USA > Michigan > A history of the northern peninsula of Michigan and its people; its mining, lumber and agricultural industries, Volume III > Part 36
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"In the first place he is one of the prominent veterinary surgeons in the state and comes from what is presumably one of the oldest families of veterinarians in this country. His father and grandfather and six of his brothers are veterinary surgeons and there is only one black sheep in the family who failed to keep the pace set by the an- cestors. A striking fact in regard to this remarkable man is that he fights the battle of life with but one good leg and but one sure-enough eye. Years ago the Doctor was a splendid specimen of physical manhood and ready for muscular stunts in competition with the strong boys, but one accident resulted in the loss of a leg and another took one eye and threatened to take two. However, one leg was not a handicap when the Doctor entered the political race, and in spite of the over- whelming normal Republican majority he was able to win easily for two terms. As a one-legged political sprinter the Doctor was certainly entitled to classification with fast company.
"Still more striking facts in regard to the Doctor are that he is a twin himself, was the father of triplets, and his hunting mare some years ago gave birth to twin colts. It has also been said that the Doc- tor was the owner of a two-headed calf and that his hens laid double- yolked eggs, but this is somewhat of an exaggeration. The Doctor has a two-headed calf in his office but it was not the child of one of his cows. The Doctor is also prominent as a hunter and fisherman. After he lost his leg and was not qualified for the tramp role, he gained dis- tinction for successfully hunting for deer from the back of his faithful mare. He is familiar with the angling game and an ardent devotee of the sport."
ARTHUR L. CAMERON .- As a member of the firm of Cameron Broth- ers, conducting one of the well-equipped meat markets of Sault Ste. Marie, and as an extensive dealer in timber and timber lands, he whose name initiates this review merits consideration as one of the progressive business men of the younger generation in the Upper Peninsula, and the esteem in which he is held in his home city is measurably indicated by the fact that he has served as a member of its board of aldermen.
Arthur L. Cameron was born in Grey county, Ontario, Canada, on the 15th of October, 1870, and is a son of Daniel and Ester (Leavens) Cameron, both of whom were likewise natives of the province of On- tario, where the former was born in 1834 and the latter in 1838. Of the thirteen children all are living except Carman, who died in infancy. The names of the other children are here indicated in order of their birth,-Jennie, Ida, Retta, Arthur L., Frank, Anna, Herbert, Pearson,
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Ethel, Edna, Roy and Earl. Jennie is the wife of William J. Freeborn of Tacoma, Washington; Retta is the wife of Edward Buchanan of Soo, Michigan, and Anna is the wife of William H. Moore, also of Soo. Daniel Cameron was engaged in the grocery business at Meafords, Ontario, until 1888, when he removed to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, where he has been identified with the meat-market business for twenty- two years, being one of the well-known and highly esteemed citizens of this section of the state. He is Republican in politics and both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.
Arthur L. Cameron gained his early education in the public schools of his native province and he initiated his practical business career by entering the employ of his uncle, Peter Cameron, who was at that time conducting a meat market in Sault Ste. Marie. Finally he became as- sociated with his brother Frank in the purchase of the business from their uncle and the same has been continued under the firm name of Cameron Brothers since April, 1899. The market is metropolitan in its facilities and equipment and caters to a large and appreciative patronage. Arthur L. Cameron has been very successful also in his handling of timber and timber lands in Chippewa county and to this enterprise he now gives the major part of his time and attention. He is the owner of large tracts of land in this county and there his handling of the same is adding materially to the progress and upbuilding of the county. He is a staunch Republican in his political allegiance and in 1905 he was elected member of the city board of aldermen from the First ward. He served one term and proved a progressive and valu- able municipal executive. He is affiliated with Red Cross Lodge, No. 51, Knights of Pythias, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church in their home city. He wedded Miss Jennie E. Morrison, a native of Lapeer county, Michigan. She was educated in the common schools and as she is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church is secretary of the Ladies' Aid Society. Their resi- dence is 145 Portage Avenue.
HENRY M. POWERS .- It is the lot of some men to be born great, while others have to achieve greatness. It was clearly destined that Henry M. Powers, of Ontonagon, should be in truth the architect of his own fortune. Beginning life for himself even with the world, he has made diligent use of his faculties and opportunities, and is now numbered among the more active and successful business men of the community, being one of the leading druggists of Ontonagon county. A son of Patrick C. Powers, he was born, December 23, 1859, at Han- cock, Michigan, of Irish ancestry.
Patrick C. Powers was born in Nenagh, county Tipperary, Ireland, where his parents were life-long residents, four of their children, how- ever, emigrating to America, their names being Henry, Roger, John, and Patrick. Patrick C. Powers had served an apprenticeship at the trades of a blacksmith and wagon maker in the old country. After com- ing with his bride to the United States, in 1845, he lived for a short time in New York City, and from there going to Vermont, and from there to Toledo, Ohio, and in 1854 to St. Paul, Minnesota. Not satisfied in 1855 he made another change of location, going to Superior, Wisconsin, where he followed his trade for a time. From there he came to the Upper Peninsula in 1858, and after spending a few months in Ke- weenaw county established a blacksmith's shop and wagon shop in Han- cock, Houghton county, where he conducted business for several years, residing there until his death. The maiden name of his wife was Helen
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McKeogh. She was born in county Tipperary, Ireland, and died in Hancock, Michigan, leaving five children, Michael A., John R., James, Henry M., and Sarah.
In 1874, after the death of his parents, Henry M. Powers came to Ontonagon to live with his brother, Michael A. Powers, who was county clerk and registrar for Ontonagon county for thirty years. Having previously acquired a good education in the schools of Hancock and Ontonagon, he soon began to be self-supporting, putting his shoulder to the wheel whenever opportunity offered, among his other employ- ments having been employed much of the time as a cook in exploring camps. He was subsequently appointed deputy county clerk and regis- trar, continuing in that capacity until 1884. In that year Mr. Powers formed a partnership with Dr. H. E. Cary, now of Minneapolis, Minne- sota, and opened a drug store. Succeeding well in its management, he bought the doctor's interest in the store in 1887, and has since carried on a substantial business as its sole proprietor. In addition to manag- ing the drug business, Mr. Powers was for fourteen years editor of the Ontonagon Herald, the leading newspaper of this part of the county.
It was while he was thus officially connected with the Herald that Mr. Powers took a vacation, went to Houghton to get married, leaving Mr. Charles A. Parker to edit the paper in his absence, and on his wedding day the following editorial, written by Mr. Parker, appeared in the Herald :
"'A man may be cheerful and contented in celibacy, but I do not think he can be happy.'-Robert Southey.
"The silver dart has at last punctured the leathery rind of Brother Powers' gizzard, and Cupid, the greatest of all generals, has enrolled him as an able-bodied soldier in the great army of Benedicts. In pur- suing the manifold duties incumbent upon one who merges the function of editor, druggist, notary public, village oracle, and numerous other odds and ends that a prominent man is always required to take hold of, he has often been heard to quote the line given above, and after nu- merous consultations on the subject with his physician and divers friends, he at last decided to enter the list, and become a competitor for the fair prize he has so valiantly gained. This lady, Miss Le Moine, is one who will grace the editorial mansion, and we prophesy that the home of Powers will be a model one under the supervision of this es- timable lady. Of course Powers will have to give up all pretensions to running the culinary department. He has informed us several times that as an artist he was capable of doing up fish in a tasteful and tooth- some manner that could not be excelled, having in an early day per- formed as chef de cuisine for Sol Boutin. We are glad to see that he still clings to the French. At the same time, with all dne respect to Powers' ability as a cook, we would advise him to keep out of the kitchen. Having lost considerable sleep, and a great deal of hair, in showing our better half how to cook, we could give him worlds of advice on how to manage a new wife, but will forego the pleasure. But, in all sincerity, we wish for our friend Powers that his path in life may be strewn with cabbage, onions, and plenty of fish. That he will always be able to lay in his winter's supply of coal, and that life will glide by as smoothly as a summer's dream. His estimable lady has our heartiest and best wishes, and may the Powers that the Almighty has seen fit to endow her with be still increased."
On September 7, 1887, at Houghton, Michigan, at the home of Hon. Jay A. Hubbell, Mr. Powers was united in marriage with Mary Le Moine. She was born in Ontonagon, Michigan, a danghter of Narcisse
Chester G. Rogers
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and Victoria (Meyer) Le Moine, natives of Sorrel, Canada, and pioneers of Ontonagon county. Mr. and Mrs. Powers have one daughter, Flor- ence Madge. Religiously the family attend the Episcopal church. Po- litically Mr. Powers is a Republican, and has served as notary public. Fraternally he is a member of Ontonagon Lodge, No. 67, F. & A. M .; of Ontonagon Chapter, No. 20, R. A. M .; of Ontonagon Camp, No. 1259, M. W. A .; and of Ontonagon Tent, No. 334, K. O. T. M.
CHESTER G. ROGERS .- An active, energetic and admirably fortified member of the bar of the Upper Peninsula is Chester G. Rogers, who is associated in the practice of his profession with James A. O'Neill, in Ironwood, and who is at the present time, 1910, serving as city attorney. He is a young man who has well proved his resourceful- ness and versatility in his chosen profession and as one of its popular representatives is well entitled to consideration in this publication.
Chester G. Rogers was born at Stevens Point, Portage county, Wisconsin, on the 29th of May, 1881, and is a son of George and Mina M. (Whitney) Rogers. George Rogers is likewise a native of the fine old Badger state as he was born at Ripon, Fond du Lac county, Wis- consin, in the year 1851, his parents having been numbered among the honored pioneers of that section of the state. As a boy he began work in the lumber woods and finally he engaged in lumber operations on his own responsibility, establishing his headquarters at Stevens Point, whence he later removed to Glidden, in the northern part of Wisconsin, where he erected a mill and where he was for a long pe- riod engaged in the manufacturing of shingles, lath and lumber. His family remained with him in that section of the state for two years, though the permanent home was still continued at Stevens Point. Through his well directed energies George Rogers accumulated a com- petency and he is now living virtually retired from business at Ste- vens Point. His wife was born in the province of New Brunswick, Canada, and is a daughter of George Whitney, who removed with his family to Wisconsin, where for a number of years he was profitably engaged in the lumber business, at Knowlton, Marathon county, whence he finally removed to Stevens Point, where both he and his wife passed the residue of their lives. George and Mina (Whitney) Rogers have five children,-Forest W., Chester G., Everett F., Alice and Guy W.
Chester G. Rogers was afforded the advantages of the public schools of Stevens Point and as a youth he was for some time asso- ciated with his father in the operation of the mill at Glidden, Wiscon- sin. Later he completed a course in the Stevens Point Business Col- lege, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1900. Thereafter he was employed for some time as a clerk in the law office of Lamoreaux & Park, of Stevens Point, and later was employed for a few weeks in the office of John Weeks Lumber Company. Upon severing this connection Mr. Rogers removed to Ironwood, Gogebic county, Wisconsin, where he took up his residence in September, 1901, and where he held the position of clerk for the Cleveland Cliff Iron
Company about two years. He then entered the law department of the University of Wisconsin, in which he completed the prescribed course and was graduated as a member of the class of 1905, duly re- ceiving his degree of Bachelor of Laws. During the following year he held a clerical position in the office of Sanborn, Lamoreaux & Pray, at Ashland, Wisconsin, and in 1906 he returned to Ironwood. where he formed a partnership with James A. O'Neill, with whom he has
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since been actively and successfully associated in the practice of law, under the firm name of O'Neill & Rogers. In December, 1908, he was appointed city attorney to fill a vacancy and in April, 1909, he was chosen as his own successor in this office of which he has since been the popular and efficient incumbent. In politics he gives a stanch alle- giance to the Republican party and he is affiliated with Stevens Point Lodge, No. 641, Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks.
SAMUEL G. CARLTON .- As treasurer of the Edison Sault Electric Company at Sault St. Marie, Mr. Carlton is one of the enterprising and public spirited men of the Upper Peninsula and his standing in the community is such as to render most consonant an epitome of his ca- reer in this publication, which is dedicated to the Northern Peninsula and its people.
Samuel G. Carlton was born in Simcoe county, province of Ontario, Canada, on the 26th of January, 1867, and is a son of John and Mary Ann (Gowan) Carlton, both of whom were born in Queens county, Ireland, being representative of sterling, old families of the fair Em- erald Isle. The father died in 1868 at the age of forty-eight years, and the mother passed away in 1900 at the venerable age of seventy-one years; their marriage was solemnized in Canada and of their four chil- dren three are now living,-Frank S., Mary E. and Samuel G. John Carlton was twice married and of the eight children of his first union five are now living. He was reared and educated in his native land, whence he came to America and located in the Dominion of Canada when a young man. He became one of the representative farmers of Simcoe county, where he held various township offices and was influ- ential in public affairs of local order. He was a man of sterling char- acteristics and ever commanded esteem of all with whom he came in contact. Both he and his wife were communicants in the church of England. Samuel G. Carlton gained his early educational discipline in the public schools at Creemore, in his native province. After leav- ing the public schools Mr. Carlton attended a business college in the city of Hamilton, Ontario, and in 1887 he took up his residence in Sault Ste. Marie, where he became bookkeeper for the hardware establishment of P. M. Church & Company, with which concern he remained until February, 1892, when he assumed the position of bookkeeper and collec- tor of the Edison Sault Electric Company. He soon became one of the valued and trusted executives of this company and his influence in con- nection with the management and development of his business has been one of no insignificant order. In 1905 he was elected treasurer of the company and he has since retained this office, in which he has most ably and effectively managed the fiscal affairs of the corporation. He is loyal and progressive as a citizen, is a stalwart in the local camp of the Republican party and both he and his wife are communicants in the Protestant Episcopal church. Mr. Carlton is prominently identified with the time-honored Masonic fraternity, in which his affiliations are as here noted : Bethel Lodge, No. 358, Free & Accepted Masons, of which he is past master; Sault Ste. Marie Chapter, No. 126, Royal Arch Ma- sons, of which he is past high priest; Sault Ste. Marie Council No. 69, of which he is Past Master; Sault Ste. Marie Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templars; and Ahmed Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in the city of Marquette. He is also influ- ential in the ranks of the Knights of Pythias, in which his local affilia- tion is with Red Cross Lodge, No. 51, of which he is a past chancellor. He is also a past grand chancellor of the order in Michigan.
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The first marriage of Mr. Carlton was solemnized in 1891, when he led to the hymeneal altar Miss Jessie Webster, who was born and reared in Ontario, Canada, and who died in 1894. She became the mother of two children,-Eleanor M., who remains at the paternal home, and Jessie Ramona, who died in infancy. In 1897 was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Carlton to Miss Jean Webster, a sister of his first wife. She died in 1902, leaving no children. In 1904 Mr. Carlton married Miss Nella McCowen, who was born and reared in Cedar Falls, Iowa. They have one son, John Gowan.
JOHN H. JASBERG .- Among the enterprising, energetic and influen- tial citizens of Hancock, John H. Jasberg is eminently deserving of spe- cial mention in this biographical work. A son of Israel Jasberg he was born November 1, 1861, in the parish of Kivigarvi, state of Waasa, Finland, where he grew to manhood.
Israel Jasberg was a life-long resident of Finland. A natural-born mechanic, he learned the trades of a stonemason and a carpenter, and during his earlier life was a contractor and builder. He afterwards su- perintended the farming and lumber business of a retired army officer. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Liisa Piispanen, two sons and a daughter were born. One son died young, and the daughter, Mary Jasberg, spent her entire life in Finland. The army officer referred to above took a deep interest in these children, becoming their tutor, and hearing their daily recitations.
With his superior opportunities for obtaining an education, John H. Jasberg acquired a practical knowledge that has proved one of his mest valuable assets, enabling him to rise from the humble position of a pen- niless boy to a man of affairs, wielding an influence beneficial not only to his own countrymen, but to the community of which he has for many years been a resident. Coming to America at the age of nineteen years, he landed at Quebec, coming thence by rail to Sarnia, then via boat to Hancock, and arriving in this city June 24, 1880, with pockets empty. He fortunately found one of his countrymen who kindly loaned him ten dollars. With his companions Mr. Jasberg proceeded to Allouez, Michi- gan, where he worked first as a wood chopper and later as a miner. Go- ing then to Marquette county he was employed for awhile at the Republic Mine. Industrious and economical, he saved his earnings, and subsequently, with one of his comrades, opened a store at Republic. Selling out to F. H. Kearney & Company, at the end of three years he became an insurance agent, and also sold railroad and steamboat tickets, in those two lines of industry establishing a good business. Selling out in 1892, Mr. Jasberg was for three years actively engaged in the steam- ship and railroad foreign exchange business in Montreal and New York. In 1895 he came to Hancock to visit his brother-in-law, Dr. Nikander, a minister and newspaper publisher, and they soon established a book- store and publishing plant of which Mr. Jasberg was manager until 1900, when the property was turned over to the church.
Mr. Jasberg has since been identified with various enterprises. He was the founder and is the president, of the Finnish Mutual Life Insur- ance Company of America ; he is also colonization agent for the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic Railroad Company; agent for the sale of lands for the Worcester Lumber Company; and likewise agent for the Houghton & Keweenaw Land Company.
Mr. Jasberg married January 1, 1906, in Hancock, Michigan, Wil- helmina Nikander, a sister of Dr. J. K. Nikander, of whom a brief sketch may be found on another page of this volume. Of their union ten chil-
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dren have been born, seven of whom are now living, as follows: John O., George I., Urho K., Kaino E., Lempi W., Eino A., and Paul.
Politically Mr. Jasberg is a sound Republican and is now rendering appreciated service as a member of the Hancock board of education. He is an active and valued member of the Finnish Lutheran church and as an influential member of the Finnish National Temperance Brotherhood is a strong advocate of temperance. He was one of the or- ganizers of the above-mentioned organization.
Mr. Jasberg was one of the organizers of the Suomi College and Theological Seminary, reference to which is made on other pages of this work and for ten years his executive talents were brought into play in the management of this institution. He was instrumental in building up the college and was more zealous in his endeavors in its behalf than any other person with the possible exeeption of Dr. Nikander.
FREDERICK TOWNSEND .- With finely appointed offices in the Conway block Dr. Townsend is engaged in the general practice of his profes- sion in the city of Sault Ste. Marie, where he holds prestige as one of the representative physicians and surgeons of the Northern Peninsula and where he is acting surgeon of the United States Marine Hospital, besides which he is surgeon for the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantie Rail- road, Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railway, and consulting surgeon to the Upper Peninsula Hospital for the Insane, at Newberry. The doctor has subordinated all other interests to the work of his en- grossing profession and his sneeess therein has been paramount to his devotion to its work.
Dr. Townsend was born in Peal county, province of Ontario, Canada, on the 9th of August, 1868, and is a son of William and Frances (Lessley) Townsend, both likewise natives of the province of Ontario, where the former was born in 1839 and the latter in 1844. The father, who has been prominently identified with agricultural in- terests as well as with contracting and building and the milling busi- ness in Peal county, has there lived virtually retired since 1895. His devoted and cherished wife passed to the life eternal in 1908 and is survived by three sons,-James E., who is engaged in agriculture at Stoney Creek, Ontario; Frederick, who is the subject of this review; and Wesley, who is engaged in the practice of medicine and is United States immigration examiner at Sault Ste. Marie. Dr. Townsend was reared in a home of distinctive eulture and refinement and after avail- ing himself of the advantages of the publie schools, he entered Upper Canada College, in the eity of Toronto, in which institution he was a student for two years. Later he continued his studies in Toronto Uni- versity, and in preparation for the work of his profession he entered the medical department of the University of the City of New York, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1894, and from which he received his well earned degree of Doctor of Medicine. He passed the year 1895 in publie charitable work of a professional nature in New York City and in this connection he gained much valuable ex- perience of a clinical order. In 1896 the doctor located in the city of Detroit, where he engaged in the general practice of his profession and where he held the professorship of anatomy and surgery in the Michi- gan College of Medicine and Surgery until 1898, since which time he has been engaged in successful practice at Sault Ste. Marie, where he has held the office of acting surgeon of the United States Marine Hos- pital since 1899, as already stated. Dr. Townsend is recognized as an especially skillful surgeon and diagnostician and he is held in unquali-
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