Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 39

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

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In 1865 Mr. Jaquays came to Battle Creek, Michigan, and in November of the following year came to Antrim county and settled at Norwood, where he remained two years. He then homesteaded eighty acres of land in Jordan township, the first farm taken up in that township, and he also cut the first tree felled in that township, so that he is clearly entitled to the title "first pio- neer." He settled on the place in 1869 and at that time found it necessary to cut away the brush and undergrowth in order to ef- fect a landing on his way to the site of his future home. He first erected a rude log cabin, which answered the demands of the family for a few years, but which in due time was superseded by the present elegant and comfortable residence. Mr. Jaquays is

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the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of land, one hundred of which are cleared and in a high state of cultivation. A11 the labor incident to the clearing of this land was performed by the subject himself and many other substantial and modern improve- ments have been made by him from time to time, so that the farm is now considered one of the best in Jordan township. Six. acres of the place are devoted to a fine orchard containing some choice and standard va- rieties of fruit.

On the 4th day of July, 1865, Mr. Jaquays was united in marriage with Miss Melissa Fisher, the daughter of Christ. and Mariah (Cain) Fisher, and to the union have been born four children, all living at this time, Mary, Walter, George and William. In politics Mr. Jaquays is a stanch Republi- can and has served his fellow citizens in the capacity of justice of the peace and super- visor of the township, besides as a member of the school board and in several other lo- cal offices, in all of which he has labored for the best interests of the community. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and takes a deep and sympa- thetic interest in his old comrades in arms. His present solid prosperity is due entirely to his own efforts and today he enjoys an enviable standing among the leading men of his community.

WVENCEL SWATOSH.

To a great extent the prosperity of the agricultural sections of our great country is due to the honest industry, the sturdy perse- verance and the wise economy which so

prominently characterizes the foreign ele- ment that has entered largely into our popu- lation. Among this class may be mentioned Wencel Swatosh, who, by reason of years of indefatigable labor and honest effort, has not only acquired a well-merited material prosperity, but has also richly earned the highest esteem of all with whom he is asso- ciated. Mr. Swatosh is a native of Bo- hemia, where he was born in March, 1839, the son of Joseph and Elenora Swatosh. Mr. Swatosh came to the United States about forty-seven years ago and in 1876, coming to Antrim county, Michigan, he homesteaded eighty acres of good land, which he has since that time continued to cultivate. He has added to this farm until he now owns one hundred sixty-three acres. Sixty acres of the land is under the plow and in a high state of cultivation, and, lying as it does in one of the best locations in the Jordan valley, is a very productive tract, yielding large quantities of hay, potatoes and other cereals and vegetables common to this section, while Mr. Swatosh also raises a number of cattle and hogs, feeding them on the products of the farm.

On January 6, 1869, Mr. Swatosh wed- ded Miss Katie Holland, the daughter of Thomas and Barbary Holland, who died in Jordan township, the father in Bellaire, they being also of Bohemian blood. The union has been a happy one and has been blessed in the birth of four children, Frank, Adolph, Teressa and Albert. In public affairs Mr. Swatosh takes a keen interest, lending his support always to these movements and en- terprises which promise to benefit the com- munity to the greatest degree. In political matters he supports men rather than parties, voting for those who in his opinion are best

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fitted for office. He has spent many years in this community and the fact that many of his warmest friends are those who have known him longest is proof that his life has been straightforward and honorable.

DAVID F. TOWER.

Prominent among the worthy represen- tatives of the pioneer element of Antrim county, Michigan, is the well-known gentle- man to a review of whose life the attention of the reader is now invited. For many years he has been a forceful factor in the growth and prosperity of Jordan township. and as such, his name and reputation have extended far beyond the limits of the lo- cality in which so many years of his life have been spent. Mr. Tower is a native of Springfield, Vermont, where he was born on the 23d of December, 1825. He is the son of Isaac and Susana (Field) Tower, the father having been also a native of Vermont and a farmer. He re- mained in his native state until 1839, when he came to Grand Rapids, Kent county, Michigan, and here he also fol- lowed farming until his death, in 1848. He was the father of fifteen children, of whom nine were boys.

The subject of this sketch remained in his native state until thirteen years of age, at which time he accompanied his parents upon their removal to Michigan, and in the common schools of the two states he re- ceived a good, practical education. He was early inured to the strenuous labor incident to farm life and he remained in Kent county until 1876, in which year he came to Antrim county and homesteaded one hundred and

sixty acres of land in Jordan township, the place of his present residence. He subse- quently deeded one hundred acres of this tract to his children and still retains the re- maining sixty acres, all of which is cleared and under the plow. During his active years the subject occupied himself in caring for this land, with abundant success, but the advancing years have prompted him to re- linquish active management and the place is now rented. The crops are those usual to this soil and climate, though the conditions are peculiarly favorable to the production of hay, which is cut in enormous quantities annually. Mr. Tower himself made all the improvements on the place, which are of a substantial character and in accordance with modern ideas, the house and all the barns and other buildings being commodious and convenient.

In 1888 Mr. Tower was united in mar- riage with Miss Sarah D. Chapin, whose parents are natives of New York state and farming people, and who came to Michi- gan in an early day, both dying in this state. To the subject and his wife have been born six children, Alice, Nellie, Theda, Marabah, Byron H. and Foster. In matters political Mr. Tower is an uncompromising Republi- can and accomplished in his active days much valuable work for his party. The only official position he has ever been induced to accept were those of clerk of the township and member of the school board. Fratern- ally he is a member of the time-honored or- der of Free and Accepted Masons, and is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. The last mentioned affiliation is entirely consistent when we revert to the fact that in February, 1865, Mr. Tower enlisted in the Ninth Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to

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the Army of the Cumberland, and served until his honorable discharge, in September of the same year, having been on guard duty the greater part of the time under General Thomas. As stated before, Mr. Tower is now retired and is enjoying that repose and rest which are due to him now that the shadows of his life begin to lengthen in the golden west.

JOHN W. MURPHEY.

It will always be a badge of honor in this country to have it known that a person's father, or even his uncle, enlisted in the service of the country when the great Rebel- lion broke out, to assist in saving the Union and to eradicate slavery from our soil. Just as to this day we boast that our grandfather or great-grandfather fought in the Revolu- tion to gain independence, or fought in the war of 1812 to protect our rights on the ocean, so the descendants of the gallant soldiers who fought during the Rebellion to save the Union will boast through the com- ing centuries of the bravery and self sacrifice of their fathers or other relatives. It is a pleasure to write of the subject of this sketch, who was one of the "boys in blue" that went forth to die on the field or in the no less dreadful fever camp, if need be, for the sal- vation of the country. The subject of this 1

sketch is a native of Canada, where he was born July 29, 1849, and is the son of John and Charlotte (Tulop) Murphey. The subject's father was born in Dublin, Ireland, from whence he emigrated to this country and later to New York state, where his last days were spent. He was a butcher by trade

and also spent some time in railroading. J. W. Murphey received his elementary education in the public schools of New York, but his studies were interrupted at the age of fourteen years by the sounds of the on- coming struggle. The southern states were in insurrection and the cloud of civil war lay over the land, arousing the spirit of patriotism in every lover of the old flag. Among those who went forth to do and die was Mr. Murphey, who enlisted in Company G, Fourteenth New York Heavy Artillery, in 1863 and spent two years in the service of his country. He took part in a number of battles in which his command partici- pated, being in seventeen battles and suffer- ing captivity by the rebels at Petersburg, Virginia. He was faithful in the perform -. ance of his duties and achieved a splendid reputation for bravery and courage in the face of danger. At the close of the struggle he received his honorable discharge and re- turned to his farm home in New York. In 1869 Mr. Murphey came to Antrim county, Michigan, and homesteaded eighty acres of land in Echo township. He was engaged for some time in the lumber business, but at length devoted his entire attention to his own property and labored earnestly to the task of clearing the land and making it fit for cultivation. He now has one hundred and sixty and a quarter acres of land, of which one hundred are under cultivation and from which he obtains bountiful harvests in re- turn for his labor. He gives attention to stock raising to a limited extent and is pro- gressive and enterprising in his operations.

Mr. Murphey is an earnest and uncom- promising Republican and is a staunch ad- vocate of party measures, though he has no ambition for office holding. In 1877 Mr.

JOHN W. MURPHEY AND FAMILY.

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Murphey was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Hosler, sister of John Hosler, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume.

In all of his work Mr. Murphey has been practical, accurate and honorable and his business reputation is unassailable. He is thoroughly familiar with the mysteries of successful agriculture and the appearance of his homestead indicates the careful and painstaking man that he is. What he has achieved in life proves the force of his char- acter and illustrates his steadfastness of pur- pose.

Mr. and Mrs. Murphey have had ten chil- dren born to their union, namely: Mary Ann, born February 22, 1878, is married; Ralph, born March 12, 1880, is at home with his father; William, born December 2, 1882; Hattie, born June 8, 1886; May, born March 2, 1887; Sarah, born June 5, 1891 ; Char- lotte, born April 26, 1893 ; John Erwin, born August 21, 1897; Belle, born September 28, 1900, and one that died in infancy.

J. H. KOCKER.

Among the honorable and venerable cit- izens of Antrim county, Michigan, is the subject of this review, who has here main- tained his home for many years, winning a definite success by means of the agricultural industry, to which he has devoted his at- tention during the long years of an active business life. His career has been without shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, and thus he has ever commanded the confidence and esteem of his fellow men. Mr. Kocker is a native of the old Empire state of the Union, having been born in Monroe county,

New York, on October 8, 1839, and is the son of Christopher and Mary (Hughes) Kocker, the father a native of Pennsylva- nia and the mother of New York. The par- ents were agricultural people and in, 1865 came to Michigan, locating at Sparta, Kent county, where the father died in 1898 and the mother in 1895.

The subject of this sketch received a good common-school education in his native state and early took up the vocation of farming, believing that that profession of- fered better returns and more personal in- dependence than any other, an opinion the wisdom of which has been abundantly dem- onstrated in his subsequent career. In 1880 Mr. Kocker came to Antrim county and se- cured one hundred and twenty acres of land, of which he cleared sixty acres, but of the latter portion he has since sold fifty acres. He also is the owner of another farm of one hundred and sixty acres, of which sixty are covered with excellent timber. The place on which he resides is splendidly situated in Jordan valley, having a fine creek running through it, which has been stocked with brook trout and other choice fish. Mr. Kocker has a fine residence, a large and well arranged barn and all the other acces- sories to be found on a modern farm. He is progressive in his ideas and carries on gen- eral farming, meeting with very gratifying returns for his labor.

In 1868 Mr. Kocker was united in mar- riage with Miss Lorana Ellis, the daughter of Alfred and Rebecca (Alloway) Ellis. The latter, who were farming people, were na- tives of Ohio, but removed to Grand Rapids, Kent county, this state, where their deaths occurred. To Mr. and Mrs. Kocker have been born five children. Clara, Willis, Flora, Alice and Arthur. In politics Mr. Kocker

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is a stanch Republican and has been hon- ored with official position, having served as justice of the peace, highway commissioner, health officer and one term as county coro- ner, besides having served as a school offi- cer. He has taken a deep interest in public matters, especially as affecting the agri- cultural interests and for seventeen years was closely identified with the Antrim County Agricultural Society.

Before closing this review it may be noted that during the dark and troublous days of the Civil war Mr. Kocker gave evi- dence of his patriotism by enlisting in the Sixth Independent Company of Volunteer New York Sharpshooters, which became a part of the old Iron Brigade, of the Army of the Potomac. The subject took part in all the battles and skirmishes in which his command participated, among which may be mentioned the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna river, Cold Har- bor and all the battles around Petersburg. At the battle of Weldon Railroad Mr. Kocker was captured by the Confederates and sent to Libby Prison, from whence he was transferred to the prison at Belle Isle and then to North Carolina. He received his honorable discharge on August 8, 1865.

B. F. BOSLER.

While the date of the subject's arrival in Antrim county was not as early as some others, yet he came in the formative period and has done much to develop and adver- tise to the world the wonderful resources of a county that now occupies a proud position among the most progressive sections of

Michigan. Mr. Bosler is a native of the old Hoosier state, having been born in Rush county, Indiana, on the 13th of July, 1837. He is the son of Jacob and Mary (Thomas) Bosler, who were natives of Pennsylvania, but who went to Indiana and took up a farm, on which they spent their remaining days. The subject spent his years in Indiana up to the time of the Civil war, in the mean- time receiving a good education in the pub- lic schools of that state. At the outbreak of the war he enlisted in Company C. One Hundred and First Regiment Indiana Vol- unteer Infantry, the date of his enlistment having been August 15, 1862. He served until the close of the war, his command be- ing assigned to the Army of the West, un- der Sherman, and taking part in the cele- brated march to the sea. In 1865 he re- ceived an honorable discharge from the ser- vice and at once went to Kansas and Indian Territory, but a short time later returned to Indiana. In 1872 he came to Michigan and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Jordan township, Antrim county, which he improved and developed into a good farm. He has since disposed of a large part of this land. having now but forty acres, of which he cultivates twenty, rais- ing thereon all the products common to this section. He has a nice house, good barn and all accessories necessary to the conduct of an up-to-date farm.

In 1865 Mr. Bosler was united in mar- riage to Miss Martha J. Williams and to them have been born five children, namely : John, Benjamin, William, Allen and Della. In politics Mr. Bosler gives a warm support to the Democratic party, though he is not a séeker after the honors or emoluments of public office. Through his interest in edu-

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cational matters he was induced, however, to serve as a member of the school board, in which he rendered efficient service. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, thus keeping alive old army associations and friendships. All in all, no citizen of the township is more highly re- spected or has more loyal friends than the subject of this sketch.

EDWARD E. BROWN.

biographical history of northern A Michigan would not be complete did it fail to contain mention of the hustling, enter- prising and progressive gentleman whose name appears above. Success has been worthily attained by him as the direct re- sult of the methods he has pursued-meth- ods which will insure success to any man of honor, integrity and indomitable industry. Mr. Brown is a native of the state in which he now resides, having been born at Middle- ville, Barry county, on August 21, 1867. He is the son of A. W. and Elida Brown, whose personal sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. The subject was reared under the paternal roof and secured his early edu- cation in the common schools of this state. He was early taught the lessons of industry, integrity and self-reliance and upon attain- ing manhood's years was well qualified to take up life's burdens for himself. He first engaged in farming and also dealt to some extent in lumber, in both of which lines he was fairly successful. He is the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of as good land as Antrim county affords, of which fifty-seven acres are cleared and under plow,

the greater part of the clearing having been accomplished by the subject himself. All the crops adapted to the soil and climate are raised, while ten acres of the land is de- voted to orchards, from which abundant crops of fine fruit is harvested annually, ap- ples being the main crop. In 1904 Mr. Brown went into the merchandise business at Chestonia, in which he has since been en- gaged. He handles all the commodities usually found in a store of this character and, because of his genial manners and evi- dent desire to please his customers, he has gained and retains a large and representa- tive patronage.

In 1897 Mr. Brown was united in mar- riage with Miss Frances Borst, whose fa- ther. a native of New York state, came to Michigan in an early day and settled near Detroit, coming to Central Lake, Antrim county, also in the early days of its settle- ment. He died in 1897, while Mrs. Brown's mother now resides at Ellsworth, this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born three children, Helen M. (deceased), a baby (deceased) and Ray. Socially the subject is affiliated with the Patrons of Husbandry, the Gleaners and the Independent Order of Good Templars, while his voice and influ- ence are ever given in the interest of every worthy cause, looking to the advancement or upbuilding of the best interests of the community.

GEORGE W. BROWN. -

One of the highly respected and suc- cessful farmers of Antrim county, Michigan, is George W. Brown, whose fine farm is lo-

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cated in Jordan township. He is a native of this state, having been born at Middle- ville, Barry county, on April 16, 1866. He is the son of A. W. Brown, whose sketch is to be found in appended paragraphs. The subject left Barry county with his par- ents at the age of nine years, going first to Sandlake, Kent county, where he re- mained for two years, and then going to Fife Lake, whence he came to Jordan town- ship, Antrim county. In his boyhood years he was given such educational advantages as could be secured in the public schools and was taught the best methods of farming, so that upon attaining mature years he was well equipped to take up the vocation on his own account. He is now the owner of three hundred acres of land, of which he has put sixty acres under the plow. He has been uniformly very successful in his operations and is considered a leader in agricultural circles in this township. One feature of the place is the excellent orchard, consisting mostly of apple trees of the following vari- eties : Peewaukee, Wealthy, Alexander and Wolfriver. He also has some live stock on the place, such as is ordinarily found on an up-to-date farm.

On the IIth of February, 1893, Mr. Brown married Miss Ida M. Shay, the daughter of James A. and Phoebe (Watts) Shay, the father a native of southern Michigan and the mother of England. The subject and his wife are the parents of two children, Clif- ford and Mae. In matters political Mr. Brown is independent, voting for the best man for office, regardless of party. His re- ligious connection is with the Universalist church.

A. W. BROWN, father of the gentleman

whose name heads this review, was born in Barry county, Michigan, on the 16th of July, IS36, and is the son of George W. and Mary Ann (Simons) Brown, natives of Massachu- setts. He was a farmer and came to Michi- gan as early as 1835, buying state land in Barry county and adding to it from time to time until at the time of his death he owned eight hundred acres of land. He al- ways followed farming and reared a family of eight children. His death occurred in 1856. The subject of this sketch spent his youthful days in Barry county, Michigan, having been the first white child born in that county, and secured his education in the common schools. During the war of the Rebellion he enlisted in Company E. Thirtieth Regiment Michigan Volunteer Horse-guards, and was mustered into the service, but was not ordered to the scene of hostilities. Eventually he came to Antrim county and here home- steaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Jordan township, of which one-half has been deeded to his son, while he retains and cultivates the balance. When the subject and his sons first settled on the place they erected a log cabin, which was the family home for about twenty years, when the present comfortable house was erected. All the improvements on the place have been made since the subject located on it and are all of a substantial and permanent character. The subject and his sons have about twenty- three acres devoted to orchard purposes, the greater number of the trees being apple, with a few cherry, plum and other favorite varieties.

On January 30, 1863. Mr. Brown mar- ried Miss Lydia A. Youngs, the daughter of Samuel and Catherine Youngs, of Barry

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county, this state. They have five children, in his methods, employing improved ma- namely : George, Edward, Lottie, Maude chinery and having substantial and com- and Mary (deceased). In politics Mr. Brown is a Democrat and served as a member of the township school board for many years. The subject's father, George W. Brown, was for one term in the early 'thirties a member of the state legislature and an ac- tive partisan in politics. Fraternally he is a member of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic.

FRANK S. LILAK.

That industry and sound judgment, combined with a wise economy both of time and money, are the surest contributing ele- ments to success, has been amply exempli- fied in the career of the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this brief arti- cle. Mr. Lilak is a native son of Bohemia, where he first saw the light of day on the 25th of April, 1879. He is the son of Frank and Mary (Votruba) Lilak, farming people and also natives of Bohemia, who came to Antrim county, Michigan, in 1882, where they are still living and successfully engaged in agriculture. They have forty acres of well-improved land, of which thirty are actually under the plow. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools and remained with his parents un- til reaching mature years. He was reared to the life of a farmer and has followed that pursuit since starting in life for himself. He is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of good, tillable land and has twenty- three acres in active cultivation, producing abundant crops of all the products common to this section of country. He is up-to-date

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Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 39

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