USA > Michigan > Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens > Part 28
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served as president and secretary of the local legion at Central Lake. Mrs. Sisley is sec- retary of this society at the present time and has done much to increase its membership and to add to the wholesome influence which it now exerts in the community.
Richard T. Sisley was born at Tun- bridge, England, thirty-one miles from the city of London and five miles from Tun- bridge Wells, June 22, 1848. At the age of ten years he lost his father and when a youth of fourteen came to the United States, an older brother having preceded him to this country four years before and settled at Marshall, Michigan, to which city young Richard proceeded immediately after land- ing. Later the mother and five other chil- dren were induced to leave the old country and cast their fortunes in America, and from the time of their arrival until the sub- ject was twenty-two years of age the family lived on a nice little place near the city of Battle Creek, Michigan.
Mr. Sisley's early education was some- what limited, but after coming to this coun- try he pursued his studies for some months in a private school at Battle Creek, Michi- gan, attending the morning and evening ses- sions. While under the tutelage of Pro- fessor Bell, principal of the school and a most excellent teacher, he became animated by a desire for still higher intellectual train- ing ; accordingly, he afterwards entered the Battle Creek College, which he attended until finishing what is known as the elective course, when he turned his attention to teaching in Antrim county, taking charge of the school at Central Lake, which he taught from 1877 until 1880 inclusive, and later was similarly engaged for some time on Eagle River in the upper peninsula. After
he commenced teaching, Mr. Sisley attended for a year the Michigan State Normal School at Ypsilanti. He taught continu- ously and with encouraging success until platting his addition to Central Lake, since which time he has devoted his attention to the selling of lots and farming, besides tak- ing an active interest in the public affairs of the town.
Mr. Sisley was one of the leading spirits in bringing about the incorporation of Cen- tral Lake and during the ensuing two years served as a member of the town board of trustees. At this time he is a leading mem- ber of the Protective Legion, also an in- fluential worker in the local lodge, Knights of the Maccabees, and for some years past has been one of the most earnest and effect- ive advocates of temperance in this section of the state. Mr. Sisley is a gentleman of refined and scholarly tastes, a great reader, and his acquaintance with the world's best literature is both extensive and profound.
VAUGHAN BROTHERS.
In the enlisting of men of notable ability. enterprise and integrity in the furthering of its industrial, commercial and general busi- ness activities, is mainly due the precedence and prosperity enjoyed by Antrim county, and the firm whose name initiates this para- graph is recognized as one of the represent- ative ones of the county, being engaged in the drug, book and stationery business in the thriving village of Central Lake. The interested principals are William E. and John Vaughan, the latter of whom has per- sonal charge of the business.
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The firm of Vaughan Brothers was formed in 1894 and established the present enterprise, but the personnel of the firm was at that time composed of Hugh L. and Wil- liam E. Vaughan, the former of whom retir- ed in 1901, being succeeded by his brother John, who is held in high regard as one of the reliable and progressive young business men of the town. He is a registered pharmacist. having completed his literary and technical education in the Ohio Normal University, at Ada, while he had secured four years of practical experience prior to becoming a member of the present firm. Hugh L. is now identified with the same line of enter- prise in Bellaire, the county seat, while for the past fourteen years William E. has been in the employ of the Antrim Iron Company, having commenced at the foot and having advanced step by step up the ladder until he is now manager of the company's large gen- eral store at Mancelona. In his political al- legiance John Vaughan is stanchly arrayed with the Republican party and fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias. He has not yet joined the ranks of the Bene- dicts.
GEORGE W. THOMAS.
This prominent business man and in- fluential citizen, to whom the thriving town of Central Lake is indebted for much of its prosperity. is a native of Ontario and dates his birth from August 1, 1841. When a child he was taken to Sanilac, Michigan, thirty-two miles north of Port Huron on Lake Huron, which place he made his home until attaining his majority, the meantime learning the tailor's trade, also becoming
quite skilled as a shoemaker. After follow- ing these two callings for some time, he turned his attention to farming in the east- ern part of Michigan, but three years' ex- perience in the pursuit of agriculture con- vincing him that more money could be made in lumbering, he engaged in the latter busi- ness at the expiration of the time noted, chosing for his location the town of East Tawas, where he also opened a hotel which soon became a favorite resort for the travel- ing public.
Mr. Thomas did a fair business at East Tawas until December, 1870, when he dis- posed of his interests there and purchased a tract of land on the east side of Torch lake, which he at once proceeded to improve, with the object in view of again becoming a tiller of the soil. This land was well timbered and from the sale of the same he realized a handsome profit; while improving his place, he dealt considerably in lumber, but later de- voted his entire attention to agriculture, re- ducing about seventy acres of his land to cultivation and in due time making it one of the most productive and valuable farms in the neighborhood.
After residing ten years on his original purchase he traded it for a saw mill at Cen- tral Lake and engaged in the manufacture of lumber, which business he conducted quite successfully for two months. This was an unfortunate venture, however, and, finan- cially ruined and with nothing left but a small house and lot and about sixty-five dol- lars in money, Mr. Thomas at once began to contrive how he might best get upon his feet and retrieve his broken fortune. With what means he could raise he bought forty acres of wild land a short distance south of the village, going in debt for the greater part of
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the same, and on this he at once began to work, first clearing it of the best timber, which he disposed of at good prices, and later laying off six acres into lots as an ad- dition to Central Lake. As soon as his land was cleared he turned his attention to farm- ing and, having a market almost at his door, experienced no difficulty in disposing of his products at liberal prices, his income from this and other sources soon placing him not only in comfortable circumstances, but upon the highway to prosperity and affluence. His addition to the town being favorably situ- ated for residence purposes, there was a de- mand for the lots as soon as platted, and within a comparatively short time all that were for sale found ready purchasers. Mr. Thomas retained some of the best of the lots and after erecting good buildings thereon placed them on the market, the high order of the improvements giving rise to sharp competition among buyers. In this way he has added greatly to the beauty of Central Lake and to the value of real estate, besides giving the place an excellent reputa- tion abroad and inducing quite a number of substantial citizens to move to the town for the purpose of making it their permanent place of abode.
During the last eighteen years Mr. Thomas has been deeply interested in the welfare of the community in which he re- sides, and few men have done as much as he to give it character and respectability. His business enterprises have been successful and, although one of the financially strong and reliable men of the town, whose opin- ions carry weight and whose ideas command respect, he has not struggled for selfish in- terests alone, but with a progressive spirit as rare as it is admirable, has devoted much of
his time and attention to the public good and assisted to the extent of his ability in inaugurating and carrying to a successful issue all enterprises and measures having for their object the social, intellectual and moral welfare of his fellowmen.
In addition to his career in civic life, which, as already seen, presents a series of advancements such as few achieve, Mr. Thomas has a military record of which he feels deservedly proud, having been one of the brave boys who, amid the gathering storms of civil war, left the comforts of home and domestic life to battle for the per- petuity of the union as the fathers of the republic found it. In the year 1861, shortly after the beginning of hostilities, he enlisted in the Tenth Michigan Infantry, with which he served for a period of thirteen months, and later re-enlisted in the First United States Cavalry, which bore a gallant part in many of the noted campaigns and bloody battles which made the old state of Virginia a historic ground. While with his first com- mand he was wounded at the battle of Cor- inth and subsequently as a cavalryman was pierced by a rebel bullet in the action at Manassas Gap, Virginia, from both of which injuries he was long a sufferer, and as a par- tial recompense for which and other wounds he is now the recipient of a liberal pension from the government. In the engagement at Manassas Gap Mr. Thomas fell into the hands of the enemy, but, being missed by his comrades, search was at once instituted and ere his captors could take him to the rear he was secured and returned in triumph to the ranks. The military record of Mr. Thomas is without a spot or stain; his dis- charge shows him to have been as honorable as he was brave and the several wounds re-
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ceived while in the line of duty bear elo- quent testimony to the suffering endured and the sacrifices made in defending the honor of the country he loved so well and for the maintenance of which he gave the best part of his life.
Mr. Thomas was married at Port Sani- lac. Michigan, April 10, 1866, to Miss Eliza A. Allen, a native of Port Huron, this state, the union resulting in the birth of eight chil- dren, namely: George A., of Torch Lake; Carrie E., now Mrs. William Preble, of East Jordan, Michigan; William F., who man- ages the home farm; Florence, wife of Ansen Schoolcraft. of Bellaire; Jerry R., Mary A., who married Robert Harper, of Bellaire: Warren H. lives with his parents, and Howard Vernon, who died in infancy.
Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are members of the Reorganized church of Lat- ter Day Saints. The Reorganized branch was inaugurated a number of years ago by Joseph Smith, a son of the original founder of the church of Latter Day Saints, and at this time has societies, congregations and educational institutions in several states and territories wherever known; these people are distinguished for a high order of integrity and morals as well as for progress spiritu- ally. Mr. Thomas is the leader of the local branch of this church at Central Lake, being president and general director of the same and a teacher in the congregation.
ROBERT E. L. GIBSON.
Although a young man of comparatively brief record in his profession, Dr. Robert Edward Lee Gibson has already achieved
distinctive prestige in the medical circles of northern Michigan and as a physician and surgeon few of his age and experience have been more actively engaged or met with greater success. The Doctor is of southern birth and first saw the light of day near Birmingham, Alabama, on October 20, 1875. He spent his early life on a farm in his na- tive state and after receiving a rudimentary education in the schools near his home ob- tained a knowledge of the higher branches of learning in an academy, which he entered at the age of fourteen and attended until finishing the prescribed course of study, two years later. Leaving the above institution he took a business course in the Birming- ham Commercial College, upon the com- pletion of which he became bookkeeper for a mercantile house of that city and continued as such for a period of three years, resign- ing the position when a young man of nine- teen. While engaged in the latter capacity young Gibson decided to make the medical profession his life work, as he had long manifested strong predilections for the same, and before severing his connection with his employers he began a course of preliminary reading under the direction of a local physi- cian, devoting to the study all the time he could spare from his regular duties. With a laudable ambition to make a success of his chosen calling as soon as possible, the Doc- tor, in his nineteenth year, resigned the posi- tion which he had so faithfully and satis- factorily filled and entering the Barnes Medi- cal College, at St. Louis, gave himself to close, critical study until 1898, when he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, making an excellent record as a student and standing among the highest in the class of that year.
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The institution in which Doctor Gibson received his professional training is not only one of the leading medical colleges of Mis- souri, but ranks high among the best in the United States, its faculty being composed of men of distinguished professional attain- ments and eminent in their respective spe- cialties, while the high standing of the school is attested by the thoroughness of its course of study, also by the success which has in- variably attended the graduates who have gone forth from its walls.
Dr. Gibson was appointed examining surgeon (citizen) of the First Alabama Regiment in the Spanish-American war, a high honor for one so young, and in Sep- tember, 1898, came to Central Lake, Michi- gan, for the purpose of looking after the practice of Dr. Macgregor, a friend and for- mer classmate in the Barnes Medical Col- lege, during the latter's illness. Upon the re- covery of his friend the two became partners and continued as such for two years, during which time they built up an extensive prac- tice and became widely and favorably known for their success in every branch of the heal- ing art. In 1900, at the expiration of the period noted, the partnership was dissolved by reason of Dr. Macgregor's removal to another place and since May of that year Dr. Gibson has been alone in the practice, his business the meanwhile continuing to grow in magnitude and importance until he now stands among the leading physicians and surgeons of Antrim county, with a reputa- tion that has made his name familiar in many other parts of the state.
As a family physician Dr. Gibson pos- sesses many elements of popularity, being calm and collected in the presence of critical cases and under all circumstances kind and
genial in manner, which, with other equally estimable characteristics, go far towards be- getting confidence on the part of patients and their friends. Thus far his practice has been eminently successful both profession- ally and financially, a comfortable compet- ence being the result of his labors and the esteem of the community coming to him by reason of his close and faithful application to duty. The Doctor is a wide reader, a thinker and an intelligent observer and aims to keep abreast of the times not only in his profession, but in matters of current inter- est, being well informed upon the leading public questions of the day and in touch with the best thought of the age. He came to Central Lake a single man, but since then has changed his domestic relations by tak- ing to himself a wife and helpmeet in the person of Miss Jane (Hebden) Wood, an intelligent and highly respected young lady who was educated in Canada and for several years previous to her marriage taught in the public schools of Central Lake township. Dr. and Mrs. Gibson have a pleasant home, the attractiveness of which has been greatly enhanced by the arrival of a bright little miss by the name of Dorothy.
EPHRAIM KIDDER.
The record of Mr. Kidder is that of a man who by his own unaided efforts worked his way from a modest beginning to a posi- tion of affluence and influence in the busi- ness world. His life has been of unceasing industry and perseverance and the system- atic and honorable methods which he has followed have won him the unbounded con-
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fidence of his fellow citizens of Antrim county.
Ephraim Kidder is a native of the do- minion of Canada, having been born near Ailmer, Pontiac county, in 1851, and is the son of Albert and Julia (Erno) Kidder. Albert Kidder was a native of Vermont, but moved to Canada with his father, Robert Kidder. He was a farmer by occupation and also to some extent followed the lum- bering business. He spent his life in Canada, dying there in 1865, his wife also dying in the dominion. They had a family of four children, three of whom are living. The subject of this sketch received a com- mon-school education in Canada and early in life was inured to the labors incident to a farming life and upon attaining his majority decided to make that pursuit his life work. Believing that in the United States lay wider opportunities for advancement, he came to Michigan in 1870 and at once homesteaded a farm which he today occupies, located in Echo township, Antrim county. He is now the owner of two hundred acres of valuable land, of which seventy are under the plow and on which he raises such crops as are usually secured from the soil in this locality. He has devoted his entire attention to agri- cultural labors and has been rewarded by abundant crops from year to year. When he came to this locality his homestead was far from any settlement and he had the not pleasant labor of carrying household sup- plies on his back for twenty-eight miles. Wild game was abundant and deer, bear and other animals fell victims to his rifle. He has himself cleared the land now under cul- tivation and takes pride in the present aspect of his place. In 1894 he built the present
comfortable and commodious home and in many other ways has made his place one of inviting perspective.
In politics Mr. Kidder is a staunch Re- publican and though taking a keen interest in the success of his party, he has never had any ambition to hold public office, being content with honestly casting his ballot. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to Orange Lodge at Central Lake, and with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows at East Gordon. He is also a member of the Grange and takes a deep interest in all matters af- fecting the farmers.
In 1881 Mr. Kidder was united in mar- riage to Viola R. Bolcer, daughter of Benja- min and Margaret (Williams) Bolcer. Mr. and Mrs. Bolcer were natives of Indiana, raised near Tipton, Tipton county, and were farming people. They emigrated to Michi- gan and settled in this locality. They are the parents of seven children: Arthur, Archice, Bertha, wife of James Meyers, a farmer in Echo township; Oscar, Eva, Har- rison and Violetta M. These children are all being given the advantages of a good common-school education and their parents take much pride in them.
FRANK K. KIDDER.
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
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whole-souled or popular man it would be difficult to find within the limits of the town- ship where he has his home.
Frank K. Kidder is a native of the do- minion of Canada, where he was born in 1852, and is the son of Albert H. and Julia (Erno) Kidder, natives of the Old Domin- ion, who moved to Canada and thereafter made that their subsequent home. The sub- ject's father was a lumberman and farmer and spent the remainder of his days in Canada, dying there in 1865. Of their four children, three are now living.
Frank K. Kidder received a fair educa- tion in the common schools, but his educa- tion did not stop there for by a course of ju- dicious reading and by keen observation of men and events he has become thoroughly well informed on all current topics and is well qualified to perform the duties of life. Mr. Kidder is now the owner of one hun- dred and sixty acres of land located in Echo township, Antrim county, and of this tract eighty-five acres are under the plow. Mr. Kidder does not give his attention to any specialty, but is engaged in raising all the crops common to this latitude. He now raises good crops from his large fields and has the latest improved machinery to aid him in the plowing, planting and harvesting of the crops. His home is a handsome and comfortable residence and his farm is in keeping with the spirit of the times. The buildings are substantial and commodious and all the buildings are kept in good repair, while everything about the place is orderly, indicating that the owner is systematic in his work and practical in everything that he does. He has some fine stock upon his place, consisting mainly of Chester White hogs and Durham cattle. It is noteworthy that Mr. Kidder assisted in laying out all of the
early roads in this township and in many other ways he has taken a prominent part in advancing the county's best interests and been influential in advocating improvements. In politics he is an earnest and uncompromis- ing Republican, but has held no office ex- cepting a service of one year as constable.
In 1881 Mr. Kidder was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Della Bolcer, the daughter of Benjamin and Margaret Bolcer, and to this union there have been born two children, Mary, the wife of Bert Kelly, of New York, and Clarence R., who still remains under the parental roof.
There are no exciting chapters in the life history of Mr. Kidder, his record being simply that of a man who has taken advant- age of the opportunities coming to him, who has labored earnestly through many years and is now the possessor of a handsome com- petence, as a direct result of his labors. His prosperity is certainly well deserved and no records better than his illustrate the force of honesty and diligence in the affairs of life.
ABRAHAM E. FRANK.
Abraham E. Frank was born in the king- com of Bavaria, Germany, on the Ioth of July, 1855, and is a son of S. and Fanny ( Bamberger) Frank, both representative families established in Bavaria for many generations. The father of the subject was there engaged in the raising and handling of live stock, with which line of enterprise he continued to be identified until his death, his wife also passing her entire life there. Of their eleven children all are living except one.
In May, 1867, the subject arrived in the
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city of Detroit, Michigan, having come di- Mr. Frank is a stanch advocate of the prin- rectly from New York upon his arrival from ciples of the Republican party, and while he takes a lively interest in local affairs of a local nature he has never sought the honors or emoluments of office. He is affiliated with the blue lodge and chapter of the Ma- sonic fraternity and with its auxiliary, the Order of the Eastern Star, and is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of the Maccabees. his native land. He was not familiar with the English language but his courage and determination never wavered and he spared no pains or effort in learning the language and the customs and methods of the country. He worked to support himself and for a time continued his studies in the Detroit high school, having received good educational ad- vantages in the excellent national schools of In the year 1899 Mr. Frank was united in marriage to Miss Esther Rosenburg, of Chicago, where she was reared and educated, being a daughter of Morris Rosenburg, a prosperous business man of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Frank have no children. his native land. For a period of ten years he was employed in a leading dry-goods house in the Michigan metropolis, and he then left Detroit and located in the city of Minne- apolis, Minnesota, where he held a re- sponsible position in a clothing establishment for the ensuing eighteen years. Mr. Frank has had the best of training and discipline in connection with the mercantile business, and WILLIAM WALLACE CLOW. his discrimination and energy have so sup- plemented this specific knowledge as to make The gentleman whose name introduces this review is one of the pioneers of Antrim county, also one of its most enterprising and public spirited citizens. William Wallace Clow, farmer, fruit grower and business man, was born in Leeds county, Ontario, September 15, 1848, and spent the year of his childhood and youth on his native soil, receiving meantime the best educational ad- vantages the public school afforded. In the year 1865 he accompanied his father to northern Michigan and made a settlement in Antrim county, where they took up a home- stead of one hundred and sixty acres of land, to reach which they were obliged to cut a road about three and a half miles long through a dense and heavily timbered sec- tión of the country, experiencing many vicis- situdes and not a few hardships while trying to reach the site of their new home in the him very successful in his individual enter- prise. He is known as a straightforward, reliable and courteous business man, an able executive and a citizen well deserving of the high regard in which he is so uniformly held. Mr. Frank's health became much impaired while he was in Minneapolis and this led to his resigning his position and coming again to Michigan. He located at Fife Lake, Grand Traverse county, where he was employed in a clerical capacity for the en- suing four years, at the expiration of which he came to Bellaire and here engaged in business upon his own responsibility by opening a clothing and furnishing store. He has built up a representative enterprise in the line and his well equipped and appointed establishment is one which would prove creditable in a much larger city. In politics
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