Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 19

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

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In 1855 he went to Illinois, took up a pre-emption west of Loda, and returned to Lancaster, having meanwhile voted for John C. Fremont for president. His eyes, never very strong, had shown signs of weakness on the prairies. He went into business in the old store of his father, with him and an- other man as partners. It was not long be- fore his eyes gave out, and after a time he was compelled to give up business and sell out. He had for years no thought of again engaging in the merchandise business.

In 1863 he married Miss Elizabeth A. Crandall, daughter of David S. Crandall, of Paxton, Illinois, and after various ex- periences, went in 1870 to northern Wis- consin, where he entered some land and for three winters worked at the business of scal- ing pine logs. Of these he at first knew nothing, but during his last winter at the business he was the only scaler on the river who scaled for all the companies at so much per thousand feet, or who had ever been so employed.

In the spring of 1873 one of the large mill companies, Holt & Balcom, for whom he had done much work at scaling logs, of-

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fered him a position in their store as head clerk. He accepted, and remained with this firm six years. In the fall of 1878 he visited the Grand Traverse country, at that time little more than a wilderness, in order, if possible, to find a climate somewhat milder than that of northern Wisconsin. He passed up and down the lakes, and visited, among other places, the spot where now stands the village of Bellaire. The town was at that time represented by a one-sided shanty and a puncheon bridge. After looking about he bought some land at Central Lake, then a little hamlet of half a dozen houses. In the spring of 1879 he went there with his family and thereafter made the place his home.

At first, with another man, he embarked in merchandise and lumbering, but soon bought out his partner, dropped the lumber- ing, and continued in merchandise alone. His career since that time is fairly well known. All goods were then hauled in by teams, and as East Jordan and Bellaire be- gan to grow the business at Central Lake was materially lessened. He was often urged to remove his business to one or the other of these places, but steadily declined, and for years went through what were pretty hard times. He gave money and effort toward building the Chicago & West Michigan Railway, and had at length the satisfaction of seeing Central Lake begin to grow. His son, George Lee Thurston, has long been associated with him in the busi- ness and is now its principal manager. For many years the firm has been known as Thurston & Company.

Mr. Thurston had naturally no taste or aptitude for mercantile pursuits, his prefer- ences being literary and scientific.

course was determined by circumstances, and if this sketch contains a lesson for the rising generation, it may perhaps be that any handi- cap, however great, may be often overcome by determination, and that no advantages, however great, can compensate the want of honesty, integrity and application.

EDWARD DERENZY.

It is no doubt true that Ireland, of all countries of the world, has sent more emi- grants in proportion to population to the United States than any other country, and the reason is well known. For a hundred years the Emerald Isle has been denied many valuable rights and privileges by Great Britain, and the pride and honor of the peo- ple were ground into the dust. They could avoid all this only by leaving the island, much as they loved it, and accordingly thousands of them, as the years rolled round, have crossed the wide ocean to find a home of greater freedom in America. They be- gan to come in large numbers soon after the Revolution and have continued to come until the present time. In every state they settled and built up comfortable homes. They were among our first teachers and business men, and today they occupy many of the proudest positions within the gift of the inhabitants.

The subject of this sketch, Edward Der- enzy, is a native of the land of the shamrock, having been born in Ireland in 1840. His par- ents were Cain and Eliza (Ralph) Derenzy, who came to this country in an early day, landed in New York state and later moved His to Canada. The father died there, while his

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widow died some years later in Michigan, while making her home with the subject. Edward Derency is indebted to the com- mon schools for his education, which has been liberally supplemented by subsequent reading and observation. He came to Michi- gan in 1874 and first undertook the task of clearing eighty acres of land in Echo town- ship, this county, which he entered from the government. In 1894 he disposed of this land and moved to Kearney township and obtained possession of land on which he now resides. It comprises forty acres and is nearly all under the plow and produces abundant crops in return for the labor be- stowed upon it. Mr. Derenzy gives his at- tention to no particular line of agriculture, but raises all the products common to farms in this locality. He raises some fine fruit and potatoes especially, and has found this pursuit a profitable vocation, the well tilled fields and carefully kept fences and buildings indicating the painstaking and discriminat- ing farmer that he is. Mr. Derenzy has all his life been a hard working man and all of his property has been acquired solely by his own efforts. He states that the first eighty acres of land that he cleared was done by his own main strength, certainly a re- markable accomplishment.

Mr. Derenzy was united in marriage to Miss Madora Scott and they are the parents of the following children : Thomas, William, Jane, Lizzie, Ann and Etta. In politics Mr. Derenzy gives a staunch support to the Re- publican party and, though he has not aspired to public office, yet he takes an active part in his party's campaigns and at all times makes it a point to cast a respectable ballot. Few men in his locality are accorded a higher esteem than he.

ANDREW J. DRAKE.

This prominent and influential citizen of Central Lake and a veteran of one of the greatest wars in the world's history, was born near Henrietta, Genesee county, New York, on July 4, 1836. After remaining with his parents until his sixteenth year and laying the foundation of his education in the public schools, he severed home ties and started out to make his own fortune, as a tiller of the soil, which calling he followed for some years in the county of Morgan, whither the family had moved when he was in his childhood. At the age of twenty- three years Mr. Drake took to himself a wife and helpmeet in the person of Miss Sarah E. Herrington, who was born and reared in Henrietta, and immediately thereafter moved to Genesee county, New York, where he devoted his attention to the pursuit of ag- riculture, until the national sky began to be darkened by the ominous clouds of approach- ing civil war. With the patriotic impulse that animated the majority of loyal young men throughout the North, he conceived it to be his duty to tender his services to the government in its time of need; accordingly, in December, 1862, he exchanged the im- plements of husbandry for the death-dealing instruments of battle, enlisting on the 11th day of that month and year in Company Eight, New York Heavy Artillery. The command went to the front eighteen hun- dred strong, but perhaps suffered greater losses during the war than any other com- mand in the same branch of service. Mr. Drake served with an honorable record from the time of his enlistment until the down- fall of the rebellion, during which time he participated in many of the noted cam-

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paigns and bloody battles in which the Army of the Potomac was engaged, sharing with his comrades the fortunes, vicissitudes and dangers of war in all the term implies. After assisting in the defense of Baltimore and performing various other kinds of service until the spring of 1864, Mr. Drake's regi- ment, which in the meantime had been changed to infantry, was assigned to duty in the movement against Richmond and the first important engagement in which it took part was the battle of the Wilderness, where it suffered severely in killed and wounded. Following this it was at the front in the bat- tles of Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, South Ann, North Ann, Petersburg and other heavy fighting preceding the fall of the Con- federate capitol and the surrender of Lee. The brigade of which the Eighth New York formed a part entered the battle of Cold Harbor with twenty-one hundred men, six hundred and eighty-two of whom fell on that bloody field, and in June, 1864, only one hundred and sixteen guns were stacked out of the original number which the com- mand was armed. In a charge at Peters- burg Mr. Drake was struck in the left foot by a musket ball which inflicted a very pain- ful wound and it was several months before he recovered sufficiently to rejoin his com- mand. In July, 1865, he was honorably discharged from the service and, returning home immediately thereafter, again resumed the peaceful pursuits of civil life.

Shortly after the war Mr. Drake decided to go south, but while enroute to that part of the country he met on a boat certain par- ties bound for northern Michigan, who per- suaded him to stop awhile with them after they had reached their destination. Being pleased with the country and satisfied that

it held out many favorable advantages to a man desirous of establishing a home and providing comfortably for his family, he concluded after mature deliberations to make it his permanent place of abode; accord- ingly he located a tract of land near the head of Torch lake, about one mile east of East- port and five miles northwest of what is now Central Lake, and at once proceeded with the work of its improvement. After clear- ing and reducing a number of acres to culti- vation and living on the place for several years, he became cognizant of the unwel- come fact that he had settled on railroad land instead of the government domain : consequently there remained but one of two things to do in the dilemma, either move to other parts or pay the railway company's regulation price of ten dollars per acre and thus save his labor and improvements. Chosing the latter alternative, Mr. Drake labored diligently until he freed his farm from all incumbrances, and he continued to live on the same from the fall of 1865 until the latter part of 1892, a pariod of twenty- seven years, during which time he became one of the leading agriculturists of the com- munity, prospered in all of his undertakings and by diligence and good business manage- ment succeeded in placing himself in in- dependent circumstances. Disposing of his farm in 1892, Mr. Drake moved to Central Lake, where he has since resided, owning a beautiful and attractive home in the town and being otherwise well situated to enjoy the fruits of his many years of labor and frugality. In connection with agricultural pursuits, he spent many years as local agent of the McCormack Manufacturing Com- pany, during which he sold an immense amount of farm machinery throughout

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Kalkaska and adjoining counties, besides shipping large numbers of implements to distant points. Since taking up his residence in Central Lake he has devoted his attention largely to this line of business and now com- mands an extensive and lucrative patron- age, being at this time not only the oldest agent of the company in the county, but in the northern part of the state, also one of the most energetic and successful salesmen in its employ.

Mr. Drake belongs to James A. Saxton Post, Grand Army of the Republic, in which he now holds the title of post com- mander, and he has taken an active part in its deliberations ever since admitted to mem- bership. He manifests a lively interest in the old soldiers, especially the surviving com- rades who shared with him the trying period which tested the permanency of the national government, and has attended a number of regimental reunions, the last of which was at Buffalo, New York, where he enjoyed the pleasure of meeting about fifty members of his regiment, six of whom belonged to his own company. In politics Mr. Drake is a zealous Republican and his interest in the party and valuable service in its behalf have led to his being chosen a delegate to nearly every local and district convention within the last thirty or thirty-five years. He was one of the original thirteen voters through whose efforts the organization of Central Lake was brought about and from time to time he has held nearly every public office in that jurisdiction. All laudable enter- prises have had his encouragement and sup- port, few men have done as much as he to promote the material growth and develop- ment of this part of the county and it is a fact worthy of note that his influence at all

times has been on the side of right when morals, good government and strict enforce- ment of the law were issues. Personally, Mr. Drake is highly esteemed and his friends among all classes and conditions of his fellow citizens are many. His character has ever been above criticism, his integrity admits of no doubt and his many excellent qualities of head and heart have won him deserved popularity in the community where he has lived so long and to such good pur- poses. To Mr. and Mrs. Drake two chil- dren have been born: Imogene, wife of A. E. Gage, of Central Lake, and Delbert J., who married Anna Emmons and who also resides at the above place. In addition to their own offspring Mr. and Mrs. Drake some years ago opened their hearts and home to Charles L. Hart, the son of one of the latter's relatives, whom they have reared and cared for from early childhood to the present time, being now eighteen years of age. By reason of a painful accident caused by the explosion of a gun, this young man carries a badly crippled hand, in consequence of which his foster parents are giving him the best educational advantages obtainable to the end that he may fit himself for a use- ful and honorable career.

AUGUST LUDWIG.

It is altogether fitting that in this work be entered a memoir to the honored pioneer and worthy citizen whose name initiates this paragraph, and who died at his home in Custer township, Antrim county, on the 7th of March, 1899, in the fulness of years and well earned honors.

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August Ludwig was born in Prussia, Germany, in the year 1836, and was a son of Martin and Corothea Ludwig, who immi- grated to the United States when he was a youth, coming direct to Michigan and set- tling in Washtenaw county, as pioneers of this great commonwealth, and here they passed the remainder of their long and useful lives, being worthy representatives of that valuable contingent which the great empire of Germany has contributed to the Amer- ican republic. Our subject remained with his parents until he had attained maturity, and his active career was ever identified with the great fundamental art of agriculture, in connection with which he attained suc- cess and prosperity, laboring assiduously and continuously and finding his reward in the prosperity which attended his efforts and in the esteem accorded him by his fellow men. He was engaged in farming in Wash- tenaw county at the time of the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion, when he signalized his loyalty to his adopted land by going forth in defense of the Union, having en- listed as a private in Company H, Twentieth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, with which he remained in active service until the close of the war, having taken part in many im- portant and sanguinary engagements and having received an honorable discharge after victory had crowned the Union arms.

Mr. Ludwig continued to be engaged in farming in the southern part of the state until 1874, when he came as a pioneer to Antrim county, having been numbered among the earliest permanent settlers in Cus- ter township, where he took up wild land, which he reclaimed and put under most ef- fective cultivation, so that he received goodly returns for the labors and care expended.

At the time of his death he was the owner of a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres, of which eighty acres are under cultivation, the old homestead being still in the possession of his family. He was a man of indefatigable energy and much business and executive ability, while his life was one unblemished by shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, so that he held a secure place in the esteem and confidence of all who knew him, while his well balanced per- sonality and undoubted strength of character made him a valuable and influential factor in the civic affairs of his section. In politics he gave an unqualified allegiance to the Re- publican party; fraternally was identified with the post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Mancelona, and also with the Masonic lodge in that place, while he was a German Lutheran in his religious faith, his widow being likewise a devoted member of that church.

In 1867 Mr. Ludwig was united in mar- riage to Miss Augusta Grayer, who was born in Germany and who was a child at the time of her parents' immigration to America. She is a daughter of John and Minnie (Puncy) Grayer, who came to America one year later than did the parents of our sub- ject, the family likewise locating in Wash- tenaw county, Michigan, near the city of Ann Arbor, where Mrs. Ludwig was reared to maturity and where her marriage was solemnized. Upon coming to Antrim county Mr. Ludwig and his family took up their abode in a primitive log cabin, which he had erected on his place, and with the development of the country his success in- creased and he became one of the most sub- stantial farmers of his township, while the . improvements on his homestead include an

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attractive and commodious modern house. Concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig we incorporate the following brief record: Emma is the wife of Carl War- drop, who is a lumberman, residing in Charlevoix, this state; Archibald, who mar- ried Anna Yunker, is a successful farmer of Custer township; Martin, who married Olive Gordon, is likewise a prominent farmer of this township; Minnie is the wife of William Hosmer, a successful contractor and lumberman of Bellaire, this county, and Frederick, who married Miss Maude Jack- son, resides upon and has charge of the old homestead farm.

FRANCIS E. SISSONS.

Francis E. Sissons, senior member of the grocery firm of F. E. Sissons & Com- pany, of Central Lake, Antrim county, was born in Kent county, Ontario, December 26, 1866. being the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Ogletree) Sissons, both natives of Canada but now living in Antrim county, Michigan. Henry Sissons remained in the county of his birth until 1868, in May of which year he moved his family to Antrim county, Michigan. Henry Sissons remained in the country of his birth until 1868, in May of which year he moved his family to Antrim county, Michigan, and located two and a half miles north of Central Lake where he took up a homestead and engaged in farming. While clearing his place he devoted con- siderable time to masonry work, which trade he had previously learned, and in this way added very materially to his income, becom- ing within a few years one of the well-to-do

men of the community. After reducing to cultivation about sixty acres of his land and living on the same for a period of fourteen years, he discontinued the pursuit of agri- culture and engaged in the general store business at Central Lake where he has since made his home. After seventeen consecu- tive years of successful merchandising he disposed of his establishment and since about 1898 he has been enjoying the fruits of his labors in a life of honorable retirement, being at this time one of the oldest business men of the town as well as one of its most enterprising and highly esteemed citizens.

F. E. Sissons was not quite three years old when his parents moved to Michigan and his life has practically been spent within the geographical limits of Antrim county. He was reared on the homestead until his thirteenth year, attended the public schools at intervals and in 1879 came to Central Lake and entered his father's store, where in due time he obtained a thorough business training, a training which subsequently en- abled him to embark in commercial life with the most encouraging success.

Mr. Sissons remained with his father about five years, during which time he took pains to familiarize himself with every de- tail of merchandising with the object in view of engaging in business upon his own responsibility when a favorable opportunity presented itself. At the expiration of the period noted he purchased a grocery store. which the proprietor had allowed to run down, and, replenishing the same with a large and carefully selected stock of high grade goods, he was not long in gaining the confidence of the public and winning the patronage to which fair and honorable deal- ing is entitled. The business is conducted

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under the firm name of F. E. Sissons & the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Company, the junior member of the firm being Mrs. Emma Sissons, the subject's wife. The history of Mr. Sisson's independ- ent mercantile career dates from January 15, 1901, the day on which he took possession of his present establishment and since that time the business has steadily grown in magnitude and importance until his house is now the largest of the kind in the town, being, as already stated, stocked with every- thing in the grocery line demanded by the trade, while his patronage compares favor- ably with that of any similar establishment in the county of Antrim.

Mrs. Sissons is a lady of fine business ability, and to her uniform courtesy and kindness is due no small share of the success which has characterized the store since it passed into the hands of the present manage- ment. In all of his transactions Mr. Sissons has shown himself to be a man of discreet judgment, scrupulous integrity and gentle- manly demeanor, to which and other admir- able qualities he attributes his advancement to the honorable position in business circles he now occupies. Prompt, methodical, not given to haste and uncertain speculation, but satisfied with the gradual but sure gains re- sulting from legitimate trade, his progress has been substantial and his enterprise of the kind that encourages others while ad- vancing his own interests. Mr. Sissons is not a politician, yet holds strong convictions as to true political duties, also to those moral questions which more or less enter into politics. He votes the Republican ticket, but persistently refuses to be drawn into party affairs, being first of all a business man and making everything else subordinate thereto. His fraternal relations are represented by

being an active member of the lodge at Central Lake, in which he has held various official positions. Mrs. Sissons is also a worker in the same order, belonging to the Rebekah degree, where her abilities have been utilized in stations of honor and trust. Mrs. Sissons, formerly Miss Emma Martin, was born in Wayne county, Michigan, and at the age of twelve years was brought to Traverse City, Michigan, by her mother, Mrs. M. J. Martin, her father, Charles Mar- tin, who was a soldier in the United States army from 1861 to 1865 in Company G. Twenty-fourth Michigan Volunteer In- fantry, dying when she was eleven years old. Her marriage was with the subject, which Ivas solemnized on April 3. 1894, has been blessed with one child, Amy E., who is now pursuing her studies in the Central Lake public schools.

F. G. GOLDSTICK.

Among the native sons of the fatherland who have emigrated to the United States and acquired a competence and attained a conspicuous place among the citizens of this section of Michigan is he whose name ap- pears above. He was born at Courtland, Germany, in 1867, and is the son of Joseph . and Sadie Goldstick. The father was en- gaged in the mercantile business in his na- tive place and died there. The subject was given the advantage of a good common- school education in his native land and at the age of eighteen years, becoming con- vinced that the United States offered better opportunities for advancement than did the

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old world, he emigrated to the United States, coming at once to Michigan and settling at Wolverine, where he canvassed from house to house with a line of mercantile goods. He then went to Vanderbilt, this state, where he was likewise engaged in merchandising. At the end of that time he bought out his employer and conducted a store on his own account. In 1892 he came to Bellaire, where he has since been engaged in his pres- ent business. His stock consists of dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, gents' furnishings, notions, etc., and since assum- ing charge of the store he has built up a very gratifying trade, numbering his cus- tomers among the leading citizens over a large area of the surrounding country. His habits have been those which have com- mended him to the notice of the best class of people and he now commands a trade which is representative and constantly expanding.

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Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 19

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