USA > Michigan > A history of the northern peninsula of Michigan and its people; its mining, lumber and agricultural industries, Volume III > Part 25
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subsequently a successful teacher in the schools of that eity until his death. He married a school teacher, who survived him, the lady marrying for her second husband a Mr. Whitlock. Coming with him to Michigan she settled in Oakland county, where a few years later Mr. Whitlock died. She then moved with her family to Clinton county, becoming a pioneer settler of Riley township, where she spent her last days. She reared three children, all by her first marriage, namely : Philip Burritt, William B. Burritt, and Susan Burritt. Philip Burritt was educated under the wise tuition of his mother. Becoming con- verted in early youth he studied for the ministry, and was first a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church, afterward being identi- fied with the United Brethren church. He was an effective and pleas- ant speaker, gaining distinction as an orator and as a minister, and became very prominent in religious circles.
William B. Burritt was born in New York City, but was brought up in Michigan, eoming here with his mother. Becoming a farmer from choice, he was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Riley town- ship, Clinton county, until his death, in 1856. His wife, whose maiden name was Charlotte B. Deming, was born in the north of Ireland, and when an infant was brought by her parents to New York City. Her father, Benevolent Deming, was a tailor by trade. He emigrated to this country, accompanied by his wife and four children, settling in New York City, where the death of his wife oeeurred but a few months after their arrival, and his own but a year later. The ehil- dren were cared for by strangers, Charlotte B., the baby, being taken by a Mr. and Mrs. Madison, and carried to Vermont, where she grew to womanhood. She there married for her first husband Ephraim Phillips, who had previously visited Michigan, and had settled as a pioneer in Riley township, taking up land. Returning then to Ver- mont, Mr. Phillips married Charlotte B. Deming, and with his bride started for Michigan, their new home. There were no railroads in Michigan at that early day, and the trip from Detroit to Clinton county was taken in a cart drawn by a pair of cows. Mr. Phillips became quite active in the affairs of the community in which he settled, the records showing that he was one of the first clerks of Riley township. He began the improvement of a farm, but his earthly career was cut short by death three years later. His widow, Mrs. Charlotte B. (Dem- ing) Phillips, subsequently married William B. Burritt, and after his death, which occurred in 1856, became the wife of Josiah D. Wick- ham, a former resident of Barry county, Michigan. They removed to Riley township, thence to Dewitt village, where the death of Mr. Wickham occurred in 1875, while Mrs. Wickham lived until 1890. Her children, eight in number, were: Benevolent B. Phillips, by her first union, who died at the age of thirteen years; by her second union, William and Talcott Burritt, who died in infancy; Casendiane, who died at the age of eleven years, and William Alonzo Burritt, the spe- cial subject of this brief sketch; by her third union, Josiah D. Wick- ham, who died in infancy; Frank Wickham, who lived but seventeen years, and Henry K. Wickham, who died at the age of thirty-two years.
The education of William Alonzo Burritt was very meagre, in fact he had but little when he began reading law. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits in his early manhood, but was scarcely satisfied to continue a farmer, his natural inelinations turning toward a pro- fessional career. He therefore spent his leisure minutes in studying the writing of such eminent jurists as Blackstone, Kent and Coke, and
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at the age of twenty-nine years entered the office of H. J. Patterson, a well-known lawyer of Clinton county, and in February, 1884, was admitted to the Michigan bar. Beginning the practice of his profes- sion in Clinton county, where he remained until the following spring, when he settled in Harrison, Clare county. Moving thence to Sagi- naw he was successfully employed as an attorney from 1893 until 1896, when he removed to Hammond, Indiana, where he continued his professional labors two years. Returning then to Michigan, Mr. Bur- ritt has been actively engaged in the practice of law at Hancock ever since, his son, Barney H. T. Burritt, being associated with him under the firm name of Burritt and Burritt, which is one of the strong- est legal firms in this part of the Upper Peninsula.
On May 3, 1873, Mr. Burritt married Ella J. Jones, who was born in Riley township, Clinton county, Michigan, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Frost) Jones. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Burritt, namely: Tina May, who died in infancy; Fred W., Barney and Eva May. Fred W. married and has one son, William A. Eva May, wife of James F. Geddes, has one son, Lonna Burritt Geddes. Barney, the second son, was admitted into partnership with his father in 1904.
Fraternally Mr. Burritt is a member of the Calumet lodge No. 345, I. O. O. F., of Hammond, Indiana; of Hancock Encampment; of Chas- sell Lodge, No. 886, K. O. T. M. M. Politically he is a decided sup- porter of the principles of the Democratic party.
WALTER F. TRUETTNER,-A young man of push and energy, Walter F. Truettner, vice-president and cashier of the First National Bank of Bessemer, is making diligent use of his faculties and opportunities, and is rapidly nearing the top rung of the ladder of successful attainments. A son of the late Louis H. Truettner, he was born, July 24, 1880, in Dun- das, Wisconsin, of German lineage. His paternal grandfather, Fred- erick Truettner, was born at Vesstal, in the province of Hanover, Germany, coming, it is said, of French ancestry. Having served an apprenticeship at the cabinet maker's trade, he traveled as a journey- man through various parts of the Fatherland, from each of his em- ployers securing a certificate of good character and good workman- ship. About 1844 he came with his wife and two children to America, being the only member of his family to leave his native country. Crossing the ocean in a sailing vessel, he landed in New York City, and from there proceeded to Manitowoc county, Wisconsin. He secured a tract of government land in Newton township, of which he was one of the first settlers, and in the log house which he built in the timber his son Louis H. was born, his birth being that of the first white child born in that locality. In addition to clearing a farm, Frederick Truettner worked a part of the time at his trade of a carpenter, kept a small store, and for many years served as postmaster. He cleared and improved a productive farm, erected substantial buildings, and there spent his remaining days, dying at the age of seventy-eight years. His homestead is now owned by one of his sons. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Bier, was born in Hanover, Germany, and died in Wisconsin in the ninetieth year of her age. To her and her husband nine children were born, namely: Margaret, Frederick, Mary, Louis H., Mary, Louisa, Ernest, Lucy and William.
Born October 19, 1848, in Nelson township, Manitowoc county, Wis- consin, Louis H. Truettner received his elementary education in the public schools, completing his studies at Berea College, in Berea, Ohio.
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After teaching school two years, he went to Chicago, where he was employed for two years as bookkeeper in a mercantile house, remain- ing there until the great fire of 1871. The following two years he taught school in Wisconsin, and then established himself at Two Creeks, Wisconsin, where he kept a hotel for four years. Locating then in Dundas, Wisconsin, he opened a general store, and also carried on an extensive business as a dealer in lumber and grain, remaining there until 1885. Selling out his interests in that year, he moved to Manitowoc, from there coming, in 1886, to Bessemer, where he again established himself in the mercantile business, and the following year removed his family to this city. Here Mr. Louis H. Truettner was very successful, building up a very extensive and remunerative trade, not only in groceries and provisions, but carrying in his large stock almost everything created for household use. Here he continued as one of the foremost citizens until his death, July 18, 1909. He was very prominent in public affairs, serving from 1902 as a director of the First National Bank, was the first alderman elected from the First ward. and served on the Board of Public Works and on the Board of Education. Since his death his heirs have incorporated his business under the name of the L. H. Truettner Company.
Louis H. Truettner married, January 30, 1874, Mary Dora Hess, who was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, March 21, 1854. Her father, William Hess, born at Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, Germany, and having received a military education, entered the German Army and served in the war between that country and Denmark. Subse- quently coming to the United States, he located at Lee, Massachusetts, where he found employment in the mills. During the "fifties' hc migrated to Wisconsin, settling at Nashotah, but three years later went to Two Rivers, where he was employed as head sawyer in a mill. Early in 1861, Mr. Hess enlisted in Company F, Twenty-sixth Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry, being the first volunteer from Nashotah, and was commissioned sergeant-major. He went with his command to the front, fought at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and at Gettysburg, where in the first day's battle he lost his life, being then but thirty- six years of age. Mr. Hess married, June 1, 1853, in Lee, Massachus- etts, Anna Heilman, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, and came to this country with her brother, John Heilman. Four children were born of their union, namely: Mary Dora, who married Louis H. Truettner; William J .; Albert H .; and Oscar H. Mrs. Hess married for her second husband George Lucker, and died in 1893, aged three score and ten years. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Truettner, there were born three sons and one daughter, Irving, Grace, Walter F. and Chester. Irving Truettner, president of the L. H. Truettner Com- pany, married Celestia Harkins, and they have three children. Grace Truettner married Hiram Olson, who is manager of the L. H. Truettner Company. Chester died in 1891, aged seven years. Louis H. Truett- ner was brought up in the Lutheran faith, but later became identified with the Presbyterian church, and reared his family in that denomina- tion. He was a Republican in politics and a member of Bessemer Lodge No. 390, F. & A. M., and of Minerva Chapter, No. 122, R. A. M.
After leaving the public schools of Bessemer, Walter F. Truettner attended Oberlin College, in Oberlin, Ohio, one term. He sub- sequently assisted his father in the store until 1900, when he entered the First National Bank of Bessemer, with which he has since been officially associated.
Mr. Truettner married September 17, 1902, Laura M. Cudlip, who
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was born April 20, 1880, a daughter of James and Anna Cudlip, of Iron Mountain, Michigan, and they are the parents of two children, Walter James and Dorothy Cudlip. Fraternally Mr. Truettner is a member of Bessemer Lodge No. 390, F. & A. M., and of Minerva Chap- ter No. 122, R. A. M.
SHERMAN T. HANDY .- Since 1892 Hon. Sherman T. Handy has been engaged in the practice of law in the Northern Peninsula of Michigan and he has gained recognition as one of the strong and versatile, as well as distinguished, members of the bar of this division of the Wol- verine state. He has served as a member of the legislature of the state and in other offices of distinctive public trust, the while he has ever been an exponent of the most loyal and public-spirited citizenship. He has been a dominating factor in political affairs in the Upper Peninsula and at the present time he is city attorney of Sault Ste. Marie, where he has been established in the successful practice of his profession since 1901. His high reputation as an attorney and counselor as well as prominence as a citizen entitle him to recognition in this compila- tion.
Sherman T. Handy was born at Morpeth, Howard township, Kent county, in the province of Ontario, Canada, on the 3rd of April, 1867. He was reared to the sturdy discipline of the home farm and while assisting in this work during the summer months he duly availed him- self of such privileges as were afforded in the public schools of the locality, which he attended during the winter months. His ambition to secure a higher educational training was quickened to definite ac- tion and in 1880, he entered the Ridgetown Collegiate Institute, in which institution he continued his studies during the winter months, while he paid the expenses of his college course and his maintenance in the meantime by the fruits of his labors in the intervening summers. He bravely faced the deprivations entailed by his limited financial re- sources and his economy while attending college was of the most rigid order, as is evident when it is noted that he rented a small room and boarded himself. The sterling qualities of the young man showed themselves during this period and by the exercise of such frugality and the closest of application to his college work he made excellent progress in his studies, finally being able to complete the prescribed course in Stratford University, Stratford, Ontario, in which institu- tion he was graduated as a member of the class of 1889.
During the summer following his graduation he was employed at farm work and in the autumn, with some assistance given by his father, he was enabled to enter the law department of the celebrated Univer- sity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1891, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was forth- with admitted to the bar of Michigan and in February of the following year he came to the northern peninsula of Michigan and located at Crystal Falls, the pioneer center of Iron county, where he initiated the active work of his profession in partnership with William F. Cairns, with whom he was associated, under the firm name of Cairns & Handy, until the following July, when he purchased his partner's interest in the business. His professional novitiate was of brief duration, as he brought to bear not only his fine technical ability, but his splendid en- ergy and sterling integrity, which elements combined to establish him a secure place in the confidence and esteem of the community and which secured him a clientage of important and representative character. After the dissolution of the partnership noted Mr. Handy conducted an
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individual practice until the 1st of July, 1895, when he entered into partnership with Frederick H. Abbott, under the firm name of Handy & Abbott, and this effective alliance was continued until October, 1897, when it was dissolved by mutual consent.
Mr. Handy soon made his influence emphatically felt in the local circles of this section and gained a position of prominence in connection with public affairs. In 1894 he was elected circuit court commissioner and in 1896 the exercise of public franchise elected him to the office of prosecuting attorney of Iron county. In this office he added materially to his prestige as a versatile and effective trial lawyer and his ability was noted more by reason of the fact that he was at the time one of the youngest prosecuting attorneys in the state of Michigan. While incum- bent of this office he appeared in connection with a cause celebre in the criminal division. He represented the state in the prosecution of Peter Bonds, who is now serving a life sentence in the state penitentiary at Marquette, for the murder of Miss Pearl Morrison of Crystal Falls, on the 26th of July, 1897. This crime was considered one of the most hei- nous ever committed in Michigan and recently a writer has referred to Bonds as being one of the most hardened criminals in America. His prosecutor, Mr. Handy, vigorously arraigned this notorious criminal and the latter's conviction indicates the concrete results of the prosecutor's able efforts. In 1898 Mr. Handy was again nominated for prosecuting attorney but at the legislative convention of the Dickinson District it had been found impossible to agree upon a satisfactory candidate for nomination for the legislature and after deliberations extending over some days the members of the convention reached an agreement and unanimously tendered to Mr. Handy the nomination for representative of the district in the lower house of the legislature. Under these condi- tions he declined the nomination for prosecuting attorney, and, as can- didate on the Republican ticket he was elected to the legislature by a gratifying majority. He served during the session of 1899-1900 and proved a most valuable worker both on the floor of the house and as counselor of the committee room. The district which he thus repre- sented included Dickinson, Iron and Baraga counties. While a resident of Crystal Falls he also served as city attorney for a number of years. In 1902, his name was prominently brought forward by members of his party in connection with the nomination for lieutenant governor, but he declined to allow his name to be used as he preferred to devote his time to his chosen profession. While a member of the legislature Mr. Handy made a most staunch and convincing argument in opposition to a tax of two cents per ton on iron ore, realizing the ill effect this would have upon one of the principal industrial lines in the Northern Peninsula. In the face of the utmost opposition he marshalled the facts and logic with such eloquence and convincing power as to gain the indorsement of all the members of the legislature except those who were irrevocably pledged to the passage of the bill. In the session of 1900 he served as speaker pro tem. of the house.
In 1901 Mr. Handy removed to Sault Ste. Marie, where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession and where in a wider and more productive field he has materially augmented his high professional reputation. He was elected city attorney in 1907 and by continuous re-elections has continued in tenure of this office to the pres- ent time. He is a man of engaging personality and this fact has added materially to his popularity in the city in which he has elected to estab- lish his home. In politics, as already intimated, Mr. Handy is a staunch adherent of the principles and policies of the Republican party and he
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has rendered yeoman service in behalf of the party cause. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, of which his wife is also a member.
In the Masonic fraternity Mr. Handy is affiliated with Bethel Lodge No. 358, Free & Accepted Masons, and he is at the present time chairman of the committee of appeals of the Michigan Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons. He also holds membership in the Sault Ste. Marie Chapter, No. 129, Royal Arch Masons; Crystal Falls Council, No. 26, Royal & Selected Masters ; Sault Ste. Marie Commandery, No. 47, Knights Templars, at Sault Ste. Marie, and Ahmed Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in the city of Marquette. He also holds membership in the lodge of Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, in Sault Ste. Marie.
In conclusion of this article is entered brief data concerning the par- ents of Mr. Handy. He is a son of Collins and Elizabeth ( Watson) Handy, the former of whom was born in Kent county, Ontario, Canada, in 1838, and the latter of whom was born at Port Hope, Ontario, in 1843. The mother was summoned to the life eternal in 1895 and the father passed away in 1908. Of the seven children the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth and of the number four are now living. Collins Handy passed his entire life on the farm which was the place of his birth and he was numbered among the most honored citizens of Kent county. He served in various local offices of trust, was affiliated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and both he and his wife held membership in the Universalist church. His father, who likewise bore the name of Collins Handy, was born in Wallingford, Canada, on the 7th of April, 1811, and died at Highgate, Ontario, on the 7th of Jan- uary, 1908, at which time he was the oldest pioneer in Kent county, On- tario. This revered patriarch was ninety-eight years and nine months of age at the time of his death. He was a descendant of the Baltic mar- iners, who entered England at the time of William the Conqueror. In 1704 a family of the name of Moss emigrated from England to the state of Connecticut and a large descendency resulted from the intermingling of this family in marriages with several others of the representative fam- ilies of that section. Lois, the daughter of Ebenezer Moss, married Henry Handy on the 7th of November, 1785, and the third of their five children was Collins Handy, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. The family removed finally to Salisbury, New York, and thence, Collins Handy and his brother removed to Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada, in 1831, making the trip from Buffalo, New York, in a small sailing craft. From Port Stanley the brothers finally made their way westward and they erected the first houses in the Oxford township, Kent county, Onta- rio, besides building many other of the early dwellings and other build- ings in that county. Collins Handy married Rebecca Baldwin on the 22d of April, 1833 and he entered into partnership with his father-in-law, Captain David Baldwin, with whom he was associated in the buying and selling of grain and in other commercial enterprises, besides which, in 1832, they held mail delivery from St. Thomas to Madden, near Amherst- burg. At that time the only postoffice on the route was at Port Burwell. In 1835 Mr. Handy purchased of his father-in-law a lot in Howard town- ship, Kent county, Ontario, and there he erected a fine residence. Of this property he disposed in 1907, after having there maintained his home for more than seventy years. Collins and Rebecca (Baldwin) Handy reared a family of eleven children, of whom Collins, Jr., father of the subject of this review, was the third in order of birth. The latter devoted the greater portion of his active career to agricultural pursuits and both
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he and his wife passed the closing years of their lives at Highgate, Ontario.
On the 31st of December, 1895, Sherman T. Handy, to whom this sketch is dedicated, was united in marriage to Miss Leora A. Anderson, who was born at Dowagiac, Michigan, and who is the eldest of the three children of Rev. D. R. and Mary (Averill) Anderson, who now reside in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. Mr. Anderson was born at Paw Paw, Michigan, and is a prominent clergyman of the Congregational church. In the civil war he served as chaplain of the Nineteenth Michigan Volunteer Infan- try. He was captured by the enemy and for some time was held in duress in Libby prison. Mr. and Mrs. Handy have one son, Theodore Ander- son Handy, who was born on the 19th of December, 1896.
CHARLES J. HUEBEL .- Long and prominently identified with busi- ness interests in Menominee county, Charles J. Huebel is now num- bered among the essentially representative business men of the city of Menominee, where he is secretary and general manager of the ex- tensive business conducted by the C. J. Huebel Company, producers and wholesalers of white cedar post and poles and western poles and large dealers in other cedar products. This company, of which he was the organizer, is one of the largest of the kind in the northwest, and from its extensive yards in Menominee and Peshtigo shipments are made into the most diverse sections of the Union. Aggressive, broad-minded and enterprising as a business man, Mr. Huebel has also shown a deep interest in all that concerns the welfare and prog- ress of his home city and county, and he is one of the well known and highly honored citizens of the Upper Peninsula.
Mr. Huebel was born in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, on the 4th of August, 1858, and is a son of Joseph and Johanna (Graw) Huebel, both of whom were born and reared in Germany; their marriage was solemnized in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, and there the father met his death by drowning in the Rock river. His wife survived him by many years and she died on the 6th of August, 1909. at the venerable age of eighty-six years. Of the five children four are now living. Joseph Huebel immigrated to America when a young man, and the sailing vessel on which he made the voyage consumed two months in making the trip. He landed in New York City and soon afterward made his way to Wisconsin. He secured a tract of wild land on the banks of the Rock river, in Jefferson county, and had effected the reclamation of about forty acres of the property before his tragic death. He was a man of sterling character and his earnest applica- tion and indefatigable industry had borne him along the road to definite success and independence before he was summoned from the scene of life's activities. He was a Democrat in his political procliv- ities and both he and his wife were zealous communicants of the Cath- olie church.
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