USA > Michigan > A history of the northern peninsula of Michigan and its people; its mining, lumber and agricultural industries, Volume III > Part 43
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
1364
THE NORTHERN PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN
THOMAS COUGHLIN .- The substantial and well-to-do residents of Hancock, Michigan, have no more worthy representative than Thomas Coughlin, whose birth occurred here March 1, 1862, his father, Dennis Coughlin, having been a pioneer settler of Houghton county.
A native of Ireland, Dennis Coughlin was born, June 21, 1830, in County Cork, where his parents, Jeremiah and Katherine (Sullivan) Coughlin, were life-long residents. Full of life and ambition, anxious to improve his financial condition, he emigrated to the United States in 1850, coming directly to the Upper Peninsula. Industrious and energetic, he soon found employment, working in different mines in Keweenaw and Houghton counties, including the Quincy Mine, where he was an early worker. Before the town was platted he lived in the first house built in the present city of Hancock. He was subsequently engaged in the livery business at Hancock for a number of years, but is now living retired, enjoying the fruits of his earlier years of toil and labor. The maiden name of his wife was Ann Nugent. She was born in Waterford, Ireland, a daughter of Maurice and Ann (Dillon) Nugent.
Reared and educated in Houghton county, Thomas Coughlin be- came associated as a young man with his father in the livery business, and continned with him until burned out in the great fire of 1907. Since that time Mr. Coughlin has been actively and prosperously en- gaged in the real estate and insurance business, in both lines of busi- ness having an extensive patronage.
On October 10, 1886, Mr. Coughlin was united in marriage with Julia A. Dolan, who was born in Ontonagon, Michigan, where her father, Paul Dolan, of whom a brief sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, was a pioneer settler. Eight children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Coughlin, namely : Josephine, Anita, Emmett, Leonora, Mary, Alice, Thomas and Katherine. An active and valued member of the Republican party, Mr. Coughlin has never shirked the duties of a public officer, but has rendered excellent service as a member of the Hancock School Board, as a member of the Village Council, and was the second mayor of the city, which office he held for two consecutive terms.
PAUL DOLAN .- A venerable man of four score and four years. Paul Dolan has the distinction of being the oldest living pioneer settler of Ontonagon, having been a continuous resident here for more than sixty years, during which time he has witnessed the development and growth of the entire Upper Peninsula, as we might safely say. He was born, August 8, 1826, in Leitrim, county Leitrim, Ireland. His parents, John and Bridget (Doonan) Dolan, emigrated to America in 1846, set- tling in Ontonagon, Michigan, where the father followed his trade of a stone and brick mason, living here until his death, which occurred in 1864, a few years after that of his wife. They reared six children, namely : Patrick, John, Paul, James, Mary, and Bridget.
When in his eighteenth year, Paul Dolan embarked on a sailing vessel, and after a rough voyage of six weeks on the ocean found him- self in New York City. He lived there a short time, later spending a while in both Buffalo and Detroit. Not satisfied with his prospects in either city, he came, in 1846, to the Upper Peninsula, crossing the Lakes on a steamer to the "Soo," thence by schooner to Isle Royale, where he worked as a miner for a year. Locating then in Ontonagon, he was employed in mining at the Minnesota Mine, in Rockland, for a time, later being engaged for a number of years in mining and exploring at the Victoria Mine. Having accomplished a satisfactory work in his
1365
THE NORTHERN PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN
chosen occupation, Mr. Dolan is now living retired from active pur- suits, enjoying a well-earned rest.
Mr. Dolan married, in 1854, Lenora Finn. She was born in Ireland, and died, in 1902, in Ontonagon, leaving two children, namely : Julia, wife of Thomas Coughlin, of Hancock, Michigan; and Josephine, wife of James Corgan, of Ontonagon.
FREDERICK J. BAWDEN .- A prominent citizen of Houghton, and one of the foremost business men of Houghton county, Frederick J. Baw- den has been one of the prime movers in the establishment of enter- prises of benefit and worth to the general public, his indefatigable energy and perseverance of purpose ever meeting with desired results. A native of Keweenaw county, Michigan, he was born, March 23, 1856, at Eagle Harbor, of English ancestry.
His father, the late Captain James Bawden, was born in the county Cornwall, England, December 4, 1812, and died at Eagle Harbor, Michigan, April 28, 1861. Having served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade when young, he followed it in Cornwall until 1844, when he came to the United States in search of a favorable place in which to make a permanent location. After living for a short time in Wisconsin, he came with Dr. Pettid to the Upper Peninsula on an ex- ploring expedition. All of this part of the country was then an unbroken wilderness, its mineral treasures lying undisturbed in the bosom of the earth. He assisted in the erection of the first house at Eagle Harbor, which was one of the original settlements of the Upper Peninsula. Go- ing back to England in 1846, he there married and in June, 1847, returned with his bride to Northern Michigan. The ensuing two years he was captain at the North American Mine. The Captain then bought the dock and warehouse at Eagle Harbor, built a dwelling house and hotel there, and afterwards built several other buildings, which he sold or rented. His hotel being destroyed by fire in 1855, he erected another, which at that time was the largest and most pretentious public house in the Upper Peninsula. He continued as a hotel keeper, and was also engaged in the forwarding business, and in other enterprises until his death, being very successful in his operations.
The maiden name of the wife of Captain Bawden was Elizabeth A. Williams. She was born in Cornwall, England, and was there mar- ried, as previously stated. Four children were born of their union, as follows: Albert A., captain of the Victoria Mine; Frederick J., the spe- cial subject of this sketch; Kitty L., who married John Boucher, and died, leaving one daughter, Maude, now the wife of John Healy; and Augustus C., who lived but ten years.
At the age of eleven years, Frederick J. Bawden, who had been well trained to habits of industry and thrift, began working in a store at the Petherick Mine, and has been identified with life's activities ever since. After clerking a few years, he learned telegraphy, and subse- quently, having become familiar with the art preservative in a print- ing establishment, set type on the Keweenaw Herald, which was later moved to Lake Linden. Mr. Bawden was later associated for a short time with the La Franc Pioneer, after which he gave up newspaper work.
Returning then to Eagle Harbor, he remained there, employed as clerk in a store and a telegraph operator, until 1876. Removing to Han- cock in that year, Mr. Bawden was operator for the Mineral Range Tele- graph Company until 1883, when that company was superseded by the Western Union Telegraph Company. He was subsequently general ac-
1366
THE NORTHERN PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN
countant for S. D. North & Son, proprietors of the Quincy Store. In 1888, Mr. Bawden was elected sheriff of the county, and in 1890 was honored with a re-election to the same position. Returning to the Quincy Store in 1893, he remained there three years, when, in 1896, he bought a half interest in the warehouse business of James A. Close, with whom he was associated until 1903. During this time, Mr. Baw- den accepted the agency of the Atlantic Dynamite Company, and in 1903 disposed of his warehouse interests, and has since represented this company in the Upper Peninsula, selling its products, including dyna- mite, powder, and other manufactures in the copper country. He has also been, and is now, connected with various other corporate interests, towards the advancement of which he devotes a part of his time and attention.
Mr. Bawden was one of the promoters of the Houghton County Street Railway Company, which he has served as president; and is now vice-president of the Houghton County Traction Company. Fraternally he is a member of Quincy Lodge, No. 135, F. & A. M .; of Gate of the Temple Chapter, No. 35, R. A. M .; and of Palestine Commandery, K. T.
In 1887 Mr. Bawden was united in marriage with Clara Garvin, who was born in New York state, a daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Garvin. Their only child, Garvin Bawden, was born September 24, 1895.
JOHN P. HALLER .- The genius of success in connection with the pro- ductive activities of life is that of personal integrity, courage, per- sistence and definite ambition, all of which were worthily exemplified in the life of John P. Haller, who through his own efforts effectively stemmed the tide of opposing forces and gained for himself a place as one of the world's noble army of workers. He took up his residence in Sault Ste. Marie when about eighteen years of age and here he gained precedence as a representative business man and as a citizen well worthy of the uniform confidence and esteem accorded him in the community. He died, as the result of injuries received from falling from a bicycle while visiting in his boyhood home in Prussia, on the 27th of August, 1907, and there his remains were laid to rest beside those of his mother, who died when he was a mere child.
John P. Haller was born in Rhenish Prussia on the 21st of June, 1860, and was thus in the very prime of his strong and useful manhood when he was summoned from the scene of life's mortal endeavors. He was a son of Peter and Catherine (Weller) Haller, the former of whom is now residing in the city of Mount Clemens, Michigan, having at- tained to the age of more than four score years, and the latter of whom died in Prussia when the subject of this memoir was a lad of eight years. Shortly after the death of his mother, John P. Haller came with his father to America, and the family home was established in Mount Clemens, Michigan. Two other sons are still living: Adam, who resides in Sault Ste. Marie, and Mathias, who is a resident of Mount Clemens, Michigan. For several years John P. Haller remained in the home of his uncle, John Kiels, in Mount Clemens, where he was reared to adult age and received the advantages of the public schools, and this uncle was with him at the time of his death. At the age of eighteen years Mr. Haller came to Sault Ste. Marie, in April, 1878, and here he se- cured a position as clerk in the drug store of E. M. Lacy, in which ca- pacity he continued until 1880, when he went to the city of Detroit and completed a course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College. After leaving this institution he was employed in a drug store in Detroit for
ICHtaller
1367
THE NORTHERN PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN
one year, at the expiration of which he returned to Sault Ste. Marie, where he resumed his position in the establishment of Mr. Lacy, by whom he was admitted to partnership in 1883, under the firm name of E. M. Lacy & Company. One year later Mr. Haller retired from the firm and opened a book and stationery store on Water street, this being the first exclusive store of the kind to be established in this city. So rapid and substantial was the expansion of the business that after a period of three years Mr. Haller found it expedient to open another store, located in the Gage block, at 84 Ashmun street. He developed his business into one of the largest and most prosperous of its kind in the upper penin- sula, and upon his career as a business man and as a citizen there is no blemish, as his integrity of purpose was such that he permitted no blot on a noble escutcheon maintained by him. As his financial re- sources increased and solidified, Mr. Haller made judicious investments in local real estate and with the passing of years he took place among the substantial capitalists of his home city. Concerning the life and labors of Mr. Haller the following pertinent and appreciative state- ments appeared in one of the Sault Ste. Marie papers at the time of his death and they are well worthy of perpetuation in this volume:
"John P. Haller was one of the best known of the Soo business men, and was respected and honored among his associates for his integrity and strict business principles. While still a boy in his 'teens he came to the Soo and entered the employment of E. M. Lacy, then in the drug and stationery business on Water street. Here he received his first lessons in the business world and applied himself so closely to his duties that he soon came to be recognized as one of the smartest young business men of the town. As soon as able, he entered into business for himself, starting in a small way on Water street and purchasing the building in which he located. This business soon outgrew the stand and he pur- chased what is now known as the Haller block on Ashmun street, which proved a most successful venture, and the business thereafter flourished in the new location. He leaves a considerable estate to his family.
"Mr. Haller made the trip abroad at the personal solicitation of his uncle, John Kiels, whom he looked upon more as a father. Personally Mr. Haller did not care to make the trip, but his uncle, then an old man, desired to visit the scenes of his boyhood before he died and re- quested Mr. Haller to accompany him. The latter could not find it in his heart to refuse. He had purchased land down the river and had there erected a cottage, with the intention of passing much of his time at this place for rest and recreation. He was wrapped up in his home and his family and his every thought was of his wife and children. That he should have died in a foreign land, away from those he best loved, Is particularly sad, and those remaining have the deepest sympathy of this community in their hours of sorrow. While abroad Mr. Haller was making his headquarters in Prum and the accident which resulted in his death occurred while he was making a bicycle trip from that city to Schonecken, the place of his birth and the place where he was laid to rest by the side of his mother."
Mr. Haller was essentially liberal, loyal and progressive in his civic attitude and was ever ready to lend his co-operation in the furtherance of measures for the general good of the community. He was a Democrat in his political proclivities and before the incorporation of Sault Ste. Marie as a city he served one year as village assessor, as village treasurer for two years, and he was a member of the common council at the time the city charter was adopted. He was a communicant of the Catholic church and liberal in support of the various departments of its work.
1368
THE NORTHERN PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN
He held membership in the Catholic Mutual Benevolent Association and the National Union.
On the 11th of September, 1883, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Haller to Miss Mary Ann Ryan, who was born at Borrisokane, County Tipperary, Ireland, and who is a daughter of Daniel and Mar- garet (McMahon) Ryan, of whose three children two are living, Mrs. Haller being the younger; James J. is engaged in the cigar and to- bacco business in Sault Ste. Marie. Daniel Ryan, who has attained the venerable age of four score years, still resides in his native land and there his wife died at the age of forty years. Mrs. Haller, in company with her son John, made a visit to her girlhood home and her venerable father in 1904, passing three months in the Emerald isle, which is endeared to her by many gracious memories and associations. Mr. Haller's devotion to his home and family was of the most ideal type, and his death brought into the sacred precincts of this home the fullest measure of loss and bereavement, but to those nearest and dearest to him there comes also a meed of consolation in that they thus touched so closely the heart and soul of one who was noble in all his thoughts and aspirations and whose life was one of ceaseless solicitude for their com- fort and welfare. Mr. and Mrs. Haller became the parents of six chil- dren, concerning whom the following brief record is entered in con- clusion of this article: John M., who was born on the 13th of December, 1885, is a member of the class of 1910 in the Michigan School of Mines at Houghton ; Eugene J., who was born on the 10th of September, 1887, has charge of the book and stationery business established by his father ; Ann Lucille died at the age of three years, and Gerald A. died in in- fancy; George Dewey was born on the 1st of May, 1898; and Margaret was born on the 7th of November, 1901.
THOMAS HARTIGAN .- Distinguished as one of the pioneer settlers of Ironwood, Thomas Hartigan came here when the country roundabout was in its primitive condition, while within the present limits of the city stumps of the few trees that had been felled were still standing in the streets. He has watched with genuine pride and gratification the rapid growth of this part of the Upper Peninsula, and as opportunity has occurred has contributed his part towards promoting its develop- ment. He was born, in 1838, in county Clare, Ireland, the birthplace likewise of his parents, James and Catherine (Burns) Hartigan.
Learning the trade of a stone mason when young, James Hartigan followed it in his native land until 1843, when, accompanied by his wife and children, he came to America, being several weeks crossing the ocean in a sailing vessel. Locating in the county of Vaudreuil, province of Quebec, Canada, he bought a small farm near Rigaud, and there fol- lowed his trade and tilled the soil the remainder of his life. Four chil- dren were born to him and his wife, namely: Thomas, Mary, Elizabeth, and Kate.
But five years old when he came with his parents to this country, Thomas Hartigan was brought up and educated in Rigand, province of Quebec, living there until after his marriage. The next few years fol- lowing that important event he spent in Lambton, province of Quebec, being variously employed. Coming then by way of the Great Lakes to the states, Mr. Hartigan located first at Green Bay, Wisconsin, from there going to Oconto, where he lived for eight years. Moving then to Felch Mountain, Michigan, he opened a boarding house, which he con- ducted five years. In June, 1885, he came to the new town of Iron- wood, Michigan, for the special purpose of opening a boarding house
1369
THE NORTHERN PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN
for the Norris Mining Company. Ironwood was then a mere hamlet in the wilderness, with little prospect of its present prosperous condition. Here he has since been an esteemed and respected resident, he and his wife now living retired in their pleasant home on McLoud avenue.
The maiden name of Mr. Hartigan's wife was Mary Megan. She was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, a daughter of Patrick and Bridget (Donahoe) Megan. Six daughters blessed their union, namely : Ann, Mary, Kate, Margaret, Ellen, and Frances.
JAMES ASHLEY BANGS, M. D .- A representative physician and sur- geon of the Upper Peninsula, Dr. James Ashley Bangs has been suc- cessfully engaged in the practice of his profession for many years, and has here built up an extensive and lucrative patronage. Coming from honored New England ancestry, he was born, November 14, 1855, in Sweden, Oxford county, Maine, where his father was a prosperous agri- culturist. He is a descendant in the ninth generation from Edward Bangs, the immigrant ancestor.
This Edward Bangs was born, in 1592, in England. In 1623 he came to American in the good ship "Anne," locating at Plymouth, where, the records show, he became owner of four acres of land. He died in 1657. He married Ruth Allen, of Chilmark, and their son, Captain Jonathan Bangs, was the next in line of descent. He was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1640. He married Mary Mayo, daughter of Captain Samuel and Thomastine (Lumpkin) Sears, of Bos- ton, and settled first at Eastham, Massachusetts, from there removing to Brewster, Massachusetts, where he spent the remainder of his life. Their son, Captain Edward Bangs, the succeeding ancestor, was a life-long resident of Cape Cod.
Ebenezer Bangs, through whom the line of descent was continued, was born in Brewster, Massachusetts, February 8, 1702, and there mar- ried Anna Sears, a daughter of Paul and Mercy Sears. Their son, Barnabas Bangs, migrated from Brewster to Gorham, Maine, where he became prominent in public affairs, and during the Revolutionary war served several terms of enlistment. He married Loruhama Elwell. Their son, Jonathan Bangs, the next in line of descent, married De- borah Williams, and settled in Buxton, Maine, and there spent his last years. The line was continued through their son Willard, the Doctor's grandfather, who married a Miss Thompson, and, as far as known, spent his entire life in Buxton, Maine.
Born and reared in Buxton, Maine, the father of Dr. Bangs, suc- ceeded to the occupation of his ancestors, in early life buying land in Sweden, Oxford county, Maine; and there being employed in farming summers, and lumbering in the winter seasons, for many years. He married Lucy Coffin, who was born in Lovell, Maine and he is now liv- ing retired from business cares in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He and his wife reared five children, namely : Ella Etta; James Ashley; Georgia Estella; Hattie Elizabetlı; and Nina Agnes.
Receiving his early education in the district schools, James Ashley Bangs afterwards attended the high school at Bridgton, subsequently teaching school, first in Denmark, Maine, and later in Stow, Oxford county. Having in the meantime read medicine with Dr. Potter, of Bridgton, he then entered the Medical Department of the University of Vermont, at Burlington, where he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in June, 1884. Going then to New Hampshire, Dr. Bangs prac- tised first at Bartlett, where he remained two and one-half years, and then in East Jaffrey for a few months. Coming West, he was for a
1370
THE NORTHERN PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN
while engaged in practice at the Asylum for the Insane in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The doctor was afterwards similarly employed in New York, first at Ward's Island, and later at the Flatbush Asylum, gain- ing experience that has proved of inestimable value to him. Again coming westward, the doctor was engaged in the practice of his pro- fession at Ironwood, Michigan, from November, 1889, until April, 1893. Since that time he has been a resident of Iron Mountain, where he is now one of the leading physicians, in addition to his general practice, which is large, being physician for the Pewabic Mine.
Dr. Bangs married, April 25, 1893, Mrs. Bessie (Hosking) Wood, a daughter of William Hosking, and widow of Daniel Wood, who died, leaving her with two daughters, namely: Doris, wife of Max H. Barber ; and Athlyn Bangs. The Doctor and Mrs. Bangs have one child, William Ashley Bangs. Fraternally the doctor is a member of Iron Mountain Lodge No. 388, F. & A. M .; and of Iron Mountain Chapter No. 121, R. A. M.
ROBERT HOMER BARNUM .- Among the native-born citizens of the Upper Peninsula distinguished for their ability and worth, Robert Homer Barnum, postmaster at Iron River, holds a place of note. He was born, February 16, 1881, in Menominee, Menominee county, Mich- igan, where his father, Thomas Barnum, was a pioneer settler. Grand- father Barnum was a furrier by trade, and for many years was em- ployed as an inspector of furs. A native of Utica, New York, Thomas Barnum attended the village schools as a boy, and while still in his teens left home to seek his living among strangers. Coming to the Upper Peninsula, he located in Marquette when it was a small village, that part of the state being then unexplored, lumbering forming the chief industry of the people. He was employed in different capacities at various saw and shingle mills, living for sometime in Menominee. Coming from there to Iron River in 1887, he was here a resident until his death, in 1905. He married Melissa Evangeline Johnson, who was born in Maryborough township, Wellington county, province of On- tario, Canada, a daughter of Robert Johnson, whose birth occurred June 1, 1821, in county Derry, Ireland. Her grandfather, Mr. Bar- num's great grandfather, John Johnson, was born, reared and mar- ried in county Derry, Ireland. In 1829, accompanied by his wife and ten children, he started for America, and after an ocean voyage of thirteen weeks landed at Quebec. Continuing his journey westward to Toronto, he soon afterwards bought a tract of government land in Annisville township, Simcoe county, and having erected a log cabin for himself and family began the improvement of a homestead. There were no railways in Canada for many years after he located there, and no convenient markets, the people living chiefly on the productions of the land, such luxuries as tea, coffee and sugar being seldom used, while garments of homespun fashioned by the good wife and mother furnished the clothing for the family.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.