USA > Michigan > Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens > Part 59
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
On October II, 1868, in Hillsdale county, Michigan, Mr. Pontious was mar- ried to Miss Margaret Rogers, who was born in Seneca county, Ohio, on October 12, 1844. Her parents were William and Mary (Preble) Rogers, the former a native of England and the latter of Pennsylvania, and of their ten children Mrs. Pontious was the second in order of birth. To Mr. and Mrs. Pontious has been born one child, Es- tella May, who is now the wife of W. D. Moyer. Mr. Pontious keeps in touch with his old army comrades through his member- ship in Col. Baker Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Kalkaska, and is also a member of the Patrons of Husbandry. Mrs. Pon- tious is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps, while her religious affiliation is with the Disciples church.
CHARLES B. DEPEEL.
Among those men of sterling attributes of character who have impressed their per- sonality upon the community of their resi- dence and have borne their full share in the upbuilding and development of this part of Michigan, mention must not be omitted of Charles Benjamin DePeel, of section 22, Kalkaska township, Kalkaska county, Mich- igan. He was born in St. Catherines, On- tario, Canada, December 25, 1854, and is the son of Edward and Margaret (Fields) DePeel. The parents were both born in Canada, but subsequently came to the United States, where they remained until their deaths, the father dying in Detroit, Michigan, at the age of forty-two years, and the mother passing away at Indianapolis.
Indiana, when upwards of sixty years of age. Of their six children, the subject of this sketch is the eldest. The latter was about six years of age at the time of the fam- ily removal to Detroit and there he remained until 1871, at which time he came to Cal- houn county, Michigan, and worked out by the month at farm labor for about two years. He then went to Hart, Michigan, where for the following four years he was employed in driving teams. He then pur- chased a farm in Oceana county, this state, to which he devoted his atention until about 1892, when he came to Kalkaska county and for three years was engaged in lumbering. He then settled on the farm which he now, owns and has since then given the greater part of his attention to farming, though he still has some interest in the lumbering busi- ness. He is the owner of two hundred acres of good land, having about eighty acres in a high state of cultivation and raising large crops of all the products common to this section. He had a good barn destroyed by fire, but rebuilt that and also a good resi- dence and other necessary farm buildings.
On October 8, 1879, Mr. DePeel mar- ried in Calhoun county, Michigan, to Miss Lucinda Moist, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, on September 14. 1860. Her parents, Moses and Sarah (Grubb) Moist. who were the parents of eight children. died in Calhoun county, this state. To Mr. and Mrs. DePeel have been born twelve chil- dren, namely: Mattie F. is the wife of Charles Schlemmer; Harvey, Edward C., Josie, Cora B., Ina L., Addie M., Lalah, Clara and three that died in infancy. Mr. DePeel has been honored by election to the position of school assessor, in which posi- tion he rendered effective service, and in the
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spring of 1905 he was chosen highway com- missioner of Kalkaska township and is now efficiently discharging the duties of that office. Mr. and Mrs. DePeel are active and enthusiastic members of Boardman Valley grange, Patrons of Husbandry. In many and various ways they have shown a deep interest in the success and welfare of those about them and have lent their influence to every movement having for its object the betterment of the community, morally, edu- cationally or materially.
METHODISM IN BAY VIEW.
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Blakely were among the first (if not the very first) set- lers who located in what is popularly known as Bay View, Antrim county, Michigan, and it was in the Blakely home that the first Methodist meeting was held in Bay View. The old log house is gone now, but it stood on the farm which belongs to Mr. Anway, across the road and a little west of his house, where a grove of tall lilacs is now growing. I do not think there had been any organization for a church society, as Mr. Borst and Mr. Blakely were the only settlers in the summer of 1865, but in the autumn seven other families moved in, and some- time during the winter John J. Ulrich came and preached occasionally at Daniel Blake- ly's and at Norman Larrabee's. He was a good looking man, with a heavy black beard and a pleasant manner, and he resided at Antrim. Joseph Blakely, when a boy, some- times went to bring the preacher, to hold a meeting in his father's house. Mr. Ulrich was the first man who preached at Bay
View. Rev. Mr. Calkins also came and preached at Bay View. Mr. Calkins was a small man, with a good deal of energy and enthusiasm in his work. He was called the Presiding Elder's "Steam Tug," wore his shirt collar open, talked with fluency, and was well liked by the people. In the spring of this year a Sunday school was organized and held in Mr. Blakely's home, and Mr. Borst was superintendent.
When the autumn came it was decided to put up a school house, and the men in the settlement met and put up a log building on Mr. Blakely's land, just across the road from where the present Bay View schoolhouse stands.
According to official report, Mr. Sensa- baugh was appointed to preach in Bay View in 1865 and came once in two weeks. He was very much appreciated by some of the settlers, who rejoiced again to hear the word of God proclaimed at stated times; yet he was not a very eloquent man. He remained for two years, until September, 1868. Mr. Gray was the next man who was sent to Norwood, and whose duty it was to come every two weeks to preach at Bay View, and whether he was persecuted for right- eousness sake I do not know, but he had some enemies, who disfigured his horse, and he left in one year. He was succeeded by Mr. Williams, who was a supply and unor- dained. More settlers had been moving in, and Mr. Williams held revival meetings in the schoolhouse. Mr. Robinson came in 1871 and stayed two years, and was suc- ceeded by Mr. Browning, who was an earn- est worker for Christ. Rev. John McAl- lister, from 1874 to 1875 and W. A. Huns- berger, from 1875 to 1876, are two whose official record I have, and nothing more :
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but whatever good work they accomplished in Bay View in the service of the Lord, it will be revealed in the day when the secrets of all hearts are brought to light. In Sep- tember, 1876, G. W. Bell came to preach at Bay View. He did not come from Nor- wood, but was given five points at which to preach, Torch Lake, Central Lake, Bay View and two other places. Mr. Bell was to receive one hundred and twenty-five dol- lars from some ladies in southern Michigan as part of his salary, if he preached at the five stations. He commenced revival ser- vices at Bay View and kept it up for six weeks and spent most of his time and energy there, and neglected the other points, so that the next September he quit preaching. Paul the Apostle speaks of himself as one who while he preached to others might yet him- self be a castaway, and the same might be true in our day, as well as in his, but we are finite and God, who is infinite, may bring back his own, even at the eleventh hour. Bay View was again added to the Norwood charge, and the next preacher was Mr. Blake, a pious man, who was striving to do his Master's work, and the church prospered in Bay View for two years, from 1877 to 1879.
Mr. Blanchard was the minister who was preaching at Bay View when the writer moved into the community, and the church and Sabbath school were in a very flourish- ing condition. The old log schoolhouse could not contain the assembly, and a num- ber of short, planed boards were provided, and when the seats were filled the boards were laid across between the seats and the aisles filled up. In the spring of 1880 R. R. Wilkinson, Joshua Mudge, D. W. Sage and others had moved into the neighborhood
and some of the members in each of these families were helpful in the church and the Sabbath school. William G. Talbert came to preach at Bay View from 1880 to 188 1 and it was during his pastorate that Mr. Morrow and myself were received as mem- bers of the Methodist church. Mr. Talbert was a single man and, although not very elo- quent, was a devoted worker. Mr. Keillor preached at Bay View from 1881 to 1883. He came from Ontario with his young wife and they made many friends. Revival meet- ings were held in the log schoolhouse and members added to the church. The people drove out sometimes with oxen and a wagon or sleigh to bring a good load of people to the meeting, but the majority walked, as there was no shed at the time for the teams. The Sabbath school was, I think, at the height of its popularity and apparent suc- cess at this time. Thomas King, George Cross and perhaps others, had acted as su- perintendents and R. R. Wilkinson was su- perintendent now, and some of the teachers were Alden Cross and Will Sisson and a great deal of interest was taken by many others in the school. Those who were active in the work of the church at this time, al- though not all Methodists, were, as nearly as I can remember, Mr. and Mrs. Ogletree, Mr. and Mrs. Sisson, Mr. and Mrs. Wiltse, Mr. and Mrs. Cross, Mr. and Mrs. King, Mrs. Charles Hamilton, Mrs. Norman Lar- rabee, Mrs. James Williams, Miss Nellie Williams, Mrs. D. W. Sage, Mrs. Carrie Zeran, R. R. Wilkinson, Miss Bertha Wil- kinson, Mrs. Anway, Mrs. John Morse, Mr. and Mrs. Coburn. Miss Adell Coburn, Mr. and Mrs. Olmstead, Mrs. Ephraim Empey, Mr. and Mrs. Vanderschow, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ellis, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dawson,
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Mr. and Mrs. Flynn and others. Mr. Heath was appointed to the Norwood circuit in 1883 and stayed one year. He helped the people to celebrate the first Childrens' Day, held in Bay View. There was a program, and a large company were present, and it was de- cided to hold the service in the maple grove outside the schoolhouse. But in the midst of the exercises a thunder storm came up and every one tried to get inside, standing room being at a premium. Rev. George W. Howe came to Norwood in 1884 and stayed three years. On the 8th of May, 1885, the school house at Bay View was consumed by fire, with nearly all its contents, school- books, a globe, a new forty-dollar library and all the books of the Sunday school.
THE OLD LOG SCHOOL HOUSE AT BAY VIEW.
Once, in the pleasant month of May, When winter's chilling storms were past, And nature's fragrance charmed the day With buds, and flowers, unfolding fast,
And farmers dwelling near Bay View Went home, at setting of the sun, To realize, as pleasures true, The day well spent, and labor done.
Expecting sleep's unbroken sway To soothe each aching nerve and limb, And those, with thankful hearts, to pray And offer up their evening hymn.
Then night her curtain drew around, And made each shadow darker lie, A tinkling bell the only sound, And balmy sleep closed every eye.
But at the solemn midnight hour A lurid flame illumed the sky,
And morning's dawn showed by its power Our Sabbath home in ashes lie.
Our Sabbath school, brought to a close, Caused every gentle heart to mourn, For in our books were names of those Departed, never to return.
Within those sacred walls we met In converse sweet in days of yore,
With some whose sun on earth has set; Their friendly hands we clasp no more.
The last fond look, on loved and lost, Was taken there, of friends so dear By tenderest ties; They've joined the host, No more with us to assemble here.
Say not, faint heart, thy work is done- The word of God still standeth sure While shines the light of yonder sun, For us to labor and endure.
Directed by an unseen hand, The great result we may not see, And here but faintly understand, We'll learn it in eternity.
And now a vision of the past,- A picture, faithful, tender, true,- My mind retains while memory lasts, The old log school house at Bay View.
A new school house, the finest in the town at that time, was built, across the road on Mrs. Zeran's farm, and during the sum- mer and fall there was no preaching service nor Sabbath school at Bay View. The fam- ily of the writer attended service at Cen- tral Lake, and listened to R. N. Middleton preach in the old Congregational church. When the new schoolhouse was completed Mr. Howe came over and organized a Wo- man's Foreign Missionary Society, which was very soon changed into a Woman's Home Missionary Society, and then into a Ladies' Aid for the Methodist Episcopal church, which was quite prosperous for a number of years. Mr. Howe liked to drive a good horse and a good one was necessary for the drive to Norwood was a long and hard one in the winter. Mr. Whitman suc- ceeded Mr. Howe and preached one year at Bay View. That was a very stormy winter. when snow was higher than the fences, and Mr. and Mrs. Whitman had sometimes to get out and walk quite a distance to a house and stay for several days before they could .
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get home. In September, 1888, Bay View was taken from Norwood circuit and at- tached to Torch Lake circuit and S. P. Hewitt, of Milton township, was appointed, and preached at Bay View for three years. Mr. Hewitt was very highly appreciated by the Bay View people ; his wife was an in- valid. J. S. Ward came in September, 1891, and stayed two years. The circuit bought a parsonage in Eastport, where Mr. Ward and his family resided. Mr. Ward had suf- fered from poor health and was not quite recovered. He was powerful in prayer. Mr. and Mrs. Ward had quite a large fam- ily and Mrs. Ward was very much admired by all her acquaintances here. Mr. Batter- bee preached at Bay View next, and lived in the parsonage at Eastport. He kept a horse and rented a small farm, and was not un- willing to labor with his hands. Quite a large share of the minister's salary in those years was paid in produce. Two of the sis- ters in the church would take a horse and wagon or sleigh, or maybe two horses, and go from house to house and receive flour, potatoes, oats, corn, meat, fruit, eggs, butter, lard or anything that the preacher's family could use profitably. I think that Mr. Bat- terbee preached three years in the Torch Lake circuit, and then Bay View was taken off and added to Central Lake. Mr. Batter- bee was appointed to preach at Central Lake and Bay View in September, 1896, and lived on Mr. Coburn's farm one year, and the next year moved into Central Lake and preached at both points. In September, 1898, Mr. Batterbee retired from the min- istry and his friends sincerely regretted his decision. Mr. L. D. Youngblood was an In- diana man, who was next appointed to preach at Central Lake and Bay View. In
summer he came to Bay View on his wheel and it was very warm sometimes. He was a sincere, good man, and faithful, although somewhat retiring in disposition. Mrs. Youngblood was a charming woman and they had two very sweet children. Mr. Deets was appointed to preach at Central Lake and Bay View in 1900. He thought it was too much for him to come to Bay View, as he had also to preach at Ellsworth, and in September, 1901, Bay View was again added to Torch Lake circuit. Mr. Ed S. Carroll was sent as a supply and preached for two years, and in September, 1903. a few persons who had continued to attend divine service and Sunday school regularly concluded to discontinue both the preaching service and the Sunday school. One cause of the decline was on account of the large number of Dutch families who had moved into the neighborhood and had built a church of their own and attended service there and also a good many of the first settlers' families had grown up and scattered, and many of the older members had passed over. Also there are now churches, with regular services, and Sunday schools at Eastport to the west, and Cen- tral Lake to the south, and the tendency of the times draws strongly towards the towns. I must not omit to mention the frequent serv- ice, when required, of Mr. Chris Empey, a good old lay preacher known as "Father Empey," who was beloved by many in the community and has long since gone to his re- ward. Mr. Wilkinson was superintendent of the Sabbath school for a number of years and then withdrew his attendance to East- port. Mrs. Carrie Zeran also acted in that capacity ; also Joshua Mudge, Mr. Coburn, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Adell Dawson, and the
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writer. Mr. Mudge was superintendent for a number of years and was a favorite teacher. Of those who helped in other ways, I would mention the Crescent Society, a young people's organization, who bought an organ and another library; also of those who assisted with the music there were R. R. Wilkinson, George Cross, Miss Permelia and Miss Lida Cross, Miss Libbie Bennett, Elkanah Mudge, William Olmstead, Miss Alice Williams, Miss Bertha Anway, Miss Amanda Lennox helped much, Miss Josie Lennox, Miss Carrie Johnson, Miss Stella Smart, Miss Myrtle Smart, Miss Blanche Clark, Miss Alice Morrow, Miss Eva Larrabee, M. E. Byers. Mr. Allie Morse, Jesse Morse and Miss Jennie Watson. Mr. Reid and Mr. Edwards, who were teachers in the day school, helped much as teachers in the Sunday school; also Burdette Hickox and others. There are many others also who acted in different capacities to advance the Lord's work, and who deserve honorable mention, but a book of remembrance is kept and not one of them shall be forgotten before God. It has been a matter of sincere regret to the writer that the Lord's work declined and was discontinued in Bay View. But in His own good time there may yet be a great out- pouring of God's spirit in answer to the prayers of His servants to these many years. MRS. GILBERT M. MORROW.
GEORGE ECKHARDT.
The agricultural interests of Kalkaska county, Michigan, are well represented by the subject of this review, who is one of the
practical and progressive farmers of his sec- tion of the county. Like many other suc- cessful, self-made men of northern Michi- gan, he is an American by adoption only, be- ing a native of Germany, from whence come so much of the bone and sinew of this great western republic. Wherever known the Ger- man type is noted for thrift and enterprise, the subject of this mention being no excep- tion to the rule.
As before stated, Mr. Eckhardt is a Ger- man by birth, his natal day having been on February 22, 1848. The environment of the fatherland had made but little impres- sion on him, however, as he was but little more than four years old when brought to this country by his father, Philip Eckhardt. who settled near New London, Oneida county, New York, where the subject re- mained until he was past his majority, spending the greater part of the time on c farm and thus learning the secrets of suc- cessful agriculture and also acquiring those principles of industry and honesty which have contributed so largely to his subsequent success. At the age of about twenty-four years he came to Osceola county, Michigan, and was employed in the woods for about two years. In the spring of 1874 he went west and for a year worked in Kansas. Iowa and Wisconsin, and then returned to Oneida county, New York, where he remained on a farm until 1876, when he came to Kalkaska county, Michigan, and for ten years was employed at various occupations. In April, 1886, he settled on the farm which is now his home. He first purchased forty acres of land, but added to the original tract from time to time until he is now the owner of two hundred and ninety-three acres of as good land as there is in this county, and of
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which seventy acres are improved and in a high state of cultivation. He has erected good buildings on the place and made many other permanent and substantial improve- ments, enabling him to conduct his opera- tions at a minimum of labor and expense. He engages in diversified farming, though two special features are a large strawberry bed and an extensive onion patch, from both of which he derives a satisfactory revenue.
On March 12, 1876, in Oneida county, New York, Mr. Eckhardt wedded Miss Jen- nie A. Herring, a native of that county, and to them have been born five children, namely: Clara is the wife of Julius Pan- kop ; Clayton, Cora, Claude and Celia, who are all living, and also six who have died, five passing away in infancy and Clinton dy- ing in the Indian Territory at the age of twenty years.
ERNEST C. STRICKLER.
Ernest C. Strickler, who, as a member of the firm of E. C. Strickler & Company, is engaged in the hardware and furiture busi- ness in South Boardman, ranks among the more enterprising and progressive business men. The prosperity of any community, town or city depends upon its commercial activity, its industrial interests and its trade relations and therefore the real upbuilders of a town are those who stand at the head of the leading enterprises. Mr. Strickler has long enjoyed the reputation of being a representative citizen of South Boardman, a reputation that is not being dimmed in any wise as the years pass.
Mr. Strickler was born in Oxford
county, Canada, April 8, 1880, and is the son of Christian W. and Annie M. (Stadden) Strickler. the father a native of Ontario and the mother of England. When the subject of this sketch was but two years old his pa- rents came to Michigan, settling in Board- man township, Kalkaska county, where the father took up farming. Here, amid the in- vigorating and strengthening influences of rustic life Ernest Strickler was reared until the age of nineteen years, the meantime hav- ing the advantage of attendance at the com- mon schools. At the age mentioned he ac- cepted a clerkship in a hardware store in South Boardman and was later for four years engaged as a clerk in a hardware and furniture store of the Hainstock Company, Limited. In November, 1903, Mr. Strick- ler purchased of his employers the fur- niture department and on February 24th following he likewise purchased the hard- ware department, and organized the firm of E. C. Strickler & Company, the associate member of the firm being Mr. Strickler's father, Christian W. Strickler. Each de- partment is stocked with a complete line such as is needed to meet the requirements of the trade here and the new firm is already meet- ing with a success even beyond their expecta- tions. It is a success well deserved, as there are in the make-up of the subject certain ele- ments which cannot fail of successful achievements along any line of legitimate effort.
Mr. Strickler was married, in South Boardman, to Miss Grace M. House, daugh- ter of Jesse House, of Boardman township, and to this union has been born a son, For- est E. Aside from business enterprises Mr. Strickler has taken a prominent part in the public affairs of the community, having been
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elected clerk of Boardman township and also clerk of the village of South Boardman. Quiet and unassuming in his demeanor, he has made many friends in this locality, all of whom are united in their high regard for one who is living an honest, upright and in- dustrious life in their midst.
CHRISTIAN W. STRICKLER.
Among the representative farmers of Kalkaska county, Michigan, is the subject of this review, who is the owner of a fine landed estate and is carrying on the various depart- inents of his enterprise with that discretion and energy which always insure success. Mr. Strickler was born in Oxford county, On- tario, Canada, February 5, 1859, and is the son of Reuben and Eliza (Witmer) Strick- ler, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Canada. They were the pa- rents of five children, of whom the subject is the eldest. Christian Strickler was reared in his native county and on the paternal farm learned those lessons of industry and honesty which have so largely entered into his subsequent success in life. His educa- tion was such as could be obtained in the common schools. Mr. Strickler remained in Canada until the spring of 1882, when, feel- ing that "the states" offered better advant- ages and wider opportunities for a man of energy and ambition, he came to Michigan, locating on his present farm in Boardman township, Kalkaska county. He is the owner of forty acres of good, tillable land, and receives very satisfactory returns for his labor. The greater part of the land is im- proved and the place is adorned with a good
dwelling and substantial barn and out-build- ings, while the general appearance of the place indicates the owner to be a man of taste and positive ideas.
On December 3, 1878, in Oxford county, Ontario, Mr. Strickler married Miss Annie Stadden, who was born in Dorsetshire, Eng- land, November 27, 1858. Her parents were William and Annie (Lugg) Stadden, both natives of England and the parents of three children, of whom Mrs. Strickler is the eldest. To the subject and his wife have been born three children, Ernest C., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, Jessie S., a school teacher, and Mildred A. Mr. and Mrs. Strickler are active and con- sistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take a deep interest in all move- ments looking to the upbuilding of their community along moral and educational lines. In all the relations of life they have been true to every trust and are now enjoy- ing the fullest confidence and respect of their friends and neighbors.
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