Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 33

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

USA > Michigan > Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens > Part 33

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

though he does not affiliate absolutely with any particular political party, being strictly independent in the casting of his ballot and holding men above party. That he stands high with his fellow citizens is shown by the fact that he has been elected to fill all the township offices, including supervisor, clerk, member of the school board, con- stable and justice of the peace, in all of which he has performed his duties to the entire satisfaction of the public. Frater- nally, Mr. Armstrong belongs to the Grange at Alden, having been a charter member of that society in this county. He was also at one time a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but has not been af- filiated with that lodge for some time. On July 4. 1880, Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage to Miss Martha Hastings. daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Hastings. natives of Ohio, but who came to Michigan in an early day and here followed the pur- suit of farming, both being now deceased. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong has been blessed by the birth of the follow- ing children : Alice is engaged in teaching music, and Frank, Roy and Guy are at home. In this connection it may be stated that the subject's father was one of the very earliest settlers in this part of Michigan and at the time he located here it was necessary to journey fifteen miles for even the common necessities of the home. The subject him- self helped to clear the larger part of the farm and assisted in laying out nearly all of the roads in Helena township.

This review of Mr. Armstrong's career is necessary general in its character. To enter fully into the interesting details of his career would require a much larger space than possible in this volume. Sufficient,

256

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF

however, has been stated to prove that he is entitled to a place in the front ranks of successful salesmen of Antrim county. He, by his pluck, energy and enterprise, con- trolled by correct principles and founded upon strict integrity and unswerving honor, has attained to a position meriting the re- spect and admiration of his fellow citizens.

WILLIAM J. BENNETT.

From his boyhood days to the present the subject of this review has been a resident of Antrim county, while during his mature years he has been most actively and success- fully identified with the industrial activities and civic affairs of this section, carrying for- ward the work and upbuilding the standard of his honored father, who was one of the first settlers in Echo township and who exer- cised a potent influence in the development and advancement of the county in the early days, here living and laboring to goodly ends and so ordering his life as to command the unreserved confidence and regard of all who knew him. He whose name initiates this paragraph is one of the extensive land- owners and leading farmers and stock-grow- ers of Echo township, being the present su- pervisor of said township and also incum- bent of the office of justice of the peace.

Mr. Bennett is a native of the state of New York, having been born in Steuben county, on the 24th of December, 1860, and being a son of Calvin and Sallie ( Barkley) Bennett, both of whom were born and bred in the old Empire state, being representatives of pioneer families. In 1868 they came to Michigan and numbered themselves among

the early settlers of Antrim county. The father took up the first homestead claim in Echo township, the same comprising eighty acres of heavily timbered land, while prac- tically no improvements had been made in this section, where he assisted in the cutting through and constructing of the first public highways and in other enterprises of similar importance, such as the establishing of schools and aiding in local governmental af- fairs. He reclaimed his original homestead to cultivation and became one of the success- ful farmers and influential citizens of the county, having owned at one time two hun- dred and twenty acres of land in Echo town- ship. He was a stanch Democrat in his po- litical proclivities, and served in various of- fices of local trust and responsibility. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was a man whose daily walk and conversation indicated the faith to which he thus held. He was summoned to the life eternal in 1897, secure in the high regard of all who knew him. His widow, who now makes her home with her youngest son, on the old homestead, is likewise a de- voted member of the Methodist church and is one of the greatly esteemed pioneer women of this favored section of the state. In the family were five children, all of whom are living except one son, who died at the age of thirty-two years.

The subject of this sketch was a lad of about eight years at the time of his parents' removal to Antrim county, and here he was reared to manhood on the home farm, early beginning to contribute his quota to the work of reclaiming and cultivating the land, while his educational advantages were such as were afforded in the public schools of the locality and period. He thus learned the

257

NORTHERN MICHIGAN.

lessons of industry, while he was signally favored in having the gracious influence of a cultured home. He has been consecutively identified with agricultural pursuits from his youth up, and his present fine landed estate represents personal accumulation. He is the owner of seven hundred acres of most arable land, all in Echo township, and one hundred and ten acres of the place are under a high state of cultivation, while four hundred acres are affording excellent grazing and hay- raising facilities. He devotes special atten- tion to the raising of peas, corn and potatoes, and feeds much of, the produce of the farm to his live stock, which he raises upon a rather extensive scale, giving preference to the shorthorn type of cattle and the Poland China swine. He butchers his own hogs and finds it profitable to thus sell the dressed stock, also placing about seventy-five per cent. of his cattle upon the market in dressed state. He has made excellent improvements on his farm, which is one of the model places of the county, and his commodious and attractive residence is thirty-six feet square in the main and two stories in height, with stone basement.

In politics Mr. Bennett gives an uncom- promising allegiance to the Democratic party, being one of its leaders in his county and having served as supervisor of Echo township since 1886, while he has been an officer of his school district for the past seventeen years and justice of the peace ever since he attained to his legal majority. He is affiliated with the Grange at Beech Hill. In his family have been born the following children : Delbert D., born June 16, 1883. at home; Calvin J., born July 7, 1885 ; Wil- liam H., born May 15, 1887; Frank S., born November 6, 1889; George R., born Jannary

17, 1893, died October 26, 1897; Daniel W., born February 8, 1895; Perry F., born Au- gust 21, 1897 ; Albert D., born November 9, 1900, and John H., born in October, 1902.

C. P. HAWLEY.

Among the honored veterans of the Civil war and the leading agriculturists of Antrim county, C. P. Hawley is numbered. There is much that is commendable in his life record, for he has been found true to duty in every relation, whether of a public or private character, and while energy and unabating industry have been salient fea- tures of his business career, he is equally well known for the honorable methods which he has always followed, and for his loyalty to any public trust reposed in him.

C. P. Hawley was born in 1845 in Lon- don, Ontario, Canada, of which province his parents, Truman and Mary (Gill) Hawley. were also natives, though his mother was of English ancestry. Truman Hawley was a blacksmith by vocation and lived in Canada nearly all his life, coming to Michi- gan in 1860 and locating first in Ypsilanti, but going to Lenawee county the year fol- lowing. Three years later he came to An- trim county and entered a homestead claim from the government which he turned over to the subject at his death in 1891. His wife died in this county in 1896. They were the parents of ten children, of whom but one is deceased. In politics Mr. Haw- ley was a Republican and his religious be- lief was in harmony with the creed of the Methodist Episcopal church.

C. P. Hawley received a good common

258

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF

school education in Canada and since com- Miss Maude Pickard; Louis married Miss ing to "the states" he enlisted for service Grace Allen and Ada and Benjamin are at home. The children have all been given good educations and have attained respect- able positions in life. Mr. Hawley has put forth every effort in his power to promote every interest of this community. His man- ner is genial and entirely free from osten- tation. He commands the respect of his fellow men because he has been true to every relation in which he has been placed. in defense of the federal union, joining the First Michigan Light Artillery, known as Battery H. with which command he served about eighteen months, receiving his honor- able clischarge in 1865. He served in the Army of the Cumberland and participated in a number of hotly contested engagements. Upon his discharge from the army he went to Ypsilanti, Michigan, shortly afterward coming to Antrim county. At that time there were but few settlements here and Mr. Hawley assisted in the organization of Helena township. He became the possessor J. D. ANGELL. of eighty acres of land, all of which he has cleared and placed in a high state of culti- This well-known citizen is an excellent representative of the better class of farmers of the United States. He comes from an ancestry that distinguished itself in the pioneer times. When the county was covered with an almost interminable forest of large trees and the woods filled with wild animals his people came here and began to carve homes from the primeval forests, build schools and churches, and introduce the customs of civilization in the wilderness. They were genuine pioneers, willing to take the hardships that they might acquire the soil and the home that were sure to rise. vation and from which he has derived a very satisfactory income. His first home was an unpretentious cabin in which he lived for fifteen years when he erected his pres- ent substantial residence. He has made many other improvements on the farm and today maintains it at a high standard of excellence, using modern methods and ma- chinery in the handling of his crops. In politics Mr. Hawley is a staunch Republican and has taken at all times an active part in advancing the interests of his community. He has been elected three times treasurer of his township and has always been a member of the school board, indisputable evidence of the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow citizens. In 1866 Mr. Hawley was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Frazier, daughter of Harvey and Lucinda Frazier, natives of this state. To the subject and his wife have been born five children, namely: Hattie, who is the wife of Gus Landstrum, a tinsmith at Elk Rapids, this state; Frank is a farmer and married

The subject of this sketch was born in Lenawee county, Michigan, on the 24th of October, 1850, and is the son of Jason and Lucinda (Chapman) Angell. The parents were both natives of New York state, the father having been born in Saratoga county in 1842. He came to Michigan while still a youth and with his parents settled in An- trim county in 1865. He here created a comfortable home and here his death oc- curred in 1892. He was in very limited

259

NORTHERN MICHIGAN.

financial circumstances upon his arrival in this state, but by persevering industry and a system of wise economy he became quite well-to-do. He was a Democrat in politics and held office in this township for many years. He was a Quaker in religious be- lief, while his wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They were the parents . of eight children, namely : Mary, Sarah, Ruth, Reuben, J. D., Eliza, John and David.

Mr. Angell, of this sketch, was favored with fair educational advantages, having at- tended the district schools and has through- out his life been a close reader, keeping in touch with the trend of public events. He has followed farming ever since at- taining his mature years and has through his indefatigable efforts acquired a comfortable competency, being now the owner of two hundred acres of land, one hundred of which are in cultivation. He carries on a general line of farming and gives special attention to peas, potatoes and fruit, having one of the best orchards in this part of An- trim county. He built his present fine brick house and residence in 1900 and has made many other valuable improvements upon the property. He has some fine milch cows and gives special attention to dairying, hav- ing found this a profitable source of income. In addition to his farm he is the possessor of several lots and houses in Alden, from which he receives a liberal rental. A Re- publican in politics, he has not been a seeker after office, though prevailed upon at dif- ferent times to serve as member of the school board. Fraternally he is a member of the Maccabees and the Grange. Re- ligiously he affiliates with the Methodist Episcopal church.

In 1873 Mr. Angell married Miss Lil- lian Way, the daughter of Louis and Claris (VanCamp) Way, natives of Canada. Louis Way was born August 11, 1819, and was a hotel keeper during most of his resi- dence in Canada and also for a time after his removal to Lexington, Michigan. Upon the opening of the war of the Rebellion he en- listed in Company A, Seventh Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry, with which he followed the starry flag through many southern conflicts until his death, during the battle of the Wilderness. He was the father of seven children, namely: Daniel. Louis, Samuel, Levious, Lillian, Mary and Matilda. To Mr. and Mrs. Angell have been born three children, namely: George J., who operates the homestead farm of the subject's father, married Miss Nettie Blis- ses; Maude is the wife of William Brown, a deputy state consul of the order of the Modern Woodmen of America, and Charles, who still remains under the parental roof.

Mr. Angell's character is that of a man and citizen without a blemish and it is to such sterling characters as this that our country owes much for its progress and prosperity. He is recognized as one of the most ener- getic and enterprising citizens of Helena township and enjoys the respect of a wide circle of friends.

JOHN F. MAIN.

It is generally considered by those in the habit of superficial thinking that the history of so-called great men only is worthy of preservation and that little merit exists among the masses to call for the praise of

260

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF

the historian or the cheers and the appreci- ation of mankind. A greater mistake was never made. No man is great in all things and very few are great in many things. Many by a lucky stroke achieve lasting fame who before that had no reputation beyond the limits of their neighborhoods. It is not a history of the lucky stroke which benefits humanity most, but the long study and ef- fort which made the lucky stroke possible. It is the preliminary work, the method, that serves as a guide for the success of others. Among those in this county who have achieved success along steady lines of action is the subject of this memoir. He was born in the dominion of Canada on the IIth of January, 1861, and is the son of Isaac B. and Phoebe (Philer) Main, both also natives of Canada, in which country the family had resided for many generations. The subject's father was a timber hewer by trade and. being a proficient and skillful workman, was well paid for his services. After coming to the state he was a Democrat politically, but had no ambition for office holding. He died in 1871, while his widow is still living. They were the parents of five children, namely: John F., William, one who died in infancy, Mary (deceased) and Martha, who married William Harper and is living at Alden.

The subject received the benefit of at- tendance at the common schools and re- mained under the parental roof continually from childhood, which may be accounted for by the fact that he assisted his father upon the farm and at the latter's death he in- herited the same and has since continued in its operation. When he came to Antrim county, in 1873. this section of Michigan was practically a vast wilderness and he had

plenty of opportunity for the exercise of those sturdy qualities so requisite in those hardy frontiersmen who advanced beyond the confines of more advanced civilization and essayed to create new homes in the wil- derness. That Mr. Main and his father suc- ceeded in their efforts is abundantly evi- denced in the present splendidly improved farm which the subject operates. The es- tate comprises one hundred and fifty-five acres of land, of which one hundred are under a high state of cultivation, in addi- tion to which Mr. Main owns forty acres of valuable timber land in another part of Helena township. Besides farming Mr. Main has been engaged in business pursuits of different kinds, having conducted a livery business at Alden during the past ten years and also a hotel for a period. His livery stable is well equipped and he has for the public use the most stylish vehicles and good horses, and his efforts to provide ac- commodations for the public have been well appreciated, as is shown by the very liberal patronage accorded him.

Mr. Main is a staunch Republican in politics and has taken much active interest in the success of his party. His loyalty and ability has been recognized by his fellow citizens in his election to public office, he having been chosen to the office of township commissioner, which he held for several terms. He was also appointed deputy sheriff of the county and has ably performed the duties of all offices which he has filled. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees. belonging to the tent at Alden.

Mr. Main has been twice married, the first time being in 1882 to Miss Ella Bearss. The second union was with Miss Jessie

261

NORTHERN MICHIGAN.

Way, daughter of Louis and Josephine (Patterson) Way. The Ways were early pioneers of this part of Michigan, having settled in Antrim county in 1875 and took a foremost part in the settlement and im- provement of this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Main have been born two children, namely : Pauline and Doris.

As a farmer and up-to-date man, Mr. Main has always been credited with looking upon the bright side of life and has never been known to express complaint as to life's bitter road. As a business man his methods are always correct, and fair dealing has al- ways been his watchword in his transactions with his fellow men. He occupies a promi- nent place in the esteem of the people of his community and is universally respected.

HENRY WISTHOFF.

There is no element which has entered into our composite social fabric that has been of more practical strength, value and utility than that furnished by the sturdy, persevering and honorable sons of the great German empire, and in the progress and ad- vancement of all material and civic enter- prises this element has played an important part. Intensely pragmatic and well poised and ever having a clear comprehension and appreciation of the ethics of life, the Ger- man contingent has wielded a powerful in- fluence, and in the most diverse sections of the Union we find the worthy sons of the old fatherland enrolled among the most loyal and valuable citizens. Among the prominent German-Americans of Antrim county is Mr. Wisthoff, who is one of the

oldest settlers of Custer township, where he has made his home. for thirty years and where he has gained a definite success through his efforts in connection with the development of the agricultural resources of this pleasing section of the state. As a pioneer he labored strenuously and ener- getically in clearing his land and making it available for cultivation, and he is now the owner of a good farm and is one of the well known and highly respected citizens of the county, being well worthy of repre- sentation in this compilation.

Mr. Wisthoff was born in the province of Ranal, Germany, on the 2d of August, 1839, and is a son of Michael and Louise (Braun) Wisthoff, who came to America when the subject was about thirty-two years of age, settling first in the state of New York and later coming to Michigan, where they passed the remainder of their lives. being folk of sterling character and ever commanding the respect of all with whom they came in contact. Henry Wisthoff se- cured his early educational discipline in his native land, where he was reared to maturity and where he learned the trade of black- smith, to which he devoted more or less at- tention for nearly a score of years, having worked at his trade in connection with farming after taking up his residence in An- trim county. He came to this county in 1876 and secured a tract of wild timbered land, in Custer township, being one of the first to settle in this section of the county and setting to himself the herculean task of literally hewing out a farm in the midst of the forest, while he and his family endured the various inconveniences ever incidental to opening up a new country. On his farm he erected a comfortable cabin, and the

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF

262

same remains a portion of his present resi- dence. He is the owner of eighty acres, all of which is under cultivation except eighteen acres, which are of swampy nature but which will eventually become one of the most fertile sections of the homestead. Mr. Wisthoff gives his attention to general farm- ing and to the raising of fruits and other products best suited to the soil and climate, making a specialty of potatoes, one of the great staple lines for which this section of the state has become noted. He is a stanch Republican in his political proclivities, and he and his wife and daughter are consistent members of the German Lutheran church. Fraternally he is affiliated with the local or- ganization of the Grange at Grass Lake. He has been an officer of his school district but has never been an aspirant for political preferment of any sort.

In the year 1873 Mr. Wisthoff was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Burkhardt, who was born in Germany, whence she ac- companied her parents on their immigration to.the United States, the parents being now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Wisthoff have one child, Emma, who still remains a member of the home circle. Mr. Wisthoff was a soldier in the regular army in Germany, serving through the Franco-German war; he received a slight wound in the hand and witnessed the surrender of Metz.

JOHN B. HARTWELL.

Practical industry wisely applied never fails of success. It carries a man onward and upward, brings out his individual char- acter and acts as a powerful stimulus to the

efforts of others. The greatest results in life are often attained by simple means and the exercise of the ordinary qualities of common sense and perseverance. The every- day life, with its cares, necessities and duties, affords ample opportunities for acquiring experience of the best kind and its most beaten paths provide a true worker with abundant scope for effort and self improve- ment.

John B. Hartwell is a native of the old Empire state, having been born in Pitts- ford, New York, on the 29th of May, 1831. He is the son of William and Martha ( Scho- field) Hartwell, the father being a native of Canada. He was a contractor and was em- ployed in the construction of the Welland canal. He also followed farming and later engaged in the manufacturing business, turning out saw-mill equipments of all kinds. He became quite well-to-do, but met with misfortune and failed in business. He subsequently took up the occupation of farming, which he followed until his death, which occurred in Canada in 1850. He had a family of five children, namely : John B., L. K., W. S., William and Sarah. He was a member of the Episcopal church and a man of fine personal qualities.

John B. Hartwell received a good com- mon school education, which has been liber- ally supplemented by close reading and a keen observation of men and events. In 1862 Mr. Hartwell went to Grand Traverse county, settling on the peninsular, where he remained for four years. He then bought eighty acres of land, also on the peninsular, and homesteaded another eighty acres, where he remained for one year. Then he came to this locality, among the first settlers, and assisted in the organiza-

NORTHERN MICHIGAN.

263

tion of Helena township. His ability was early recognized and he has been frequently elected to hold public office, having been township clerk and supervisor for many years, county treasurer four years, and clerk for two additional years. He was a staunch Republican in politics and votes intelligently upon all the questions and issues of the hour, though of recent years he has become con- vinced that the most feasible way to eradi- cate the liquor traffic from our land is by means of the ballot ; consequently he now af- filiates with the Prohibition party and does all in his power to advance the cause of temperance. He has met with some mis- fortunes, having been burned out in 1897, but despite all obstacles and discourage- ments he has steadfastly pursued his course.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 33

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