USA > Michigan > Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens > Part 109
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NORTHERN MICHIGAN.
Horace Hoffman secured his education in the common schools of his native state and upon attaining mature years he became his father's assistant in the butcher shop and grocery store, thoroughly mastering the art of butchering, which vocation he has fol- lowed for more than thirty-eight years. In 1867 Mr. Hoffman went from Ohio to La- Grange, LaGrange county, indiana, where he remained until 1879. in which year he located at Quincy, Branch county, Michigan, where for three years he was engaged in the meat business. In 1884 he came to An- trim county, and established himself in his present business at Mancelona, having now the leading shop of its kind in this part of the county. He makes it a point to handle none but the very best meats and takes special pains in his efforts to please every customer who enters his shop, the result being that he is now the recipient of a satisfactory and satisfied patronage. Mr. Hoffman has been prospered in a financial way and has made real-estate investments from time to time, being now the owner not only of his splen- did home property on State street, Mance- lona, but also of eighty acres of good farm- ing land in this county. He keeps an open eye for good land investments, believing this to be the best and safest form of investment.
In 1897 Mr. Hoffman was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Hosmer, the daugh- ter of Timothy Hosmer, and they have two children, Otto and Ora, both of whom are bright and interesting children and lend par- ticular charm to the home. In politics Mr. Hoffman is a stanch Republican, but is not a seeker after the honors or emoluments of public office, though he at all times takes an intelligent interest in public affairs and casts his ballot in accordance with his high- est conception of his country's and commu-
nity's best interests. Fraternally he is a Mason, and is also a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Hoff- man is essentially a self-made man and as such is entitled to great credit for the rich rewards which have attended his efforts. He has worked hard, but, being a man of good judgment and understanding the value of economy, his labors have redounded greatly to his financial advantage, as his present independent condition proves.
THEODORE C. HARDIES.
The descendants of those who came originally from the great German empire are distinguished for their thrift, honesty and sound sense, and among this class the subject of this sketch, who is now the reg- ister of deeds of Presque Isle county, occu- pies a high standing. Mr. Hardies is a na- tive of Presque Isle county, born in Belknap township, in 1876, the son of William Har- dies, Sr. The latter was one of the first four German settlers who located in Belknap township in 1869. He took up a homestead and now has one of the best farms in the county, comprising two hundred and forty acres, improved with good farm buildings and other accessories. He is a native of Prussia, Germany, and is now seventy years old. The subject of this sketch was edu- cated in the public schools of this county and also at the Rogers City Normal and the summer sessions of the State Normal In- stitute. In 1898 he went into the mercan- tile business at South Rogers, where he was engaged for three years, when he was burned out. He and his brother Paul then bought a store at Metz, this county, and in
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the present year the subject purchased his brother's interests in the store and removed to Metz, where he has since resided. In connection with his other business interests Mr. Hardies has bought and sold a great deal of timber and farm lands in this county. finding this a successful line of business. He possesses excellent business qualifica- tions and has a splendid reputation among his business associates for sagacity, energy and honesty. A stanch Republican in poli- tics, Mr. Hardies has taken an active part in public affairs and in 1902 was elected reg- ister of deeds of Presque Isle county, and so satisfactory were his services that in 1904 he was re-elected to succeed himself, being the present occupant of this office. He is also at this time the postmaster at Metz, giving to the duties of this office the same careful attention which has characterized his other business affairs. Courteous and careful, he is popular with all the patrons of the office. He is also serving his second term as a member of the county board of school examiners, his interest in education being particularly keen from the fact that during his younger years he was engaged in teaching school in this county, thus gain- ing a practical insight into the needs and requirements of the school room.
Mr. Hardies married Miss Martha Hoff- man, the daughter of Robert Hoffman, whose father was one of the pioneer settlers of Alpena, this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Har- dies have been born two children. Frater- nally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pyth- ias and the Woodmen, while his religious affiliation is with the Lutheran church. As a citizen his name is above reproach and he is generally acknowledged to be one of the solid and substantial citizens of his county.
WILLIAM E. HAZELL.
Conspicuous among the leading citizens* of Alpena, Michigan, is the gentleman whose name appears above and who, be- cause of the ability displayed by him in im- portant positions, has won the high regard of the entire community. Mr. Hazell is a native of far-away Wales, where he was ed- ucated and reared to manhood, and there took up the burden of life's activities for himself. Coming to the United States in 1890, he came at once to Alpena and has since that time resided here. He is now occupying the important dual positions of secretary and manager of the city water works plant, having occupied the same po- sitions with the former owners of the plant, the Alpena City Water Works Company, who sold the plant to the city. Mr. Hazell has been with the water plant since 1891, a period of about fifteen years, and during this time has seen the number of patrons of the company increased from fifteen hundred and sixty to twenty-two hundred and forty, the quantity of water used having more than doubled .- A new plant is being put in at Stony Point, on the east end, which will, when completed, be coupled up with the old plant on the north end, the capacity of the new plant being eight million gallons daily. the fine new pumps being made by the Snow company. New mains are being laid all over the city, ranging from twenty-four to six inches. An electric light plant is also being constructed by the city, which will be run by the same power. the entire im- provements costing, when completed, about two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Mr. Hazell was formerly also a director of the old water and electric light companies, be- fore the municipality took them over. In
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NORTHERN MICHIGAN.
every position which he has occupied he has evinced business and executive qualities of a high order and has won a high reputation as a man of far-sighted sagacity and keen judgment. Because of his many fine per- sonal qualities and the evident interest he possesses in the welfare of the city of his residence, he has won the sincere respect of all who know him.
JONATHAN DOAN.
He to whom this sketch is dedicated has the management of the fine farm property of .A. P. Brener, Grant township, Clare county, and is one of the popular and representa- tive citizens of his section. . Mr. Doan was born in Norfolk, province of Ontario, Can- ada, on the 26th of March, 1849, and was reared to maturity in his native province, where he was afforded the advantages of the common schools, while he early began to assume the practical responsibilities of life. being dependent upon his own resources for the attaining of independence and success. He continued to reside in Ontario until he was about twenty-six years of age and in the meanwhile was married. In 1877 he came to Michigan, in company with his wife and two children, and located in Sanilac county, where he engaged in farming, be- ing to a large extent in the employ of others. He remained in said county until 1897. when he removed to Gladwin county, this state, where he continued to be similarly en- gaged until March, 1903, when he came to Clare county and assumed his present re- sponsible position as manager of the Brener farm, which comprises four hundred acres
tion of the state. Mr. Doan is a man of en- ergy and progressive ideas and is liberal and public-spirited in his attitude, while he has so ordered his life as to merit and re- ceive the fullest measure of popular confi- dence and regard. In political matters he is arrayed as a stanch supporter of the prin- ciples and policies for which the Republi- can party stands sponsor, but he has never sought public office of any description. He is the owner of forty acres of unimproved land in Gladwin county, and when expedient will turn his attention to developing this property, which is certain to greatly appre- ciate in value within the coming few years. Mrs. Doan is a consistent and zealous mem- ber of the Baptist church, which our subject attends and supports, though not formally identified with any religious organization.
In Norfolk county, Ontario, on the 22d of October, 1871, Mr. Doan was united in marriage to Miss Esther E. Kaake, who was born in that county on the 28th of De- cember, 1849, and to them have been born twelve children, of whom six are living, namely : William, Thomas, John, Ai, Joseph, and Herman. Concerning the deceased chil- dren we enter the following brief record : Mary, who was the eldest of the children. became the wife of William Nichols and her death occurred in Oakland county, this state; Sarah and Anna died in infancy, as did also two sons. Edward and Freeman; and Hannah J. died at the age of fourteen years.
ALFRED R. CANFIELD.
The thriving little city of Clare, in the county of the same name, is fortunate in and which is one of the best improved and the personnel of those who constitute its most attractive rural domains in this sec- quota of business men, for it is a well-es-
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
tablished fact that a community is meas- ured by the character of its representative citizens. The newspapers of a community, too, are usually just indices of its commer- cial and civic status, and thus too much im- portance can not be attached to them and their mission. The subject of this review is the able and popular editor and publisher of the Clare Courier, one of the well con- ducted and flourishing weekly papers of this section of the state, and on this score, as well as by reason of his prominence in the community, it is most compatible that a sketch of his career be entered in this volume.
Mr. Canfield is a native son of the Wol- verine state, having been born in Portland township, Ionia county, Michigan, on the 26th of August, 1867, and being a son of J. H. and Helen A. (Read) Canfield, who still reside in that county, his father being incumbent of the office of judge of probate. Our subject passed his boyhood days in Ionia county and was accorded the advan- tages of its excellent public schools, while he began an apprenticeship at the printer's trade in his youth, so that he is familiar with the mysteries and intricacies of the "art preservative of all arts" and thus well equipped for the successful management of his newspaper enterprise. Mr. Canfield con- tinued to reside in Ionia county until 1883, when he came to Clare county, first locating in Harrison, where he remained until 1895. Within a year after taking up his residence in Harrison he became the owner of the Clare County Cleaver, which he conducted until the spring of 1895, when he disposed of the paper and plant and came to Clare, where he established the Clare Courier, whose publication he has since successfully continued, making it one of the best country newspapers in the northern part of the state
and one which wields unmistakable influence in public affairs of a local nature, while it stands as a faithful exponent of the inter- ests of the community in which it is pub- lished. The office is well equipped in all de- partments and the paper now has a bona fide circulation of eight hundred copies. It is Democratic in its political policy and its edi- torial uttterances are vigorous and timely. While a resident of Harrison Mr. Canfield held the office of postmaster about three years, during the second adminstration of President Cleveland, resigning the position at the time of his removal to Clare. He is well known throughout the county and has a host of friends in both business and social circles. He has been an active worker in the ranks of the Democratic party and is at the present time a member of the state cen- tral committee of the same. He maintains a lively interest in all that touches the wel- fare and advancement of his home town and county, and is at the time of this writing president of the board of education of Clare. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America.
At Harrison, this county, on the 15th of August, 1888, Mr. Canfield was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Bogue, who was born in Pennsylvania, and they have two children. Don W. and Mary Helen.
DAYTON W. CLOSSER.
Among the young attorneys of Alpena, Michigan, who has even in the brief period since his admission to the bar of this state attained a good reputation as a safe and careful counselor, is he whose name appears above. Mr. Closser is a native of Peters-
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burg, Monroe county, this state, and is the son of Perry and Frances P. (Parker) Clos- ser. His paternal grandfather is Capt. Mor- gan Parker, of a family which has long been prominent in politics and public affairs. The subject's uncle, Burton Parker, is chief of the special treasury agents at Washing- ton, D. C., and another uncle, Dayton Par- ker, is a prominent physician and surgeon of Detroit, this state. After receiving a good common-school education, the subject entered the Petersburg high school, from which he was graduated in 1891, and was then engaged in teaching school. From 1893 to 1900 he was employed in the office of the auditor general at Lansing, and then entered the law department of the State Uni- versity at Ann Arbor, graduating with the class of 1902. He was admitted to practice by the state board, by whom he was exam- ined, and entered upon the active practice of his profession at Ann Arbor, but two years later, in 1903, came to Alpena, and has since then been busily engaged in pro- fessional duties here. He is the possessor of those sterling qualities which will win success in any line or undertaking, and is besides well equipped by careful study and preparation for the practice. He has been well received here and is rapidly winning a good reputation among his colleagues at the bar. In politics he is a Republican, while his fraternal relations are with the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks.
HARVEY A. CHAMBERLAIN.
Connected with a number of the leading business and commercial interests of Stand- ish, Arenac county, Michigan, and being
thus an active participant in the wonderful progress and advancement which has of re- cent years characterized this section of Mich- igan, the subject of this sketch stands as one of the leading citizens of his locality. Mr. Chamberlain is a native of Grinnell, Iowa, and is the son of Ed H. Chamber- lain, a native of Indiana, who, after residing- in other localities, eventually came to Arenac county, Michigan, and settled on a farm in Standish township, where he yet lives. He has long occupied a high standing among his fellow citizens, as is evidenced in the parents upon their removal to this county in the office of supervisor of his township.
Harvey A. Chamberlain accompanied his parents upon their removal to this county in 1872, and was here given the advantage of a good common-school education. He was reared to the rugged life of a farm, and there learned the lessons of industry, econ- omy and integrity which to so large a de- gree have contributed to his subsequent suc- cess. With definite purposes ever before him, and carrying out well-laid plans, he has during the mature years of his life risen to a high position in business circles and has formed friendships highly complimentary to his sterling qualities of character. In 1890 he was elected to the position of register of deeds for this county, and so satisfactory has been the discharge of his official duties that at every election since then he has been chosen to succeed himself, being the pres- ent incumbent of this position. On August 13, 1903, the State Bank of Standish was organized, with a capital of twenty thousand dollars, and of this institution the subject has been president continuously since its or- ganization. This bank is one of the strong monetary institutions of this region, much of its success being directly attributable to
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
the wise judgment and discrimination of its president. The bank has recently erected a splendid two-story brick bank building, one of the most substantial and best arranged business blocks in the town. Mr. Chamber- lain is also a member of the board of direct- ors of the Arenac Telephone Company and the Standish Realty Company, through which mediums the business interests of the community have been greatly enhanced. In connection with his other enterprises he also owns the most complete set of abstract books in the county, doing the largest business in the line in the place.
Mr. Chamberlain married Miss Sarah Mc- Vain, of Standish, and to them have been born four children, Elsie, Ivy, Ruth and Joy. During a useful life in this community Mr. Chamberlain has labored diligently to pro- mote the interests of the people at large and few men in the county occupy a higher stand- ing in the esteem of those who know him.
GEORGE CARLTON.
One of the sterling citizens and enter- prising agriculturists of Carp Lake town- ship, Emmet county, Michigan, is Mr. George Carlton, who was born on Febru- ary 14, 1853, in Toronto, York county, Can- ada. His parents were Joshua and Kather- ine (Munshaw) Carlton, the former a na- tive of England and the latter of York county, Canada. The father was a black- smith by trade and followed that vocation both in Canada and in Michigan, to which state he removed in 1901. The immediate subject of this sketch received a good prac- tical education in the common schools of his native country and before attaining his
majority he decided to take advantage of the manifold opportunities offered in the United States. In 1882 he went to Fargo, North Dakota, where he remained several years, coming in 1887 to Emmet county, Michigan, and locating on a tract of fine farming land in Carp Lake township, where he has since remained. He has principally followed the pursuit of farming and has been successful to an eminent degree, owing to the close attention he has given every detail of the enterprise. He uses good judgment in the planting of his crops and employs modern methods and machinery in caring for the same. His well-kept fences and the general appearance of the place indicate to the passerby that the owner is a man of good judgment and splendid taste. The place comprises one hundred and sixty acres and is considered one of the best farms in the township.
In matters political, Mr. Carlton is aligned with the Republican party and has served his fellow citizens in several public capacities, having been elected supervisor of Carp Lake township in 1892 and serving as such continuously until the autumn of 1904, when he resigned in order to accept the more important office of treasurer of Emmet county, to which he was elected on the 8th of November, that year. In his several of- ficial capacities he has performed his official duties to the entire satisfaction of his con- stituents and by his candid and straightfor- ward bearing he has won a host of warm friends. In religion he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Carlton was married to Miss Mary Hoar, the daughter of Samuel and Emma E. (Bacon) Hoar. of Bruce county, Canada. To Mr. and Mrs. Carlton have been born the following children: Kate became the
NORTHERN MICHIGAN.
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wife of J. C. Schmatzial, of Carp Lake township; Carrie is the wife of Charles H. Miller and resides at Flagstaff, Arizona; Samuel J. resides at Levering, Emmet county, where he owns and conducts the Carlton House ; Emma is the wife of Theo- dore Schmalzried and resides in Carp Lake township, Emmet county ; Cecil C. married Elzie Mitchell and lives at Lansing, Michi- gan; George and Carl. Fraternally Mr. Carlton is affiliated with the Free and Ac- cepted Masons and the Knights of the Mac- cabees.
HERMAN BESSER.
Among the leaders in commercial and in- dustrial circles in the city of Alpena, Michi- gan, specific mention should be made of him whose name heads this sketch. Mr. Besser was born near Buffalo, New York, and is the son of Herman and Clothilda ( Hoff- man) Besser, who were both natives of near Leipsic, Saxony, Germany. The subject at- tended the schools of his native state and upon attaining maturity he engaged in va- rious occupation on his, own account, even- tually going to Montmorency county, Mich- igan, where for fifteen years he was success- fully engaged in the lumber business. About eight years ago Mr. Besser came to Alpena county and at once became identified with the industrial life of this city. A brief sum- mary of the various enterprises with which he is now identified is as follows: He is one of the chief stockholders in the Besser Manufacturing Company, which runs stave mill with a capacity of ten million staves and twenty million shingles per year, employing about one hundred men. This business was started on a small scale in 1897.
staves being then the only product, but the business has rapidly grown to its present mammoth proportions. This company has also recently completed a cement brick plant, with a capacity of twenty-four thousand bricks every ten hours. This is one of the most perfect cement brick plants in existence, all its operations practically being automatic. Mr. Besser has patented and is putting on the market a machine for the manufacture of cement blocks, cement drain tile and sewer tile. The sewer tile is in three pieces, reinforced, and has locking joints, making it perfectly tight. This tile can be made more cheaply than brick and will last for- ever. The machine, which was patented by Mr. Besser in 1905, will be offered to the farmers, who will thus be enabled to make their own drain tile at the possible rate of five hundred per day.
In association with Mr. Kimball, Mr. Besser is interested in the Kimball Lumber Company, being now the president of the company. They own one of the best band saw-mills in the state and cut fifty thousand feet of hard wood or seventy thousand feet of soft wood per day, running the year round. They have just recently purchased a large tract of timber near Alpena, thus giving employment to fifty more men, the product being supplied to this one mill. At one time Mr. Besser was president and active manager of the Alpena Portland Ce- ment Company, and is still a director in that concern. He is also a director in the Alpena National Bank and the Alpena County Savings Bank. He has other finan- . cial interests here, giving his support also to all movements looking to the advance- ment of the city or county in which he lives.
Mr. Besser married Miss Hattie Ely, a native of Buffalo, New York, and the daugh-
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
ter of William G. Ely, a pioneer family of that state, they having owned a farm where now stands the city of Buffalo. In politics the subject is a stanch and influential Re- publican and is now chairman of the Repub- lican county committee. Fraternally he is a Freemason, while in religious belief he is a Presbyterian. He is well known through- out a wide range of country and by all is respected and esteemed for his genuine worth as a man and citizen.
JAMES P. BAIKIE.
Among the capable and popular officials of Arenac county, Michigan, none are held in higher esteem than is he whose name ap- pears above. A native of the Orkney is- lands, Scotland, Mr. Baikie came to this country at an early age and secured his ed- ucation in the common schools of Arenac county, his residence here dating from 1870. Upon attaining manhood's years Mr. Baikie was variously engaged until about nine years ago, when he embarked in the hardware business at Omer, in which he is still en- gaged, having a large and well-selected stock of both shelf and heavy hardware and carrying everything in his line required by the needs of his patrons. His courteous de- meanor and evident desire to satisfy his customers has worked to his business ad- vantage and he is now considered one of the solid and prosperous business men of this thriving little city. In 1900 Mr. Baikie entered the office of supervisor of Arenac township, filling the position for two years, when he received a promotion at the hands of his fellow citizens, being, in 1902, elected to the responsible position of county treas-
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