Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 30

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

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Elk Rapids, Atwood, Essex, Vance, Finkton and a number of other points. Shortly after the organization of the company the stockholders secured possession of what was known as the Williams Exchange, which had been established at Central Lake some time before by Arthur Williams, and since then they have not only extended the scope of its operations as stated above, but have added improvements from time to time, sparing neither pains nor expense to make the plant modern in its every appointment, and in management and efficiency equal to any telephone line in the state. The stock- holders at this time include some of the most enterprising farmers and business men of Antrim county and the present board of directors is composed of the following well known gentlemen: Theo. Greer, president ; F. L. Church, treasurer, and William H. Upthegrove, secretary and general manager.

In the discharge of his official duties, Mr. Upthegrove has demonstrated business abilities of a high order, displaying tact in the management of the company and so con- ducting its affairs as to win not only the confidence of his associates, but the esteem and good will of patrons and the public. His efforts to promote the efficiency of the enter- prise have been highly commendable. His record in the two-fold position which he now so ably and faithfully fills has ever been above criticism and to him as much per- haps as to any other man or agency is due the popularity and success which have char- acterized the company ever since its organ- ization.

Mr. Upthegrove was married on July II. 1894, to Miss Idessa Rushton, who was born in Canada, but came to Antrim county when young with her father, Milton Rush-

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ton, an early settler and prominent resident of Central Lake. Mrs. Upthegrove was reared and educated in the above town, and since arriving at the years of maturity has moved in the best society circles of the place, being an intelligent and popular lady, and deeply interested in all lines of social and moral work for the advancement of the com- munity in which she now resides. She has borne her husband one child, a daughter by the name of Gladys.

THOMAS M. RUSHTON.

Thomas M. Rushton was born in How- ard, Kent county, Ontario, January 30, 1846, and is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Scafe) Rushton, natives of Nova Scotia and England respectively. The subject's paternal ancestors were among the early English colonists in the United States, but being loyal to the crown and desiring to escape the insults, annoyances and dangers to which so many friends of the mother country were subject during the war of the Revolution they migrated at the beginning of that struggle to Nova Scotia, in which province the family has been represented ever since.

By occupation Thomas Rushton was a blacksmith and harness maker. He was en- gaged in merchandising for a number. of years and in connection with these several calling's also devoted considerable attention to agriculture. In politics he was a Re- former and, being a man of standing and in- fluence in his community, made his presence felt in public affairs, becoming to a certain extent a local leader of the party with which

he acted. He moved to Antrim county, Michigan, about 1878, and spent the remain- der of his life on the farm now owned by the subject of this review, dying March 23, 1894, at the age of seventy-nine years, his widow dying at the age of eighty-six years. Of the three surviving children of Thomas and Margaret Rushton, two reside in An- trim county, namely : Mrs. Gilman Wil- son and Thomas M., the other daughter being a resident of California.

Thomas M. Rushton was reared on a farm in his native country and enjoyed the advantages of a public-school training. He remained with his parents until 1878, when he came to Antrim county, Michigan, set- tling near Central Lake on a tract of wild land which he purchased and from which in due time he cleared and developed what is now regarded as one of the finest and most valuable farms in the township of Cen- tral Lake. In removing the forest growth with which his place was originally covered he destroyed a great deal of valuable tim- ber, which if left standing a few years and converted into lumber would more than have paid for the land.

As a farmer Mr. Rushton has been en- terprising in all the term implies, and few men of his community similarly engaged have made as rapid progress as he or met with equal success in the accumulation of a competency. Eighty acres of his place are in a high state of cultivation and his im- provements in the way of buildings, fences, etc., rank with the best in the neighborhood. The neat and comfortable residence which his family now occupies replaced the one de- stroyed by fire about three years since, and and in the meantime he has greatly extended his other improvements, thus adding con-

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tinually to the beauty of his home and in- creasing its value.

In the year 1884 Mr. Rushton laid out the original plat of the village of Central Lake, consisting of ten acres on the east side of Intermediate lake, all of which has since been sold and the lots improved with neat, commodious residences. As founder of the village he has manifested a lively interest in the welfare of the same, serving one year as its president, assisting in making the first assessment of property within the corpor- ation and in various other capacities taking a leading part in municipal affairs. He held the office of township clerk for a period of eleven years, and for ten consecutive years was a member of the board of supervisors, during the last four of which he served as chairman of the body, retiring from the po- sition in 1903.

In the various offices with which his fellow citizens honored him Mr. Rushton displayed signal business ability and an ar- dent desire to serve the public so as to ad- vance its highest and most important inter- ests. He has ever had at heart the welfare of his fellow men and, possessing their en- tire confidence, it is predicted that the posi- tions which he has already so satisfactorily held are but stepping stones to still higher official honors in the future.

Mr. Rushton is one of the influential Re- publicans of his part of the county, and as such has rendered valuable service to his party in a number of campaigns. He at- tends the various township and county con- ventions, takes an active part in their pro- ceedings and has had much influence in the drafting of platforms and the nomination of available candidates. He has always been a friend of education and as a member of

the school board was instrumental in arous- ing a deep interest in this most sacred of all public trusts. During his incumbency of five years in the latter capacity new school houses of the latest design were erected to replace the old log buildings which for a number of years had but illy answered the purpose of providing educational facilities for an intelligent and rapidly growing com- munity. Fraternally Mr. Rushton is

identified with the Knights of Pythias, the National Protective Legion and the Knights of the Maccabees, holding at this time the office of finance keeper in the organization last named. He has been prominent in the deliberations of these different orders, has done much to increase their membership and his daily life is a practical exemplification of the principles upon which each is based.

On March 28, 1872, Mr. Rushton was married to Miss Laura Clarissa Wilson, of Kent county, Canada, a union terminated March 15, 1900, by the death of the faith- ful and devoted wife and mother, after twenty-eight years of mutually happy wed- lock. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rushton, their names being as follows : Manly B., of Summit, Idaho; Idessa, wife of William H. Upthegrove, of Antrim county ; Roy, who lives at home; Milo, of Central Lake; Margaret, the housekeeper and her father's faithful keeper and adviser ; Erlon and Mattie, the last two still at home.

JOHN HACKETT.

The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave

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upon the record the verdict establishing his of Ireland. To the subject and his wife character by the consensus of opinion on the have been born seven children, namely : Ida, still at home; Mary A., who married John M. Hawley, farmer; William H. (de- ceased) ; Ella, the wife of William Johnson, marshal of the city of East Jordan : John W. and George A. (deceased), and James L., who married Ila Etcher, a real estate, loan and insurance agent at East Jordan. part of his neighbors and fellow citizens. In touching upon the life history of the sub- ject of this sketch the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extravagant praise ; yet he desires to hold up for consideration the facts which have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life-a life characterized by perseverance, energy, broad charity and well defined purpose. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pro- nounced upon the man by the people who have known him long and well.

John Hackett is a native of the Emerald Isle, having been born in county Tyrone, September 7, 1840. He is the son of Wil- liam and Harriett (Lowery) Hackett, also natives of Ireland, though of English and Scotch descent respectively. After their marriage they emigrated to Canada, locating at the city of Kingston, where Mr. Hackett followed his chosen trade, that of a boot and shoe maker, and also conducted a retail store in that city until his death in 1856, his wife having preceded him to the silent land in 1847. They were the parents of four chil- dren : Thomas, John, Mary and James, and by his second union, which was with Miss Sarah Forsythe, who was also a native of Ireland, he was the father of four children.

The subject of this sketch received a good education, and early mastered the mysteries of successful agriculture and at the time of attaining his majority was well qualified to take up life's responsibilities on his own account. In March, 1861, Mr. Hackett was married to Miss Mary J. Con- way, the daughter of Ambrose and Mary (Whitelock) Conway, the father being a na- tive of this country and the mother a native

In 1871 Mr. Hackett came to Antrim county and homesteaded fifty-four and thir- teen hundredths acres of land in the town- ship of Echo, which has since been increased to its present area, ninety-eight and one-half acres, the greater part of which is under cultivation and yielding magnificent har- vests. Mr. Hackett does not confine himself to any one line of farming, but raises di- versified crops, and takes special pride in his large orchard, from which he raises only first-class fruit and of nearly all varieties. His first residence on this place was a rude log shanty in which he lived for eight years, or until 1879, when he built the present handsome and commodious residence, and has made many other improvements, thereby bringing his place up to a high standard of efficiency and convenience.

As minister of the gospel, public official and farmer, much has been expected of Mr. Hackett, and in every relation he has fully come up to all requirements and upon his record there has at no time been a suspicion of anything or any kind reflecting upon his profession as a Christian.

Mr. Hackett has been a staunch Re- publican since casting his allegiance with the United States, and has been honored by his party by election to several offices of trust and responsibility, having served as town- ship clerk one year, supervisor nine years.

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township treasurer two years, and justice of the peace for the long period of twenty- four years, and is at present a member of the township school board. In all of these positions he has realized his responsibility and that of his fellow citizens and has al- ways endeavored to live up to the high standard for which he has always been noted. In addition to the multitudinous duties which have been intrusted to him, in- cluding also the vast amount of labor and endless toil he has endured in caring for his family and improving his farm, Mr. Hackett has devoted much time to the Christian ministry, having been one of the pioneer Methodist ministers in this section of the country and during the last thirty years he has preached to large communities in many parts of northern Michigan, his ef- forts being appreciated by all with whom he came in contact.

GEORGE O. GLAZIER.

Eligibly and attractively located in Banks township is the well improved farm owned and occupied by Mr. Glazier, who has been a resident of Antrim county for nearly a quarter of a century.

The old Buckeye state figures as Mr. Glazier's place of nativity, since he was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, on the Ist of April. 1846, being a son of John B. and Mandaina (Glazier) Glazier, the families being distantly related. The father of our subject was born and reared in New York, whence he removed to Ohio when young. There he continued to devote his attention to agricultural pursuits for many years,

finally removing to Michigan and passing the closing years of his life in Tuscola county, where his wife also died. They be- came the parents of thirteen children, of whom ten are living.

George O. Glazier, to whom this sketch is dedicated, passed his boyhood days on the old homestead farm in Ohio and soon began to render material aid in connection with the work of the fields and meadows, while his educational advantages were such as were afforded in the common schools of the lo- cality and period. He continued to be con- cerned with farming in the Buckeye state until 1864, when he enlisted in the military service of his country, serving valiantly until the close of the conflict, in 1865, when he came to Michigan, first locating in Tuscola county, where he remained until 1882, when he made his advent in Antrim county and settled on his present farm, the land having at that time been practically unreclaimed from the wilderness, while the improve- ments were of merely nominal order. Through energy and good management he has developed one of the valuable places of the country and from his identification with the great basic art of agriculture he has gained independence and a competncy, while he is held in high regard in the community in which he has lived and labored for more than a score of years past. His farm com- prises eighty acres of most arable land, and fifty acres are under an excellent state of cultivation and devoted to diversified crops. Eleven acres of the farm are devoted to orchard purposes, and each year the yield of apples, peaches, pears, cherries, etc., proves a considerable source of income. In politics Mr. Glazier maintains an independent posi- tion, exercising his franchise in support of

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the men and measures approved by his judg- ment, and while he has never sought or held public office he takes a lively interest in local affairs and is one of the valued citizens of Banks township. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Glazier are members of the Baptist church, having professed religion when seventeen years old.

In 1866 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Glazier to Miss Martha E. Maxam, daughter of Alfred and Mary ( VanEtten) Maxam, and this union has been blessed with ten children, all of whom are living, namely : Alfred, Lettie, George, Ellen, Wil- liam, Dora, Clark, May, Frederick and Wal- ter.

JOSEPH B. BOYD.

Among the leading attorneys of Antrim county is he whose name heads this article, and not only in the practice of the law has he attained eminence but also in rustic pur- suits, being a successful fruit grower. He was born in Hillsdale, this state, January 8, 1858, and was there reared to manhood. He attended the common schools, which was supplemented by attendance at the high school and later at Hillsdale College. His first efforts in life on his own account were as a salesman of fruit trees and in 1878 he came to Kalkaska, where he was engaged in teaching school for several years. He was admitted to the bar at Kalkaska Septem- ber 26, 1883, and first engaged in practice with his brother, J. L. Boyd, at that place. Subsequently he spent two years in western Kansas and took a pre-emption claim at Fort Larned reservation, after which he practiced law in the city of Larned, but later

returned to Michigan and has since here re- sided. He was at Muskegon four years, where he devoted himself to the practice of the law. He was elected city attorney of Muskegon, filling the position for four years. Owing to poor health, caused mostly by the death of his wife, he again moved to north- ern Michigan and settled at Central Lake, where he devoted himself to the growing and handling of nursery stock for upwards of three years, after which he again took up his chosen profession and for the past six years has developed into one of the leading lawyers of Antrim county. As a lawyer he evinces a familiarity with legal principles and a ready perception of facts which have won him the reputation of a safe and sound practitioner. By a straightforward and honorable course he has built up a large and lucrative legal business and no one has ever charged him with anything that would bring discredit to himself or his friends. He con- trols a number of commercial agencies and does a general legal business. In politics he is a Democrat and his face is a familiar one in all his party's conventions.

Mr. Boyd has been twice married, the first time to Miss Emma Russell, to whom was born one daughter, Mabel, now a teacher in the Antrim county schools and who is also a graduate in the Traverse City Business College. Mrs. Boyd died in Mus- kegon in 1893 and in 1896 Mr. Boyd was married to Miss Ella Roach, daughter of Philip Roach, of Torch Lake, and to this union have been born three children, Rich- ard, Kathline and Gerald. Mrs. Boyd is prominent in local social circles and has a large number of friends. Mr. Boyd is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Woodmen. He is a lover of outdoor

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sports, spending his vacations largely with in 1864 he enlisted in Company B, One his rod and gun. In all the relations of life he has been true to every trust and few men in this community are accorded a higher meed of public respect and esteem.

GILBERT T. BENTLEY.

Among the prominent and progressive citizens of Banks township, Antrim county, Michigan, is he whose name heads this sketch. He is a native of the old Buckeye state, having been born in Clinton county, Ohio, in 1845, and is the son of William and Sarah ( Hiett) Bentley. The father was a native of Ohio, though his ancestors were natives of England. He was a farmer by profession and followed that pursuit in Ohio until his death, which occurred in 1898. The subject's mother died while he was quite young and he therefore was denied the bles- sings of a mother's care and attention dur- ing his tender years. There were eight chil- dren in the family, namely : Emily, Eliza, Jane, Ann, Elam, Gilbert, Rhoda and John. The subject spent his early life at the old Ohio home and obtained his education mainly in the common schools of that lo- cality, though habits of close observation and careful reading have during subsequent years enlarged his mental vision and today he is considered among the intelligent and well informed men of his community. From the time of obtaining proper years he was accustomed to the arduous toil and du- ties pertaining to the farm life and was thus well equipped for his subsequent years as a farmer. During his early years he was a member of the National Guard of Ohio and

Hundred and Forty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and went to the south- land in defense of his country's flag. His service was not lengthy, but was arduous, in- cluding a number of skirmishes, in all of which he ably performed his part. Return- ing to his Ohio home, he followed the pur- suit of farming until 1881 when he came to his present location in Antrim county and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land which had been homesteaded from the gov- ernment by the previous owner. At the time of the subject's purchase of the place only sixteen acres were cleared, but he immedi- ately went to work and now has about ninety acres under the plow, the cultivable portion being devoted to the production of crops common to this section. He also gives con- siderable attention to live stock, raising sheep, cattle, hogs and horses, though giving preference to Chester White hogs. He exer- cises sound judgment in the conduct of his business and his efforts have been rewarded by a fair return in the way of substantial crops and a large increase in live stock.

In 1868 Mr. Bentley was united in mar- riage to Miss Lydia Hussey, the daughter of Christopher and Catherine Hussey. This union has been a most happy and congenial one and has been blessed by the birth of five children, namely : Jacqueline, Jennie, William C., John Trueman and Huston M.

In politics Mr. Bentley is a staunch and active Republican and takes a keen interest in public issues and questions of the hour. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to the lodge at Torch Lake, and also with the Grand Army of the Republic, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grange, taking a deep

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interest and active part in all of these bene- ficiaries. Mr. Bentley is a man of varied at- tainments and abilities, among others being accustomed to the use of carpentering tools, which fact is evidenced by the statement that he erected his own house, which is in every respect a modern, up-to-date and well con- structed building. His many eminent per- sonal qualities have been recognized by his fellow citizens, who has seen fit to elevate him to public office and he has served as township supervisor for two years, justice of the peace for eighteen years and is a member of the local school board. Few men have been accorded a warmer place in the affection of their fellow men or have been more deserving of commendable praise than the man whose history is here briefly pre- sented.

GEORGE VANCE.

One of the most progressive agricultur- ists of Echo township, Antrim county, Michigan, is he whose name heads this sketch. Like many of Antrim county's citi- zens, he is a native of Canada, having been born near Dereham, Gray county, in 1856. He is the son of Henry and Susan (Lary) Vance, natives also of Ireland and who emi- grated to America while the subject was a mere youth. They first located in Ontario, Canada, where they remained about ten years, at the expiration of which time, in 1874, they came to Michigan. Here the father was identified with agricultural pur- suits, in which he remained until his death, which occurred in 1895, his wife following him to eternal rest in 1897.

George Vance received a fair common

school education and early learned the mysteries of successful agriculture and upon attaining his majority decided to make that vocation his life work. He accompanied his parents to Michigan and first located near Detroit, Wayne county, where they re- mained about three years, at the end of that period locating on his present farmstead in Echo township, Antrim county. At that time there were but few improvements in this section of the state and many of his first efforts put forth were in the construction of the first roads of this township.

Mr. Vance now owns two hundred acres of land, one hundred and twenty of which he has cleared by his own efforts. He is progressive in his methods, exercising wise judgment as to the rotation of crops and other essential points of successful farming and his efforts have been rewarded by liberal harvests. The condition of his place indi- cates the careful, painstaking husbandman and among his fellow citizens he has ac- quired an excellent reputation as a farmer.

In 1885 Mr. Vance was married to Miss Mary Washburn, the daughter of William and Hannah Washburn, and to their union have been born seven children, William H., Ernest, Ethel, Vernon, George, Mary and Roy.

MATTHIAS STRUIK.

Among the successful farmers of Antrim county who have gained prosperity through their own energetic efforts and discrimin- ating management is Mr. Struik, who is one of the highly esteemed citizens of Banks township, where he has a well improved farm of one hundred and eighty-seven acres.

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Mr. Struik comes of stanch old Holland Dutch ancestry and is himself a native of Michigan, having been born in Kalamazoo county, on the 4th of April, 1856, and being a son of Peter and Martha ( Van der Valda) Struik, both of whom were born and reared in Holland, whence they emigrated to the United States and located in Michigan, where they passed the remainder of their signally honorable and useful lives. The father was for six years employed in a gen- eral store in the city of Kalamazoo and then removed to Jamestown, Ottawa county, in which section he engaged in agricultural pursuits, becoming one of the substantial farmers of that section and there continuing to reside until his death, which occurred in 1901, his cherished and devoted wife having passed away in 1900, only a few months previously to his demise.

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Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 30

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