USA > Michigan > A history of the northern peninsula of Michigan and its people; its mining, lumber and agricultural industries, Volume III > Part 65
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William J. Vivian was born at Copper Falls, Keweenaw county, Michigan, on the 10th of January, 1858, and is a son of Johnson and Elizabeth (Simmons) Vivian. On other pages of this work is incor- porated a sketch of the career of his honored father so that repetition of the data in the present connection is not deemed necessary. Mr. Vivian is indebted to the public schools of Copper Falls and Hancock for his carly educational discipline and after leaving the public schools he was employed for a time as a machinist at the Franklin mine at Hancock.
C. Fitting Ramon
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He then entered the University of Michigan where he continued his educational work for one year. After leaving the university he was em- ployed in the Franklin Mills as machinist until 1879. In 1880 he as- sumed charge of the Pewabic Stamp Mills of which he was superintendent for three years, after which he had charge of the Michigamme mines for one year. After leaving this position he had charge of the machinery of the stamp mills at Huron mine for the Isle Royale Company, an incumbency which he retained for three years. Thereafter he was em- ployed in turn by Kleaves & Sons, owners and operators of a foundry and machine shop at Hancock, and by the Carroll Brothers, engaged in the same line of enterprise at Houghton. He resigned this position in 1903 and has since given his time and attention to his private business interests. Mr. Vivian is a stanch Republican in his political proclivities and takes a deep interest in public affairs of a local nature, although he has never sought or held office. He has a large and attractive modern residence on College Avenue, East Houghton and the same is the center of most generous hospitality. He is identified with various social or- ganizations and both he and his wife are communicants of the Methodist Episcopal church.
On the 14th of July, 1886, Mr. Vivian was united in marriage to Miss Jennie DeFoe, who was born in the city of Detroit, this state, and who is a daughter of the late James DeFoe, who was for many years engaged in mercantile pursuits in the Michigan metropolis, where he was a citizen of prominence and influence. Mr. and Mrs. Vivian are the parents of three children: Ellen, who is the wife of Charles H. Moss, cashier of the Citizens' National Bank, at Houghton; H. Daisy, who is a student in the Houghton high school; and Florence, who is also a student of the Houghton high school.
C. FRITHIOF LARSON, M. D., a skillful and able physician and surgeon, and an enthusiastic worker in the medical profession, is one of the leading practitioners of the Upper Peninsula, and not only has a large private patronage at Crystal Falls, but is at the head of one of the best managed hospitals of this section of Iron county. A son of Fredrik Larson, he was born June 13, 1861, in Sodermanland, where he spent his early life, being descended from a family, mostly farmers, who trace their ancestry back in a direct line to the seventeenth century.
Fredrik Larson was a man of prominence in his community, and served in various official capacities in Sodermanland, for several years being chairman of the county jury, a position that he was filling at the time of his death, in 1889. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Charlotte Anderson, four children were born as follows: Hilda, wife of an officer in the Swedish army; C. Frithiof, the subject of the sketch; Arvid, engaged in farming in Sweden; and Axel F., superin- tendent of the Marquette Piano Works.
Laying a substantial foundation for his future education in the public schools of Sodermanland, C. Frithiof Larson subsequently pur- sued his studies in the Government College at Nykoping, where he was graduated with the degree of B. S. He then attended the University at Upsala two years, adding much to his knowledge of literature, art and science, as well as pursuing his study of medicine.
The father having sustained severe financial losses, our subject con- cluded to carve out his own future, and came to America in 1882. Mr. Larson obtained employment in the Central Traffic Association, where he advanced to the position of chief clerk in the report department, re- maining until 1886, in which year he decided to finish his medical
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studies. In 1888 he was graduated from Rush Medical College with the degree of M. D., taking three prizes and one honorable mention for his graduation essays, and immediately thereafter began the practice of his profession in Chicago. Going to Sweden the following year, Dr. Larson spent several months practicing at various hospitals. Return- ing to Chicago, he remained in that city until 1891, and during his stay took a prominent part in the social life of the Swedish-American set. He was one of the organizers of the celebrated Swedish Glee Club. He also organized the first Swedish Gymnastic society in Chicago.
In 1891 Dr. Larson located at Iron Mountain, Dickinson county, Michigan, where, with the exception of two years, from 1894 to 1896, spent at Marinette, Wisconsin, he remained until 1899. Coming then to Crystal Falls as physician for the Bristol Mining Company, he has been in active practice here ever since, his skill and wisdom winning him an extensive and lucrative practice. The Doctor is now surgeon for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, and is also city and county physician, and while living at Iron Mountain was health officer and member and secretary of the local school board.
Dr. Larson married in Chicago September 15, 1888, Emma Seaberg, who was born in Sweden, a daughter of Carl Seaberg, and they are the parents of three children, namely: Herbert, a student in Armour Insti- tute of Technology, at Chicago; Bertil at Beloit College; and Evert. The Doctor is president of the Iron and Dickinson Counties Medical Societies ; member of the Michigan State Medical Society; of the Ameri- can Medical Association; and of the American Association of Railway Surgeons. He is a staunch Republican, and in 1898 was elected chair- man of the Dickinson county Republican committee. Fraternally he belongs to Crystal Falls Lodge No. 385, F. & A. M .; to Crystal Falls Chapter No. 129, R. A. M .; to. the Detroit Consistory, and to various other fraternal organizations. The Doctor and Mrs. Larson were reared in the Lutheran faith, but now attend the Episcopalian church.
REV. B. J. P. SCHEVERS is one of the efficient laborers in the cause of Christianity in the Northern Peninsula, the pastor of St. Francis de Sales Church at Manistique. He was born in Holland on the 7th of February, 1874, and he spent his boyhood days in the land of his birth and received his early educational training there. At the age of seven- teen he entered St. Norbert's Convent at Heeswyk, Holland, made his novitiate in Belgium, and returning to Holland, he was ordained to the ministry in 1897. In the following year he came to America and entered upon a pastorate at the Catholic Church at Tonet, Wisconsin, which con- tinued for a period of ten years. On the 15th of September, 1908, he came to Manistique and entered upon his successful pastorate at St. Francis de Sales Church, which he remodeled and enlarged by a two hundred and sixty additional seating capacity. Ilis parish consists of families of many different nationalities and in connection with his church is a parochial school numbering two hundred and sixty pupils, with five teachers in attendance. For two years he was assisted in his ministerial work by the Rev. A. A. Vissers, who had charge of the missions, twelve in number, extending all the way from Manistique to Trout Lake. Rev. Father Vissers was born at Green Bay, Wisconsin, and he proves to be an able, zealous priest. He has recently been ap- pointed paster of Oneida, Wisconsin, and his successor, Father V. Savo- geau, is an energetic young man. He was born in DePere, Wisconsin, and belongs to the same order as Father Schevers.
While laboring as a pastor in Wisconsin, Rev. Father Schevers had
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several charges in addition to the one at Tonet; including the Champion and Walhain Congregations. He was very successful in his work there, adding many new families to the church membership. At Tonet he built a splendid new parsonage and at Champion he remodeled and decorated the church. He is earnest and sincere in his presentation of the truth and his efforts have been wonderfully blessed.
ANTON O'DILL .- Noteworthy among the pioneer settlers of Norway is Anton O'Dill, a successful agriculturist and a well known business man, who has lived in this vicinity for upwards of thirty years, and who, in 1878, established the first place of business in Norway, it having been a shop in which he manufactured shoes. He was born, December 7, 1850, in Luxemburg, Germany, which was the birthplace of his father, Peter O'Dill, whose ancestors as far back as can be traced were Germans.
As a young man Peter O'Dill learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for many years. He accumulated some property, and dur- ing the later years of his life was engaged in tilling the soil. He mar- ried Mary Robinette, a life-long resident of Luxemburg, and they reared six children, as follows: Susie, Antou, Dominique, John, Henry, and Margaretta. Susie, Dominique and John remained in their native land, the others settling in the United States. Henry, for many years a resi- dent of Cleveland, Ohio, now lives in Illinois. Margaretta is the wife of Nicholas Resher, of Escanaba, Michigan.
Acquiring a practical education in the public schools of Luxemburg, Anton O'Dill subsequently learned the shoemaker's trade under his father's instruction, remaining at the bench until attaining his majority. Immigrating then to the United States, he spent a few months in Wiscon- sin, from there coming to Marquette, Michigan, where he followed his trade for awhile. He subsequently worked on a farm two summers, being afterwards employed in mining at the Republic Mine, in Marquette county. Coming to the Menominee Range in 1877, Mr. O'Dill was one of a party sent to explore on section 6, township 39-29, being thus em- ployed from June until October. The present site of Norway was then . a pathless forest, the railroad extending only as far as the locality now known as Cedar, while in Quinnesec the only buildings were three houses in process of construction. Returning to Marquette county, Mr. O'Dill continued there as a miner until July, 1878, when he came back to the Range, and for a time engaged in mining at Vulcan. He then estab- lished a shoe shop at Norway, it being the pioneer business house of the place, and here followed his trade until 1882. Mr. O'Dill made then a complete change of occupation, opening a dispensary, which he conducted successfully until 1894. In the meantime he had purchased a large tract of land within the city limits, and was carrying on general farming with good results. In 1896 he began the manufacture of temperance bever- ages, an industry which he has since continued in addition to his agri- cultural labors.
Mr. O'Dill has been twice married. He married first, in 1881, Ger- trude Cohn, who was born in Marquette, Michigan, a daughter of Conrad Cohn, a native of Germany. She died in 1882, leaving one child, Frank O'Dill. Mr. O'Dill married second, in 1884, Lizzie Bucholtz, who was born in Luxemburg, Germany, and to them six children have been born, namely : Annie, Ida, Henry, Joseph, Rosa, and Johnnie. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. O'Dill are members of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
HON. WILLIAM R. OATES .- Accounted as one of the foremost citizens of Laurium, Hon. William R. Oates is widely known as one of the Vol. III-29
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brightest young lawyers in the Upper Peninsula, and as an active and influential member of the State Legislature. A native of England, he was born July 16, 1878, at New Quay, County Cornwall.
His father, Richard Oates, emigrated with his family to the United States about 1891, coming directly, to the mining regions of the Upper Peninsula.
Thirteen years of age when he came with his parents to Michigan, William R. Oates continued his studies in the public schools of Calumet. Deciding to prepare himself for the legal profession, he entered the law department of the University of Michigan in 1896, and three years later, in 1899 commenced the practice of law at Calumet.
Mr. Oates is interested in many of the leading enterprises of Houghton county, and is a director of the First National Bank of Lau- rium. He is secretary and counsel for the Wolverine & Arizona Mining Company, which has mining properties in Bisbee, Arizona, and head- quarters in Calumet. This corporation is already well established, and gives rich promise of yielding valuable returns.
Also holding in high regard the duties of citizenship, Mr. Oates has cheerfully accepted the responsibilities of a public official and was for six terms village attorney of Laurinm. The Republican nominee for Representative to the State Legislature in 1908, he was elected, and served during the sessions of 1909 and 1910. An influential member of that body of legislators, he was chosen as a member of several important committees, being a member of the Judiciary Committee, and proving himself at all times a faithful and wise representative of his district.
Politically a stanch Republican, Mr. Oates is a tireless and energetic worker, and as an intelligent and fluent speaker is influential in party campaigns, stumping the state. Fraternally Mr. Oates is a member of Hecla Lodge, No. 90, I. O. O. F., and of Elk's Lodge, No. 404, B. P. O. E. He belongs to the Sons of Saint George, and to the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
FRANK H. ATKINS, of Escanaba, Michigan, is entitled to be ranked as the pioneer merchant of the town, he having been in business here continuously longer than any other merchant. Mr. Atkins was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, October 1, 1854, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Bishop) Atkins, and of English descent, with a strain of Scotch blood in the maternal ancestry. His grandfather, Sheldon Atkins, was born in England. About 1848, he moved from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin and settled in Fond du Lac county, where he engaged in farming. On this removal he was accompanied by his son Samuel, who remained with him until his death, which was about 1860. Samuel Atkins then took up his residence in Dodge county. He was a carpenter and builder and worked at that trade for years. During the Civil war he served two years in the Union army. He is now a resident of Escanaba. His wife, a native of Ohio, came west with her parents to Dodge county, Wisconsin, the same year the Atkins family settled there. She died in 1908, at a good old age. Samuel and Elizabeth Atkins were the parents of five children, three sons and two daughters, all living at this writing.
In this family Frank H. is the eldest. His boyhood days were spent in his native place. March 9, 1871, he left the parental home and came to the Northern Peninsula of Michigan, his first work here being as a mining clerk. After spending about three years as clerk for a mining company, he came to Escanaba and took charge of the Escanaba General Store. That was April 1, 1874. In 1876 he engaged in business for himself, which he has since continued. Thus his identity with the Upper Peninsula covers a period of nearly forty years.
I Al Phishman nichman
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Mr. Atkins has always been active in local politics and several years ago filled minor offices. From 1878 to '79 he was clerk of the village. Also he served three terms as a member of the County Board of Super- visors.
July 22, 1879, Mr. Atkins married, in Escanaba, Miss Elizabeth Ells- worth, a native of Wisconsin, and daughter of Albert Ellsworth. They have four sons and one daughter, Samuel, Robert, Elsa, Horace and Francis. The eldest son, Samuel, is a resident of Duluth, Minnesota, with the Oliver Iron and Mining Company.
Mr. Atkins has for years been active in Masonic work. He is past master of Delta Lodge and is a past commander. The Chapter and Com- mandery degrees were conferred upon him at Menominee, where he is well known and held in high esteem by the fraternity. The family are members of the Presbyterian church.
WILLIAM HENRY THIELMAN, of the firm of Armstrong-Thielman, lum- ber dealers, is prominent in many circles and in many walks of life, civic, industrial, Masonic, and others, and may be counted as a repre- sentative citizen of Calumet. The industry with which he is con- nected operates at Hubbell, Calumet and Hancock. Mr. Thielman was born in Detroit, Michigan, July 12, 1866, his father, Christopher Thiel- man, having cast his fortunes with the copper region in 1858. Tracing his ancestry back a matter of two generations we find that French blood flows in his veins, his grandfather having been a native of France who was killed while fighting under Napoleon against the Russians. Mr. Thielman was raised at Rockland, Ontonagon county, where he attended school. He early felt the responsibilities of life, for from his tenth year he worked around the mines throughout the summer months, his first employment being picking out small pieces of copper ore from the rock pile.
When Mr. Thielman reached his thirteenth year all thought of schooling had to be abandoned, for the family fortunes were at low ebb, his father having lost his hard-earned savings through an unfortu- nate endorsement. For the next two years he drove a team which hauled wood to the mines and then entered upon an apprenticeship to a carpenter. At the conclusion of the summer he started out for him- self, and his first stop was at Duluth, where unable to find work at his trade, he went to work loading lumber on vessels. In the fall he set forth for the lumber camps of Cloquet, Wisconsin, where he found employment until the next spring. As he was young and spirited and felt sure now of his ability to earn his bread and butter in any sur- roundings, he decided to drift about for awhile in quest of adventure, which, it may be added, he found. He tarried a time in the Black Hills and went to the Pacific where he tried gold prospecting. He re- turned to the copper country and for the next three years worked as a carpenter at the Copper Falls mine in Keweenaw county. Growing dissatisfied he went back to Montana, but stayed only a short time, being glad to return to Michigan. He worked at the copper smelters at Lake Linden and then made a more ambitious venture at independ- ence, starting a contracting business at South Lake Linden under the firm name of Kimball & Thielman. This continued for four years, and for three winters during this time he attended the Academy of Archi- tecture and Building at St. Louis, Missouri, and business college at Valparaiso, Indiana. Another incident in this time was a trip to Dal- las, Texas, where he assisted in starting a sash and blind factory. His present business was established in 1891, when he formed a partnership
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with Thomas W. Armstrong under the firm name of the Armstrong- Thielman Lumber Company, with yards at the three places previously mentioned.
Mr. Thielman is vice-president of the State Savings Bank at Lau- rium and was honored to appointment upon the staff of Governor Warner. He stands high in Masonry, belonging to Montrose Com- mandery, Knights Templar, of Calumet, and to Ahmed Temple of the Mystie Shrine at Marquette.
Mr. Thielman is a Spanish-American war veteran, as first lieuten- ant of Company D, Thirty-fourth Michigan Volunteers, having served throughout the conflict and seen some of the hardest fighting. The Thirty-fourth Michigan is one of the regiments which won distinction at Santiago. Prior to this date he belonged to the state militia, en- listing as a private in Company D, Fifth Infantry, Calumet Light Guard, and was promoted to second lieutenant. His was one of the companies called out at the time of miners' strikes at Ironwood and Ishpeming.
Mr. Thielman's wife was, before her marriage, Miss Margaret M. Grierson, of Calumet, daughter of James Grierson, a well-known citi- zen. Their union was celebrated in 1900. They have three children: Margaret Elise, William Grierson and Robert C.
WILLIAM WEBSTER .- Conspicuous among the citizens whom Sault Ste. Marie has been called upon to mourn during the past few years, none stood higher in the hearts of the people, or will be more genuinely missed, than William Webster, a lawyer of note, and a man of energy, publie spirit, rare ability and faultless integrity. A native of Ontario, he was born February 10, 1863, at St. Helens, Huron county, and on February 25, 1908, while yet in the very midst of life's most useful and honorable activities, he was called from the scenes of his earthly en- deavors, his death occurring at nine o'clock in the evening, at his home on Chandler Heights.
Coming with his parents from Goderich, Ontario, to Sault Ste. Marie in 1877, William Webster took advantage of such opportunities as oc- curred for advancing his education, but was unable to attend school regu- larly, being forced to work, his first employment in the "Soo" having been that of driving a mule during the building of the old waterpower canal. He was afterwards clerk in the mercantile house of C. W. Givens for awhile, later being in the employ of C. H. Pease until 1886. Embark- ing then in business on his own account, he was for two years junior member of the dry goods firm of Tubbs & Webster. In 1888 Mr. Webster was elected county clerk by a majority of five hundred and thirty-eight votes, and served in this capacity until 1896, at each succeeding election receiving an increased majority of the votes cast, his majority in 1894 having been 1,152.
While thus employed, Mr. Webster made excellent use of his leisure time by preparing himself for the legal profession. and in September, 1893, was admitted to the Michigan bar. In 1895 he became associated with H. M. Oren, then attorney general, and Mr. Moore, under the firm name of Oren, Webster & Moore. The junior member retiring, he after- wards continued with Mr. Oren, the firm name being Oren & Webster. and from that time until his death was one of the leading attorneys of the city, winning professional prestige by reason of his ability and his devotion to his chosen work.
Prominent in local affairs, Mr. Webster served as chairman of the Board of Supervisors for six years, and in 1897 was elected mayor of
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Sault Ste. Marie, an office which he soon resigned in order to accept the position of postmaster. In this capacity he served wisely and well until January, 1908, just before receiving the fall that undoubtedly caused his death, the fall affecting his spine and brain. Mr. Webster stood high in the Masonic Order, being a member, and past master, of the blue lodge; a member and past high priest of the chapter, R. A. M .; and a member of the commandery, K. T. He was also a member of the Knights of Pythias. In his political affiliations, Mr. Webster was an uncompro- mising Republican, and for several years rendered his party excellent service as chairman of the Republican County Committee.
Mr. Webster married August 27, 1889, Bertha F. Bateman, who was born in Mariposa, Victoria county, Ontario. Four children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Webster, namely : Bertha J., Bessie B., William W., and Joy. Mr. Webster had two brothers and two sisters living at the time of his death, Andrew Webster of Port Arthur, Ontario; George Webster of Sault Ste. Marie; Mrs. Margaret Given of Goderich, Ontario, and Mrs. Matlock, of Greenland, Michigan.
JOHN O. VON ZELLEN, M. D .- Well born, well brought up and well educated, John O. von Zellen, M. D., of Marquette, Michigan, is devot- ing all of his energy and enthusiasm to the practice of his chosen pro- fession, and is widely known as one of the more skillful and successful physicians of the Upper Peninsula. A son of Oscar von Zellen, he was born, June 3, 1877, in Arvon township, Baraga county, Michigan, being a lineal descendant on the paternal side of Count Lovenheflen and on the maternal side of General Steinbock.
Dr. Oloff, the paternal grandfather of Dr. von Zellen, emigrated with his family to this country, and soon after assumed the present family name. Having made a close study of the cause and treatment of diseases in his native land, he brought to this country the advanced ideas that dis- ease was infused into the human system by germs, microbes, and micro- organisms, a theory now well understood throughout the civilized world. After practising medicine for a time in New York city, he moved to Richmond, Virginia, where he remained until after the breaking out of the Civil war, when he removed to Michigan, becoming one of the first white settlers of Baraga county. There he and his good wife spent their remaining years, his death occurring at the venerable age of ninety-three years, and hers at the age of ninety-one years.
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