Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 57

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

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public office. While in Canada he was aligned with the Reform party.

In 1864 Mr. Roy was married to Miss Martha Walker, the daughter of Thomas and Agnes (McClymont) Walker, and to them were born the following children : Jean, deceased, Agnes, William, deceased, John, deceased, Mary A., Robina, Elizabeth, Eva M., deceased, Walker, Martha and Eben.

JOHN H. ZIEGLER.

It is not an easy task to describe ade- quately a man who has led an eminently ac- tive and useful life and who has attained a position of relative distinction in the com- munity with which his interests are allied. But biography finds its most perfect justifi- cation, nevertheless, in the tracing and re- cording of such a life history. It is, then, with a full appreciation of what is de- manded, and yet with a feeling of satisfac- tion, that the writer essays the task of touch- ing briefly upon the details of such a record as has been that of the honored subject whose life now comes under this review, Mr. John H. Ziegler, present supervisor of Star township, Antrim county, Michigan. Mr. Ziegler is a native of the old Keystone state, having been born on the 4th of October, 1858. He is the son of Jacob and Christine (Heigh) Ziegler, the father being a cooper and carpenter by vocation. He was a man of honor and ability and held the unquali- fied' respect of all who knew him, his entire life being spent in Pennsylvania. The sub- ject secured his education in the common schools of his home neighborhood and when about twenty years of age he came to north-

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ern Michigan, locating in 1878 at Grayling, Crawford county. He remained there but a short time and then went to Mancelona, Antrim county, from whence, in 1879, he came to Alba, where he has since resided. He here bought forty acres of land, with the determination to take up the pursuit of farming, and has practically followed this through the subsequent years, though at times he has been engaged elsewhere at other occupations, such as logging and clearing. He has been eminently successful since locating here and his well cultivated farm now bears evidence to the casual ob- server that it is in the care of a painstaking and methodical owner. As the years have passed by and prosperity has rewarded his well directed efforts, he has made many val- table and substantial improvements and now owns one of the valuable and attractive homesteads of the locality.

In politics Mr. Ziegler has all his life been an unswerving Republican and has ta- ken an active and potential interest in the welfare of the party. In reciprocation, his fellow citizens have honored him with sev- eral public positions of honor and trust, in all of which he has performed his duties ef- ficiently and to the entire satisfaction of the public. He has been for ten years super- visor of his township, being the present in- cumbent of this responsible office, and has also served as treasurer, health officer and highway commissioner, having held the last- mentioned office for nine consecutive years. Certainly this official record is a creditable one, to say the least, and there are undoubt- edly greater honors yet to be bestowed on one who has so faithfully discharged his multifarious duties thus far. Mr. Ziegler was the first man to locate in Star township,

and today he may, in many respects, be called the "first man" in his community. Because of his courteous manners, genial disposition and genuine worth he has made a host of warm personal friends.

GEORGE L. OSTROM.

The most elaborate history is necessarily an abridgement. the historian being com- pelled to select his facts and materials from a multitude of details. In every life of honor and usefulness there is no dearth of incident, and yet in summing up the career of any man the writer needs touch only the most salient points, giving the keynote of the character, but eliminating much that is superfluous. Among the enterprising and progressive citizens of Antrim county, Michigan, is he whose name forms the cap- tion of this article. He is a native of Michigan, having been born at Grand Rapids, Kent county, this state, on the 17th of December, 1859. His parents were Jacob L. and Emma E. (Pope) Ostrom, the father a native of New York state and the mother of England. The father spent his early life in his native state, but later removed to the state of Michigan and engaged in farming and butchering at Sparta, Kent county. He became the father of six children, of whom three are still living. His death occurred several years ago, while his widow is still living at the age of seventy-four years.

G. L. Ostrom secured his early edu- cation in the public schools of Sparta. He was early taught to value time at its full worth, and became inured to the toil inci- dent to life on a farm, so that upon attain-

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ing manhood's years he was fairly well equipped to take up the battle of life for himself. In 1885 he came to Antrim county and settled on eighty acres of land in Star township, which he purchased in 1880, and to which he has subsequently added until his present possessions amount to one hundred and thirty-four acres. Sixty- five acres of this tract are under the plow and are producing splendid crops. Much of the land had to be cleared, nearly all this labor being performed by Mr. Ostrom, and by strict attention to the proper rotation of crops and other modern methods of agri- culture he has kept the land in good tillable and productive condition, so that now this is considered one of the best farms in the township. Mr. Ostrom also gives consider- able attention to the raising of live stock, particularly cattle and sheep, having at the present time between seventy-five and one hundred head of the latter. He also deals in bees, having about twenty-five hives.

In matters political, Mr. Ostrom has al- ways aligned himself with the Republican party and has been honored by election to every office in the township, serving at dif- ferent times as supervisor, treasurer and justice of the peace, and also as a member of the school board. He is a heavy stock- holder in the local telephone company and is now the president of the company. He is also master of the Grange lodge here and takes a deep interest in the success of that organization.

In 1881 Mr. Ostrom was united in mar- riage with Miss Julia T. Martindale, the daughter of Charles and Hattie (Allen) Martindale, and to them has been born one child, Cecile Dale, now the wife of Clarence Olds. Mr. Ostrom's methods are in keep-

ing with the progressive spirit of the twen- tieth century and his well-improved property is a monument to his thrift and well-directed efforts. He is widely known and by all is esteemed for his genuine worth.

JOHN WESTERVELD.

The subject of this review, who is one of the practical and enterprising citizens of Antrim county, is, like many other self- made men of northern Michigan, an Amer- ican by adoption only, being a native of Hol- land, from whence came so much of the bone and sinew of this great western re- public. In the early history of our own land the courage and energy of the sturdy colonists from Holland were of the highest importance in the persistent struggles at- tending the first settlements of the land, as well as invaluable to the progress subse- quent thereto. It may be observed that their descendants have lost little of their an- cestral character and commercial ability.

As before stated, the subject of this sketch was born in the Netherlands, the date of his birth being the 26th of June, 1852. He is the son of G. J. and Dora (Kastine) Westerveld, farming people who spent the greater part of their lives in their native land, but who eventually came to America, locating in Wisconsin, where the mother died in 1887, and the father on Sep- tember 30, 1889. John Westerveld remained at the Wisconsin home until he was about eighteen years of age, in the meantime se- curing a good common-school education and also learning the trade of carpentering. At the age mentioned he engaged in farming

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for a year and then spent a year in a lum- ber yard. In 1871 he came to Michigan, settling in Ottawa county, where he again took up carpenter work and also that of mill- wright, vocations which he has followed to the present time. After about ten years' residence in Ottawa county, he, in 1887, came to Alba, Antrim county, and has here since resided, following his trades the mean- while. He is a careful and conscientious workman and has erected a large share of the buildings in this section of the county, their substantial character and neatly finished appearance being good evidence of the workmanlike manner in which Mr. Westerveld completes his contracts.

Mr. Westerveld has been twice married, first, in 1876, to Miss Minnie Vanzoeren, who died in 1884, and second, in 1886, to Miss Henrietta Feenendaal, the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Bruins) Feenendaal. Of these unions there are four children living, namely : Katie, Dora, Ira and Minnie. The children have all been well educated and all take a prominent part in the social and re- ligious activities of the community, es- pecially in choir work, all being musically inclined and gifted with a fair degree of talent in this direction.

Mr. Westerveld has made good advance- ment from a material standpoint since com- ing to Michigan and at present is the owner of forty acres of land, about half of which is under the plow, and he also owns some valuable town property. He takes a keen interest in the trend of public events and casts his ballot in favor of the policies and candidates of the Republican party. His fellow citizens have given substantial recog- nition of their confidence in him by elect- ing him to several offices of trust and re-

sponsibility, he having served six years as township treasurer, two years as justice of the peace and seven years as school director. His religious affiliation is with the Congre- gational church, while fraternally, he be- longs to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, belonging to Lodge No. 423 at Alba. Mr. Westerveld is one of the substantial citizens of his township and his home is the center of a genial hospitality. He is liberal in his support of all religious and charitable movements and takes pride in the progress of his community, assisting in all enterprises which promise to be of general benefit. He has not only won success, but also that good name which is rather to be chosen than riches.

PETER T. BALDWIN.

The present solid prosperity enjoyed in Antrim county, and indeed in all this section of the state, may be attributed largely to her pioneers and early settlers. In the days of the settlement here, when a wilderness was the only welcome tendered a stranger who settled here, little to encourage and much to discourage came to his lot. But these sturdy men who came to their new homes with a determination to succeed, and worked persistently and honestly, became later the prosperous and honored citizens of this locality. Among this class is numbered Mr. P. T. Baldwin, of Alba, Antrim county. He is a native son of Michigan, having been born in Barry county on October 5, 1843, and is the son of Daniel and Sarah A. (Farr) Baldwin, natives of New York state. The father was by trade a millwright and carpenter, and in 1835 left his native state

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and came to Michigan. He was the father of nine children, of whom seven are 110W living, and his death occurred in 1854.

The subject of this sketch received the advantage of attendance in the common schools of Barry county and upon taking up life's work for himself learned the trade of wagon-making. In 1874 he came to An- trim county, being one of the first settlers in this section, and indeed it may be noted that he assisted in organizing several of the townships in this county. Upon his arrival he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres and immediately entered upon the task of clearing it for cultivation. Sub- sequently he moved to Alba, which town he helped to start, and was there employed in a saw-mill. Two years later he opened a wagon-making shop, in which he also does general repair work, and he has since that time been so engaged, being considered a good workman and giving the best of satis- faction.

In politics Mr. Baldwin is a firm Re- publican, and has been elected to a number of local offices. He was the first township clerk of Chestonia township, and was also treasurer, supervisor, member of the school board, school inspector and health officer. He has ever taken a deep interest in all that affects the welfare of his community and can always be found on the right side of every moral issue, his influence having been po- tent in the material, moral and educational development of the county.

bush, Clinton county, where Mr. Moore ran a grist and saw-mill. To the subject and his wife have been born four children, namely : Clyde : George is at home; Sylvia became the wife of Samuel Torrey, and Gertrude is also at home.

Reverting to a period in the subject's life more than four decades ago, it may be stated that, at the outbreak of the south- ern insurrection, he enlisted in Company M. First Regiment Michigan Cavalry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and faithfully served in the defense of his country's flag until the close of the conflict. Among the engagements in which he partici- pated were those at Gettysburg, Cedar Mountain, two battles at Winchester, second Bull Run, Brandy Station, battles of the Wilderness, Chancellorsville and others equally as sanguinary. He fought twenty- one consecutive days under fire and was in the terrible conflicts at Cold Harbor and about Petersburg, being in the thick of the struggle until the final overthrow of the Southern Confederacy. He made a credit- able record as a valiant, faithful soldier and was finally mustered out of the service at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1865, return- ing at once to his home and to civil pursuits. He can recite many interesting reminis- cences of the old "war days" and takes a deep interest in the welfare of his old com- rades-in-arms.

In 1869 Mr. Baldwin married Miss Adulia Moore, the daughter of George W. T. F. CORWIN. and Elizabeth (Burkholder) Moore. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, re- It is a pleasure to investigate the career honor attaches to that individual who, be- moving to Knox county, Ohio, thence to of a successful, self-made man. Peculiar Michigan about 1857 and settling at Green-

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ginning the great struggle of life alone and unaided, gradually overcomes unfavorable environment, removed one by one the ob- stacles from the pathway to success and by the force of his own individuality succeeds in forging his way to the front and winning for himself a position of esteem and influ- ence among his fellow men. Such is the record of the popular citizen of Antrim county to a brief synopsis of whose life and character the following paragraphs are de- voted.

T. F. Corwin is a native of Michigan, having been born in Barry county on the 19th of February, 1860, and is the only child born to his parents, James M. and Louisa (Stanton) Corwin, who were natives of New York, though of English descent. At the age of fourteen years. James Cor- win was brought by his parents to Barry county and since that time made this state his home. The subject of this sketch has always lived with his parents, and in the days of his youth was given a good common- school education and also then learned the underlying principles of soil cultivation. In October, 1883, the subject and his father came to Antrim county and bought eighty acres of land, comprising their present farm, of which about sixty acres are in cul- tivation. At the time they secured this land it was covered with a dense growth of tim- ber and consequently much hard labor was required in the beginning to get this land in condition fit for cultivation. Not only this preliminary work, but all the subsequent labor, including improvements, have been performed by the Corwins, father and son. and few places in Antrim county show bet- ter evidences of careful and painstaking management than does this one. The place

is improved with a fine dwelling, substantial barn and all conveniences that go to make agriculture the profitable and attractive vo- cation that it is at the present day. Mr. Cor- win is recognized as one of the most indus- trious men in his township and as one who may be said to have earned all he owns by his own exertions. His name stands with- out a blot or blemish before his fellow citi- zens, and his word has never been called into question. In politics the subject is strictly independent of party lines, voting for the men and measures which in his judg- ment are most likely to conserve the best in- terests of the American people. His fra- ternal affiliation is with the local Grange, and in all ways possible he keeps in close touch with the trend of modern thought and life, holding decided opinions on the leading questions of the day. Because of his courte- ous manners, genial disposition and genu- ine worth, he has won and retains a host of warm personal friends.

JAMES ANDERSON.

Practical industry, wisely and vigor- ously applied, never fails of success. It carries a man onward and upward, brings out his individual character 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 per- severance. The everyday life, with its cares, necessities and duties. affords ample opportunities for acquiring experience of the best kind and its most beaten paths pro- vide a true worker with abundant scope

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for effort and self improvement. Among belief is in harmony with the tenets of the the well-known citizens of Antrim county Congregational church, while fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and his wife are now members of the National Protective Legion. He has always endeavored to shape his life in accordance with his Christian belief and his name is synonymous with integrity and with fair dealing in all his relations with his fellow men. who have won the respect of their fellow citizens is he whose name appears at the head of this article. James Anderson was born in Canada on the 8th of March, 1862, and is the son of Robert and Marion ( Reed) Anderson, the paternal ancestral line being Scottish, while the mother's family were of Toronto, Canada. The subject of this sketch was reared under the parental roof and secured his elementary education in the public schools of his neighborhood. At the age of about twenty-two years, in 1884, he JAMES P. HOLBROOK. came to Antrim county, Michigan, and for two years was manager of saw-mills for Ebenezer Roy. He was one of the first settlers on section 16, and here practically gained his start. In 1890 Mr. Anderson came to Alba and for five years was em- ployed in mills here, and then starting in business for himself, opened a meat shop, and also adding later a flour and feed de- partment, both of which lines have since been profitably conducted by him. He ex- erts every effort to cater to the public taste in meats, handling none but the best, and his enterprise in this respect has been re- warded in a full share of the public patron- age, who are not slow to appreciate efforts of this kind.

In 1884 Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Roy, and to them have been born three children, namely : Roy, Gordon and Jean Eva. Politically the sub- ject is aligned with the Republican party, taking a keen interest in the success of the same, and has been honored by his fellow citizens by election to the office of township treasurer, being the present efficient incum- bent of this responsible office. His religious

The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the 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 those facts which have shown the distinc- tion 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 pronounced upon the man by the people who have known him long and well.

J. P. Holbrook is a native of the state of New York, having been born at Gouver- neur, St. Lawrence county, on the 17th of February, 1864. He is the son of John F. and Sallie Ann (Seaman) Holbrook, natives also of New York and of Yankee ancestry. The father learned the trade of cooper, but passed nearly all his life as a farmer. He had four children, three of whom, all boys,

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are living. The subject of this sketch passed his youthful days under the parental roof and secured his education in the common schools of his neighborhood. Shortly after attaining to manhood's years he came to Mancelona, Antrim county, Michigan, and entered the employ of the Oval Wood Dish Company, with whom he remained one and a half years in that capacity, and was then transferred to Wetzell as clerk in that com- pany's general store. Holding this position four years, he was then made bookkeeper and manager of the Wetzell Mercantile Com- pany's store, and was later connected with the broom handle factory here in the same capacity as bookkeeper. He is alert, ener- getic and sagacious in his business dealings and has proved a valuable man in these posi- tions, earning the highest praise from the gentlemen with whom he is associated.

In 1889 Mr. Holbrook was united in marriage with Miss Nellie C. Osborn, the daughter of Joel and Catherine (Earnest) Osborn, of Ohio. In politics Mr. Holbrook is a stanch Republican, believing the policy of that party to be the one most conducive to the interests of the American people. He has never held public office, aside from mem- bership on the local school board, but has ever exerted a salutary influence on the best interests of the community. He not only possesses the esteem of his fellow citizens, but deserves it.

D. M. NORTON.

The history of Antrim county is not a very old one. It is the record of the steady growth of a community planted in the wil-

derness within the last third of a century and has reached its magnitude of today without other aids than those of industry. The peo- ple who redeemed its wilderness fastnesses were strong-armed, hardy sons of the soil who hesitated at no difficulty and for whom hardships had little to appall. Their effi- cient efforts have been fully appreciated by those who came at a later period and build- ed on the foundation which they laid so broad and deep. Among the latter class is the prominent farmer and enterprising citi- zen by whose name this article is introduced. While his arrival was not as early as some, yet he came in the formative period and has done much to develop the wonderful re- sources of a county that now occupies a proud position among the most progressive and enlightened sections of Michigan.

D. M. Norton is a native of New York state, having first seen the light of day on the 4th of February, 1840. His parents, Edwin and Parnella (Warner) Norton, were of sterling Yankee ancestry and were pos- sessed of all those admirable traits of char- acter which have made these people fore- runners in all lines of the world's activities. The father was a farmer by vocation and in 1854 he brought his family to Michigan, set- tling in Ingham county, where he took up a homestead farm, and where he died in 1860. The subject of this sketch remained with his parents during his youthful years, learn- ing the mysteries and secrets of successful agriculture, and at the same time securing through attendance at the public schools a good elementary education. In 1862 Mr. Norton enlisted in Company G, Sixth Mich- igan Heavy Artillery, and the command was at once sent to the front, being assigned to the Western Army: Their service was

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mostly devoted to garrison duty at Ft. Mor- gan, Mobile Bay and other points, which implied some very arduous service and sev- eral severe engagements. After serving his country faithfully for about three years, the subject was mustered out on the 5th of September, 1865. In 1882 Mr. Norton came to Antrim county and bought eighty acres of land, which he has since continued to culti- vate, sixty-five acres being under the plow. Mr. Norton does not specialize in his farm- ing operations, raising all the crops common to this section of the country, and, being methodical and up-to-date in his plan of op- eration, he has been rewarded by very satis- factory returns from his land. All the im- provements and accessories of a modern farm are found upon his place and the well- kept fields and the commodious and con- venient buildings on the place indicate the owner to be a man of positive ideas.

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Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 57

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