Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 13

Author:
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 966

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The firm of Richardi & Bechtold, as originally constituted, initiated the manu- facture of various products, but the sales de- partment was made a separate and distinct enterprise after the first two years, while through it were sold not only the firm's own products but also those of the factory of Henry Richardi, and this is the status of af- fairs at the present time, the sales depart-

ment also handling the output of a third fac- tory, while the annual transactions for the three reach an aggregate of nearly one hun- dred thousand dollars, the products being shipped into all parts of the Union and Canada and a very considerable export trade being controlled. Local sales agents or brok- ers represent the concern in the large cities, but shipments are all made direct from the factories.

Mr. Bechtold was born in the pic- turesque old city of Liege, Belgium, on the 15th of September, 1845, and in 1848, when he was but three years of age, his parents came to the United States and located at Belleville, Illinois, where he was reared and educated, his father having become one of the leading merchants of the place, so that the subject gained his early training in the field of commercial enterprise, his experience in the early years well equipping him for the responsibilities which were later to devolve upon him in connection with business affairs of wide scope and importance. It should be noted that he has been since its establish- ment and is today at the head of the sales de- partment which has just been described in brief, while his executive and administrative powers are also demanded in connection with other portions of the important enter- prises with which he is identified. He ren- dered yeoman service in defense of the Union during the war of the Rebellion, hav- ing been a member of the Twelfth Missouri Volunteer Infantry and having served under General Fremont in Missouri and Arkansas, while later his command was in active duty in Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia. and he was thus with Sherman during the Atlanta campaign, taking part in all the principal battles. He was with his

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command during the entire three years of born nine children, five sons and four daugh- his service except for a period of two ters, of whom the parents have just reason to be proud. months, during which he was engaged in re- cruiting service in Missouri. After the war he was for some time employed in the in- ternal-revenue service of the government THOMAS DUNSMORE. and for a time was assistant postmaster at Belleville, Illinois, where he continued to be engaged in mercantile pursuits until coming to Antrim county, as noted. He at once took charge of the commercial department of the enterprise here established, while he also had a general supervision of the factory for some time, and as the manifold duties thus devolved upon him he familiarized himself with all details of the business, so that his ideas in connection with the practical details of manufacturing became valuable, his sug- gestions and plans leading to the making of a number of special machines for facilitat- ing the work, while special products stand as evidence of his ability in this direction. He is a wide-awake and progressive business man and public-spirited citizen and com- mands the unequivocal regard of all who know him. In politics he is a stanch Re- publican, and he is at the present time in- cumbent of the office of justice of the peace, while for fifteen years he served as a mem- ber of the board of education in Bellaire, and has served in several offices in this town- ship besides those mentioned. Fraternally he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Grand Army of the Republic, and bears the honorable title of past master in the first named lodge.

On the 7th of January, 1873, Mr. Bech- told was united in marriage to Miss Maxi- miliana J. Kistler, and to them have been

Among the citizens of Echo township, Antrim county, who have built up a com- fortable home and surrounded themselves with large landed and personal property none have attained a higher degree of suc- cess than the subject of this sketch. With no opportunities except what his own efforts were capable of mastering and with many discouragements to overcome, he has made an exceptional success of life, and in his old age has the gratification of knowing that the community in which he has resided has been benefited by his presence and his counsel. Mr. Dunsmore is a native of Lower Canada, where he was born on the 6th of March, 1839, the son of James and Susan (Sperry) Dunsmore. The parents were both natives of Ireland, the father born in county Derry in 1819, while the mother was born in county Kilkenny. They emigrated to America, locating first in Canada and later in St. Clair county, Michigan. Mr. Dunsmore fol- lowed the pursuit of farming. They be- came the parents of nine children, namely : Thomas, Joseph, James, Isabel (deceased), Frank (deceased). Mary Jane, Elizabeth, Charlie and Susan (deceased). James Dunsmore was a Democrat in politics and attained an influential position among his fellow citizens in St. Clair county, where he lived nearly all his life, though his death oc- curred in Tennessee in 1894. Thomas Dunsmore attended the common schools of

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the various localities in which he lived and upon attaining maturity was fairly well equipped to take upon himself life's re- sponsibilities. In June, 1861, when the toc- sin of war was sounded throughout the land, he enlisted in Company H, Sixth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the West, but his services were of short duration, he being discharged on account of sickness. In 1872 Mr. Dunsmore came to Antrim county, settling in section 28, Echo township. He was in but limited financial circumstances at this time, having but two dollars and fifty cents cash capital when he reached this county. He was not discouraged, however, and manfully started to work to clear the land which he entered and has been successful in a high degree in securing for himself a gratifying com- petency. He is now the owner of one hun- dred and twenty acres of land, eighty acres of which he cultivates, raising products com- mon to farms in this locality. He also gives some attention to live stock, in the handling of. which he has been fairly successful. In politics a Republican, he has taken an active interest in party affairs, though not a seeker after the honors or emoluments of office. His religious belief is in harmony with the creed of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is an earnest supporter. It may be said in this connection that in his house were held the first Sunday school and the first revival meetings held in the township.

In 1865 Mr. Dunsmore was married to Miss Rebecca Daily, daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Lines.) Daily, natives of Ireland who came to Canada. Mr. Daily was the father of nine children, six of whom are living. He was a cooper by trade, farming also in connection, and was fairly successful

in business affairs. In politics he was a Democrat. To Mr. and Mrs. Dunsmore have been born five children, namely: Fanny is the wife of M. W. Newkirk, an attorney at Central Lake, this state; Joseph A. is a far- mer and lumberman and married Anna Ogletree; James H. resides in the Adiron- dack mountains; Thomas L., who is em- ployed as a millwright at Fall City, Oregon, married Miss Merle Hutton, who was for- merly a school teacher; Charles A. is still at home and operates the home farm.

Mr. Dunsmore is a public spirited and progressive citizen, deeply interested in the welfare of the community and contributes liberally to its educational and moral ad- vancement. His business efforts have been crowned with a degree of success richly merited and now he is properly deserving mention among the prominent men of Echo township.

EDWARD J. HEBDEN.

It is always pleasant and profitable to contemplate the career of a man who has made a success of life and won the honor and respect of his fellow citizens. Such is the record of the well-known farmer whose name heads this sketch, than whom a more whole-souled or popular man it would be difficult to find within the limits of the town- ship where he has his home.

Edward J. Hebden, who is an enterpris- ing and successful farmer in Echo township, Antrim county, his postoffice being Central · Lake, is a native of this county, having been born on section 32, Echo township. He is the son of Edward and Elizabeth C. (Marsh) Hebden, the former having been

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born in England in 1834 and who came to this country when a young man. He first located in St. Clair county, Michigan, where he ran a butcher shop, remaining in that locality until 1869, at which time he secured a homestead claim of eighty acres which he cleared and improved and culti- vated and lived on until his death, though during the latter years of his life the place was managed by his son, the subject. He occupied a prominent place in public af- fairs, having filled the office of county sur- veyor for eighteen years and following the pursuit of civil engineering during the greater part of his residence in America. He also held the office of supervisor, justice of the peace and a member of the school board. A staunch Republican in politics, he took an active interest in the success of his party and took an influential part in forwarding public affairs in the community in which he lived. It is stated that during his early life here it was necessary for him to walk four- teen miles and return with family provisions, and that he had to cut his way for seven miles through the dense forests to reach the location of his future home. He was suc- cessful in business affairs and at the time of his death he was the owner of two hundred and forty acres of valuable land.

Edward J. Hebden received his educa- tion in the district schools of Antrim county and was early inured to the toil and labor incident to an agricultural life, and upon at- taining his maturity he assumed manage- ment of his fine farm and made agriculture his life work, abundantly proving his capa- bility in this line of work. One hundred and sixty acres of his farm are in a high state of cultivation and yielding abundant returns for the labor bestowed upon them.

Four or five acres are devoted to potatoes and twenty to twenty-five acres to peas, which Mr. Hepden has found to be a profit- able crop. He also gives some attention to stock raising, having some fine Poland China and Berkshire hogs and Durham cattle.

Mr. Hepden was married in 1895 to Miss Jessie Hennings, daughter of John and Isabel Hennings, natives of Canada who came to the states in about 1872, locating on a farm in section 20, Echo township, An- trim county. To the subject and his wife have been born four children, Edward J., William E., Christopher E. and Canzada E. In politics Mr. Hepden is a staunch Re- publican and has taken a prominent part in local politics, participating in the councils of the party leaders and doing much to ad- vance its interests in this locality. He has never been ambitious for office holding, being content to devote his attention to his private affairs. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of the Free and Accepted Masons, be- longing to Lodge No. 398, at Bellaire. His support has ever been given to all measures for the public good and at the same time, by judicious management and enterprise, he has won a handsome competence and is now considered one of the substantial and pro- gressive citizens of Echo township.

ROBINSON SWIFT.

If one desires to gain a vivid realization of the rapid advance in civilization which the last few decades have wrought, he can listen to the stories that men who are still living among us can tell of their early experiences when the country was new and social con-

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ditions in this part of the Wolverine state were in their formative period. Antrim county is now the abiding place of a number of old settlers who, having spent the vigor and strength of their manhood in carving from the wilderness homes for themselves and their posterity, are now in the evening of life, when the shadows are growing dim and the past gradually receding from view. spending their declining years in rest and quiet, surrounded by neighbors and friends who honor and revere them for the good work they did in laying broad and deep the foundation upon which the community's prosperity has been builded. Conspicuous among these silver-haired veterans of a period long past is the venerable and highly respected citizen, now living a life of honor- able retirement, to a brief review of whose career the following lines are devoted.

Robinson Swift is a native of the old Empire state, having been born at Genesee, Livingston county, New York, on June 9, 1827, a descendant from Revolutionary an- cestors, his native homestead having at one time been the home of General Wadsworth, famous in Revolutionary war annals. The subject is the son of Levi and Mary (White) Swift, the former born in Menden, Massa- chusetts, and the latter at Entrim, in the state of New Hampshire. After their mar- riage they removed to New York state and made their home near Buffalo, where they lived the remainder of their lives. They were farming people in the Genesee valley and Mr. Swift acquired considerable promi- nence as a leading and influential citizen. He was a soldier in the American struggle for independence, having fought at the bat- tle of Bunker Hill. He was the father of six children, of whom two survive, their

names in order of birth being Lewis, Betsey, Berthana, Adeline, Althea and Robinson. Robinson Swift attended the common schools, which in his day and locality were primitive indeed, in both equipment and studies ; nevertheless he acquired a fair edu- cation, which has been supplemented by sub- sequent keen observation of men and events. Upon attaining mature years, he entered upon farming as a life vocation, which he followed until advancing years and conse- quent infirmities compelled him to retire from active life. He, in connection with his son Sidney, is the owner of eighty-six acres of land, thirty of which are under the plow and in a high state of cultivation, all the products usual to a farm in this locality being raised thereon. He came to Antrim county in 1877 and has won for himself an enviable position among his fellow citizens. He has seen this section of Michigan develop from a comparative .wilderness to a condition of an enlightened prosperity and is now able to rest in ease after many years of faithful labor. In politics he was first a Whig, but upon the formation of the Republican party, transferred his allegiance to the same and has since been a consistent and faithful worker in his party. He has taken keen in- terest in public issues of the hour and votes intelligently upon all questions of vital in- terest. The only public office he ever held was that of pathmaster, but he has done much in other ways to advance, materially, inorally and educationally, the interests of his community. His religious creed is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has long been a faithful and consistent member.

On February 18, 1846, Mr. Swift mar- ried Miss Laura Hunting, daughter of

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Sidney F. and Sallie (Bailey) Hunting, natives of Massachusetts, she having been born at Gates, Monroe county, New York, March 28, 1826. Mr. and Mrs. Swift have become the parents of nine children, brief mention of whom is as follows: Wilbert, a farmer, married Miss Emma Parks, both being now deceased; Loretta is the wife of James Wadsworth, and they make their home in Oregon; Arvilla is deceased; La- Grand is deceased; Nellie is the wife of John Montgomery, whose sketch appears else- where in this volume: Newton is a lumber- man and married Miss Ida Jackson; Flor- ence is the wife of Alfred Geary, a farmer in Charlevoix county ; Gertrude is the wife of Willard Cuttler, a farmer and lumberman in Oregon; Sidney remains under the par- ental roof and is operating the home farm.

Few citizens of Antrim county are more widely known or more highly respected than the honored subject of this sketch. He has been successful in business; respected in so- cial life, and as a neighbor discharges his duties in a manner becoming a liberal mind and intelligent citizen of the state, where so- cial qualities and liberality are recognized and prized at their true worth. His career has been that of a faithful and zealous man, a kind husband and a devoted father and as a citizen in whom all repose the most re- spected confidence and trust.

A. S. CRANDALL.

The history of the Wolverine state is not an ancient one. It is the record of the steady growth of a community planted in the wilderness in the last century and reach-

ing its magnitude of today without other aids than those of industry. Each country has its share in the story, and every county can claim to some incident or transaction which goes to make up the history of the commonwealth. After all, the history of a state is but a record of the doings of its peo- ple, among whom the pioneers and the sturdy descendants occupy places of no sec- ondary importance. The story of the plain, common people who constitute the moral bone and sinew of the state should ever at- tract the attention and prove of interest to all true lovers of their kind. In the life story of the subject of this sketch there are no striking chapters or startling incidents, but it is merely the record of a life true to its highest ideals and fraught with much that should stimulate the youth just starting in the world as an independent factor.

A. S. Crandall was born in New York state on the 18th of June, 1842, and is the son of Cordial and Charlotte (Cuttler) Crandall. The father was born in Tolland. Connecticut, in 1809, while his wife was born in Marshall, New York, in 1811. Cor- dial Crandall was a farmer and after the birth of the subject came to Indiana, locat- ing in Steuben county, where he lived about ten years, when the family returned to New York state. Subsequently they again moved to Indiana, but after four years' residence in that state they came to Antrim county, Michigan, in 1894, and the father and sons together acquired one hundred and sixty acres of land, which they have since con- tinued to operate.

A. S. Crandall received his education in the common schools of New York and Indi- ana and since attaining his maturity has fol- lowed the pursuit of agriculture, making

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that his life work and meeting with marked success in this line. He has confined his at- tention strictly to the pursuit of which he deemed himself the best adapted,and the wis- dom of his course has been abundantly proven by the splendid results which have attended his efforts. The land was in a comparatively undeveloped condition when acquired and much hard work was neces- sary to bring it to a tillable condition, but today few farmers in Antrim county have developed farms to a higher standing of working efficiency, and the place yields splendid harvests in return for the labor be- stowed upon it. Mr. Crandall confines him- self to a general line of products, though he gives some special attention to watermelons, peas and potatoes. On the place are a splen- did residence, commodious barns, and other outbuildings necessary to the care of stock and farm products, and in all details of the farm management Mr. Crandall is exercis- ing wise judgment and keen discrimination. In politics he has always been a consistent Republican and has been able at all times to give reasons for the faith that is within him. He has had no ambition to hold public office, though at the solicitation of his fellow citi- zens he was for some time a member of the school board of his township. He is alive to the best interests of his community and has nobly performed his part as a public spirited citizen. In 1872 Mr. Crandall was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Tuttle, a daughter of Ansle and Siney (McIntire) Tuttle, natives of Massachusetts and farm- ing people. To Mr. and Mrs. Crandall have been born three children, namely: Minnie, wife of Thomas Williams, of Utica, New York; Fred, who still remains under the par- ental roof and assists in the duties of the home place, married Miss Anna Powell;

Bert, a farmer, who married Miss Ella Fry. That Mr. Crandall's career has been a successful one since coming to Michigan is acknowledged by all his neighbors and friends. He has acquired his present means simply as the result of the exercising of such qualities as industry, thrift, good manage- ment and particular knowledge of the details for farming.

LYMAN BEARSS.

The history of a county or state, as well as that of a nation, is chiefly a chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have con- ferred honor and dignity upon society. The world judges the character of a community by those of its representative citizens and yields its tributes of admiration and respect to those whose actions constitute the record of a state's prosperity and pride. Among the prominent citizens of Antrim county who are well known because of the part they have taken in public affairs is Lyman Bearss, whose name appears at the head of this sketch. Mr. Bearss is a native of the do- minion of Canada, where he was born May 29, 1839. He is the son of Ephraim and Elizabeth (Beach) Bearss, the father a na- tive of Pennsylvania and the mother of Canada, the subject's paternal ancestors being of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. Ephraim Bearss was a farmer by occupa- tion and spent nearly his entire life in Canada, though shortly before his death moved to St. Clair county, Michigan, where he died. He was a Republican in politics and took an active part in the workings of his party. Religiously he was affiliated with the Baptist church. He was the father of

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eight children, Nelson (deceased), Ephraim (deceased), Susanna, Lyman, James and George and two who died in infancy.

Lyman Bearss did not have the ad- vantages of an education and upon attaining his maturity he adopted agriculture as his life's work and at the same time decided that the United States offered better op- portunities for advancement than did his native country. He came to Antrim county, Michigan, in 1880, and selected a tract of land in Helena township, Antrim county, which has since been his home. At that time he was compelled to clear land upon which to erect his cabin and then entered upon the greater task of clearing a tract of land for cultivation. He is now the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land, of which ninety-five are under the plow and he is en- gaged in general farming, raising abundant crops of potatoes, peas, hay, oats and also giving considerable attention to fruit. He is also a great horseman, having a fine stock on hand. He has some fine cattle and hogs, the Ohio Improved Chester breed of the lat- ter being his favorite. Mr. Bearss exer- cises a wise discrimination in the manage- ment of his place, giving proper attention to the rotation of crops, etc., and his efforts in this line have been rewarded by abund- ant crops. In 1886 Mr. Bearss erected upon his place one of the handsomest and com- modious residences of the township and has also other improvements, such as a wind mill and large and commodious barns and other well-built outbuildings. In politics Mr. Bearss was formerly a Democrat, but becom- ing convinced that the principles of the Re- publican party were those most conducive to the welfare of the American people, he trans- ferred his allegiance and has since been ac-

tive in the interests of the last named party. He has not held public office, though fre- quently importuned by his fellow citizens to do so. Fraternally he is a member of the Grange and at one time was an active mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, although now not affiliated with that lodge. Religiously he is in harmony with the Methodist Episcopal church and leads a life thoroughly in harmony with his profes- sion. All that he has has been acquired solely by his own efforts, as he did not at the outset have the assistance of capital or influential friends and he deserves a great deal of credit for the present enviable posi- tion to which he has attained.

Mr. Bearss has been twice married, the first time to Miss Mary Butler, daughter of William E. and Mary Butler, to which union were born two children, Rosetta and Ellen, both now deceased. His second marriage was to Miss Emma Johnson, daughter of Ambrose and Lucy Johnson, natives of New York state, where the father was a shoe- maker. To the subject's last union have been born three children: Ida, the wife of Warren Dewey, farmer and stock raiser; Mary, wife of Chauncey Bearss, a farmer in St. Claire county, Michigan ; Julia, de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bearss adopted two children, Frank and Clarence, to whom they have given the same careful attention that has been provided the other children. All of these children have been given good edu- cations and have attained respectable posi- tions in life, reflecting credit upon their par- ents. Mr. Bearss is a thrifty man, honest and upright in all his dealings, and is num- bered among the most intelligent and pro- gressive men of the township in which he is an honored resident. A man of earnest con-

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Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 13

Author: Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 966

Author:
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 966