USA > Michigan > A history of the northern peninsula of Michigan and its people; its mining, lumber and agricultural industries, Volume III > Part 40
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Attending the city schools of Bay City while a boy, William G. Tapert also obtained a practical knowledge of the meat business while assisting his father. Subsequently, having taken a special course in shorthand, he, at the age of seventeen years, became bookkeeper and stenographer for E. J. Hargrave & Sons, with whom he remained one season. The following three years Mr. Tapert was bookkeeper for the Saginaw Beef Company, a branch of Swift & Co. He was then pro- moted to city salesman, then an entirely new venture in the beef pack- ing business, his territory extending along the line of several car routes, while he had the distinction of being the youngest man travel- ing for the firm. At the end of ten years on the road, Mr. Tapert, in 1897, became the Company's traveling agent at Bay City, where he continued until June, 1900. Still in the Company's employ, Mr. Tap- ert then came to Sault Ste. Marie as manager of the Saginaw Beef Company's interests in this locality, and the following year the busi- ness was reorganized as the Cornwell Beef Company, and he was made manager and secretary, the home office being located in this city. In 1902 the Company extended its operations into the Canadian territory, with a local office at North Bay, Mr. Tapert having charge of that business also. In 1905 the Company's stock was increased from $5,000 to $25,000, and in 1907 its capital was doubled, making it $50,000. In 1910 a new cold storage plant, the most modern and best equipped plant of the kind in the Upper Peninsula, was erected at Sault Ste. Marie. Mr. Tapert receives his supplies for this locality direct from Chicago and St. Paul, while those for the Canadian Soo he has shipped from Hamilton and Winnipeg, Canada.
Mr. Tapert married, December 18, 1896, Maud C. Thompson, who was born at Port Burwell, Ontario, a daughter of Captain Peter Thompson, who was for many years engaged in nautical pursuits, first as captain of an ocean steamer, and later on the lakes, but who
Vol. III-18
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is now living retired on his farm in Montcalm county, Michigan. To Captain Thompson and his wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Drummond, seven children were born, two sons and five daughters, and of these five children are living, Mrs. Tapert being the youngest child. Mr. and Mrs. Tapert are the parents of two children, Jessie Elizabeth and Clarence William. Politially Mr. Tapert is an adherent of the Republican party, and religiously he is a German Lutheran.
FRANCIS J. MOLONEY, M. D .- Worthy of consideration in this volume as an able and popular representative of the medical profession in the Northern Peninsula, Dr. Moloney is engaged in active general practice in the city of Sault Ste. Marie, where he has maintained his home since the spring of 1899.
Dr. Francis James Moloney was born in the city of Detroit, Michigan, on the 27th of June, 1872, and is a son of James F. and Bridget (Brown) Moloney, the former of whom was born in county Tipperary, Ireland, and the latter in county Mayo of the fair Emerald Isle. The father is now living in the city of Cheboygan, Michigan, and the mother was summoned to the life eternal in 1893. Their marriage was solemnized at Ionia, Michigan, and of their six children four are living,-Mary, who is the wife of Ralph A. Padlock; Francis J., who is the subject of this sketch; Sylvester, who is a resident of Cheboygan, Michigan; and Joseph, who also resides in Cheboygan. After the death of his first wife J. F. Moloney married Miss Margaret Duggan, and the four chil- dren of this union are,-Lillian, Edward, Harold and Eileen. James F. Moloney was twelve years of age at the time when his parents, James L. and Ellen Moloney immigrated to the United States. His father died at the age of seventy-two years and his mother is now living in the city of Detroit, Michigan, being more than ninety years of age. Of the eight children, all are living, and James F. is the oldest of the number. His parents came from Ireland on a sailing vessel and landed in the city of Quebec, Canada, from which point they made their way to Amherstburg, province of Ontario, opposite the city of Detroit, Michi- gan. James L. Moloney became one of the pioneer farmers of that section and later he took up his residence in the city of Detroit, where he engaged in the merchandise business. From the state metropolis he finally removed to Cheboygan, Michigan, where he continued to reside until his death. Both he and his wife were devout communicants of the Catholic church. James F. Moloney, father of the subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood in the province of Ontario, Canada, and received fair educational advantages. As a young man he established himself in the merchandise business in Detroit, Michigan, and he there continued to be identified with the line of enterprise for a number of years, at the expiration of which he removed to Cheboygan, where he followed the same line of business for several years. He then engaged in the brewery business in that place and became one of the most promi- nent and influential business men of that section of the state, where he has ever been held in unqualified confidence and esteem. He is presi- dent of the Cheboygan County Savings Bank, was president of the village of Cheboygan, and after its incorporation as a city he had the distinction of being its first mayor. He has contributed in generous measure to the advancement and upbuilding of the fine little city of Cheboygan and is one of its most honored and public-spirited citizens. He is a stanch Democrat in his political proclivities, is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus and is a communicant of the Catholic church, as was also his devoted wife. Dr. Francis James Moloney was afforded
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excellent educational advantages in his youth. He attended public and parochial schools in Detroit and Cheboygan, Michigan, and when but ten years of age he entered the Detroit College conducted by the Jesuit Fathers. Later he entered Assumption College, in Sandwich, Ontario, and when sixteen years of age he became a student in the De- troit Business University, from which he was graduated. In prepara- tion for the work of his chosen profession he was matriculated in the Michigan College of Medicine and Surgery in Detroit, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1899, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In April of that year he came to Sault Ste. Marie, where he has since been established in successful and representative practice, having devoted himself earnestly to the work of his profession and hav- ing gained the confidence and good will of the people of the community as a whole. The Doctor is a member of the Chippewa County Medical Society, the Michigan State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Though not active in "practical politics," he accords a stanch allegiance to the Democratic party and his religious faith is that of the Catholic church, in which he was reared and of which he is a communicant.
On the 22d of June, 1899, was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Moloney to Miss Marie M. Goodwin, who was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, as were also her parents, James and Nancy (Johnston) Goodwin. Her parents now reside in Cheboygan, Michigan, and of their five children Mrs. Moloney is the eldest.
JAMES MUL CONRY, the efficient sheriff of Alger county, has main- tained his home at Munising, the judicial center of the county, for nearly a decade and a half and is one of the well known and popular citizens of this section of the Upper Peninsula, as is evidenced by the fact that he has been called to his present official position. Mr. Conry claims the old Empire state of the Union as the place of his nativity, as he was born in Oneida county, New York, on the 2d of May, 1851. He is a son of Patrick and Sarah (Miller) Conry, the former of whom was born in county Clare, Ireland, and the latter in Westchester county, New York. The father died at the age of sixty-five years and the mother was summoned to the life eternal when forty-three years of age. Of the eleven children the present sheriff of Alger county was the sec- ond in order of birth and concerning the other children now living the following brief record is given: Daniel is a resident of New York city ; Ira resides at Ossining, New York; Cornelius is a resident of Portland, Oregon; Mary Jane is the wife of George W. Eaton, of Haverhill, Mass- achusetts; Sarah Ann is the wife of Charles Godfrey, of Ossining, New York.
Patrick Conry was reared and educated in the Emerald Isle and as a young man he severed the home ties and set forth to seek his fortunes in America, to which land of promise he came as a passenger on a sail- ing vessel of the type common to that period. He was for some time engaged in farming in Oneida county, New York, and later followed the same vocation in Westchester county, that state, being thus en- gaged until a few years prior to his death, when he entered the employ of the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company. He was a stanch Democrat in his political proclivities and both he and his wife were communicants of the Catholic church.
Sheriff Conry was reared to adult age on the home farm and was afforded the advantages of parochial and public schools in his native state. At the age of sixteen years he journeyed westward and located
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in La Salle county, Illinois, where he was employed at farm work for a period of about four years. In the autumn of 1872 he removed to Greenville, Montealm county, Michigan, where he was employed in a sawmill until 1877, when he took up his residence in Stanton, that county, where he was similarly engaged until the following year, when he established himself in the retail liquor business at Edmore, that county. In 1891 he removed to Ewen, Ontonagon county, where he followed the same vocation until 1896, which year marked his advent in Munising, where he has since maintained his residence. Here he was engaged in the liquor business until 1908, when he disposed of the same. In November of that year he was elected sheriff of Alger county, and of this office he is still incumbent, his term expiring in January, 1912. He has given a most careful and punctilious administration of the shrievalty and through his services has admirably conserved law and order, the while he has been successful in the apprehension of a number of noto- ious malfactors. His course has met with popular approval and he has shown himself a faithful and successful official of his county.
In politics Mr. Conry is identified with the Republican party and he has shown a loyal interest in all that touches the welfare of his home city and county. He is affiliated with Marquette Lodge No. 405, Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks; Marquette Council No. 689, Knights of Columbus in the city of Marquette; and Enterprise Tent No. 38, Knights of the Maccabees, at Edmore, this state.
On the 12th of March, 1877, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Conry to Miss Minnie Townsend, who was born at Hornellsville, Steu- ben county, New York, on the 13th of June, 1863, and who died in a hospital in the city of Marquette after an operation. Her funeral ser- vices were held in the Catholic church in Munising, and the floral offer- ings from friends and from the various fraternal organizations with which her husband is identified were of the most elaborate order, testify- ing to the high esteem in which she was held in the community. The Rev. Father Kraker officiated at the funeral and interment was in Maple Grove cemetery. She had been chorister of Sacred Heart church in Munising for eight years prior to her demise and was a woman of culture and most gracious personality. Of her three children the first- born died in infancy, and the two who survive her are Jay Townsend and Marion, the latter of whom is the wife of Blake Thompson, a resi- dent of Duluth.
Jay Townsend Conry received a good education in the public schools and by profession is a practical electrician. He was made chief of the fire department of Munising and served in that capacity for seven years, proving an efficient official. At present he is undersheriff of Alger county. Like his father, he is a Republican and cast his maiden presi- dential vote for McKinley. Fraternally Mr. Conry belongs to the Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Marquette Lodge No. 405, and to Court No. 672, Catholic Order of Foresters. He is also associated with the theatrical business in Munising. September 23, 1904, he wedded Miss Maude E. McCann, and two daughters have been born to them : Marcelline and Minnie. Both Mr. and Mrs. Conry are members of the Sacred Heart church at Munising.
On the 22d of January, 1908, Sheriff Conry contracted a second mar- riage, being then united to Miss Pauline Ryan, who was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, and who is a daughter of John and Mary Ryan, both of whom were born in Ireland and both are now deceased, the father having been eighty-two years of age at the time of his death and the mother having passed away at the age of sixty-seven years.
A. S. Coleaves
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Of their eleven children, one son and six daughters are now living. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ryan came to America when young and their mar- riage was solemnized in Ontario, Canada. Mr. Ryan was identified with railroad work in Ontario throughout his entire active career. Mr. Ryan died in Grand Rapids and his wife in Reed City, Michigan. Both were earnest communicants of the Catholic church, as is also their daughter, Mrs. Conry. The latter is a popular factor in the social life of her home city, where she has a wide circle of friends. No children have been born of the second marriage of Mr. Conry.
WILL S. CLEAVES .- Throughout the copper country of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan no man was better known, more highly es- teemed, or more popular in the industrial life of the people than Will Cleaves, late of Ripley, who was for many years identified with the Portage Lake Foundry & Machine Company, not only as one of its controlling stockholders, but also as its manager. Devoting his life to the best efforts of human endeavor, each step in his upward career was marked by industry, integrity and true manhood, the dominating elements of his character naturally gaining him the respect and con- fidence of his fellow men. As an employer he was kind and thought- ful, genuinely interested in the welfare of his men; as a neighbor he was genial, accommodating and friendly; as a citizen he was public- spirited and generous; and in his home life, he was hospitable and affectionate, being a loving husband, a kind father and a most gracious and entertaining host. A native of New England, he was born March 19, 1851, in Lowell, Massachusetts, a son of Stephen E. Cleaves. He died in his home at Ripley, Michigan, May 19, 1910, his death being deemed a public loss. His grandfather, William Cleaves, a life-long resident of Maine and for many years a well known hotel keeper, was born in Cumberland county, that state, of colonial ancestry.
Stephen Cleaves was born and reared in Buxton, Cumberland county, Maine. Going thence to Saco, Maine, when young, he served an apprenticeship at the machinist's trade, with the Saco Water Power Com- pany, and subsequently followed his trade in Lowell, Massachusetts, for some time. In 1853 he removed from there to Chicopee, Massa- chusetts, where he accepted a position in the Ames foundry, and where he assisted in making machinery for the Pewabic mine, in the Northern Peninsula of Michigan. In 1859 he came to Houghton county, Michigan, to install this machinery in the Pewabic Stamp-mill. By the time he had completed that work the machinery for the Frank- lin Stamp-mill had arrived, and Mr. Cleaves installed it, the mill being put in operation on the 15th of November, of that year. Being then persuaded to remain and take charge of the Franklin mill, he retained charge of it until 1865, when he became part owner of the foundry, with which he was connected the remainder of his active life, during the later years being associated with his son, Will S. He continued his residence in Ripley until his death, at the age of seventy-three years, in 1901. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Morrill, was born in Cumberland county, Maine, and was a daughter of Jacob Mor- rill ; she died at Ripley, Michigan, in 1886, aged sixty-five years. Four children were born to them, as follows: Frank, who was drowned at Chicopee, Massachusetts, when but four years old; Will S., the subject of this brief memoir; Frank E., who was drowned in Portage Lake, Michigan, June 15, 1871, at the age of eighteen years ; and Ed- ward, who was drowned in Portage Lake, December 13, 1870, at the age of eleven years.
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When nine years of age, in 1860, Will S., his brothers, and his mother joined the father in Hancock, Houghton county. Will S. Cleaves continued his studies in the public schools, obtaining a good common-school education. Reared to habits of industry, he began to work for wages at the age of thirteen years, being variously employed until seventeen years old, when he commenced learning the moulder's trade in the Portage Lake Foundry, continuing at that trade until 1884, when he became associated with his father in the ownership of the foundry. During the memorable panics of 1893 and 1896 all of the industries of the Upper Peninsula suffered severe losses, the firm of Stephen Cleaves & Son being no exception, and for a few years Mr. Cleaves was out of business. During that time the Portage Lake Foundry & Machinery Company was incorporated. Very soon after- ward Mr. Cleaves became interested, acquiring a large part of the stock, and in 1901 he assumed its management, retaining this incum- bency until his death. A man of tireless energy, possessing rare busi- ness ability and tact, he conducted the enterprise successfully, placing it among the leading industries of this part of the country.
Mr. Cleaves married, September 9, 1876, Letitia Ormsby, who was born at Port Henry, New York, a daughter of Horace B. and Nancy Maria Ormsby, both natives of the Empire state. One daughter, Lil- lian M. Cleaves, blessed the union, and she, with Mrs. Cleaves, occupies the family home,-a place hallowed by the tender associations of the past. Mr. Cleaves was a Republican in politics, served as a member of the local school board, and at the time of his death was a member of the county board of supervisors, representing Franklin township. Fraternally he belonged to Hancock Lodge, No. 381, Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks.
HON. RICHARD MASON, now retired from active life, and one of the prominent citizens of Gladstone, Michigan, was born in Spring Lake (then Grand River), Ottawa county, Michigan, May 30, 1842. His father, Richard Mason, was a native of Rochdale, England, and came to America when about twenty years of age; he was an expert mechanic and built the engine for the first steamboat run on the Connecticut river. Later Mr. Mason moved to Toronto, Canada, where he con- structed the engine for the first steamboat on Lake Simcoe. In 1837 Richard Mason rode in an open boat from Toronto to Niagara, thence went to Buffalo, and then to the mouth of Grand River, or Mill Point, where he built a sawmill and engaged in the lumber business. He estab- lished one of the first lumber yards in Chicago, being one of the firm of Barber & Mason, where the Clark street bridge is now located; he continued business at this location until 1848, when he removed to the corner of Monroe street and the river. He erected a flour mill at Kinzie street on the Chicago river in 1852, at a point now occupied by the Northwestern Railway. The flour mill burned down and Mr. Mason spent about one year looking for a suitable location in which to build a sawmill. He purchased the only steam sawmill then on Green Bay, at a point now named Masonville in his honor. He continued actively engaged in business until his death in 1870, at the age of sixty-four years. Mr. Mason was always much occupied with his business inter- ests and did not care for public office ; in 1852 he was offered the nomina- tion for Mayor of Chicago, but refused the honor. He married Ellen Bailey, a native of Ireland, who was governess in the family of the Bishop of Toronto; she died young, when Richard Jr., her second child, was but four years of age. There were five children born of this mar-
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riage, and besides Richard there is one daughter surviving, Eliza J., wife of George H. Lowell, of Chico, California. Richard Mason mar- ried (second) Amanda O. Smith, of Chicago, and they were parents of one son, Charles E., of Gladstone, Delta county, Michigan.
Most of the life of Hon. Richard Mason has been spent in the Northern Peninsula; he received his primary education in public school No. 1, of Chicago, which stood on the spot opposite MeVicker's theater, and he went across lots to school. He was ten years of age when he came with his father to northern Michigan, and was engaged in business with his father at the time of the latter's death, after which he continued to carry on the mill at Masonville until 1873, and in 1885 he established a mill at Gladstone, Michigan, which he successfully conducted until 1908, the date of his retirement from active business life. During his life in Gladstone, Mr. Mason has been actively interested in many projects for the upbuilding and progress of this region, and has met with gratifying success in his undertakings and investments. From 1861 until 1868 he had charge of the Chicago business; he was the founder of the city of Gladstone, and instrumental in inducing the "Soo" Railroad to build to the point where the city is built. He always had faith in the growth of the city, and owns considerable real estate in the vicinity.
Hon. Richard Mason has always been a stanch Republican and in early days served his township as supervisor and justice of the peace. He has always taken an active interest in political matters and helped organize the party in Delta county. He served as mayor of Gladstone from 1892 until 1894, and in the fall of 1894 was elected state senator for the Thirtieth district of Michigan, a district reaching from Menomi- nee to the Soo. At that time he took a very active part in the interests of the party and carried the district by more than 2,800 votes; two years later he was re-elected by a majority of 3,500, and in 1898 re- tired from politics. He is well known in many parts of the Northern Peninsula, where his business ability and high character are widely appreciated. His fellow citizens have always delighted to honor him, and have not forgotten his services in the building up of the city.
In 1864 Mr. Mason married Julia A., daughter of George and Mira Davis, who settled in Chicago in 1835. To this union have been born two sons and three daughters, namely : Richard P., in lumber business in Seattle, Washington; Mira B., at home; Charles D., auditor of Cleve- land Cliff Iron Company, of Gladstone; Mabel W., teaching French and English in a high school; and Hazel G., a teacher in Evanston, Illinois.
O. O. FOLLO, manager of the store of The I. Stephenson Co. in Wells, Michigan, was born in Throndjem, Norway, December 14, 1873. His father, Ole O. Follo, was born in the same place, and came to America when a young man, being one of the pioneers of the Northern Penin- sula of Michigan. He located at Fayette, Delta county, where he still resides, being now engaged in farming. His wife, Randia Erick, was also a native of Norway, and died in March, 1909, aged about eighty years. They had two sons and two daughters, of whom all survive except the eldest daughter.
O. O. Follo is the oldest child, and was about four years of age when the family came to Delta county, Michigan. He was reared and educated in this county ; he also spent three years in a Virginia school at Staunton, going there when about sixteen years of age. He then had charge of one of the largest stores of the Lowmoor Iron Company, of Virginia, and upon returning to Escanaba he kept books for Erickson
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& Bissell. He also worked for the Jerry Maddon Shingle Company, at Rapid River, Michigan, for ten years acting as bookkeeper and store man, and in 1908 he came to Wells as manager and buyer for the I. Stephenson Company, which position he now holds.
Mr. Follo takes an active interest in public affairs, and while living at Manistique, Schoolcraft county, Michigan, was candidate for county clerk. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order. Mr. Follo is well known throughout the county, where he has lived for many years, and is well known for integrity and honest business dealing. He be- gan in the mercantile business as a boy, developed into a good sales- man, and has reached his present position through hard work and care- ful attention to details. He engaged in business independently at one time, in the line of clothing and gents furnishings, the firm being Car- rington & Follo.
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