the Fourteenth Ohio Infantrv. Some three months after the expiration of his three months service he enlisted in the Fifteenth United States Infantry. Ffe was discharged in 1864, and soon after re-enlisted for three years and served until February, 1867. He came to Wexford county in 1872, locating a home- stead and also platting a piece of land which is now a part of the village of Manton. la 1874 he was elected county treasurer and held that oftke for four terms during his life. He was chairman of the Soldiers' Relief Commission several years : served as supervisor, clerk and treasurer of his town- ship at different times and was chairman cf the Republican county committee several years. He was a member of the Free & Accepted Masons and at his death, which occurred in 1899, was buried under the aus- pices of that order. Isaac X. Carpenter, Wexford county's first judge of probate, was born in Chautau- qua county, New York, in 1838. He came to Wexford county in the fall of 1865, lo- cating a homestead on section 26, in what is now Wexford township. Besides his serv- ice as probate judge, he was several years supervisor of his township, and also held the oflice of justice of the peace many years, and township clerk several times. He was appointed postmaster at Sherman during President Cleveland's first administration, serving four years, after which he removed with his family to the new state of Wash- ington, where he died several years ago, the exact date of his death not being obtaina- ble. I. H. Maqueston, the county's first gen- eral merchant, was born in Rockland coun- ty. New York, in 1847. He came to the county in the spring of 1869, soon after the countv was organized, remaining a citizen jyEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 303 of the county until tlie time of his death, ex- cept one year wliicli he spent in New- York city. He was a successful merchant, a lover of fishing and hunting, and fully alive to everything that tended to benefit his home village. He rebuilt the Sherman grist-mill after its destruction by fire, and for several years did a successful milling- business. His death occurred in March, 1886, from heart failure, he being in the ])rinie of life and aj.iparently in the best of health up to an hour or two before his death. He was somewhat of a land dealer, at one time owning a part of the site of the j)resent city of Cadillac, and owned sev- eral hundred acres of land in the county at the time of his death. S}'lvester Clark came to Wexford coun- ty in the spring of 1869, locating at Sher- man and starting the first hotel in the coun- ty seat town. It was kept in a log house which was originally erected for a dwelling house, but which Mr. Clark remodeled in- to a hotel. Soon after starting this busi- ness a separation occurred between him and his wife, whicli was followed by divorce. A few years later he married the widow of Abrani Finch, an old soldier who came to the county in 1866, and only lived two or three years after his arrival. She still lives in Sherman and often at the reunions of the old settlers tells of being treed by a liear, wlien she and her first husband were living on their homestead, and how her little dog kept nipping at the bear's hind feet, thus detracting his attention and enab- ling her to get far enough up the tree to l)e out of reach. After his second marriage Mr. Clark took up farming and continued hi ibis occupation until the infirmity of age obliged him to give it up. He then movecl into Sherman village, and lived there until the winter of 1901, when he went to the Pa- cific coast, thinking it would improve his physical condition. In this he was disap- pointed, as he lived but a few weeks after reaching his journey's end. Lewis J. Clark, though not a relative of Sylvester Clark, was one of the early pion- eers of the county. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade and came to the county in the employ of George W. Bryant, of Trav- erse City, who owned a piece of land at the point where the Newaygo and Northport state road crossed the Manistee river. Mr. Bryant had a small clearing made near the bank of the river, and erected a good sized building intended for a hotel, and it was used for a short time for that purpose. Mr. Clark did the work of building the house and rented it for a while, putting in a stock of groceries. In 1868 he severed his connec- tion with Mr. Bryant and put up the first frame building in the village of Sherman, moving his stock of groceries into it as soon as it was ready to occupy. He afterwards went into the drug business, putting up an- other building for that purpose and moving the old one and using it as an addition to the drug store. Mr. Clark was a very obliging gentleman, and was liked by every one. As an evidence of this fact, he was unanimously recommended for postmaster, though a strong Democrat, and was appointed by a Republican administration. He died in De- cember, 1877, and was Ijiu'ied under the aus- pices of the Independent Order of Red Men, of which he was a member, and was sincerely mourned by the entire community. Frederick S. Kieldsen, for many years a prominent merchant in Cadillac, was born in Denmark in 1849, arriving in Cadillac 304 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. in 1S72. He was a shrewd business man, and after enlarging his mercantile stock to his satisfaction purchased a large farm, built a good farm house and large barns and at one time had a dairy of fort3'-five cows, mostly Holsteins. He was a lover of hors- es and kept some fine specimens on his farm. He suffered some severe reverses during the panic following the second election of Grov- er Cleveland, and subsequently retired from business. He died quite suddenly in 1891, leaving a widow and two children. John G. Mosser was born in Canada in 1840. He early learned the carpenter trade and at the time of the building of the Grand Rapids «S: Indiana Railroad secur- ed the position of foreman of the bridge building part of the construction, and stayed with the company until the road reached Petosky. He then settled in Cadillac and engaged in house building, and later went into the brickmaking business, at length go- ing into the regular contract building occu- pation and keeping a stock of builder's ma- terial. He superintended the construction of nearly all the larger buildings in the city, including churches, school houses, stores, the Masonic Temple and many private residen- ces. He secured a good many contracts for work in other counties and had a constant- ly increasing business. He disappeared sud- denly from the, city in 1893, and it w-as a long time before any of his friends knew of his whereabouts, and it was at first sup- posed he had committed suicide, but at length his wife rccci\cd a communication from Alberta, Canada, in 1896, conveying the information that he had died there and had told his companions where his wife and family lived. Mr. Mosser represented his ward fur manv vcars on the board of su- pervisors, and was several times honored by being elected as chairman of the board. James Haynes started the first planing- mill in the county, coming to the village of Clam Lake (now city of Cadillac) in 1872. He was born in Xew York in 1825, moving to Michigan with his father's family in 1836. His mill was destroyed by fire in 1877, 'i"*^! ^s showing the energy with which Mr. Haynes conducted business, it is re- lated that in just fifty-nine days after the fire another mill had been erected, the ma- chinery purchased and placed in position and the mill ready for business. Some time before his death IMr. Haynes associated his three sons with him in the business, the firm being known as James Haynes & Sons. One of the sons retired before the death of the father, the other two remaining and suc- ceeding to the business, which they still continue. Mr. Haynes held several im- portant village and city offices and served a part of one term as county treasurer, death overtaking him during his incumbency cf the office in 1889. .\ustin W. ^litchell came to Wexford county in 1S79 and his first business \enture was the purchase of a tract of pine land about four miles north of the city. This timber was manufactured by Bond & Kysor and quite a little village sprung up where their mill was located, the place being know n on the railroad maps as Bond's Mill, but ni)t a \estige of the place is left e.xcept the railroad siding. Mr. Mitchell was a member of the firm of Mitchell Brothers, who still do a heavy lumbering business in Missau- kee county and have a large handle factory in Cadillac. An incompatible domestic con- dition evidently jircyed upon his mind to such an extent that his friends persuaded IVEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 305 him to take a trip across the ocean to see it it would not Ijriiig a change for the bet- ter. According]}- he set sail from San Fran- cisco in the spring of 1902 in company with iiis physician. Dr. C. E. Miller, of Cadillac. When fi\-e days out Mr. Mitchell very sud- denly and unexpectedly leaped over the side of the ship and almost immediately sank to the bottom. It was a great l)k)w to his friends in this city and county, of whom he had a large circle. David A. Rice was one of the first at- torneys to locate in the village of Clam Lake. Mr. Rice first studied medicine witii a view of. becoming a physician, but changed his mind and took a law course at the uni- versity at Ann Arbor. He was admitted to the bar in Oceana county in 1870. At the commencement of the war of the Rebellion he enlisted in the Sixty-fifth Illinois Volun- teers. He was taken prisoner at the time of the surrender of Harper's Ferry, was pari lied and several months later exchanged, w hen he again joined his regiment, serving until the close of the war. He served the county as prosecuting attorney eight years in all, held different offices under the village and city organization, and also filled the office of supervisor of his ward one or two terms. He died at Ypsilanti, this state, in the fall of 1 90 1. Byron Ballon was one of the very first to settle in the \illage of Clam Lake; in fact, he came several months before the vil- lage was ])lalted. He was born in Cleve- land, Ohio, in 1827. He came with his fa- ther to A'psilanti. Michigan, in 1830, the journey being made with an ox team, as there was no public conveyance to be had in those days in that section of the state. It is related that food became .so scarce the first year that they had to resort to pound- ing corn on a stump preparatory to cooking it for the family. At the death of his father he went to live with an aunt in Kalamazoo in 1839, where he learned the trade of car- penter. His first business venture in this county was in the hardware line with John M. Cloud, the firm being known as Cloud & Ballon. Mr. Ballon was a radical Repul)- lican and often took the stump in the inter- ests of his party. Though not a gifted speaker, he ci^uld tell the plain truths in such a matter-of-fact way that they carried con- \iction. He was for several years chairman of the Republican county committee, twice held the office of postmaster in Cadillac and Clam Lake village, and was once elected mayor of the city. After severing his con- nection with Mr. Cloud, he conducted a fiour and feed store in the city for several years until he was forced to abandon work by reason of the intlrniitv of age. His death occurred in the winter of 1902. Samuel F. Long was another early set- tler in the village of Clam Lake, coming in the spring of 1873. ^^ ^^^^ born in Frank- lin county, Pennsylvania, in 1820. When twenty-two years of age he moved to Ohio, and one year later to Michigan. In the summer of 1862 he enlisted in the Sixth ^lichigan Ca\alry, first serving with the Army of the Potomac and later was in the scouting ser\ice in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. He was discharged in July, 1865. I-'or the first five years after coming to Clam Lake he was in the employ of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad Company. The next year he had charge of the H. N. Cireen water works, after which he had charge of M. H. Bond's grocery business for about two years. He held the office of justice of 306 J r EX FORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. the peace for eight years, at the same time doing something of a real estate and collec- tion business. He died in 1896, leaving a widow and five children. Holden N. Green was also an early pio- neer in the village of Clam Lake ; in fact, he arrived on the shore of Little Clam lake, now Lake Cadillac, nearly a year before the village was platted. lie first engaged in the lumber business in 1S71. and continued his operations in that line until 187S. It was during this latter year that he undertook the work of supplying the city with water. His engine house and pumps were built at the foot of West Harris street, nearly or quite on the site now occupied by the steam laundry. He operated this plant about fourteen years, during which time the build- ing was once destroyed by fire. Judge Green acquired his title by a four-years term as probate judge of Wexford county. He was born in Rusbville, New York, in 1827, and when quite young he, with the rest of his father's family, mo\-ed ^vest, which meant in those days anywhere west of the western line of New York state. He was at one time engaged as mail carrier to and from Chicago, when that city was a mere hamlet. He ni;uried in Chicago and a sliurt lime afterward went to Manistee, and was there when that county was or- ganized, and became its first prosecuting at- torney. During his last five years' resi- dence in Cadillac his health so failed him that he was obliged to give up all work and remain indoors most of the time. Mr. Green served two or three terms as a mem- l)er of the board of supervisors of Wexford county, taking part in the memorable county-seat struggle that was waged for nearly a dozen years. During the latter part of 1893 ^^^ removed to Ypsilanti, where he remained until the summons of death reached him, in December, 1895. Henry F. May was one of the early business adventurers in the village of Clam Lake (now city of Cadillac), being a mem- ber of the firm of Holbrook & May, who engaged in the mercantile business in the new village in 1871. Mr. May was born in Plymouth, Alichigan, in 1842, receiving a common school education at that place. After coming to Clam Lake he was fre- quently elected to different offices, serving as village treasurer, village trustee, county superintendent of the poor and member of the Cadillac city board of education. In 1878 he was elected to represent the Wex- ford-Grand Trax'crse district in the lower house of the Michigan legislature. A fevr years after he removed to Grand Rapids, where he lived until 1899, when death put an end to a long and useful career. Jonathan W. Cobbs came to Clam Lake village in 1872 from Butlerville, Indiana, where he had been engaged in the manufac- ture of hardwood lumber for a number of years. His first business venture in the new village was the purchase of what was then known as the Hall saw-mill, the first (inc built at Clam Lake. .\t first he ran the mill in cutting timber fur George A. Mitchell, but in 1877 'i*^ formed a partnership with Willi;un W. ]\litchell, the firm name fmm that time being Colibs & Mitchell. The firm prospered to a wonderful degree, and finallw in 1899, the firm was incorporated under the laws of the state. The firm purchased large tracts of pine land soon after its organiza- tion, and to give an idea of the extent of their lumbering operations while engaged in cutting pine, we quote from what has here- WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 307 tofore been compiled relati\e td shipment of lumber in the 'eighties: "In 1880, 14,053- 000 feet; 1881. 21,612,000 feet; 1882, 20,- 1)66,000 feet; 1883, 26,924,000 feet; 1884, to June I, 11,111,000 feet. Lumber in yards, 17,000,000 feet." Mr. Cobbs (bed September 28, 1898, at the age of sixty-nine years, his son, Frank J. Coljbs, president of the Ca(Hllac State Bani<, succeeding his fa- ther in the hrm. A more detailed account of their present lumbering operations will be found in another part of this work. A. M. Lamb, a former resident of Cad- illac, was one of the very early pioneers in AV'exford ctjunty, ha\ing taken up a home- stead in 1865. At the death of his first wife, which occurred in the early "seventies, he caiue to what was then the village of Clam Lake and went into business. About the same time he was appointed one of the coun- ty superintendents of the poor, which office he held for several years. He finally sold out his business in Cadillac and removed to Grand Rapids, where he did a commission business for a number of years. He then came back to Cadillac, and was engaged in the fruit commission lousiness for some time, iiiiall}- returning to Crand Rapids, where he died in 1902. Georgiana L Wheeler came to Wexford ciiunty with her husband, J. H. Wheeler, in the fall of 1865, their westward journey being their wedding trip, as they started from western New York immediately fol- lowing their marriage ceremony. They came by boat from Buffalo to Traverse City, leaving the lake boat at Northport and mak- ing the trip up the Traverse Bay in the lit- tle "Sunny Side," the first l.ioat owned mid operated by Traverse City interests on the bay, and it took a week to make the trip at that time. They arrived in W'exford count)- the last d;i}- of (Ictober. They began house- keeping with one chair, a rocker, and one bed, using Mr. Wheeler's tool chest for a talile until he could make one of ]>ine boards. He also soon made a set of splint-bottom chairs and another rocker, and they were soon cosily established in their new home. Mrs. W'heeler was a school teacher and a music teacher, and in later years took an acti\e part in temperance work and con- tributed occasionally to the columns of the Wexford County Pioneer after that paper was established, and when her husband 1)e- came the owner of the paper she did a large amount of the work on its local columns, besides editing the Woman's Christian Tem- perance Union department. Her untimely death, in 1882, was a shock to the whole community and her funeral was attended by the largest gathering ever, to that time, seen in Sherman on such occasions. The following is taken from the columns of the Pioneer having the account of her death : "Not many refined and talented }-oung ladies of the present day, who delight in social intercourse and pleasant surroundings, W(juld think that they could go away back into an almost unbroken wilderness, one hundred and twenty-five miles from the nearest railroad, with six months of the year practically closed to all outside com- munication, except the slow, tedious over- land mail, which only enabled a person to get an answer to a letter after four or fi\-e weeks of anxious waiting, their little li>g house, twehe by sixteen feet in size, con- stituting kitchen, ])antry, bed-room, sitting- room and parlor, the onI\' partitions being imaginary lines on the puncheon floor; their nearest neighbor half or three-fourths of a 308 IVEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. mile distant, and the only road thereto being a hnc of blazed trees through the dense for- est. Vet true love conquers all difficulties and laughs at all privations, and when man's strong arm is nerxed by a noi)le woman's love, the densest forest will melt away; houses, mills and work shoj^s will grow up. and the grandeur of happy homes and noble aspirations will so fill the heart that their memory can never be effaced. Such the love, such the privations, such the fruition and such the memory." We give place to the following little gem, written a year after i\Irs. Wheeler's death : I've been out to the old homestead to-day, Georgia, but 'twas with sad and lonely heart That I viewed the scenes of bygone years — their memory seemed to dart Like a gleaming blade through the misty shade of the half forgotten past, And .carry me back on its glimmering track to the pleasures that could not last. I saw once again the little log house with its bark- covered roof as of yore; Its one tiny window, its one narrow door, its old fashioned, rude punchion lloor; The tall trees all 'round thickly studding the ground, so the sunlight could scarcely creep in, And you, my fond wife, the joy of my life, making sunshine and gladness within. How the warmth of that glorious sunlight 'round the heart's deep emotions did twine! Its brightness made my life so happy I Its refle.x brought pleasure to thme! And life's silv'ry stream, like a beautiful dream, stretched forth to our wondering gaze 'Neath the magical flame that silently came through the glint of its soul-stirring rays. Oh, those happy old pioneer days, Georgia! What pen can their grandeur recall? What artist can paint half their beauties? What poetic rapture enthrall The senses, and make such echoes awake, in the heart, 'though 'tis sadilened and lone, Like the memory of days we see through the haze, of the years that are faded and gone. Ah,- yes, they have gone to decay, Georgia! Their phantoms are all that remain; The heart, then so light and so buoyant, now beats to a mournful refrain; For the beauties of youth, with its freshness, its truth, its hope, its ambition, its trust, Have perished and died, and lie side by side with the forms that now moulder to dust. Yet, I would not forget those glad days, Georgia, iheir mem'ry's too sacred and dear — Though they bring to the heart keenest anguish, and moisten the eye with a tear — I cherish them still. The heart will e'er thrill, as the vision recurs to its gaze. Of the joys that were ours in those happy hours — those blissful old pioneer days. Rinaldi) b'uller came to the county in 1880, settling in the village of Manton, where he soon went into the drug business. He was born in Canada in 1841, lived sev- eral years in Ontonogan, Michigan, and two vears in Ingham countv. He then wetit west to Kansas, where he remained two and a half years. He served three or four terms as president of the village of Manton, two terms as township treasurer, besides various other local offices. He was the Republican candidate for county treasurer in 1890. but was defeated by James fvansoni in the Democratic landslide of that year. Soon after he scild out his business at Manton and removed to Traverse City. He went into the drug business again at Interlocken, Grand Traverse county, where he died a few years ago. James M. Brown was born in Chatau- qua county. New York, in 18.25. His par- ents removed to Pennsylvania in 1835 and to Ottawa county, Michigan, in 1844. He kept a hotel at Byron, Kent county. Michi- gan, Jive years and was engaged in mercan- tile business for several years before he came to this county in 1873. He kept a little iiotel at Manton the first vear after his WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 309 arrival, and tlien purchased a farm one mile west of tiiat village, and for se\'eral )ears led the dii;d life of landlord and farmer. He was county superintendent of the poor six years, and filled the office of justice of tlie peace and other township offices for several years. His death occurred in 1899 at his hon.ie in Cedar Creek. F. A. Jamison was one of Manton's suc- cessful merchants, haxing located in that village in 1877. At first he engaged in the grocery bvtsiness only, but later added dry goods and boots and shoes. He was born in Ottawa county, Michigan, in 1842, and died at his home in Manton in 1891. Hon. Thomas A. Ferguson was born in Iosco, Livingston county, Michigan, Sep- tember 2, 1839. He enlisted in the spring of 1864, serving in the Army of the Cum- berland. Was promoted to first lieutenant, and mustered out at the close of the war in 1865. Soon after his return from the army he entered the law department of the Michi- gan University, at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated in 1869. He came to Wex- ford county in the summer of that year, being the first lawyer to settle in the new county just organized. Fie was appointed prosecuting attorney of the county and held the office until December, 1872. He was elected a member of the house of representa- tives. IMichigan legislature, in 1872, and re- elected in 1874. He removed from Sher- man to Manton in 1877, and went into the lumbering business under the firm name of P.randenburg, Backus & Company. The firm failed in a short time after he became inter- ested in it. and investigation showed that it was on the verge of collapse when he was induced to go into it. He then commenced to deal ill pine lands, and w^as quite suc- cessful. Mr. Ferguson was left a widower in 1S74, his wife dying December 19th of that year, leaving an infant daughter, now the wife of V. C. Wall, proprietor of the Wexford County Grist Mill at Sherman. He never remarried. Mr. Ferguson was an active and shrew-d politician, taking part in all political campaigns. He was chairman of the Republican cnunty committee at the time of his death, which occurred in 1883. Leroy P. Champenois was born April 19, 1840, near Adrian, Michigan. His fa- ther was one of the early settlers in that part of the state, and during the 'fifties, when the agitation of the slavery question was at its height and the Dred Scott decis- ion and the fugitive slave law had so aroused the anti-slavery people of the northern states, he kept a station on what was called the "underground railroad." Many well-informed people of today will not comprehend what was meant by the "underground railroad." It was simply this : When a slave managed to escape from his master and reach the northern bank of the Ohio river he knew, in nine cases out of ten, just where he could find a friend who would shield him from the search of his master and would convey him or pilot him to some other friend farther toward Canada, where he could not be reached by his enraged and baffled master. Sometimes these fugitives were carried in wagons underneath loads of hay or straw ; sometimes in boxes or barrels, and some- times they were piloted, during the darkness of the night, through forests and fields, avoiding the pulilic highw'ays in the fear of coming in contact with the slave hunter or his equally dangerous ally, the northern "doughfaces," for be it known that the fugi- 310 WEXFORD COUNTY. .MICHIGAN. tive sla\e law made every sheriff and con- stalile in the whole country a slave hunter and every northern jail a slave pen. These stopping places for the poor escaped slave were called "stations." and this stealthy manner of transportation was called the "underground railroad." Leroy early im- bibed this intense anti-slavery feeling of his father, and when the cr_\- of war sounded through the country, at the hring upon Fort Sumter, he was one of the first to respond to Lincoln's call for seventy-five thousand three-months men. He participated in the first battle of Bull Run, and at the expira- tion of his first term re-enlisted for three years. When the matter of organization of negro regiments was undertaken he secured a commission as lieutenant and was trans- ferred to one of those regiments. He was severely wounded in one of the engagements near Holly Springs, losing all of his right hand except the thumb and index finger, and npiin bis recovery was assigned to a position on the staff of General Smith, where he ser\ed until the close of the war. He came to Wexford county in 1866, and settled in what is now Wexford township. At the organization of the countv. in i86g. he was elected the first count\- clerk and register of deeds, which ofticc be held lor two years. He held \-arious township offices, served two terms as county school examiner, and four years as postmaster at Sherman. He died at his home in Sherman in 1902, leaving a widow who survived him but a few months. CHAPTER Xil. OLD PIONEERS WHO H.WE REMOVED FROM OUR MIDST. riionias J. Tborpe came- to \\'exford county in the fall of 1 S7 1 . .and took up a bonicstcad in the township of Selma. It was then necessary to come by way of Trav- erse City, and it took two full days to go from that place to Mr. Thorpe's homestead. .Mr. riiorpe was born in Allegany county. New "N'ork, in 1S37. l-'roni a sketch of Mr. Thorpe's cru'ly life we (|uote the following: "Al llie breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted in the Eigbtv-fiftb New York Regi- ment; ser\c4, he was wounded and taken prisoner at Travillion, Virginia. On the Fourth of July of that year, while a prisoner in the stockade at Macon, Georgia, Colonel Thorpe made a Fourth of July speech, which was inter- preted as incendiary, and for whicli he was taken out of the stockade to Ije hung, but the Confederate authorities became con- vinced from the demonstration made by the two thousand prisoners in tire stockade that the safety of the city of Macon, as well as the li\'es of their guard, would be better con- ser\ed bv returning him to the stockade, which was done at the close of that day. In December, 1864, lie was made a full colonel of his regiment for meritorious conduct on the field. July 17th of the same year he was honorably discharged from the service of the United States, after a service of four years and seventeen days, during which time he participated in forty-six engagements." After a stay of over a year in the county. Colonel 1'horpe went back east, and for live years he had charge of a large public school in the city of Buffalo, New York. He then went into the school book business for the .\. S. Barnes rublishing Com- pany, of New York, covering several midtlle and western states, and making two Irips to the Pacific coast. lie re- turned to his Wexford county farm in 1879, and in 1880 was elected clerk and register on the Republican county ticket, lie was re-elected in iS8j, and was re-nomi- nated in 1 81X4, but defeated by George .\. Cummer. He took an active part in the struggle which resulted in the renrnxal ol the countv seat from Sherman tn Cadillac via Manton. He was a talented speaker and could hold an audience, no matter what the subject under discussion might be. In politi- cal cam|)aigns his ser\-ices were in great de- mand, bdth in his home county and in sur- rounding counties. After his defeat for a third term as clerk and register he remox'ed to Chicago, where he remained se\'eral years and at last went into the educational work, which was his delight. Silas S. Falloss was the first attorney to settle in the village of Clam Lake, arriving in the suinmer of J 872. He was elected prosecuting attorney the same fall. He served one term as circuit judge and was a member of the board of superxisors for sl'\-- eral vears. In 1884 he remoxed to Chicago and resumed the practice of law in that cit)', making that his home until the present time. John Mansfield was l)orn in Connecticut in 1842. At the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in the First New York Ca\-- alrv and served to the end of the war. He came to Wexford county in 1872 and took up a homestead on section 12, in what is now Boon township, at the same time pur- cliasing another c|uarter section adjoining the homestead, later buying another eighty- acre piece, making foiu' hundred acres in all. Being a practical farmer and a hard w(jrker, lie soon had sufificient land cleared to begin to realize a profit from the crops he raised. Being of Irish descent, he had great faith in potatoes, and devoted a large part of his land to the cultivation of that crop, raising from five hundred to four thousand bushels a vear. Another crt:>p he found \ery profit- able was ha_\'. Being in close proximity to the lumber camps in the vicinity of Cadil- lac on the east and the Manistee river on the west, he could start out on a winter's 312 Jl' EX FORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. morning with a load of hay or potatoes, (h'spose of it at camp and reach home by niglitfall. He served liis township several years as super\isor, and in 1880 was elected (I lunty treasurer, serving two terms. In iSy4 lie was elected judge of probate, filling tlie office for eight years. At the expiration of this service he sold his farm and removed to Newaygo county, where he still resides. Capt. C. K. Russell came to Cadillac in ]Hji). ])urcliasing the American House, wliich he managed for over fifteen years, lie was a native of Xew York, where he was born in 1826. He started out to be a sailor, and so well did he apply himself to the work that he became master of a vessel at the age of twenty-one, after which he was always familiarlv known as "Captain Rus- sell." He enlarged ruid inii)ro\-ed the hotel ])ru])erty. making it one ol the liest public imiises in tlie city. or. in fact, north of ( irand Ra])ids. Becoming at length some- wiiat tired of the hotel business, and having saved a nice sum of money in the meantime, he removed to Grand Rapids in 1891, w-here he still resides. He makes occasional visits to Cadillac, having still .some landed inter- ests in tliis city to look after. Daniel McCoy, formerly a Wexford county lumberman, and now state treasurer of Michigan, was liorn in Philadelphia, Penn.sylvania, in 1845, and lived in that city until 1867. when he came to Michigan, lo- cating in i\lacomb county, where he lived until 187.^. when he went into the lumbering liusiness on the Manistee river. In 1873 he transferred the scene of his operations to the village of C lam Lake, purchasing quite an extensive tract of ])inc land and erecting a large saw-null alxml one mile north of the \illage. lie remained a resident of Clam Lake, now Cadillac, until 1883, when he removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan. He filled the oflices of president of the vil- lage and mayor of the city. He was chair- man of the ^^'exford county Republican committee for several years, and only once was he known to wa\er in his support of that party. That was when Hon. Jay A. Hubbell, of Houghton, was in the field for the office of United States senator from .Michigmi. Mr. McCov was an ardent Hub- bell man anil tried hard to secure the nomi- nation of a candidate for representative in the legislature who would support Mr. Hub- bell for senator. In the strife which oc- curred in the representative convention, which lasted two days and in which nearly two hundred ballots were taken, the coun- ties of Kalkaska. Lake and Missaukee, which with Wexford count)' constituted the rc])- re.sentative district. ])ooled their issues and drew lots as to which of the three candidates from those counties should receive the nomi- nation. The lot fell to A. A. .\bbott. of Kalkaska, and he was accordingly nomi- nated. Mr. Abbott was an anti-Hubl)ell man, and Mr. McCoy undertook the task of bringing about his defeat. He prevailed upon a frieiid by the naiue of Bonnell, of Missaukee county, with Deiuocratic lean- ings, to aiuiounce himself an independent candidate lor representative. This was done and Mr. Bomiell was endorsed by the Denw- cratic representative co.n\ention. This did not alarm the Republicans of the district, as it was normally Republican by over a thousand majority, but when the vote was canvassed it apj)eared that the lumber camps around the Clam lakes and in Missaukee county had cast an almost soliil vote for the independent candidate and he was elected WEXFORD COUNTY,- MICHIGAN. 313 I)y a small majority, and Mr. Bonnell was one of the very small minority who caused a deadlock in the legislature, preventing the re-election of T. W. Ferry to the United States senate and causing the election of a compromise candidate. After removing to Grand Rapids Mr. McCoy organized the Edison Light Company, and in 1892 he or- ganized the State Bank of Michigan, being- elected president of both corporations, which positions he has continued to hold until the present time. I le was elected state treasurer in 1900 by a plurality of 99,706, and a clear majority of 83,386. He was re-elected in 1902 by a plurality of 74,335 and a clear majority of 58,266, on a vote that was 146,- 944 less than the vote of 1900. H. C. McFarlan was one of the success- ful merchants in Manton, locating in that village in 1874. He carried a full line of general merchandise and did a very lucra- tive l)usiness. He was born in Wayne coun- ty, Michigan, in 1848, and in 1862, at the age of fourteen years, he enlisted in the Twenty-seventh Michigan Infantry, but was soon afterward discharged. He then went into the Sixth Michigan Infantry, and served until the end of the war. After his army service he led the life of a sailor for six years (jn the lakes. An estrangement between him and his wife led to a final sep- aration some time in the early 'nineties, and he sold out his business at Manton and for a year or two his Wexford county friends lost sight of him. He finally went into busi- ness again in Williamsburg, Grand Trav- erse county, where he still resides. H. F. Campbell was born in Quincy, Michigan, in 1852, his parents removing to Grand Ledge, Eaton county, Michigan, in i86r, where he lived until he came to Wex- f(jrtl county in 1876. He had worked on the Grand Ledge Independent at the print- er's trade, having acquired a good degree of proficiency in that line before coming to Wexford county. His first work in the county was on the Cadillac News. After a short time in Cadillac he went to Sherman and worked in the Pioneer office for some time, finally purchasing a half interest in that paper, with J. H. Wheeler as the other half owner, the company being known as Campbell & Wheeler. Mr. Campbell lost his first wife by death some time before coming to this county, and in 1880 he mar- ried Miss Lizzie Cummings, of Conneaut, Ohio. Soon after this second marriage he sold out his interest in the Pioneer and re- mo\-ed to Manton. He held the Sherman post<.)tfice for two years, resigning his po- sition upim his change of resilience. In 1883 he recei\ed the appointment of postmaster at Manton, which office he held for four years. Soon after his appointment as post- master he purchased the Manton Tribune, which he sold when he left the postoffice, and soon afterward moved back to Sher- man. In 1S92 he was elected to the legis- lature from the We.xford district, serving two terms in that body. He was engaged in the drug business at the time of his elec- tion and finally quit that and for several years he has been on the road selling drugs and perfumes. He is now living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. B. Woods was born in Albany, New York, in 1847, his father moving to Lock- port, New York, in 1850, where they lived until 1865. Mr. Woods then left home and went to Oil City, Pennsylvania, which was then the center of the oil operations of that state, and. in fact, of the winkle world. Here 314 WEXFORD COUXTV. MICHIGAX. lie worked about six months and then went to fh'and Rapids, Michigan, wiiere he en- tered the employ of Cook & Skinner, stage coacli proprietors. In 1870 he came to Wexford county, driving the first stage coach o\er the new mail route established on the Newaygo and Northport state road from Cedar Springs to Tra\erse City. He sunn (|uit the stage and went intu the hotel Ijusiness at Sherman, in which he remained until 1S74. He then, in company with E. (jilbcrt. secured the mail route between Sherman and Mantnn. and also between Sherman and Traver.se City. He finally pur- chased Mr. Gilbert's interest in the business and followed it until the routes were discon- tinued. He engaged in the drug business, in company with Dr. F. E. Corbin, in 1881, continuing in this until he removed to Helena, Abmlinia. in iSSfi. in which state he still lives. \\'illiam Dcrr was born in Salem, Co- lumbiana county, Ohio, in 1846. He came to Grand Traverse region in 1866, stopping first in Grand Traverse county, where he worked several years in tiie lumber camps in the winter and on farms in the summer. He came to Sherman, Wexford county, in 1872, and took up the occupation of stage driver, the mail route then being from Clam Lake to Traverse City via Sherman. He was engaged in this work for six years, a part of the time as proprietor of the line and part nf the time as driver only. In 1878 he went into I. H. Maqueston's grist-mill as assistant, under Mr. Bennett. After a coi;|)le of years' service he became so pro- ficient that he was given full charge of the mill, which he managed to the entire satisfac- tion of his employer and the pulilic at large. After some seven or eight vears' work in the mill he bought a farm in Wexford ti>wnship and turned his attention again to farming. Owing to the protracted illness of his wife he decided to move west, think- ing the change might improve her health. He chose what was then the territory of Washington as his future home. The change did not bring the benefit hoped for to his wife, who died a few months after reaching their new home. Mr. Derr will long be remembered by the residents of the county in those days, both for his sturdy and genial characteristics and his Jehu-like driving on the mail routes. He still lives in Washington. Moses Cole was one of the early pio- neers in W^exford county, settling on a homestead in what is now W'exford town- ship in 1867. He was born in Niagara county. New York, in 1836, and came to Michigan in 1857, fixing for several years near Detroit, and for three years having charge of a toll-gate on the Detroit and Erie plank road at Conner's Creek. He traded his homestead for village property in Sher- man, and purchased a half interest in the saw-mill which was situated one and a fourth miles east of Sherman village on a stream known as Cole's creek. He replaced the muley saw with a circular, and at one time had a shingle mill in connection with the saw-mill. He sold out his interest in the mill in the early 'nineties and removed to Grayling, Michigan, where he still lives. Frank D. Ho])kins. a former merchant at Sherman, was born in Livingston county, Michigan, in J 856. He was a messenger boy in the Michigan state senate during the sessions of 1874-5 and 1877-8. He came t(5 Sherman, Wexford county, in 1876, and for .several years was emplo\ed in driving team WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 315 and (lri\iiig tlie stage frr in Sherman to Manlon. after whicli he entered tJie enipli^v of H. B. Sturtevant as clerk in the latter's store. In iSSi lie went to Grand Rapids to take a coinniercial course, and in 1883 purchased a Iialf interest in Mr. Sturte- \'ant's store, Later liecoming sole owner. After a few months he sold out and went on the road as traveling salesman for a De- troit firm. He soon after purchased a drug store at Alba, Micliigan, where he remained in business until lire destroyed his stock in 1893, after which he returned to Sherman, \W'xford county, and entered the store of E. (iilbert & Company as salesman. He re- moxed to southern Michigan after a short stay at Sherman, and is now a resident of St. Louis, Missouri. L. A. A\ery came to Grand Traverse county in 1863 from Steuben county. New York, where he was born in 1835. He first settled near Monroe Center on a homestead claim, clearing up a farm and working at his trade, that of a blacksmith, until 1874, when he moved to Sherman, Wexford county, built a blacksmith shop, and for nearl_\- twenty years carried on this business, to which he added the wagon repairing business. He mo\ed to southern Michigan some nine rir ten }ears ago. and now lives a few miles north of Petoskey on the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, where he still works at his trade. 1). \'. Emmons was born in Oakland county, Michigan, in 1841. He enlisted in the Third Michigan Infantry in June, 1S61, ser\ing three \ears in the Arniv of the Po- tiiniac. lie was in tlie first real battle of the Civil war at I'.ull Run. and in many of the battles fought by the eastern army. He came to Wexford count \' in iSj.S, .-ind en- gaged in the drug business in Sherman. He continued in this occupation until 1886, when he bought an eighty-acre farm on sec- tion 5 in Antioch and engaged in the occu- pation of farming. After three or four years at this business he mo\ed to Allegan county, Michigan, and later went to Gales- burg, Michigan, and purchased a flouring- mill. He was still operating this mill at last tidings from him. H. H. Skinner, the iirst sheriff of Wex- ford county, took up a homestead on section 4 in Wexford township in 1865. He had served several years in the army prior to locating in Wexford county, and in conse- quence of the infirmities brought on by army exposure his health became so poor that he had to abandon his farm, and finally, some eight years ago, he was obliged to accept the state's proffer of aid to the ex-soldiers and entered the Soldiers' Home at Grand Rapids. Michigan. E. D. Abbott, formerly sheriff of Wex- ford county, was born in Sodus. Wavne county, New York, in 1841.. On the 26th of February, 1864, he enlisted in Company K. First New York Dragoons, afterwartls known as Comjiany C. Nineteenth New York Ca\alry. He served until June J", 1865, when he recei\'ed an honorable dis- charge. Not content to settle f Sherman now stands, instead of a mile farther north ;it the Manistee river. It was also largely tin-ough his influence that the Maqueston Brotliers, Isaac H. and R. G., wlio were the first merchants to lo- cate in the county, were induced to come into what was then an almost unbroken wil- derness. .After a few years' residence, dur- ing which he married .Mice Fox, he went with his bride to li\e in llig Rapids, and ;ifter a short stav there they removed to (irand Rapids, .\1iout the year 1880 he moved to Duluth. where he li\-ed until the death of his wife, which occurred in 1885. After this sad event he left Duluth and re- sumed his old occupation of timber esti- mator, finally taking u]) a homestead near Two Harbors, Minnesota, where he has since resided. He has never remarried, his son Xcil being his only comp.'uiion in their little caljin on the homesteail until a year ago. when the latter married Dura, the ilaughter of .Mi. and Mrs. S. Casser, of Sherman, Wexford county, and took her to the backwoods home in Minnesota. Alonzo Chubb was born in Monroe county, New York, in 1823. His people mo\ed to Michigan soon after the state was admitted to the Cnion. Mr. Chubb enlisted soon alter the beginning of tlie war of the Rebellion in the One Hundred and h'ifth Ohio Volunteers, serving two years, at the end of which time he was mustered out on ac- count of wounds and sickness, having at- tained the rank of lieutenant. In 1867, he came to northern Michigan, settling in what is now the township of Cleon, Manistee county. He often tells of how he wintered some jiigs he brought with him when he moved into the wuods. The snow got so deep t'.iat it was impossible to get to Trav- erse (."ity, the onlv place where feed could be procured, and as a last resort he drove them to the woods with the rest of his stock to see if the}' would "browse." To his utter surprise they took right hold of the tender maple twigs and lived on a '"browse" diet the balance of the winter. Mr. Chubb also says that there are not many people who can truthfully boast of holding office in two counties, li\ing in two representative and two senatorial districts, and yet never chang- ing his residence from the town he first set- tled in. Of course this state of affairs came aljout by reason of the township of t'lcon ha\ing been attached to this county for a number of years, during which time Mr. Chubb served a term of four years as judge of probate of Wexford county. He is still hale and hearty at the age of eighty and has a real estate oif'ice in the village of L()])eni- ish. in Manistee countx'. JOHN H. WHEELER BIOGRAPHICAL. JOHX II. WHEELER. Jolin H. Wheeler was born in Cattarau- gus county, New York. April 19, 1840. He was brought up on a farm until about eigh- teen years of age, when he went to work at the carpenter's trade, soon mastering it so that he could take charge of any ordinary work in that line. In September, 1861, he enlisted in the Forty-fourth Regiment, New York Volunteers, known as "The Ellsworth Avengers." He was mustered out in Octo- ber, 1864. at the expiration of his term of enlistment. He took part in some of the 'lardest fought battles of the Civil war, among which were Caine"s Mills. Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Ciettysl)urg, Mine Run, the Wilderness and Spottsyhania Court House, besides numer- ous engagements of lesser note. He was on detached duty during the winter of 1862-3, superintending the construction of barracks lor a convalescent c:nnp ahoul three miles Southwest from Alexandria, \'irginia. October 17, i8C)3. Mr. Wheeler was mar- ried to (k'lirgiana 1. Vn\, wliom he had met while hnnie nn an inxalid furlnugh in the summer of 1863. I le started on his wedding da\- for Wexford county, where he arri\'ed October 31, se\'ere storms on the lakes de- laying the Ijoat several days during the trip. He took u]) a homestead on section 30, in w hat is now Hanover township, and at once commenced work on the construc- tion of a saw-mill. This mill was the first frame structure erected in the county, and as soon as it was started and the necessary lumber could be cut out Mr. Wheeler put up the first frame house that was built in the county. Mr. Wheeler was the first treasurer of the county and held the office for two years at that time, and was again elected county treasurer in 1898 and re-elected in 1900. .-Vfter running" the saw-mill a few years, he resumed his occupation of builder, and se- cured the contract for building the court house at Sherman and other large buildings, such as stores, hotel, school-houses and many private dwellings. He was supervisor of .Sherman, Concord and Antioch town- ships for ten years, during two of which he w;is chairman of the board of supervisors of the county. In the summer of 1878 lie purchased a one half interest in the Wex- ford (_'ounty Pioneer, and two years later became the sole owner of that paper, which he retained until January 7, 1891. He was 318 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. appointed postmaster of the Sherman post- oftice ill jamiarv. i8So. and held the office nearly hve years. Me received the appoint- ment of census enumerator in 1880 and took the census of five towns in the northwest corner of the county, including the township of Cleon, now in Manistee county, but then a part of Wexford county. He has filled the ofiice nf county superintendent of ])oor, secretary of the Republican county committee, and ser\ed two years as great sachem of the Impro\ed Order of Red ]\Ien of Michigan. Mrs. Wheeler died October 8, 1882, leav- ing two daughters (two sons having died in their infancy), one of whom still lives in the county and the other at Lansing, Michigan. Two years later Mr. Wheeler married Ella, daughter of ex-Sheriff W. W. Bartlett, of Grand Traverse county, h'or the past four years Mr. Wheeler has been engaged in buy- ing and selling timbered lands, in company with Judge Chittenden, of Cadillac. They also arc pn ijirictors of a large addition to tlie chv. GEORGE A. MITCHELL. 1 he name of this pul)lic-spirited and in- fluential citizen will always be inseparably associated with the history of Cadillac, as he was the founder of the city and for many years so closely identified with its growth and material development as to be called the real father of the i)lace. In October, 1871, the village of Clam Lake was platted under his direction and the lots put upon the mar- ket and sul)se(|uently when the name was changed to the one it now bears he took a leading part in the transaction and contrib- uted more ])erhaps than any other man of his day to tlie wonderful ])rosperit\- which then began to manifest and which has since characterized the city's growth. The family of which George A. Mitchell was an honorable representative is traceable to an early period in the history of the col- onies and the name was quite prominent in xarious parts of Xcw iLugland long before the .\merican struggle for independence. His paternal grandfather, a Revolutionary hero and an officer in the colonial army, was a man of prominence and great influence and so dreaded was he by the British that emis- saries were sent to effect his arrest with or- ders to take him "dead or alive." Charles Mitchell, the subject's father, was a farmer by occupation and is remembered as a man of sterling character and great industry, but by no means successful in the accumulation of worldly wealth. He married Lydia Brown, who was a lineal descendant of Robert Bar- clav. one of the old colonial governors (if Xcw Jersey and a man whose name is inti- mately associated with the early history of that commonwealth. To Charles and Lydia Mitchell were born twelve children, several of whom became prominent in various voca- tions, one of the number, Hon. William Mitchell, having represented an Indiana dis- trict in the congress of the L'nited States in the early 'sixties and acquired a national reputation as a statesman. George .-\.. the youngest member of the family, was born January 8, 1824. in Root, Montgomery county. New York, and grew to maturity on his father's farm, remaining at home un- til 1843. when he went to Spraker's Basin, and began clerking in a store. Seven years later he accepted a similar ptisition in a mer- cantile establishment at Canajoharie, and af- ly EX FORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 319 ter spending some time in that town engaged in the tanning bnsiness at Black Lake, New- York, with a partner by the name of Strong. Subsequently, in 1861, he disposed of his in- terest in this enterprise and removed to northern Indiana, settling at Kendalh'ille, whither his older l:)rother, William, had pre- ceded him. the latter having been tlie real founder of that now flourishing western city. At the breaking out of the great Re- bellion I\lr. Mitchell was appointed, in Aug- ust, i8C)i, to the responsible position of pay- master in the army, with headquarters at St. Louis, Missouri. In that exacting office his superior business ability found full scope for its exercise and so thorough and method- ical were his fluties performed, so accurate were his accounts kept and so noticeable his [iiiwer of organization that he was soon pro- moted to tile bre\-et rank (if lieutenant ci.il- onel. In this connection the writer quotes from a recenth' published biographical sketch of Mr. Mitchell relative to his reci>r(l while serving as paymaster: "During the remaiufler of the Civil war he had entire charge of the pay department at Little Rock, Arkansas, and a part of the time also at Memphis, Tennessee, with additional duties at Vicksburg. Frequently he had charge of from fi\e to twenty subordinate paymasters, and millions ot dollars were entrusted to him for disbursement. His accounts were promptly and accurately rendered to the government and settled satisfactorily. After the close of the war his connection with the army continued until June, 1867, when he was mustered out." Retm-ning to civil life, Mr. Mitchell was identified for some time with railroad con- struction, having assisted to build the Grand Rapids & Jjidiana line, now one of the lead- ing roads of the northwest. In 1871 he pur- chased the present site of Cadillac in Wex- ford county, Michigan, and the same year laid out the town of Clam Lake. With great faith in the future growth of the place, he at once threw his energies into its develop- ment and later, 1876, moved his family here with the intention of making the town his . permanent home. After locating here he en- gaged cpiite extensixely in lumbering, erect- ing and o])erating on a large scale three saw- mills, and in due time he became one of the most successful lumbermen in the state. In addition to his private enterprises Mr. Mitch- ell, as already stated, became the leading factor in the material growth of Clam Lake, and did more towards its improvement and to insure its future prosperity than any other man of his time. "So commendable was his public spirit that he was justly entitled to a permanent place in the regard of the people and in the annals of the town." luther di- rectlv or indirectly, he was connected with every enterprise conducive to the growth of Cadillac, among his contributions in a mater- ial wav being a number of private and pub- lic buildings, the former including the splen- did modern dwelling now owned by W. W. Cummer, which is one of the finest specimens of architecture in the northern part of the state In early life Mr. Mitchell was a member of the Dutch Reformed church, but after coming to Michigan he united with the Pres- bvterian congregation at Cadillac and be- came one of its most zealous workers and lib- eral supporters. His mind was so broad and catholic that he recognized good in all churches and religious organizations and his generous contributions were by no means 320 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. confined to tlie society with which he wor- shipped. Among his Ijenefactions were the sites for three church edifices of as many different denominations and the ground upon whicli the pubHc school was erected, also some thirty acres donated tor cemetery i)ur- pose.s. Politically Mr. Mitchell was an ard- ent Republican and he zealously upheld the princi])les of his party and contributed great- ly to its success both in local and state af- fairs and upon national issues. He was the first mayor of Cadillac and made a splendid record as an executive, and he also served for a number of terms on the board of edu- cation, in which capacity he was untiring in his efforts to make the school system of the town among the best in the state. He studied deeply the leading questions of the day, was profoundly versed in politics and statecraft and always kept in touch with current events and with the trend of modern thought. By reason of valuable services rendered his party, he was given a place on the Repub- lican state committee and was serving in that cai)acity at the time of his death. In 1847 Mr. Mitchell married Miss Ma- rietta L. Wilkins, who was born in Greene county. New York, in the year 1827. She was five years old when his parents removed to Schoharie county. New York, and later she changed her abode to the town of Sprak- ers. where her marriage was solemnized. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell became the parents of four children, namely: Sijphie, wife of D. E. Mclntyre: .\lvin \V.. of Cadillac; An- ilrew I.ee. wIkj resitlcs in W'ausau. Wiscon- sin, and Will C. whose home is in Cadillac. Personallv ^Ir. Mitchell was a gentle- man of ])leasing presence, modest and un- assuming in manner, affectionate in disposi- tion, cntcr])rising in his business affairs. energetic and progressive in all of his under- takings and public spirited in all the term im- plies. He was a noted example of the suc- cessful self-made man and almost an ideal type of in.telligent American citizenship. He departed this life at his home in Cadillac on the 8th day of August. 1878. and his deatli was not only a serious lilow to the enterprises he had supported, but was also deeply felt by every citizen of the community which he founded and for the advancement and pros- perity of which he did so much. Referring again to the authority from which liberal quotations have already been made, we read the following : "At the time of his demise the press of Cadillac as well as the news- papers of other cities paid to the memory of Mr. Mitchell many deserved tributes. On the day of his funeral the business houses were closed and his remains were borne to their last resting place followed by a large concoiu'se of sorrowing people. Resolutions of respect were ailoptcd by the business men of the town, wh.o alluded to him fittingly, as not only the founder of the city but the one who gave life to its enterprises and industries and assisted in its rapid growth and develop- ment : whose labors had ever been unselfish- ly directed to the ])ul)lic gnod. the ad\ance- ment of material prosperity and the moral and social elevation of the people, whose kind heart has invariably responded to the appeals of the needy and afificted and whose generous hand was ever open to aid every charitable mission and every movement for the welfare nf the city which stands today a monument to his zeal ami vigilant pro- tection." One of the local ]iapers in reviewing his life and summiniL; up liis character, did so in the following appropriate sentences: "As a WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 321 business man Mr. Mitchell was cautious, yet enterprising; forming his plans with great wisdom and carrying them out with energy and persistence. The prosperity of our town and our remarkable exemption from business failure are doubtless due largely to his pru- d.ent management of his own affairs and to his strong influence over other business men. He was a good judg'e of human nature, not easih' imposed upon, yet so generous was he that he would often employ and help those whom he could not always entirely trust." In closing this brief review suffice it to say that Mr. Mitchell was one of the notable men of his day and generation. In every walk of life he was easily the peer of any of his fellows in all that constituted true, noble manhood, and during his residence in Cadil- lac his name was synonymous with all that was moral, upright and inspiring. Kc adorned every station he tilled and for years to come his name and fame will be cherished by a grateful people, whose hearts and affec- tions constitute his most enduring monu- ment. ♦■•-♦ FRANK J. C013BS. The subject of this review is one of the able and representative young business men of the city of Cadillac, where he has passed the greater portion of his life, and here he has to do with affairs of broad scope and im- portance, being the representative of his fa- ther's estate in the well known lumbering concern of Cobljs & Mitchell ( incorporated), one of the most imixjrtant in this section of the state, while he is also president of the Cadillac State Rank', a pupular and substan- tial financial institution (.)f the countw On other pagTS of this publication appears a memoir of his father, the late Jonathan W. Cobbs, who was one of the pioneers of Cadil- lac, where he took up his residence at a time when the town still bore the name of Clam Lake, and as ready index reference can be made to said sketch it is not necessary to re- peat the family history at this point. h'rank J. Cobbs was born in Jackson county, Indiana, on the 5th of November, 1872, and came as a child to Cadillac, where he secured his preliminary educational dis- cipline in the pul>lic schools, later entering the preparatory department of Notre Dame University, at South Bend, Indiana, where lie continuetl his studies for a time and then became a cadet in the Orchard Lake Military Academ}', near Pontiac, Michigan, and still later attended Olivet College, graduating there with the class of 1894. Lie then re- turned to the paternal home and for the en- suing year was employed as bookkeeper in the office of the firm of Cobbs & Mitchell, of which his father was the senior member. In November, 1895, he undertook to eft'ect the organization of the Catlillac State Bank, and through his well-directed eft'orts this object was successfully accomplished, and upon the final organization and election of the execu- tive corps he was made president of the in- stitution, an incuml)ency which he has e\er since retained, while under his management the bank has gained high prestige and popu- larity in the community and retains a repre- sentative support, transacting a general bank- ing business and affording the best of facil- ities, while the policy brought to bear is pro- gressive and yet duly conservative. Shortly after assuming his executive du- ties as the head nf this l)auk Mr. Cobbs found that there was placed upon his shoulders a 322 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. still further burden of responsibility, which he assumed with characteristic determina- tion and self-reliance. His father's health became quite seriously impaired at this time and it became necessary for the subject to represent his interests in the firm of Cobbs & Mitchell. His father died in September, 1898. and a short time afterward a reorgani- zation of the firm of Cobbs & Mitchell was effected and the same was incorporated un- der the original title as a stock company, and the subject has since been actively iden- tified with the management of its affairs, holding the office of vice-jiresident and secretary. He is a young man of broad views and marked public spirit and is ever ready to do all in his power to further the pro.sperity and progress of his home city and county, while his personality is such that he has esteem and respect of all who know him. In ])olitics he gives his allegiance t(j the Re- publican party. In the city of Charlotte. Eaton county, Michigan, on the 14th of April. 1898. was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Cobbs to Miss Maude Louise Belcher, a daughter of the late Frank S. Belcher, who was president of the First National Bank, of that citv. WILLIAM W. MITCHELL. To the development of the great lumber- ing industry made ])ossible by the mag- nificent timber ])reserves, the entire northern section of the lower ])eninsula of IMichigan owes its original ])restige and its consecu- tive advancement, and in the carrying for- ward of this industry has been enlisted the co-operation of many able and progressive business men, while a large percentage of the number owe their pronounced success t(j the adxantages thus afforded. Mr. ^Mitchell came into the pineries of Wexford county when a j'oung man, and here he has been actively identified with the lumber- ing industry for a ])eriod of thirty years, within which he has had the enterprise and prescience to so utilize opportunity as ti:) gain a place among the prominent lumber- men of the state, while he has contributed his quota to the substantial ui)building and material prosperity of the attractive ci'ty of Cadillac, to whose interests he has ever been signally loyal, l^eing one of the repre- sentative citizens and Imsiness men of the county. William \\ . Miichell is a scion of one of the old .'Hid honored families of the Wolverine state. ha\ing been born in the city of Hillsdale. Michigan, on the 3d of June, 1851, and being the third in order of birth of si.\ children of Charles T. and Har- riet (Wing~i Mitchell, the former of whom was born in Xcw York, and the latter in Wayne county, Michigan. The paternal grandfather of the subject likewise bore the name of Charles T. Mitchell, and he passed his entire life in the old Empire state, where he died at an advancetl age. Charles T.. Jr.. was reared and educated in Xew York state, whence as a young man he came to Michigan and became identified, as a con- tractor, v.ith the construction of the Michi- gan Southern Railroad, one of the first built in the west. Later he became a buyer and shi))per of wheat and also established himself in the hardware business in Hills- dale, where for a (piarter of a century he was president of the Second National Bank, being one of the honored and influential <^^<-^^-l.y.L,u^ ^^r a nuniher of years an active factor in the I-tepulilican part^'. and his was the distinction of having hccn a niemher of tlie electoral college which g.-ive Ahraham Lincoln the presidency for a second term. William W. Mitchell received his pre- liminary educational chscipline ui the public scliools of his native town, and tliis was sup- plemented by two years of study in Hills- dale College. Tn 1873 he came to the primi- tive village of Clam Lake, the predecessor of the present city of Cadillac, the village being at the time a mere hamlet in the midst of the pine forest, while his uncle, George A. :\Iitchell, was at the time 'die principal luml)er manufacturer in this locahty. Will- iam W. forthwith identilied himself in a practical way with the industry through which he was eventually to attain so dis- linctive success. His first employment here was as talleyman for his uncle, and during the summer of 1K74 he held the jiosition of foreman in a small lumber yard in Clam Lake, while in the autumn of that year he initiated his independent operations by associating himself with others in a contract to supply logs for a mill on Clam Lake, thus implying the work of getting out the timber and attending to the various details of bringing it to the mill. He was thus en- gaged for two vears. after which he became foreman for his uncle, ha\ing charge of both the logs and the finished products of the mill. Tn 1877 he entered into partnership with the late Jonathan W. Cobbs. under the firm name of Cobbs cS: Mitchell, and they effected the purchase of two hundred and seventy-si.x acres of pine land, while m October of the following year he also bought a half interest in a saw-mill owned by his partner. Afterward they purchased a mill at Round Lake and had sufficient ma- terial to operate it fin" a period of seven years. In 1892 they built and e(|uippcd a fine modern mill at Cadillac, the same hav- ing a capacity of eighty thousand feet daily. This mill is still in active o])eration. In these intervening years the well-directed efi".M-ts of the firm brought it into promi- nence as one of the leading concerns of the sort in this section of the state, and through his connection with the same xMr. Mitchell laid the foundation f.ir his present pros- perity and independence. Mr. Cuhhs death occurred in the autumn of 1898, and shortly afterward Mr. Mitchell bn:)Ught about a reorganization of the business under the same title, the enterprise being simultane- ' ,,usly incorporated under the laws of the state. He was made president of the com- pany and has ever since continued in this oft^xe, while the business is still carried activelv forward in the manufacturing of lumber, the plant of the company being of the highest standard. I\Ir. Mitchell was also associated with his Ixother, the late Austin W., under the firm name of IMitchell Brothers, and they conducted extensive operations ii-#he manufacturing of lumber, having owned large tracts of pine land in various sections of northern Michigan. Mr. Mitchell is a careful and discriminating Inisi- ness man. having a capacity for affairs of wide scope and im])ortance, while his suc- cess stands in evidence of consecutive ap- plication and properly directed energy. He has ever remained loyal to Cadillac, of whose development he has been a witness, while his influence has ever been lent in sup- 324 ir EX FORD COUXTY, MICIIIGAX. port of all worthy projects and undertak- ing's for the general good, and he is kno\ni as a thoroughly puhlic-spirited citizen. He was one of those prominently concerned in the huilding of the beautiful seven-mile drive around Clam lake, the same having heen constructed through the enterprise of the citizens of Cadillac, and adding materi- ally to the attractiveness of the city. In politics Mr. Mitchell exercises his franchise in support of the jjrinciples and policies of the Re])ul)lican party. His residence is one cif the many beautiful homes of Cadillac, being of modern architectural design and cijuipment and standing in evidence of his appreciation of the attractions of the city in which he has so long resided. On the /th of October, 1876, Mr. Mitch- ell was united in marriage to Miss Ella Yost, who was born in Waterloo, New York, be- ing a daughter of George Yost, who re- moved to Hillsdale. Michigan, when ^Irs. Mitchell was a child, and in the latter place she was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell ha\e two children. Charles T. and Marie Elizabeth. ERED A. DIGGLXS. b'red .\. Diggins was bor^n July. 1862, near Harvard. McHenry county. Illinois, and there spent the years of his childhood and early life, the meanwhile receiving his educational training in the public schools and becoming acquainted with the more practical phases of life under the wholesome disci- pline of the farm. Mr. Diggins remained in his native state until 1879. at which time he se\ered. home ties and started out to make his own way in the world, going first to Osceola county, Michigan, and locating for 3 limited time at the town of Hersey. Leav- ing that place he entered, in 1880, the Grand Rapids Business College, where he pursued his studies two years, after which he accept- ed the position of bookkeeper with his brother, Delos F. Diggins, with whom he re- mained until the latter part of 1886. In the fall of that year he came to Cadillac and en- tered the employ of the private banking firm of Delos .\. Blodgett & Company, continu- ing with the said firm during the ensuing two years, at the expiration of which time he resigned his position for the purpose of en- gaging in the lumber business, becoming a member of the firm of F. A. Diggins & Com- pany, which was organized at Sunny Side in 1888. The company did a thriving busi- ness for several years, but wound up its af- fairs in 1897. at which time the subject be- came associated with Joseph Murphy, under the style of Murphy & Diggins. .As joint manager of the large and far- reaching enterprise witli which he is identi- fied. Mr. Diggins displays fine executive abil- itv and. being familiar with every detail of the great lumber industry, he prosecutes his business with the most encouraging finan- cial results. For a number of years Mr. Diggins has been an ardent Republican, hav- ing long been interested in district, state and national issues, and he has represented the people of Cadillac as a delegate to many dif- ferent nominating conventions. In 1892 he was chosen a delegate to the national Repub- lican convention at Minneapolis, which nom- inated Benjamin Harrison for the presiden- cy and in the spring of the same year was honored by being elected mayor of Cadillac, entering the office liefore attaining the age of thirtv. .\s the city's chief executive Mr. IVEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 325 Diggins proxed satisfactory to the people ir- respectixe of iiarty ami so ably and iiiiparti- allv did he discharge his official duties that lie was re-elected his own successor the fol- lowing year. At the expiration of his sec- ond term he retired from the office with the good will of the people, but after the lapse of two years he was again put for- ward, defeating- his opponent and entering the office with a greatly increased majority. By successive re-elections he was retained as mayor during the ensuing four years, filling the position six years in all, his record dur- ing that time fully justifying the people in the wisdom of their choice. He retired from the mayoralty in 1900, since which date he has devoted his attention exclusive- ly to his large and growing business. Mr. Diggins is one of the most pleasant and con- genial of men, the very embodiment of good fellowship, and is in every respect a repre- sentative business man an locate at Cadillac and here he ap- ])lie(l liimseif closely to his legal studies until -Marcii of the following year, when he was admitted to the bar. Oi)ening an office and announcing himself a candidate for a share of public patronage, he .soon succeeded in building up a lucrative business and it was not long until he forged to the front as one of the rising members of the \\'exford coun- ty bar. During the spring and summer of i88.|. h.e applied himself closely to the gener- al practice, with encouraging success, but the the following fall, at the earnest solicitation of his friends, he ent.eretl the race for circuit court commissioner, to which office he was elected by a very decided majoritv. This may be termed the beginning of Mr. Chittenden's public career, as he has been prominently liefore the people from that year ti) the present time, fully justifying their con- fidence in his ability and integrity and prov- nig true to every trust reposed in him. After serving one term as court commission- er, he was elected, in 1886. prosecuting at- torney and so able and faithfully did he dis- charge the duties of this exacting office that he was twice re-elected, serving six years in all. during which period he continuallv add- ed to bis re])utation as a sound lawyer and shrewd, resourceful practitioner. Mr. Chittenden is an influential iJolitician I and ever since locating at Cadillac has been a wise counsellor and judicious leader of the I Republican party. He has served as dele- j gate to local and state conventions and as member of the county central committee, a I position he has held ever since coming to the j slate, his eft'orts contrilnuing greatly to I the success of the ticket in a number of elec- j tions. In the fall of 1894 he was elected .sen- I ator from the twenty-seventh district and as [ a legislator in the state councils proved ecpial to the responsibilities intrusted to him. Dur- ing his incumbency he was active and effi- cient in the discharge of his everv duty, served on a number of important committees, took a leading part in the general delil^era- tions and earned the reputation of a wise and judicious law-maker, meeting the liio-h ex- pectations of bis friends throughout the dis- trict by the interest he manifested in Ix-half lit his constituents and the state. Mr. Chittenden, in the year 1900. was elected judge of the twenty-eighth judicial circuit, in which honorable position he has already ac<|uired a high reputation for soundness in the knowledge of the law and for careful application of its principles in the investigation and determination of cases sub- mitted for his consideration and disposal. Fortified by his convictions of right, his rulings arc fair and impartial, his decisions clear, terse, and embodying a careful review •^ % ~-^-<^555^sJ:---'^-- --^ \_Axr»-w"ir>" .-ola) 328 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. printed on tlie pages of liistory presents to tlie yontli of tlie rising generation an exam- ple worthy of study antl emulation. Such a life has been that of the eminent Ijusiness man and distinguished citizen to a brief re- \ie\v of whose long and \aried career this ;u'ticlc is devoted. Jacob Cummer, for man_\' years one of the leading business men of Micliigan, is known from nne extremity of the state to tlie otlicr, and liis name is also familiar in busi- ness circles throughout the entire country, as his operations have by no means been circum- scribed by the bounds of the commonwealth in. which he has conducted his extensive inter- ests and in which his signal financial success- es have been achieved. Mr. Cummer is a nati\e of Canada, in which country his fam- ily settled in an early day and with the local history of certain parts of which the name has long been identified. His father, John Henry Cummer, was a farmer and lumber- man, who at one time oi)erated several saw- mills, in addition to which he also did a tlourishing business in the manufacture of dour. He spent all his life in Canada and died in the city of Toronto in the seventy- fifth year of his age. The maiden name of Mrs. John II. Cummer was Sarah I.ock- man Smith ; she bore her husband ten chil- dren and departed this life shortly after his death at W'aterdown, being between sixty and sexent}' years of age at the time of her demise. Of the large fruuily of children that once gathered around the hearthstone of John H. and Sarah (Smith) Cummer, Jacob, the subject of this re\ icw, is the oldest. He was born November i, iSj^, in the city of Toron- to, but spent his youthful years on his fath- er's farm where he early le M'ned those lessons of industry antl thrift which had such a de- cided influence in forming his character and shaping his future course of action. At the age of eighteen he entered his father's busi- ness and after two years of hard work and steady application there, went to Lock])ort, New York, where he received atlditional in- struction in ilour making, in due time be- coming a very cflicient miller. After re- maining one year in that city he returned to Canada and took charge of the home mill, which he operated for his father one year, and at the expiration of that time entered into an agreement to run the business for a share of the proceeds. Leasing the mill, he continued its operation about two \'ears, whai he )nirchased the .structure and as sole proprietor did a reasonably successful busi- ness until selling out at a fair profit several years later. .\ftcr disposing of the mill, the subject, in pavtnershii) with his brother, Lockman Cummer, engaged in the manufacture of flour at W'aterdown, where they took charge of two grist-mills, in connection with which they also operated the same number of saw- mills and a foundry and a machine shop. When Mr. Cummer went to W'aterdown he invested all of his earnings, amounting to twenty-seven thousand dollars, in the above enterprises and for a time things went favor- ably: the busiiness continual to grow in \olunie and importance until fortune seemed assiu'ed, but the great financial ])anic of 1857 coming on, during which time it was impossible to make collections, the busi- ness was .so seriously crippled that at the ex- piration of about seventeen months pay- ments were suspended and the doors clo.sed. This failure sw.dlowed up the entire capital of the firm and entailed a 1i>ss from which WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 329 the l)r()thcrs were a long time recovering. Sliortly after suspending business Mr. Cum- mer engaged to conduct a mill for another party at Delaware, Ontario, liaving been reccomended for the position l)y certain par- ties who were cognizant of his superior abilities as a miller, .\fter operating the mill aliout a }-ear for a share of the earnings he gave up the place and came to Michigan, locating in i860 in Newaygo county, where he purchased what was known as tlie Brooks property, consisting of a lumber and flour- ing-mill, to which he subsequently added a plant for the manufacture of staves. Mr. Cummer embarked in tiie three-fold enter- prise with every prospect of success, but the Civil war breaking out soon afterwards and the consequent flooding of the countrv- with a depreciated and largely irredeemable, or "wild cat," currency, brought on a season of depression which continued with little or no abatement for three and a half years, to the great detriment of all business enterprises, many of which suftered severe losses, while others failed, never again to resume opera- tions. During this period Mr. Cumimer tried hard to keep his business on a paying basis, but owing to stringency of money matters he finally succumbed to the inevita- ble and was obliged to suspend and relin- quish the property on which he had already made several large payments. With noth- ing better in view, he soon afterwards rented one of the mills and for a period of two years operated it with fair success, giving it up at the end of that time and then rented fur a term of vears Rice Bros." mill in the town of Crotdu, Michigan. During the three years in which he operated the latter Mr. Cummer met with enc(iuraging success, and it was while at Crntnn that he began in- vesting his surplus capital in pine lands, a \enture which ultimately proved the making of his fortune. In company with the late Nelson Higbee and Robert J. Mitchell, both shrewd, far-seeing business mien, he purchas- ed large tracts in various parts of the coun- try, all of which afterward proved very prof- itable, and in due time he retired frimi mill- ing to devote his entire attention to the lum- ber industry. With an eye to the future, he bought, shortly after leaving Croton, a large amount of fine timber land, which he subse- quently sold at profit of one hundred thous- and dollars, the meanwhile continuing his investments until, as stated in the preceding paragraph, he became widely known as one of the leading lumber dealers in the state. Removing from Croton, Mr. Cummer l(j()k u]) his residence at Cedar Springs, Kent county, Michigan, where he remained between one and two years, devoting his attention to buying and selling liuiiber and assisting his brother, Franklin D. Cumjner, who some time before had become involved in various business difficulties. From Cedar Springs he removed to Morley, Michigan, where he formed a partnership in the lum- ber business with his son, Wellington W., erecting a saw-mill which they operated with a large financial profit until 1876, when the subject changed his abode to Cadillac. Here, in partnership with his son, he continued to deal extensively in timber lands, purchasing large tracts in the counties of Wexford and Missaukee, which, like his previous invest- ments, returned him liberal profits and added greatlv to the alreadv independent fortune at that lime in his possession. Becoming somewhat advanced in years and not caring to assume anv additional rcspnnsibilities, Mr. Cummer, as soon as he could reasonably 330 H'EXfORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. do so, gradually turned his extensive busi- ness interests ()\er to other hands and sought the cjuiet shades of retirement in Cad- illac, where he has since li\eil in the enjoy- ment of the fruits of his many years of strenuous toil. He still retains, however, an interest in the business which he formerly conducted with such marked success and in addition thereto keeps in tnuch with the trend of affairs in the city, manifesting a li\-ely regard for e\erything pertaining to the guild of the community and contributing to the promntion of the welfare nf his fellow men. Mr. Cummer"s ability to rise superior to obstacles that would have discouraged the majority of nien and to win success from conditions which would have meant defeat to many, shows him the possessor of a re- .sourceful mind, ;i soundness of judgment, a clearness of perception antl rare forethought such as few men are endowed with. His career presents much that is commendable, nut the least being his ability to rally from severe financial reverses, to perceive in the midst of discouraging circumstances a way 1o take advantage of them, and to create op- ])ortunities where they did not hitherto exist, 'n the midst of the thronging cares and de- mands of a busy life he has never been im- mindful of his obligations to the comnnmit}- as a citizen, being always gracious in his as- .sociati(ms with his fellow men and enjoving a jiojnilarity which is the natural result of bis characteristics. He is a man of strong intellectuality and keen discernment, and, calculating well the futm"e outcome of busi- ness transactions, is seldom mistaken in the ultimate results of an_\- of bis undertakings. As already stated, he has de\-oted consider- able of his time and talent to the improve- ment of his town and county and his gen- erosity, unswer\ing integritw ])ublic spirit and pronounced ability have gained him a distinctive position as one of the truest and best citizens of Cadillac. The married life of Air. Cummer dates from 1845, on Xo\ember 6 of which year he was united in the bonds of wedlock with Miss Mary A. Snider, who was burn .\])ril 7, 1S25, in the dominion of Canada. Her parents, Jacob and Rachel ( McCready ) Sni- der, were natives of Xew Brunswick, but si)ent much of their lives in Canada, and died near the city of Toronto. Their family con- sisted of nine children, Mrs. Cummer being the fifth in order of birth. To Air. and Mrs. Cummer have been born six children, whose names arc as follows: Wellington W.. a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this \olume; Emily ]£liza died in infancy; Jimma Bell also died young: Harvey F. de- parted this life in his sixth year; Elmer C. died when t\venty-se\en years old. and Car- rie E., who married Fred .\. Diggins, a prominent business nxan of Cadillac. Mr. Cummer and wife have been zealous mem- bers of the Congregational church for m;ui\- years and since coming to Cadillac have been acti\e in all lines of religious and benex- olent work and to their efforts and liberal hn.'uicial su])port the cluu'cb in ibis citv is largelv indebted for its material pros])critv atid s])iritual growth. Since becoming a naturalized citizen of the L'nited States Mr. Cummer has acted with the Repul)lican party and while not a partisan, much less an as- l)irant for official honors, he has been acti\c in party councils and an influential worker for the cause he esi)ouses. In ])olitical mat- ters as well as in business affairs and in his relations with the world generally he is a WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIQAN. 331 vigorous as well as an independent thinker and has the courage of his convictions upon all suhjects he investigates. He is also cos- mopolitan in his ideas, a man of the peo- ple, and cares little for conventionalism or for the sanctity attaching to person or place hy reason of artificial distinction, accident of hirth or time-honored tradition. In hrief, he is a representative type of the strong, \irile American manhood, that hy reason of inherent merit, sound sense and correct con- duct commands and retains the respect of the ])eople, and he stands today, as he has stood in the past, a forceful and influential factor in business afifairs and an honored citizen in the walk of life. WILLTAM L. SAUNDERS. In a history of the prominent and influ- ential citizens of Wexford county, William L. Saunders, of Cadillac, is deserving of spe- cific notice as his weli-spent life, his fine busi- ness ac([uirements, his loyalty to every trust re])osed in him and liis ability to manage large and inipurtant imhistrird enterprises, as well as the honorable and straightforward course he has ever pursued, have gained him a high place in the confidence and esteem of his fellow men. Mr. Saunders is a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, aiid the second in a family of six children, who.se l)arents were WilliauT and Mary ( .\shton) Saunders. He was born in the city of Car- lisle on the 5th day of September. 1858, and when quite young was taken to Ulonniburg, where he spent his early years, as soon ;is old enough assisting his father in a planing- mill and at intervals attending the public schools of the town. By reason of circum- stances o\er which he had no control his ed- ucation was somewhat limited, but he made the most of his opportunities and in time became well informed in the common branches of learning. Like the majority of successful men, however, bis training was mo.stly of a practical nature, obtained in the rugged school of experience, such discipline being of far greater value than much of the knowledge imparted by colleges and univer- sities. Mr. Saunders" father was a lumber dealer, and he was careful to instruct his sons in the fundamental principles of busi- ness, the suliject coiuing in for his full share of this severe practical training. In x^JJ the fanuly moved to Cadillac, Alichigan, where the elder Saunders established a plan- ing-mill. WiHiam L. afterwards becoming a partner in the enterprise, which for two years went by the firm name of Saunders & Son. At the expiration of that time the sub- ject withdrew and entered the anploy of C'ummer & Cummer, as foreman of that firm's large business, subsequently being ])ro- motetl to the supcrinten.dency. in which capa- city he served about ten _\ears, bec(jming dur- ing that time familiar with every detail of the lumber industrv besides developing great skill and elliciency as a sound, practical busi- ness man. The lirm was originally knuwn as (ummer & l)ig,i;ins, and il was with the latter partnership thai Mr. Saunders became identified in the year njoo by purchasing an interest in the business. .\s at present con- stituted the firm is known as CumUier, Dig- gins & Com])any. .Mr. Saunders being the practical superintendent of the enterprise, a ])osition which his natural .abilities and pre- vious training peculiarly fit him to till. Whatever success Mr. Saunders has 332 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. achieved, and il is l)y no means inconsider- al)le. is due entirely to liis own industry, in- telligence antl well-directed etYorts. In his young manhood he started out to make his own way in the world, with little aid from outside sources, and lie has steadily worked onward and upward to the responsible posi- tion he now holds with one of the largest business firms in northern Michigan. Pos- sessing untiring energy, quick perception and sound judgment, he is well qualified for leadership in important undertakings. Pie forms Ills plans readil}-, is determined in their execution, and his close application to the interests of his firm and excellent busi- ness management have brought him the high degree of prosperity which today is his. It is tru.e that he became interested in an en- terprise already established, but in manag- ing, practically controlling and in no small measure enlarging the same, he has displayed executive abilities of a high order and dem- onstrated the fact that success in such an un- dertaking is not the result of genius or fortuitous circumstances, but the outcome of sound sense, mature judgment and the right kind of experience. The domestic chapter of the life of Mr. Saunders bears date of 1879. o" Novemlier 9th of which year he entered the marriage relation with Miss Mary Graham, a native of Ontario and a daughter of the late Archi- bald (iraham. for many years a prominent ruid inlluential business man of Big Rapids, this stale. To this union three children have been born. Clyde A. and Marion, living, Blanche, the second in order of birth, dying at the early age of five years. Mr. Saunders has served several times in the common council of Cadillac and as a member of that body labored zealouslv for the citv's ad- vancement, standing for all needetl public improvements and bringing about much leg- islation for tlie good of the municipality. He has been closely identified with every movement for the general welfare of the community since becoming a resident of the same and no worthy enterprise for the ad- vancement of the city's interests, materially or otherwise, has been inaugurated and car- ried forward without his hearty co-opera- tion and sujiport. Public spirited in all the term implies, he devcStes much of his time and attention to matters outside the province of his business affairs and is ever ready to lend a helping hand when projects for the con.imon weal are luitler consideration of being pushed to practical conclusion. Politically Mr. Saunders supports the Republican party, but he is not a politician nor has he any aspiration in the way of office holding, preferring the active life he is now leading as a i^rivate citizen to any honors or emoluments within the power of his fel- low citizens to bestow. Fraternally he is a ]\Iason of high degree, belonging to the lodge, chai'ter and council at Cadillac, in ail of which he is an active memljer and inllu- ential factor, ever striving to exemplify in his daily life the beautiful teachings and ?ul)lime precepts of this ancient and honor- able order. Mr. Saunders is a well-rounded, symmetrically developed man of recognized ability ;md unimpeachable integrity, and he may be taken as a splendid example of bro:id- minded, progressive American citizenship. Plis influence has always been on the right side of every moral question, and under all circumstances he has lieen true to his con- victions of right, both theoretically and prac- ticallv. Genial in manner, kindly in disposi- tion and cheerful in temperament, he has the ir EX FORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 333 warm regard of all with whom he mingles, and his life demonstrates the possibilities that are o])en to every young man with en- ergy and ambition to rise alxjve mere self so as to be of use to society and to the JOHN M. TKRW'ILLIGER. Newspapers are powerful agents in the development of every community, and upon their early establishment the rapid growth of an incipient municipality to a large ex- tent depends, while at all stages of advance- ment they figure as the pulse indication of local thought and action. The thriving city of Cadillac is favored in having so ably edit- ed and conducted a newspaper as is the Cad- illac Globe, of which Messrs. John M. Ter- williger and Ralph W. Crawford are edi- tors and publishers. Of this paper, Mr. Ter- williger was the founder, and he has been continuously identihed with the same to ihe present time, being known as one of the alert and progressive young business men of the city, while he hoUls the uncqui\ocal con- fidence and regard of the comnninity. John M. Terwilliger is a native of the state of Michigan, having been Ix^rn in Clay- ton, Lenawee county, on the 21st of Feb- ruary, 1870, and being a son of Albert E. and Polly (Forbes) Terwilliger, the former of whom was born in Rochester county. New York, and the latter in Lenawee county, Michigan. Albert E. Terwilliger was at- tending school at the breaking out of the Civil war. and then enlisted in the One Hun- dred and Thirty-eighth New ^'ork in- tantry, being later transferred to the Ninth New York Heavy Artillery. He served val- iantly during the conflict and at its close went to Clayton, Michigan, where he resided until 1875, when he located at Sylvania, Lu- cas county, Ohio. In 1880 he returned to Michigan and in 1883 he came to Wexford county anil located in Antioch township, where he tin^ned his attention to agricultural pursuits, in which he here continued until the death of his loved and devoted wife, on the 19th of June, i88g, at which time she was tifty-one years of age. In the autumn of that year he returned to Lenawee county, where he has since resided. Of this union were torn two children. John M., the imme- diate subject of this review, and Fred E., who is a farmer in Lenawee county. When the subject was H\-e years of age his par- ents removed to Sylvania, Lucas county, Ohio, where he prosecuted his studies in the public schools until he had attained the age of ten years, when the family returned to Lenawee county, locating on a farm near Clayton, where they resided until their re- mo\al to Wexford county, John M. ha\-ing in the meanwhile continued his studies in the public schools. At the age of sixteen years he began teaching in the district schools of Wexford county, successfully continuing his pedagogic efforts for a period of four years, after which he completed a business course in the Ferris Institute, at Big Rapids. Mr. Terwilliger's identification with the "art preserxative of all arts'" dates its inception back to the spring of 1892, when he came to Cadillac and accqjted the position of solici- tor and reporter on the Michigan State Dem- ocrat, retaining this incumbency until De- cember of the following year, when he pur- chased the Fife Lake Monitor, which he continued to pul)lish until July, 1898, when he ilisposed of the plant and business, having 334 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. m the meanwhile also founded and conducted the r.Mardman River Current, which was puhlished in connection with his other paper. On the 1st of .Septemher. 1898. he founded the Cadillac Clnhe. and in July of the follow- in;^ )ear Ralph W. Crawford, an able young newspaper man. became associated with him in the enterprise, purchasing a half interest, and since that time the business has been conducted under the tirni n.ame hnstown. also WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 835 served as jiidg'c of liis county, and achieved liiJiiorahle distinctiuii in liis profession l:)otli as a jnrist and practitioner. Somfe time in the early 'thirties lie came to IMichigan as renresentative of tlie Metropohtan Bank of New ^'ork for tlie purpose of investigating the currency of this state, and later located in Washtenaw county, where he engaged in the banking business. He organized the Me- chanics Bank at Ann Arbor and became one of its largest stockholders and for oxex fifty years conducted the institution, during which time he acqnire;l wiirlhy prestige as an able financier, not only locally but in busi- ness circles throughout the state. He was a careful and judicious business man of pro- gressi\e ideas, exerted potent influence in the general growth and development of Washtenaw county, and after the organiza- ti'ju of the Rejjublican party was elected upon that ticket to the general assembly, in which body he distinguished himself as a capable and popular legislator. In eariy life he was an old-line Whig, but wdien that his- toric jjarty had accomplished its mission and ceased to exist he took an active and earnest part in the organization of its successor and ever afterwards remained a staunch and un- com])r(5mising Republican, becoming a party leader in the county of Washtenaw. For two terms he was a member of the board of regents of the Michigan University, and for a number of years served as treasurer of the board, in both of which capacities he was instrumental in pr(jmoting the useful- ness of the unixersitv and gi\ing it the com- manding prestige it today enjoys among the leading educational institutions of the United .States. Donald Mclntyre, Jr., was one of the notable men of his day and gen- eration in the county of Washtenaw, and as already stated, his labor and influence were not circumscribed within local bounds, but bore in no small degree upon the history of the state at large. He lived a long and useful life, did his work faithfully and well and died at Ann Arbor in [892, at the ripe old age of eighty-six years. The maiden name of Mrs. Uonald Mcln- tyre was Jane Eaker. She was a native of New York and died in the prime of life. leaving four children, namely : Anna, Mat- tie -\., Jennie M. and Donald E. Donald E. INIclntyre. to a brief epitome of whose life and achievements the residue of this article is devoted, was born in Wash- tenaw countv. Alichigan, on the 14th day of June, 1852. His earh' life was spent in Ann Arljor, where he attended the pul)lic schools until completing the prescribed course, after which he entered the State Uni- versity with the object in view of preparing himself for the legal profession. In due time he was graduated from the literary de- ]3artment of that institution, the thorough mental discipline thus received serving as a substantial liasis for the severe profes- sional training to which he was afterwards subjected while fitting himself for his life \\ov\< as a lawver. Mr. Mclntyre prosecuted his legal stud- ies under es])ecially favorable auspices, among- his preceptors being Judge H. J. Beaks, who was long recognized as the lead- ing' member of the Michigan bar and whose name and fame achieved alnmst national re- pute. In the university he also enjoyed the instruction of some of the ablest legal miiuls of the day and after his graduation, in 1871, he was well hirtilicd to grapple with the ditifi- culties which mark the beginning of nearly everv young lawyer's career. 336 llEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Receiving his degree, Mr. Mclntyre opened an oftlce in Big Rapids, where he practiced one year with varied success, and at tiie expiration of tliat time selected what lie supposed to be and what has since proved to be a more favorable field in the village of Clam Lake, at that time a small and to all appearances unimportant lumber to^\^^, but to tlie ambitious attorney an emljryo city of Jfcrtain growth and great possibilities. In fact the place in the early 'seventies could hardly be dignified by the term village, being merely a lumber camp with a few indifferent buildings on the principal street, but already, predictions were rife as to its future devel- opment and it was not long until the prophe- cies began to be fulfilled. With the growth and continual prosperity of the town came business of n legal character, in ccjnsec|uence lit wliich tlie lawyer's services were much sought after and Mr. Mclntyre in due time had no lack of well-paying clients. From that time to the present his professional career presents a series of successes, as he has kept in close touch with legal matters in this i)art of the state, his name appearing in connection with many of the most impor- tant cases at the Cadillac bar since this town became the seat of justice for the county of Wexford. By close application to business and commendable studiousness he gradually surmounted the obstacles in the path of pro- fessional men in new countries and won for him.self an honorable reputation as a safe, reliable c.\' W. Cr]\lMFR. Wellington W. Cuninicr, one of the men whose activities ha\e had to do with the advancement of Cadillac as a municipality and who has contrilnited generously to those things which were for the betterment of his home jjlace, was lx>rn on a farm near Toron- to, Canada, on the 21st day of October. 1846, — fifty-seven years ago, — his parents be- ing Jacob and Mary .\nn Cummer. His early boyhood da_\s until i860, when the family removed from the farm to X'ewaygo village in Newaygo county, Micliigan, were passed in the district scliools near his father's home anle-cuttiiig) band mills arc included in the rebuilt plant in Jackson\-ille, which ww has a productive capacity of furty-two jier cent, in excess of the plant destroyed by the fire, and it is probably one of the largest lumbering plants in the c(juntry south of the Mason and Dixon line. Air. Cummer's activities in the south have not been confined to the mammoth Jacksonville plant, but ha\e permeated other lines of industrial affairs. He built the Jack- sonville & Southwestern Railway — out of Jacksonville — in 1899 for the carrying of logs and timber for the Cummer Lumber Company. This railway is eighty-eight miles in length. It was at first operated solely for the Cummer Lumber Company, but its value to the section of Florida through wliich its trains passed necessitated an e(|ui])ment for a ])assengcr business, and it is now operated for both freight and pas- sengers. C. A\'. Chase and associates, of Ciaines\ille. Fhjrida. l)ecamc the owner of the Jacksonville & Southwestern Railwa\- in 1903. only a few weeks ago. Mr. Cummer is a member of The Cum- mer Company, organized in 1903 in Jackson- xillc, Morida, the charter of the Norfolk Company being dissolved, and W. W. Cum- mer & Sons, organized in 1903, in Jackson- ville, Morida. Jacob (_ umnier and ^\^ W. Cinuuicr and the hitler's two sons, Ar- tluu (i. and Waldd 1'^. Cummer, are the members ot The Cummer Companv. and W . \\ . ('ummer and his two sons are tlic p:n-tuers in W. W. Cummer i.\: Sons. Both of these firms are hea\ih" inter- ested in southern timbers. The Cummer L'limpany owning iwn hundred and twen- ty-live million feet i>f cypress and one hundrcfl million feet of pine, and W. W. Cummer & Sons owning one hundred and seventy-fi\'e million feet of cypress and sev- eral large tracts of pine, all in Florida. Mr. Cummer has. at various times, been finan- cially interested, too. in co-partnership with other capitalists in southern timbers in states other than Florida, but his operations are now almcjst entirely confined to the country tributary to the Jacksonville plant. -Mr. Cummer's interests in Cadillac in- clude his membership in the firm of Cummer, Diggins & Com])any, operating in hardwood and in chemicals, and his ownership of the Cummer Electric Light Company and the Cadillac Water Company jjlants. these two latter representing an investment appro.xi- mating two hundred thousand ddllars. Mr. Cummer built the electric light plant in 1S88 and succeeded M. X. Creen in iSSi in the ownership of the water plant, lloth of tliese plants are under the superintendencx- and management of (ieorge D. \\'esto\er. and both are modern and complete in ef|uii)mcnt. Cummer, Diggins & Company own and oper- ate a saw-mill, a planing-mill and a chemical plant, and are large producers of hardwood luml)er and flooring and chemicals. Mr. Cummer was married, im the 1 ith day of October. 1872. to Miss Ada M. Ger- rish, the daughter of Xathaniel and Caro- line (ierrish. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Cummer are the parents of one daughter. Mabel C. Cummer, and two sons, Arthur G. and \\'aldo F. Cummer. Both of the sons are interested with their father in his various business en- terprises, and both are capable, successful and progressive young business men. Although Mr. Cummer's life from Ixiy- hood has been a Ijusy one and his opera- tions have been large and have permeated IVEXPORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 841 nearly all sections of his adopted country, lie has Ijecn liberal and g'enerons in his con- trilnitiuns ol time and money to public af- fairs and charitable and benevolent purposes, never forgetting that the highest type of citizenship is that which is mindful nf hnme. friend, neighbor ;nid country. Mr. Cum- mer's public service as an official includes a term as mayor of Cadillac, several years as an alderman, eight years as a school in- spector, as a presidential elector in 1888 from the ninth congressional tlistrict, his vote being-cast for Benjamin Harrison, and six years — from 1895 to 1901 — as a mem- ber of the board of trustees for the Northern Michig-an Asylum for the Insane, the latter appointment coming from Governor John T. Rich. In these positions Mr. Cummer served acceptably, honorably and satisfactorily, his business experiences antl his interest in pub- lic affairs making him a valuable serx-ant of the people. In political sympathies Mr. Cum- mer is a Republican, and the political party to which he owes allegiance has found him a loyal, earnest and persistent worker in the ranks, helpful in counsel and generous and wi'ling in eff<.irt. Jacksonville became the le- gal residence of Mr. Cummer and his familv in 1902, the plants in that city, the Jackson- ville & Southwestern Railway and Mi . Cum- mer's timber interests not only requiring, but denianding. liis personal attention and direction. In Jacksonxiilc. Mr. Cummer identified himself with jiulilic affairs and interested himself in benevolences and char- ities and all those things which ccnitribute to the weal and welfare of a comniunit.y. Mr. Cumniei is the vice-president of the Jacksonxille Board of Trade, an organiza- tion of three hundred leading business men, the strongest organization of its kind in all the south, and the organization is now erect- ing a building foi il-^elf which is to C(_>st fifty thousand dollars. Mr. Cummer was also selected, in 1903, for a membership on the board of trustees of the Jacksonxille schools, a ])osition of imi)ortancc and intluenct in that its work prepares the boys and girls of today— the men and women of tomorrow — for citizenship in the greatest republic under the shining sun. He is also a trustee of the Carnegie Library Association now- erecting a fifty-thousand dollar building. This, in brief, is the story of the life of a successful Cadillac business man, who, through all the changing years of turmcjil and strife, the years of struggle in small things and the years of triumph in large things, has carried the family name in honor, has retained his self-respect, has forgotten not the duties devolving upon him as a citi- zen, as a husband and as a father. Such a life as this is an inspiration to the young men upon whose shoulders will fall the bur- dens of tomorrow. Mr. and Mrs. Cummer have always in- terested themseh'es in worthy beaievolences, and in Cadillac hax'C established and main- tainenliiect o| ihis review lu'st saw the light of day. his birth dating from Seiitember 17. iSoi. Reared in close touch with naliu'e in the country, he early became familiar with the \aried duties of farm life, and grew up with a ])roper ap- preciation of the dignity of hone.st toil, know- ing little iiy practical experience of the mean- ing of idleness. In the i)ublic schools of Ottawo and Kent counties he obtained a fair educational tr.aining, and on attaining bis majority he came to Cadillac, entering, in October, 1882, the employ of H. D. Wal- lin. Jr., as clerk in the office of the Michigan Iron Works. In his clerical capacity Mr. Knowlton soon developed fine abilities and became one of the useful and trusted men connected with the above enterprise, contin- WEXFORD COUNTY, ^MICHIGAN. 343 xuug witli the company until 1887, in T'eb- niar\- of wliicli year lie resigned liis position for the i)urpose of accepting- a more lucrative l)ost, with the private hanking firm of D. -\. Blodgett Company. ]\Ir. Knowlton en- tered tlie latter concern in a minor capacity, hut, by reason of efficiency and conscienti(ius fidelity to duty, gradually rose to more re- sponsible stations, each succeeding year add- ing to his reputation as an accomplished ac- countarit and able financier. Since 1887 he has been constantly before the public in posi- tions requiring the highest order of business talent, holding at this time the office of cash- ier in the Cadillac State Bank, in which ca- ]iacitv he lias gained worthy prestige in (inamrial circles, being a man of mature jutlg- ment, unimpcachalile integrity, a hard work- er, careful in his methods and conservative as well as eminently successful in all his dealings. As may lie readily inferred from the aliove, Mr. Knowlton occupies no second place in the confidence and esteem of his fel- lowmen, ha\-ing won the responsible posi- tion he now commands by loyalty to e\"cry trust reposed in him as well as by the ability and energy displayed in his peculiar field of endeavor. He is a man of wise foresight, whose enterprising spirit no difficulties can discourage, and, with a tenacity of purpose as rare as it is admirable, he seems to pos- sess the faculty of moulding circumstances to suit his purposes, rather than being affected by them. J lis sagacity in matters coming within his s])here is most pronounced, being rarelv mistaken in his judgment of men and things, and he foresees with remarkable clearness future possibilities relatix'e to his business interests and determines with a high degree of accuracy their probable bearing. He has made a close and careful study of financial questions, is familiar with every de- tail of banking and much of the success of the popular institution with which he is officially connected is due to his able and judicious l)usiness methods. In all his tran- sactions lie has e\er manifested a disposition to do as he would be done by and by reason of his continued success, unblemished char- acter and just and liberal life he has nobly earned the universal esteem in which he is held by his fellow men. It is not as a busi- ness man only that Mr. Knowlton has come ])rominentlv to the notice of the people, as he has long been a potential factor in the do- main of politics. Since attaining his majority he has l)een an uncompromising supporter of the Republican party and as such his influ- ence has had great weight in local affairs, having for five years represented the third ward in the common council of Cadillac, be- sides serving one year as mayor of the city. As a member of the council he w'as instru- mental in introducing and bringing about nuich important municipal legislation, and it was dnring his incumbency as chief ex- ecuti\'e that the present beautiful city h;dl was planned and erected, in addition to which many other improvements were pro- vided, including the systenij of free mail de- livery. \\'hile serving in public capacities Mr. Knowlton was untiring in his efforts to pro- mote the cit)'s material welfare and was acti\e in all matters of municipal reform, looking carefulh- after the people's interests, using his inlluencc to discourage la\'ish or injudicious expenditures and by e\'ery means at his ciuumand gu.arding the public funds 344 ly EX FORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. aiifl conserving all availaljle resources. To him as much as to any one individual is Cad- illac indebted for the prosperity which has marked the last decade of its history, as he has labored earnestly to beautify the city and make it a desirable place of residence, besides advertising its advantages to the world as a favorable locality for the investment of ca|)ital. Mr. Kudwltmi beliexcs in j)rogress and inipro\ement in ;ill the terms imply, when ])r()perly conducted, ami he has long been ;m ardent advocate of all measures looking to the commercial and industrial advance- ment of both city and county, much of the credit for the present excellent highway sys- tem being directly attributable to his efforts and influence. Believing the employment of labor to be among the most judicious and effective means by which a community may becoine progressive and prosperous, he has been untiring in his efforts to locate indus- tries and iitJier enterprises at Cadillac, using his best en(lea\(irs to attract capital and in- duce investments, with the result that every enteriirising citizen has well-grounded confi- dence in the future prosperity of this section of the state, lie was a leading spirit in the Commercial Club of Cadillac, which, in Feb- ruary, 1903, was succeeded by the Cadillac Board of Trade, holding the office of secre- tary at the present time, and in addition to his interest in city affairs, he is e(|ually active in advancing the agricultiu\'i] and general l)rosperity of Wexford county, tbroughotit which his name has become widclv and fa- x'orabjy kni i\\ n. Without in\i(lious distinction, it can be truthfully said that Mr. Knowlton is pre- eminently one ijf I adiJlac's most enterpris- ing and successful men. In every walk of life his chief aim has been to do his duty and his friends feel jjurkI of him as a broad- minded, intelligent citizen and useful mem- ber of society. While giving personal atten- tion to his private interests and discharging conscientiously all the duties of citizenship, he finds time to devote to the higher claims growing out of man's relations as a social being, hence he is ever ready to assist the poor and unfortunate, not a little of his means being dispensed through the channels of ch.uity and benevolence. On th.e 20th of January, 1886. Mr. Knowlton was united in marriage with Miss .\llic Bishop, of Ottawa county, a union blessed with one child, a daughter by the name of Jose])hine. The hapj)y home circle was sadly broken, however, by the death of Mrs. Knowlton, which occtu"red on the _>Slh of May. lyo.v I'Vom the foregoing brief outline of a busy career, it is not difficult to arrive at a just estimate of Mr. Knowlton"s character or to lix his proper standing in the coni- innnit}'. P.eginning the struggle of life in moderate circumstances, he has not only re- moved from his pathway the obstacles cal- culated to impede his progress and gained an honorable ]iosition in the Inisiness world, but has also lixed to become a power for good in the coniinunitv where he dwells. Interested in all that tends to benefit his fellows, materially, educationally and mor- all\', his infiucnce has always been exerted in the right direction and from what he has accomplished along the lines to which his talents have been devoted it is easy to see that the world has been blessed and made better bv his presence. WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 845 KI.ISHA II. B(3YNTOX. A \ery larg;e per cent, of those who lia\e atlained prominence in tliis country were Ijorn and reared upon the farm. From the woods, tlie fields and meadows they entered upon careers of usefuhiess whicli in very many instances cuhiiinated in placing some of them in the most exalted positions in the nation. Life in the woods, in the clear- ing and in the fields brings the youth in much closer touch with nature than does any other calling and, when imbtted with ambi- tion to rise above his surroundings, the les- sons of industry he has learned, the knowl- edge of nature he acquired and the self-con- fidence which farm life gi\-es are splendid aids in gTatifying his ambition. But a very large majority of the ■\-ouths who are born and reared upon the farm choose to remain there, and although they mav be charged with lack of ambition, and accused of "hid- ing their light under a bushel," who shall say that their lives have not been as happy, as worthy or as useful to the world as their more ambitious neighlx)rs who have climljed well up the ladder of fam« and whose names have emblazoned the pages of history. The subject of this article, Elisha M. Boynton, of Greenwood township, is one of those who preferred to continue his life on the farm rather than engage in other pursuits, even though more profit might be realized there- bv. He was born near Plattsburg, New ^'ork, October jg, 1843. His parents were Elijah and Polly (Hazen) Boynton, he a native of New York and she of Vermont. They settled near Plattsburg, New York, on a farm, where tlicv continued to reside until their deatli. lie died in 1.^46, at the age of sixtv-seven vears, while she died a number of years later, being se\enty years old at the time of her death. They were the parents of four children, one son and three daughters. The son is Elisha M., the sub- ject of this review, who was the third child of the family. Until reaching the age of thir- teen he resided on the old home farm near Plattsburg, and then moved to Clinton coun- ty. New York, where he remained until the breaking out c:)f the war of the Rebellion. In Octolier, 1861, Mr. Boynton enlisted in the United States service as a private sol- dier, a member of Company M. Ninth New- York Ca\-alry. He servetl with his regi- ment eighteen months, taking part in many important eng-agements, when he was dis- charged and returned to Clinton county. .\fter devoting a few months to rest and recreation, be again enlisted, this time in Company il. Second New York Veteran Cavalry, and ser\ed with that regiment until long after the close of the Civil war. No- \ember 8, 1865, he was mustered out of the service and again returned to Clinton county, where he took up his old vocation, that of a farmer, and continued to prosper. In the spring of 1879, having been im- pressed with the possibilities of a life in cen- tral Michigan, he moved to Montcalm coun- ty and readily secured eiuployment in the woods, logging and lumliering\ He fol- lowed this \'Ocation in Montcalm county until the autumn of 1884, when he came to Wexford countv and settled on a tract of forty acres of wild land, a part of section 35, Creenwood townshii). It is the same piece of land on which he now resides, but a vast change has taken place in the ap- pearance which it presented then. About thirty of its acres have been thoroughly cleared of wood and stumjis and for many 34G WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. years the farm has heen splendidly culti- w'lted. The land is fertile and productive and each year the subject has been gratified by garnering in satisfactory crops. His farm l)uildings are all that could l)e desired, large, substantial and conveniently arranged. It is a most comfortable home and the re- tiu'us from the little farm, in stock and crops, finniish them each year a snug income. December g, 1867, Elisha M. Boynton was united in marriage to Miss Xettie Dun- das, a native of Xew York, born in Clinton county. May 4, 1845. She is the daughter of James and Jane ( Doran ) Dundas. resi- dents of CliiUon county. Xew York. Mr. and Mrs. IJoynton are the parents of ten children, four of whom died early in life. Those living are, Eugenie, John, Herljert, Mabel, Harvey and Ada. The children are all intelligent, possessed of a fair education ;ind ha\e been sclujoled in hal)its of industry which cannot fail to make them capable and useful. During his residence of nineteen years in Greenwood township Mr. Boynton has been acti\cl\- interested in all public af- fairs. ]);iriicularl\- those relating to that sec- tion of the county wherein he resides. He scr\ed ;is highway commissioner a number of times and was school inspector several years. At the present time he occupies the position i'\ justice of the ])eace and township treasurer. While his life has' been an e.x- ceedingly ;tcti\e one. largely dexoted to ])atient toil, it h;is been by no means devoid of happiness. M;m)' a man whose possess- ions arc many f<}ld greater than his has known but a very small p;irt of the contem- metU and pleasure that has come to Kli.sha M. Boynton dm-ing the various stages of his career. He is a good man, who has lived n worthy life, and good;-.css. equal with vir- tue, is its own reward. KICF.XE E. S AWYER. The law is generally conceded to be the most exacting of the learned professions and to achieve distinction therein requires not only natural abilities of a high order, but long years of ])atient study and pains- taking research, supplemented by a knowl- edge of human nature .such as the ordinary mind does not |)ossess. Whatever else may be said of this calling, it has always been the great arbiter of human rights and it cannot be denied that members of the bar have lieen more active and influential in ])ublic afi'airs as directors of thought and moulders of opinion than any other class of men. This is but the natural result of causes that are manifest and rwjuire no explanation. The ability and training which qualify one for the practice of law also fit him in many resi)ects for duties which lie (Hilside the strict ])ath of the profession and which touch and aftect the general interests of societ}- and the state. Hence the majority of lawyers are broad-minded, many-sided men, capable of grasping (piestions, ap])reci- ating situations and controlling conditions upon which the well being of the body politic very largely depends. Holding marked prestige among the leading Lawyers of Wexford county is I'.u- gene V. Sawyer, at this lime the oldest ])nic- ticing attorney in the city of Cadillac .ind one of the most successful members of ;i bar lomj- noted for the high order of its legal talent. Mr Sawyer was born May 8, 1848. in the city of (irand Rapids, being the son of James and Susan C. ( Xardin ) Sawyer, the father a native of Englaml. the mother a descendant of an old Huguenot family who.se ancestors in this country came from Erance. lames Saw ver c.ime to the L'nited EUOENE F. SAWYER. WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 847 States as early as 1834, settling at Grand Rapids when that flourishing city was but a mere backwoods hamlet, the Nanlins mov- ing to the same place about four years later. The subject's parents were married in Grand Rapids, and there reared their family and spent the remainder of their days, both dying a number of years ago. Eugene F. Sawyer spent the years of his childhood and youth in his native town and received his education in the public schools, graduating in 1S68 from the high school of Grand Rapids, with a creditable record as a student. During the early years of his manhood he followed farming and of winter seasons taught school, in this way earning suflicient money to defray the expenses of a course in the Michigan University, which he entered in the fall of 1870, for the pur- pose of preparing himself for the legal pro- fession. Three years later he was gradu- ated from the law department of that insti- tution and immediately thereafter came to Cadillac, where he opened an office and soon took high rank among the leatling members of the Wexford county bar. For two years he was associated with S. S. Fallas, but at the expiration of that time effected a copartnership with James R. Bishop, which, under the style of Sawyer & P)ishop, has continued to the present time, and which is universally conceded to be one of the strongest and most successful legal flrms in the northern part of the state. As a Iaw\'er Mr. Sawyer has alwa\-s been a safe coiuisellor and judicious practitioner, being well grounded in the fundamental principles of jurisprudence, with the ability and tact to apply the same in the most obstruse and technical cases. I-'roui the be- ginning of his professional career be has exhibited fine legal talent, his chief aim be- ing to acquire a critical knowledge of the law, which, coupled with the ability to pre- sent and successfully maintain any cause undertaken, has won him a large and lucra- tive practice in the courts of Wexford and neighboring counties. He is a close, logical and judicious pleader, prepares his papers with great skill and caution so that wdien his cases come to trial he is amply able to meet the issues with little fear as to results at the hands of either court or jury. His treat- ment of his cases is always full, compre- hensive and accurate, his analysis of the facts clear and exhaustive, and He sees with easy effort the relation and dependence of the facts and so groups them as to en- able him to throw their combined force up- on the points they tend to elucidate and prove. In the trial of a cause he is always master of himself, deferential to the court, kind and courteous towards opposing coun- sel, examining witnesses very thoroughly, but treating them with the respect that sel- dom fails to gain their confidence and good will. As a speaker he is direct, logical and forcible, presenting his facts clearly and concisely and impressing them with strong and eloquent appeals which seldom fail to impress juries with the justness of his cause. The firm of which Mr. Sawyer is senior member has been identified with nearly all important litigation at the Cadillac bar for many years past, and in every case of anv prominence the subject is retained either f(.ir the prosecution or defence, bis well-known abilities causing his services to be in great demand, .\side from his pro- fession, Mr. Saw\'er has been an influential factor in the material growth and prosperity of Cadillac, taking an active interest in all 348 WEXFORD COUNTY. I'lICHlGAN. public itnprovenients ami spending no little of his time and money to make this city the center of trade and culture for northern Michigan. l'\)r a nunihcr nf years he has been secretary of the Cailillac Improvement Board, the objects of which are to locate industries, inaugurate improvements and in many other ways promote the industrial, commercial and financial advancement of the city and advertise its adx'antages to the world as a faxnrite ])lace for the in\est- ment of capital and as a beautiful and health- ful locality in which to reside. Air. Sawyer was one of the chief promoters of the west- ern division of the Toledo & j\nn Arbor Railroad and for several years served as its local attorney, the success of the line in this part of the state being largely due to the interest he manifested in its l>ehalf. As an ardent friend of popular education he has done much to j^romote the efficiency of the public schools (_)f Cadillac, serving for a number of years on the board of trustees, in which ca])acit} he was untiring in his efforts to improve the system, by weeding out incomjietent teachers and securing those of a higher order of intellectual and pro- fessional training. In the language of an- other. "It is claimed that wdiile serving as trustee, he was, and still is, better accjuainted with the public schools of Cadillac than any other person in the city not engaged in teaching," the justness of which compliment everybody at all familiar with the circum- stances cheerfully concedes. While prosecuting his legal studies in the University of Michigan Mr. Sawyer became acquainteil with an estimable lady of varied culture by the name of Miss Kate Si])ley. whiim he afterwards married ;nid with whom his life has since been spent in the most felicitous home relations. Mrs. Saw- yer is the daughter of John F. Sipley, of .\un Arlxir, and she has borne her husband twii children, Christobell and Olive, both bright, intelligent and popular with the social circles in which they move. Politically Mr. Sawyer may be classed as an independent, holding to no particular pruly l)ut suppurting men and measures which in his judgment make for the best interest of the public in both lucal and state affairs. It has been his boast that he has not voted a straight ticket of any kind since he could remember, which course has doubt- less prevented his elevation to high official stations, which he is so well and wnrthily (|ualified to hold. All who know Mr. Sawyer recognize his sterling worth as a lawyer and citizen and appreciate his many efforts and self sacrifices for public good. He is constitutionally honest and true, with a high ciincei)lion of the dignity of manhood and the genuine ])ride of character that make it impossible for him to do anything little, sordid or in any way disrei)utable. He possesses in an eminent degree the moral courage wiiich more than any other human attribute con- stitutes the m;m, the steadfast, reliable friend, the true Christian and the patriotic citizen. He is a man of deep and profound religions comictions. belonging, with his family, to the h'irst Congregational church of Cadillac, for the material supjjort of which he contributes liberally of his means. He makes religion a part of his every-day concerns, demonstrating by a life singularly free from faults the jiure. simple faith which he has lung ])r(>fesscd. In ever\' relation, .Mr. I^.'iwyer is easily the ])eer of anv of his fellows in all that constitutes strong. J r EX FORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 349 vigorous manliooil and tluring his long period of residence in L'adillac his name has Ijeen synonymous witli ail tliat is mural and upright in citizenship. 1 le has honored e\'ery station to which he has been called anil in years to come his naine and fame will be cherished by a people who look upon him as a lawyer of distinguished ability, a citizen withdut pretense, a public benefactor whom the attractions of office could not entice, and as a man who, seeing and under- standing his duty, strove by all means within liis power to do the same as he wnuld answer to his conscience and his God. GEORGE A. LAKE. George A. Lake is now a well-known, prosperous and enterprising merchant of Sherman, where he is engaged in the hard- ware and grocery business. His success in all his undertakings lias been so marked that his methods are of interest to tiie commer- cial world. He has based his business prin- ciples and actions upon strict adherence to the rules which govern econniuy, iniUistry and unswerving integrity. His enterprise and ])rogressive spirit have made liim a typi- cal American in every sense of the word and lie well deserves mention in this history. What he is today lie has made himself, for he began in the world with nothing but his own energy and willing hands to aid him. By constant exertion, associated with good judgment, he has raised himself to a credit- able i)i)sili(in in trade circles, liaving the friendshi]) of many and the resjiect of all who know him. Mr. Lake was born on a farm in I'enn township, Cass county, Michigan, Septem- ber i8, 1857, a son of George and Sarah (Cate) Lake. The father was a farmer by occupation and was killed by a stroke of lightning on his farm, in April, 1866. His widow still sur\-i\es him. They were the parents of five sons and a daughter, George A. being the second in order of birth. He was only about eight years of ag^e at the time of his father's tleath and from that time he has made his own way in the world and he also assistefl in the support of his mother and the younger children of the family. He remained a resident of his native county un- til fourteen years of age, when he removed to Manistee county, Michigan, settling on a farm six and a half miles west of Wexford Corners, in Cleon township, wdiere he made his home for several years, although during that time he was employed at farm labor by others and also worked in the lumber woods. When he was about twenty years of ag'e he began business on his own account, but fate still held in store for him many hardships and difficulties, but he has met these with a resolute spirit and strong deter- mination and has at length come ofif con- queror in the strife. His hrst venture on his own behalf was in lumbering at Walton Junction, wdiere he remained for a brief period. He purchased logs and had them sawed into lumber, liut had the misfortune to lose three carloads. This was a severe blow to the young man just starting out for himself. I'or three summers he was em- ployed in the operation of a threshing ma- chine in Wexford township and during the winter months he worked in the lumber woods. He was .also emploved bv different farmers in Wexford towushii) and operated rented land for a season. .About that time 350 Jl'EXfORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. he secured the agency for the sale of wind- mills and horse rakes and was thus engaged fur a time, traveling on foot through the niirthwcstern part of Wexford county, but becoming ill almost two years passed before lie was again able to work. Upon his re- covery he walked to Sherman, where he ar- rived without money and was forced to pawn lii^ ci\ercoat to pay for a week's board, but by doing various chores he was able to redeem the garment at the end of that time. ^Ir. Lake obtained emi)loymcnt with a man who was buying cattle through the county and after several weeks sjjcnt in that way he worked at whatever he could find to do that would yield him an honest living, saving from his earnings sixty dollars, which he added to seventy-five dollars which he had made on the sale of three )oke of cattle, thus becoming the ])ossessor of a capital of one hundred ;uid thirty-five ilollars. SuIj- sequently he sold agricultural implements for four or five years and at one time he emjjlo\-C(l six men to assist him in putting up the implements and constructing the windmills. This was a period of prosperity, well merited by Mr. Lake, who had made such a determined and strong fight to gain a .start. Llis attention was directed to the implement business through the summer sea- sons and in the winter months he engaged in lumbering, taking off the timber from small tracts of land which he had been able to purchase. I'or se\cral years he thus fol- lowed lumbering, realizing a fair profit from his labors. Purchasing a livery stable, he conducted it for seven or eight years, at first ha\'ing but six horses, but gradually he in- creased the number until he kept from thir- ty five to fifty head in order to meet the de- mands of his patronage, licfore selling his livery stable he became interested in mer- chandising in Sherman, entering into part- nership with IL P). Sturtevant under the firm name of G. A. Lake & Company, dealers in shelf and heavy hardware and groceries. They carry a' large line of goods, carefully selected in order to meet the wishes of a varied class of patrons, and are now enjoy- ing a large trade which returns to them a g'"atifying income. Surely this era of prosperity is deserved by Mr. Lake, for he has had his share of hardships and difficulties. His educational privileges were extremely limited, he having the privilege of attending school for only four months after he was eight years of age, yet he acf|uired much knowledge of law, and now does quite an extensive law business. During the first winter he spent in Cleon township be did shoe repairing. He had ne\er learned the shoemaker's trade, but he possessed much natural mechanical in- genuity and as there was no shoemaker in the district he did much work. 'i"he ob- stacles he has encountered have seemed to serve as an impetus to renewed effort and now he is in possession of a comfortable com- petence as the reward of his perse\erance and untiring industry. Mr. Lake was married, in Manton. Mich- igan, to Emma Cornell, a daughter of .\us- tin and Julia (Davison) Cornell. Her father is now deceased. Mrs. Lake was born in .Steuben county. New York, but was reared in Wexford county and in January. iS86. gave her hand in marriage to .Mr. Lake. They have two living children. Raymond and I'rban. and they lost a son and ilaugh- ter in e-^rl\- childhood. The family have a pleasant home in Sherman, celebrated for its gracious hospitality. In addition Mr. ll'EXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 351 Lake owns other village property and several hundrd acres of land, and holds large inter- ests in several large marble and cla}- beds, and is making arrangements for operating the same in the near fntnre. His possessions are the visible evidence of his life of tire- less energ>' and perseverance, his sound judg- ment and industry, and his life record should ?er\'e as a source of encouragement and in- spiration to others, showing what can be riccomplished when one has the will Ui dure and to do and when honoral)le purpose guides unfaltering effort. Mr. Lake is one of the most public spir- ited citizens of the community, as is attested by the fact that every enterprise looking to the advancement of the interests of the village has recci\ed his heart}- support. He conceived the idea that a spur line of rail- road, running up the river fmm the -\nn Arbor line to a point one and one-half miles west of the ^•illage, would be a decided in- ilucement for factories to locate here. The ri\er is \ery crooked at this i)oint and by straightening it the old channel could be used for the storage of logs. He succeeded in his efforts to have the improvement made and results have proven the wisdom of his judgment, among the new enterprises being- one of the largest stave and heading factories in the state. Industrial progress at this point was so rapid that more railroad facilities soon became necessary and he again set al)out to meet tb.e demand. He succeeded in interesting the Manistee & Northwestern Railroad Company and induced them to ex- tend their line to this locality. The survey for this line is now completed and grading has been done to within about four miles. When comijleted. whicli will be during the present summer (1903), the mad will be about fifty-five miles long and will prove in many ways a blessing to the section of coun- try through which it runs. Mr. Lake now has cajiitalists interested and hopes to be able to construct a dam across the Manistee river at this point (Sherman), which will furnish an ine>diaustible power for factories, elec- tric light and electric railway. If his success in this prox-es to be as fruitful as other enter- prises to which his energies have been di- rected, it w ill he a great boon to the village as well as to a large area of country sur- rounding it. He has ne\'er blundered into \ictor\, but won lii^ battles in his head lie- fore he won them in the field. WILLI. \M ROSE. There could be written no more ci)m- prehensix'e history of a county or of a state and its ]ieople than that which deals with the life-work of those who by their own en- deavor and indomitable energy have placed themselves where they well deserve the title of both "prominent" and "progressive." In this sketch will be fountl the record of a citizen of W'exford county whose career has been honorable alike to himself and his kin- dred and a credit to the community in which he laliored and prospered. Born in a for- eign land, reared in Canada to manhood, the most useful and productive part of his entire life has been sjient in the state of Michigan, the last twenty-three years of it being passed as a resident of Wexford county. William I^o.se, the sul)ject of this review, is the person referred to in the foregoing paragraph. He is a native of Scotland, born 352 irEXFOKD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. in AI)crdeenshire, Octoher i, 1846. The first eifjlit years of his Hfe were spent in his na- tive land. In 1854 the family emigrated to America, settling in Wellington county, On- tario, Canada, where they resided until 1865. when they came to Michigan and took u\^ their residence on the Grand river, in Otta- wa county, about fourteen miles west of Grand Rapids. The parents of William Rose were James and Jane (Davnie) Rose, both natives of Scotland. Both are now dead, each being about seventy-three years of age at the time of their demise, although the mother survived the father some ten years. They were residents of Allendale, Ot- tawa county, at the time of their death. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom the subject of this review was the third child. The subject's education was mainly re- ceived in Scotland. On locating in Ottawa county he readily secured employment in the woods and on the rivers, "driving" logs from the camps up in the northern woods down the currents of the streams to the n)ills where they were to be converted into lumber. There are few callings more haz- ardous, more laborious or trying ujwn the constitution than that which the subject fol- lowed for )-ears. Had he not been a man of remarkable physical health and strength he would have succumljed to the hardships he was obliged to endure. In July, 1880, he decided to take up farming and devote him- self to that vocation. Accordingly he moved to Wexford county, purchased eighty acres of land in section 4, on the Manistee river, in Greenwood township, and ])roceeded to prepare it for ;i home. He built a pleasant home. clearcrty colonies and his annual sales of houev brought to him a good financial re- turn. At the end c)f that time he sold his apiary for nine hundred dollars and with the proceeds of the business he went to Jackson, Michigan, where he purchased an interest in the bee hive and box factory of W. D. Soper, the firm name of W. D. Soper & Company being adopted. Mr. rri])p was connected v\ ith tlt.at business until a year ;uid a half had l)as.sed, when he sold his interest and came to Wexford conntv, arriving here in the 854 IVEXl-ORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. spring of iScp. Here he began the manu- factnre of coiled ehn barrel lioops and soon afterward added amither department to liis Inisiness — tlie manufacture of brdoni lian- dles. Su.bsequently he (hscontinued tlie manufacture of l)arrel hoops and now gives liis entire attention to making broom han- dles, liis industry being conducted under the name of tlie Mesick Turning Works. This lias grown to large proportions, necessitating the employment of forty men in the factory and he annually turns out six million broom handles, his product finding a ready sale on the market. He has equipped his factory with the latest improved machinery needed in his line and now has a large and profit- al>le business which adds not a little to the commercial activity of the town. Jn Jackson, Michigan, on the if)th of September, 1891, Mr. Tripp was united in marriage to Miss Esther Gee. who was torn in ^lonroe county, this state, July 14, 1868. a daughter of Luman and Maggie A. Gee. Two children have been Ijurn unto Mr. and Mrs. Tripp: Oliver .\. and Leo C. j\Ir. Tripp is (ine nf the leading Republicans of Springville township, believing firmly in the ])rinciples of his party and doing everything in his power to promote its growth and in- sure its success. Fraternally he is promi- nent, being a valued member of Sherman Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Sherman Gamp Xo. 2240, Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, and Cadillac Lodge No. 680, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. A man of great natural ability, his success in business from the beginning of his residence in Wexford ciiunty has been uniform and rapid. As has been truly remarked, after all that maj'^ be done for a man in the way of giving him early opportunities, he must nevertheless essentially formulate, determine and give shape to his own character, and this is what Mr. Tri])]) has done. He has persevered in the pursuit of a ])ersistent purpose and has gained a most satisfactory reward, and his lousiness methods, being in strict conformity to the Iiighest commercial ethics, have gain- ed him uniform confidence and resrard. CARROLL {•:. MILLER, M. D. Among the leading physicians and sur- geons of northwestern Michigan the subject of this sketch has long held a deservedly conspicuous place and his distinguished career since locating in Cadillac entitles him to honorable mention as one of the rqj- resentative jirofessional men of Wexford county. The Miller family is an old one and its history is traceable to the early Puritan settlement of New England, the Doctor's ancestors having been among the first white men to seek freedom of worship on the shores of Massachusetts in 1620. On the maternal side the subject's lineage de- scends in an unbroken line from the cele- brated Maryland family of Carrolls. of which Charles Carroll, of Carrollton. one of the signers of the Declaration of inde- pendence, was perhaps its most distinguished representative, rmd there is well established proof that that eminent statesman and patriot was the Doctor's direct antecedent. Dr. Miller's grandfather was a seafaring man who commanded a ship wiiich plied the waters of many oceans and spent the greater part of his life on the waves. .\mong his children were two sons. Charles Carroll and Jutlson J., Ixjth of whom became -.ruf ca^ !.. rh/na-a ajinr .Vy Say^^fc g.9r/iM^ WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 355 eminent Baptist divines, the latter liaving IaI)orecl in the cities of Worcester and Bos- ton. Massacimsetts. for npwards of thirty years, (hiring which time lie rose to stations of ]3rominence in tlic chnrch and earned much more tlian local repute as a scholarly and elo(|uent preacher of the Word. Charles Carroll Miller was born in Maine and re- ceived a liberal education and after his ordi- nation as a minister served as a pastor ot different churches in the various parts of New England, his chief field of labor, how- ever, being confined to the state of Massa- chusetts. About the year 1853 he came to Michigan, and for some time thereafter ministered to a congregation in Grand Rapids, subsequently holding pastorates in Stanton, this state, and Augusta. \\'isconsin. He is still actively engaged in the work of his holy office. Politically Rev. Aliller has long been an influential factor in the Rq>ublican party and has frequentlj' appeared on the hustings in the campaigns of more than ordinary im- port, his well-known forensic ability caus- ing bis ser\ices to be much sought after by party leaders throughout the state. For many years he was in close touch with the most prominent Republicans of Michigan, among w hom was Hon. Zachariah Chandler. a man of national repute, between whom and himself feelings of the warmest personal friendship existed as long' as the f(jrmer lived. The maiden name of Mrs. Charles Car- roll Miller was Miriam C. Dyer, who bore him four sons and two daughters, the sub- ject of this review being the oldest of the family: the others are b'rank, a lawver practicing his profession in Montcalm county, this state, and has just been elected mayor of Stanton for the fourth time; Judson, a resident of Cadillac : Rev. Ashley, a Baptist minister located in Idaho ; Fanny, wife of Frank .\shley. of Big Ra])ids. and Jessie. wIk.i is li\ing with her parents. Dr. Carroll E. Miller was born I->bruary I, 1851. in Portland. Maine, and was a small child when his i)arents exchanged their resi- dence in New F.nglantl for a home in Grand Rapids. Michigan. After attending the common and high schools of that city he entered the State Agricultural College; at Lansing, where he prosecuted his studies un- till completing the prescribed course, gradu- ating in 1872 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Leaving college, he devoted some time to teaching and subsecptently was elected superintendent of the public schools of Neillsville, Wisconsin, which position he held for a period of three years, the mean- while establishing' a creditable record as an efficient educator and capable manager. While a mere youth the Doctor manifested a decided preference for the medical pro- fession and the laudable ambition to make it his life work was e\er uppermost in his mind. With this object in \ic\v he prose- cuted his educational work and as soon as he had accumulated sufficient means he en- tered Rush Medical College at Chicago, ilc^ paid his way through that institution by working in the Times oflrce from two to six o'clock every morning, earned an honor- able record as a close and critical student, and was graduated in 1879 wdth one of the highest grades in his class. He was elected president of the class, being well ([ualified for the course bv reason of a well stored niind and a fitness for the duties of the po- sition. The same }-ear in which he finished his course Dr. Miller opened an office in 356 irEXFORD COCXTV, MfCH/G.iX. Cadillac and here he has since remained, con- ducting a steadily increasing practice, as suc- ces?;ful financially as it has been profession- ally, and establishing a reputation which, as statefl in a preceding paragraph, has won him distinctive prestige, not only among lending jihysicians of his city and county but also among the most distinguished medi- cal men in the northwestern part of the state. In addition to his large general practice he served for some time as United States ex- amining surgeon for the pension depart- ment, also held the post of assistant surgeon for the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, and in these responsible positions added ver\' materially to his standing in every branch of his pnifession. Dr. Miller is one of the oldest physicians in Wexford county and to say that he is also one of the most success- ful is abundantly demonstrated by the uni- form advancement which has characterized his career from the beginning to the present time. He has never ceased to be a student and availing himself of every opportunity to increase his knowledge and familiarize himself with the art of reducing the same to practice, he has kept fully abreast the times in all things relating to medical science and stands today the peer of any of his professional brethren in a field where talent and skill are recognized at their true value. The Doctor is essentially a self-made man, as he Ijegan life with no financial help and with nothing in the way of social prestige or the power of intluential friencLs to stimu- late him in his chosen sphere of endeavor. As we have already learned he was obliged to rely entirely u])on his own resources for his jmifcssional training and to this perhaps as inuch as to ruiy niher circumstance is he indcl)ted for the sturdv self reliance and determination to conquer obstacles, which are among his most pronounced character- istics. He mounted rapidly the ladder of success, managed with consummate skill that which he early set ab(jut to accomplish, and from the modest beginning alluded to he has advanced step by step until reaching the present proud position he occupies as one of the eminent medical men of his day. He is 3 member of the State Medical Society, in the deliberations of which he has been much more than a passing spectator, and at one time he was honored by being elected a member of the \inth Inter- national Medical Congress, which con- vened in 1888 in Washington. D. C. Clear perception, correct judgment. comprehen-< sive thought and stainless honor have marked the Doctor's career outside his pro- fession and as a citizen, deeply interested in everything calculated in any way to promote the interests of the community, he is easily tlic peer of anv of his fellnw men in the city of his residence. In the year 1875. at .\ugusta. Wisconsin, was solemnized the ceremony by which Dr. Miller and Miss Alice Turner, a native of Auburn. New York, were united in the bonds of wedlock. Mrs. Miller is the daugh- ter of Rev. George Turner, a leading minis- ter of the .\dvent church, living in the city of Chicago, and she has borne her husband five children, whose names are De\'ere. Jessie, Carroll, Ray. Of the three living chil- dren and Miriam. DeVere is a graduate of Rush Medical College and is the junior member of the firm of Doctors Miller & Miller: Jessie is a graduate of 01)erlin Col- lege and married H. L. Kdgerton. of Sharon. Pa., where she now lives: Carroll is a graduate of the Cadillac high scIkk^I WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 357 and is now a student of naval engineering". Dr. Miller possesses in a marked degree those traits and abilities which mark men masters of their own destinies. Clreat in- dustry and consecuti\e effort account large- ly for the success which has attended him and the honors already won bespeak for him a long and prosperous future in which lo benefit and bless the world by ministering to and healing the ills of suffering humanity. ^Vhile attending closely to his professional duties, the Doctor finds time for the con- siderafion of public matters and ever since locating in Cadillac he has been an active participant in the affairs of the cit)'. In politics he is a staunch Republican, and as such has rendered his party yeoman service, having been active in its councils, besides serving at different times as a delegate to local, district and state conventions. He is an ardent friend of education and as a mem- ber of the school board of Cadillac labored zealously for the schools of the city, doing much to bring them up to their present high standard of efficiency. He is identified with several social and fraternal organizations, among which are the Delta Tau Delta, the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of Pythias, holding the title of past chancellor in the last named society. He is also a Mason of high standing, having taken a number of degrees in that ancient and honorable order, including, among others, that of .Sir Knight. EDWARD G. AfOFFIT. Of the many influential families of Wex- ford county few have resided there longer, made a deeper or more lasting impression upiMi the histor\- of the county or wielderl more infiuence for good than has the Moffit family, t)f Cedar Creek township. It is niiw nearly a generalii)n since Edward G. ]\Ioffit, the suliject of this re\'ie\v, accom- panied by the accomplished lady who had then only recently become his wife, came to the count)- of Wexford to make it his home. It was the same year in w hich the county was organized (1873) and from that time until the present they h;i\e been respected residents of the county. Edward (r. Moflit is a native of the state of Michigan, having been born in Kent coun- t\-. Januar\- 3, 1S49. His parents were Eber and Xancy (Lindsay) ]\Ioffit, the former be- ing a nati\-e of Ohio and the latter of Con- necticut. They came to Kent county, Mich- igan, in the early days of the settlement of the state and continued to be a part of its population until their death. He was, at the time of his death, about sixty years old and sire survived him a number of years, expiring when in the seventy-second year of her age. Eleven children, nine sons and two daugh- ters, were born to them, the subject being the fifth child of the family. On his father's farm in Kent county, Ed- ward G. Moffit was reared and there he re- mained until he h;id .ittained the age of twenty-two years. He received a fair com- mon school education, such as the times and the conditions then pre\ailing afforded. Feb. 5, 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Almeda Brcjwn, a lady of good educa- tion and fine mental endowments. She is a native of Ottawa county, Michigan, born July 20, 1852, her parents being James M. and Diantha L. (Ball) Brown, who were natives, the father of New York and the mother of Michigan. The father had emi- 358 J r EX FORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. grated to Michigan in an early day, locating in Ottawa county. They later moved to Kent county, u here they continued to reside until 1873, when they moved to Wexford county and settled in Manton. There j\Ir. Brown departed this life, since when his widow has made her home on the farm he left. He was, at the time of his demise, sixty-nine years of age. They were the par- ents of two children, the oldest of whom is Mrs. Moffit, who was reared in the county of her birth to the age of fourteen years, when tlic family nin\e(l to Byron township, Kent C(punty, where she grew to womanhood and where she was united in marriage to the sub- ject of this review. Four children were born to this union, one of whom, Freddie, died in infancy. The other children are : Frank J., Claude A. and George S. Frank J. wedded Lena G. Boyer, and they have two children. Blanche and Beatrice; Claude, who owns a forty-acre farm, married Maggie Gibson, and George S. is at home and attending school. On the removal of the family to \\^ex- ford county, in 1873. they located in ilan- ton, \\here the subject secured employment in a saw-mill, as filer and sawyer. For twen- ty years he followed this business at Manton and other places and then moved to Kalkas- ka, where he remained nine years, then re- turned to W'exford count)' and settled in Cedar Creek township, on the farm which he now owns, occupies and operates. It comprises one hundred and twenty acres, one hundred of which is cleared and under cultivation. It is a fine piece of land, very productive and splendidly improved. He is a thorough farmer, one who keeps fully abreast of the times in all that relates to his business. He takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of his township and county, and, in his own modest way, has done nuich to advance the interest of each. Both Mr. and ^Irs. Moffit are thinkers of the advanced school, particularly on matters relating to religion, and are firm believers in the teachings of Christian Science. They became interested in this re- ligion in 1S93 and no doctors have been in this home for thirteen years. Thej' derive great pleasure in the perusal of the writings of ilrs. Mary Eddy Baker and they ha\e effected many remarkable cures. Mr. and Airs. Moffit are respectively first and second readers in the Christian Science church at Manton. Fie was a member of the Masonic fraternity for many years. The high esteem in which he is held bears testimony to the moral character and substantial worth of the man and his life has been so filled with good deeds that he finds little to regret in the years that are gone. WILLIS D. GUERXSEY. \\'illis D. Guernsey, who carries on gen- eral farming on section 16, Cedar Creek town- ship, is a native of the Empire state, his birth having occurred upon a farm in Lewis coun- ty. New York, on the i ith day of July, 185-I. His parents were Alonzo and Lorania (Ham- lin) Guernsey, and unto them were born nine children, seven sons and two daughters. Wil- lis D. Guernsey was the fifth in order of birth and was but two years of age when his parents left New York, enu"grating west- ward to Michigan. They settled in \'an Bu- ren county upon a farm and there the sub- ject remained with his parents until 1865, when the father died. In 1868 he went with his mother to Mason county, Michigan, where he continued to live for about twelve J VEX FORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 359 years ami on the expiration of that period lie came to Wexford county, arriving- here in llie spring of 1880. In the meantime 'Sir. Ciuernsey liad heen married in Mount P'leasant, ^Michigan, on the 19th day of December, 1879, the lady of his choice being Miss Ehzabeth Osborne, who was born in I.ewis county. New York, on the i6th day of June, 1857, a daughter of John and JuHa (Parmeter) Osborne, in wliose family' were ten children, four sons and six daughters, Mrs. Guernsey being the third of the family. She spent her early childhood days in the state of her nati\ity and was a maiden of eleven summers when lier parents came to Michigan, setthng in Mason county, where she grew to womanhood. The mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Guernsey has been blessed with three children, two sons and a daughter : Herman W., of Kidder county, North Dakota ; Charles F., who owns a for- ty-acre farm in Cedar Creek township, and Charlotte M., who wedded Clarence E. Tif- fany, of Cedar Creek township. W'hen Mr. Guernsey arrived in Wexford county he turned his attention to farming and was also employed in a saw-mill until the fall of 1882, at which time he took up his abode upon the farm which is yet his home. He has resided here through all the intervening years, and this has been a period of marked activity and energy in his life. He has erected good buildings upon his place and has cultivated fifty acres of his eighty-acre tract, so that the fields are very arable and return to him excellent harvests. He possesses good Inisiness ability, sound judgment and strong purpose, and upon this sure foundation he has builded his success, being the architect of his own fortunes. In public afifairs he is also deeply interested and has co-operated in many measures for the general good. He has served as constable of his township for many years, and for several years has been a member of the board of review of Cedar Creek township. His political support is given to the Republican party and he keeps well informed on the issues of the day, thus being able to support his position by intelli- gent argument. Fraternally he is connected with Ma([ueston Tent No. 220, Knights of the Maccabees, and he and his wife are affiliated with Rosehill Grange. During al- most his entire life Mr. Guernsey has re- sided in Michigan and possesses the enter- prise so characteristic of this section of the country. Brooking no obstacles that could be overcome by determination and honorable effort, he has steadily progressed on his path toward the goal of his success. JOSEPH STEWART. Joseph Stewart, who resides in Clam township, Wexford county, is one of the citi- zens of Michigan who have crossed the bor- der from the Dominion. He was born in the county of Ontario, Canada, on the 15th of April, 1 85 1, and is a son of John Stewart, who died in that country when more than eighty years of age. His mother bore the maiden name of Ann Thornell, and, surviv- ing her husband for a time, passed away in Canada at the very advanced age of eighty- five years. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Joseph Stewart is the fifth in order of birth. In the county of his nativity Joseph Stewart was reared and the public schools afforded him his educational privileges. 360 WEXFORD COUNT y, MICHIGAN. His training in Ijusiness was received uijon ins fatiier's farm, where he early became con- \crsant w'nh the practical methols cif ])rc)- tlucing good crops and caring for >tocl<. He has been connected witli no other occupa- tion during liis entire hfe. Entering upon his business career in Canada, he there en- gaged in farming until his removal to Wex- ford county. Michigan, which occurred in the spring of 1888. On his arrival liere he tiink up his abode upon his present farm in ("l;im Lake tnwnship. and now he has a \'al- uablc ])roperty. which is indicative of his careful supervision and enterjjrising spirit. He lias erected a very pleasant brick farm residence and good barns and ail the other necessary outbuildings, and he owns eighty acres of land, most of which is cultivated. The passerby can see at a glance that the owner is a man of practical ideas and that neatness and thrift are characteristics of his wiirk. Ere leaving Canada Mr. Stewart was united in marriage, in Ontario county, to Miss Esther Xewson, who was born in that county, a daughter of William Xewson. of Ontario, who is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have become the parents of four children, of whom the eldest. Anna, is now the wife of Thomas Nichols. William wedded Miss Mabel Xixon. Eliza is the wife of Victor Gurnet, and Ethel is still under the l>aternal roof. Mr. Stewart and his family are widely and favorably known in the coun- ty, having gained many warm friends, who hi lid iheni in high regard. Mr. Stewart is a member of ihc board of reviews in Clam L;ike township. ;md is also serving as supervisor of the Hobart school. Idealizing the value of education as a prep- aration for life's ])ractical duties, the schools have ever found in him a warm friend, and he has put forth every effort in his power to secure good teaciiers and raise the standard of education here. He and his wif€ are ear- nest, consistent Christians, holding member- ship with tiie Baptist church, and their lives and inrtuence have been potent factors in its growth and progress. Mr. Stewart is deep- ly interested in the material, social, intellect- ual and moral advancement of his com- munity. He has so lived as to command the respect and good will of all witJi whom he has come in contact, and he is now classed among the leachng representatives of agricul- tural interests here. In his bu.siness career he has placed his dependence, not upon spec- ulation or fortunate combination of circum- stances, but ui)on perseverance, lalior and sound judgment, and u])on these he has builded his prosperity. GEORGE W. BLUE, The sul)ject of biogTaphy yields to no other in point of interest and profit. It tells of the success and defeats of men. the diffi- culties they have encountered, and gives an insight into the methods and plans which they have pursued. The obvious lessons therein taught will prove of great benefit if followed, and the example of the self-made man should certainly encourage others into whose cradle smiling fortune has cast no glittering crown to press forward to nobler aims and higher ideals. Such a man is George W. Blue, subject of this re\iew. and in a biogra])hical compendium of Wex- ford county's ^progressive and representa- tive citizens Iiis name is deserving of conspicuous mention. Mr. Blue is one WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 361 of AIicliigan".s natix'e sons, born in La- peer ciinnty, Septenihcr J). 184''). His l):!rcnt^. joiiii and Mary (Ilraymer) Blue, were earlv settlers of J^apeer county and fig- uied prominently in the growth and develop- ment I if that part of Michigan. The father was a native of New Jersey, the mother of Living'ston county, New York. She died in Iowa. Iowa, at the age of forty-four years, while he lived in Lapeer county, Michigan, until he reached the age of sixty-three years, when he too passed to his eternal rest. They were the parents of a large family of chil- dren, of whom the subject of this review was the oldest. The early life of George W. Blue was spent u])on his father's farm in Lapeer coun- ty. There he grew to luanhood, attending school during the winter months and devot- ing the remainder of the time to farm work. When he arrived at the age of twenty-one years he mo\ed to Iowa, Iowa county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming on his own behalf and where the next six years of his life were spent. Then he tried Kansas for a year, Ijut was l)y no means fascinated with prevalent conditions in that wind-swept region. About this time, 1873, his attai- tion was called to the. merits of Wexford county, Michigan, as a place of abode and the more he in\estigated the better pleased was he with the locality. In March, 1874, he secured a part of section 32, Liberty towai- ship, the identical farm upon which he still resides, and prnceedcd to fit it up as a home and farm. The tract of land ci insists of one hundred and sixtv acres, one hundred of which are cleared and splendidly im])roved. October i, 1867, in Lapeer county, Mich- igan, (leorge W. Blue was united in mar- riage to ]Miss Rachael A. Harger, a native of Pennsylvania, born March 31, 1848. She is the daughter of John and Ellen Maria (Carpenter) Harger, and a sister of the late Ezra Harger, one of the best known and most highly respected men, during- his life time, in that section of the state. To Mr. and Mrs. George W. Blue four children lia\ e been born, viz. : Maynard, Grace, Blanche and Gaylard. Grace is the wife of George Monger and Blanche is the wife of Thomas Stewart. Grace Blue, now Mrs. George Monger, was the first white child born in Liberty township, Wexford county. From the time of his first location in Wexford county, now nearly thirty years ago, Mr. Blue has identified himself witii the interests of the count}-. In pulitics he is a pronounced Democrat, and has always act- ed with that party, but that has not prevented him from being elected to the position of supervisor of the township nor barred him from re-election a number of times there- after. He is an enterprising, public spirited man, whose abilities the \otcrs (if his localit\' appreciate. One of the very first settlers in in the townshi]), he assisted in its organiza- tion. The new municipality then had no roads — indeed it had little of an\thing other than woods and broad, fertile acres. In all public improvements to be made Mr. Blue was one among the leaders and when he was invested with the authority nf an ofii- cial, as supervisor, he used all means in his power to impro\e conditions in the lo- cality. He is a member of IManton Tent X'o. 20. Knights of the Maccabees, and of the New Era Association, of Grand Rapids. He is g-enial, companionable and kind. On alnmst rdl subjects he is well infurmed ami in legal affairs and complicated business transactit)ns his neighbors frequently avail 362 U'EXfORD COUXTY, MICIIIGAX. ihenisches of his knowledge. He served two terms, eiglit years, as justice of tlie peace and made one of the most just and capable judicial otiicials the township has ever known. Domestic in his tastes and as- ]>irations, his home has always been a most ha])j)y one. PEKRV ]•■. POWERS. Xot only in the field of newspaper enter- prises has Hon. Perry F. Powers attained high prestige, but also he has gained prec- edence in connection with the political affairs of the state of Michigan, being at the present time incumbent of the ofifice of auditdr general i>|' the commonwealth. I'"ffecti\e ser\icc in the cause of the Republi- can party, no less than recognized eligibil- ity, led to his being chosen to this important preferment. Pcrrx' !■". Powers is a nali\e of that state of which Senator Channcey M. l)epew spoke in the following pertinent metai)hrase. ".Some men are born great, some achieve greatness and some are born in Ohio." He was born in the town of Jackson. Jackson county, Ohio, on the 5th of September, 1858, being a son of Pierce and .Sarah C. Powers. Pierce Powers, who was also more f.nmiliarlv known as Perry, was identified with the iriin-m:uuifactai ing industry in snuthern ()hi(i up to the time of the (."i\il war, when he entered the ser- vice of the L'nion. He received injuries which were of such severity as to result in his death, and upon the subject of tliis review, who was the eldest of four chililren — three sons ;md une. daughter — n;Uurally devolved nuich of the rcsponsi- bilitv in the maintenanco of tlie familv. liis niothei surviving until October, i<)02, when she passed away at the age of seventy- three years. The subject was thrown large- ly upon his own resources from his youth, but managed to complete a partial course in the high school. It may be said, how- ever, that Mr. Powers has gained his edu- cation , through personal application and through active and intimate association with men and affairs, while in this connection we may consonantly revert to the statement made by an aljle v\riter to the eff'ect that the ilisciplinc of a newspaper office is ef|uivalent to a liljeral education. He was inducted into the mysteries of the "art pre- .servative of all arts" in a printing office in his native town, and in 1879 he went to Davenport, hivva, where he secured a po- sition as compositor in a newspaper office. Jn 1883 he located in. Cambridge, Illinois, where he became associated with George C. Smithe in the publication of a weekly paper, the Chronicle. In 1885 he came to ^'psilanti, Michigan, and there continued in partnership with Mr. Smithe in the publication of the \'psilantian, which they made one of the representative papers of the state. In 1887 Mr. Powers came to Cadillac, to become editor and publisher of the News and Express, reiiresenting a con- solidation of the Cadillac Xevvs. which had its inception in 1872, rmd the Mxijress, which vv.is established in 1885. Conccrn- ir.g his newspaper career in Cadillac we can not do better than to quote from an article which appeared in the trade paper issued by the C'hicago Xew.s])aper Cnion, .'i])ropos of his efforts and standing: ".\mong the makers of .Michigan news- papers none is better or more favcjrably known than Perrv I". Powers, of Cadillac, PERRY F. POWERS. Jr EX FORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 363 and his paper, the News and Express, is a model weekly, printed with modern equip- ment and issued from a model home of its own. The paper was born of a con- solidation. The Cadillac New-s was estab- lished in 1S72, while yet the greater part of the present site of the city (then known as Clam Lake) was covered with pine trees, and the Express was established in 1885. The two were consolidated in 1887, about the time Mr. Powers acquired owner- ship of the business. Since then his chief ambition has always been to make the News and Express the best edited country paper in IMichigan. He never permits any hurry or rush to prevent the preparation each week of from two to three columns of original editorial, and the political edi- torials of the News and Express are, per- liaps, more widely copied and quoted than those of any other local paper in the state. Neither is time nor effort spared in making the report of local affairs complete, and the accounts of home happenings are always pre- pared in the most readible and entertaining manner. Powers is untiring and is con- stantly striving in every way to advance the interests of his town, to add to home pride, helpfulness and contentment and to make his own people, as well as the world out- side, think that Cadillac is the best city in the universe. This line of action, long con- linued. has made the News and Express a prohtaljle pro])ertv and an influential news- |)aner. ^'c)ung Powers was compelled to begin work at a \'erv earlv age, to assist in the su])port of a widowed mother with a familv of three other children. His life has been one of hard study and hard work. During his residence in Michigan he has been twice nominated and elected a mem- ber of the Michigan state board of edu- cation, was president of the lx)ard four years, having been first elected a member of the board in 1888 and re-elected in 1894. For se\eral years he has been a member of the Cadillac city school board, and is very prominent in both local and state edu- cational circles. He has served one term as president of the State Press Association, two terms as president of the Michigan Re- publican Press Association, and two terms as president of the State League of Republi- can Clubs. He does considerable campaign work on the stump, under the auspices of the Republican state central committee, and makes many addresses each year on edu- cational and kindred topics." It may be consistently said that the Re- publican party has in Michigan no more loyal and stanch a supporter than Mr. Powers, and both through his able editorials and his efforts as a public speaker he has done much to advance the party cause. He is a man of broad and exact information, a careful student of the questions and issues of the hour and ever amply fortified in his convictions, being a distinct individual and one who has so ordered his course at all times as to retain the respect and confidence of all who know him and have cognizance of his sterling qualities. The party to which his allegiance has been thus unequivocally given placed him in nomination for the of- fice of auditor general of the state in 1900. and he was elected by a gratifying majority, while his administration has been one re- flecting credit u])nn himself anl)ert and Janet Shearer, na- tives of Scotland. One child has been adopt- ed liy the sul^ject and his wife, an intelli- gent, winsome little girl named May. In politics William W. Loveless is a Democrat and has always interested himself in the success of that party. He has served his township in various local offices. He has lieen a school director a numljer of years, township treasurer two years, justice of the peace four years, and township clerk one term. In all matters relating to the welfare of the township he has taken an active inter- est. He and wife are members of the Bap- tist church and always active in every spe- cies of religious work. He is a member ui Cadillac Tent, No. t,^^2. Knights of the Alac- aljees, of the Loyal Orange lodge at his home in Canada and of the Patrons of Husbandry of Wexford county. He began life with little, and whatever he has accomplished is attribut.'ible entirelv to his own exertions. ANDREW HOLMEERG. The substantial development and con- tinued progress of the states in the northern part of the Mississippi valley owe not a little of their growth to the efforts of the sons of Sweden who have sought homes here. To this class Andrew Holmberg is a representa- tive. He now lives on section 28, Clam Lake township, where he is engaged in general farming. He was born in Sweden on the 19th of April, 1848, and there spent the first twenty- four years of his life. In his youth he acquired a fair education and when cjuite young he learned the value of industry and perseverance as acti\e factors in a imsiness career. These have ever been salient features in his work and have formed the foundation upon which he has builded his prosperity. In the spring of 1872, attracted by the op- portunities of the new world, he made ar- rangements for lea\ing his native country, and, bidding goodbye to his friends there, he sailed for the new world, landing first at Quebec, Canada. He did not tarry in the Dominion, however, Init came at once to Michigan and has since been a resident of Wexford county. Here he was first em- ployed through one summer in the grading of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, and subsecpiently he was employed as .a section hand. For many years he was fore- man of a gang of men, working on the railroad, and continued his labors in that way until July, 1898, when he settled upon the farm which is now his home and which he had previously purchased. He has erected a nice residence here and in the rear stand a good barn and fair outbuildings, which in turn are surrounded by fields of waving grain. He owns altogether eighty acres of land, of which fifty acres is improved. Pre- vious to the purchase of his present property he was the owner of two other farms in Clam Lake township, but these he has sold. On the 26th of May. 1873, in Big Rapids, Michigan, occurred the marriage of Mr. Holmberg and ]\Iiss Carrie Anderson, a most estimable lady, who has indeed been a faithful companion and helpmate to him on life's journey. She was born in Sweden, July 28, 1844, antl in 1873 came to America. She has many excellent traits of character, including a kindly disposition and cordial manner, which h.ive made her a favDrite with many friends. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Holmberg has been blesscil with \\\e 378 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. children, namely: Emih-, who is the wife of Anton Iverson; Albert E., a salesman at Lake City, married Ida Whaley: Ellen A. is at home; Anna C. is the wife of Emil Hec- tor; and Andrew M., who completes the family. The parents are active and devoted members of the Swedish Lutheran church, and their Christian faith is exemplified in their upright lives. Llonored and respected by ail, there are no people in the community who occupy a more enviable position in the regard of their friends, not only because of the success which they have won, but also because of the straightforward business princii)Ies they liave e\er followed and the upright lives they have led. In the com- ]>lex citizenship of America there is no ele- ment of more \alue than that furnished by Sweden, and Mr. Holmberg has ever sus- tained the reputation which his fellow coun- trymen bear for loyalty, fidelity and intcg- ritv. RE\'. L. M. I'klD'liO.M.ME. The fame of this eft'icient and popular ecclesiastic, professionally and personnally, is widely extended, until today, in his thirty- fifth year, there are few priests in the diocese to which he belongs as well and favorably known, iiis labors in the city of Cadillac have grc,'ill\- endeared him tn his p;irishi(incrs, and to tiie peo]ile. irrespecti\e of church or creed, he stands not only a tower of mental and moral strength but a loving father and gentle spiritual guide, with the l)est interests lit humanity ever at lieart. i-'ather Prud'- homme is a native of t^anada. born June 22. iS6<). in the city of Montreal. After carish. leather I'rud'liommc is an rd)le preacher, a finished and erudite scholar and is held in high esteem by the bisho]) and clergy of his own diocese and throughout the state. In the city of Cadillac he is favorably regarded bv C.itholic> and non-Catholics alike, for his manv noble nualities of head and heart, be- REV. L. M. PRUDHOMME. ST. ANN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH. WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 379 iiig" une (if tlie most generous and manly of men. Ins untiring" lalxirs in the cause i)f C luMstianitv endearing him to his own eon- gregatioii and arousing' in others an aihnira- lion seldom enjoyed hy tlie Catholic clergy outside of the pale of the church. ISroad minded, charitable and devout, he well de- serves the esteem in which he is held, as his life is a series of self sacrifices to the end that the kingdom of God may be exalted among men antl souls won thereto. Al- though a young man, Father Prud'homme has alread}' accomplished great good in the noble work to which his time and talent are being dexoted and it is easy to predict for him a long and promising future in the Mas- ter's cause which, he so ably and worthily upholds. Father Prud'homme enjoys the rare pri\- - ilege of having built within eight years three churches, namely, at Lake City, at a cost of three thousand dollars, at Frank- fort, at a cost of eight thousand dollars and at ("adillac. at a cost of fifteen thousand dol- lars. A fourth one will be briilt this summer at Jennings. .\1I these buildings are free from debt and are a credit and an ornament to their respective cities. The reverend pastor of St. .\nn's has many good words for all liis worthy assistants and for the citizens of ("adillac. irresjiective of creed and nation- alty. ♦-•-• ST. ANN'S CHURCH. Previous to the year 1880 the spiritual wants of the Catholics of Cadillac were at- tendei] by priests coming either from Tra- \erse City or Big Rapids. In the course of 1880 the ciiurcii which existed until 1903 was built uniler the management of Rev. Father Ziegler. .\fler that date mass was said occasionallv in Cadillac until 1882, when Rev. P. M. l^ytdewilligen took charge of St. Ann's parish. The interior of the church was then finished and services were held quite regularly. In 1886 Father Uytde- w illigen was replaced by Rev. Louis Barous, who worked faithfully until 1894, attending Reed City, Evart, Luther, Lake City and a few other places. During his pastorate here the pastoral residence was purchased and many other improvements were made. Father Barous celebrated the golden jubi- lee of his sacerdotal ordination in June, 1894., and shortly afterwards resigned his charge on account of old age. He was suc- ceeded in July of the same year by Rev. A. Zugelder, who began the work with zeal and success. The church property was greatly beautified under his care. In August, 1895, Father Zugelder was transferred to Provemont, and the present pastor. Rev. L. M. Prud'homme, assumed the charge of this parish. Since November, 1897, Father Prud'homme has had an as- sistant. The first assistant was Rev. G. Guthausen, who was succeeded in July, 1898, by Re\-. A. Eickelmann. In August, 1899, Father Eickelmann was promoted to the pastorate of Byron Center, Michigan, and Rev. B. H. Kettmann came here in his place. On January i, 1903, Rev. Father Kettmann was promoted to the pastorate of Remus, Michigan, and his successor was Rev. James A. (iolden. The missions attended from Cadillac are Lake City, Jen- nings and McBain, Missaukee county. Ma- rion, ( )sceola countv, h'rankfort, Benzie county, l'"ife Lake, Grand Traserse count}', and rem])lc, Clare county. St. Ann's parish 380 WEXFORD COUXTV. MICHIGAN. lias grown tmni a mcinhersliii) of forty fam- ilies, wiiicli it JKul in iSSo. until muv it lias at least one luiiiclred and tifty families in the city of Cadillac alone, besides several families living on farms in the \icinitv. The beautiful and suljstantia! new church edifice of brick and stone will l)e dedicated in the early part of September, this year (1903). The building, when linished and properly furnished and dec- orateil. will cost about fifteen thousand did- lors and will seat over five hundred people. .St. Ann's parish has kept pace with the growth of the prosperous and thriving city of Cadillac and its church accommodations are now uu>ur|)assed in Wexford count)'. i-ri:i)i:rick w. hector. I'rederick W. Hector, who is sui)ervisor i)f Clam Lake township and one of the lead- ing, progressive and prosperous farmers of W'e.xford county, is a uati\e of Sweden, born on the 1 2th of June, 1847. The first fifteen years of his life were passed in that coun- try, and during the last fifteen years of that lime he w as engaged in gardening. On leav- ing that country he went to Denmark, where be followed gardening on his own account for three years or until 1865. when attracted iiy the possibilities of the new world in a business way he resolved to try his fortune in America and sailed for New York, taking passage on a westward-bound vessel that weighed anchor in the harbor of Copenhagen in May. 1865, and reached its destination in June. ( )n reaching this country he made his \\;ay to Manistee and entered the emplov of the l.ite lohn Canfield. for whom be worked at scaling logs for seven years. .\t the end of that time he came to Wexford count}-. settling at w hat was then called Clam Lake, but is now the city of Cadillac. This was in June. 1872. and for about three years after his arrival he was eiuployed at dififerent oc- cupations, but chiedy at scaling logs and at tall_\-ing. About 1875 Mr. Hector invested the mone\- which he had earned in forty acres of Irind. forming the nucleus of bis pre.sent landed possessions. This tract is on section 8, Clam Lake township, and upon it he has since resided. Since he made the purchase he has given his time and attention almost wholly to general farming and dairying, and as his financial resources have increased he has added to his land until he now has a \aluable and extensive farm of two hundred and eighty acres, of which one hundred and twenty acres is cultivated, the green fields gi\ing promise of rich harvests in the au- lumu. He has erected a line set of farm iniililings. including a modern residence, a large barn and sheds for the shelter of his stock and farm implements. Xone of the ec|uipments of the model farm of the tw en ■ tieth centtu'y are there lacking. On the 7tb of Ajiril, 1870. in Manistee. Michigan, -Mr. Hector was married to Miss Otillie Corcart, a native of Germany, born on the 23d wc\er, being many tine varieties of apple trees. Sixty acres are now clear and in a splendid state of cultivation, and no more desirable little farm home is to he found in the county of Wexford. On the 5th day of April, 1871, Will lord D. Fales was united in marriage to .Miss Mary .\im I'lackall. a native nf Kent cmmty. The cerenion\- tuok ])lace in the city of ( ir.ind Rapids, ;uid the cnntracting parties immc- 382 WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. (liately tliereafter took up their abode on the suhject's farm in Ceihir Creek townsliip. One cliild was born t(j tliis union, Marion B., but the faithful wife and mother did not long sur\ i\e. as she died in 1872 after a brief illness, leaving her beloxed babe to the care of its sorrowing father. In Ottawa county, Michigan, on the 3d day of August. 1873. Willford I). Tales was again married, liis bride on this occasion being Miss Julia K. fiillat. a natis'e of Ottawa county, where she was reared and educated. They took up their residence soon after the ceremony on the subject's Cedar Grove township farm, and tliere tiiey still reside. To this union four cliildren were born, viz. : Herman C. ; Lottie M., wife of William Moffitt : Ira 1). and (irace 1*^. In all local aftairs. particularly contem- plated improvements. Willford D. Fales takes a deep interest antl he has alwaxs done liis full share toward advancing the welfare of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Fales are mem- l)ers of the b^reewill Baptist church, devout worshijjpers and acti\e and zealous in the cause of religion. He is a public-spirited enterprising citizen who always conscien- tiously performs the duties recjuired of him, both public and private, and his character in the comnninity where he has li\-ed so long is abo\e reproach. He is a Prohibitionist and takes high ground on the subject of temi)cr;mce. EDWARD COX. The true source of man's dominion on earth is said to be derived fmm the jiursuit of agriculture. The cdling is ccrtainlv the most independent one in which m'ln can engage. Others may receive better remun- eration for their services and pile up bigger fortunes tiian does the agriculturist, but iiis calling is the one whose success is absolutel\' indispensable to the world's prosperity. The subject of this review. Edward Cox. of sect:(_in 36. (ireenwood township, is a suc- cessful farmer, and one who has devested nearly all the years of his life to the calling. He has been contcitcd with his lot and the returns from his Irdjor, without feeling en- vious of those in other lines of labor whose compensation seems to be so great that it is sometimes deemed wholly disproportionate to the service rendered. Edward Cox, the subject of this review, was born on a farm in Summit county, Ohio, juK 15. 1845. If is parents were Richard iuul I'hilena (^ Tibbet) Co.x. both worthv and highly respected people in the region where ihev lived. Both are now dead, having passed aw .ay nruiv vears ago. Thev were the parents of six children, of whom the subject of this review was the third. When he was nine years of age, in 1854, the family moved to Indiana, wdiere they continued to reside until a short time previous to the war of the Rebellion, wdien they moved to Otta- wa countv. .Michigan. In Jul}-. 1862, iuKvard Cox enlisted in Companv I-'. I-'onrteenth Regiment Michi- gan Volunteer Infantry. The regiment w.as during the greater ])art ol the time of its service under the command of 'iencral Will- iam T. Sherman, served all through the At- lanta cami)aign and took part in most of the battles fought in that hostile section. He was still in the service at the time of the siu'render of General Ivobert E. Lee e right. He was also active and prominent in church work in this county, holding membcrshi]) in the Methodist Episcopal church, while for more than twenty years he was superinten- dent of its Sunday school in Sherman and was a most active and helpful laborer in the cause of Christianitv here. irEXFORD couxrv, MICJ-Ua.LX. 385 A[f. Sturtexant was married in Unadilla, Livingston county, Michigan. November 26, 1863, to Aliss Rhoda A. Dunn, who was born in that place on the 4tb of August. 1842. There her girniood days w ere ])assed in the home of her parents. Hillicr and Lois (Dunn) Dunn, the former a natixe of Xew Jersey and the latter of Connecticut. Re- nio\ing to the wesl. the\- became residents of Lnadilla. Michigan, where both resided until called lo the home beyond, the father passing awav at the age nt liftN'-hxe ye:>rs, while die mother's ileath occurred when she was fifty-six years of age. iMr. antl Mrs. Sturtevant have adopted a daughter. Ase,- nath. who is now the wife of Vincent C. Wall, of Sherman, Michigan. Mr. Sturte- \'ant still retains his membership in Sherman Lodge. Free and Accepted Masons, and he is now an active niemlicr of the Order of the Eastern Star, with which his wife is also identified. Such in brief is the life history of one whose efforts ha\e c\'er been discern- ingh' directed along well tlefined lines of labor, whether for the benefit of himself, his country or his county. He has been as loyal to iiis town, state and nation in times of peace as he was when he followed the starry banner upon the battlefield of the south and his has e\er been a creditable and honorable record, winning for himself the confidence and good will of all with whom be has been associated. HEXRY C. AUER. Tlenry C. Auer. a prosperous and popu- lar merchant of Cadillac, is a native of Xew York. l)orn in Moscow, September 15. i860. }]is parents were John H. and .Auer. natives of (iermanx'. The family, in 1864. moved to .\lmont. Lepeer county. ^Michigan, but remained there only about four years, when they moved to Reed City, Osceola county, then known as Todd's Slashings, and settled on a farm three miles from that place. There were seven children in the Auer family, of whom the subject was the sixth. The father is now living a retired life in Reed City. The mother died when the subject was three and one-half years old. The earlv life of Henry C. .\uer was spent beneath the jiarental roof until be was seventeen years old. He had attended the public schools antl was studious and amlji- tious. so that when he laid aside his books to face the world and battle for a fortime. his mind was well stored with useful knowledge. Having secured a position as clerk in a gen- eral merchandise store at Xirvina, Lake coiuitx. Michigan, he immediately en- tered upon his iluties and gave satisfaction both to the patrons of the establishment and iiis emplovers. Thirsting for more knowl- edge, he returned to Reed City, procured a place as clerk in a hotel and was gixen an opportunity to attend school during school hours. When school closed he was ofifered a ])lace in the Brotherton Hotel at Flint. Mich- igan, as clerk, remained there until the man- agement changed, when he again returned to Reed Citv. Then for two and a half years he was employed in the mercantile estab- lishment of D. M. McClelland. In .August. 1882. he came to Cadillac and entered the employ of W. R. Dennis & Company, deal- ers in clothing and gents' furnishings goods, remaining in their service for nearly six years. Ill Ca business and indomitable persever- ance, from a most humble l)eginning he has placed himself among the leading and most successful merchants of northern Michigan. ISAAC NICHOLS. In Clam Lake township, upon a good farm. Isaac Nichols makes his home and de- \otes his energies to general agricultural pur- suits. He was Ijorn in Ontario county, Canada, on the 22(\ of March, 1847, ^nd is a son of John and Sophia (DeBoyseJ Nichols. His parents are both now deceas- ed, his father having passed away in Can- ada when but thirty years of age. The moth- er long survived him, however, and spent her la.st days in the home of her son, Isaac, in Clam Lake township, where she died in her eighty-second year. In the Dominion Isaac Nichols was rear- ed upon a farm. He attended the public sc1kk)1s and when not engaged in the ef- fort to master the branches taught in such institutions he devoted his labors to the work of the farm and thus gained practical ex- ]ierience in the occupation which he has chosen as his life work. He remained in Canada until al)out twenty-six years of age and then determined to seek a home in the United States. !Many are the sons of the Dominion who have crossed the border in order to enjoy the better business op])or- tunities, with livelier competition, that are to lie found in this countn.-. It was in the month of September. 1873. that Mr. Nich- ols arri\-ed in \\'exford county with his fam- ily and he settled ujjon the farm where he now lives and it has been his home continu- ously for thirty years. He here owns one hundretl and twenty acres of land and with unfaltering energy he has continued the work of cultivation and improvement here until he now has over one hundred acres un- der the plow. He has also erected a modern brick residence and made other valuable im- ISAAC NICHOLS GROUP. H'EXJ'OKD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 887 provements, including the plantin"- of an or- chard of four acres, whicli yields its fruits in season. His fieUls return to him good har- vests and in all of his farm work he is pro- gressive, using the latest inipru\cd machin- ery in the cultivation of the soil aufl keeping" good grades of stock to assist in carrxing on the farm work. Mr. Nichols was married in Canada to Aliss Josephine \\'att, a native of Lanihlnn county. Ontario, horn Julv iC, if 1855, making the journey across the country with horses and oxen. They bettled upon a farm in Ionia county, and it was there that their son George was reared. He remained a resident of that portion of the state until he was thirty years of age and from that time when he put aside his school IjiKiks he devoted his energies in undivided manner to agricultural pursuits. His father died in 1867, when about fifty-four years of age, and after that much of the farm work devolved upon ^Ir. Teed, of this re\ie\\. On leaving Ionia county he took up his aboile in Kalamazoo county, remaining a resident of Climax township for about five years, or until the fall of 1888. In November uf that vear he came to ^Vexford county and has since been a resident of .\ntioch township, co\ering a period of fifteen years. Here he owns one hundred and twenty acres of land and of this ninety-five acres has been brok- en, placed under the plow and transformed into rich and producti\e fields. Mr. Teed has erected good buildings, including a com- fortable residence and substantial barns, — in fact, hi-^ is one of the fine farms of the county and his home is surrounded by well tilled fields, returning to him golden har- \'ests. He is also interested in the breeding of fine blooded stock and thus adds not a little to his income. He uses the latest im- ])roved machinery in operating his land and all modern ecpiipments and accessories com- mon to a farm of the twentieth centiu'y are found upon his place. Mr. Teed was married m Kalamazoo ciiunty, Michigan, on tlie 14th of May, 1887, to Miss Marv Smith, a nati\e of that county and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Foster Smith, who were natives of X'crmont. Re- mo\ing to the west, they spent their remain- ing days in Kalamazoo county. Mr. and Airs. Teed are the parents of four children : Louis M., Stanley W., Lois (i. and Willis. In his political views Mr. Teed is inde- pendent, Init keeps well informed on the is- sues of the (lay and. in his ballot gives his WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 391 support to the man w In nn he thinks best qual- ified for office. He has taken an active part in township affairs and lias been calletl to ser\-e in positions of [jublic trust, haxing acted at different times as super\isor of An- tiocli township, as township treasurer and as scliool inspector. He is a staunch a(l\-(jcate of the cause of temperance and buth he and Itis wife are active members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church and take a helpful in- terest in church and Sunday school work. 'Idieir h\'es are in consistent harmony with their professions and they do all in their jiower to advocate the cause of Christian- itv and to extend its influence in this com- munity. Air. Teed is also iilentitied with Antiocli Grange No. 919, Patrons of Hus- bandry. Those who know him entertain for iiim the highest regard because he has lived worthily, his life being actuated by upright principles that have been exemplified in hon- orable C(.)nduct. GEORGE S. ST.VNLEY. George S. Stanley, editor and proprie- tor cif the Michigan State Democrat, was born in Chester, England, on the ^(Jth of June, 1858. His parents, being devout mem- bers of the Established church, were desir- ous that he should enter the ministry. Ac- cordingly his education began at a very early age with that object in \iew. .\ftcr receiv- ing his preliminary instruction from pri\-ate tutors, he was entered when twelve years old at the King's school and from that in- stitution passed to the Chester l'roi)aratory College, which he attended one year. While thus prosecuting his studies he concluded to give up the idea of taking holy orders and devote his life to journalism, a calling for which he had long manifested a decided ptel- erence. '\\v. .Stanley's first experience in his chosen field of endeavor was in the office of the Chester Chronicle, one of the oldest and most influential weeklies in England, where he si.icin gained a i)ractiical knowledge of the profession which he has since followed with such encouraging success. In 1872 he accompanied his family to Canada and dur- ing the ensuing ten years was employed upon a numl)er of the leading newspapers of that country, the meanwhile continually enlarg- ing his experience and developing decided abilities as a clear, elegant and forcible writer. At the expiration of the abo\e per- iod he came to Michigan and fc)r some time thereafter worked on different Democratic papers, liut the following year he went into business upon his owai responsibility, by es- tablishing in Lapeer county the Columbia- ville New Era. Later, 1890, he established the Michigan Odd Fellow, a bi-monthly de- voted to the interests of Odd Fellowship in this state, which grew rapidly in popular favor and reached a wide and remunerative patronage. After running the two papers jointlv for aliout one vear. he disposed of them and purchased of M. T. Woodruff the Michigan State Dem tho field of Alichigan journalism he has ren- dered valiant ser\ice for his party in its many hard-fought and secnungly hopeless contests. Wielding a trenchant pen, he has .ably and 392 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. fearlessly discusseil the leading (jueslions and issues upi)n which |)eo])lc and parties are f writer and s])eak- er, h.is jierhaps done more to strengthen and siilidify his |)art\' ;ind promote its suc- i:ess than anv otlier man in the northern pari of the state. I'ersonallv he is ;i most genial, .affable and comiianionabld gentle- man and his popularity is by no means con- fined to his political associates, as he is held in high esteem by all classes .and con- ditions of people wherever known. lie h;is a beautiful and .attr.adive lumie in Cadillac, being a m.arried mrui with an interesting- family of live children, four sons and one daughter. *—*■ TIlo.MA.S W. CKOSI'.V. In the respect that is accorded to n-ien who have fought their way to success, pos- sibly through unfavorable environment, we find ;u-i unconscious recognition of the in- trinsic worth of a ch.-iracter which not onl\- can endure so rough a test, but gain new- strength through the discipline. The sub- ject of this review. Thomas W. L'rosby. was not favored by inherited wealth or the assis- tance of influential friends, but in .spite of this, by perseverance, industry and a wise econon-iy. he has attained a con-ifortable sta- tion in life. He is a native of Ohio, born in Lucas County. October 2C\ ICS36. His ])arents were \';in Rensselaer ,-ind Lucinda 1 ISlack- ni;ui ) ('rosin-, the former, who h;id been ;i soldier in the war of 1812. dying .-ibou* ieing assigned to the Army of the Potomac. At tlie close of the \\ar, the latter part of April, 1865, the regiment was mustered out of the service, Mr. Crosby receiving an hon- orable discbarge at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, July 17. 1865. Returning from the field, he again took up his residence in Lucas county. Ohio, and devoted himself to farm- ing until 1 87 1, when he moved to Big Rap- ids, Michigan, where be remained until Feb- ruary. 1872, when he located in Wexford countv and devoted himself to his calling of a millwright, a business be had become skilled in before entering the United States ser\ice. In 1877. be purchased eighty acres of land in section 35, Haring township, where be established a home and where be has since resided, devoting himiself entirely to farming. His place is well improved and he has erected thereon good, substantial buildings. On the 22(1 day of May, 1865, in Lucas county, CJhio, Thomas W. Crosl)y was united in marriage to Miss Jane D. Lleath, a native of Ohio, bom in Holmes county, May 22. 1845, the daughter of Xebimiah Heath, also a native of Ohio. To ]\Ir. and Mrs. Crosby four children were born, \iz : Charles, Jen- nie, Minnie and M-ilo. Jennie died when nineteen years of age: r^Iinnie is the wife of Merlon Morford, a resident of Cadillac and in the employ of the Crand Ivapids 8: Indi- ana Railroad, and they have one child. Ken- neth. Thomas W. Crosbv has been activclv in- terested in all mo\ements designed for the public good and the development of the township and county in which be resides. He .served for a length of time as president of the Wexford County Agricultural S()ciety. has lieen supervisor of Haring township, and has also been township treasurer. He is an unswerving Republican and has been such since the organization of that party. He is a most genial, companionable man, always disposed to look upon the bright side of life. He is possessed of a rich vein of humor and there are few situations that do not furnish him an opportunity of extracting therefrom n little merriment for bis own and his friends" benefit. The real calamity of his life came October 12. i8<)7, when his faithful and de- voted wife, the mother of bis children de- parted this life. He has been true to her memory in death as he was true and devoted to her in life. Mr. (Trosby makes the principle of char- itv his religion and is ever ready to dispense to those who are in need or distress. He has not an exalted idea of the: religion which is practiced by many of the'so-called mem- bers of churches and says that many min- isters have missed their calling and a mone tary consiileration is the only goal they are striving to reach. The following oliituary notices will un- doubtedly prove of interest to the reader: At midnight last Friday, October 12, 1897, Mrs. Jane D. Cros'by. wife of T. W. Crosby, passed into rest, at the age of fifty-two years and five months. Slie had been confined to her bed since last March from the illness which terminated her life, and for a period of abonl twenty-seven years her delicate health had caused anxiety to her relatives and friends. Her physical endurance finally succumbed to bronchial consumption, coupled with Bright's disease. Her patience and cheerfulness in the midst of sufTerim; was a marvel to her many friends. 394 WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. VViih hti- hiisl)and and three small children, Mrs. Crosby came to this locality in 1872 and the beauti- ful farm home. .iu,st east of the present city limits, wrought from what was then a wilderness, attests her thoughtful consideration and the splendid man- agement of her housthold. She had very many friends with the people of this city, among whom she was regarded as one of the patient pioneers, and at whose suiburban home they always found enjoyable entertainment. .\ few years ago her eld- est daughter. Jennie Crosby, who was greatly be- loved, was taken away by death. The funeral of Mrs. Crosby was held from the family home at tw^o o'clock last Sunday afternoon and was attended by 1 large gathering of people from the city and sur- rounding country. The ceremonies were conducted hy Rev. X. S. Bradley, of the Congregational church. Miss Jennie Oro.s.by. oldest daughter of Mr and Mrs. T. W. Crosby, died at the home of her paren-ts, one mile east of this city, on last Thursday evening, March 8. 1888. Site was born May 9. 1869, at White House. Lucas county, Oliio, and removed to this vi<.-inity in 1872. During her life time in this community Miss Jennie had become gicatly en- deared to all with whom she associated, and in her own home was beloved with all the devotion that could 'be bestowef others to be mnidful of her own comfort or to have room in her heart for a selfish thought. Her death is a sad affliction to lu-r bereaved parents, sister and two brotliers. During her fatal illness, a disease of the heart, with which she was attacked on the 14th of Decem- ber last. Jemiie was patient and cheerful, though undergoing the most intense suffering, an.d her thoughts and talks have been higth and noble in the extreme. Her remains were laid at rest in our hill- side cemetery on last Sabbath afternoon. The fun- eral at the family residence was attended by a large number of 'her young acquaintances from the citv who deeply mourn her loss. HEXRV B. HUFF. 'l"he cns which prevailed throiigli- oiit the state of Michigan fifty nr niuie years ago were by no means wliat they are today. The face of the entire crmntry has undergone wonderful changes since then. The ^tatc. liaving been admitted in 1837. was i>nly aljont tliirteen years old and the population was siuall, with settlements widely scattered. The stntc^ nf the L'nion in 1830 numbered thirty and Michigan was the twentieth in ))opulation, but most of the people resided in ihc southern and eastern counties. Kent count\-, where Henry B. Huff, the sul)ject ot this re\iew, was born, was then practi- cally an unbroken wilderness. His par- ents had settled there some years previous and were among the early pioneers of the iocalitw There they endured all of the hard- ships of the early settler and there their chil- dren were jjorn and reared and learned their first industrial lessons. Henry V>. Wwi'i. now a resident of Cedar Creek township, was born on his father's farm in Kent county, Michigan, .\pril _'S, 1850. His ])arcnts were James S. and Phoebe ( Blackall ) Huff', the father being a native of the state nf New Jersey .and the mother of Xew ^'ork. They had come lo Michigan, where homes were cheap ;ind where the expense of existence was less btn- densomc than in their native commonwealths. It is doubtful if they realized the trials, in- con\'eniences and privations that .dw.iys .ire to be encountered in every new cnuntry. but having imce cmssed the Rubicon retiuMi was not to be thought nf. They were the ]).'n'- cnt^ i>f eight (•liildren, si.x sons and two dau"hlcrs. and these the\' reared .and in- WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 895 strurtcd tu lives oi usefulness. About 1870 the family moved to Cedar Creek township and there the latter years of the lives of the sturdy old couple were passed. Both were in tlie seventy-third year of their age at the time (if their death. Of their eight chikh-en, Henry P.. Huti' was the second. His youth was spent in the woods, the clearing and in the iields when the forest had been trans- formed into tracts of land which permitted of cultivation. He was about five years in Wexford county before the remo\'al of the family from Kent county, antl \\ith that exception the first twenty years of his life were spent at the place of his birth. In Sep- tember. 1870, he located on a tract of eighty acres of land in section 6, Cedar Creek town- ship, and there he has remained ever since, clearing the land, improving" the farm and cultivating" the soil. Farming has been the business of lu's life aniect of this review. William P. West- brook, has displayed most creditable \"ersa- tility in this respect. Farming has been the labor of his life, l)ut in the spring of 1902 he decided to embark in the mercantile business at Manton. .\ssociating with him his kins- man by marriage, O. E. Burns, he embarked in the retail mercantile trade and from the very first the enterprise has been a gratifv- ing success. Location and contlitions were right, two very important features, and ju- dicious management did the rest. William !'. Westbrook. who resides on a ])art of section 13, (ireenwood townshi]), \\;is horn in Kalamazoo, Michigan. March i-j, if^S9- Ili'^ father was Ethan .\. West- brook, a native of Xew N'ork. and his mother. Mary (l.ockwood) Westbrook. a native of .Michigan. lie died in Newavgo countv. 896 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Michigan, tlie latter part of April. 1902. while site is still living at the family lu)me in Newaygo county. The .subject of tliis re- view is the only child born to his parents. When he was about six years old his par- ents nio\ed to Xewaygo county. Michigan, and settled in Uayton township. There he attended the public schools, received a good common school education aud grew to man- hood. His father's farm and the labors thereon supplied him with all the advantages of an industrial school, llanl work devel- oped his muscles and his strength and, hav- ing profited by the time he spent in the school room, it quickened the intellect, so that by the time he attained his majority he was physically and intellectually a well develo])ed man. July 4. 188,^, in Newaygo county, Michi- gan, William I'. Westbrook was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Burns, a native of Clinton county. Michigan, born January 2, 1859. Her parents are Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Burns, residents of Newaygo county. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Westbrook, two of whom died when about two years old. The other children are Frank. Ethel. Winnie. Leslie and Wilber. In June, 1885, alxjut two years after marriage, Mr. Westbrook mo\ed his family to Wexford county and located on the farm where he now lives and where he has since resided. He is a thorougii farmer, having devoted nearly all the years of his life to the business. He owns one hundred and twenty- four acres of good, fertile land, one hundre^l acres of which is clear and well improved. He is a prudent, careful business man and guards his interests mr^re zealouslv than the ■iverage farmer. His talent for business caused his neighbors to elect him to the jxi- siticMi of supervisor of Greenwood town- ship and held him in the position a numl)er of years. He also served as justice of the peace of the township. He is a Republican in politics and does not confine his political activity to local aiTairs. the affairs of the county and state receiving a good deal of attention from him. particularly during cam- paigns. He never aspired to or held any public oftice outside of the township of his residence. In the spring of 1902 his busi- ness tact and keen observation of conditions pointed out to him an opening for a pros- jjerous mercantile business in the little town of Manton. .\ssociating with O. E. Burns, they piuxhased a good stock of merchan- dise and opened it up in one of the business rooms of the little town. Within a short time ])atrons became numerous and at the present writing the proprietors of the estab- lishment are enjo\ing a most llourishing trade. There need be little doubt that the business will grow and flourish. There is a wide scope of rich agricultural country to draw from and the business tact already ilemonstrated in the management of the new enterprise is the surest guarantee of suc- cess. j.\.\ll':S IIAXTHOKN. Wexford count\'. Michigan, has been or- ganized only aboiit lliirtv years. .\t the time of its organization the population was not large, but there were a number of fam- ilies within the borders of what is now the county who had lived there many years and who are stdl living on the farms where liiev located ;i generation or more ago. rroniincnl runoui;- these, lames Hanthorn WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 397 aiul his worthy wife tleserxe special men- tion. Tliey were married only about tliree montlis when, in June, 1871, they came to this county and located on the farm still owned and occupied by them, which they received from the government as a home- stead. If is here the most enjoyaljle part of their li\-es have been spent, here their chil- dren were born and reared and here doubt- less the remaining' years of their career will be passed. James Hanthoni is a native of Ireland, born in the county of Armaugh, December 24, 1 841, but spent only the first nine years of his life in his native land. In 1850 the family moved to Canada, located in North- umberland county, Ontario, and there our subject grew to manhood. His years of la- bor while doing so being devoted to farm- ing, his opportunities for acquiring an edu- cation were by no means all that could be de- sired. Yet bis learning is not deficient. In starting out int(.) the workl to do fi:)r him- self, after he had attained his majority, he liad reasons for beleiving that there wei'e better opportunities for a young man in the United States than in Canada. Accordingly he came to Michigan and stopped at Grand Rapids a number of months, where he was employed at the lime kilns. From there he went to Big Rapids and on the 8th day of March, 187 1, was united in marriage to Miss Ella. M. Cochran, a native of New "^'ork, born September 5, 185 1. Three months later they came to Wexford county and located upon their present farm. It com- prised but eighty acres then, but now in- cludes one hundred acres, twenty acres hav- ing been added i<< it l)y purchase. The place is sui)i)lied with good, substantial buildings and it is otherwise well inipnjNt'il .ind (|uite producti\e. To Mr. and Mrs. Hanthorn have been born seven children, two of whom died in early life and Ella May passed away May 27, 1903. The others are John, Ada v., George .\. and W^illiam T. — Ada being the wife of .\rthur Langdon. At present the parents of this interesting family are enjoying that quiet, peaceful life which is the invariable reward of prudence, industry and good management. To say that they are worthy citizens, deserving of the high esteem in which they are held, is only to express a fact of which the general, public in the vicinity of their home is cognizant. Mr. Planthorn's aim has e\er been to do that which is right, and rarely indeed has he failed in the attainment (if his worthy aim. It is to such as he that our country is in- debted for the stability of its institutions and for the large measure of prosperity which it enjoys. AL\'AH PECK. Among the sturdy sons of the Empire state to secure congenial homes in Wexford county, Michigan, and achieve success in var- ious a\enues of endeavor is the representa- tive citizen of Hanover township whose name appears at the head of this article. Alvah Peck is a nati\'e of Niagara county. New York, where his birth occurred on the 5th day of May, 1834, being the son of Al- vah and Lo\ica ( Ketch) Peck, both born, reared and married in \'crmont, and both now sleeping the sleep that knows no wak- ing, near the old family home where their son iirst saw the light of day. By reason of ihe dc;ith nf iiis parents, which occurred '.vhcn he was (|uile young, the subject was 398 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. reared 1)\' triencls who tixik him In Slenhcii count}- and it was there he spent liis child- hood and \outh on a farm and received liis eihicalional trainint;' in the i)nblic schools. lu'U'ly thrown upon his own resources, lie learned to rely u])on himself and to make the most of his opportunities, anil he grew to full stature of manliood with a proper ap- preciation of the dignity and responsibility of life. On the 27th of May, 1853, in On- tario county. New York, he was united in marriage with Miss Julia Cronk, daughter of johji and Margaret (Wilson) Cronk, and from that time until 1882 lived princi- l)all_\- in the co.unty of Steuben, devoting his attention chiefl}' to agricultural pursuits, which he prosecuted with fair success and profit. Mrs. I'eck was born at .\aples, On- tario county, March 30, 1838, grew to ma- turity and received her education in that town and it was there that her parents died and were liuried. In the spring of iS8_' Mr. I'eck di.spo^ed of his interests in his native state and moved to Wexford county, Michigan, selecting for his location ;i trad of land in section 6. Han- o\-er townshi]). which he has since developed and im])roved, converting it into one of the liest and n'ost valuable farms in tint part of the county. Of the one hundred acres constituting his place scvcntv-four are in a high state of cultivation, ;ind on this he raises abundantly all crops grinvn in the lat- itude, devoting especial attention to horti- culture, which he lias found not only a j)leas- ant and agreeable pursuit, but a far more re- liable source n\ income than any other branch of husbandry. In the material de\elo])- mciil of bis township and the advancement of its local interests Mr. I'eck li.as m.ani- festcd a ci ■nimciidable spirit, in iwognition ot which tact he has Ijcen honored at difl'er- ent times with (jllicial positic)ns, proving under all circumstances a capable, painstak- ing and popular ]iub!ic servant. Keeping in close ti )uch with the trend of modern prog- ress, and having faith in the future growth and prosperity of his adopted county, he has lalx)red earnestly to promote the general welfare of the community, lending" his aid to all worthy enterprises for its material improvement and using his best endeavors to firing about better social conditions and dis- seminate a stronger and more steadfast mor- al sentiment. His position in the esteem and friendship of those with whom he mingles has long been assured: he does honor to the community which is ])roud to recognize his citizensbi]) and, being essentially a man oi the jjeople, with their interests at heart, his int^uence has always been on the right side of every question or issue affecting the pub- lic welfare. Politically Mr. Peck is a Repub- lican and as such has been a factor of con- siderable weight in local affairs, laboring zealously for his partv and contributing not a little to its success since becoming a resi- dent of this county. Religiously he belongs, with his wife, to the Disciple church in Wex- ford towiishii). both being zealous members and active workers, also liberal sujiporters in spreading the gospel both at home and aliroad. Personally Mr. Peck is a most af- fable gentleman, pos.sessing a pleasing pres- ence and genial manners, which, with other amiable c|ualities and characteristics, have won him the respect of neighbors and friends and a wurtliv ])restigc in the community which all recognize and ap])reciate. To the subject and wife have been born four chil- dren, n.aniely: I'.ugene: IjcIIc, now Mrs. William Mohler: hdwood, late ])rominent WEXFORD COUXTY, MICHIGAX. 399 attorp.cy of Cadillac, whose sketcli and por- trait appear elsewhere, and Nellie, who mar- ried Roy Simmons, of Woodland, Michigan. Of the home life and social relations of ]\lr. and IMrs. Peck it is unnecessary to speak except in a general way, as hoth are widely and fa\oral)l\' known, all having the pleas- m'e of their acquaintance bearing cheerful testimony to their high standing and ster- ling worth. A Courteous gentleman of the old school, the subject possesses the happ}- facu!t\- of winning friends and binding them to him with bonds which time or circum- stances rarely sever, the same qualities be- ing characteristic of his amiable and loving companion, whose gentle disposition, kindly words and hel])ful influence, like benedic- tions, have lightened the burdens and bright- ened the pathway of many of earth's tired, careworn sons antl daughters and whose whole life has been a simple, though grand, poem of rugged, toils(jme dutv faithful!} and uncomplainingly done. Those whn Ikw: met Mr. and Mrs. I'eck within the inner circle of their domestic tireside, where they can be seen at their best, are most profuse in their praise, and it is the prayer of all such as well as the universal wisii of others that their hvcs may be spared many years in wdiich to be a continued blessing to the world as thev ha\e been in time gone by. JOHN A. H.VSKIN. Practical industry, \\isel\- a.nd \igor- ously applied, never fails of success. It car- ries a man onward and upward, brings out his indi\-idual character and acts as ;i power- ful stimulus to the efforts of others. The greatest results in life are often attained by simple means and the exercise of the ordi- nary qualities of common sense and perse- verance. The every-day life, with its cares, necessities and duties, affords ample oppor- tunities for ac(|uiring experience 'of the best kind and its most beaten paths provide a true worker with aljundant scope for effort and self nuprovcment. The gentleman whose name forms the ca])tion of this arti- cle has througlunit his entire lifetime pur- sued a straightforward and consistent course and the success he has achieved has been due solely to his own earnest efforts and the wise iudgment and discrimination which he has exercised in the aft'airs of life. John A. Haskin, the subject of this re- view, and a resident of Selma township, was born in Power Canada, June 17, 1845. Plis parents were Ilhiniar and Sarah { Coyle ) Haskin, the former of whom died in Janu- ary, 1898, and tiie latter died in Jariuary, 1872. The father was a Cnited f]rethren minister when he ilied. his field (.)f work hav- ing been in Ohio and Canada. He was a soldier in the Sixth Ohio Cavalry and after- wards joined the Second Ohio Artillery. He was a Republican in politics. The first twelve years of the life of John A. PJaskin were spent in his native place in Canada. In 1857 the family moved to Ohio and located on a farm in Ashtabula county, wdiere the subject continued to reside during the next five years, .\ugust 17, 1863, he en- listed in C farm work, with wiiicli he became famil- iar in its \arious dei)artments. He continued to li\e in LaGrange county until he was thir- ty-eight years of age, or until the fall of ly EX FORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 405 1882, and at that time he came to Wexford county, where he has since made his iiome. In December following his arri\-al he pur- chased eighty acres of land on section 4. Antioch township, and the following March he settled upon this tract of land with his family. W ith characteristic energy he began its cultivation and improvement and has con- tinued his work here with the result that he now has seventy-two acres of land under cultivation. The fields have been divided by well-kept fences and the early tints of spring give promise of golden harvests in the au- tumn, while the sale of his crops return to him a good harvest. (^11 the i_nh of January, 1871, Mr. Car- nahan was united in marriage, in LaGrange county, Indiana, to Miss Sarah Rathbun. who was born in Elkhart county, Indiana, May I, 1852, a daughter of Costain and An- dalusia (Gould) Rathbun. Her father died in LaGrange in the fifty-third year of his age, and the mother afterward came to Mich- igan, spending her last tlays in Mesick, where she died in her seventy-fourth year. She was the mother of five children, of whom Mrs. Carnahan is the second. The home of the subject and his wife has been blessed with five children: Lester C . ; Charles H. ; Clara E., the wife of Samuel Jones; Rachel A., the wife <-)f Edward Patterson; and Samuel All:)ert. Mr. Carnalian has serxed as treasurer of Antioch township aufl has held difYerent school positions. He was elected one of the county superintendents of the poor in the fall of i8(;o and in these various offices he has ever been found reliable and trustworthy, discharging his duties in a prompt and capa- l)le manner. His political support is given to the Republican party and he is a member of the Grange. He is also a liberal contrib- utor to church work and co-(_)i)erates in man_\- measures for the general good. Dm"- ing his residence in W e.xford county he has so lived as to command the good will and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact and he has gained many friends. His life has been one of untiring industry and his farm has been cleared entirely through his own efforts. ]\lr. Carnahan is erecting a residence, eighteen by twenty-six feet in Size, on his farm, and will thus have one of the most comfortaljle and conxenientlv arranged homes in the townshi[). ISAAC STARKWEATHER. Statistics show that the man who toils lives longer than the man of leisure. It is not the life of ease and comfort that is pro- ductive of longevity. The toiler is spared to his toil, while the money changer is sep- arated by death from his millions. Toil should have some reward more than the bare pittance it gets in the way of wages and there seems to be little doubt that nature has pro- vided it with longevity by way of additional compensation. The years of the life of Isaac Starkweather, the subject of this re- view, ha\e been years of active labor. Throughout the greater jiart of them he has been blessed with the re((uisite health and strength to encounter and accomplish e\ery task required of him. There is a homely old saying, that has far more truth than elo- (juence in it, viz: "God fits the back for the l)urden." Those dooiued to a life of toil are generally endowed by nature with the phys- 406 IV EX FORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. ical strength to sustain tlieni in its accom- plishment. Xatuie is wise and generally jnst, if not always generous. Isaac Starkweather, who resides on a part of section 6, Selma township, is a nati\e of Canada. He was horn in Kent county, Ontario. January ii, 1846. His parents were .\sa and lJetse\ (Ruhle) Starkweather. tlio father a native of Xcw ^'l)rk and the niotiiev of C'anaila, 1joth now deceased. 'J'he first twenty-two years of the life of the suhjecl were spent in his native county. His education was nut neglected, though it was In- n(; means as complete as he could de- sire. It included a fair knowledge of ail of the common school branches and this he has since sup])lemented witli a wide range of reading which has made him a well informed mrui. Xaturally possessed of a taste for mechanics and an aptness and skill in the use of tools, he took very kimlly to carpen- tering and was not ol)liged U> ser\e at the business \ erv long lieforc hecuming c|uite skilliul. In iN(ihe had reached the age of twenty-one years. In all public affairs of the township of his residence Mr. Starkweather has been quite prominent. Next to his individual welfare he prizes the welfare of Selma town- ship. Indeed, the one is .so clo.sely identified with the other that the neglect of the one must necessarily reflect injuriously upon the other. He has served the people of his tow.n- ship as supervisor, treasurer and member of the school board. He is a luember of Lodge No. 186. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Harrietta. and of the Selma township (jrange. Patrons of Husbruidrx . In his own humble, honest, direct way. he has well per- formed all of the duties of life and has re ceived the ciMumendation and esteem of .all who know him. as well as the sanction and appro\al of his own conscience. AlUEl. \V. TWEEDIE. Ariel W. Tweedie. proprietor of the Cadillac Creenhouse and one of the city's well-known and pojinlar residents, was born in Three Rivers. St. Joseph county. Michi- gan, October 14, 1855. ^^'^ father. Thom- as Tweedie, was a native of Ireland and a IVnXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 407 tailor l)y Iradc and his niotiicr. wIid liore ihe niaidcn iiaiiic uf Sarah jaiic Wellnian, was horn aii(l reared in the state ol" New \'ork. W'lien ah(}ut tweKe }'ears of age 'i'homas Tweedie came to the L'nited States, and he i^rew to niaturitx' in New \'ork and there learned his trade and married. Later he moved to Michigan and settled at Three Rivers, thence went to Schoolcraft, Kala- mazoo county, where he followed his chosen \ocation until 1882, when he took up his residence in Cadillac and here spent the re- mainder of his life, dying on the first da_\' of Januarv, 1884, his wife survixing him until h'ehruary 2_^, j89g. Thomas and Sa- lah Jane Tweedie reared a family of sexen children, the suhject of this review being the fifth of the number. Ariel W . was about two years old when his parents mo\ed to Schoolcraft, and he spent his childhood antl youth in that town, receiving his education in the public schools, and when a youth in his teens he entered a newspaper office to learn the printer's trade. lie soon became an ei'ficient workman and at the age of eighteen left hoiue and fouml emplovmeiit at his trade, working for a number of \-ears thereafter for oynton, whose birth occurred in the city of Xiles, tiiis state, September 2'!<. 1856. Mrs. Tweedie is the oldest of two children vdiose parents were l\e\'. Jeremy and Martha (Stilson) Boyntoii. the father for many years a well-known Methodist divine, who preached in various parts of Michigan and who dieil some years ago at the town of Stanton. Six children have resulted from the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Tweedie, to- wit: Bertha K., wife of Clarence C. Beach; Helena E.. Mattie J.. .Ariel T., and two that died in infancy. Mrs. Tweedie has been her hu.sband's able assistant in all of bis endeav- ors and. as already indicated, niucli of the success of his present business enterprise is due to the interest she manifested during its inception and to her active co-operation since. She is an estimable lad}', esteemed by a largo circle of friends in Cadillac and oth- er places where she has lived, and makes her i)resence fell for good among those with whom she mingles. Mr. Tweedie is also an acti\ t church worker. He ])ossesses decided musical talent and is interested in that art. his nature being peculiarly susce'ttible to all kinds of refining inriucnces. An honora- ble, straightforward business man. an ex- cellent neighbor, a law-abiding, public- spirited citizen, his labors in Cadillac ha\-e I'cen fruitful of beneficial results and he occupies no little ])lace in the confidence and esteem of the public. D. w. ciTrris. \-. s. The ])rofession of which the subject of this review is a worthy representative has of recent years come prominently to the front and in its ranks today are found many learned and distinguished men whose ability and skill are lieing unsellishly devoted to man"s most serviceable and faithful friend, the horse. Dr. U. W. Curtis, a leading veter- inary surgeon of Wexford county, and the only professionall)' educated man of his call ing in this part of the stale, is a nalix'e of Canada, born Jainiarx' 24. iS(')3, in western Ontario, near the town of Stratford. He was reared and educated in the land of his nativity and there followed various pursuits until iSgo when he entered the Ontario Vet- erinary College at Toronto, perhaps the most famous institution of the kind on the continent, and graduated from the same two years later. The same year in which he re- ceived his degree witnessed the Doctor's ar- rival at Cadillac, Michigan, where heat once engaged in the jiractice of his profession, and it w;is not long until his ability and skill were duly recognized b\ the i)eople of the jy EX FORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 409 city ami cuunt_\-, with tlie result that his repu- t.ition was soup, permanently estaljlished. After practicing' here nntil the tali of 1893 lie returned to Canada and took a post- graduate course in the same institution from which he had formerly graduated, thus liy a thorough course of training under the direc- tion of the best professional talent in Amer- ica fitting himself for a calling in wdiich he has already achieved marked success and in which he is tlestined to till out a still greater career of usefulness. Leaving college the second time, the Doctor located at Big Rap- ids. Michigan, where he practiced the ensu- ing lifteen months ,'md at the end of that time returned to Cadillac, where he has since remained, the meanwhile building up a large and lucrative business whicli has been as successful financially as professionally. In connection with his professional business he operated a large horseshoeing establish- ment in which none but the most skillful workmen were employed, and his reputation in this line brought him a patronage much more liberal than that of any other establish- mc.it of the kind in this city. However, this branch of business has Iseen discontinued on account of his ni;>t having time to attend to it personally, I3r. Curtis has devoted much time and thought to the calling in which he is engaged and the rare skill he displays in the treatment of the various diseases peculiar to the horse, and the success with which the same has been crowned has given him a place in the front ranks of the profession. .V close and critical student, he spares no pains to keep in touch with the latest discoveries and advancements in veterinary surgery and, ]jossessing the abilit)" to reduce liis knowl- edge to practice, demonstrates his hincss to meet every reciuiremen.t made upon him in the line of his professional work. Jrle is one of the snljstantial, public-s|)irited men of his atlopted city, has done much to promote its general prosperity, materially and other- wise, and always stands readv to lend his influence and sujjport to all worthy enter- prises. Dr. Curtis was married December 29, 1896, to Miss Marguerite Code, the un- ion being blessed with one chikl, Velma Irene, who was born July 21, 1898. WWLTER L. STCRTl'AWXT. Walter L. Sturte\-ant, wdio formerly ser\ed as sheriff of W'e.xford county, and is living on section 36, Wexford township, claims the Green Mountain state as the place of his nativity, for he first opened his eyes to the light of day in Weybridge, Addison county. X^ermont, on the lotli of January, 1855. '"^ parents being jMUi) and hJizabeth (Taft) Sturtevant. of whose family of six children he was the youngest.- Both of the parents flied in Weybridge. The subject of this review spent the first ten years of his life upon his fathers farm in that [)lace and then went to Saginaw, Michig.nn, with his broth- er Ethan .\. Sturtexant, and was reared to manhood in that iocalit}- with the ex- ception of a year and a half spent in Wey- bridge, to which place he returned. He pur- sued his education in the public schools of Saginaw and lietween the ages of fifteen and twenty vears he followed the trade of brick- making. On reaching the age of twenty vears he again went to his nati\e place in N'ermont, where he remained for a year and ;i hrdf and then again he came to Michigan ;ind once more settled in Saginaw. During 410 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. the following wnucr he w oiked in the woods and next went to Mi.lland, where he resided hut a short time. Settling then in Owosso. he resided but a short period there and m j July. 1878, he arrived in Wexford county, taking up his abode in Sherman, where he | entered the employ of his lirodier. H. B. Sturtevant. with whom he was connected m a business way for ten years. The subject was then elected sheriff of Wexford county in the fall of 1890 and tilled the position so accei)tal)ly that he was re-elected for a sec- ond term. On his retirement from othce Mr. Sturte- vant returned to Sherman, where he contin- ued to reside for about a year, at the end of which time he settled in Wexford townshi]) and since the fall of 1897 he has lived upon the farm which is now his home. He has here eighty-hvc acres of land, which is rich and cultivable, the entire amount being im- proved, lie has followed farming, continu- ally since his retirement from the office of sheriff and his labors havebeai attended with a high degree of success. His Iniildings are substantial, commodious and modern in con- struction, his Helds well tilled and he uses the latest improved'inachinery in carrying on the farm w . .rk. He also has good grades of stock upon his place and fruit trees give a good yield in season. On the otb of October. 1881. was cele- brated the niarri.age of Mr. Sturtevant and .Miss .Margaret Crites. who was born in Can- ada, on the 6th of Aiml. 1839. She is a daughter of C. .\. and Jane ( McKee) Crites and by her marriage she has become the mother of one child. Grace E.. who is now the life and light of the household. Mr. Sturtevant has been a member of the board of review "i \\exf"V>l iwwnship and has served as deputy sheriff for a number of years. iM-aternally he is connected with Sherman Lodge Xo. 372. Free and Accepted Masons, and has also taken the Royal Arch degree in Cadillac Chapter Xo. 302. i^oyal .\rch Masons. In matters pertaining to pub- lic progress he is deeply interested and has o-iven active co-operation to many move- ments for the general good, his assistance being of a practical and beneficial nature. In his business affairs he has prospered and to- day a valuable farm gives evidence of his life of industr>-. In his dealings with his fellow men he is always fair and just and his integrity stands as an unquestioned fact in his career. He represents a high type of i the American citizen and Wexford county I is fortunate in that he has allied his interests with hers. ♦ « » Hl-XRV B ALLOC. The gentleman of whom the biographer writes in this connection enjoys worthy pres- tige as one of the honored citizens of Cad- ilUic and for a numljer of years he has been actively identified with the \aried interests of the citv. occupying at the present time aii im- portant position with one of its largest busi- ness establishments. His well directed ef- forts in the practical affairs of life, his capa- ble management of large and responsible trusts, together with his sound judgment and sterling integrity, have brought him con- I fidence and prosperity, and his life fitly dem- onstrates what may be accomplished by a man of energ>- and ambition who places upon honorable endeavor its true value. In every relation of life he commands the re- j spect and confidence of liis fellow men, and HENRY BALLOU. WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 411 witlioiit a brief record of liis life this liio- gra])liical coiiipeiidiuni nt W'extnril county would not 1j€ fully complete. Henry Ballou was born in Otsego, Alle- gan county, Michigan, June 7, 1854, the son ot Byron and Hannah (Eldred) Ballou. The father was for many years a Ixisiness man of C)tsego, but in 1876 left that place and moved his family to Cadillac where he engaged in mercantile pursuits until failing health obliged him to turn his interests o\er to oth- er hands and retire from active life. Com- ing to this place in a comparati\ely early day, he became cjnite an intluential factor in the business affairs and material growth (.)f the town and as long as he lived his interest in its welfare and faith in its future advance- ment never wa\'ered. He served two years as postmaster and w'as one of the leading Re- publicans of the county, having- also been noted as a politician of considerable prom- inence for a number of years before taking up his residence in this part of the state. While a citizen oi Otsego he was es- pecially active in political affairs and during the late Civil war was untiring- in his efTforts to uphold the cause of the Union and induce young men to take up arms in defence of the nation's honor. Byron Ballou de])arted this life in Cadillac and left to his descendants the memory of a good name, which they ])rize among their most valued possessions ; his widow still survi\es, as do also four of his live children, of whom the subject of this review is the third in order of birth. llenrv Ballou grew up under the sturdy, invigorating discipline and environments of the home in Otsego, and received a common school education in the schools of that city, subse(|uer.tly completing a Inisiness course in a commercial college at Crand Rapids. In 1872 he came to Cadillac as clerk for his l)rother, Lorenzo Ballon, who here establish- ed a store which for scxeral years was con- ducted as a branch of the main establishment in Otsego. After remaining with the above business concern until 1877, he severed his connection with the same and entered the employ of the Crand Rapids & Indiana Rail- road, where he remained for two years, when he entered the company of Cobbs & Mitchell, for which firm he ser\'ed as bookkeeper, un- til his promotion to the superintendency a few \ears later, a i)lace he has since held. As general superintendent of the large and far- reaching business of Messrs. Cobbs & Mitch- ell, he has demonstrated executive abilities of a high order, and his career in this important and responsible station has been crow'ned with usefulness and sustained by the con- tinued and unqualified approval of his em- ployers. Mr. Ballou is a thorough-going, enterprising business man, happily endowed by nature with those c[ualities essential to successful leadership in large undertaking's and in e\'ery relation to wdrich called his integrity, absolute reliability and sterling- worth have won the confidence not only of those in whose welfare he has been directly interested, but also of the general public as well. He has gained a reputation as a man well ecjiiipped with solid business attain- ments, but abo\e this he has ordered his life on a high plane, having a deep sense of his stewardshi]), a just ajjpreciation of the re- si)onsibilitics that canopy every lit'e and true regard for the esteem in which he is held by his fellow men. Mr. Ballon was married in Cadillac, Jan- uarx' li, iSSi. to Miss S;n-ah A. Cornwell. of Cale of Torrey Brothers. Thev are both men of undoubted ability and sound judgment in business matters and by reason of their technical knowledge have been able to cater to the most fastidious tastes or requirements in any line of their Ijusiness. They do not confine their opera- tions solely to monumental work, but also have a large trade in prei)ared Iniilding stone. plain or ornamental, and in cojjings of var- ious stvles. The business has been carried 416 WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. on witli very satisfactory results ever since the tirni was organized and is still the only establishment of the kind in this city. Mr. Torrey is a gentleman of \aried attainments, highly esteemed by the peoi)le of his town and nothing in tlie way of adverse criticism has ever been made against his integrity or perstjnal honor. He has pursued the even tenor of liis way. quietly and unol)trusive- jy discharging the duties of citizenship as l)ecomes a loyal American and doing all within his power to advance the material \ide a home and a lix'elibood for himself a.nd family .-nid his elYorts ha\-e been crowned with liberal rewards, as his present indepeiulent circumstances and the compe- WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 417 tfucv accjuired fur nld age abuiitlaiuly at- test. Mr. Rvdquist's wilV-, win mi lie iiiarried in Wexford cuunty, was fciniierly Miss Cliristina Hagstrooiii, a nati\'c uf Sweden, who came to the United States some time in the "se\-enties. She is the mother of six chil- dren, namely: Oscar K., hLsther .M.. jcihaiina S.. Jdhan A.. Selma 1^. and a danghter, Jiihanna. who died at the age of four years. 'Sir. and Airs. Rydqnist arc higlily esteemeil in their neighborhood and have many warm friends. Their lives ha\e been along cjuiet and sequestered ways and in a liome of plen- ty and Cdiitent. at peace with the world, they perform their allotted tasks and fulfill their missions, conscious that tiic all-wise Father will approve their efforts and at last receive them to himself. JA.MF.S WriALEV. James W'haley dates his residence in Wexford county since 1869. Coming here in pioneer times, he entered upon what has pro\en a \ery successful career and is today one I if the most prosperous farmers of the countv. possessing ^•alual)le landed posses- sions, well improved, which he has secured through untiring energy and indefatigable industry, prompted by a laudable ambition. Mr. Whaley is a native of Perth county, Ontario, and is the second in order of birth in a family of eleven children, whose parents were Thomas and Jane ( Whaley ) Whaley. They were natives of Maryland, and fnr some years resided in Ontario, whence, in the year 1869, they came to Michigan, cast- ing in their lot with the earliest settlers of (."lam Fake township, Wexford county. L'ndei the parents" roof James Whaley was reared and in the jjublic schools he ac- (juired his education. In the year of his parents' arri\al in Wexford count)' he also came to Michigan and has since been identi- fied with the agricultural interests here. He entered a tract of eighty acres of land from the government and at once began the de- \elopment of a farm. Not a furrow had been tui"ne_^. She had been an acti\e and ])ersistent worker in the Methodist chiu'ch. and was active in the work of the \\'oman"s Christian Temperance L'nion, oi which she was president for seven years, holding the office at the time of her death. In his political predilections Mr. Torrey is a Prohibitionist and takes a keen interest in all mo\ements having for their object the welfare of the community in which he re- sides. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist church and contributes to all worthy benevt)lent objects. Socially he be- longs to Cadillac Tent, No. 21,2. Knights of the Alaccabees, and to Cadillac Lodge, No. 181, Ancient Order of L'nited Workmen. During all his residence in this county he has borne his full part in all public improxe- ments and his staniling as one of the county's progressive and representati\e citi- zens is conceded by all. He has an exten- sive acquaintance throughout the county and the name of his personal friends is legion. (GEORGE \l. THOM.\S. It nnist be gratifying to a man who has adw'uiced beyond the meridian of a well spent life tci lixik back and contemplaie the go. id work whicli. by patient industry and unre- mitting trtant wnrk which it does in ameli- orating the condition of mankind. Hence from their substance thcv give freelv to the ■122 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. cause of riin'stianily and charity. In ad- dition to his rural possessions. Mr. i honias also owns considerai)le property in Manton. r".acii season since Ciiniing to Wexford coun t\'. now (1003) twenty-two years, he has heen in tlie employ of the Champion .\gricul- inral lm])lenient Company and has sold for ihem many thousands of dollars' wortli of machinery. He is not onl)- a successful and ])rogressi\'e farmer, hut a thorough husiness nrin. whose chaiacler lor nior.'d worth and strict intcgritN' is well established l.iy the com- mercial transactions of _\-ears. He is a mem- her of Lodge Xo. 347. Free and .\cce])ted Masons, of Manton. CARL v.. IIACSTKO.M. Carl E. Ilagstrom. who is engaged in general farming in Clam Lake townshi]). Wextord countw is a nati\-e of Sweden, liis I'irth ha\ing there occurred on the 3d of Julw iS()3. lie being the fourth of seven children born unlo I'etcr J. and Ingred ( Lar- son) Ilagstrom. who were also natixes of Sweden, r.eliexing that he might have bet- ter business o])])()rtunilies in the new world and furnish his children with better advant- ages than could lie obtained in the land of his birth, the father made arrangements to bring his family to America. Bidding adieu to li(;me and friends they sailed from Sweden in the fall of 1874 and in due course of time arrived at Xew "N'ork City. Proceeding into the interior of the country, they remained for almost a vear in the \icinity of Howard City. Michigan, but in the spring of 1S7; came to Wexford county, where the sub- ject of this review has since made his home, coxering a ])eriod of twenty-eight years, lime and man have wrought many changes in the appearance of the county during this lime. The farmers have taken possession of the land and transformed it from a wild tract into productive lields. The merchants and artisans ha\e developed thriving towns and all the comforts, conveniences and ad- vantages of the older districts of the country have been introduced, placing Wexford on a par with an\- countv in the state. Mr. Hagstrom luis always followed farm- ing. Hrst as an assistrmt on the old home ]ilace and laler on his own account. He has also worked in the lumber woods and for eight }-ears he was engaged in buying ])ota- toes at Hobart as agent for the firm of I-"ree- man Brothers. His sa\'ings ha\'e been in- vested in ])ri>])erty and he is now the owner of thirty acres of land in Clam Lake town- shi]). most of which is improved, and upon the jjlace are good buildings. Tie is now- giving his undi\-ided attention to the further de\clopment of his farm and follows pro- gressive methods in his farm work. On the J4th of June. iSc)^. Mr. Hag- si rom was united in mariage. in Clam Lake t'lwnshi]). to .Miss Jennie .Marie (iran. a daughter of X. J. and Johanna Christina (Anderson) Ciran, well-known residents of this township. The father is now a resi- lient of Cl.am Lake township, aged sixt}'- three years, while the mother died .\ngust 2. 18S7. They were adherents of the Swedish Mission church. .Mrs. Hagstrom was born in .Sweden, .\ugust 2(1. iS6(). and like her husband was reared in Wcxfonl county, where both are wideh' and favor- alil\- \<\v iwn. .Mr. Ilagstrom exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- JF EX FORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 423 ures of tlie Republican ])ai"t_\', is deeply inter- ested in its success and does all he can for its j^iowtli. He has held sonic otiices in his Kjwnship. including" that of highwa)' coni- -niisioner, and he delights in the ])rogTess and advancement here made along all lines of general impro\enient. The moral ad- \ancenient of the community is also a matter of interest to him and he is an attendant on llie services of the Swedish Mission church. From his boyhood days to the present he has been a resident of the county and that his stanchest friends arc numbered among those \vho have known him from his youth is an indication that he has lixed an honorable life, characterized bv all those traits which in every land and clime command respect and admiration. OTTO HAOtSTROM. There is no element in our American citi- .7enshi]) that is of more value than that fur- nished i)y Sweden, for the sons of that country possess the characteristics recpiisite to good citizenship. They are industrious, l)rogressive and thoroughly reliable. One of the renowned travelers who has visited almost every part of the world and visited almost every people on the face of the globe said: "Sweden is the home of the honest man." This element alone in the sons of that country would make them a valued addition to any land. As his name in- dicates, Mr. Hagstrom comes from Sweden, where his liirth occurred on the 22i\ i if March, 1866. his parents being Peter J. and ingred (Larson) Hagstrom, unto wliom were Ixjru seven children, the su1)ject of this rexiew be- ing the sixth in order of birth. He was ;i youth of eight years when the family left their native lantl and saded for the new worlil, arriving in the United States in the autumn. They came at once to IMichigan a.nd for a year resided near H(_)ward City. In the spring of 1875 they came to Wex- ford county, and since that time Otto Hag- strom has been a resident (if Clam Lake township. His hfe has been one of indus- tr\'. I'or se\en years he was employed in the lumber woods and since 1893 he has engaged in general farming. He thorough- ly understands the best methods of conduct- ing his farm, of raising crops and placing ihem on the market so as to jjring a good return, and in all his work he is progressive, practical and energetic. In Cadillac, Michigan, Mr. Hagstrom was united in marriage to Miss Ida Johnson, who was also a native of Sweden. They traveled life's journey together very happily for a number of years, l)ut in 1900 were separated l)y death, the wife being called to the home be\ond on the 9th of September of that _\-ear. She left four children : John, Adol])h, Oscar and Edla, and they also lost one Son, Oscar, who died in infancy. Mrs. Hagstrom was a most estimable lady, de- \'oted to her family and faithful in her friend- ships, and her loss was greatly mourned throughout the community as well as in her immediate household. In his political views !Mr. Hagstrom is an earnest Republican, whose study of the questions and issues of the dav has led him to the belief that the Republican platform contains the best elements of good govern- ment. He is (|uite acti\-e and inilnential in local i)oIitical circles and has ser\'ed as school insjjcctor and bighwav commissioner. I I!c has also taken an acti\e ]KU't in church 424 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. wovk ami is a member (jf tlic Swedish Mis- sion cliurcli (jf Clam Lake, contrilmting lib- erally to its support and putting forth ef- iVctixc effort for its growth and progress. In all business affairs he is thoroughly re- liable and his word is as good as his bond, his life standing in exemplification of the fact that "Sweden is tiie home of the honest man." Wexford county lias found him a valu.iblc citizen and his man}' excellent Iniits of character, his freedom from ostenta- lion. his genial manner and genuine worth, render him piii)ular with a large circle of friends. * ■ » JOHN H. .M.WXIXG. It requires a master mind to rise superior to utila\or;il)lc en\ironment and become a leader in large aiul important industrial en- terprises. 'i"he necessary ability lo accom- plish such results is possessed in a marked degree Ijy John II. Manning, who has long been identified with the lumber interests of Michigan and is now one of the leading men of Cadillac, holding as he does a coni- ni;inding position with one of the city's lead- ing industries. He is a typical western man, of clear mind, tireless energy, unfaltering ]]erse\'erance. keen discrimination and ab- soUitc reliability in e\cr\ relation of life, lew ha\e accomplished as much as he in the same length of time and it is fitting in this connection that an outline of his career be given, as his many friends and ac(|uain- l.ances in Cadillac and throughout the state will no doubt gladly jjcruse the record. Mr. Manning's father was John H. Maiming, a successful farmer and lumber- man of Monroe count\, Michiean, who died 5-ome years ago. in the townshi]) of London, that county, at the age of seventy-four. I'.mily I'lNerett. who becaiue the wife of John 11. Manning, spent the great part of her life in the above county and died there at the early age of thirty-seven, leaving a family of eight children, the subject of this re\iew' being the tifth in order of birth. Uexerting to tjie personal history of John H. Maiming, whose name intr-*■ JOHN KLUSS. There haye come to America from other countries many men of limited financial re- sources, but who were imbued with a sturdy independence and a laudable ambition to succeed. They haye taken advantage of the wiinderful possibilities afforded here and gradually, step by step, have accuinulated |)roperty and risen to places of prominence in Ijusiness circles. The career of the sul>- ject of this re\"iew. John Kluss, of Haring township, illustrates uKJSt forcililv the pos- sibilities that are open to a man who pos- sesses intelligence and integritx". It proves that success is not a thing to be inherited, but to lie won by sheer force of energy, di- rected 1 and controlled by correct moral j)rinci])les. It also i)ro\"es that neither wealth or social ])osition, nor the assistance of inlluential frien(U. are aKva\s requisite to l>lacing an indixidual on the high road to prosperity and honor;ible station. John Kluss, whose farm is ]);n"t of sec- tion 7,4. I laring towiishi]), is a native of (ienuan}. lie w;is born August 7, 1847, aud w;!s re.ired and educ;ited in his na- 428 WRXFORD COUXTV. MICHIGAX. ti\e land. Having grown to nianliood there. iiiilitarv duty was reciuircd of him. as it is from ah other (jerman yiniihs. without re- gard til rank ur station, wiio liave tht phys- ical strengtli to be received into the service. Three years of his early manhood were spent in the German army, wliich period included the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71, in which he served during the greater part of the war. .After the conclusion of his mili- tary service he returned to his home in C.er- manv and engaged in farming until 1883. when he migrated to .\merica. Me lirst set foot on American soil in the city of Xew York and came direct to W'e.xford county. Michigan, where he was not long in secur- ing employment with the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railway Company and for thirteen years faithfully served them in various capacities, h'rom a portion of the savings of those years he purchased twenty acres of land, a ]iart of section 34, Haring town- ship. Aiintlicr ])urcliased Iniildings and has si)ared no labor or pains in surrounding himself with comforts and conveniences, his home being beautiful and attractive, and he is now well situated to enjoy the many material blessings which his labors have earned. Mr. Southwick was married in Wexford l<)wnship, April 25, 1897. to Miss Bertha L. ■ Hill, who was born June 14. 1877, in St. Joseph county. Michigan, the daughter of Henry C. and Luella .\. (Smalley) Hill. .Mrs. Southwick is the oldest of a family of three children, her parents still living in Wexford townshi]) where they settled in i8()7. moving here from ( irand Traverse county. Mr. Southwick has taken an active in- terest in the affairs of his community, having been honored by his fellow citizens with sev- eral ])ositions of trust, including that of township supervisor and school inspector. Some years ago he made a tri]i to the far west and spent considerable lime in the state of Washington, besides traveling over other states and territories and visiting many jjlaces of natural and historic interest. He is a man of broad views and ])rogressive ideas, highly esteemed by his neighbors and fellow citi- zens, being always ready to grant any favors within his power to bestow and showing a willingness to assist any worthy_ enterprise for the material advancement or moral good of the community. l'"raternally he is a member of the order of Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to Sherman Lodge No. 372, at Sherman. In closing this brief re- view suffice it to state that Mr. Southwick is a worthy example of sterling American cit- izenship, the product of o\u- sjjlendid pul)lic school svstem and the sturdy farm life, sources from which have sprung much of the moral bone and sinew of the great north- west. Enter])rising, energetic and fulh' ali\e to the (|uestions of the hour, with an in- clination t(.) ])erform his cixic duties from conscientious motives and with a due re- gard for the rights and privileges of others, he attends strictly to his own affairs, at the same time losing sight of self in his laudable endeavors to promote the welfare of his fel- low men. With no amljition for public dis- tinction, he has settled down to the quiet en- joyment of life and possessing the esteem of all with whom he has relations of any kind, liis future is bright with the promise of a long and useful career. HL'MPHREY W. ^^LLER. The best title one can establish to the high and generous esteem of a community is a i)rotracted and honorable residence in its midst. Mankind is generally fair and just in its judgments. An unusual event may I sway it for a time, but when normal condi- tions are again resumed a just judgment is certain to follow. It is possible to gull the public, but it is impossible to keep it gulled. .\s sure as fate, true conditions will event- ually prevail and then the true public judg- ment is inevitable. It is for this reason that a man is jiidged rather by what his neighliors think of him than anything he may have said or done. When a coinn desires to find WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 433 out whetlier or not a witness is trnthful, it it aslwnship. hax'ing watched its growth and development almost from its earliest settlement, it is only natural that Mr. Miller should be deeply in- terested in all that concerns its material wel- fare. He has been its treasurer and was a school ofticer almost from the time that school districts were organized within its borders. Fie served for years as one of its justices of the peace and is still counseled with by his neighlK)rs and fellow citizens on matters of business and all affairs which per- tain to the law. He is a luember of the Ma- sonic fraternity, actively interested in the work of the order anruary 17, 1844. His ser\-ices in the United States navy ne- cessitated a separation of several years from the worthy woman whom he had married, l)iit upon his ilischarge he came to Wexford county, located upon the tract of land which he at present owns and occupies, and as soon thereafter as circumstances would permit was joined there by his wife. In addition to his experience upon the ocean and in the I'nited States navy, he followed sailing upon the great lakes for three years. Having no certificate of the marriage which had taken place in Germany, April 17, 1868, he and his, wife went to Manistee, Michigan, and were married under the laws of the United States. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Goldsmith nine children have been born, viz: .\nna ]\I., Harry J., George W., who is married, Phynetta M., Orlandii H., Katharine J., Louise G. and Mary H. (Jne S(;in died in infancv: Anna is the wife of George Jenk- ins and has one child, Maria, and Phynetta is the wife of Edgar Ostrander and they ha\c four children, Elijah, Johnnie, Louise and ;\Ierritt. On becoming a resident of Wexford county ]\[r. Goldsmith located upon a home- stead of eighty acres, a part of section 20. Colfax township, which he has cleared, im- proved and cultivated from that time to the present. He has sixty acres of his land un- der culti\'ation and the farm is well stocked, equip])ed and supplied with all necessary farm buildings, including a handsome res- idence. He is a thorough, practical farmer and. a most capable business man, who has managed his affairs so successfully that he is in possession of a comfortable comi)etency. From the time of his ad\ent in Wex- ford cson is ;', native of merrie England, born in Westmoreland county on the 28th of ]'ebruar\-. i83(S. He was reared in his nati\e country and there received a fair education. Upon attaining mature }ears. he became convinced that in the new world lay better opportunities for a man of energy and ambition, and he carried his convictions into effect by emigrating to Canada. After resid- ing in the dominion about six years he re- mo\ed to Kansas and made that his home for about four years. In September. 1874. he came to \\ ex ford county and settled on tiie farm in section 36. Clam Lake township, on which he now resides. His farm comprises one hundred and twentx' acres of land, of which ninety are in cultivation. He has a comfortable and commodious residence and splendid farm Iniildings in which to house his stock and store the products of the farm. He has his farm stocked with good grades of horses, cattle and hogs and his fields are in a high state of cultivation. He has paid s])ecial attention to trees, having some splen- did fruit and shade trees on the place, and has otherwise in many ways endeavored to make his farm a model one. Under his care- ful and skillful management it is made to vield more liberal returns than many places of much largerarea. He is a man of indus- trious and thrifty habits and seldom fails of winning success from exerything to w hich he lays his hands. His home is a model of neat- ness and comfort and he has surrounded himself with many of the comforts and lux- lU'ies of life which make a rural home so at- tracti\e. .\mong his friends ruid fellow cit- izens he is belli in higii f.avor. lie is enter- ])r!sing in all the term im])lies. i)ublic spirited in all that jiertains to the material ])rosperity of his township and county ;ind as :i larmer he occupies a leading place among the citi- WEXFORD COUNTY, ^nCHIGAN. 441 zcns of the community in wliicli he resides. In all his relations with his fellow men his conduct has been blameless and it has been his laudable aim to keep his name and char- acter above reproach. In 1866, at Ingersoll, Canada, Mr. Hodgson was united in. marriage with Miss Mary Gane, a native of England, born" April 20, 1848, the daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Parson )Gane. Tins union has been a most felicitous one and has been blessed by the birth of twelve children, named as follows: Elizabeth M., born Xovemlier it,, 1866, is the wife of James Phillips, a millwright at Traverse City, and they have three children, Lena. Hazel and Elmer; Elwood N., born August 9, 1868, a farmer in Clam Lake township, married Edna Thomas and they have one child living, Albert T. ; Maggie E., born July 3, 1876, is the wife of George ^^^ Heator, of Cadillac: Anna F., bom January 13, 1873, (lied April 11. 1895; was the wife of iM-ederick Phillips, of Cadillac; John H., born June 3. 1875, died Septemlier i, 1877: Anthony E., born September 10, 1877, is a resident of Missaukee county: Elsie E., born Octcjber 8, 1880, is the wife of Samuel Shine, of Clam Lake township, and they have one child, Milton D. ; Edith R., torn November 21, 1882, is at home; Mildred E., born June 20, 1884. is at home; Julia E., Lorn June 2t,, 1887, died at the age of three months and three days: .\rthur T., born Xovemlier 15, 1888, is at home, as is Gertha Pdanche, born September .30, 1890. Mr. Hodgson is an ardent member of the Republican party and takes a deep interest in the trend of passing events, especially in all matters affecting the interests of his own comnumity. Religiously he is identified with the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he contributes liberally of his time and means. His wife and children are alsi> mem- bers i_)f the same church and are actively in- terested in the work (if the society. They all occupy a conspicuous place in the social cir- cles (.)f the community and are held in high esteem by all who' know them. The following obituary of John N. Gane, father of Mrs. Hodgson, will no doubt pro\'e of interest to the reader : John N. Gane was born in Suniniersctshire. Eng- land, June 5, 1817, and died Dec. 30, 1897, aged stv- enty-eight years, si.x months and twenty-five days. In the year 1844 he was united in holy wedlock to Elizabeth E. Parsons, with whom he lived a most happy life for forty-eight years. In 1892, in the .sixty- fourth year of her age, she was called to her heavenly home. The fruit of their wedded life was nine children. Of these two died in infancy, two after they had reached the years of maturity, and five still remain to mourn the loss of father and mothi;r — a daug-hter, Mrs. Thomas Hodgson, and four sons, George, Robert,. Homer, a Presbyterian, minister in the state of Kansas, and Walter, the youngest of the family John Gane together with his beloved wife and children then born left their native land, and came to Ingersol, in what was at that - time known as Canada Wtst, now called the province of Ontario, and there they remained for twenty years. In 1867 he with his beloved family mnved to Clam Lake town- ship, Michigan. His home has been in the township to which he gave the name it at present bears, up to the time of his death. Sister Gane had at the time of her death lived twenty-t'hree years to a day on the old homestead farm in the extreme southeast of Wexford county. The deceased was converted very shortly after the birth of his first child. He seemed to have been impressed with the great responsi'bility resting upon him to train up the precious gift of a dear child in the fear and admonition of the Lord; and while standing in the church of his native land in a prayer meeting, said as he looked on one of the pillars of the building, "Let this be a witness that I this day consccrnte my life to God." Shortly after, he and his young wife united with the Wesleyan Meth- odist church of t1ie home land. Through all these vears he remained faithful to that vow made in the 442 irnxFORD couxry. Michigan. spring-time of life. By the life of such a saint we may learn something of the spirit of early Method- ism 'J'he Methodists of that time were a very happy pccple They lived for the other world. Like the saints of old, they regarded themselves as strangers anr: pilgrims on the earth. He was a class-leader for more than forty years, and no douht would have con- tinued the good work hut for tlie fact that he be- came dull of hearing. He delighted in visiting the sick and dying, and in pointing them to the only Savior of sinners. One could not be long in his company without the subject of religion being introduced, but in such a p'.easant and familiar way that even the most wicked coul.l not take offense. He seemed to breathe the atmosphere of the heavenly world. It was no un- common thing for him to spend an hour on his knees — morning, noon and night. He did not pray as most people do. He talked with God as one does to his most fam.iliar friend. Sunday. December 19, he at- tended his last love-feast, and how cheerful was his testimony, not-withstanding the fact th&t he could not hear the testimony of others. The following week he was looking forward to the coming Sabbath, telling his son with whom he was visiting that he was glad that they could attend the service that day together. But the Heavenly Father ordered otherwise, for on Saturday night he was stricken with paralysis. He was unconscious for a time, but soon came to himself so that he understood all that was said to him. When prayer was offered. se\eral times he responded — .\men. Referring to Job, he quoted his words and said: "Though he slay me yet will I trust in Him." As one gazed upon the dying saint the words of the blessed book would come to his mind : "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." ."Kt nine o'clock Thursday morning, without a struggle or a groan, he passed to the heavenly mansions to meet the blessed Savior, the beloved companion of his long life, and the dear children gone before. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth : yea. saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow ihem." .M.l'.l'-.RT 1.. SMITH. With hiitli tlic rioricuhural and indtisirial interests of Clam Lake township .\ll)ert L. Sniitli is itlentiiied and is .'. worthy represent- ative of business acti\ity liere. ReaHzing that "there is no royal road to wealth" and that "there is no e.xcelleiice without labor", he has worked earnestly and untiringly to win a comfortable competence and a credit- ;il)le name in the Ijiisiness world. He miw carries on both farming" and Inmliering. Ijeing engaged in the operation of a saw-mill in connection with the tilling of the soil. Mr. Smith is a native of the Em])ire state, his birth having occurred on the J^^^l of June. 1855, in Ontario county. His parents were Charles C. and Jane .\. ( Broom) Smith, who emigrated westward and spent their last days in Kent county, Michigan. Of their fotir children Albert L. Smith is the ycjungest. one is deceasetl. anil the others are: Mary Jane, the widow of Robert H. Lewis, for twenty-nine years a resident of this county, and she has three chil- dren, Gary O., Albert L. and Emily L ; Charles C, a farmer of Osecola county, mar- ried Eliza Smith, and they have five children. The subject was liardl_\- mure than an infant when his i)arents left Xew York for In- diana and was a lad of only eight summers when they took up their alxide in Kent coun- ty. Michigan, where he continued his educa- tion that had been begun in the schools of Indiana. In the summer months he worked in the lumber business, and was trained to habits of industry, economy and honesty. He continued his residence in Kent county, tmtil i8qo. when he made his way to Osceola C( unity, but cliiise liis location in (.'lam Lake liiwnslii]). where he has since ma*Mma«amM«M«ia fmiimm h,!,,,,,^,,,, „iinmjii."T ALBERT L. SMITH RESIDENCE. WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 443 ami is thus engaged in the manufacture of lumlier, for whicli lie finds a ready sale. industry is the keynote of his character and he places his dei:)endence not upon specu- lation or upon any fortunate combination of circumstances, hut continued, persistent eftort. guided by sound judgment. In Osceola county, Michigan, on the ^3(1 of January, 1881, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Smith and Miss Mahala A. Williams, a native of Wells county, Indiana, born on the 8th of May, 1857. She is a daughter of P'rancis M. and Mary E. (Rich- ards) Williams. Her mother, who boi"e the maiden name of Mary E. Richards, died in Wells county, Septemljer 23, 1873. Mrs. Smith is the eldest of the eight children born vmto her parents, of whom the following are living: Mrs. Smith; John R., a farmier, who is married and lives in Antrim county: Da- vid II.: Isaac X., of Osceola county; Jo- seph L., also of Osceola county. By her marriage Mrs. Smith has become the moth- er of four children ; Lena, Guy L., Charlotte and Bessie E. The family is well known in Wexford county and the nembers of the household occupy an enviaiile position in the social circles in which they move. During the thirteen years of his residence in this part of the state Mr. Smith has so directed his efforts that a paying business is now his and a good home property. Both his agri- cultiu'al and industrial interests return to him a good income and he is known as a reliable man. the potent traits of his character being his ])erse\'erance and dili.gence. His lieautiful residence was l)uilt almost cntiix-l}- bv his own bands, and in furnishing it in its ])resent cosy style bis wife has fulK' done her part. Their cash assets u])on coming to this County were but eleven dollars, so thcv may justiliably look upon their subsequent success with a large de.gree of pride and satisfaction. lOHN OLSEN. To the subject of this review is accorded the distinction of being the pioneer 1xK)t and shoe merchant of Cadillac, consecjuently he is one of the city's oldest as well as one of its representative business men. As the name indicates. Mr. Olsen is of Scandinavian birth, l)eing a native of Norway, where he was born on the 2d day of December, 1849, ha\'ing first seen the light of day in the town of Sabo. L'ntil twelve years old he lived on a farm near his natixe place and at intervals during that time attended the schools of his neighborhooti, receiving an elementary train- ing, which was afterwards supplemented by additional study, principally under his own direction. At the age of si.xteen he left home and went to the city of Birgen, where he learned shoemaking, spending si.x and a half years at that place, during which period he not only became a \-ery efficient workman, but earned considerable money at his trade. l-'ollowing the example of many of his countrymen, Mr. Olsen, in 1871, came to the L'uited States, locating in Chicago, where he followed his chosen calling until October, 1874, meanwhile experiencing all the horrors of the terrible conlla.gration which laid the greater part of that city in ashes. In the kil- ter month and \ear he was sent to Cadillac by his emijloyer, ( ). \' . I'.loss. to take charge of a stock of boots and shoes, in connection with which he also worked at his trade, the 444 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. business l:)eiiig tlie first of the kind Ijiought to the town. Mr. Olsen contkicted the business for Mr. Bloss until 1879. in tiie spring of wliicli year he resigned liis charge for the purpose of embarking in mercantile pursuits upon his own account, selecting the line of trade with wliich he was most familiar, — boots and slioes. His previous wide ac- quaintance and honorable dealing gave him considerable prestige and it was not long un- til he forged to the front as the leading shoe merchant in the place, a reputation he still sustains. For almost thirty years he has been identified with the commercial interests of Cadillac, during which time he has not only built up a large and financially suc- cessful business of his own and acquired a comfortable competence, but he has also con- tributed greatly to the material advancement of the city, taking an active interest in its general growth and development and using his influence to ach'ertise its advantages to the world. On August J, I1S79, Mr. Olsen was uni- ted in marriage with Miss Sophia Symmson, a native of Sweden, the union being blessed with eight children, whose names are as fol- lows : Fred, who died March 15, 1903, Ar- thur, John I'"., Ada E., Anna, Mabel, Helen, and Marion, who died May 16. 1903. ^Ir. and Mrs. Olsen are influential members of the Swedish Mission church of Cadillac. Ixith active in the good works of the congregation and untiring in their efforts to spread the truths of the gospel auKing the people with whom they mingle. While retaining a warm feeling for his native land and manifesting a lively interest in its public affairs. ^Ir. Olsen is neverthe- less an enthusiastic -\merican. with a love for his adopted country and an admiration for its institutions outweighing nearlv every other consideration. Here the greater and more important part of his life work has been accomi)lished and what success he has achieved has been wrought out under the fostering conditions such as no other coun- try in the world affords. In the spring of 1887 Mr. Olsen revisited his native land and spent about three mouths amid the scenes of his childhood and youth, renewing old ac- quaintances and noting with not a little pathos the numerous changes that had taken place since he left the dear old home, so many years before. On the whole, his stay was pleasant and when he returned it was with more satisfaction than ever that he con- templated the new home and the many ad- vantages it possesses over the older and more romantic scenes of a home which hereafter will exist only as a pleasing memory. .\s a citizen Mr. Olsen discharges every dut\- incumbent upon him with an eye to the good of the comnumity and the state, stand- ing for a strict enforcement of the laws and lending his influence and support to every laudable measure wherebv the bodv politic may be benefited. Since coming to Cadillac, his life and the cil\"s growth have been pret- ty much one and the same thing, for he has appreciated the needs of the community and with lavish hand has supplied the same as far as the limits of his ability would permit. E\cry worthy project for the material, so- cial or moral well-being of his fellow men has received his sanction and, if necessary, his financial support and all his relations with the world have been characterized l)v a sense of honor besjjeaking the upright man and true lover of his kind. Mr. Olsen's life has been largely confined to business and froiu the beginning of his career as an inde- WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 445 pendent factor to the i)resent time lie has made the most of liis opportunities, Iiis suc- cess not being due to fortunate combination of circumstances, but to his well-directed ef- forts antl earnest enterprise. As stated in a preceding- paragraph, he has not circum- scribed his progressive spirit within selfish ;iii(l narrow bounds, but on the contrary has e\'er stood ready to lend his influence and tangible aid in furthering such interests as make for the benefit of the city and its peo- ple, being broad minded and public spirited, in brief, a man whose value to the ci>mmu- nitv is n(5t to be lightly estimated. LESTER C. MACEY. .\ citizen of the L'nited States can have no greater badge of honor than the distinc- tion of having served the government in the four years of war between the states. It is a sacred family inheritance of renown, to be prized like a jewel l)v all descendants and kept brig"ht'and untarnished l)y other acts of valor, patriotism and loyalty in tJie inter- est of free government. Among the honored old \eterans of the great Rebellion ntjw re- siding in Wexford county is Lester C. Ma- cey, the subject of this review. A native of Burlington, Vermont, springing from the sturdy stock of the Green Mountain state, it is no wonder tliat he has an army record during the war of the Rebellion of which auv man might be proud. October 14, 1861, he entered the Federal service, re-enlisted each time at the expiration of his term of en- listment and serxed until after the last shot of the great Ci\'il \var had ]>een fired. His honorable discharge is dated in bebrnary. 186;. Lester C. Macey, whose farm is a part of section 9. Haring township. Wexford county, was born at the parental home in Burlington. X'ermont, September 11, 1846. His parents were Charles and Harriett (Stowe) ]\hicey. both natives of Vermont. They were the parents of eight children, of whom L-esfer C. Macey was the fourth. In 1850 the family moved to Clinton county, New York, located on a farm and there re- sided until the death of the father, at the age of se\enty-two years. The mother is still living, aged ninety-one years. October 14, 1861, when but fifteen years of age, Lester C. Macey enlisted in Company K. Xinety-sixth New York \'olunteer In- lantry. and serx'ed from that time until mid- summer. June 18. 1864. He took part in nearly all of the luost sanguinary battles of the Rebellion and escaped not only with his life, but without being maimed or very badly crippled. His most serious injury was re- ceixed in front of Petersburg, Virginia, on the Weldon Railroad, on the i8th of June, 180^. He was severely wounded in the right leg and for a time it was feared that amputation might be necessarv. but he was fortunate in being' able to save this member. Some of the battles and engagements in which he participated are Antietam. Mary- land, September 16 and 17, 1862; South Mountain. Maryland. September 13 and 14, i86j; the Peninsular campaign, Virginia, Alarch 17 to .September 2. 1862; l^'air Oaks, May 31 and June i. 8. 18 and 2/. 1862; Gaines Farm. May 14 and 15, 1862: Mal- vern Hill. \'irginia. July i. 2 and 2T,. and August 2. 5. 6 and S. 1862. He also partic- ipated in the many b;itt!es, engagements and skirmishes in Xorthh Carolina while under the command of General Foster. He was at 446 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Gettysburg", PeniisyKania. June 26 ami July I to 3, 1863, and in the battles of the Wilder- ness, Virginia, in May. 1864, he was with his regiment and saw some superb fighting rdl along the line for several days. On leaving the arniv he returned for a short time to Clinton county, Xew York, then mo\c(l to Michigan and soon thereafter liicatc_\- one ye:u" of earthly existence, and h^va M. gladdened the hearts of her jkuxmiIs for se\'en vears, when death claimed her. The li\ing chil- dren are lulith. Myrtle ;ui(l Almecla. They are intelligent, well educated ;md umdest. \dun.g ladies whn by their winning wa\s and many accom|)lishments make the f.amilv iiome a most enjoyable one. Despite the eminent ser\ ices he rendered his country, Lester C. Macey has never taken very kindly to politics. He has never sought public place of any kind. At one time he was induced to accept the position of drainage commissioner of Haring township, but he did Udl really wrmt the place and was only too glad when his term i)f office ex|)ired. There are manv men all o\er this C(_>untry, whose military records pale into insignifi- cance before that of Lester C. Macey, who are using their alleged military achievements to boost them into public places. He would scorn to make use of what he did through patriotic motives for so base a purpose. Men of his candor, frankness and honesty very rarely make a success of politics. The only fraternal society to which he belongs is the Masons. He is a memljer of Cadillac Lodge Xo. 331, l-"ree and Accepted Masons, and a more sincere and conscientious member of the order it would be difficult to find. (;b:()U(ii': n. \\h:sTC)\'ER. L'pon the industrial activity of a commu- nity depends in a large measure the prosper- ity of the peo])le and the men recognized as the directors of progress are those who have in hand the management and control of im- portant public enterprises. The gentleman whose name furnishes the caption of this re\-icw is entitled to distinction as one of the leading spirits in the material growth of Cadillac, having been identified with the cit\''s ad\';mcement in \'arious capacities, be- ing at the present time superintendent of the water .-nid electric liglu plant, in the estab- lishment and Construction of which he was also an ;iclive and infiuential factor. George WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 447 D. \\'esto\'er is a nati\e of Michigan, born in the town of Nunica. Ottawa county, on the 26th day of April, 1S65. His father, the late Charles D. Westover, was for many }-ears a prominent business man nf tliis state and at the time of his death, March 2j. 1887, was the leading- lumber dealer of Cadillac, also one of the city's most enterprising and public-spirited citizens. The maiden name of the subject's mother was Ruth Lowe; she was born in Michigan, bore her husband four children and departed this life at Fruit- port, Muskegon county, b'ebruary 20, 1900. George D, \Vestover, the Noungest child of the above parents, spent his childhood and youth in his nati\e C(iunt\' and received his educational training in the public schools, his mind earlv taking bent towards the more practical affairs of life. Wdiile a mere lad he became familiar with the underlying prin- ciples of business and shortly after the fam- ily's removal to Cadillac, in 1881, he engaged in lumbering as his father's partner, the rela- tionship continuing about three years. At the expiration of that time he accepted a po- sition with the Waterhouse Electric Com- ])any of Plartford, Connecticut, subsequently absorbed by the Westinghouse Company, where he soon ac(juired etticiencv as an elec- trical engineer, and it was while thus en- gaged that he superintended the construction of the first electric light plant at Cadillac. After installing the works in this city, Mr. Westover, as constructing engineer for the ^Vesting•house Company, then entered the employ of the Edison Light Company, of Grand Rajiids, and while there rose to an important ])osition, continualK' adding to his alreaih' well-establisheil re])utalion ;is .a skill- ful electrician and .able mech.'uiical engineer. Severing his connection with the above com- pany, he became interested in electric rail- road construction and in 1890 built the first electric rriilwa}- line in the city of Grand Rapids, which enterjjrise Ijrought his name prominenll}' before the public throughout the state. After completing the work, he con- tinned about one _\'ear in the capacitv of erecting engineer, .at the end of which time he again accejjted ,a ])osition with the Edison Company, remaining with the same until 1893, when he resigned for the purpose of taking charge, as manager of the city water works and the Cummer Electric Light Com- ]:)any of Cadillac. .\s superintendent of these important [niljlic enterprises Mr. \\'est- over displays aljilities of a high order, Ijoth mechanical and executixe, and his functii.ms ha\-e been discharged in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to the people of the city. .\n accomplished electrician and thoroughly familiar with every detail of me- chanical engineering, his manifold duties are so systematically arranged as to cause him no inconvenience, while as custodian of one of the leading interests of the city, his record has been honorable and upright, ne\er swerx'ing from the strict path of rectitude, Init always ])ro\ing able to discharge worth- ily the responsibilities resting upon him as chief factor in a station demanding the high- est order of business talent. He has latored earnestly to promote the efficiency of the work in hand, subordinating every other con- sideration to this one object, and it is con- ceded that the continued success of both en- terprises is directly attributable to his energy and svstematic business methods. Aside from his connection with Cad- illac's public works, .Mr. Westover h;is been an inlluential factor in its general business and industrial interests, every enterprise cal- 448 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. ciliated to advance the city, materially or otherwise, receiving his hearty co-operation and support. He is unwavering in his ad- vocacy of what he believes to be for the pub- lic good, iii)lii)lds his honest convictions at the sacrifice of every other interest, and is ever ready to lend his influence and. if need be, his financial assistance to further all movements having for their object the social and moral improvement of the community. As a citizen he is deservedly popular with the people of his adopted city, standing high in the esteem of all classes and conditions and to the poor and needy he is ever ready to lend a helping hand, charity and benevolence be- ing among his most marked characteristics. Mr. Westover is in the prime of vigorous physical and mental manhood, a "hustler" in all the term implies, and the series of con- tinued successes that have attended his ca- reer thus far bespeak a still wider and more promising field of endeavor in years to come. Politically he gives his support to the Demo- cratic party, but the wiles and chicanery of the professional partisan meet no favor at his hands and he is by no means an aspirant fur ])ublic distinction or a seeker after the honors or emoluments of office. While earnest in the support of his principles and al- ways ready to assign an intelligent reason for his opinions, he is, first of all, a man of business, making everything else secondary to his public obligations. Mr. .Westover is a married man and has a beautiful home, which was presided over with grace and dig- nil\- bv an intelligent and refined lady to will mi he was united in the bonds of wed- lock on the 5th day of .April, 1893. •^^''•''■ Westover was formerly Miss Eugenia E. Camp, daughter of John Camp, of (irand Rajjids. in which city she was reared and ed- ucated. This union, a most fortunate and happy one. was blessed with one child, a daughter by the name of Marion E.. in whom are centered many fond hopes for the future. Mrs. Westover passed from this earth on December 24. 1902. and was in- terred in Oak Hill cemetery. Grand Rapids. In closing this brief sketch of one of Cadillac's most energetic and progressive young men of afifairs, suffice it to state in brief that Mr. Westover's duties as a citizen have been discharged with the same fidelity that has characterized his career as a public servant : he is a valuable member of the lj the calling of a farmer and followed it until the breaking o\it of ihe war of the Rebellion c'dled him to a different and more hazarcl- i;us line of employment. August 14. 1861. he enlisted in Company L Seventh Regiment .Michigan \'olunteer Infantry, and .served three years. lie participated in some of the most imi)ortant liattles of that de:idl\ conllict, among them Fair Oaks. May ,^ 1 and June 1. iSoj; Malvern Mill. July. iiSOj; Savage Station, Virginia. June 29. 1862; i<'redericksburg. \irginia. August 4 to 8, 1SO2: Gettysburg, June 26 and July i to 3, 1XO3 ; \\ ilderness. May 5 to 7, 1864; Spott- sylvania C'ourl I louse, ]\Iay 8 and 21, 1864: ("old Harbor, May 31 and June 12, 186.1.: i'etcrsburg, Virginia, July 31, 1864, besides many engagements of less magnitude. He was discharged with some thirty of his com- rades, on the field, just at the opening of the battle at Reams Station, \'irginia, by rea.son of the expiration of their term of en- listment. His discharge came very oppor- tunely to sa\e him from capture and a long sojourn in a rebel prison. In about two hours from the time he was given his dis- charge the entire regiment to which he be- longed w;is in the hands of tlie Confederates, !t was months before some of them were exchanged and relea.se came to many of them only through death. Returning after his discharge to Kala- mazoo county, Mr. Tyler again again re- sumed his ocupation of farming, meeting with gratifying success each successive year. In August. 1871, he moved to Manton, Wexford county, and engaged in buying and selling timber lands, spending much of liis time in the woods logging. This he fol- lowed for twenty years, prosperity attend- ing all of his ett'orts. In 1891 he returned to the farm and lias followed agriculture since, devoting all of his time, when not actively engaged on the farm, to lumbering. He is the owner of two hundred acres of splendid lantl in Greenwood township on the Manistee river.' Only forty acres are as yet under cultivation. When cleared and ])roperlv improved it will make as line a farm as coubt be desired. L'pward of one thousand fruit trees have been set out upon the place recently. August 14. 1861, just eight days before he became a soldier in the army of his coun- try, Cyril H. Tyler was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Foote. in Kalamazoo county. She is a native of the state of New York, born .\pril 9, 1830. The yoiuig wife was nuich rejoicer some time the higher branches of learning, meanwhile re- ceiving his initiatiori into more practical af- fairs of life by serving a two and a half years ajjprenticeship in pharmacy, under the di- rection of Charles Brown, who kept a drug store in the town of Linden. Later, in the spring of 1S81, Mr. Web- ber went to l^ig Rapids, Michigan, where for a period of two years he worked in a drug store kept by Charles Wagner and at ihc expiration of that time formed a part- nership in the drug business at the same place with Dr. W. A. Hendricks, the Firm, under the name of W. A. Hendricks & Com- pany, lasting imtil 1883, when the subject pmchased the Doctor's interest and became sole proprietor. After running the business at Big Rapids with varied success until 1887, he removed to Cadillac, where he bought a stock of drugs Ijelonging to R. J. Cummer (S; Comi)any. and fnnn that time to the ])res- ent day he made this city his honie, his busi- ness career the meantime presenting a series oi successes which fully entitles him to the high reputation which he now enjoys as the leading druggist in the ])lace, also as one of the most enterprising and ])rogrcssive men in ibis section of ihc state. The drug business is onlv |)art of .Mr. Webber's general busi- IVEXFORD COUKTV, MICHIGAN. 455 ness. His first \enture in Cadillac was a drug store only, i)ut from time to time he has adcled new departments as the w;mts of the peiiple seemed to demand, nntil at the present time the business includes drugs, stationery, books, furniture, crockery, wall pa])er, carpets and bazaar lines ; in fact, it is what might be considered a modern, up-to- date department store. The store space oc- cupied by this firm is about sixteen thousand square feet, making it the largest retail in- stitution north of Grand Rapids. Mr. \\'el>- hev is also interested in real estate, the growth of Cadillac hax'ing demonstrated t])l\- ])racticrdl\-, his abilitx' .'ind slvill so win- ning the confidence of the ]iublic as to liring iiim a large and constantlv increasing p:il- ronage. Keeping in close touch with the limes on all matters relating to his cliosen calling, Mr. Webber has achieved more than local rejmtalion, as is attested by the fact of his basing been elected, in li^Hg. president of the Michigan I'liarmaccutical .\ssociation. an honorable post to which only the best known and most highly qualified men of tlie profession are called. Later he was chosen delegate to the meeting of the National Re- tail Druggists' Association, which held its session in Cincinnati in 1899. and in 1900 he was further honored by representing the Xational Association of Retail Druggists at Detroit. His wide-spread popularity as a learned and skillful pharamacist has re- cently found e.xpression in his appointment by Goxei'uor Bliss to a place on the state board of pharmacy, an honor which he greatly appreciated and in which his many friends in Cadillac and throughout Michigan leel something akin to ])ersonal pride. In his political affiliations ]Mr. Webber has been a lifelong Repubh'can. While deeply inter- ested in his partv's welfare and laboring zealousl}- for its success in local, state and national aft'airs. he is not an ofifce seeker, neither has he an}' aml)ition for public dis- tincti(.)n of anv kmd, nor has he exer aspired to leadership. His serxices, however, have been duly recognizetl and appreciated, as witness his ai)pointment in 1899, antl again the year following, to the chairmanship of the senatorial committee for the twenty- '-e\-enth district, which position he h;is since held by successive reappointments. Fraternally Mr. Webber belongs to sev- cr;d secret and benevolent orders, ])romi- nent among which are the Masons, l\nii.;hts of IMhias and Knights of the Loyal (iuard. Additiourd to these he is ;i le;iding spii'it in tlu' Hoard of Tr.ide ot Cadillac, of which he is now presiflent. He has done much to promote the city's material welfare, also by WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. means of this agency spreading the reputa- tion of the place aljroad and inducing men of means to i)ut tlicir ca])ital in W'extord counl)' real estate as a safe ;in(l remuiiera- ii\x' investment. Mr. \\'ei)ber's eftorts since l.icdming a citizen of Cadillac have not been circumscribed within the bounds of his own l)usiness interests, as he has been, in a large sense, a public-spirited man, lending his in- Huence and at times his more tangible aid to enc(jurage enterprises for the upholding of tlie cit}'. materially and along other lines. I le is an earnest friend and zealous advocate of all agencies tending to the social advance- ment and moral welfare of the communitv. hence churches, schools, benevolent societies, pul)lic charities and like organizations en- list his encouragement and support. A man of broad mind and progressive ideas, there is nothing little or narrow in his nature; de- spising wliat is mean and low, detesting the base and recognizing tlie false and hypo- critical, he discerns in every honest man, however poor and humble, the true essence of honorable character which besjjeaks ties of brotherhood and reciprocity of interests. Mr. Webber possesses a i)leasing personal- ity, is easily approachable and all who come within range of his influence are profu.se in their praise for his many amiable qualities, among which a genial disposition, a com- j)anional)le nature and an optimistic tempera- iiienl ,'tre cspecirdlv conspicuous. His in- tegrity is above rcproacli. his character strong but clear ;uid transi);u"cnt as an open book" in which are no black or blotted ])ages, ;iud his name is synonv'nious with all that is honorable in manhood :ind upright and straightforward in citizenship. Religiously the Congregational church represents his creed and for a number of years past he has been an active and zealous member of the society worshipping in Cadillac, Ijeing at the present time chairman of the churcii board of trustees. Air. Webber has a beautiful and attractive lionie. the presiding genius of which is a lady of culture and refinement to whom he was united in marriage September i, i8Sf). Mrs. Webber was formerly Miss Lucie M. Morri- son, of Grand Rapids, whose father was for manv vears one of the leading citizens and founders of Kent county, also one of the tirst probate judges, while her mother was an active particijiant in the orj^anization and work of charitable institutions in (irand Rapids. Airs. Weblier has been a true wife and iielpmate, ;i lit comi)anion for the husliand whose name she honorably bears, assisting him in many ways, co-operating with him in his business enterprises, encouraging him in all his laudable endeavors, and proving a constant inspiration to him in all the walks and relations of life. One child. Harold, a bright son, eleven years old. comi)letes the .subject's mutually helpfid and hapi)y family circle. D.\Xlb:LE. K.MSF.R. A ])erson travelling through almost an_\' of the st.ates I)orderin<^ on the Lanadi.'ui line cannot fail to be impressed with the luiniber of native Canadians who have located be- neath the stars ;uid strii)es and become true .and loval American citizens. The first (piestion tliat suggests itself to the traveler is, was it simi)Iy a spirit of restlessness and desire for a change that caused tliis large immigration on the part of our neigliliors JV EX FORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 467 ;icross the border? If it was, would not an inquiry into tlie nativity of the population on the other side of the line disclose an equal number of natives of the United States domiciled in Canada ? It does not, how- ever, disclose any such conditions, so that the conclusion is forced upon us that this coun- try affords better opportunities for the average man of moderate means than does the Canadian provinces. Zealous Cana- dians would, doubtless, be inclined to deny this, but the facts are certainly against them. Howe\er it may be, it is quite certain that a very large percentage of the most enter- prising citizens of the state of Michigan came originally from the Dominion. The subject of this review, Daniel E. Kaiser, has benefited himself and added to the wealth of the state of his adoption by abandoning the jjlace of his nativity tn become an inhal)itant of the great republic. Daniel Iv. Kaiser, a resident of sec- ti(_Mi 2(1. Clam Lake township, is a native of Canada, liorn near Toronto, \'aughn county, Ontario. June 6. 1844. in his na- li\'e country lie was reared, educated and grew to manhood. When twenty-on.e years of age, in 1865, he came to Montcalm county, Michigan, where he engaged in farm- ing and resided until 1881, when, in Febru- ary of that year, he came to Wexford county and located on his present farm in Clam Lake township. In Cedar Springs, Kent county, Michi- gan, on the 31st day of December, 1868, Daniel E. Kaiser was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Van Meer, a n.itive of Canada, born October 10, 1851. Immediately after uiariage they came to Clam Lake township and took up their residence upon the farm (jwned by him on section 26, where they have since continuously resided, cultivating the soil and yearly adding to their possessions. Nine years of the time he has resided on the farm he was in the emplov of La Bar & Cornwell, in Cadillac. He owns eighty acres of land, sixty of which is impro\ed and in a fine state of cultixation. To Mr. .and Mrs. Kaiser two children, Nettie and Jerry, have been born, both intelligent and possessed of much strength of mind and body. The politics of his adopted country has no little fascination for Mr. Kaiser and there are few men in Wexford county better in- formed on e\'ery political topic that may be under consideration. He is a loyal Repub- lican and actively interested in the success of that party. In religion he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, is de- vout and regular in his attendance upon its services, and the cause of religion, morality and charilv ha\'e no nmre staunch and true friend and ad\dcate than he is. Persi.>nally he is pleasarjt and genial, frank and candid to the utmost degree, a man whose friend- ship can always be dependetl upon and an enumeration of whose friends would be as his acquaintances. RALPH W. CRAWFORD. In the perspecti\-e of human thought and action is often found the lamentable condi- tion which justifies the words of the poet, "Some with lives that come to nothing'; some with deeds as well undone," and yet the close observer needs never lack for objective lesson and incentive through worthy lives and worthy deeds in all fields of human en- 458 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. (leavor. In every American community to- day tlie youny man in business is a distinc- tive factor, and in tlie city of Cadillac the field of newspaper enleri)rise has an able rej)- resentative in the ])erson of Mr. Crawford, who is associated with Jnhn M. Terwilliger in the ])ublication of the Cadillac Globe, an individual sketch of the life of his partner ap- pearing on another page of this work, while in the connection is also given an outline of the history of the paper, so that a detailed re- capitulation is not demanded at this juncture. The editors and proprietors of the Glol^e are both alert and thorough-going young busi- ness men and the success which has attended their efforts stands to their credit and is in justice due. Mr. Crawford was born in the town of \\'i»]dhull. Henry comity. Illinois, on the -'jth of January. 1874. being«a son of Rev. lolin W. Crawford. D. D.. who was a prom- inent and sclinlarlv clcrg\-nian of the Presby- terian church and who died in Monett. Barry ciiunty, Missouri, in iSgj. at the age of six- ty-three \ears. his life ha\ing been one of signal cmisecration and usefulness. His wife, whose maiden name was Emma \'an Nice, is still li\ing. Se\en children were born of this nnioti. of whom the sixth was ka!i)h \\'.. the immediate subject of this sketch, while of tJie nmnber f'ue are still liv- ing. The early years of Ralph W. Crawford were jiassed ])rincipally in Kansas and Mis- souri, the family remo\ing from place to l)lacc. as the clericrd duties nf the father de- manded. .\fter receiving a common-.scliool educatinii he entered the Strickler lUisiness College, in the city of Topeka. Kansas, where he completed a ci>urse of study, after which he secured employment in a printing office at I'dlsworth, that state, where he re- mained three years, gaining a thorough and practical knowledge of the meclianical de- tails of the art. He later was employed at his trade in \aricius places. In i8y6 he as- sumed charge of a weekly pa])er. the Eagle, at Monett, Missouri, and about eighteen months later he located in Purdy, that state, where he conducted a paper for a short time, and then disposed of the business and came to Cadillac. Michigan, where, in July. 1899. he purchased a half interest in the Cadillac Globe, which had been established by his partner, Mr. Terwilliger. In politics Mr. Crawford gi\es his allegiance to the Repub- lican party, and fraternally he is identified with Clam Lake Camp No. 1596. of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is ])op- ular in the business and social circles of the comnuinity and is known as an able and dis- criminating newspaper man, the (ilobe hav- ing attained marketl prestige and a liberal snp[)i irting patronage. JOHN HARN'EV. The farming interests of Wexford coun- ty find a worthy representative in John Har- vey, who is living on section 14. Autioch township. He is one of the \alneil citizens of Michigan that England has furnished to the state, his birth having occurred in War- wick.shire on the "merrie isle." on the joth of March. iS^S. His father also bore the name nf Jdhn Harvey and the mother's maiden name was I'llizabeth I'.inlkncr. Tliev s])eiU their entire li\es in Engl'iml, .Mr. Har\ey passing away between the age of '^ixly and seventy years, while his wife de- parted this lil"e at the age of seventy-six years. Thev were the parents of nine chil- JOHN HARVEY'S FAKM. WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 459 dren, of wiiom the subject of tin's rex-iew is liie seventh in order of birth. In liis native country John Harvey was reared and at the usual ag"e he entered the public scliools. He remained in England un- til twenty-two years of age and in his early life he was employed as a groom and also worked as a farm hand for about a year prior to his emigration to America. Hearing favorable reports of the opportunities af- forded in the new world, he determined to seek his fortune h.ere and in the spring of 1870 he batle adieu to his friends and native land and sailed for the United States. Landing at Xew V(jrk he came then to Kent county, Michigan, where he located for about three years, during which time he lived upon a farm. In May, 1873, he ar- rived in Wexford county and here he ac- quired and cleared a tract of land. Later he purchased one liundred and twenty acres of land in Antioch township and since the spring of 1S73 ^^^ 'i''* m^ide his home in this township. During the winter months he worked in the lumber woods and in the sum- mer seasons de\(_iletl -his attentimi to agri- cultural pursuits. The result of his labors is seen in the fine farm which he now owns. He has one hundred and eighty acres on section 14, .\ntioch township, and of this about one hundred and forty acres is under cultivation. He has erected g'ood buildings ui)iin his farm and has a \erv fine orchard of apple and peach trees, ciim])rising ten acres. Michigan is celebrated throughuut the length and breadth of this land for the high grade of peaches which it pr(uluces and there are no better specimens of this fine fruit U- he found anywhere tiian is shipped fri>m the farm of Mr. Har\e\'. On the 5th of .\pril, 18S4, in L'olfax township, Wexford county, Mr. Harvey was united in marriage to Miss Emma Pettit, who was 1)1 )rn in Valparaiso, Indiana, on the 13th of July, 1858, and is a daughter of Thomas and Mary .\nn ( Martin) Pettit, who were early settlers of Colfax township, taking up their abode there in 187 1. They continued their residence in that locality un- til called to the home beyond, the father pass- ing away when about seventy-two years of age. while the mother's death occurred when she was seventy-eight years of age. In their family were nine children, of whom ]\Irs. Harvey was the eighth in order of birth. The home of the subject and his wife has been l)lessed with but one child, .Vnna E. Mrs. Har\-ey is an estimable lady, possessed of many excellent traits of character of heart and mmd and these have endeared her to a large circle of friends. She presides with gracious hospitality over her pleasant home and her genial, cordial manners have made her popular with all with whom she has Come in contact. Mr. Har\ey has held sonie of the minor offices of Anliiich township, but has ne\'er been an active politician in the sense of of- fice seeking, preferring to devote his energies to his business affairs, in which he has la- bored untiringly. His excellent property is indicative of his life of industry and useful- ness, and, moreover, his business methods have been honorable and in all things he is straightforward, li\ing a life that is as an open book whicli all may read. (iL'ST.WF. '.WDERSOX. It is considered i)y those in the habit of sujjerficial thinking that the history of so called great men only is worthy of pre.serva- 460 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. tion and tliat little merit exists among the masses to call forth the praise of the histor- ian or the cheers and appreciation of man- kind. I'ew greater mistakes have heen made. No man is great in all things and \ery few are great in many things. Many liy a Incky stroke achieve lasting fame, who liefore that had no reputation heyond the limits of their neighborhoods. It is not a history of the lucky stroke which benefits humanit}- most, but the long study and ef- fort which made the lucky stroke possible. It is the preliminary work, the method, that serves as a guide for others. Among those of foreign birth and education who in this country have achieved a fair measure of suc- cess along steady lines of action is the sub- ject of this re\iew, Gustave .\nderson, of the third ward in the city of Cadillac. The fact that the first thirty years of his life were spent in his native land, Sweden, did not militate against him in the least in the acc<)m])lishmcnt of a successful business career in America, the land of his adoption, (justaxc Anderson was born in Sweden September ii. i47, Modern \\'ood- men of .\merica. in which be has held the office of venerable consul. Mrs. Colvin belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star and is also a memljer of the Christirni church. SYLAESTER R. SEAMAN. Success in tins life comes to the deserv- ing. It is an axiom demonstrated by all hu- man ex])erience that a man gets out of life what he ])uls into it, plus a reasonable inter- est on the inxestment. The individual who 464 WEXl-ORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. inherits a large estate and adds nothing to his fortune cannot be called a successful man. He that falls heir to a large fortune and in- creases its value is successful in proportion to the amount he adds to his possessions. But the man who starts in the world unaided and by sheer force of will, controlled by cor- rect principles, forges ahead and at length reaches a position of prominence among his fellow citizens, achieves real success. • To a great extent the subject of this sketch is a creditable representative of the class last named. It is a class which has furnished much of the bone and sinew of the country and added to the stability of the government rmd its institutions. Sylvester R. Seaman, the subject of this review, who resides in Lii)erty township, on an eighty-acre farm, was born in Leonard township. Mecosta county, Michigan, Octo- ber lo, i860. His parents are Warren and Mary E. (Moore) Seaman. A review of the career of the father of the subject can be found in another part of this volume, under the head of Warren Seaman. Sylvester R. Seaman was the third child of a family of five, and was reared to the age of nine years in tlic county t)f his birtli. In 1869 the fam- ily mo\ed to W'exford county, and that coun- ty has since lieen his home. The family es- tablished their home in Cedar Creek town- ship and there the suljject of this review grew to manhood. His school days were not many and the educational facilities of the time and the locality by no means what they are today, but having a thirst for knowledge and a natural aptitude to acquire it, at the time of (juitting school the subject was possessed of a \ery fair education, lie remained under the i)arenta] root until he was twenty-six years of age, devoting a good part of his time to the work on his father's farm. December it,. 1886, Sylvester R. Seaman w.is united in marriage to Miss h" ranees M. W ilson. a native of Michigan, born June i, 1865, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson, of Liberty township. Immediately after marriage the young coui)le took up their residence in Cedar Creek township, on a farm which is part of section 5, where they continued to live until igoo, when they moved to section 32, Liberty townshii). His farm consists of eighty acres, part of it being located in Liberty township and the remain- der in Cedar Creek township. The place is well improved, fifty of its acres being under cultivation and well improved. Mr. and Mrs. Seaman have an adopted chiUl, an in- telligent, attractive little girl, named Flossie M. The subject has never sought public office or any political preferment, but a num- ber of local positions in the township where he resides have been thrust upon him, among them that of school assessor and member of the board of review. He and his wife are both active members of the Free Methodist church in Manton. ESEDORE GILI5FR r. For almost a third of a century Fsedore Gilbert has been an active factor in mercan- tile interests in Sherman, controlling a busi- ness of considerable magnitutle. .\t the time of his arrival here the town was in the early stages of its development and tlirough- out the intervening period he has been prominent in the advancement of commer- cial .'ictisitw whereon the growth and ])ros- WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 465 pcrity of every town and city depends. Widely known, his life history cannot fail to pn_i\-e of interest to his manv friends and it is therefcire with pleasnre that this record is presented. Mr. Gilbert was b(i<). in Romeo, Michigan, to Miss uail L}-on Aver, a descendant of an old New T'ngiand family, the union being blessed with four children, as follows : Mrs. Helen Fran- ces Grab, born June 28, 1S71 ; Lieutenant Ralph McCoy, of the Twenty-seventh United States Infantry, Ijcjrn January zy, 1873; Mrs. Katherine Bracldock, born April" 20, 1870, and Gerald, wdiose birth occurred on l^eceni])er 24, 1881. NELS P. NORDSTROM. The forei,gn-born citizens (if the United States constitute a large and important element in our national life and as a rule they are enterprising and thrifty in whatever field of endeavor engaged. Erom all parts of Europe people have flocked to our shores to find homes and fortunes- under the fos- tering influence of a free government, many of them acliic\-in,g distinctive precedence, in agriculture, commercial and inilustrial jjur- suits, others rising to distinguished [jronii- neiice in the learned professions and in the domains of science and art. Scandinavia more perhaps than an_\' other country has contributed to the material development and .general prosperity of our northern and west- ern states, and wdierever found this hardy nationalitv is noted for intelligence, enter- prise, thrift and a love of freedom, consis- tent with the hi.ghest order of .\nierican citizenship. Among the re])resentali\cs of this nationality in Wexford county, Michi- gan, is Nels P. Nordstrom, a progressive 470 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. business r.iaii of Cadillac who was horn in Sweden on the Jjth day of May. 1857. His fatlicr was an agriculturist and it was un- der the wholesome discipline ol the farm that voung Xels's childhood and youth were spent, obtaining the meanwhile a common school education and later recei\ing instruc- tion at home from private tutors. When a \()ung man he took u]i cabinet-making, of which he served a tour-years apprenticeshij) and immediately after completing his term of service came to the L nited States, where he was led to believe a more attractive held and larger oi)|iortunities were to be found than his own country ottered. Mr. Nord- strom landed in Boston in the summer of iXSi and from that city came direct to Clam Lake. Michigan, reaching this place on the -jth day of the following August. I'or some months after his arrival he worked at dif- fcreiu vocations, turning his hand to any kind of honest employment he could find, but later he succeeded in obtaining a clcrk- shi]) in the hardware store of J. \\ . L'ummcr. in which capacitv he continued until iS')^. In that year Mr. Xordstrom engaged in the b:u"dware trade upon his own responsibility and he lias since carried on a large and Iti- cr.itivc business, his success being commen- surate with the energy and enterprise dis- played in the undertaking. Mr. Xordstrom has a well e(|uippeil store, carries a full line of all kinds of hardware demanded by the trade, and owns the build- ing in w hich his business is conducted. His progress since becoming an independent fac- tor in the cummercial wuriil h;is been credit- able in every res])ect and he stands todav among the leading hardware dealers in Cadillac, as well as among the cily"s most enterprising men of alTairs. Honor and in- tegrity have characterized his career, his re- lations with his patrons and with the pul)lic generally have been most agreeable and he is held in high esteem by all with whom he has dealings or with whoni he comes in contact in business or social capacities. Mr. Xordstrom is a public spirited man and ever since coming to Cadillac has as- sisted by every means at his command all enterprises for the material advancement of the city. His interest in the social and moral welfare of the community has not been sec- ondary to his efforts along other lines, being a friend and earnest advocate of measures for the general gocjcl of iiis k'ind, such as churches, .schools, charitable and benevolent institutions, in all of which his influence has been heartily enlisted. In religion he subscribes to the Presbyterian creed, being one of the leading members of that church in Cadillac, and in jjolitics he gives his support to the Rc])ublican ])arty. Mr. Xordstrom is a man of excellent mental aceiuirements, iiaving supplemented his scholastic training i)y a wide range of reading, so that he is now well informed on many subjects, his acquaintance with the world's best literature being both general and profound. He keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought in matters of state and national legislation, and has strong con- victions and decided opinions relative to the leading questions and issues of the day. Tn closing this simple sketch of a well-rounded character and successful business career it niav be profitable to pause a moment to learn the lesson such a life tends to teach. It is needless to add that Mr. Xordstrom is a self- made man. as all noble characters with Ciod's help are thus developed, l-ollow him from his home in the far-awav X^orthland across the JI'EXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 471 sea to a new country wliosc conditions were so different from tliose of his own ; contem- plate his experiences and strug-gles for years in subiirdinate capacities, ofttimes obHged to encounter obstacles calculated to discourage, but gradually overcoming everything in the way of success until rising to his present position of affluence and influence, and the i^eader will have an object lesson as plain as it is practical. It is not luck, influence or in- herited wealth that makes such men. liut work, persistence, pluck, and a laudable am- bition to rise superior to en\ironment. Mr. Nordstrom has lived well and made most of his opportunities and what he has already accomplished may be taken as a prophecy of still greater achievements and a wider tield of usefulness in vears to come. ELL\S MORKEN. Well authenticated history now concedes that the Norsemen or Northmen were the first Europeans to visit the western hemis- phere. Their leaders termed themsehes sea- kings and the recital of their undertakings and adventures, both on sea and land, mark them as kings indeed. The new country visited by them in the year 1002, and named by them \'ineland, is jjelieveil by some his- torians til be the coast of Labrador, by others to be the New England shore, but, wherever their Vineland may have been located, it is now generally conceded that they anticipated the discovery of Ccilumbus In- ii\e hundred years. That they made no use of their dis- covery, other than to make a record of it in their annals, is the reason why 1492 is as- signed as the date of the actual di.scovery of .\merica. One of the worthy descendants of these hardv seamen is the subject of this review, Elias Morken, of L berry Gro\e township. Elias Alorken is a nati\e of Norway, born December 26, 1840. He received a fair education in his native land and resided there the first twenty-two years of his life, h'ishing and sailing was the the chief occu- pation of the greater number of those \ears. Desiring to come to America and having the requisite amount to defray neces- sary expenses and leave him enough for a start in the new and strange land, he ad- justed his alTairs and in 1880 set sail for the L'nited States. The voyage was a pleasant one, and in August, 1880, he set foot on .American soil for the first time. Wexford county, Michigan, was his destination and he lost no time in reaching it. During the next years he engaged in various kinds of labor and then invested his means in f(.n-ty acres of land, a part of section 17. Cherry (irove townslu'i). Before leaving his native land he wisely tO(jk the precaution to provide himself with a wife, as the 1st day of No- \ember. 1865. at her home in Norway, he was united in marriage to Miss Paulina Hanson, a native of Norway, born June 30. 1845. On first locating in Cherry Grove township, they established their home on section 20. where they resided eight years, while thev were preparing their own little farm in section 17 for occupancy and cul- ti\'ation. I'hey ha\e since established their hoiuc on their own land and ha\e the greater part of it cleared and im])ro\ed and are gratifyingly prosperous. They are the ])iirents of six children, viz.: Ellen, Peter, Hans, Axin, Gertrude and Hannah, h'llen is the wife of Loe Nelson, Gertrude is mar- 472 WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. lied to I'ioy Loxeland and Hannah has been ^Frs. A. Carlson for some time. Tlie son Axin is postmaster at Axin postoffice, being appointed in 1899 under }kIcKinley"s admin- istration. He is an expert in fancy emliroid- ery, in silk and crewels and his handiwork- is much admired. Since 1889 the family has resided on the farm in section 17. and ha\e devoted themselves almost exclusively to agricultural pursuits. From his first location in Cherry Grove township Elias Morken has been much inter- ested in ail public affairs which concern it. He has advocated good roads, economy and retrenchment in the disbursement of finances and in the just and equitable levy and col- lection of taxes to defray expenses. He served "seven years as highway commissioner, four terms as treasurer of the township and a nun liter of times as member of the county boaril of review. The members of the fam- ily belong to the Lutheran faith, in which they were brought up. and are devout and sincere in the i)ractices of that religion. The father is an enterjirising, thrifty, progressive man. who is regarded by all as one of the most worth V citizens of this localitv. N. .VCOB SMITH There are few foreign nations that h;i\e contributed to the complex composition of our American social faliric an element of more sterling worth or of gre-iter \alue in fostering and supporting the national insti- tutions than have the natives of the Scandi- navian peninsula, who have come to and l)e- comc citizens of the United States. The men of Scancr during the ensuing two years, devoting a part of his time to clerking in a grocery house. y.\v. Dunham early Ijecamc interested in politics and shortly after his removal to (Cadillac began taking an active part in local affairs, his ability as an organizer and party leader soon bringing him prominently be- fore the public. In 1878 he was nominated on the Republican ticket for sheriff and his election to the oifice by a large majority demonstrated not ouly his fitness for the position but also his personal popularity with the people, men of all parties giving him a liberal support. His administration of the office was in every respect satisfactory and so ably and faithfully did he discharge his duties that he has been retained several terms, his course throughout fully justifying the wisdom of the people in keeping him continuously in ofiice. In 1S82 Mr. Dun- ham was admitted to the Ijar, but his official functions have required his time an_d atten- tion to tlie extent of practically preventmg him from engaging in the practice, his legal services being of an advisory nature and confined largely to maters outside of the courts. He is well grounded in the princi- ples of jurisprudence, has a wide acquain- tance with the law in all its bearings and possesses the ability and tact to apply his Icnowledge to practice. Should the people e\-er release their hokl upon his services he will doubtless yet achieve a creditable record at the l)ar. his mtegrity and sound judg- ment being c|ualifications largely in his favor when he sees ht to assume his proper jiiace among his professional brethren. Mr. Dunham, in the year icS'xj, was united in marriage to Miss iMuma i ). I'.utts, of Lawrence, Michigan, daughter of H. W. Butts, the union bemg blessed with a daugh- ter by the name of Ji\a. In social and fra- ternal circles Mr. Dunham has long been active and prominent, standing especially high as a Mason, in which order he has taken a number of degrees besides serving in var- ious honorable capacities. He has held of- ficial station in the commandery, and served as high priest of the chapter of Royal Arch Masons, discharging his duties in these im- portant relations with the same ability and fidelity that characterize his career in the ci\il office with which the people of W'e.x- ford county ha\e honored him. He is also identified v.ith the Knights of Pythias, be- longing to the Uniform Rank, and for a number of years his name has adorned the records of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Union Veterans' Union, which or- ganizations tend to keep in memory the thrilling scenes and experiences of his mili tary da_\s ami endea\-or and heighten the liatriotic sentiment which should animate e\ erv true soldier who tendered his ser\ices and his life to the country during the periled of treason and disunion. Mr. Dunham's career in ci\il as in mili- tary life has been most creditable and right faithfully has he earned and nobly does he merit the confidence in which he is held and I he honors that have lieen conferred upon him. ]5y all who know him he is considered a faithful anil eftlcient ofticer and an up- right, courteous gentleman and in the various relations of lit'e, \vhether as citizen, friend, neighbor, puiilic servant, husband or father, he is respected by a wide circle of acf|naintances, who regard him as an honor- able man, true to his convictions and ever 476 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. readv by e\ery power at liis cuniinand to do ilie riglit as lie sees and undersliinds the right. ♦-•-♦ FRANK L. (iOODVEAR. The science of agriculture, for it is a science as well as an art, finds an able demon- strator as well as a successful practitioner in the person of P^-ank L. (loodyear, the sub- ject of this review. A skilled engineer, both locomotive and stationary, he abandoned that remunerative calling to engage in the more peaceful, less hazardous and more agreeable pursuit of agriculture. Frank L. Goodyear, who owns and re- sides ui)on a part of section -'4. Selma township, is a native of Xew York, born in Camden, Oneida county, December 17, 1S47. In 1853 the family moved to Oswego countv, Xew York, where, in January. 1864. the subject of this review enlisted in Com- pany II. Xinth Regiment Xew York Heavy .\rtillery, and .served until after the close of the war. He was mustered out of the ser- vice Sei)tember 29. 1865. and returned to his home in Oswego. He served his coun- trv faithfully and received a wound in the left arm. while in the line ot duty, at Monoc- nc}', ^Maryland, which for a length of time caused him considerable trouble. In the .'■pring of 1866 he decidetl to try his fortune in the west and accordingly he left Oswego countv and took up his abode in Clinton. Iowa. There he secured employment on the Chicago & Xorthwestern Railroad, became a skillful engineer and ran on that line in that capacity for a number of years. lie was also for a time, wlule he lived in Clinton. engineer nn a stcanibn.-it plving up and down the Mississippi river. He was not at all dissatisfied with his calling, but the dangers to which he was constantly exposed was a constant source of fear and an.Kiety to the family and eventually he was prevailed upon to give it up and enter a calling not so be- set with danger. In the fall of 1884 he pur- chased a team and wagon, installed his wife and two children in the canopy-topped vehicle, put in a few necessary articles and headed his horses for We.xford county. Mich- igan. In due season he arrived, purchased eighty acres of land in section 24, Selma township, and immediately proceeded to es- talilish a home thereon, having since con- tinued to reside there. About half of the tract of laud he has cleared and it is well cul- tivated and quite productive. He has erected commodious and substantial buildings there- on and the place and its surroundings present a most enticing, home-like appearance. On the 17th day of January, 1876, in Oneida county, Xew York, Frank L. Good- year was united in marriage to Miss Helena Da\is. a native of Xew York, born in Oneitla county. September 17, 1837. To this luiion three children were born, two of whom, Cora J. and Bessie C. are living. The other daughter. Leva, died early in life. Cora at- tended the normal college at Cadillac and for se\en years was a successful teacher in this county. December 25, 1902, she be- came the wife of Clarence Parker. Ever since his location in Selma town- ship Mr. Goodyear has been quite active in public affairs. He served as supervisor of Selma township from 1890 to 1901, a period of eleven vears. He has been highway com- missioner and was deputy sheriti" of Wexford Countv for a number of years. In his labors on tiic fnrm he has been most successful, and Vl^EXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 477 lias ne\er lor a nionient ret;rettC(l that he chang-ed either his location or his calling-. He is a man of firm convictions, yet amialjle and kind, and in his home is all that could be de- sired in a husband and father. x\SAPH T. VANCE. There is no positive rule for achieving success, and yet in the life of the successful man there are always lessons which might well be followed. The man who gains pros- peritv is he who can see and utilize the op- portunity that comes in his path. The es- sential conditions of human life are ever the same, the surroundings of indi\-iiluals differ l)ut slightlv, and when one man passes an- other on the highway of life to reach the goal of prosperity before others who perhaps started out Ijefore him, it is because he has the power to use advantages which probably encompass the whole human race. Today among the prominent citizens and successful agriculturists of Clam Lake township, Wex- ford county. ^Michigan, stands .\saph T. \'ance. The qualities of keen discrimination, sound judgment and a keen sense of honor enter very largely into liis make-up and have l)een contributing elements to the material success \\hich has come to him. Asaph T. A'ance is a native of Canada, having been born in the county of Xnrfulk, jirovince of Ontario, on the iith of May, 1846, the son of Alexander and Xaricy (Teal ) \'ance, natives also of Canada. The sub'ect was reared upon his father's farm and was carlv initiated into the mysteries of suc- cessful agriculture, in the meantime being given the l^enefit of a good education in I he Common schools, a grammar school and pri- vate instruction under Robert Miller, a class- ical scholar. He remained with his mother until in I'ebruary, icated upon a tract of land which is now a part of Colfax township. Plere a modest home was erected, the land cleared and a productive farm took place of the forest. From here the six children went out into the world in quest of their own for- !unes and there the parents continued to re- side until the autumn of i8(/). when, \earn- ing for a less rigorous climate than northern Michigan, thev mo\'ed to Tennessee. Their enjoyment of the balmy breezes of the sunny south, hdwexer, was of short duration. September 2(). 1901, Enos C. Dayhuff Ijreathed his last, at tlie venerable age of eightv vears. His aged and disconsolate widow soon thereafter returned to her 'ild home in Michigan, where she was heartily welcomed by her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Smith. Always relig'iouslj' inclined, from the time that she was hfteen years of age, Mrs. Dayhuff has been a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. In her younger and more acti\e years she was zealous in every species i_)f church work, particularly in that part of it whicl; is included in deeds of charit\'. When engaged in ministering to tlie sick, the suffering and the dying she was actuatetl more by a lo\-e for humanity than bv any hope of nnterial reward. Few li\-es lia\e been simpler, purer or better than hers has been, and now, standing on the outer \-erge of time and w ith a confidence not born of earth, awaiting the glorious dawn of eternity, she has no reason wdiatever to doubt that the greeting of the blaster will be other than "Well done, good and faithful ser- \aiit. possess the kingdom prepared for you." TAYLOR W. GRAY. Those men who have devoted their li\-es to the development and extension of the agricultural interests of northern Michigan are deserving more than jiraise at the hands of the ])resent generaticm and an indebted- ness still heavier is due them from coming generations. It is their labors that have light- ened the burdens of the present rural resi- 482 IV EX FORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. (lent and made a garden spot instead of a wilderness for posterity. The subject of this review, Taylor W. Gray, is one of those w^hose good work as a woodman and agri- culturist accomplished so much for the sec- tion of Michigan in which he resides and where he has resided for many years. He is a resident of Liberty township, his farm being a part of section 28. Taylor W. Gray was born on his father's iarm in Mi)rgan cnunty. Indiana. January (). 1839. His parents were David W. and Elizabeth (McCampbell) Gray, butJi now dead. She died at the family residence at the age of fifty years, while her husband died many years later, at the age of seventy- four years. They were the parents of thir- teen children, of win mi the subject of this review was the third. 1 le was reared in Indiana and engaged in agricuUural \nn- .«uits until August. i8Ci, when he became a soldier in the United States army, enlisting in Company A, Thirty-third Indiana Vol- unteer Infantr)^ and served to the close of the war. His regiment was a ])art of the Army of the Cumberland and he participated in a number of the hottest battles of the war. among them that of Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia. June 19 to 25. 1864, and Peach Tree Creek, Georgia. July 19 and 20, 1864. At Springfield. Tennessee. November 26th and ,30th. with his regiment, he was captured by the Confederates and incarcerated in Libby prison, where they languished for about two months, or until they were ex- changed. The regiment was in the thick of the fight in most of the engagements from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and was with Sherman on that memorable march lluough Georgia to the. sea. ?^Ir. (hay was mus- tered out at the close of the war, in iSG^. and returning to Morgan county, Indiana, he again engaged in farming, which has been his business since. In the fall of 1870 he came to Michigan and after taking a look over some portions of Wexford county, de- cided to locate there. He took up a home- stead of one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 28. Liberty township. Re- turning to Indiana he spent the winter there and in the si)ring of 1871 mo\ed to the homesteae. so will the waxes of human life follow each other in countless succession to the one common goal until time shall be no more. RICH.\RD W. MASSEY. During the progress of the Ci\il war. 1861-65. it is well known that English sympathy was almost entirely with the i.'onfederacy. Different historians seek to account for this in various wa\s, but all of them. e\en those of English origin, ad- mit the fact, while seeking to give excuses for it. The people of English origin residing in .\merica at that time. howe\'er. were not controlled in their sympathies In- the views entertained by their countrymen across the water. Thousands of them not on!)- ad\o- cated the cause of the Union, but entered the service as soldiers and sailors ;ind served their adopted country with distinc- tion until the close of the war. W'bi'e the subject of this review, Richard W. Massey. is a native-born American, his parents are lioth natives of England, and his father was one of those Englishmen who heartily en- dorsed the position taken by the North in that most sanguinary civil conflict. Indeed, he did not confine his endorsement to words, but jjroved his loyalty by deeds, as a i)rivate soklier, i:)n many of the battle fields of the south. He was a member of Company C, liiglith Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Richard W. Massey is a native of Wis- consin, born at Kenosha. Novemljer 14. 1 85 1. His parents were John and Emma ( Hamer) Massey. both natives of England, who immigrated to America soon after their marriage and located at Kenosha. Wisconsin, where John Massey followed slii]) building \-ery profitai)ly until the Ijreakiiig out of the C\\\\ war, when he enlisted in the [vighth Wisconsin Regiment, and served until peace was declared. He was a lover of the country of his adoption and true and loval to her cause. He died in Racine. \\ iscon- sin. some time after his return from the army, at the age of forty-seven years, his good wife having died three years before in the same city, when she was forty years old. Tliey were the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters, of whom 486 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Richard W.. the subject of this article, was the seventh in onler of birth. Tlie first years of the hfe of the sub- ject were spent in Kenoslia, where he was 1)orn. and in Racine, to which place the fam- ily moxed while the subject was still quite young. He attended sclmol a few years. Init, like most boys who are reared near large bodies of water, he yearned for ad- venture upon the great lakes. When he was ele\en years old he secured a position on one of the vessels plying between Racine and other points in the lake region and for the n.ext eight years he saw more of the water than he did of the land. Wearying of the monotony of life on ships, he longed for a little more intimate relation with green \\oods, verdant pastures and fields of wav- ing grain. Returning to land, he secured a place in a barber shop, became skilled in the trade and followed it much of the time for eighteen years, principally in Chicago. Manistee and Cadillac. In the fall of 1876 he came to Cadillac, was employed as a barber and for the next eleven years fol- lowed that vocation. On the 3d day of July. 1877, in Cadillac, Wexford county, Richard W. !\Iassey was united in marriage to Miss Emma Cobbs, a native of Indiana, born in Butlerville, Jen- nings county. May 3, 1859. Her parents were Jonathan W. and Xancy J. (Preble) Cobbs. He a native of Ohio, born in Col- umbiaria county. July 25. 1828, while she \\as born in Ripley county. Indiana, ^larch 21, 1833. ^ ''*^ father was a skilled me- chanic, a cabinet-maker, carpenter and wagon-maker. l)ut devoted the greater por- tion of his life to the manufacture of lum- ber, in which he amassed a comfortable for- tune. Tlie familv moved from Indiana to Michigan in 1874, and he was one of the first persons to engage in the manufacture of lumber in Cadillac. He died in 1898. and a sketch oi his interesting career will be found in another part of this volume. Mrs. Cobbs is still living, a genial, matronly lady, who has yet many years of usefulness be- fore her. Mrs. Richard W. Massey is a lady of taste, refinement and many accom- plishments. To her and her husband four children have been born, viz. : Wynter, .\fabel, Dick and a little daughter who died in infancy. In the fall of 1876 Richard W. Massey came to the city of Cadillac, and engaged in his chosen vocation , that of a liarber. This he followed for eleven years, when he (opened up a wholesale and retail tobacco store. In this l)usiness he was (|uite suc- cessful and followed it for six years. He then retired from active business and, being f|uite comfortably situated financially, has not considered it necessary to pursue any particular business or calling since. Having the time and means to devote to the social side of life, Mr. ^lassey is inter- ested in many fraternal societies. He is a member of Cadillac Lodge No. 331. Free & Accepted Masons, Cadillac Chapter \o. 103. Traverse City Commandery Xo. 41, and De- Witt Clinton Consistory at Grand Rapids. He is also a meiuber of the Knights o? Tytliias. with a membership in the local lodge at Cadillac, and is also a member of Cadillac Lodge Xo. 680. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. The Massey residence is a beautiful, commodious structure, delight- fully situated and furnished in palatial style. Its occupants are generous, hos])itable peo- ple who merit and receive the highest re- gard of their fellow citizens. MRS. H. I. DEVOE. H. I DEVOE. f 1 WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 487 XELS XIlILSOX. Nels Neilsoii, who has Ijcen engaged in kimbering and farming during tl:e greater part of his residence in Wexford county — covering thirty-one years — was born in Sweden, liis natal day being December 17, [IS52. His education was there acquircil and he continued to make iiis home in Sweden until eighteen years of age, when, being an ambitious young man, he resohed to try his fortune in a land of broader op- portvuiities, where efifort is unhampered by caste of class. Accordingly he sailed for the United States, and in 1872, when twenty years of age, he came to Wexford county, Michigan, wdiere he has since made his home. lie first entered the employ of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad Compan}-, con- tinuing in that service for two years, on the expiration of which period he sought other employment and has since ])cen engaged in farming anJichigan. He wedded Miss ]\Iae Snyder, who was born near Ml. Pleasant, and he now occupies the cli;iir of science in the CharIe\oix schools. Thev also had an adopted daughter, Carrie De\'oe. who was reared Ijy them frnm infancv and wln) is now the wife of W. M. Tracy. In 1882 Mr. DeVoe was called ii])on to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in Wexfi>rd tnwnship on the 2d of .Xnril of that \ear. Called to public office by his fellow- townsmen, ilr. De\'oe has served as super- visor, as township clerk, and as justice oi the peace and for twelve years he was county superintenilent of the poor. He was also elected county surveyor and held that po- sition for one term and he has been deputy county sur\eyor during the greater part of his residence here. Xo trust of a public na- ture that has l)een reposed in hiiu has e\er been betrayed in the slightest degree and at all times he is reliable, fully meeting his obligations. He has taken an active part in church work, has held membership with the Congregational denomination since 1871 and his wife was also a member of the Congre- gational church of Sherman and they con- tributed liberally to its support and did every- thing in their power for its growth and up- building. Thus it will be seen that the sub- ject has been an active factor in the material and moral development of his community and his labors have been so directed by sound judgment that they have proven of much benefit tt) his adopted county. He is a man whom to know is to respect and honor and during his residence in this section of the state he has yained manv warm friends. .Md'.l'.RT P.. SOL'THWICK. .\lbert 1*>. Southwick, who resides on section 2j. Wexford township, was btjrn in t"cnter\ille, St. Joseph county, Michigan, on tlic j;oth of September, 1848, his parents being Elijah B. and Harriet (Brown) Southwick. In the spring of 1884 the father renioxed with his family from Kala- m.azoii counlv. .Michig.in, to Wexford conn- WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 489 ly anil settled in Wexford iuwnship. where he and his wife spent their remaining days. her death occurrint>- when she was ahout sixty-eight years of age, hut the father sur- vived until he reached the age of eighty- two years. L'nto them were born six chil- dren, of whom Albert B. is the eldest. In the county of his nativity and in jvalamazoo county, Michigan, Mr. South- wick of this review spent his boyhood days and at the time of his parents" removal to Wexfgrd county he also settled in this por- tion of the state upon the farm which has since been his home. He has since erected good buildings here for he is a progressive agriculturist, and his labors have kept abreast with the improvements of the times that has niarke<.l the pursuit of agriculture as well as all other lines of business life. He has placed a part of his land under a high state of cultivation, hax'ing fifty-ri\e acres unproved. His farm comprises altogether one hundred and thirty-five acres and from time to time he extends the boundaries of tlie cultivated tract. He raises the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate and he also has good grades of stock upon his place. Mr. Southwick has lieen twice married. In Leonidas townshi]), St. Joseph county. Michigan, he wedded Miss l\;ichel Addi- son, a native of Indiana, and unto them were born two children, who died in early \duth. The mother also passed aw.iy in Alcndon. St. Joseph county, when about twenty-five years of age. On the 3d of Octoljer. 1877, Mr. Southwick was again married, his second uiu'on being with Miss Mary Frederick, a daughter of John B. and Helen L. (Seas) Frederick, who cruiie to Wexford county in the spring of iSc^S. Here the father died i'cl.ruary 19. 1901. Mrs. Southwick is the eldest <.)f his family of eleven children and was born in Wayne county, Ohio, on the 30th of June. 1855. f'}' '1^'' marriage she has become the mother of three living chil- dren. Mercy A.. Lydia E. antl Ida A., and they also lost one daughter, who died in in- fancy. IMr. Southwick has served as supervisor of Wexford township, has also been town- ship treasurer, justice of the peace, high- way commisioner anil school inspector. j'Ml this indicates that he has the confidence and good will of his fellow townsmen, who recognize his capability for office and there- fore honor him with positions of public trust. Ide has. indeed, been active in township affairs and is regarded as a valued citizen. Fraternally he is connected with Maquestion Tent No. 654. Knights of the Maccabees. Mr. Southwick is a man of considerable business capacity, of keen discrimination and unflagging energy-. It is these qualities which have brought to him a creditable meas- ure of success, making" him one of the sub- stantial citizens of his comnum.ity. He is a western man. possessing the energy and adaptability that has always characterizetl the people of this section of the ciiuntrv. and his worth as a man and citizen is widely ac- l-nowledii'ed. KFL'BEN D. l-TiFDKRICK. Reuben TX b^-edcrick is the editor and ])roprietor of the Sherman I'ioneer. pub- lished ;U Sherman, Michigan, and has made this iiaper an index of the progressive dis- trict in which it is located. He was Ijorn upon a farm in Medina cinnity. Ohio, De- cember 7, iS5fi, and is a son of J. 1j. and 490 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Helen I. (^Seasj l'"re(lerick. whu came tu W^exford county, Micliigan, in the spring of 1896, locating upon a farm in Wexford townshi]). Here the father spent his re- maining days, passing away on the 19th of ]'el)ruary, 1901, in his seventy-seventh year. J'his worthy couple had a family of eleven children, of whom Reuben 1). Frederick is the eldest son. He spent the first seven years of his life in the county of his nativity and then came with his parents to ?\Iichigan, a settlement being made in St. Joseph county. Tliev lixed upon a farm in Leonidas town- s!iip and there the son was reared to man- lioocl, taking his ])lace in the fields as soon as he was old and strong enough to bear a part in the work of tilling the soil. He resided in St. Joseph county until 1883 and was educated chiefly in the district schools of that county. When not engaged with the duties of the school room he worked upon the farm or else followed the carpenter's trade, being engaged at that la))or for three \ears. He also taught school fur twn terms. On leaving St. Joseph county Mr. b'red- erick came to W^exford county and took up his abode in Sherman. Xot long after this he entered the employ of John H. Wheeler in the office of the Sherman Pioneer and has since been connected with journal- istic work, to a greater or less extent. For a year he remained in the office of the Pion- eer and then turned his attention to the sta- tionary business which he conducted for six years. On the expiration of that [leriod he sold out and ])urcliascd the paper of which he is now the editor and proprietor. It was called the Wexford County Pioneer, hut he changed its name to the Sherman Pioneer. It now has a circulation of near- ly six hundred and is a l;right. newsv slieet. l)ublished in the interest of the Republican party and devoted to the welfare and up- building of this section of the state. One of its purposes is the dissemination of gen- eral and local news and the discussion of questions which are of moment to all .\nier- ican iieople. Its editorials are clear, con- cise and interesting and Mr. Frederick has made of the Pioneer a journal of value to the community. Since coming to the county he has also taught for one term in Antioch township. It was on the 30th of August, 1885, in Sherman, that the marriage of Mr. l-^red- erick and ]\Iiss Matilda Martin was cele- brated. The lady is the daughter of Wil- liam Martin, who died in Orange. Xew Jer- sey. .She was born near Newark, Xew Jersey, and by her marriage has become the mother of three children : Leo M.. Floy A. and Esther H. Mr. F'rederick has been active in the affairs of the village and by his fellow townsmen has been called to a number of oftices. serxing as village clerk. as clerk of Antioch township, as justice of the ])eace and as school trustee. He was also appointed postmaster of Sherman in Xovember, 1901, by President Roosevelt, and is now acccjjtably Idling ihe position. .\ valued and prominent representati\e of fraternal interests, he holds membership in Sherman Lodge Xo. 336. Indeijendent Or- der of Odd Fellows, Sherman Camp Xo. 35I-I, Modern Woodmen of America, Sher- man Lodge Xo. 212. Knights of Pythias, and Ma(|uestt)n Tent Xo. 654. Knights of tlie Maccabees. Whatever pertains to the wel- fare of the community and its progress elicits his attention and support and when his judg- ment ap])roves of a measure he gives to it his hearty co-operation and aid. JAMES MANSFIELD RESIDENCE. IV EX FORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 491 JAMES E. MANSFIELD. Many of the Ijcst families ni the state of Michigan trace their ancestry to sturdy New- England stock. Of course all cannot boast of having Puritan blood in their veins, nor is it necessary to do so to demonstrate that they spring from worthy ancestors. As every one knows, the Puritans, while in the main acting on worthy moti\es. were both fanatical and intolerant and the common- sense observer marvels nnich why there should be such a scramble among sensible people to prove that the founiler of their fam- ily tree in .America was one of those who crossed the ocean in the "Mayflower" in 1620. That eminent humorist, Mark Twain, has given the most truthful and graphic de- .scription of the Puritan of any other writer, wiien he says : "The Puritans were a noble band of people, who came to America for the purpose of worshiping God according to the dictates of their own conscience and prevent- ing all others from enjoying the same blessed privilege." The subject of this review, James E. Mansfield, is a native of New England, but whether or not of Puritan stock, he neith- er affirms nor denies. He is cjuite content to let the work of his life speak for itself, with- out reference to what the g"enerations of the past may or may not have been. James E. Mansfield, a resident of section 14, Boon township, Wexford county, Mich- igan, is a native of Connecticut, born at Bridgeport, September 19, 1847. His par- ents were Henry and Mary (McCormick) Mansfield, natives of Ciinnecticut, wlm moved to Alichigan in 1852, and settled in W^ashtenaw county, where they resided until his death. He died in Manchester, Wash- tenaw county, in 1861, at the age of forty 30 years, while she is a resilient of Ionia county, aged about se\-enty-nine years. They were the parents of four children, of whom James E. was the second, and all are lix-ng. At the age of five years James E. Mans- field accompanied his parents to Michigan, recei\'ed a good common-school education in Washtenaw county and there grew to man- hood. ^Vhen not occupied with his studies he was acquiring lessons of industry in the woods, the clearing or in the fields of his fa- ther's farm. In October, 1863, when only sixteen years of age, he entered the United States service as a private soldier, enlisting in Company I, I'irst Regiment Michigan Engineers and Mechanics. Previous to en- listing he had devoted some time to car- pentering, was always handy with tools and before the close of the war had become quite skillful as a mechanic. He saw considerable active service, was often under fire, and was frequently in rather close quarters, but man- aged to escape without harm. He was mus- tered out of the service at Nashville, Ten- nessee, September jo, 1865, long after the war had closeil. Returning to Washtenaw county, he secured employment as a carpen- ter, which calling he pursued \ery success- fully for se\-en years. May 22, 1870, James E. Mansfield was united in marriage to Miss .\nn .\ntcliff, a native of England, born July 25, 1849. Her parents were William and Sarah (Turner) Antcliff, wild iinmigraled to the L'nited States with their family in 1863, and locatetl in Washtenaw cnunty. where they resided until their deaths, in 1S71 and June. 1881. respectively. .After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Mansfield continued to reside in Washtenaw county until .Vugust. 1872, when they moved to Wexford county and established them- 492 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. selves on a farm, a part ui section 14, Boon townsliip, wliicli lias been their home from that time to the present. He is now the owner of tlu-eo humh'ed and sixty acres of excellent land, all locateil in Boon township, two-thirds of which, or two hundred and forty acres, is s])lendidly improved and un- der cultivaliiin. i'ine. substantial, commo- diious buildings add much to the convenience and value of the place, h'ive children have been bom to Mr. and Mrs. James E. Mans- lield, only three of wlmm are living, viz: AN'illier, Clarence and Willis. Their oldest child, Bert, a youth of much intelligence and great promise, died upon the threshold of manhood at the age of nineteen years. The other son, Glenn, met with an accident in Grand Traverse bay, where he lost his life by drowning. Those bereavements weighed heavily upon the devoted parents and the other children. It is only natural that a man possessed of as much property in Boon township as Mr. Mansfield owns should be deeply interested in the governmental affairs of the municipal- ity. This interest, however, exacts some pen- alties, for the voters insist that he must dis- charge the duties of some of the local ofifices. .Vt various times in the past years he has l)een supervisor of the township, highway commissioner and meniljer of the board of review. In each position he acquitted him- self most satisfactorily to his constituents and greatly to the substantial improvement and financial benefit of the township. He has always acted well his part in life. As a citi/en, soldier and official he has merited and received the respect, confidence and com- mendation of all with whom he came in con- tact in these \arious capacities. JAMES HAYXES. .\niong the successful business men of Cadillac whose enterprising spirit and pro- gressive methods contributed so largely to the city's industrial interest in the past, the name of the late James Haynes stands clearly and distinctly defined. His father was Joseph Haynes, a nati\e of Xew ^ Drk and of Dutch descent, his ancestors coming to this country in an early day and figur- ing quite conspicuously in various parts of the Empire state. James Haynes was born at Gorham. Xew York, on the 17th day of February, 1825. He spent the first twelve years of his life in his native commonwealth and in 1837 accompanied his father to Michigan, settling in the county of Van Bu- ren, where he li\ed until the year 1863, de- voting the great i)art of the interim to busi- riess pursuits in the town of Lawrence. In earl\- life he dealt in produce, but later en- gaged in the lumljer and grain trade at De- catur, to which place he removed from Law- rence. After spending nine years at Decatur he changed his abode in 1872 to Clam Lake and here built, the same year, a large planing- mill, which he operated successful 1_\- until 1877. when the entire plant was destroyed by- fire. With characteristic energy he at once rebuilt the structure, but upon a more exten- si\e scale than formerly, and the business continued to grow in magnitude and impor- tance it was found necessary to erect a sec- (.nd mill of still larger proportions, .\ccord- ingly in 1S81 what was known as mill Xo. 2 was completed, the combined capacity of the two pl.'uits a\eraging over two hundred thous;ind feet per day. .Meantime, in 1880. Air. I l;iynes look in as ]iartners his sons. WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 493 X. D., C. E. and E. J. Haynes, the firm thus ciinslituted Ijeing known as James Haynes & Sons, the father having some time previ- ously given the latter an interest in the busi- ness. The enterprise proved successful from the beginning and in due time liecame the largest industry of the kind in Cadillac, a re- putation it has ever since sustained. Ener- getic and progressi\e in all the terms imply, with sound judgment, rare foresight and fine executive ability, Mr. Haynes establish- ed the business upon a solid basis and, with tlie assistance of his sons, who early demon- strated peculiar fitness for the prosecution of large undertakings, the mills kept pace with the increasing demands upon them until, as stated above, the enterprise became a perma- nent fixture in the city. Mr. Haynes finished his life work and was gathered to his fathers on the 2d of Feb- ruary, 1886, his wife dying six years prior to that date, at the age of fifty-one years. Mrs. Haynes" maiden name was Mary M. Bierce. Her father, Xorman Bierce, was a native of Connecticut. InU in an early day moved to Xew York and from that latter state, in 1837, migrated to Alichigan, where lie spent the remainder of his days, dying at Cadillac in 1885 in the ninety-second year of his age, leaving a family of one son and three daughters. Fraternally James Flaynes was a Mason of high standing, having belonged to the blue lodge at Cadillac and Peninsular Command- erv. Knights Templar, at Kalamazoo. Though in no sense a politician, he was for manv vears one of the lead- ing Democrats in Wexford county and as such was elected to \arious of- ticird ])ositions. in rdl of which he mani- fested the same interest and high business qualifications displax'ed in his private enter- prises. He serveil one term as justice of peace, was township treasurer five years, city treasurer one year and at the time of his death was both treasurer of the county and mayor of Cadillac. For many years his life was very closely identified with the business interests and industrial prosperity of Cadil- lac and Wexford county and in the history of both his name will always figure as that of one oi the notable men oi his day and generation. A strong, well-developed character, coml)ined with \igorous mental powers, indomitable moral courage, untiring energy and a capacity for large undertakings, he nobly fulfilled his mission and at its close left to posterity and to the community an honorable name, the memory of which will live coeval with the history of the flourish- ing city with whose industrial prosperity he had so much to do. Charles E. Haynes, son of James and Mary M. Flaynes, was born in Van Buren count}', Michigan, February 22. 1855. When he was about eight years old his par- ents moved to Decatur, this state, and it was in the schools of that town that he received his educational training, having lived there until coming to Clam Lake in the year 1873, Here he grew to man's estate, the mean- while becoming familiar with business af- fairs under his father's direction, and in 1883 he went to Jennings where he built and for some time o])erated wliat was known as the C. E. Haynes ^; Lomitany's planing mill. Returning to Cadillac in February, 1888, he purchased the Spaulding mill, west of Hobart, which he operated during the sea- son of 1889, and the following year made an extensive tour of the western states and territories, spending some time in Washing- 494 J VEX FORD COUNTV. MICHIGAN. ton and Oregon, buying and selling lumber. In 1S91 he returned to Cadillac and the next year bought a halt interest with his bnj- ther. E. J. Haynes. the Hrm thus constituted being still known as the Haynes Brothers ]^laning Mill, the largest industry of the kinil in the citv. In addition tn dressing lumber thf hrm deals e.\tensi\el\' in all kinds of lumber, laths, singles, etc.. and do a suc- cessful and far-reaching business, their pat- ronage extending oxer a large area of con- tiguous territt)ry besides shipping extensive- ly to distant ])oints. Mr. Haynes is an ac- complished business man. energetic and thor- oughly reliable, and much of the success of the large enterprise with which he is con- nected is due to his efforts. In 1883 he was elected alderman and as such looked carefully after the city's interests and made a credital)le and praiseworthy record. Per- sonally Mr. Haynes is the embodiment of good nature, a hale fellow well met. and his popularity is only bounrtant trusts, lie lias made his presence felt as a forceful factor in the comniunitv and stands toda}' one of the most conspic- uous figures in the industrial affairs of this section of the state. On the 2()\.h day of March. 1XX3, he was hapijily married to Aliss l.ouie I". Taplin. the union being' blessed with two sons, Charles James and Merritt Mearne. CHESTER C. DAUGHERTY. Chester C. Daug-herty. who is now serv- ing as supervisor of Antioch township and is one of the leading and influential citizens of \Vexford county, was Ixaru in Spencer town- ship. Medina county, Ohio, on the 12th of April, 1856. His father was Charles H. Daug'herty. a farmer by occupation who also dealt to quite an extent in lumber. He chose as a companion and helpmate for life's jour- nev Armina X. Inman. and on their removal from the Buckeye state to Michigan they set- tled in Allegan county, where they lived for many years. They are now residents of (irand Rapids and are people of the highest respectability, haxing many warm friends. Chester C. Daugherty is the second in order of birth of their four children. He was only three years of age at the time of his parents' removal from Ohio anf Odd Fellows, and is also afifiliated with Mc- Call Tent, Knights of the Maccabees, of Thompsonville. His business interests have been of a varietl character and have been carefully managed, while his invest- ments ha\e been judiciously made. These two elements have been potent factors in his prosperous career. His life has lieen one of continuous acti\ity. in which has been accorded due recognition of labor, and to- day he is numbered among the substantial citizens of the county. .\t all times be is ready to lend his aid and co-operation to ino\-cmenls for the general good, WILLIAM KELLEY. Among the leading business men of Cadillac in days gone by none took a more active interest in the material development of the town or contributed in a greater de- gree to its general prosperity than the late William Kelley, a brief outline of whoso career is herewith presented. Mr. Kelley was a native of Ireland, born in the month of Januar)-, 1843. When about seven years old he was brought to the L'nited States by his lather, who settled in Xew York, and there died sliortly after his arrival, leaving his orphan son, poor and friendless, to make his own way in the world. Young William turned his hand to any honorable employ- me.it he could find and, being endowed with an independent spirit and tireless energy, he experienced little difficulty in earning a comfortable livelihood. At the breaking out of the great Rebellion he was one of the first young men in his county to tender his .service? to the government, enlisting early in 1861, and not long after entering the army it fell to him to take part in the bloody and disastrous battle of Bull Run. While in the thickest of the fray he fell into the hands of the enemy and was held a prisoner for eleven months, being first taken to Libljy prison, Richmond, and later to Salisbury, North Carolina, where he was afterwards exchanged. Rejoining his command as soon as possible, he served to the end of the war and earned an honorable record as a soldier, participating in a number of noted campaigns and bloody battles and prosing in most trying and dangerous conditions a true soldier and high-minded patriot. On (|uitting the service at the cessation 498 J i- EX FORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. of liostillities Mr. Kelley returned to New \'ork, l)ut soon afterwards came to Miclii- gaii and settled at (jreenvillc. where he was engaged in Inisiness until his remi>\al. a little later, to the town of Lalurse they had to be woodmen first, for the clearing of the land I was a prerequisite to the planting of a crop. The subject of this review. Porter Wheeler. Nvas born in Ohio more than fifty-six years ago, was reared in that locality and therefore was bred to the calling of a tiller of the soil. U is an honorable and independent avocation and. although circumscribed in its opportuni- ties for amassing much material wealth, the securing of civic honors or the acc|uisition of fame, there is more genuine contentment and real happiness to the .sipiare inch in the '•"ral districts of the country than there is to the .square mile in the towns and cities of Ihc land. The farmer has no occasion for enxying any one. but pe(^ple in other walks of life have many rea.sons and ample justifi- c-ilion for envying him. Porter Wheeler is a native of Ohio, born WEXFORD COUNTW MICHIGAN. 501 near ^\'elIing■ton. Lorain comity. I'^hruar}- 4, 1S4O. His parents .were \ olorus and Cliarity ( Pomeroy j Wheeler, both nati\es of Massachusetts, where they were reared and married. Early in wedded life they left the east, which was already showing signs of congestion, and came west to Ohio to better their condition. They settled near Welling- ton, Lorain county, on a tract of woodland, which by hard labor they converted into a farm. There they remained, rearing and educating a noble family of Ixiys and girls, until each of his parents was visiteil 1)_\' death.. The mother was the first to pass to the great hereafter, expiring when a lit- tle more than seventy years old. Her iiiis- band survived her a few ilays, passing away when in the se\enty-ninth year of his age. They were the parents of eight children, two sons and six daughters, four of whom grew to maturity and have acted well the part assigned to them upon the stage of life. Porter Wheeler was the oldest chikl of the famiK'. He was rearetl upon his father's farm in Lorain county, attending" school i.i the winter seasons and devoting the other seasons of the year to the labor on the farm. His industry was noticeable in Ijoth places and even at that early day he gave promise oi the good and useful life lie has since led and is now leading, a life that lias been most beneficial not only to himself and to his im- mediate family, but to e\cr}- community in which he has resided. Early in the summer of 1864. when not yet eighteen years of age. Porter \\ heeler enlisted in Company E. One Hundred :uid Twenty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. I\lost of his war record was guard duty on Johnson's Island. He faith- fully performed his duty and was so fortun- ate as to ne\'er be confined to hosjiital on ac- count of injur}- received in battle. He served until peace was declared, when he returned home to Lorain county, Ohio. One of the most commendable characteristics of the American is the ease and facility with which he turns from one avocation to an- other diametrically its opposite. In the case of Porter Wheeicr, the dashing young soldier was transformed into the patient, plodding, contented agriculturist and during ihe next three years he devoted himself to that pursuit. At Wellington, Lorain county. Ohio, October 8, 1868, Porter Wheeler was united in marriage to Miss Emma Breckenridge, a native of Ohio, born in Lorain county, Eeb- ruary 17, 1851. She is a lady richly endowed l)y nature with many physical graces and much mental strength, which natural gifts have been supplemented by education and training. There are few among the early pioneers of any new country possessed of the grace and accomplishments of her who is the devoted wife of the subj'ect of this re- \ iew. Her |)arents were Lewis and .M;u"v Ann (Munson) Breckenridge. he a nati\e of Vermont and she of Canada. They w ere married in the east and sought the west lo lind a home and build up a fortune. The\' located in Lorain count}'. Ohio, where six children, one son and five daughters, were born to them, and there these olYspring were reared to industry and schooled in moralit}- and \irtue as well as knowledge. .Mrs. Wheeler was the fourth child of the family. At the time of his death Mr. I^>recken ridge was seventy years of age. His widow is now a fesident of W^elhngton. aged se\-enty-eight years. She is a member of the Disciple church. 502 WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. After tlieir marriage Mr. and Mrs. Por- ter Wheeler coiitimied to reside in their na- tive county for the next three years. The high prices of the years of llie war liad greatly enhanced tiie value of land in tlie well-settled states. Ohio among that number, so that a desirable farm was bcvond the reach of so slender a purse as that possessed by Porter Wheeler. People w!io had land to rent were independent and exacting. Like mo.st landlords, they absorbed the most of the crop. To them the lion's share went, while to the man through whose sweat the ])lowing, planting, cultivating and gather- ing was done, only a paltry pittance went to remunerate him for his services. A thoughtless, indolent man might have missed his grievances and made the best of these unfortunate conditions. Xot so with Por- ter \\'heeler. He knew that there is no wrong for whicli a remedy may not be found and he was not long in finding the true remedy for dear land. .\rranging his affairs in Ohio as speedily as possil)le and cHsposing of such belongings as he did not choose to take with him, he and his family came to Wexford count v. Michi- gan, early in tlie spring of 1871, and entered ui)on a homestead of one hundred and si\l\- acres, in I'lierry ( lro\c township, a ])art of .section 6, u|)on w hich lie built a home and in- stalled his f:iniily, which then consisted of his wife and little daughter. There tbey li\ed until 1883. when they transferred their residence to section 18. in the .same town- ship. The family were not the earliest set- tlers of Cherry (irove township. l)ul thev were the first settlers within its borders to "\vn a team of horses, and their second Hi- tie daughter. .Minnie May. now the wife of .Merrick Stocking, was the first wliite child born in the town.ship. Porter Wheeler is now the owner of three hundred and tw enty- eight acres, one hundred of which are well mi])roved and under cultivation, (lood. substantial buiklings adorn and add to the comfort, convenience and value of the place. 'J he home is a most plea.sant one. all that coulund it out. (■.h:()i<(;i': .\. reyxolds. I'ultilling all of life's reciuirements ac- cording to bis highest ideal of right, aiding the spirit of enterprise and improvement. and using his intluence for what benefits humanity and builds up the community, it may be truly said of the worthy subject of this ro\iew "Jlo has made the world belter !)}• having li\c(l in it." He is an oli life dciubls that be will easily reach the century mark as the measure of his existence. Indeed at present there seems to be no reason apparent why it should not extend far bevond that time. ♦-•-•^ JOHN J. NICHOLS. (_)ne (if the attractive features of the landscape in Cl.am Lake township is the well improved farm of John J. Nichols, located on section 19. Ibis is a fme farm, well equipped with all the accessories and con- veniences known to the model agricultural home of the twentieth century. The rich soil produces splendid crops and in the midst of the property stands a commodious and pleasant residence which is character- ized by an air of neatness and thrift and it is tastefully furn.isbed, making one of the comfortable homes of this section of the state. Mr. Nichols is a native of Ontario coun- ty, Canada, born on the 20th of September, 1839. His parents were John and Sophia (DeBoyce) Nichols and the former died in Ontario county, Canada, when about thirty years of age. The mother afterwards came to Wexford county and died at the home of one of her sons in Clam Lake township in the eighty-second year of her age. She bad but two children, John J., of this review, and Isaac, who is a well-known and prominent agriculturist of Clam Lake township. 1 be former was reared to farm life in Canad.i and the experiences of his early boyhood were those which usually fall to the lot of farmer lads. He lived in his native coun- try until 1873. but the previous year had come to Wexford county, Michigan, and en- tered a claim coniprising eighty acres of land in section 30, Clam Lake townsbii). 506 WEXFORD COUNTV. MICIIIGAX. In Septemljer. 1873, '^^ returned with liis family to iNlichigan and located upun the honiestead wliich he liad secured. He has since been a resident of the townsliip and at l!ie time of his arri\al liere lie at once began the development of his eighty-acre tract, of which he still owns forty acres, win'le his l)rother, Isaac, is now the proprietor of the otiier forty acres. Air. Nichols of this re- \iew likewise has tliirt\-nine acres on sec- lion K) of the same township, so that his farm cimiiirises altogether seventy-nine acres, of which seventy acres have been conxerted into rich fields, from which he annually har- vests good crops. On the other nine acres stand his farm buildings. inclutantial b.arns and outbuild- ings. On the 15th of July. 1S73. John J. Nichols was married, in I.ambton county, Ontario, to Miss Sarah J. \'"an Natter, who was born in Haldeman ciuinty, Ontario, on the 21st of May, 1S4S. a daughter of James and Regina (. Miller | \'an Natter. Her parents spent their entire li\es in Can- ada and are now deceased. L'nto Mr. and Mrs. Nicht.ils lia\c been Ixirn two children; Regina ].. now the wife of William Anway. and Philena S., the wife of M. I-'. Shippy. Mr. Nichols takes an actixe part in church work and is an evangelist. He is deeply interested in the moral development oi the community and in tlie adoption of Christian ])rinciples. but be is not a belie\-er in creeds or dogmas, being unsect.nrian in his re- ligious beliefs. He bases bis belief merel}' upon Bible teachings. ])referring to make his own interpretati(!ns of the scriptures rather than accepting something that lias been e\'(il\'ed bv religin earth, certainlv in hea\en. THOMAS P. DLXiKE. The \er\- large per cent, of native Cana- dians which cnnslitules part of the [lopula- tion of the states Imrdering on the Canadian hue shows clearly that there have been some Canadians who were not willing to wait un- til Miss Canada sees tit to fling herself into the anus of L'ncle Sam. That that will be the ultimate destiny of Canada many on bcith sides of the bi>rder iirndv belie\e. indeed. 610 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. llie location of so many Canadians on this side of iIk' line may hasten rather than re- tard the coming of the Canaihan hride. How- ever tliat may he. tliere is no donht what- ever lliat some of tlie very hest citizens of the state of Micliigan today are native Cana- (hans. One of them is tlie suhject of tliis review. Thomas i'. Denike, a resident of sec- tion 36, Boon townsliip, Wexford countv. Jn Hastings comity, Ontario. Canada. Angust 12, 1850. Thomas P. Denilattle of South Moun- tain, Maryland, September 13 and 14. i86j. and two days later took part in the Ijattle at Antietam. It was in the fight at Fred- ericksburg, Maryland, and saw ser\icc at Jackson. Mississippi, and participated in the seige of Knoxville, Tennessee. In e\erv one of the engagements in which the regi- ment took part the aggressive young sol- dier bore his part with honor. In the battle of the Wiklerness. Virginia, May 5 to 7, 1864, and nearly all of the sanguinary en- counters of the time and of the locality he pla)-ed his part as became a true warrior. June 3, 1865, he received his tlischarge, after haxing served nearly three years, and being in the thick of the fight nearly all of the time. Returning to Berrien county, Michigan, immediately on quitting the service, he turned his attention to farming in Pipestone township for the next five years. In Berrien county, September 2, 1866, John R. Hogue was united in marriage to Miss Susan King, a native of England, born in July, 1848. who came to America with her parents while yet a child and resided the greater part of her life in the courity where she was married. The union was a ha])py one, and three chil- (h'en were born to bless it, \iz: Xora B.. Horace 11. and Puemma. Xora is the wife of William Sager; Horace is a joint owner in the farm with his father and assists in its cultivation, and Luemma brought joy to the home for the brief period of eighteen months only, when death called her to a better world. Mrs. Hogue died at the family home m Colfax township, Wexford county, after the family located here, and Mr. Hogue was again marired, his bride t>n this occasion being Mrs. Plelen Watson, widow of the late Charles Watson, and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eastwood. Her death oc- curred in Selma township. Mr. Hogue's son, Horace by name, was born .Vovember 23, 186S, and on May i<;. 1891. was united in marriage to Miss Addie Jordan, of Cad- illac, and to this union two children have 612 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. been born, namely : \'ena. aged eleven years, and Lyle, aged nine. In November, 1870, tlie family moved to Wexford county, where Mr. Hogue had taken up a homestead on a part of section 22, Colfax township. On this i)lace he has erected a comfring of 1896 thev came to W'e.xford county, taking up their abode in W'exford township, where the father passed away on the 19th of February, 1901, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. George A. Frederick was a little lad of tjuly four summers at the time of his parents' removal to this state and u|)ou the home farm in Leouidas townsbij). St. Joseph coun- ty, he was reared until he bad attained his nuijority. The public schools afforded him his educational pri\-ileges and when not en- gaged with the duties of the school-room he largely de\'oted his time and energies to as- sisting in the cultixation of the fields or in the care of the stock upon the home place. He arrived in Wexford county in 1X84 and for lour )ears w;is identified with its intellec- tual de\-elopment as a school teacher. At the end of that time he went to the west and for about three years was absent from Michi- gan. He then returned to St. Joseph county. where he carried on educational work and also followed the carpenter's trade, making his home there until 1896. In that year he once more came to Wexford count}- and set- tled upon the farm on which he is now liv- ing on section 25. W'exford township. Here he has a (|uarter secti(.)n of the rich land of Michigan and of this (ine hundretl acres are under cultivation. It is a rich, productive soil and \ ields to him good returns for his lalxirs. Mr. b'rederick is practical in all that he does and this quality manifested in his business career has resulted in bringing to him a comfortable competence, making him one of the substantial citizens of his com- munity. On Christmas day of 1900, in St. Joseph county, was celebrated the marriage of ^Ir. Frederick and Mrs. Katie A. HufT, the widow- of Waller H. Huff and a daughter of William and Rebecca ( Leister ) Lighthiser. ATrs. Frederick was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on the 19th of October, 1871, and In- her nrst marriage hail one son. Leo W. Huff. Both the subject and his wife are well known in W'exford count)' and have g.iincd the favorable regard of many with whom thev have come in contact, tiieir cir- cle being constantly increased as the circle of their ac(|uaiiitance is extended. Mr. 516 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Frederick is a man of broad mind and keeps well informed on all the questions of the day, political and otherwise. In matters pertain- ing to agricnlture he is progressive and his farm indicates his careful supervisit)n. be- ing neat and thrifty in appearance. Politi- cally he sn])ports the platform and nominees of the Democratic parly, while fraternally he is afliliated with Lodge Xo. 212. Knights of Pythias, at Sherman, of which he was the first chancellor commander. He is also a member of Lodge Xo. 372. I-^ee and Acce])t- ed Masons, at Sherman, and. with his wife belongs to the Sherman chapter nf the East- ern Star. LEML'EL A. TIBBITS. Each calling or business, if honorable, lias its place in human existence, conslituting a ])art of the ])lan whereljy life's methods arc jiursued and man reaches his ultimate desti- ny. Emerson said. ".Ml are needed bv each one." That is as true in one avenue of life's acti\ities as in another. However, the im- portance of a business or profession is in a very large measure detennined by its useful- ness and the benefits it bestows on humanity. The career of the suljject of this review. Lemuel A. Tibbits, of Selma township, has certainly been a useful one and the record of its achievements pro\es very conclusi\ely the inestimable benefits he has bestowed on hu- manity by his labors in the school room and in the education of the yoimg. Lenniel .\. Tibbits was born in the cil\' of Rochester. Xew ^'ork. August 2.\. 1838. He was reared in bis nalixe cily and there the greater part of his education was secured in De Grasse Military and Collegiate Insti- tute at Rochester. In 1874. when but si.x- leen years of age. he came to Michigan and secured emi)loyment on a farm in W'aslite- naw county. For seven years he worked as ;< farm hand, arranging his afTairs so that he was enal)led to attend school two terms. That he profited well iiy those two terms at school is shown by the fact that they qualified him for entering the school room as a teacher. In 1881 he came to \\ exford county, secur- ed a district school to teach and has since engaged continuously in that honorable vo- cation. Xo other teacher of W exford coun- ty has so long continuously engaged in the calling in that count\-, and tliere are very few teachers in northern Michigan who have been engaged in the business, as he has been, in one county for twenty-two years. Fifteen of tiiose terms were emploved in one district, Xd. 3. In J 883 he had accumu- lated sufficient from his savings to purchase forty acres of huul in section 2. Selma town- ship, where he established a home antl where he has since resided. .\t present the land is nearly all cleared, well cultivated and im- |)roved with good, substantial buildings and other necessary appurtenances. Sejjt ember 1. 1886. Lenniel A. Tibbits was united in marriage to Miss Frances M P)eckwith, whose parents were among the early settlers of Wexford county. Xathan Beckwith is still living, while his g count\' school ex- aminer, a position through which the stand- WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 517 ard of education in a county may be easily lowered or raisetl. During the years of his administration of tiie office it is generally conceded that the educational interests of the ctmnty were never better attended U\ and to his influence and wiseh' directed labors much cif it is due. He has served as township clerk, township tre;isurer and he has been commissioneil h\ the governor of the slate a notary public. He is a member of the Pleasant Lake (.range and (juite acti\"e in the affairs of the order. At present he is the lecturer of the local grange and also of the Wexford County Grange. Beginning life with practically nothing, thrown upon his own resources in a strange common- wealth at the early age of sixteen years, de- licient in education, through the industrv. in- tegritv and the many other noble qualities of wliich he is possessed, he has surmounted every obstacle and is now recognized as one of the most progressi\e. public-spirited citi- zens of Wexford county. Others may have more to show iri the way of material wealth accumulated in the same length of time, but certainly there are very few who have be- stowed as many blessings upon the communi- ty as he has. His labors in the school room alone are worth more to the country and to humanity than tlie entire lilework of manv another man. THOMAS .\. GORLETT. II. D. The practice of medicine and surgery is one of the most exacting professions in which a person can engage. It is alike trying u))on the i)hysicial and upon the mental powers. Physical strength and vigor are as necessary in it as is the mental ability which must be possessed by him who would succeed. I )r. Thomas A. Corlett. the subject of this biog- raphy, is a ])hysician and surgeon now en- gaged in the acti\e practice of his profession at Manton. Cedar Creek township, lie is possessed of all the essential (lualihc.ations of a successful pliysician and surgeon. That he is ra])idly winning success is well attested by the large and steadily increasing practice for which he is at present caring. Dr. Thomas A. Corlett was born in the county of Grey, province of Ontario, Canada August 7. 1863. His parents were John and Elenore J. (McKinzie) Corlett, native the former of Scotland and the latter of Canada. He is a prosperous farmer of Bendick town- ship. Grey county. Twelve children were born to '\h\ and Mrs. Corlett. of whom the subject of this review is the third. On the tarm where he was born the suljject was reared and recei\ed a \ery thorough knowl- edge of all the elementary branches of learn- ing. Thereafter he took a course at the Owen Sound Collegiate Institute. He at- tended the Toronto University Medical School three years and graduated from the Detroit School of Medicine in the class of 189 J. He was at home until Februar\\ 1893. when he locatetl in Manton for the purpo.se of engaging in the practice of his profession. F"or the past ten years he has been a resident of Manton and actively engaged in the prac- tice. August 31. 1897. at Cadillac. [Michigan. Dr. Thomas .\. Corlett was united in mar- riage to ]\Iiss Maiv E. Stimson. a native of riint. Michigan, her parents being now de- ceased. One child has been born I0 Dr. and Mrs. Corlett, whom they have named Donald Alexander. He is an interesting 518 WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. child, blessed witli a vigorous constitution, whicli gi\cs fair |)n.)niisc of niaiving for liim a long and useful career. Dr. C'orlett is a m.m of genial disposi- tion, aft'ahle and (juite companionable. He is a man who.se sympathies are easil\- aroused and will I ever responds with alacritv to the call from the siifTering. whether it be beneath the humble roof of the cottager ur within the palatial home of wealth. The duties of his profession bring him in contrict with a large number of his fellow citizens of \\"e\-- lord county. Still compar.itivelv voung in _\cars and in his profession, he has all the reipu'site ability to rise to eminence in his chosen profession and his many friends be- lieve that he is very certain to do so. DR. now \R|) S, KXb:i-:j.AXD. 1 he subject of this review is a substantial and highly esteemed citizen of Cadillac, who .«ince the year 1900 has been following the profession of dental surgery with a con- stantly increasing popularity, being noU- in the enjoyment of an e.\tensi\e and lucrative ])ractice which has earned for him a reputa- tion much more than local. With intelli- gence and energy that have scr\ed liim well and made him a constant student and seekei after knowledge, he has .steadily advanced in the line of his calling, until he now occupies a place in the front r;uii< of his comjieers. with the assurance of a future of continued professional and financial success. Dr. Howard S. Kneeland was born June Q. iS'''.S. ill Ionia county. Michigan, and there spent his early life aiuid the \aricd duties of the farm, his father. |ohn K. Kneeland. having been an industrious and jjrosperous tiller of the soil. The maiden name of the Doctor's mother was Amanda M. DeLong. These parents, in 1876. moved to W'e.xford county and settled on a homestead in section I. Selnia township, which the father, with such assistance as his son could render, cleared and converted into a good farm. There the family li\ed .sonie eighteen or twenty years, at the expiration of which time the elder Kneeland retired from active life and took up his residence in Cadillac, where he spent the remainder of his days, dving .\ugust 17. 1897, at the age of seventy-eight years. Of the children born to John K. and Amanda Kneeland, the Doctor is the only survivor. He was about thirteen years old when the family came to \\'exford countv. and in the clearing and developing of the larm and its subseipient cultivation he in- j dustriously and worthily bore his ]>art. .\ naturally studious nature, combined with a I laudable ambition to accpure an education, led him to take advantage of every oppor- tunity in this direction and, with the assist- ance of his father, who was an old-time school teacher, he made commendable prog- ress in his studies, completing the common school cour.se besides obtaining a fair knowl- edge of the higher branches. By de\-oting his leisure time to reading he became widely and thoroughly informed and while still un- der the parental roof his intelligence and good judgment cau.sed him to be chosen to several official position^;, in all of which his record was that of a cajiable and faithful ])ublic servant. He served as treasurer of .Selma township with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the peojile. also held the oflice of justice of the jjcacc for se\cr;d years, and as school inspector did much to HOWARD S. KNEELAND. IVEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 519 ])romote the cause of popular eilucation in liis jurisdiction. In the year 1888 Mr. Knee- land was appointed deputy county clerk and reg'ister of deeds, under S. J. Wall, which position he held two years, resigning at the expiration of that time to become bookkeeper for the Cummer lumber firms, a post of greater responsibility than the formier, but commanding a much better salary. Not content always to remain an employee, sub- ject to tiie will of others, he early decided to prepare himself for some specific life work, accordingly, while discharging his duties in the clerk's otiice, he t()(.)k up the study of dentistry, to which he devoted his leisure hours under the direction of Dr. H. V. Ward, of Cadillac. Later, during his ten years with the Cummer Company, he fur- ther prosecuted his studies and investiga- tions under Dr. G. M. I'rown. and so closely and unceasingly did he apply himself that he was one of the \ery few to pass success- fully the rigid examination of the state board of dental examiners. Receix'ing a license from this body in October, 1900, Dr. Kneeland immediateh' opened an office in Cadillac and in due time built up a lucrative practice, which has stead- ily increased with each recurring year. His suite of parlors are finely furnished, his la- boratory is supplied with all the latest mod- ern appliances used in the profession and he is thorouglil)" ])rc])ared to do all kinds of work in his line with neatness and despatch and according to the most a])pro\cd scientific methods. 'J'he Doctor's continued profess- ional success is his best advertising medium and he depends upon this alone to bring him to the notice of the public. He is well known throughout this section of the state as a skillful and finished operator and accom- plished artisan, and his services have been in such demand that financial as well as pro- fessional success has attended him most liber- ally, he lieing now the possessor of a hand- some competence, the result of close atten- tion to his duties. .As a private citizen no less than in his professional capacity, the Doctor makes his intluence for good felt in the community. He is highly esteemed by all who know hinx, is a kind neighbor, a genial companion and his domestic life is one of refinement and taste. He was married in Cadillac b'ebruary 14, 189,^, to Miss Marguerite M. Baroux, the daughter of Adrian Coroux, of Montague. Michigan, the union being lilessed with three children, namely : Glaclvs M., Gaylor L. and Minnie M. Doctor Kneeland is prominent in the social and benevolent circles of Cad- illac, belonging to several fraternal organi- zations, notably among which are Lodge 46, Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 680, Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knigli!s of the Royal Guard, the Modem Woodmen of America and the Knights of the Maccabees. He stands for progress and improvement, lends his influence to all worthy objects and his self poise, earnest- ness of purpose, directness of thought and action and commendable public spirit ha\e Willi for him a high rank among the repre- sentative citizens of Cadillac and Wexford countx". A.VDRIAV JOHNSON. Wexford county owes not a little of its dex'elopmenl and business acti\it_\' to its citi- zens of Swedish bu'th or descent. The king- dom in the northern peninsula of Runjpe has 520 WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. sent many lepresentalives tu the new \\s. JOSEPH McCAXE. In this world there is one kind of man who can successfully combat the many dis- advantages and trials which humanity en- counters in every walk of life. It is he who is possessed of superior intelligence and force of character : the man who is the happy possessor of that energy which seems to be the magic wand that transforms a poor be- ginning into a successful ending. To tliis class belongs the subject of this re\iew. Jo- seph McCane. who began life with little and accomplished much more than many whose opportunities were far better. Joseph McCane is a native of Scotland, born abotit thirty miles from Edinburg, Sej)- lember 4, 1831. His parents were William and Mary ( Hoilgins) McCane. tlie father a native of Scotland and the mother of lui- gland. They migrated to .\merica in \H^(t and settled in Saginaw, Michigan, the same year. There the mother still resides. Her husband died in 1888. while on a visit to his son Joseph, in Wexford count\-. at the iai"ents of twelve children, of whom Joseph, the subject, was the fourth. The year of his arrival in .\merica Jo- seph McCane was five years okl. I''rom tliat ll'EXFGRD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 521 time until he Dljtaiued Iiis majority he made his home witli liis parents in Saginaw. He learned the trade of a stone and brick mason, became quite skillful and worked at the busi- ness many years after he was twenty-one years old. In many of the towns and cities of Micliigan may be seen samples of his work in the buildings erected since 1873. At Loomis, Clare county. Michigan. -Vugust 6. 1874, Joseph McCane was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Cornelius, a native of the state of New York, born in Steuben county, June 30, 1855. She is the daughter of Ira and Catharine ( Castle) Cor- nelius, both now deceased. 'i"o this union six children were born, viz; Mary E. is the wife of John Bolton, a native of Ottawa. Canada, and a farmer and lumberman, and they had two children, Do\-is, aged three years, and Leiand, who died at the age of two months; William \\'., of Liberty town- ship, who wedded Mabel Cilbert, of Ionia county ; George, Eva, Earl and Harrold. Iri August, 1877. the family, then consist- ing of the ]3arents and two children, mo\-ed to Wexford county, and settled on a ]iart of section 29, Liberty townshi]). where thev ha\e since resided and where the four voung- er children of the family have been born. The farm upon which they reside and which they own consists of forty-two and a half acres, all cleared, splendidK' culti\ated ano su])plied with e\'ery conxenieiicc in the way of buildings. .\ nuniljer of acres was set apart some time ago for an orchard, in which a large number of fruit trees were planted. They are thrift\-. well cared for and will soon be bearing abundance of fruit. The family occupies a home that for ha]>piness, thrift and comfort, is not excelled in the county. The principles and policies of the Repub- lican party early won the fa\-or of Joseph McCane and his zeal for party success won the fa\t)r of the Republicans of his township and they insisted on his acceptance of such positions as they had at their disposal. He has filled the positions of assessor, school in- spector and has been deputy sheriff for that township since 1882, more than twenty-one years. The Christian church, whose mem- bers are known as the Disciples of Christ, is the church of which Mr. and Mrs. McCane are members. They are regular attendants upon its services. The only fraternal society to which he belongs is the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, his membership being in Manton I-odge. Like many of the inhabi- tants of his nati\e land, he is possessed of good judgment and excellent sense. To the energy he displays in all that he undertakes and to the force of character for which he is distinguished he is indebted for the success which has attended the work of his life. CHARLES J. BECHTEL. It is generally considered by those in the habit of superficial thinking that the history of so-called great men only is worthy of pres- ervation and that little merit exists among the masses to call forth the praise of the historian or the cheers and the appreciation of mankind. .\ greater mistake w.as never made. Xo man is great in ;ill things and \ery few are great in many things. I\Iany by a lucky stroke achieve lasting fame, who before that h;id no reputation beyond the limits of their immediate neighborhoods. Ii is not a history of the lucky stroke which benefits humanity most, but the long study and effort which made the lucky stroke pos- 522 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. bible. It is tlie preliminary wcjrk. the meth- od, that serves as a guide fur the success of others. Among those in tiiis ountx- who have achieved success along siead\ lines of action is the subject of this biief review. Charles j. IJechtel. of AlaiUon. Wexford county. -Mr. liechtel was born in Dumfries, On- tari,,. Canada. July X. i,S3S, and is the son of l-.pbraim an.l Laroline (Schumacher) Bechtel. His father was also a native of Canada, and is a carpenter by trade, while his mother is a native of Germany. The par- ents came to .Missaukee county. Michigan. in iSjj, and settled in Caldwell township, where they still reside. They reared a fam- ily of eight children, of whom the subject is Ihe eldest. Charles Bechtel w;.s but two years old when brought to the L nited States l>y his parents, who at Hrst located in Kent county. Michig.an. and later accompanied iheni to their new home in Missaukee county, j lie was given the benefit of a fair common I school education and remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-two years old. He then engaged in the lumber busi- I ness .m his own account in Missaukee coun- ty, an occupation w Inch he has followed ever since in conjunction with farming. At the time of his in;irriage. in iSyi, Mr. Beciitel removed to .Mant.ni and has here since re- sided. He is the owner of several hundred ;.cres of go.ul laud, of which he cultivates nbout two huiKlred and hfty .-icres. niosi of which is in .Mis.saukee county. I k- is ;i c;ire- lul and progressive hu.sbandinan. thoroughly up-to-date in bis methods :.nd li.as made a distinctive .success of his vocation. His beautiful farm bears tlie marks ,,f tboiougl, cultivation ;uid careful management and tor a number of years be ha. ranked with the successful agriculturi.sts of his section uf the count}'. On the _'6th of June. 189J. Mr. Bechtel was united in marriage with Mi.ss Etta Stew- art, the ceremony being performed at Bell- aire. Michigan. Mrs. Bechtel was born at South Huron. Michigan. ,,n the :;oth of I Xovember. ]S75. and is the daughter of I James and Susan ( Stuart ) Stewart. The subject is a pronounced Re])ublican in ])oli- I tics and takes a keen interest in the trend I of passing events, especially as relating to the best interests of his countrv an.l 111^16- diate neighborhood. I-'or se\en vears he served as treasurer ot Laldwell and Dloom- ! held townships in .Missaukee county, and snice residing in .Manton he has .served as a I member of the village council for four years. I'Vaternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, holding membershi]) in Cedar Cj-eek Lodge .\o. 147. and he is also a mem- ber of Tent .\"o. jjo. Knights f)f the .Mac- cabees. .Mr. jlcchtel has attained to an enviable .standing among the foremost men of Cedar Creek township. Stn.ng determi- nation, persistence in the pursuit of an hon- orable purpo.se, unrtagging energy and keen discrimination— these are the .salient features in his career and his life stands in unmi.stak- able evidence that success is n,,t a matter of genius, as held by .some, but is the out- come of earnest and well-directed effort. .\\V.\. n. I'.CK.M \.\-. The sturdy Swedish nationality in the state of Michigan has a worthy and honor- able representative in the subject of this review, who for some years past b.is been AXEL G. BURMAN. J F EX FORD COUNTY, All CHI CAN. 523 engaged in the real estate and insurance busi- ness at Cadillac. Axel G. Burman inherits many of the sterling characteristics of his Scandinavian ancestors and though still re- taining fond recollections of the fatherland and taking a pardonable pride in its splendid history and magnificent achie\enients, he is nevertheless a loyal citizen of his adi)i)ted country and an ardent admirer and earnest supporter ni the laws and institutions under which lie now lives. It is a pertinent truth that much depends upon being well born, for with the human race, as with the lower ani- mal and vegetable kingdoms, like invariably produces like. Fortunate indeed the indi- vidual who can point with pride to worthy ancestors with the consciousness that he has never by word or i\e- b>- her i)ar- ents when five years old. Two children add sunshine to the home of Mr. and .Mrs. Os- 532 IVEXI-ORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. tensen. Harold B. and Floyd C. both bright and promising, and in them are centered many fond hopes for the future. 'Jhus in a brief and cursory way ha\e been set forth the leading facts and some of the more prominent characteristics in the career of one of Cadillacs representative men of affairs. To the best of his ability Mr. Ostensen has aided the progress and ad- \ancement of the city of his residence, faith- fully performed the duties of citizenship, and discharging with commendable fidelity every trust reposed in him by his fellow men. His position in the esteem and friendship of the community has long been assured and he does honor to the dainty and city which claim him as an adopted son and in which the greater part of his life work thus far has been acconiiilished. RICHARD C. XORRIS. Richard C. Xurris is a iiatixe uf the state of \'ennMiit, born at West Derljv, March 30, 1N43. His parents were I'-le- phalet S. and Susan A. (Alexander) Xor- ris, both natives of the Green Muuntain slate, where the \-ears of their lives were spent and from whence the spirit of each took its flight into the life hereafter. They were the parents of si.x children, the young- est of whom is the subject of this review. .\t the early age of thirty \ears ileath claimed the young mother, w hen her \-oung- est child was a mere infant. The father lived more than the JJiblical alottment of three score and ten, being seventy-four \erirs old at the time of his deatii. The earlv life (.if Richard C. Xorris was passed in the state of \'ermont. The time he spent in the school room was brief, in- deed, 1)ut inspired with a laudable ambition and iml)ued with a thirst for knowledge, he availed himself of e\erv op])ortunit\' to gain information. Before he attained his majority he had as good a general know ledge of the Common branches of education as many a youth who had spent the greater part of the years of his life in the school room. This was done, too, without any of his {luties on his fatiier"s farm being neglect- ed by him. In Septemiier, 1862, Richard C. Xorris. realizing that his country needed his ser- \ices in the suppression of the great Reljel- lion. enlisted in Company H, Fifteenth Reg- iment \'ermont \'olunteer Infantry, this be- ing tlie regiment of which Senator Proctor was colonel. The term of enlistment was only nine months, and after seeing much service in the battle fields of the South, it was mustered out in June, 1863. Many of its members re-enlisted immediately and continued in the difficult and hazardous task of putting down the rebellion. The sub- ject of this rex'iew. Iiowever, returned home for much-needed rest, in the summer of 1864 he again enlisted, this time in Com- j)aiiv I. l-"irst \ ermont Ca\alry, in which regiment he served until the close of the war. After recei\ing an honorable dis- charge, he betook himself again to his native state and de\oted himself for the next four years to agriculture pursuits. In the summer of 1869 he started out on a tour of the west, with a view of finding a location more congenial and remunerative for the labor expended than the bleak hills of northern \'erniont. He traveled th.rough Kansas, Xebraska, Iowa, Illinois and In- IVEXPORD COUNTY. MIClilGAl 533 diana, sl()])ping some time at various points in those states, l)nt finding- no ])lace which suited him in all particulars. In Indiana he accepted emplnvment on a farm and re- niained there a few months, then came to Allegan cnuntx'. Michigan, where he secured employment cutting wood for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad. He was thus employed for ahout a vear when, in the autumn of 1870, he came to Wexford county, settled on a homestead, part of sec- tion 28, Selma township. July 3, 1873, in Watson tnwnship. Alle- gan county, Alichigan, Kichard C Xorris was united in marriage to jNIiss Sarah A. .\lexander, a natixe of Alichigan, born in Allegar: cnunty. l-'ehruary i_', 1850, She is a lad}' of good education, re- fined and p(jssessed of many, accomplish- ments. Her parents were David and Paulina (Rose) Alexander, natixes of \'er- mont who had moved to Michigan soon after their marriage and resided in Allegan ciiuntv until their deaths. He died at tiie early age of twenty-seven years, while she sur\'ived him many }'ears, lieing upwards of sixtv years of age when she entered eternity. The}' were the parents of two children, Mrs. Xorris being the youngest child of the family. She was reared to womanhood, educated aiid married in her native county of .Mlegan. To her and her husband three intelligent, winsome children have hten born, \ iz : Estella P., a most promising girl, who died at the age of thirteen years: Fannie E. is the wife of R. T. Montgomery: Ray C. resides with his parents. After marriage Richard and Sarah Xor- ris took up their abode on his farm in Selma township, where they continued to reside lor three vears. In 1876 he purchased eighty acres of land in section 27^. the sanie township, to wTiicli the\' mmed, and that has been their home u]) to the present time. Later he purchased eight}' acres more, which makes the farm a comfortable one of one liundred and sixt}' acres. It is nearly al' cleared, improxed and well cultivated. It was reclainied from the wilderness almost entirely Ijy the industry of its eiiergctic owner. Notwithstanding the busy life that he has led and the nuniber (jf matters constant- I}' demanding his attention, Mr. Xorris has found a good deal of tinie to de\'Ote to cixic afifairs. He serxed nine years as superin- tendent of the pc;)or of Wexford county, was d;e])nty sheriff two years, was highway com- missioner of Selma township li\'e years, .-served as justice of the peace, township treas- urer and was president of the Pioneer So- ciety of the townships of Selma, Haring, Boon, Cijifax, Clam Lake and the city of Cadillac, Only three other settlers pre- ceded him in taking up their abode in Selma township. He is a member of Washington Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Cadil- lac, is also a memlier of the Patrons of Hus- bandry, niasler of Wexford Conntv Po- mona I I range and president of the Patrons' Mutual I'^ire Insurance Compan}- of Wex- ford, Osceola and Missaukee counties. He is a man whose kindly smile and genial man- ners readily win friends in anv gathering in which he ma\' be found. There are few- men in an}' community more conifortabl}' situated than he is. Possessed of enough of this w'l/rld's goods to supply e\er}' want, blessed with health and strength, with a iruc and noble wife at his side and snri'ound- ed bv children who were alw;i}'s noted for their obedience and moralit\', whv need a 534 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. man seek further for that paradise of which we hear. Init of which we know noth- TACOB DISCHER. Jacnl) Disclier is a native of Ohio, horn in Putnam county. March 15. 1847. and there lie was reared until sixteen years of age. His parents were Jolin and ^laria ( Hed- rick) Disclier. hoth natives of Germany. They emigrated to America in the early part of the last century and located in Ohio. They were the parents of ele\en children, of whom the subject was the youngest. He received his education in the public schools of his nati\c cuunty and., although leaving school when (|uitc young, had managed to actpiire a fair knowledge of all the common school branches. At the age of si.xteen years, accompanied by his elder brother, William Disclier, he went to southern Mich- igan, and located in Branch cnunty. where lie remained about eighteen nicnths. em- ployed at such labor as he could find to do. .'^t. Joseph countv next liecanie his residence and l;iter Osceola county, where he was em- j ])loyed in a sriw-mill, in the woods on the ( irand ivapids & Indiana Railroad. These \arious occupations he followed until 1869, when he came to W^exford county and set- tled on a farm in Clam Lake township which is now' his home and where he has since re- sided. He is one of the very oldest settlers in Wexford county. On this farm, which consists of one hundred and twenty acres, he erected a large barn in 1898. besides other necessary farm buildings, substantial, con- venient and commodious, luglity acres of the place are cleared and in a line state of cultivation. On the 13th day of September, 1875. i" Clam Lake township, Jacob Disclier was united in marriage to Miss Sophronia Hoff- man, a native of Calhoun county, ^Michigan, born November ly. 1858. Her parents are the late Hugh and Mary ( l-'ritz) Hoffman, natives of I'ennsyKania. To Mr. and Mrs. Disclier four children have been born, viz; Burt. F.dward. ^linnie and Kittie. Minnie is the wife of Gustave Brehm, and they have one child, Gladys. Burt wedded Miss (Jer- trude ilead and they have two daughters. Alpha May and Blanche Kittie. The family is most estimable and highly respected throughout the county. In politics Mr. Disclier is a consistent and ihorough-going Democrat, who imt only be- lieves in the ])rinciples of the party but who is willing to make some sacrifices in its be- half. The family are members of the Ger- man Lutheran church, regular attendants upon its services and devout worshippers. NORM AX .\. REVXOLIJS. The two niost strongly marked charac- teristics of the east and the west are com- bined in the residents of the section of coun- try of which this volume treats. The en- thusiastic enterprise which overleaps all obstacles and makes possible almost any undertaking in the comparatively new and vigorous western states, is here tempered by the stable and more conservative policy that wc borrow from our eastern neighbors and the conibin.ation is one of peculiar force and |)ower. It has been the means of placing this section of country on a par with the oldest east, at the same time producing a re- WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 535 lialiility and certainty in business affairs which is frequently lacking in the west. This happy combination of characteristics is possessed in a marked degree by the sub- ject of this review, Xorman A. Reyncjlds. of Cedar Creek township, present member of the County board of super\ isors. In W'ellsville. Allegany county, Xew York, on the 23rd c:)f Fel)ruar\-, 1S51, Xor- man A. Reynolds was liorn. lie was the oldest of two children born to his parents, Norman and Phoebe A. (Abbott) Reynolds, whose life of domestic tranquility was re- markable only for its bre\ity. the young mother dying in 1853, when the subject was only two years old. The care and rearing of the child being thus left to strangers, it may well be imagined that the life of the boy was by no means a happy one. Cp to the time that he was eighteen years old he lived mostly in Steuben county, though a portion of the time was spent in Wayne county. Had he been a boy with little apti- tude or taste for learning he might have grown up in ignorance of letters and books, but the natural tendency of the youth was toward the acquisition of knowledge, to which he is indelited for the satisfactory cnmmon school education which he received, llis father was b\' occupation a cal)inct- maker and followed his calling until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he en- listed in the Eighty-sixth Regiment, Xew York Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He is still living, a resident of Steuben count}-. Xew ^'ork, where the greater part of his long and useful life has been spent. In April. 1860. Xorman A. Reynolds left his native state and went into northern Michigan. He remained for a time in W ex- ford county, before it was organized, then sought and secured employment in various sections of the northern part of the state, continuing at such work as he was ai)le to procure until iS/2. when he returned to \\'exford county. Having attained his majority abcnit the time of his return to Wexford county, he took uj) a homestead in ( jreenwoixl township, upon which he erected a residence, established his home, resided ui)on and cultivated the place until 1895, when he settled in Manton to take charge of and manage the store of the Patrons' Busi- ness Association. While living in Greenwood he represented tiiat township on the county board of supervisors for ten years, served a number of years as justice of the peace and was much of the time one of the school officers of the district. \\'hen the township was organized he was one of those who voted at the first election ever held in the township, in the spring of 1873, l)eing then less than twenty-two years old. Jul}' 4. 1877, Norman A. Reynolds was united in marriage to Miss Linda K. Wood, a nati\-e of Michigan, born in Alle- gan county in 1857. Her parents wore A\'illiam W. and i'hoeba A. ( Riclie}') Wood, old settlers of Antioch townsiiii), Wexford county. I.oth are now deceased. 'J'o the union of Mr. and .Mrs. Iveynolds one son. Kstavan I)., has Ijeen born, who is now in the twenty-first year of his age. The po- litical affiliations of Air. Reynolds are with the Republican party and he is a man of recognized abilit}' and influence in the party in the localit}' whci-e he resides. He is at present supervisor of I'edar Creek tcjwnshi]) and is also justice of the peace, filling each position to the satisfaction of his constit- uents. He is a member of Cedar Creek 536 Jr EX FORD COUXTY, MICHIGAN. Lodge No. 147, Knights of Pytliias. For al)out a year after ser\ing his cnnnection witli tlie Patrons' Bnsiness Association, wiiich closed ii]) its affairs and (|nit Inisiness. lie suffered from ill health, hut has since fully recovered, lie takes an acti\e inter- est in all public matters, and his opinions on various (juestions arising in the community are frei|nentl}- suiiglit. He is a txpic.'d man of the pciipie. the unseUishness of wliose nature is the secret of his popularity. WILLIA.M McXlLT. .\ yiiung man ne\er de\'oted the years of his early maniiood to a more nnhlc nr \\iirth\- cause than in the defense of his nati\e land and the prdtectiim nf her institutions. I'or- tunate indeed was he wlin sur\i\-ed to see the dark shadow nf civil war swept fmni the face of the land that ga\e him hirth and to sec the one hint upon its fair name, human slavery, wiped nut fi>rc\er. The subject of this review, Williaiu .McXitt, is one of the aggressive and enthusiastic youths nf iSOi, who went to the front, c>ft'ering their li\es lli;it the free institutions of their country might li\-e. William AlcXitt is a native of Ohio. He was Ijorn October 20. 1S40, and sjient the first two years of his life in and near the place of his birth. His parents were Sidney and Madula McXitt, natives of Ohio :md c;u"ly pioneers of Kent county, Michigan. In 1S42 the family moxed to Dul'age ct)unty, Illinois, where the\' continued to reside un til 1849. when they moved to Kent county. Michigan, where they cmuinued to reside until their d,eath, a number nf \ears ago. .\t the time of his death his father was sev- enty-one years old. The}' were the parent.-; of ti\e children, nf whom William was the ( eldest. In the public schools of Du Page county, Illinois, and of Kent county, Michigan, the education of William McXitt was procured. In August. i8()i. just liefore attaining his majority, he enlisted as a pri\ate suhlier in a company raised in Kent couiUn' that was later assigned to the l*"irst Regiment, Xew Vork Lincoln Cavalry, fie took ])art with his regiment in many of the important hat- ties of the war and was slightly wounded in an engagement that took place between Mar- tinsburg and Bunker Hill, West X'irginia. Later he was taken prisoner, at Moretield, West Virginia, but fortunately made his es- cape and reached his regiment before Ijeing recaptured. He served until after the close I if the war. being mustered out of the ser\ice in Julv, iBA^. Returning to Kent cnunt\', Michigan, .Mr. .McXitt engaged there in farming a number of years, then went to southern Illi- nois and remained there two years, when, in October, 187J, he mo\ed to We.\ford county and loc.ited on one hundred and sixty acres I if land, part of section 14, Imkhi township. This land he has cleared and imiiroxcd and s])lendidly fitted it up fur a farm. ( )ne hun- dred and ten of its fertile acres are now un- der cultixatioii. Outside of the four years spent in the service of his country farming has been his life work. On the 7th day of December. iS()5, in Kent countN, .Michigan, William McXitt was united in marriage to Miss Maria .Saur, a. native of Sweden, born .March _v i84'>, a ladv possessed of man\' sign.al \irtnes and eudeariu"' (inalities, h'oiir h.indsome and in- WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 587 tcllioent children lia\"c been Ijorn to Ijless tlieir union. Tliey are Nora, Gussie, Claude and William. Both the g'irls are married, Nora l)eing- the wife of \\'. ]>. W'atkins. and C'liisie is married to Henry Mansfield, lioth gentlemen being worthy and prosperous farmers of Wexford county. Every intelligent community lo\-es to honor its prudent, capable, upright citizens with public place. This is doubtless the rea- son why the subject of this re\'ie\v has been called by the voters of Boon township, at various times, to fill the ofiice of supervisor, townshi]! treasurer and a member of the school board. The affairs of the townsliip ha\-e always commanded a good deal of his time and attention. In e\ery mo\'ement for the general good, without any desire to make himself conspicuous, he has alwavs taken a prominent part. He and his wife are members of the Boon Baptist church and botli are activelv interested in church and charitable work. Their contrilnitions to every good cause are alwavs liberal and timely and without ostentation. If there is one trait more than another in the char- acter of William AlcXitt which has com- manded the attention and respect of his neighbors it is his honesty and integrity. He has the reputation (jf being the soul of honor, a man whose word can be relied upon as imi)licitlv as his note or bond. EZI^A HARGER. The historv of the representative citizens of Wexford county. Michigan, would not be complete shoulil the name that heads this re\-iew be omitted. When the fierce fire of the Rebellion w;is rat-inu' throui'houl the Southland, threalening to destroy the I'nion, he responded with patriotic fervor to the call for volunteers and in some of the blood- iest battles for which that great war was noted he pro\ed his loyalty to the govern- ment he lo\'ed so well. During a useful life in the region where he lived he labored dili- gently to promote the interests of the i)eople, working earnestly and with little regard for his personal advancement or ease. He was devoted to the public welfare and in all of his relations his highest ambition was to benefit the communitv and advance its stan- I'.ard of citizenship. I'zra Harger, deceased, was 1:)orn in Kent, Portage county, Ohio, in 1838, but when a mere child he accompanied his par- ents upon their remo\-al to St. Clair, Alle- gheny County, I'ennsyhania. At the age of about ten years, in 1848. he returned to Kent county, Ohio, and in 1852 he went to Jeffer- son county. New York. In the fall of the same year he came to Lajjcer count}-, Michi- gan, where he resided until 1861. when he paid a \isit to old friends in I'ulton county, Ohio. While there he enlisted, in April, 18O1, in the Fourteenth Regiment, Ohio \'olunteer Infantr}', for ser\-ice during the Civil w;u". Ins regiment enlisting for the three months service. Cpon his discharge he went to Toledo, Ohio, and from there to New York state and there re-enlisted, being asigned to the Fifteenth United States In- fantry, which became a part of the Western army. He served with this command until February, 1864, when he again re-enlisted for three years, receiving his final discharge in F"'ebruary, 1867. He was a brave and loval soldier and participated in all the nir\rclies, skirmishes ;nid battle.^ in which his rep'imenl took part. 538 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. L'pon his discharge from llie army, Mr. Harger came to the Traverse region in searcli of desiral)le land and in August, 1867, lie took up a homesteatl of eiglity acres in section 12, in what is now Colfax township, Wexford county. It was uninipro\ed land, hut he went Id w(.)rk Id create nut of it a niotlel farm, in which he was successful to a high degree. He added to the original tract from time to time and erected suhstan- "lial and commodious huildings and at length found himself the possessor of one of the hest farms of the size in the township. He was a ])rogressive and enterprising citizen and assisted in the organization of the town- ship in which he resides. In company with William Mears and George Manton. he platted tlic town of Alanton and here erected the first Ikiusc. In 1S73 he renio\ed fr(jm Colfax township to the home which he had created here and li\cd here during the re- mainder of his days, his last residence heing in the town of ^lanton. h'or six terms. twelve years, he served as treasurer of Wex- ford county, and was also supervisor of Col- fax township, and Cedar Creek township, and was township treasurer ;ind justice of tlie peace. Mr. llarger was twice married. ( ^n the _'5th of December, 1S67, he was united to Miss Mary B;iyes, a natixe of Ohio, and to them were horn four children. N'irginia. who dieil in childhood: I'"mma, who is the wife of Charles II. liostick: Idoni. who is the wife of M. J. Compton, and I-'.dilh. Mrs. Mary llarger died in hebruary, i88y, and he was sul)scr(uently married to Miss Mar- garet IJayes, a sister of his first wit'e. One child was horn to the secontl union, (iladys hy name. Mr. Ilarger's decease, which oc- curred in Manton on .\pril 20, i()00, was a matter of regret to the people among w hom his splendid abilities made him a leader and a forceful factor. In every relation of life he was a manlv m.'in, broad and liberal in his \iews. and won by his courtly manner and genial companionship the esteem and ad- miration of the peo])le of liis town and county. With a character open and trans- parent, and a sense of honor strong and de- cided, he was a striking exam])le of what is noblest and best ni manhood, rmd he will always be accorded a high place among Wexford's representative citizens. S.\MUEL J. WALL. Among Wexford's leading men of af- f.iirs and distinguished citizens, the name of .Sanniel J. Wall, of Cadillac, has long been ])re-eminent. Of commanding intellectual ability and high professional attainments, he has lieen a forceful factor in legal circles and as a director of thought and moulder of opiinons in all matters of a public character, his influence being duly recognized and ap- preciated by his fellow citizens in t'nis part of the stale. Samuel J. Wall was born in Kent county, Michigan, July 10, 1851, the son of Samuel and Mary (.Morris) Wall, both prn-ents na- tives of England. Samuel Wall and wife were reared and married in the land of their birtli and there remained until several of their children were born, when they came to the T'lu'ted St.ates, soji>nrning for a time in Ontario couiUy, Xcw \'ork. About the \ear 1850 the\- remoxed to Kent count}', ]\Iichigan, and settled on .a farm which the older sons improved .and culli- S. J. WALL. WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 589 rated. The latlier, being" a tailor, worked at his trade in the city of Grand Rapids of winter seasons, devoting the rest of tlie year to agricultural pursuits. Mrs. W' all bore her husband nine children and departed this life in the year 1864, Mr. Wall surviving her until 189J, when he too was called to the other world. Samuel J., the youngest of the nine chil- dren, spent his youthful da)'s in the cease- less rountl of labor which attends farm life and at intervals pursued his studies in the district schools until he acquired a fair knowledge of the fundamental branches. The training tlius received was later supplement- ed by a course in the Grand Rapids Business College, after which he taught school for a wliile. but soon abandoned that profession fcir (jtlier and more congenial pursuits. Mr. Wall l)egan his business career at I.iay Port. Huron county, Michigan, where, in partner- shii) with James McKay and others, he or- ganizetl th.e Bay Port Salt and I^umlier Com- pany, of which he was made secretary. Af- ter remaining at that place until 1876 he re- turned to Cadillac and accepted a clerical ])ositi(in in the offices of Plarris Brothers, luml)cr dealers, and continued in their em- ])]ov until engaging with another lumber iirm near the city two years later. Mean- time he devoted his leisure to the study of the law, a profession for whicli he had long' manifested a decided preference, ruid in the spring of 1880 he was admitted to the bar, immediately thereafter t^pening an ollicc in Cadillac and engag'ing activel\' in the prac- tice. The following fall he was elected on the Republican ticket prosecuting attorney, the duties of which office be discharged one term and at the expiration of which lie again turned his attention largely to his lumbering interests in Lake county, where he made con- siderable investment in the year 1880 with a partner by the name of Sipley. In 1882 these gentlemen enlarged the plant and prosecuted the business with the most encouraging suc- cess until the following year, when the en- tire outfit was destroyed by fire, entailing a hea\'y loss, which for a time seriously crip- pled them and interfered \-ery materially with their plans. Returning to Cadillac after this disaster, Mr. Wall resumed the practice of the law, which, with various lines of nys- celianeous business, engaged his attention until 1888, when he was elected county clerk, which position he continued to hold by suc- cessive re-elections four terms, proving a capable and obliging public servant and so administering the office as to gain the con- fidence and good will of the people. Subse- quently, in 1890, he was chosen to represent the third ward in the city council, in which body he was untiring in his efforts to pro- mote the interests of the municipality, and four years later he was further honored by being elected mayor of Cadillac. Mr. Wall served two years in the latter cajiacity and made an honorable record as an executive, his administration throughout l)eing straight- forward, business-like, cretlitable to himself and satisfactory to the public. Retiring from the office, he resumed the practice of his profession, and was thus engag'ed until 1898, when he was again called from i)ri\ate life by being appointed postmaster of Cadillac, the duties of which position be has since dis- charged. Mr. Wall's almost continuous retention in important official stations affords the best evidence of the high esteem in which he is belli by the people and bis official career throughout has fully justified the confidence 540 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. reposed in liim 1>\' his fellow citizens. His long residence in Cadillac has enaljled him to realize as well perhaps as any other the wants of tlie people and with clear brain and willing hand he has supplied the demand generously and unsparingly. His coming here and the existence of the town were al- most coeval events and it is not too much to claim for him a large share in the com- munity's subsequent developmait and pros- perity. A western man in the broad sense of the word and public spirited in all the term implies, he has labored zealously for the general welfare, and that his efforts have been productive of large and lasting results is cheerfully conceded by those at all familiar with the history of Wexford county and the growth of its flourishing capital city. In his achievements as a lawyer Mr. Wall is wholly indebted to personal efforts, having pursued his preparatory studies dur- ing spare hours, snatched from time devoted to his regular occupations. He made the most of his opportunities under such circum- stances and today occupies a respectable place among his professional brethren of the Cadillac bar, enjoying a lucrative prac- tice, which but for the pressing claims of his official duties would be far more exten- sive than it now is. In politics, as already indicated, he is an uncompromising Repub- lican and for a number of years past has been an influential factor in local matters, tesides taking an active interest in state and national affairs. He knows the grounds of his belief and has carefully studied the differences be- tween the two great parties, therefore his position is that of an intelligent man who reaches conclusions after mature deliberation and supports the cause which in his judg- ment makes for the best interests of the people. As chairman of the Republican coun- ty central committee his services were es- pecially valuable to the party, and he has also frequently figured as a delegate to vari- ous nominating conventions, local, district and state, manifesting much more than a passive interest in their deliberations. Mr. Wall's fraternal relations are represented by the Masonic order and the Knights of Pyth- ias, both of which he recognizes as impor- tant agencies for man's moral good and so- cial advancement. Mr. Wall is a married man and the father of four children, whose names are Ruth, Marjorie, Stewart and Morris. His wife was formerly Miss Caroline Sipley, of .^nn .\rbor, Michigan, and the ceremony by w hich it was changed to the one she now bears was solemnized in the vear 1881. LYMAX E. PARKER. An enumeration of the men of the pres- ent 'lay who ha\e won success and recogni- tion for themselves and at the same time have honored the locality in which they re- side would be incomplete without due no- lice oi the subject of this rexiew, Lyman E. Parker. Clearly defined purpose and consecutive effort have been among his more prominent characteristics and his standing today as one of Selma township's most en- terprising agriculturists and one of the county's truly representati\e citizens is cheerfully conceded by all who know him. Identified with every enterprise having for its object the good of the community, taking a lively interest in the public aft'airs of his tf >\\ nship anil count}', he has sought by every means at his command to promote the IVEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 541 country's material prosperit)' and adxance the standard of its citizenship. L3'man E. Parker, who resiiles on a part of section 24, Selma township, Wexford county, was born in \\'y()niing county, New York, August 26, 1847. When he was two years okl his parents nio\ed to Erie county. New York, where tiiey took \\\^ their resi- dence and engaged in farming. There he grew to manhoock received a fair education and acquired a knowledge of the mercan- tile-business. In starting out in the world to provide for himself he went into Catta- raugus county. New York, where he estab- lished himself in business and wdiere he pros- pered for two years. Having made up his mind tliat there were better opportunities in his line in the west, he made all necessary arrangements and mo\ed to Coopersville, Ottawa county, Michigan, where he opened out in the mercantile business and did a thrix'ing trade for four years. He then sold out and moved to Dorr, Allegan county, Michigan, where he engaged in the hardware business, which he continued until January, 1882, when he came to AVexford county. Some time previously he had purchased eighty acres of land in section 24, Selma township, though he later sold forty acres of this. On this tract he established a home and it has been the place of residence of the fam- ily since. Seventy-six acres more have been purchased since, making a snug farm f>f one hundred and twelve acres, .\bout sixty acres have been cleared and the i)lace is well improved, being all that one could de- sire in a modest, comfortal)le home. In Sardinia, Erie count)'. New ^'()rk, on the 25th day of December, 1866, Lyman E. Parker was united in marriage to Miss Hat- tie L. Hosmer, a nati\c of New "S'ork, burn in Erie county, .\pril 10, 1847. She has ljrci\en herself an amiable, worthy wife who lias been a most valuable assistant to her husband in his various business ventures. They first engaged m housekeeping, a num- ber of years, in their native state and the wife accompanied the husband in his remo\al to Michigan. They are the parents of four children, viz : Cora M., Grace M., Clarence U. and Ruth E. Cora, who had taught in We.xford county, was the wife of A. E. Tilyon, resided in Huntsville, Alabama, and died December 25, 1891, wdien thirty-two years of age. Grace M. is the wife of Or- lean Denike and resides in Selma township. Ever since he became a citizen of Wex- ford county Lyman E. Parker has taken an active i)art in all matters pertaining to the welfare and development of the locality. He lias served as justice of the peace a number of years, discharging the duties of that po- sition most efliciently. He has also served as township clerk and township treasurer for two terms and has always been found faith- ful and trustworthy in all that he has under- taken. He is a member of Lodge No. 331, Free and Accepted Masons, at Cadillac, and takes an active interest in the work. He ;uk1 his wife are both members of the church (if the Disciples of Christ. Both are persons whose standing in the county is above re- jiroach, the ]iarents of a worthy familv anrl the occupants of a home that is the model of domestic courtcs\- and refinement. CARL PETERSON. When it comes lo thrift, the practice of economy and the accumulation of property and wealth the averaw nati\-e .American 542 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. does not seem to he able to licar favorable comparison with the natives of otlier climes who take up their abode in the United States. True, most of the really rich men of Amer- ica arc "to the manner horn." hut. in pro- portion to their number, people of foreign birth are j)ossessed of much more of the wealth of the nation than the native-born citizens, if the gigantic corporations and the millionaires are excluded. There can be no doubt that the difference in training of the two classes produces different results. Pru- dence and economy is the rule with the one ; lavish expenditure the policy of the other. America is largely peopled with wealth pro- ducers and accumulators from other shores. Nearly every country in Europe has contrib- uted to the grand total and the sous of Swed- en are not the least among the number. The subject of this sketch, Carl B. Peterson, who resides on section 35, Clam Lake township, is one of the thrifty sons of Sweden who ha\e resided in .\merica nearly a (|uarter of a century. By industry and frugality he has accumulated a comfortable estate, and not vet being bowed down by the weight of \ears. it is i|uite likely that he will yet adtl many thousands more to his possessions. As before indicated, Carl B. Peterson is a native of Sweden. He was born June y. 1855, and contiinied to reside in the country of his birth until he arrived at the age of twenty-seven years. Tiie prevailing condi- tions in his nali\e land were not entirely agreeable to him and he yearned for a wider field and belter opportunities, .\fter casting about for some time for a location, he decided that .\merica afforded the best field for operation. In 1882. when twenty- seven years of age, lie emigrated to .\merica. remained a few months in Cleveland. Ohio, and then came to W'e.xford county, Michi- gan, and piuxha.sed eighty acres in section 35, (.lam Lake township, on which he set- tled and which has been the family home to the present time. To the original purchase he has added eighty acres more and is now the owner of a fine fertile quarter section, sixty acres of which is impro\'efl and in a fine state of cultivation. In Muskegon. Michigan, Carl B. Peter- son was united in marriage to Miss Minnie .Anderson, a native of Sweden, a woman of many noble qualities and sterling virtues. They immediately took up their abode upon the farm on section 35. antl that has been their residence to the pre.sent time. To Mr. and Mrs. I^eterson four children have been born, viz: Joseph, Carl A.. Oscar and David. The family stands well in the townsliip of their residence and enjoy an enviable reputation for thrift and industry and every element that constitutes good citi- zenship. GEORGE F. WILLLvMS. The two most strongly marked charac- teristics of toth the east and the west are combined in the residents of the section of country of which this volume treats. The enthusiastic enterprise which overleaps all ob- stacles and makes possible almost any under- taking in the comparati\'ely new and vigor- ous western states is here tempered by the stable and more careful policy that we have borrowed from our eastern neighbors, and the combination is one of peculiar force and poxyer. It has been the means of placing this section of the country on a par with the older east, at the same time producing a cer- WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 543 tainty and reliability in business affairs which is frequently lacking in the west. This happy combination of characteristics is pos- sessed by the subject of this sketch, George F. U'illiams, one of the prominent and en- terprising business men of Manton, Wexford county, Michigan. Mr. Williams is a native of Canada, hav- ing been born on tlie J_'d of August, 1859. }fe is the son of James and faulina (Pritch- ard) \\'illiams. who were Ixitli natix'es oi England, in which country they were reared and were there married. The father died at Shelby, Michigan, in 1881, at the age of sixty-one years. The mother, who was bom in 1822, is still living and makes her home with the subject. George I". Williams remoxed from Canada with his parents in J 864 and located at Aurora, Illinois, and two .years later they renin\ed to Montague, Michigan, where the father engaged in the business of Ium])ering. There the subject was given- the opportunity of attending school, but his studies were interrupted in 1871, when the family removed to Shelby, Oceana county, Michigan, where his father and his brothers, Jeremiah, James H. and Walter S., engaged in the mercantile, lum- bering and saw-mill business. In the new home the subject, with a younger brother, Albert, was again permitted to attend school, though he was also employed at odd times in the mill. In the spring of 1881. upon the death of his father, ^Ir. Williams assisted his brother Walter in conducting a planing and saw-mill. His first business venture on his own account was the purchase of a lot in the village of Shelby, on which he built a brick \-eneered block, in conjunction with a Mr. I'armentcr. who owned, die adjoin- ing lot, the two jointly buikling the division wall. In 1 88 1 Mr. Williams was united in mariage with Miss Emma Graves, of Shelby, and the next year he moved to Manton, where their only son, Clarence F., was born, October i, 1883. In 1883 Mr. Williams engaged in the business of getting out and shipping last blocks and about the same time entered into partnership with his brother James H. in a general store. The last named business was sold out. however, soon afterwards and Mr. Williams devoted his attention solelx' to the last business, whicli was not. however, on a very large scale. .\t tlie outset of his career there oc- curred one of those incidents which might have easily discouraged a more timid or less resolute man. When he arrived in Manton he possessed about one thousand dollars and it was partially invested in the lirst shipment of last lilocks which he made tmi)any. which was done under the name of the Williams Brothers Company, with a capi- tal stock of thirty-seven thousand dollars. George F. Williams was principal stockhohl- er and was chosen secretary, treasurer and manager, the other stockholders being \\''al- ter S. and Albert E. Williams, brothers of the subject, and William A. Hall, a nephew. I'nder the new arrangement they found it possible to extend their operations and soon started a branch factory at Mesick, Michi- gan, opened a general store at Manton, and also made large purchases of hardwood tim- ber, including the land on which it stood. \\t tlie summer of 190J the capital stock of the company was increased to se\enty-five thousand dollars, the sul)ject taking the larger portion of the stock and the other .stockholders being Walter S. Williams, Al- bert E. Williams, Clarence F., the subject's son, Marty L. Williams, son of Walter S., William A. Hall, Bruce Green and H. M. Billings. The subject was still retained as the active manager of the company's interests and their holdings were still further extend- ed, they buying a large tract of timber land along ihc .\nn .\rbor Railroad and building a saw-mill and last block factf)ry at Cadil- lac. The manufacturing of last blocks wa^ begun on a modest scale, but has grown to mammoth proportions,- necessitating the em- ployment of over one hundred men and the output amounting to one and a half million last blocks per year. In the spring of 1902 the general store was discontinued and the Williams Mercantile Company was organ- ized, with a capital stock of twelve thou- sand dollars, the officers of the new company being as follows : President, (jeorge F. Williams; vice-president, Walter S. Will- iams ; secretary, M. J. Compton ; treasurer. Reynold Swanson, these gentlemen holding all the stock. In 1902 Mr. Williams also was instrumental in organizing the Mantun Development Association, with a capital stock of six thousand dollars. He was chosen president of the association, the other stock- holders being Clarence F. Williams, H. M. Billings, James R. Oaks. Dr. V. F. Huntley, and J. E. Jones. In addition to all the busi- ness enterprises which have been here men- tioned, Mr. Williams also owns considerable real estate in Wexford county, including a beautiful home and several houses and lots in the village of Manton. He came to the village at a time when it gave little ])romise of becoming the busy and thriving town it is today, and it has been largelv through his influence and energy that the town has as- sumed the commercial importance that it occupies today. Mr. Williams has been honored by his fellow citizens with several positions of honor, having been one year village president, si.K years a member of the village council, four years a member of the school board and four years township clerk. He is affiliated with the Republican party, of w liich he is a warm supporter, and he served line year as chairman of the townshi]) cum- mittee. Fraternallv he is a nieml)er nf the following orders: l-"ree and Accepted Ma- WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 546 S(jns. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias. Order of the Eastern Star, and in the Masonic order he is a Knight Templar and also has taken the de- grees of the IVIx'Stic Shrine. In 1894 Air. \\ illiams \v;ls married to Miss Eliza Gaunt, of Manton, a daughter of Austin and Mary (Johnson) Gaunt, and horn June 2, 1866. By his courteous manners, genial disposition and genuine worth Air. Williams has won a warm place in the hearts of all who know him and he and his wife are the center of a large circle of warm and loval friends. J.AMES H. BAKER. There are few states in the union where enterprise is better appreciated or industry more liberally remunerated than in Michi- gan. This is especially true of that j)ortion of the state known as the northern part of the southern peninsula, wherein is located the fertile and productive county of Wex- ford. Youth and inexperience is no bar to success in that favored region, and it is noth- ing uncommon there to encounter beardless lioys at the head of enterprises of such mag- nitude as would deter old veterans from un- dertaking them in more conservative sections of the land. James H. Baker, of the firm of Phelps & Baker, millers and ])n)duce dealers of Manton, is a splendid specimen of the shrewdness, tact and commercial foresight which can be displaved in this part of the country by a lad who had scarcely ;ittained his majority. In the year 1889, when barely twenty-one years old, he took upon himself as pro])rietor the care and operation of a flouring-mill at Manton, with all of the busi- ness management incident to the conduct of such an enterprise, and has attained an en- \iable success in each and every department of his undertaking. James H. Baker was born at Dorr, Ale- gan county, Alichigan, October 16, 1868. His parents were tlenry M. and Catherine ( Butcher) Baker, the former being by occu- pation a machinist and millwright. Pie came to Alanton in April, 1882, and for about se\en \-ears operated the flouring-mill at that ])lace. In 1889, on account of failing health, he was obliged to retire from active business, which, however, did not improve his physicial condition and he died March 18, 1892, being then in the fifty-seventh year of his age. His faithful wife is still living, residing with her children, in Manton. To them six children were born, of whom the subject of this sketch was the oldest child and only son. The early years of the life of James PI. Baker were spent in his native county and did not differ materially from the youth of other kills of the same age and time, except that he had acquired a very thorough knowl- edge of all the common school branches of learning at an early age. Under the tuition of his father he applied himself to securing a knowledge of machinery and milling. When the father first came to Manton his son accompanied him and during the seven years that the parent operated the mill there the boy was his constant attendant and helper. When the physical condition of his father compelled him to retire in 1889, so well had the son learned his lessons in mechanism that he easily stepped into his parent's place, and the operation of the mil! and the busi- 546 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. ness connected with it went on witliout a stop or friction. In 1892 the subject formed a partnersliip with C. D. Phelps, under the firm name of Phelps & Baker, and from that time to tlie jjresent they have conducted a very successful business, year after year in- creasing their patronage and steadily adding to their capital. July 3, 1897, James H. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Xewland, a na- tive of Ohio, born June 3, 1869. Her parents were Richard and Newland, who were among the early settlers of Mairton. Having assumed new and very important responsibilities, the subject a])plied himself to the business of his choice with a keener zest. They not only rebuilt the nld mill, but in 1900, to accommodate their increased patronage and that they might have a nian- ufactiu^ing plant that is strictly up to date, they erected an entirely new mill on the most iriiproved plan, with the very latest machin- ery and most imj^roved processes and with a capacity of seventy barrels daily. The old mill they still retain intact, and it is almost constantly in oi)eration on rough grinding, meal, feeus with ail tb;il is correct in manhf relatixe distinction in the com- munity with which his interests are allied. But biogra])hy ilnds its most perfect justihca- tion, nevertheless, in the tracing and record- ing of such a life history. It is. then, with a full ai)i)reciation of all that is demanded and of the painstaking scrutiny tliat must be accorded each statement, and yet with a feel- ing of satisfaction, that the writer essays the task of touching briefly upon the details of such a record as has been that of the honored subject whose life now comes under review — Charles H. Bostick, of Manton. Wexford county, Michigan. Charles H. Bostick is a nati\e of the state of Micliigan, having first seen the light of day at New Troy, Berrien county, on the 18th of January, 1869. His parents were Dr. Charles II. and S.arah .\. (Merry- lield) Bostick, the former a native of New York state, born May i,^. 1825. and the lat- ter born August 29. 1823, at New \ (jrk. They came from New l^-o\', Berrien county, to Manton in 18S0 for the purpose of visiting a son. Dr. John C. Bostick, and, being pleased with the ccinulry. they located permanently at .Manlmi in i88j. The father continued in the active practice of his profession up to WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 551 within two years of his death, when, because of faihng- heakh. he was compeHed to rehn- quish Ills practice. His death occurred at IManton August 5. 1896. He and his wife were the parents of twelve cliikh'en, six sons and six daiighters, of whom the sul)ject was the eleventh in the order of birtli. Charles H. Bostick was educated pri- marily in the schools of Xcw Tmy and later at ^lanton, having accompanied his parents upon their removal to this place in i88j. Upon completing his common school train- ing he was emplo\ed for about three years in the drug store of his brother, Dr. John C. Bostick, and then for about two years en- gaged at various occupations. He then took a course of study in the department of phar- macy at the University of Michigan at Ann Arljor, and upon his return home was again employed in his broiher's drug store, where he remained until 1S95, when he purchased an interest in the business, and has since had the active management of the store. He is a thorough and practical pharmacist, and particularly well-equipped in a knowl- edge of all that goes to the making of a capa- ble prescription druggist. In 1891, upon examination by the state board of phar- macy, he was given a certificate as a pharma- cist. His store is well supplied with a full hne of drugs, besides which he keeps a large assortment of sundries such as are usually to be obtained in a drug store. By his cour- teous manners and his evident desire to please his customers he has won their conhdence and commands a large and profitable busi- ness. In company with his brother. Dr. John C, he erected the block known as the Bost- wick block, one of tlie most sulwtantial and liest arranged public Iniildings in the town. In September, 1888, Mv. Bostwick was united in marriage with Miss Emma L. Har- ger. who was born October 3. 1870, the daughter of Ezra and Mary (Bayes) Harger. Mrs. Bostick was born in Colfax township, this county, and was reared there and in Manton. To her union with Mr. Bostick have been born five children — Ray E.. Rex, Kenneth, Herbert and Mary. Po- litically Mr. Bostick is identified with the Republican i>arty, in which he takes a deep interest. He has been honored by his fellow citizens with several offices of public tru.st and responsibility, having been village treas- urer of Manton two terms, village clerk for two terms, and served five terms as village president. In all these positions he has per- formed his duties in a manner highly cred- itable to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Maconic fraternity, holding membership in Manton Lodge No. 347. He has attained the thirty-second degree in Ma- sonry in Dewitt Clint(_)n Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and belongs to Sala- din Temple, .\ncient Arabic' Order Nobles of the Mvstic Shrine, at (irand Rapids. He is also a member of Cedar Creek Lodge No. J 47, Knights of I'ytbias, Drasmic Order Knights of Khorassan No 155, of Traverse City, and with Manton Tent No. 220, Knights of the Maccaljees. Mr. and Mrs. ijostick are deservedly popular and are the center of a large social circle. JOHONN.\S ANDERSON. Among the Swedish-. \merican residents of Clam Lake township is numbered Johon- nas Anderson, who has made bis home in 552 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Wexford county for almost a third of a century, liaving arrived here in 1872. His interests liave since heen identified with this section of the state and tlu'out;h tlie greater part of the time he has followed farming, his lahors heing attended with good results. Mr. .Anderson's natal day was February 7, 1842, and his birth place Sweden. In that country he was reared and educated, and when he began earning his own living he took up farm work, which claimed his attention until 1871, when, at the age of twenty-nine years, he resolved to try his for- tune in .\merica. His fellow countrymen who had come to the L'nited States had sent back favorable reports of the opportunities afforded in this land and hoping to better his financial condition, Mr, Anderson crossed the briny deep, landing in New York city April 27, 1871. For one year he remained in the east and in the spring of 1872 arrived in Wexford county, Michigan, first going to the village of Clam Lake, which is now the city of Cadillac and the county seat. He began earning his livelihood here liy work- ing on the railroad and was thus employed for several months. 1 le afterwards worked in saw-mills f(jr about a year, and at the end of that time settled on the farm on which he now lives in Clam Lake townshij). His savings he invested in a tract of forty acres of land and with characteristic energy he began its de\eloi)ment. It was not long be- fore richl\- cultivated fields began to return good harvests and the annual sales of his farm products brnught him a desirable in- come. This he invested in more land and he now has one hundred and forty-five acres, of which sixty acres lies in Clam Lake township. U^ion the home farm he has erected good buildings and evervlhing about the place is kept in repair, while neatness and thrift characterize his labors and have been the foundation ujjon which be has builded his success. After leaving his nati\e country Mr. Anderson was imited in marriage to Miss Elna Xelson, a native of Sweden. l)orn May Ci. 1850, unto them have been born eleven children. Delia, born in Sweden, October 15, 1871, died in January, 1872: Delia (sec- ond), born in Cadillac July 17, 1873, was a teacher, Init l)ecame the wife of Andrew- Johnson, a lumber inspector at Manistee, and they have two children. Alma Elnora and Arthur Rudolph; George Antinian, born July 2~,. 1875, died October 12, 1901 : Selma Charlotte, born November 10, 1877, is the wife of Carl Olson, a boilermaker of West Superior, Wisconsin, and they have two children, Olive Edna and an infant daughter ; Victor Bennett, Ijorn February i , 1880, and who is employed in the Michigan Iron \N'orks, at Cadillac, married Alfreda Precell and they have one son, Milburn I're- cell ; Pattie Albertina, l)orn January 25, 1882, is the wife of Jalmer Johnson, a farmer in tlam Lake townshi]). and they ha\e one son, Harold Raymond; Jennie Amelia, born January 5, 1884. died April 2^, 1884; David Paul, born I'ebruary 20, 1885, Gerda Elvira, born May 12, 1887, Jennie B., born .\pril 29, 1889. and Alma Olivia, born De- cember 9, 1891, are at home and are attend- ing school. Mrs. .-\nderson is one of se\en children born to her parents. Xels and Ann.a (Parson) Parson, both parents now de- cea.sed, the sur\iving children being as fol- lows: Sena is tlie wife of Nels Parson, a farmer of Hobart, this state; Mrs. .\nder- son ; Anna is the wife of b'rank LaRose, of Cadillac, and Olaf. who is married and con- WEXFORD COUXTY, MICHIGAN. 553 ducts a farm in Clam Lake iDwnsliip. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson hold memlicrshii) in the Swedish Lutheran church and are well known ])eople of this cuninuinity, having the regard of all with whom they have come in contact and the friendship of many. The hope that led Mr. Anderson to leave his na- tive land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the op- portunities he sought — which, by the way, are always open to the ambitious, energetic man — and making the best of these he has steadily worked his way upward. He pos- sesses the resolution, perseverance and trust- worthiness so characteristic of people of his nation, and his name is now enrolled among the best citizens of Wexford county. When lie began life in Michigan his capital consist- ed of but fifteen dollars, while today he pos- sesses one h.undred and forty-five acres of land, and not a dollar of indebtedness against him. •♦ ■ » LUCAS W. GATES. For thirty-six years Lucas W. Gates has been a resident of Wexford county, and is now living a retired life in Manton, after many years of active connection with agri- cultural pursuits. He was born on a farm in Fowler township. Trumbull county, Ohio. May 15. 1842. a son of Martin R. Gates, a native oi Xew York and a farmer by occupa- tion. The mother bore the maiden name of Electa Rhodes, and both parents died upon the farm in Fowler township, wliere their married life had Ijeen passed. They were well-known representatives of agricultural interests in Trumbull county, and were peo- ple of the highest respectaliility. Lucas W. Gates was the youngest of their three children, tie was reared upon his father's farm, early becoming familiar with the work of the fields from the time of early spring planting until the crops were harvested in the late autumn. He was .still at home when, in April, 1863, when not yet twenty-one years of age, he offered his serv- ices to the government in defense of the L'nion and enlisted in the Trumbull Guards of United States Infantry. This was an in- dependent company, and was assigned to post duty at Gallipolis, Ohio, where they made their headquarters until the 2d of July, 1865. when the command was mustered out. the war having been brought to a successful termination. When hostilities between the North and the South had ceased Mr. Gates returned to his father's farm in Trumbull county, Ohio, and there remained up to the time of his marriage, which occurred February 22, 1867, the lady of his choice being Miss Eliza- beth Burns, a daughter of the late Jehu Burns, of that county. She was born in 1842. The first summer after his marriage Mr. Gates cultivated his father's land, and then came to Wexford county, Michigan, where he arrived in August, 1867. He en- tered a homestead claim of eighty acres on section 18, Colfax township, took up his abode thereon, and. with characteristic ener- gy, began the development of a good farm, transforming the wild land into richly pro- duclixo fields. l'\)r twenty-four years he carried on general agricultural pursuits there, and in the fall of 1891 sold that proj)- ertv and removed to Manton, where he has since m.ide his home. He improved about iifty acres of his homestead. When he came to this countv he built a log house, and later 554 WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. leplaced il by a more modern and commo- dious frame residence. He also built a good barn and other outbuildings necessary for the shelter of grain and stock. The country was entirely new and wild, and he was one of the earliest settlers of We.xford county. .\t the time of his arrival W'exfurd and Mis- saukee counties had not been divided, ruid one-half of the entire area was embraced within the Ijoundaries of Colfa.x township, (h'eat changes have occurred as the years have passed, and the land has been reclaimed for farming purposes, becoming the place of residence of a contented and prosperous pop- ulation. I'lito Mr. and Mrs. Gates ha\e Ijeen born two children, Rui)ert I), and Clifford M. Mr. dates l-.elongs to (). P. Morton Tost Xo. 34. 'irand .\rniy of the Uepubhc. and is a member of Manton Tent Xo. 220, Knights of the Maccabees. He has always been a stanch supporter of the Republican ]iarty since attaining his majority, and upon that ticket he has been elected to a number of local offices. \\'hile living in Colfa.x town- ship he ser\ed for many years as township clerk, ;uid since coniing to .M.auton he has been a member of the citv council. WALTI'lR S. WILLIAMS. The gentleman to a lirief review of who.^e life and characteristics the reader's attention is herewith directed is among the foremost business men of Wexford county, Michigan, and has by his enterprise and progressive methods contributed in a material way to the industrial and commercial advancement t>f the county in which he resides. He has in the course (jf an honorable career been most successful in the business enterprises with which he has been connected, and is well deserving of mention among the repre- sentative men ol this section of the state. \\'alter S. Williams was born in Glouces- tershire, England, on the 9th of May, 1S56, and is the son of James and Paulina ('Pritch- ard ) Williams. They were the i)arerts of a large family of children, seven of whom grew to maturity, and of whom the subject was one of the older members. When he was about a year old his parents removed to America, locating in Canada, where they li\ed about seven years. Xot being satisfied with conditions there they removed to the I'nited States, locating in ,\urora, Illinois, where they resided about a year and a half, when they removed to ^b)ntague. Muskegon comity, Michigan. After a residence there of seven or eight years they again changed their abode, this time to Shelby. Oceana county. In 1884 the subject moved to Man- ton, where he has since continued to reside. James Williams was a man of enterprise and progressi\eness, and is credited with having started the first store at Shelby, where be was also engaged in the saw-mill business, being assisted in the latter business for several years by the subject. The father was highly re- spected antl imiversally esteeiued l)ecause of his many estimable personal qualities, and his death occurred in Shelliy at the age of alxnit sixty-one years. About the time W.altcr S. Williams at- tained his majorit)- he took charge ol the saw-mill Inisine.ss on his own account and operated it in this way about three years. On coming to Manton in 1884 he. in com- p;mv with a brother. George 1-". Wdliams. rented a sawmill and engaged in the manu- WEXFORD COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 555 facturiiig business. When lie assumed charge of the business at Shelby he also as- sumed a heavy indebtedness which had been incurred by his father. The subject, how- ever, devoted himself assiduously to the ob- ject of paying off this incumbrance, which he succeeded in doing to the last dollar, and at the time he came to jManton he was the pos- sessor of but ten dollars, which he at once paid down on the purchase of a building lot in the village, and on this lot his present comfortable and commodious residence now stands. Upon engaging in business here with his brother, George F., they were for stjme time engaged in manufacturing differ- ent articles, but about a year and a half later commenced the manufacture of shoe-last blocks. They conducted operations in the rented mill for a short time and then pur- chased a small mill. They gave their sole and undivided attention to the business, do- ing all the labor themselves, but at len.gth the business grew to such proportions that thev were compelled to hire other workmen, and made additions to the plant from time Id time, until at the present time they own the largest plant in the world devoted ex- clusively to the manufacture of rough turned last blocks. The factories consume a vast amount of hardwood timber, pay out a large sum of money in wages and in many ways have proven a direct and permanent benefit to the community. Mr. Williams has of recent years been interested to some e.xtent in other lines of enterprise and in 1897 he and his brother (jeorge F. incorporated under the name of the A\'illianis lirothers Company and en- gaged in the mamifacturing and mercantile business, .\bout two y&ars later they pur- chased the TrunKin Brothers" stock of gen- eral merchandise and, under the name of Williams Brothers continued business until September, 1902, when the Williams Mer- cantile Company was incorporated. At that time the subject was elected president and still holds that office. Mr. Williams also owns in his ow-n right eighty acres of good land in this count)^, and the firm of Williams Brothers Company own about five thousand acres of as good timber land as is to be found in Michigan. The subject has always taken a deep in- terest in local affairs and in state and nation- al politics casts his vote and influence in fa\'or of the Republican party, believing the principles of that party to be those most con- ducive to the welfare of the American peo- ple. He takes an intelligent and abiding in- terest in all questions before the public and casts his vote with his honest convictions. His fraternal affiliation is with the h'ree and Accepted Masons. On the 2ist day of January, 1881, Mr. Williams was unitetl in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Lydia Colburn, the ceremony being performed at Shelby, this state. Mrs. Williams is a daughter of Will- iam anil Jane Colburn, and was born at Missouri on the 21st day of September. 1862. This union has been blessed by the birth of three children, Maud, Abbie and Mart. Longfellow said, "The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do well and doing well whatever you do, without any thought of fame." Illustrative of this sentiment has been the life of the sub- ject and his career should serve as an incen- ti\e and .an inspiration for others. He is a man of marked ilomestic tastes, wliose life is devoted to his wife, children and home. Mrs. Williams is a lady possessed of quali- 556 WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. lies wliich have retained her tlie love and grateful appreciation of her loved ones and won for her the sincere regard and esteem of a large circle of warm and admiring friends. • 4 » » HRXRY M, I'.ILLIXGS. The history of Michigan is not an ancient one. It is the record of the steady growth of a community, planted m the wilderness in the last centurj- and reaching its magni- tude of today without other aids than those of continued industry. Each county has its share in the story of every county that can lay claim to some incident or transaction which goes to make up the history of a com- monwealth. After all, the history of a state is but the record of the doings of its people, among whom the pioneers and their sturd)' descendants occupy places of no sec- ondary imj)ortance. The storv of the plain common people who constitute the moral bone and sinew of the state should ever at- tract attention and prove of interest to all true lovers of this kind. In the life story of Henry M. Billings, the subject of this sketch, there are no striking chapters or startling incidents. It is merely the record of a life true to its highest ideals and fraught with much that should stimulate the youth just starting in the world as an independent factor. Henry M. Billings, of Cedar Creek town- ship. \\^exford county, is a native of New Vork. He was born in Lebanon, Columbia county, August 29, 1839. His parents were Jonathan B. and Mary Jane (Elmore) Bill- ings, the former born in Vermont and the latter in New York. Thev were married in the latter state and some time thereafter moved to ^lichigan, locating at Detroit, where he engaged in the produce business. It pro\ed a very successful venture and he continued in it until he had accumulated a competence. Detroit was their home during all the remaining years of their lives. His death occurred about the time he had reached the patriarchial age of three score and ten years, while she sur\ived him near- ly twenty years, expiring in the eighty-fifth } ear of her age. They were the parents of four children, of whom Henry M. was the second. The first eighteen years of the life of Henr\- M. Billings were spent in his native count)^ of New York, where he secured a good common school education. In 1855 '^^ came t^i Michigan and assisted his father in the conduct of his produce business in the city of Detroit. He continued in the busi- ness until after the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion when, in September, 1862, he enlisted as a pri\ate soldier in Company D, Sixth ^Michigan \'olunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, nearly three years. He saw considerable service, took l)art in a number of important battles, among them that of Gettysburg, after which he was put upon detached duty in the oH'ice of the medical department at ^^'ashington, where he remainetl until he was mustered out of the service, in the fall of 1865. While in Washington he was stricken with typhoid lever. For weeks he suffered with the dread disease, his life, like that of the nation at the time, being as it were poised in the l)al- ance. He escaped death, but it was a long time liefore he was fully restored to health. On being tlischarged from the army Mr. Billings came to Bvron. Shiawassee county, WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 557 IMichigan, and tliere engaged in tlie mer- cantile business for about two years. There, on December 24, 1861, he married Emma C. H. Allen, of Byron, who died November 24, 1867. They had one son, Wilbur Allen, born November 19, 1863, who now resides in St. Louis, Missouri. On the 25th day of May, 1869, ]Mr. Billings was united in mar- riage to Miss Carrie A. Roberts, a native of Shiawassee county, born May 16, 1850. Her parents were Isaac L. and Harriet R. l-loberts, natives of New York, who came to Michigan in 1840, located near Byron, where they resided during the remaining years of their life. Mr. and Mrs. Billings are the parents of two daughters, Stena P. and Edna. The former is the wife of M. P. Phillips, of Ban- croft, Michigan, while the latter makes her home willi her parents in Manton. In 1872 the subject went to Grand Traverse county, where he entered the employ of ITul- bert Brothers as cashier and bookkeeper, re- maining in their service two years. On the opening of the station of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad at Fife Lake he was offered and accepted the position of station agent, which he held for two years, when he was given a place, as accountant, in the of- fice of the auditor of the road at Grand Rapids. He faithfully served the company at the latter place and various points along the line of the road. A position being of- fered him by the Grand Trunk Railroad, at Bancroft, Michigan, he accepted it and served that company as station agent at that point until 1882, when he resigned the posi- tion and came to Manton and engaged in the lumber business with Closson & Gilbert, for a number of years. During all of these changes from one locality to another his fam- ily continued to reside and he made his home at Bancroft. He lived in that place altogeth- er about eighteen years. In 1886, being em- ployed in Manton as bookkeeper, he moved his family to that place and there they have since resided. Being the owner of a nice tract of land, forty acres in extent, adjoining the village of Manton, he platted one-fourth of it as an addition to the village and on the other thirty he runs a poultry farm and dairy. He has made the business quite profitable, despite the fact that he has very little time to devote to it. Since living in Manton he has held the position of township and village treasurer, each three years, and takes an ac- ti\e interest in all that relates to the welfare of the locality. Mr. Billings is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a man who during the course of his long and eventfid career has accomplished much good not only for his own household but for many others. He has made the world brighter and better for his presence and when the time comes for him to cease life's labors and join the great majority, he will be sadly missed by those whose burdens he lightened and into whose life he brought so much of kindness and love. 3Ri\o' ^y^^. iiiiiiii ■ iitilhit I tiiilitiilwfiijfi: