USA > Michigan > A history of the northern peninsula of Michigan and its people; its mining, lumber and agricultural industries, Volume III > Part 30
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After receiving his diploma at the high school in Flint, Michigan, Roberts P. Hudson found employment as reporter for the Flint Even- ing Journal, a newspaper published at Flint, and having taken an active interest in politics was appointed bill clerk of the Michigan senate, in which position he served during the legislative session of 1895 at the age of twenty-two years. In July, 1896, he received an appointment as clerk in the office of the state board of health at Lansing, Michigan, and working under the directions of Dr. Henry B. Baker, then secre- tary of the state board of health, edited a number of papers published by the board on sanitary statistics, and during his employment in that office, compiled the public health laws for the state of Michigan. Dur- ing that period he was also one of the owners and publishers of the "Clack Book," a monthly magazine, published at Lansing, Michigan, and after studying law out of office hours, he entered the law de- partment of the University of Michigan and passing the state bar ex- amination was admitted to the Michigan bar on April 13, A. D. 1900. He began practicing law while in Lansing, and on April 13, A. D. 1901, located at Sault Ste. Marie, where he has been actively and prosperously engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1903 he became associated in business with Albert B. Davidson under the firm name of Davidson & Hudson. He belongs to both the Chippewa County Bar Association and the Michigan State Bar Association, fraternally he is a member of the Bethal Lodge 358, F. & A. M. of Sault Ste. Marie, Chapter 126, R. A. M. and of Sault Ste. Marie Commandery 45, K. T., which he has served for several years as Captain General; he is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, Red Cross Lodge, No. 51. Politically he is a
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strong Republican and while he has never been a candidate for office he has been intimately associated with local and state politics for a number of years and has served the community in which he lives as a member of the local board of health since 1901.
Mr. Hudson married October 16th, A. D. 1899, Ella Porter Bowen, the only child of Ozro A. and Ella Porter Bowen, both belonging to pioneer families. The Porter family being one of the oldest of the numerous migrations from New York to this state and were for mans years among the most prominent in the business history of Branch county. Mr. Bowen was for many years a resident of Lansing, later resided in the state of Washington, where he became one of its fore- most citizens, serving the state as state treasurer, holding other impor- tant political positions, and, returning to Michigan, has since resided in Manistique, Schoolcraft county, where he has been active in public and financial affairs; being one of the organizers of the Manistique Savings Bank and having served two terms as county clerk and regis- ter of deeds.
NATHANIEL B. PARMELEE .- One of the earlier settlers of Iron Moun- tain, Nathaniel B. Parmelee now living retired from active pursuits, was for many years a commanding figure in the industrial circles of Dickinson county, and while following his chosen occupation of a con- tractor and builder erected some of the most substantial business blocks and residences to be found in the Upper Peninsula. Coming from honored and patriotic New England stock, he was born, September 13, 1837, in Pittsford, Vt., which was likewise the birthplace of his father, John Parmelee. His grandfather, Hezekiah Parmelee, was a native of Massachusetts, while his great-grandfather, Simeon Parmelee, was born, in August, 1741, in Durham, Connecticut.
Enlisting as a soldier in the Revolutionary war in 1775, he served in the expedition against Quebec, and while in Canada was stricken with small-pox. He was immediately taken to Ticonderoga, where his father-in-law, Nehemiah Hopkins, met him, and conveyed him through the wilderness to Pittsford, Vermont. Recovering from his illness, he rode to his home in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, where he continued his residence a few years longer. Removing with his family to Pittsford, Vermont, in 1787, he purchased two hundred and twenty acres of land, paying one hundred and sixty pounds for the tract. He resided there several years, but spent his last days in Westford, Vermont, dying May 3, 1820. His wife, whose maiden name was Hopkins, survived him, passing away May 14, 1831.
Hezekiah Parmelee was born, in 1775, in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and spent his boyhood days among the Berkshire hills. Removing with his parents to Pittsford, Vermont, he grew to manhood in that place, and was there subsequently engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, September 19, 1853. He married Miriam Orcutt, who was born in 1775, and died June 3, 1846.
Born in 1805, in Pittsford, Vermont, John Parmelee learned the shoemaker's trade at a time when all work in that line was done by hand. In early life he lived for a few years in Malone, New York, but in 1836 returned to the Green Mountain state, locating in Mill vil- lage, in the town of Pittsford, where he followed his trade for awhile. Subsequently purchasing a home in Pittsford township, he occupied it until 1854, when he joined the tide of emigration surging westward, removing with his family to Eden, Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1860. He married
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Ruth Miller Loveland, a daughter of Robert, Jr., and Ruth (Miller) Loveland, and grand-daughter of Robert, Sr., and Elizabeth (Gaines) Loveland, natives of Connecticut. Robert Loveland, Jr., was born, March 19, 1775, in Hartford; Conneetieut, where he grew to manhood. Removing to Vermont, he bought four hundred acres of land in Rut- land, and was there a resident a few years, although both he and his wife spent their closing years in Pittsford, Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. John Parmelee reared seven children, namely: Hezekiah, Nelson R., Caroline, William O., Nathaniel B., Ruth Arvilla, and Miriam.
Brought up in Pittsford, Vermont, Nathaniel B. Parmelee attended the public schools, and also Prof. Taylor's private school, obtaining a practical education. Beginning work with his father when young, he had mastered the shoemaker's trade at the age of eighteen. In 1854 he aeeompanied the family to Wisconsin, going by railway and boat to Milwaukee, and from there to Mayville, the terminus of the railroad, by rail, thenee with teams to Eden. Milwaukee was then a small vil- lage, while that part of the state now the site of flourishing eities and villages was then a wilderness. After working with his father for a year, Mr. Parmelee assisted his brother in building a house, and the next few years he followed carpentry in the summer season, and worked in the shoe shop during the long winters. From 1858, however, he followed earpentering exclusively. After the death of his father, he lived with his mother for a time, and during the Civil war tried to en- list, but was rejected by the army surgeon, who examined him, and told him that he would die of consumption. Mr. Parmelee continued to re- side at Eden, Wisconsin, until 1864, when he located at Fond du Lac, where he was engaged as a contractor and builder for sixteen years. At that time, in 1880, the Menominee Range was being opened, and the railroad had penetrated as far as Iron Mountain. Coming to the Upper Peninsula in that year, Mr. Parmelee lived for a year in Vulcan, and afterwards resided a few months in Norway. In 1882 he came to the new and rapidly growing town of Iron Mountain, and for many years thereafter carried on a flourishing business as a contractor and builder. During his first year in this place he erected the Methodist Episcopal Church building at Chapin location, it being the first structure built for a church home within the present limits of Iron Mountain. He was afterwards actively engaged at his trade, many of the finest dwellings and business blocks of the city being monuments of his skill. Mr. Parmelee's operations have not been confined to Iron Mountain only, for he has erected buildings of importance in Escanaba, Milwaukee and Chicago. For a number of years he has lived retired at his pleasant home in Iron Mountain, enjoying the fruits of his earlier years of toil.
On April 9, 1862, Mr. Parmelee married Annie Nichols, who was born in South Bend, Indiana, April 9, 1842, a daughter of Lemuel T. Nichols, a native of England. Born of well-to-do parents, Mr. Nichols acquired a good education, more especially in mathematics, for which he had a natural taste. Left an orphan at an early age, he and two brothers, Samuel and James, eame to America. Locating in Lower Michigan, he taught school until about 1841, when he moved to South Bend, Indiana, which was then a trading post, while the surrounding country was a wilderness, the greater part of the land being owned by the Government. Seeuring a tract on the bank of the Saint Joseph river, he built the log cabin in which Mrs. Parmelee was born. The family lived in a primitive manner, as did all of the pioneers, Mrs. Niehols cooking by the fireplace, and carding, spinning, and weaving the homespun in which she clothed her children. As soon as there were
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any children of school age, Mr. Nichols taught school during the winter seasons, the remainder of the year clearing his land and tilling the soil. Selling out in 1849, he moved with his family to Wisconsin, mak- ing the overland journey with ox teams, taking along provisions, and camping and cooking by the wayside. Locating in Dodge county, he became a pioneer settler of Lomira, where he bought a tract of timbered land, built a log house, and began the arduous task of redeeming a farm from the forest. The following year, there being a sufficient number of pupils in the place, he opened a school in his little cabin. He be- came prominent in local affairs, serving one term as justice of the peace, and as superintendent of schools several terms. Trading his land, in 1857, for a farm in Le Roy, Mr. Niehols was there employed as a farmer and a school teacher for about ten years. He subsequently spent three years in Fond du Lac, and then went to Oregon, where, with others, he purchased six hundred acres of land in Logan county, and was there engaged in teaching and farming until his death, in the seventy-first year of his age. The maiden name of the wife of Mr. Nichols was Emeline Dunbar. She was born in New York state, a daughter of Enos and Lydia Dunbar, both natives of the same state. Leaving his native state, Enos Dunbar was one of the first settlers of Dixon, Lee County, Illinois, and had the distinction of being its pioneer merchant. He continued in mercantile business there a few years, and was afterwards a contractor, and built bridges in various places in Illinois. Removing from Dixon to Wisconsin, he was a gen- eral merchant at Le Roy for a few years, after which he returned to Dixon, and there spent his remaining days. He served as a drummer boy in the war of 1812. Mrs. Nicols survived her husband, passing away in Owatonna, Minnesota, in the eightieth year of her age. She reared six children, as follows: Antoinette, Annie, L. T., George, Charles, and Ella.
Mr. and Mrs. Parmelee are the parents of nine children, namely : Edson D., Freeland D., Milton R., Alice M., Violetta A., Ruth L., Emma D., Anna B., and Charles H. One child, the sixth in order of birth, died at the age of sixteen years. Edson D. married Emma A. Hibbard, and they have one daughter, Ruth Edna. Freeland D. mar- ried Carrie M. Elliott, and they have two sons, Claude E. and Gale. Milton R. married Rena Stoddard. Alice M., wife of Charles C. But- ler, has three children, Milton E., Charles C., and Ruth. Violetta A., wife of Alfred H. Hunting, has five sons, Clyde, Earl, Walter J., Dwight E., and Russell. Emma D., wife of Franklin C. Whiting, has five chil- dren, Ethel E., Chester P., Floyd F., Ralph, and Gertrude. Anna B. is a teacher in the public schools. Charles is a mining engineer. Mr. and Mrs. Parmelee are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are everywhere respected as people of worth.
CAPT. WALTER WESLEY GRAY .- A man of much foree of character and executive ability, Captain Walter W. Gray, of Bessemer, is ac- tively identified with the promotion of the industrial interests of this seetion of the Upper Peninsula as foreman of the above-ground work of the Tilden mines, a position for which he is well qualified, both by experience and by practical knowledge. A son of William R. Gray, he was born, October 30, 1860, in Clinton county, New York, on the paternal side coming of thrifty Seotch ancestry.
His great-grandfather, Walter Gray, Sr., was born, reared and edu- cated in Scotland, where he became a florist and a landscape gardener. He came with his family to America, locating at Beauharnois, in the
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Province of Quebec, Canada. A pioneer of pioneers, he purchased a tract of wild land and with the assistance of his older sons, cleared a farm on which he raised a variety of crops. He later cultivated flowers and fruit, and for a while conducted a greenhouse in Montreal. Sub- sequently selling that property he bought a farm on the Richelieu river and after living there a few seasons, removed to Covey Hills, near the New York state line. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Morton, was born in England.
Walter. Gray, Jr., the Captain's grandfather, was born in Hawick, Scotland, where before coming to this country he learned the trade of a shoemaker. After settling in the Province of Quebec, he followed farming, and on taking up his residence at Covey Hills, bought a farm which he occupied for several years. Afterward until 1860 he worked land on shares in the same locality. In that year he crossed the line into Clinton county, New York, bought land, and carried on general farming for several seasons. Removing then to Ishpeming, Michigan, he made his home with his sons for a few years, and then went to Dun- das, Rice county, Minnesota, where he resided until his death, both he and his wife passing away in that place. His wife, whose maiden name was Amelia Madison, was born in Yorkshire, England, and when a young woman, came to America to join her father, who had previ- ously crossed the ocean. She bore her husband four children as fol- lows: William R., John, Walter and James.
William R. Gray, the father of Captain Gray, was born in Beau- harnois county, province of Quebec, Canada, and there grew to manhood. He learned the trade of a carpenter and being a natural mechanic, developed into an expert workman. Subsequently moving with his family to Clinton county, New York, he resided in Ellenburg until 1869 when he came to Michigan. Locating in Ishpeming, he was for a num- ber of years employed as building carpenter at the mines, after which he became a contractor, in which capacity he spent some time. He later accepted a position as carpenter with the Iron Cliffs Company, and con- tinued in that work for fifteen years, when he was so severely injured by a fall that he was incapacitated for hard labor. When he had suf- ficiently recovered from the effects of his injuries, he went to Montana, purchased government land lying fourteen miles northeast of Kalispell, erected buildings and engaged in ranching for fifteen years. Return- ing then to Michigan, he spent his last days with his children. He mar- ried Sarah Woodward, born in Beauharnois county, Quebec, a daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Axey) Woodward. The wife's death occurred on September 15, 1892. Both she and her husband were faithful mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. They reared eleven children, namely : Amelia J .; Walter Wesley; Hannah A .; Alice T .; Agnes R .; Margaret E .; Joseph J .; William J .; Mary Ellen who died when small ; Sarah A .; and Melvina R.
Walter Wesley Gray was but nine years old when his parents came to Michigan, and soon after that event he began to work in the mines, his first employment being as driver of the horse used in raising ore by derrick. Afterwards while working with his father he learned the car- penter's trade and followed it in different mines until 1885. In that year he removed to the new village of Bessemer, which was situated in what was then a part of Ontonagon county. At that time no ore had been shipped from this locality, mining operations having but recently been commenced. Mr. Gray became carpenter of the Colby Mining Company and remained such until 1886, when in the employ of the same company, he went to Hurley, Michigan, where he remained twenty-
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P.H. Runstrom
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one months. For one year he had charge of the mine nights as captain and the balance of the time was surface foreman. He was also surface foreman at the Ashland Mine. Returning to Bessemer, Mr. Gray accepted his present position as surface foreman for the Tilden mines, and has ever since filled the position ably and acceptably. His home, which is finely located on the brow of the hill, is a picturesque and com- modious log structure, with attractive surroundings.
Mr. Gray married, December 20, 1882, Katherine L. Johnston, who was born in Sarnia, Province of Ontario, Canada. Her grandfather, Corporal John Johnston, was born in Ireland of Scotch parentage. When sixteen years of age he enlisted as a drummer boy in the Eng- lish army, and later joined the ranks. Later commissioned corporal of his regiment, he participated in the conquest of India. After his hon- orable discharge from the service, he emigrated to America, becoming an early settler of the Province of Ontario. He secured one hundred acres of land in Adelaide township, Middlesex county, and building a log cabin in the wilderness, devoted his energies to clearing the land and cultivating the soil. There he resided until his death at a ripe old age, his last years being made comfortable by a generous pension. Colonel Johnston married Mary Brock, who was born in county Fer- managh, Ireland, and she attained to the advanced age of ninety-three years. They reared four children, Alexander, father of Mrs. Gray; Ann; Katherine; and Robert Weir.
Alexander Johnston was nine years old when he left county Fer- managh, Ireland, his native place and came with his parents to Canada. He grew to manhood on the home farm, a part of which he subsequently inherited, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years. He afterward sold the farm, and for two years resided near Plympton, province of Ontario, where he secured farming property. He afterward disposed of it and bought one hundred acres, three and one-half miles from Sarnia, and there lived and labored until his death, at the age of four score and four years. He married Isabella McClean, who was born in Albany, New York. Mrs. Johnston's father, Alexander McClean, was born in the north of Ireland of Scotch ancestry, and upon emigrating with his family to the United States, located first in Albany, New York, where he followed the tanner's trade. Subsequently remov- ing to the province of Ontario, Mr. McClean bought a tract of timbered land near London, Middlesex county, and on the farm which he im- proved, resided until the death of his wife. He then went to Sarnia where he passed away at the age of eighty-four years. His wife, whose maiden name was Agnes Hetherington, was born in the north of Ire- land, and she, too, lived to the age of eighty-four years. Mrs. Alexander Johnston died in April, 1906, aged seventy-five years. To her and her husband eleven children were born, namely: Mary Ann, Edwin Wilson, Katherine L., Alexander, Arabella A., W. J. Hetherington, Effie M., Ida L., Frederick R. E., Wilfred F., and Eva May.
To Mr. and Mrs. Walter W. Gray seven children have been born, namely: Florence Isabelle; Blanche Pearl; Bertha Madison, who died at the age of twenty-two years; Etta May, who died when five years old; Woodward Keith; Gladys Louise and Easter Gem. Fraternally Mr. Gray belongs to Bessemer Camp, Modern Woodmen of America.
A. H. RUNSTROM .- An enterprising and progressive citizen of Iron- wood, A. H. Runstrom is widely known throughout this section of Gogebic county as proprietor of the Runstrom Hospital, one of the most conveniently arranged and completely furnished institutions of the kind
Vol. III-14
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in the Upper Peninsula. A native of Sweden, he was born, December 25, 1859, in the city of Landskrona, Malmohus county, of honored Swedish ancestry on both sides of the house. His father, Pere Henry Runstrom, was born in the city of Lund, Malmohus county, where he was bred and educated. Joining the Swedish Army in early manhood, he served twelve years, being sergeant of his company. He was after- wards assistant manager of a sugar plantation and factory for several years, receiving good wages for his labor. In 1880, accompanied by his family, he emigrated to the United States, locating in Orono, Osceola county, Michigan, where he purchased land, and for twenty years was. engaged in tilling the soil. Having acquired a competency, he removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and there lived retired until his death, in October, 1905, at an advanced age. His wife, whose maiden name was Carolina Anderson, still resides at Grand Rapids. She reared seven children, namely : Oscar, Alex H., Joseph, Frederick, Betty, John and Alma.
Having obtained a good education in the public schools of his native city, Alex H. Runstrom began working with his father, remain- ing in his employ until the family came, in 1880, to Michigan. The ensuing two years he worked for the Grand Rapids and Indiana Rail- road Company, with the exception of the winter seasons, when he was employed in lumbering in the woods. In July, 1882, Mr. Runstrom located at Ashland, Wisconsin, and the following year there bought a city lot, erected a boarding house, and also opened a dispensary, both of which he conducted until July, 1885. Coming immediately to Ironwood, Mr. Runstrom purchased the first city lot sold by the com- pany, it being on Suffolk street, adjoining the lot on the northwest corner of the street, erected a building, and established a dispensary, which he operated until 1888. He then entered the Union Hospital as a practical nurse, having had experience in nursing in Sweden, in the hospital connected with the plantation of which his father was for so many years assistant superintendent. Mr. Runstrom remained in the Union Hospital until 1897, when he established the Runstrom Hospital, to which he has since devoted his entire time and attention. This hospital, located on Marquette street, is a commodious building erected for this special purpose, and is amply fitted with the most modern sanitary furnishings and appliances. It contains two wards, each with accommodations for eight patients; two rooms, accomino- dating two persons each, and four rooms for single patients, who prefer being alone.
On May 3, 1886, Mr. Runstrom married Olena Anderson, who was born in Norway, a daughter of Charles Anderson, who came to this country with his family in 1882, locating at Ashland, Wisconsin. Teu children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Runstrom, five sons and five daughters, and seven are now living, namely: Albin L., Olga, Ellen, Walter, Agnes, Karl and Ruth. Karl, Oscar and Olga are deceased. Mr. Runstrom and his family are members of the Swedish Lutheran church, and he belongs to the Scandinavian Society.
CHARLES MACINTYRE, cashier of the First National Bank of Lake Linden, Michigan, has been connected with this important institution for the past fifteen years and his efficiency has been of such a character that he has been promoted step by step from his first capacity as clerk and bookkeeper to his present responsible office. Mr. MacIntyre was born in Lake Linden, and his name is by no means delusive, for he is of Scotch extraction. The first of the family in this country was the
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father, Allen MacIntyre, who was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, in 1832. His emigration to this country took place in 1854, and he settled first in Canada, and later he came to Michigan where he was connected with mining in Houghton county. He then returned to Canada and settled in Ontario, where he died in 1898. The mother, Sarah (McLean) MacIntyre, is still living and makes her home at Lake Linden.
In 1895, Charles MacIntyre became clerk and bookkeeper in the First National Bank, and his steady promotion has now placed him in the position of cashier. This bank was the successor to the D. W. Sut- ter Bank. The bank as it is at present was chartered October 31st, 1908. In 1910 the following became officers and directors: Joseph Bosch, president; Charles Smith, vice president; James McNaughton, John Daniell, John H. Wilson, Fred Smith, Thomas W. Armstrong, directors. The capital stock of the bank is now one hundred thousand dollars, the surplus is one hundred thousand, and the undivided profits, forty thousand. The present officers are Joseph Bosch, president; Hon. Charles Smith, vice president ; Charles MacIntyre, cashier, and Roy A. Young, assistant cashier.
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