USA > Michigan > A history of the northern peninsula of Michigan and its people; its mining, lumber and agricultural industries, Volume III > Part 27
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Having graduated from the high school at Massillon, Ohio, in 1888, Edwin R. Bayliss came to Bessemer in July of the same year, entering the employ of his father and remained with him as long as he lived. He then purchased the lumber business established by his father, and has since continued it on a more extensive scale, in addition to handling lumber carrying a full supply of house building materials. A stanch Republican in politics, he has served one term as county supervisor and for three years as a member of the Bessemer Board of Education. Since 1889 Mr. Bayliss has belonged to the Bessemer Fire Department, of which he was chief for two years. He has been officially connected for many years with the Upper Peninsula Fire Association, having served as second vice-president, vice-president and as president. Fraternally he is a member of Bessemer Lodge, No. 132, K. of P., and of Bessemer Camp, No. 2862, M. W. A.
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Mr. Bayliss was united in marriage, in 1893, with Josephine Pazdernik, who was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1871, a daughter of James and Anna (Schrummel) Pazdernik, who emigrated when young from Bohemia, their native land, to America, locating in Milwau- kee, where they were married. In 1879 Mr. and Mrs. Pazdernik moved to Dorchester. Clark county, Wisconsin, where they bought land and were engaged in farming until 1908. Selling their farm in that year they have since lived with their children, of whom they had eight in number, namely: Josephine, now Mrs. Bayliss; John; Mary; Emma ; Anna; Frank, who died at the age of twenty-two years; Edward; and George, who died May 20, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Bayliss are the parents of three daughters, Cordelia Miriam, Irene and Marguerite.
LUTHER E. SHERMAN .- Performing the duties devolving upon him as postmaster at Bessemer with acceptance to the patrons of the office, Luther E. Sherman, as may be seen by the official position in which he has been placed, is held by the people of the village to be a most able and valued worker in their interests, while his integrity, fidelity and good sense have won for him the respect and esteem of the entire community. A son of Edward Sherman, he was born, October 2, 1866, in Gibson county, Indiana, on a farm, coming from a long line of good old New England ancestry. His grandfather, Lemuel Sherman, was born in New York state, the emigrant ancestor from which he was descended having come from England to the United States in Colonial times, locating in New England, from whence his descendants have scattered throughout the Union, a few, at least, being now found in every state and territory. Following the march of civilization west- ward, Lemuel Sherman moved from Ohio to Indiana, becoming a pio- neer of Gibson county, where he resided many years. In 1867 he made a second migration, coming from Indiana to Wisconsin, making an overland journey through the states of Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota to Chippewa county, Wisconsin, where he was also a pioneer. He was accompanied on the trip by his wife, a son, and the widow of his son Edward and her four children. Purchasing a tract of timbered land, he erected a log cabin, into which he moved with his family, and thenceforth devoted his energies to the clearing of his land and tilling the soil, living there until 1880. Selling then at an advance, he bought another farm in the same county, and there continued his chosen work until his death, at the age of seventy-two years. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Ryan, lived until eighty-two years of age. She reared eight sons and one daughter, and three of the sons served in the Civil war.
Edward Sherman was born and reared in Ohio, and while yet in his "teens" moved with his parents to Indiana. Following in the foot- steps of his ancestors, he became a farmer and was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. in Gibson county, Indiana, until his death, while yet in manhood's prime. He married Martha E. Phillips, who was born in Lexington, Kentucky, a daughter of John Phillips, a native of Eng- land, and to them four children were born, namely : Clara, Alfred, Mollie and Luther E., the subject of this sketch. The mother married for her second husband Jonathan Barber, and after his death she came to Bessemer, Michigan, and subsequently made her home with her chil- dren, spending her last days in South Dakota.
Luther E. Sherman was but an infant when he made the overland journey from Indiana to Wisconsin with his widowed mother and his grandparents. He obtained his early education in the rural schools
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of Chippewa county, and when old enough began assisting in the general labors of the farm, remaining at home until 1890. Going then to Hurley, Wisconsin, Mr. Sherman worked for four years in a print- ing office, learning the printer's trade. In 1894, in company with Frank B. Hand, he bought the leading newspaper of Bessemer, the Pick and Axe, the pioneer journal of the Upper Peninsula, estab- lished in 1884 by J. J. Simpson. In 1909 Mr. Sherman disposed of his interest in the paper to his partner, leaving the journalistic field to devote his entire time and attention to his official duties.
Mr. Sherman was married, February 12, 1896, to Jessie McAlister, who was born in Escanaba, a daughter of George and Huldah (Perigo) McAlister, the former of whom was a native of Scotland, while the latter was born in Ohio. Four children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Sherman, namely : McAlister P., Hartley W., Jessie L. and Clara. Politically Mr. Sherman is a straightforward Republican, and takes an active part in local matters, having served eight years as a member of the Board of Public Works, and for three years as a mem- ber of the Bessemer Board of Education. He was appointed post- master in 1907, and has proved himself in every way qualified for the position. Fraternally he belongs to Bessemer Lodge, No. 132, K. of P.
EDWIN FREEMAN .- Energetic and capable, diligent in his labors, Edwin Freeman has obtained a firm footing among the prosperous bus- iness men of Iron Mountain, which has been his home for nearly three decades. Although not one of the earliest settlers of this section of the Upper Peninsula, he came here in pioneer times, and has con- tributed his part towards the development and growth of this part of Dickinson county. A native of Sweden, he was born, January 7, 1857, in Wermland, a son of Carl Nels Freeman. He is of Swedish ancestry, his grandparents, and his ancestors for many generations, having been life-long residents of Sweden.
Carl Nels Freeman was born in Wermland, Sweden, December 8, 1826, and during his early life was there engaged in railroading, later becoming a miner. Looking for a better opportunity to advance his financial condition, he came to America in 1869, leaving his family in Sweden. For about two years he lived in Minnesota, coming from there to the Upper Peninsula in 1871, and here assisting in the construction of the railroad from L'Anse, Baraga county, Michigan, to Champion, Mar- quette county. Going back to his native land in December, 1872, he visited friends and kinspeople until the following May, when he again came to Michigan, locating at Negaunee. He afterwards mined in different places, and in 1879 was joined, at Champion, by his wife, and three of his four children. The last twenty years of his life he was a resident of Iron Mountain, passing away at the home of his son Edwin, February 3, 1910. His wife died April 13, 1898. She reared four chil- dren, namely : Bessie A., wife of John Lindstrum; Edwin, the subject of this sketch; Charlie ; and Annie, wife of Erland Ring.
Edwin Freeman obtained a practical education in the public schools of Sweden, attending with commendable regularity until sixteen years old. Coming with his father to Michigan in 1873, he began life as a miner at Negaunee, remaining there six years. In 1878 he went to Canada in quest of a favorable location, but did not make a long stay. Returning then to the Upper Peninsula, Mr. Freeman engaged in min- ing at the present site of Norway, under the supervision of Captain Williams, helping take out the first ore shipped from the Cyclops Mine. Quinnesec was then the railway terminus, and the entire country from
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there to the Montreal river was an unbroken forest. He continued mining until 1880, when he opened a dispensary at Norway, conduct- ing it two years. Coming then to Iron Mountain, Mr. Freeman ope- rated a dispensary here for a few years. In the meantime, however, he embarked in the livery business, which he has conducted successfully ever since. Mr. Freeman has also other interests of much value, as a dealer in lumber, logs, and wood being one of the most extensive ope- rators in this section of the country.
Mr. Freeman married, in 1880, Augusta Sophia Bowman, who was born in Orebro laen, Sweden, where her parents spent their entire lives. Two of her brothers, Adolph and John, however, and her sister Ma- tilda, came to America to make their permanent home. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman are the parents of seven children, namely : Alverah, Oscar, Rudolph, Edna, Verner, Eddie and Dewey. True to the religious faith in which they were reared, Mr. and Mrs. Freeman are members of the Lutheran church. Fraternally Mr. Freeman belongs to Iron Mountain Lodge, No. 388, F. & A. M .; to Iron Mountain Chapter, No. 121, R. A. M .; and to Phoenix Camp, No. 7684, M. W. A.
ALBERT E. CULLIS .- A resident of the Northern Peninsula since 1896, Mr. Cullis has gained prominence and influence as one of the represent- ative business men and highly esteemed citzens of the city of Sault Ste. Marie, where he is president of the Sault Ste. Marie Woolen Mill Com- pany, one of the important industrial concerns of the Upper Peninsula and one that naturally contributes much to the commercial precedence of the city in which its business is established.
Albert E. Cullis was born in Victoria county, province of Ontario, Canada, on the 28th of April, 1863, and is a son of John and Ann ( Allen) Cullis, both of whom were born in Cornwall, England. Their marriage was solemnized in Ontario, Canada, and the mother is now living in the city of London, that province, the father having passed away on the 14th of February, 1888, at the age of seventy-two years. Of the eight chil- dren, seven sons and one daughter, six are now living. John Cullis was reared and educated in his native land, where he learned the milling busi- ness. As a young man he emigrated to the Dominion of Canada and lo- cated at Whitbey, where he became identified with the operation of a flouring mill, as he also did later on in Little Briton, where he contin- ued to operate a mill for about a score of years, at the expiration of which he removed to Auburn, Huron county, Ontario, where he followed the same vocation until about five years prior to his death, which occurred at Goderich, that province. He was a communicant of the Church of Eng- land, as is also his widow, and in this faith their children were carefully reared.
To the public schools of Little Briton and Auburn, Ontario, the sub- ject of this review is indebted for his early educational advantages, and when still a boy he began a practical apprenticeship at the trade of miller, under the able direction of his honored father. He continued to be identified with the operation of flouring mills for a period of fourteen years in Ontario, and he then turned his attention to the lumbering and saw-mill business. In 1896 he came to Chippewa county, Michigan, where he became owner of a saw mill at Fibre, which village represented his home until 1900, when he became one of the interested principals in the conducting of a woolen mill at Sault Ste. Marie, where he associated himself with Griffith J. Griffith in this line of enterprise. Three years later the business was reorganized under the present title of the Sault Ste. Marie Woolen Mill Company, and of this corporation Mr. Cullis has
Pelin Lottery
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since been manager. The plant of the concern is essentially modern in its mechanical equipment and all other facilities and its products include clothing, blankets, yarns, etc. This is the most extensive woolen manu- factory in the Upper Peninsula and in the same employment is given to an average of about seventy persons. Mr. Cullis is aggressive and ener- getic as a business man and loyal and public-spirited as a citizen. The confidence reposed in him in his home city is indicated by the fact that he represented the First Ward as a member of the board of aldermen for a period of four years. He is a Democrat in his political proclivities and both he and his wife are communicants of the Protestant Episcopal church. He is affiliated with Bethel Lodge, No. 358, Free & Accepted Masons; and Sault Ste. Marie Chapter, No. 126, Royal Arch Masons.
On the 8th of October, 1887, Mr. Cullis was united in marriage to Miss Annie Rateliffe, who was born at Brooklyn, province of Ontario, Canada, a daughter of James and Jeanette (Kerr) Ratcliffe, who were children at the time of the immigration of the respective families from Scotland to Canada. James Ratcliffe died in 1877, at the age of fifty- six years, and his wife died July 9, 1897, at the age of seventy-one years. Of their eight children, two sons and four daughters are now living. Mr. Ratcliffe devoted his active career to agricultural pursuits and both he and his wife died at Auburn, Ontario. The recent death of Mrs. Cullis was a sad misfortune. She had been ill some time and despite the skill of eminent surgeons and the assiduous care of her loved ones passed away, being but forty-eight years of age. For almost a quarter of a century she and her husband traveled life's journey together and she did her part nobly in the rearing of her children and care of her home. She was a lady of many amiable traits of character and a faithful mem- ber of the Presbyterian church. The funeral services were held at the family residence and her remains interred at Auburn, Ontario, with her parents. The two children of Mr. and Mrs. Cullis are John R. and Jennie May. John R. was educated in the public and high schools of the "Soo" and is now studying for the profession of civil engineer. Jennie May has also received good educational training, and is studying instru- mental music, being a student in the London ( Ontario) Conservatory of Music.
ADOLPH PETER LOFBERG .- Noteworthy among the active and enter- prising citizens of Ironwood is Adolph Peter Lofberg, a contractor in cement, who is carrying on a substantial business in his line of in- dustry, his systematic methods, good judgment and skilful workman- ship bringing him an excellent patronage and much success. A native of Sweden, he was born, November 24, 1859, at Edsvalla, Wermland.
His father, Peter Lofberg, was born in Wermland, of thrifty Swed- ish ancestry, and there spent his entire life, his later years being passed in Edsvalla. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Hamer- strom, six children were born, namely: Hilma, Ernest, Adolph Peter, Edward Alexander, Daisy C. and Theresa. Ernest died when fourteen years old, and the others emigrated to America, taking up their per- manent residence in the United States.
Receiving his early education in the Government schools, Adolph Peter Lofberg remained beneath the parental roof-tree until nineteen years of age, when he emigrated to this country, the land of bright hopes and promises. Coming directly to the Upper Peninsula, he located first at Negaunee, and, having found employment in a saw mill, resided there until 1886, when he came to the newly organized town of Ironwood. At that time the greater part of the town site as well as
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of the surrounding country was in its pristine wildness, being covered with standing timber. Forming a partnership with C. W. McMahan, Mr. Lofberg, wth characteristic enterprise, began getting out mining timber, being thus busily employed three years. Going then to Three Lakes, he operated a saw mill three years, afterwards being similarly employed in Ironwood until 1893, when business for a time was at a standstill. In 1895 Mr. Lofberg leased a mill, in its operation being so successful that two years later he bought the plant and continued its operation until 1902. Consolidating then with the Scott, Howe Lumber Company, he continued with the firm until 1907, when he sold his interest in the business. Since that time he has been prosperously engaged in business as a contractor in cement, making a specialty of cement sidewalks, and is kept ever busy in filling his many contracts.
Mr. Lofberg married, in 1888, Mary Adella Stone, who was born in Elizabeth, Illinois, August 8, 1870. Her father, John Stone, the descendant of an early colonial family, was born in Illinois, and when a boy was left an orphan. On the breaking out of the Civil war, he enlisted in the Illinois volunteer infantry, and served bravely until the expiration of his term of enlistment, when he was honorably dis- charged from the service. He subsequently removed to the Upper Peninsula and was employed at the Cascade Mine until 1887, when he settled in Sherman county, Kansas. Selling out there, he removed to Washington, and is now living on a farm near Spokane, having a pleasant and desirable home. Mr. Stone married Elizabeth Eustice, who was born in Michigan, a daughter 'of William and Mary Eustice, natives of Cornwall, England. After coming to this country Mr. Eustice located in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, buying the farm near Elizabeth where he and his wife spent their remaining days. John Stone and his wife reared four children, namely : Frederick, William Alfred, Mary Adella and Bertha. To Mr. and Mrs. Lofberg seven chil- dren have been born, namely: Eva May, Bertha Theresa, Elizabeth Katherine. John Peter, Elsie Adella Stone, Lawrence Adolph and Edward Everett. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Lofberg and their family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally Mr. Lofberg is a member of Ironwood Lodge No. 389, F. & A. M .: of Minerva Chapter No. 122, R. A. M .; and of Gogebic Commandery No. 46, K. T. Polit- ically he is identified with the Republican party, and for seven years served acceptably as alderman, resigning the office to take the position of assessor, which he has held during the past four years.
SAM BRIDGES .- An active, well-known, and prosperous business man of Crystal Falls, Sam Bridges now owns, and is operating, the first drug store established in this section of the Upper Peninsula. A son of the late William H. Bridges, he was born, September 14, 1871, at Rochester, Oakland county, Michigan. His paternal grandfather Bridges, was a native of New York state. Migrating from there to Michigan, lie settled as a pioneer in Van Buren county, and was there engaged in horticultural pursuits the remainder of his life, making a specialty of raising fruit of a superior quality.
Born on the parental homestead in Van Buren county, Michigan, William H. Bridges received a good education for his days, and taught in the public schools for many terms, being also engaged in agricultural pursuits to some extent. When about forty years old, he had the mis- fortune, through a severe illness, to lose his eyesight, and was forced to give up his active labors, and thenceforward lived retired in Rochester until his death, in 1905, at the age of three score and ten
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years. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary L. Wise, was born in Livingston county, New York, a daughter of Andrew Wise. She is now a resident of Rochester.
One of a family of four children, Sam Bridges attended first the public schools of Rochester, completing his studies at the State Normal School, in Ada, Ohio. He had previously been employed as a clerk, and after his graduation from the Normal School he resumed that employ- ment in his home town. Locating at Crystal Falls in 1897, he entered the employ of a druggist, with whom he remained as a clerk until 1905, when he bought out the entire business of his former employer. This store, one of the longest established in the place, has been in eontin- uous operation since the formation of the town of Crystal Falls, and under the wise management of Mr. Bridges has lost none of its former prestige.
Mr. Bridges married, in 1904, Marie W. Apitz, whose father, Henry Apitz, a native of Germany, was a pioneer settler of Wisconsin. Fra- ternally Mr. Bridges is a member of Crystal Falls Camp, M. W. A .: of Crystal Falls Tent, K. O. T. M .; and of the Mystic Workers of the World.
JOHN EDWARDS is one of those most prominently identified with the real estate and mining interests of the Northern Peninsula and he has had a considerable share in building up Houghton and making it one of the most progressive and enlightened of communities. Elsewhere in this volume appears the memoir of the late Richard Edwards, father of him whose name initiates this paragraph, and a man of fine char- acter and notable achievement, and it is greatly to Mr. Edwards' credit that much of the energy of his maturer years has been devoted to carry- iny out the policies outlined by that honorable and judicious gentle- man, both in the matter of personal business and in the way of advane- ing the interests of the general public.
Mr. Edwards was born in Houghton, November 20, 1859, the son of Richard and Jane Pryor Edwards, further data concerning his family being found on other pages. His preliminary education was obtained in the public schools and subsequently he entered Dr. Hixon's school at Newburyport, Massachusetts. His educational discipline was fin- ished at the Baptist College at Kalamazoo, Michigan, and from that in- stitution he was graduated the year 1880. Shortly after he returned to Houghton and has ever since been one of its citizens. That line of business in which his activities have been engaged is the real estate and mining and like the other members of the Edwards family he has inherited a part of his father's large estate, to the management of which he has brought unusual executive ability and judgment.
On November 10, 1886, Mr. Edwards was united in marriage to Miss Harriet G. Rice. The lady whom he chose to preside over his house- hold and to share his fortunes is a daughter of that well known citizen of Houghton, John W. Rice. She was born in Milwaukee, but came to Honghton with her parents and was here reared and educated. Their union has been blessed by the birth of two sons: Harry R., born De- cember 6, 1887, now a student in the Mining School at Houghton; and John G., born October 6, 1890, who is also enrolled among that student body.
In polities Mr. Edwards is a Democrat and he has always been of that political faith, which he inherits from his father and shares with his brothers. Like them his loyalty is one of deeds as well as of words and his championship is a possession much to be desired by those who
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enter the political arena. Personally he is not an office seeker and he has never permitted his name to be used in this connection. His relig- ious convictions are with the Methodist church and Mrs. Edwards' church is the Episcopalian. He belongs to the great Masonic body and is a member of the Knighted Order of Tented Maccabees, his affiliations with both orders being at Houghton.
WALTER R. HICKS, M. D., has been a resident of the city of Menomi- nee since his boyhood days and here has attained marked prestige in the profession which has been dignified by the services of his father, who has been for many years actively engaged in the practice of medi- cine in Menominee. He whose name initiates this sketch devotes his attention especially to the surgical department of his profession and his skill in the same has brought him into prominence among his confreres in this section of the state. He controls a large and representative practice, has served as United States marine surgeon, and is distinc- tively one of the representative physicians and surgeons of the Upper Peninsula.
Dr. Walter Rawley Hicks was born in the city of Appleton, Wis- consin, on the 27th of May, 1865, and is a son of Dr. John F. and Jennie (McPherson) Hicks. His father was born in Kent county, the province of Ontario, Canada, on the 27th of May, 1838, and was the eldest of the nine children of Thomas and. Margaret (Fullerton) Hicks, who continued to reside in the Dominion of Canada until their death. Dr. John F. Hicks gained his early educational training in the schools of his native province and for some time he was a successful teacher in the public schools. In 1865 he was graduated in the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and in the following summer he engaged in the practice of his profession in Kent county, Ontario, where he re- mained until 1878, when he removed with his family to Menominee, Michigan, where he has since been engaged in active practice, being one of the representative citizens of this section of the Upper Peninsula and being identified with prominent professional organizations, includ- ing the American Medical Association. He is of stanch Scotch and Irish ancestry and the family was early founded in Ontario, Canada. The Doctor served three terms as a member of the Menominee board of aldermen and in 1893-4 he represented this county in the state legisla- ture. He was city health officer for the long period of eighteen years and is at present incumbent of the office of county physician, which he has held for twenty years. He is a Republican in politics and has at- tained the chivalric degrees in the Masonic fraternity, in which he is affiliated with the lodge, chapter, and commandery in Menominee and with the temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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