USA > Michigan > A history of the northern peninsula of Michigan and its people; its mining, lumber and agricultural industries, Volume III > Part 34
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At the close of the war Mr. Lachance came to Mackinac Island where he engaged in his trade until June, 1865, when he was appointed light- keeper of the Detour Light-house. He resigned this position in Novem- ber, 1866, to accept the management of a store at Scotts Point, Mackinac county, Michigan, and one year later he became manager of a store conducted by his old teacher, Dr. John R. Bailey. From 1868 to 1872 he worked at his trade and in the fall of the latter year he was ap- pointed deputy United States marshal by United States Marshal Joseph R. Rennett. He spent the fall and winter of 1872-3 in Detroit and then returned to Mackinac Island. following his trade until 1879, at which time he was appointed probate judge of Mackinac county, by Governor Groswell, to fill a vacancy. Of this office he remained incumbent until 1881, when he again resumed the work of his trade, being thus em- ployed until 1889, when he engaged in the livery business. In 1900 he was elected probate judge but could not qualify for the position on account of a clerk's mistake. He was again elected to this office in 1904, serving one term. He was re-elected in 1908 but for a mistake similar to that occurring in 1900 he failed to get the office. In 1892 he became interested in the hotel business and has been actively concerned in this line of enterprise since that time. As a citizen Mr. Lachance is loyal and public-spirited and has always given his aid and influence in support of all measures and enterprises tending to further the pros- perity of his home city. In politics he is a staunch adherent of the Re- publican party and has been active in its work. He is deeply loved and revered by his fellow citizens and no man holds a more secure place in popular confidence and esteem. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic church and he is affiliated with various fraternal and social organizations of a representative order.
On the 27th of September, 1864, in the city of Mackinac Island, Mr. Lachance was united in marriage to Miss Mary T. Metivier, who was born on Mackinac Island, Michigan, and who is a daughter of Francis and Lucy (Frechette) Metivier, both of whom were born in Canada. Mr. Metivier came to Mackinac Island previously to 1837,
Giugno H. MEbillis
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in which year Michigan was admitted to statehood, and he was a hunter, lumberman and cooper. Both he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives in Mackinac Island, where their death occurred in the years, 1870 and 1850, respectively. Mr. Lachance and his wife became the parents of twelve children, eleven of whom are now living,- namely : Eugene J., Lucy M., Jessie Sophia, Alfred F., Harriet V., Grace C., Benoni W., Hercule A., Cora E., Clarence L. and Edwin T.
ANGUS F. MCGILLIS .- Numbered among the representative contrac- tors of the Upper Peninsula is this well known citizen of Menominee, who has attained special prominence in connection with the building of bridges and who has effectively completed many important con- tracts in this line. He is a business man of distinctive acumen and ad- ministrative ability and his character shows forth those sterling traits that are ever notable in the race from which he sprung. As his name well indicates he is a scion of stanch Scotch ancestry and to his own well directed efforts must be attributed the marked success which he has attained. He maintains his residence and business headquarters in the city of Menominee and is known as the leading contractor in his line in Northern Michigan and Wisconsin.
Angus F. McGillis was born at Cornwall, the chief town of the united counties of Stormont and Glengarry, province of Ontario, Can- ada, on the 20th of December, 1843, and is a son of John A. and Margaret (McIntosh) McGillis, the former of whom was born in the highlands of Scotland, and the latter in the province of Ontario, Canada, of Scotch ancestry. John A. MeGillis was reared and edu- cated in his native land and as a young man of eighteen years he set forth to seek his fortune in America. He made the voyage in a sail- ing vessel, and finally landed in the city of Quebec, whence he proceeded to Cornwall township, Stormont county, province of Ontario, where he passed the residue of his life and where he became a successful farmer, having there reclaimed a farm from the wilderness. He was a man of prominence and influence in the community and was called upon to serve in various local offices of public trust. Both he and his wife were devout communicants of the Catholic church and both exemplified their faith in their daily lives. John A. McGillis was summoned to eternal rest at the age of sixty-five years and his wife was forty-eight years of age at the time of her demise. They became the parents of eleven children, all of whom attained to years of ma- turity and of the number three sons and four daughters are yet living.
Angus F. McGillis, who was the ninth in order of birth of the eleven children, was reared to the sturdy discipline of the home farm and early began to lend his aid in the various departments of this work, in the meanwhile availing himself of the advantages of the common schools of the locality and period. At the age of twenty years he severed the gracious home ties and went to the northern part of the state of New York, where he passed the first winter in getting out square timber on the Grass and Racket rivers for the firm of Mc- Donald, McMillan & Company, for whom he took the timber from the mouth of the Grass and Racket rivers and thence drove it down the St. Lawrence river, in the spring of 1864, to Quebec. In the autumn of the same year he came west to Peshtigo, Wisconsin, and entered the employ of B. C. French, who was the superintendent of the Ogden & Tilden Iron Mines, west of Escanaba, Michigan. Mr. McGillis sub- sequently left Peshtigo with a vessel of lumber, but as the vessel was blockaded by snow at Escanaba, he shipped the lumber by rail to the
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mines, erected a saw mill between the Ogden and Tilden mines and Smolla lake. In June, 1865, Mr. MeGillis went to Fond du Lae, Wis- consin, but soon afterward he returned to Peshtigo, where he passed the summer of that year. In the following autumn he returned to Fond du Lac, where he entered the employ of the Chicago & North- western Railroad Company, and he was thus engaged at the work of carpenter's trade for two years, during which he gave his attention to the building of bridges and water tanks for the railroad company. Thereafter he worked under Edward Seamer and George B. McCum- ber on the erection of a warehouse and sawmill for C. J. L. Meyer and in the spring of 1867 he came to Menominee, Michigan, where he maintained his home for a period of about three years, during which he was actively engaged in the work of his trade. He thereafter passed one year in Chicago in the employ of the firm of Wells & French, but he assisted in the erection of bridges on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad. Thereafter Mr. MeGillis was located at Cedar River, Michigan, for fifteen months and then he returned to Menominee, where he resumed his work as carpenter and builder and two months later located on Menominee Range with headquarters at Norway, Michigan. He resided there for eight years and carried on contracting on the whole Menominee Range in house and bridge building. In this connection he has beeome one of the best known contractors in the Upper Peninsula as has already been intimated in a previous paragraph. His reputation for fair and honorable business methods implying the most scrupulous regard to the specifications of contracts and the careful execution of the same constituting an asset of which he may well be proud. He has built several bridges between the cities of Menominee and Marinette, as well as many for the Mil- waukee & Northern Railroad Company, the Copper Range Railroad Company, and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, besides which he has held other important bridge contracts for va- rious cities and towns, as well as other corporations. Mr. MeGillis is not only progressive and enterprising in his business affairs, but he also manifests the same attitude in regard to citizenship, as is shown by the fact that he is ever ready to give his encouragement and aid in support of all measures and enterprises tending to advance the ma- terial and social welfare of the community. Though his first presi- dential vote was cast for General Ulysses S. Grant, he is now a stanch advocate of the principles of the Democratic party. He is well known throughout northern Michigan and Wisconsin and is held in high re- gard by all with whom he has come in contact. He is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus and both he and his wife are communicants of the Catholic church.
In the year 1866 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. McGillis to Miss Catherine MeDonald, who was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, and whose death occurred in 1895. Of the eight children of this union, three are now living: George, who is a resident of Califor- nia; Peter, who resides in Louisiana; and Flora, who is the wife of Henry Small, of California. In October, 1897, Mr. MeGillis wedded Miss Catherine MeCulley, who was born in the state of Wisconsin, and they have one son, Donald, who is now attending school in Menominee.
ALFRED S. FOLLANSBEE .- Having served most faithfully as post- master at Ontonagon for the past thirteen years, Alfred S. Follansbee is widely and favorably known throughout this part of Ontonagon county as a man of worth and integrity, and is held in high respect as
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a man and as a citizen. A son of John W. Follansbee, he was born, July 2, 1866, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, of English ancestry. His grandfather, Williard Follansbee, a native of England, was a pioneer settler of Rock county, Wisconsin. Buying land lying three miles from Janesville, he cleared and improved a homestead, on which he lived many years. Subsequently removing to Iowa, he spent his last days in Charles City, passing away at a good old age.
Born on the parental homestead, in Rock county, Wisconsin, John W. Follansbee learned the carpenter's trade when young, and for many years carried on a substantial business as a contractor and builder in Fond du Lac; where his death occurred. His wife, whose maiden name was Jennie Davis, was born in New York state and died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She reared five children, as follows: Carrie, wife of P. J. Ward, of Milwaukee; Alfred S .; Minnie, wife of Mr. Cousins; Dolly, deceased; and Jerry W.
At the age of thirteen years, while yet a pupil in the public schools of Fond du Lac, Alfred S. Follansbee entered the office of one of the leading journals, the Commonwealth, working evenings and vaca- tions as a printer's devil. Coming to Ontonagon in 1889, he was employed in the Ontonagon Mine until August 25, 1896, the date of the disastrous conflagration that destroyed a large part of the village. In November, 1897, Mr. Follansbee was appointed postmaster at Onto- nagon, and has served continuously since, filling the position ably and satisfactorily to all concerned.
Mr. Follansbee married, September 7, 1892, Dolie S. Allen, a native of Woodstock, Illinois. Her father, Frank S. Allen, was born and edu- cated in Providence, R. I. He came West as a young man, and soon after the breaking out of the Civil war enlisted in Company E, Ninety- fifth Illinois Infantry, and served until after the close of the conflict, when he was honorably discharged. He was afterwards first lieutenant of Battery D, Illinois National Guard. He died at Los Angeles, Cal- ifornia, in 1896. His wife, whose maiden name was Rowena Johnson, was born in Woodstock, Illinois, and is now a resident of Muskegon, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Follansbee have one child, Dorothy Allen. Politically Mr. Follansbee is a Republican, and fraternally he belongs to Ontonagon Tent, No. 334, K. O. T. M.
ANDREW HALTER .- A man of undoubted financial ability and keen foresight, Andrew Halter occupies a secure position among the lead- ing business men of Ontonagon, being a successful general merchant. A son of Martin Halter, Jr., he was born, December 24, 1860, at Pon- tiac Mine, Houghton county, Michigan, of French ancestry.
His grandfather, Martin Halter, Sr., was born, bred and married in the province of Lorraine, France. Emigrating to the United States in 1837, he located in Erie county, New York. Buying a tract of wild land in the locality known as Town Line, fifteen miles from Buffalo, he devoted his time to clearing and improving a farm, living there until his death. He reared four sons, Antoine, Martin, Angust, and Louis, and one daughter, who is now married, and lives in Erie county, New York.
Born in Lorraine, France, May 12, 1830, Martin Halter, Jr., was but seven years old when he crossed the ocean with his parents. Reared and educated in Erie county, New York, he resided there until 1849, when he became an early settler of Ontonagon county, Michigan. After working in the mines for a time, he went to Wisconsin to look for a farm, from there going to Galena, Illinois, where he had a brother
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living. Not finding a location that suited him in either place, he re- turned to Michigan, and after working for a time as a miner in Ontonagon county was for three years engaged in mining in Houghton county. Coming back then to Ontonagon county, he purchased a farm about four miles from the Court House, and thereafter devoted his time to tilling the soil until failing health compelled him to retire from active pursuits. His wife, whose maiden name was Maria Paul, was born, July 4, 1830, on the banks of the River Rhine, in Germany, and came with her parents to America, locating in New York state, where they spent their remaining days. She died on the home farm, near Ontonagon, in 1888, leaving three children, Andrew, the special sub- ject of this sketch: Louis, carrying on the home farm; and Joseph B., of Chicago, who is engaged in railroad work.
At the age of seventeen years, having completed his early educa- tion in the public schools, Andrew Halter was engaged in lumbering in the woods for six years. Then, at the age of twenty-three years, he accepted a position as clerk in a general store, remaining thus em- ployed until 1896. In that year, in company with his brother-in-law, Abraham Le Moine, he opened a general store in Ontonagon, begin- ning in a modest way. He has since gradually enlarged his operations, as the trade demanded adding to his stock, and is now carrying on a thriving business as a general merchant.
Mr. Halter married, October 1, 1883, Adelaide Le Moine, who was born in Rockland, Michigan, a daughter of Nelson and Victoria (Myers) Le Moine, natives of Canada. Mr. Le Moine died February 9, 1910, leaving seven children, Mary, Israel, Marian, Philemon, Ade- line, Abraham, and Peter. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Halter two children have been born, namely: Elsie and Ella. Fraternally Mr. Halter is a member of Ontonagon Lodge, No. 67, F. & A. M .; of On- tonagon Chapter No. 20, R. A. M .; and of Palestine Commandery, K. T., of Houghton. He is officially connected with one of the leading financial institutions of Ontonagon, being vice president of the First National Bank.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM HARRIS .- Prominently identified with the great copper-mining industry in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, William Harris became eminently successful not only as captain of various of the most important mines in the Lake Superior district but he also represented Ontonagon county in the state legislature for a period of six years, in which connection his services were highly satisfactory to his constituents. Captain Harris was born on the Sth of January, 1818, in the mining town of Carn-Brea, Illogan parish, Cornwall, England, and he is the son of William and Jane Harris, both of whom were like- wise natives of England, where they spent their entire lives. Mr. Harris was identified with mining operations in his native land and at the age of twenty-four years he was married, and four years later he sailed with his family for the United States, first locating in central Wisconsin. Shortly after his arrival in America the Quebec Mining Company secured the services of William Harris to explore and ope- rate mines in the copper-ore veins of Georgian Bay. Later he had charge of the Bruce mines and was captain of the same until they passed into the hands of the Montreal Company, at which time the Quebec Company sent him to explore and operate the Copper Bay mine. By this time Captain William Harris had well established his reputation as a mining expert and about the year 1850 Mr. H. O. Knapp, superintendent of the Minnesota mine, in Ontonagon county.
Ca y EL Withins & Bre.
Elias F. Sutton
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Michigan, tendered him the position of supervisor of the underground work of that property. After an examination of this mine Captain Harris accepted the position and thus was begun his work in Ontona- gon county. At that time the Minnesota mine was the greatest in the Northern Peninsula, and he remained at this mine, in the capacity of captain for a period of fourteen years and it was during this time that the phenomenal "500-ton mass" of native copper was discovered, a find so rich that it caused the utmost excitement. However, only two years were consumed in cutting it into pieces of convenient size to be hoisted to the surface. In 1864 a change was made in the official corps of this mine and Captain Harris was appointed superintendent of the same. Of this office he remained incumbent for eight years, making in all twenty-two years of continuous service with the Minne- sota Mining Company. Another three years with the Allonez Mining Company concluded his active mining business. While in Ontonagon county he became interested in mercantile enterprises with the late S. D. North and in this connection were established the stores of S. D. North at Quincy mine; Charles Briggs at Calumet; and William Har- ris at Lake Linden.
In politics Captain Harris was a Republican and in 1873 he was given proof of the high regard in which he was held in the commu- nity by his election to the state legislature to represent Ontonagon county. He served most efficiently in this capacity until 1876 and was a member of various important committees in the lower house. He was affiliated with various fraternal and social organizations of repre- sentative order and both he and his wife held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Lake Linden. Mrs. Harris died on the 22nd of March, 1901, aged eighty-one years. Captain Harris was sum- moned to eternal rest on October 4, 1891, at the age of seventy-three years.
In the year 1842 was celebrated the marriage of Captain Harris to Miss Elizabeth Tregoning, of Redruth, Cornwall, England. Mr. and Mrs. Harris became the parents of eight children, four of whom died in childhood. Walter died at the age of twenty-one years, in 1884, at which time he was in his junior year at the University of Michigan. Mary A. T. is the widow of E. F. Sutton, to whom a sketch is dedi- cated on other pages of this work. Elizabeth Jane is the widow of A. Overfield, M. D., of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Martha is the widow of B. F. Plews, M. D., and she resides at Toledo, Ohio.
ELIAS F. SUTTON .- On the 25th of April, 1901, was summoned to the life eternal the soul of a man whose sterling integrity and most exemplary Christian character have left an indelible impress upon the hearts of his fellow men. At the time when he was called from the scene of his mortal endeavors he was in his seventieth year and it may be said of him that "his strength was as the number of his days." The prestige which he gained as a fair and honorable business man was the result of his own well directed efforts and his success was on a parity with his ability and applied energy.
Elias Fairchild Sutton was born in Hardyston, Sussex county, New Jersey, on the 25th of June, 1831, and he was a son of Michael R. and Elizabeth Forrestor Sutton, the former a native of New Jersey, and a substantial farmer and most highly esteemed citizen of Sussex county ; the latter was also a native of New Jersey, a daughter of Peter Forrestor an Englishman. The paternal ancestors of Mr. Sut- ton were numbered among the earliest settlers of New Jersey, repre-
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sentatives of the family having come down from Cape Cod, Massachu- setts, in 1672, to become land holders under the proprietaries Berke- ley and Carteret, at Piscataway, on the banks of the Raritan river, opposite New Brunswick. 'Captain Jonathan Sutton, great-grand- father of the subject of this review, was a great-grandson of William Sutton, the founder of the family in New Jersey, and he served as a valiant officer in the "Jersey line" in the war of the Revolution. Elias Fairchild Sutton received his early educational training in the common schools of his native town and supplemented the same by study in the "Wantage Select," near Deckertown, New Jersey. After leaving school he initiated his independent career as a clerk in the store of Robert A. Linn in the nearby village of Hamburg. In his nineteenth year he became a most devout member of the North Hardy- ston Presbyterian church, of which his parents were likewise mem- bers. About the year 1850 Mr. Sutton severed the ties which bound him to home and the scenes of his youth and accompanied his sister, Mrs. Joseph Ayres, to her home in Romeo, Michigan. Later he be- came associated with the firm of W. H. B. Dowling, dealers in general merchandise and lumber, at Port Huron, Michigan, in which concern he eventually assumed the responsibilities of a partner. In May, 1862, in response to a call for men to guard the Upper Lakes, Mr. Sutton was commissioned as first lieutenant and mustered into the service of the United States army for a term of three months. On May 6th of that year he was placed in command of the Michigan-Stanton Guard and stationed at Fort Mackinac. He was mustered out of the service at Detroit, on September 25, 1862.
In 1863 Mr. Sutton removed to Ontonagon county, this state, to be- come manager of the general store of the Minnesota Mining Company, of which position he remained incumbent for six years. In 1865 the product of the, then, most famous copper mine of Lake Superior be- gan to decrease. The company was unwilling to expend the money necessary to develop the property and at the time of this depression Mr. Sutton opened a store at Huron Mine, Houghton county. About the year 1875 a manufacturing industry in the city of Philadel- phia claimed his attention for a period of two years, at the expiration of which he assumed the position of manager of the mercantile busi- ness of his father-in-law, the late William Harris, of Lake Linden, Houghton county. Upon the demise of Mr. Harris, in 1891, Mr. Sut- ton incorporated the business under the title of the E. F. Sutton Com- pany. This enterprise Mr. Sutton most successfully conducted until his death, in 1901. In politics Mr. Sutton accorded a staunch allegi- ance to the cause of the Republican party, and though never a seeker of public offices he lent his aid in behalf of all measures and enter- prises tending to further the welfare of his community and as a citi- zen he was most loyal and public-spirited. He was a devoted husband and father and he found his greatest solace in the sacred precincts of his home.
On the 5th of September, 1865, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Sutton to Miss Mary A. T. Harris, who was born June 7, 1843, in Red- ruth, Cornwall, England, and who is a daughter of the late William Harris, to whom a sketch is dedicated on other pages of this work, so that further details concerning the family history need not be incor- porated here. Mr. and Mrs. Sutton became the parents of two chil- dren, namely,-Elizabeth, born June 24th, 1868, at Houghton, Michi- gan, and Walter Harris, born June 18, 1885, at Lake Linden, Michigan. September 5th, 1900, Elizabeth married Sidney A. Benedict of Chi-
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cago, Illinois. Mrs. Sutton survives her honored husband and she, with her son Walter, makes their home in Lake Linden, where their circle of friends is coincident with that of their acquaintances.
JOHN R. BAILEY, M. D .- Measured by its beneficence, its rectitude, its productiveness, its unconscious altruism and its material success, the life of the late Dr. John Read Bailey counted for much and in this history of a section of the state with whose civic and material interests he was so long and honorably identified, it is imperative that at least a brief tribute be accorded to him. He long maintained his home on beautiful Mackinac Island and none has been more closely or influ- entially concerned with its varied interests. None has been more familiar with its history and he compiled and published a history and guide book of the island, a work of inestimable value and one that shows deep and enthusiastic research and complete and accurate in- formation. It is extraneous to the province of the present publication to offer a review of this admirable work but those who are interested in the same may readily secure copies thereof. Dr. Bailey was de- scended from a family that was founded in America in the colonial days and the name has long been one of distinction in the annals of the nation. He was born in New York City, on the 23d of July, 1833, and was the eldest son of Captain Joseph H. Bailey, who was a mem- ber of the medical corps of the United States army. Concerning the career of Dr. Bailey perhaps no better record can be offered than the following appreciative estimate, written by John William Keating and the article is reproduced with but slight paraphrase.
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