USA > Michigan > Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens > Part 61
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was captured by the enemy, but a few days later was paroled. Immediately after his muster, out he returned to his Hillsdale county home and resumed farming, being so engaged there until 1884, when he came to Kalkaska county and settled on a farm in section 7. Orange township, where he re- mained for three years, being engaged a part of the time in lumbering. He then set- tled in section 31. Boardman township, and, in connection with his farming operations, he also built and operated a saw-mill, which he continued to run until the spring of 1905, when he disposed of it. He is the owner of about two hundred acres of fine land, on which are raised all the crops common to the section of the state, about thirty-five acres of the place being under the plow. He is careful and methodical in his farming operations, seldom making vital mistakes, and the general appearance of his property indicates the owner to be a man of thrifty habits and sound judgment.
On October 3. 1875. Mr. Hart was united in marriage to Mrs. Saloma D. Thomas (nee Ide), who was born in Niagara county. New York, on May 24, 1852, and was a daughter of Daniel A. and Almeda B. (Pettit) Ide. To Mr. and Mrs. Hart have been born three children, namely: Pitt A .: Nina A. died March 3, 1901, aged nineteen years : Lulu R., who is the wife of Earl H. Lynch. By her former marriage Mrs. Hart has one daughter. Roma A., who is the wife of George Puffer, of Boardman township. the youngest living commander of Frank Fowler Post, Grand Army of the Republic. Fraternally the subject is a member of Frank Fowler Post. No. 286, Grand Army of the Republic, at Fife Lake, and is also, with his wife, a member of the Patrons of
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Husbandry. Mr. Hart has led a very ac- tive and industrious life, from his boyhood knowing little by practical experience of the meaning of idleness. As a farmer there are none better, and as a man he combines within himself the sterling qualities of head and heart which make the useful neighbor, the steadfast, faithful friend and the enterpris- ing, energetic citizen.
ALFRED H. MCLAUGHLIN.
The subject of this sketch is one of the progressive farmers and enterprising citi- zens of Boardman township, Kalkaska county, Michigan, where he has made his home for a number of years, being closely associated with its development and welfare. He is a thorough, practical agriculturist and a man of business, and, like the great major- ity of successful men, has been the architect of his own fortunes. His fidelity to his duties has never been neglected in acting his part as a worthy son of the great American commonwealth. Mr. Mclaughlin was born in Branch county, Michigan, on the 5th of March, 1860, and is the son of Thomas and Clara (Norton) Mclaughlin. The father, who was a native of Ohio, though of Scot- tish parentage, died in Coldwater, Michigan, at the age of forty-nine years, while the mother, who was born in New York state, died at Coldwater at the age of seventy-three years. They had become the parents of eight children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the seventh in order of birth. The lat- ter secured his education in the public schools of Coldwater and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his
majority. While in Coldwater he served a three-years' apprenticeship at the printing trade, but did not continue longer at it. For a short time afterwards he was employed at various places as a cook. Subsequently he went to Kansas, where he resided for a short time, and then, in the fall of 1887, he came to Boardman township, Kalkaska county, and purchased forty acres of land in section 20, on which he has since resided. He has been prosperous since coming here and has added to his acreage from time to time until his present holdings amount to six hundred and seventy-five acres, about one hundred and forty acres of which are im- proved and in a high state of cultivation, also containing a good residence, substantial and commodious barn and the necessary out- buildings. He is practical and methodical in his operations and neglects no detail of his work, always aiming to get the greatest results from his labor.
On September 3, 1881, at Sturgis, Mich- igan, Mr. McLaughlin was united in mar- riage to Mrs. Maggie Alexander, by whom he had two children, Alma and Jay. Mrs. Maggie Mclaughlin died and on October 9, 1895, the subject married Mrs. Mary Van Wormer (nee Pinney), who was born in Branch county, this state. Mr. Mclaughlin is a firm and uncompromising Republican in his political tendency and has always taken an active part in advancing the interests of his party in Boardman township. His fel- low citizens have recognized his ability by selecting him to fill several local offices, he having been the treasurer of the township for two years, and being the present incum- bent, also school director, township super- visor, and at present a member of the county board of superintendents of the poor. Fra-
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ternally he is a member of the Masonic order and in his daily life endeavors to faithfully live up to the sublime precepts of this time- honored fraternity. He is one of the leading citizens of his community and enjoys in a marked degree the esteem of his neighbors and friends throughout the township of Boardman.
ASA L. PUFFER.
The subject of this sketch is one of the progressive farmers and enterprising citi- zens of Orange township, Kalkaska county, Michigan, where he has made his home for a number of years, being closely associated with its development and welfare. He is a thorough practical agriculturist and good business man and enjoys in a marked degree the esteem and confidence of his friends and neighbors throughout the township of Orange. Mr. Puffer is a native of Leeds county, Ontario, where he was born on April 30, 1866. His parents were Asa and Louisa (Cordilla) Puffer, both natives of Ontario, Canada. They later removed to Illinois, and from there, in 1877, came to Michigan and settled in Boardman township, Kalkaska county, where they died, the father in April, 1903, and the mother in February, 1902, both being upwards of sixty years of age at the time of their decease. Of their seven children, the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth, and he was reared to manhood under the parental roof, receiving his education in the common schools. This schooling has, however, been liberally sup- plemented by subsequent reading and habits of close observation of men and events, so
that now he is considered a man of wide information. He accompanied his parents upon their arrival in Kalkaska county and . continued to make his home with them until the time of his marriage, in 1889, when he settled on the farm which he now occupies in section 19, Orange township. He here owns one hundred acres of land and also eighty acres in Boardman township, and he has about one hundred and seventy acres im- proved in a high state of cultivation, the place being adorned with a good dwelling and substantial and commodious barns and outbuildings. He is up-to-date in his farm- ing operations and by his thrift and energy has brought his place up to a high standard of excellence, it being now considered one of the best improved and most valuable farms in the community.
On August 29, 1889, in Boardman town- ship, Kalkaska county, Mr. Puffer was united in marriage to Miss Lucy M. Butler, the daughter of S. W. and Rachel C. Butler. She was born in Oakland county, Michi- gan, March 21, 1868, and received a good education in the public schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Puffer has been born one child, Kester Asa. They have an adopted boy named Arista O. Mr. Puffer has taken an active interest in local public affairs and has been elected by his fellow citizens to several offices of trust and responsibility, having held the offices of school moderator, treas- urer of Orange township for two terms and township supervisor for several terms. In politics he is a Republican and stands firmly for the principles as enunciated in the plat- form of that party, believing them to be those most conducive to the welfare of the American people. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen
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and with the Patrons of Husbandry. In all the relations of life he has proven true to every trust and now can feel assured of the sincere respect and esteem of all who know him.
PETER ETZCORN.
Any person who will investigate the facts in the case will be surprised to learn of the great number of people of Germanic origin and descent now living in the United States. Unquestionably the greatest num- ber of emigrants reaching our shores comes from that nation, and statistics show that there is more Germanic blood in the United States than any other. This being a fact, it is easy to account for the prosperity and morality of the country. Not only that, but it will afford an explanation for the love of learning shown by the people of this vast nation. Germany is famous the world over for its remarkable universities, for its edu- cated men, for its poets and philosophers, and for the industry, patience, intelligence, morality and sturdiness of its citizens. These qualities have been brought to this country by the immigrants, and are now part and parcel of our wonderful nation-its progress in domestic economy, its advance- ment in every branch of material improve- ment. and its love of country and home. Among the representative citizens of Ger- manic descent in Kalkaska county, Michi- gan, is he whose name appears above. Peter Etzcorn was born in Prussia, December 12, 1854, the third child of seven children born to John and Catherine (Fisher) Etzcorn. These worthy parents were both natives of Prussia and came to America when their
son, the subject of this sketch, was but two years of age. The father died in Battle Creek, Michigan, when sixty-six years old, and the mother in Niles, Michigan, when sixty-four years old. As stated above the subject was but an infant when the family came to America, and upon their arrival they first located in Niles, this state, where they remained until the subject was twenty- three years old. He received a good edu- cation in the common schools and upon tak- ing up life's work for himself he entered the employ of the Michigan Central Rail- road Company as a brakeman, in which capacity he continued for three years. He then went to Grand Rapids and for five years was employed at carpentering, after which he went to Clear Lake, Grand Trav- erse county, and for two years was employed by a lumbering firm to do carpenter work. In May, 1884, he came to Kalkaska county and settled on a farm in section 30, Orange township, which has since been his home. He has chiefly followed farming as a live- lihood, though he has also done considera- ble carpentering, his ability in the last line being well known. His first purchase of land here was forty acres, all of which was heavily timbered, and he cleared this, put it under the plow and erected a full set of farm buildings, including the good dwelling, sub- stantial barn and necessary outbuildings. He has added to the place from time to time and is now the owner of one hundred and forty acres, of which ninety are in cultiva- tion. There is no more methodical or suc- cessful tiller of the soil in his township than Mr. Etzcorn, all conceding his high standing as an enterprising and progressive agricul- turist.
Mr. Etzcorn was married, at Niles,
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Michigan, on October 20, 1875, to Miss Barbara Nowak, also a native of Prussia, and to them have been born the following children : Joseph, Frank P., Mary K., Her- bert, George, Agnes, Leo, Elbe and Fred- erick. Mr. Etzcorn has occupied a promi- nent place in the public affairs of his town- ship, having served as school director and justice of the peace for nine years. Frater- nally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is in sympathy with all movements having for their object the welfare of his fellow men, whether it be of a religious, moral, educational or social nature. Not only as a farmer and business man is he considered representative, but in all that constitutes nobility of character and good citizenship he has long occupied a con- spicuous place in the community.
FRANK LEACH.
In connection with a mercantile enter- prise of considerable scope and importance the subject of this review has attained a high degree of success and is known as one of the representative business men of South Boardman, Kalkaska county, Michigan. Mr. Leach has resided in Kalkaska county since 1872, when he was brought here by his parents at the age of two years. His birth occurred in Oceana county, Michigan, on the TIth of February. 1870, the eldest of five children born to his parents, Wesley H. and Esther M. (Lewis) Leach. Wesley Leach settled on a farm in Boardman town- ship at the date above mentioned and be- came one of the honored and influential men of his township. His death occurred in
South Boardman on May 12, 1904, his wife dying on February 20, 1902.
The subject of this sketch was reared on the paternal farmstead and received his pre- liminary education in the common schools, supplementing this by attendance at Ferris Institute, in Big Rapids, this state. Secur- ing a license to teach school, he was so en- gaged during the greater part of the ensu- ing ten years. acquiring an excellent stand- ing as an educator. In 1897 Mr. Leach settled on a farm in Boardman township, and for the following five years was busily engaged in the cultivation of the soil. In 1902 he, in partnership with his brother Howard, engaged in the hardware business in South Boardman, an enterprise in which they have achieved a pronounced success. Then carry a general line of shelf and heavy hardware and make a special effort to keep such a stock as will the most nearly meet the wants of their patrons.
In the spring of 1905 Mr. Leach was elected supervisor of Boardman township, being the candidate for this position on the Union ticket. Prior to this time he had been the recipient of other honors at the hands of his fellow citizens, having served as county school examiner and also as treas- urer of Boardman township. In all official positions to which he has been chosen he has performed his duties to the eminent satis- faction of his constituents and as a result possesses the fullest confidence of the voters of his county and township. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of the Mod- ern Maccabees.
In South Boardman, on the 7th of June, 1897, Frank Leach was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Redhouse, who was at that time a resident of Sanilac county, Mich-
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igan. Their union has been a felicitous one and has been blessed by the birth of two children, Greta A. and Harold F. Though Mr. Leach is not a seeker for political promo- tion, yet strong, reliable, capable men of his stamp are the ones who most faithfully bear the responsibilities of office. Whatever success has attended his efforts in the past is due entirely to his own energy, industry and ability. His reputation is that of a man of business integrity and he is highly es- teemed by all who know him.
ALPHEUS J. MONTGOMERY.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch has long enjoyed prestige as a leading citizen of the comunity in which he resides, and as an official against whose record no word of suspicion was ever uttered he has been for years an important factor in the history of Orange township, Kalkaska county. His prominence in the community is the direct and legitimate result of genuine merit and ability, and in every relation, whether in the humble sphere of private cit- izenship or as a trusted public official, his many excellencies of character and the able and impartial manner in which he dis- charged his every duty won for him an en- viable reputation as an enterprising; and representative self-made man
Alpheus J. Montgomery was born in Cayuga county, New York, on the 24th of February, 1847, and is the eldest of four children born to Daniel and Caroline (Ris- ing) Montgomery. The parents were both natives of New York state and died in Au- burn, that state, at the respective ages of
forty-eight and fifty years. The subject of this sketch spent the first fourteen years of his life in Cayuga county, ten years of that time in the city of Auburn, where he at- tended school. Removing thence to Seneca county, that state, he was for four years em- ployed there at farm labor. Deciding to make the practice of medicine his life work. Mr. Montgomery then went to Geneva, New York, and for five years pursued the study of that science. When he had sufficiently mastered the mysteries of materia medica to justify him in engaging in the practice of the healing art, he came to Rockwood, Wayne county, Michigan, and for five years was ac- tively engaged in the practice of his profes- sion. However, he was not altogether sat- isfied with this vocation, and turned to agri- culture as a pursuit which offered at once, not only a sure remuneration, but also health in outdoor exercise and a freedom that could not be possessed by one who was at all times at the beck and call of the public. He has had no cause to regret his change. He made his first purchase of real estate in Wayne county, where for three years he tilled the soil, and then, selling this farm, he came to Kalkaska county in February, 1879, and settled in section 31. Orange township, buy- ing twenty acres of wild land. He cleared this land, put it under the plow and erected commodious and substantial buildings, and as he prospered he has added to his original holdings from time to time until he now owns one hundred and nineteen acres. of which ninety-seven acres are in a high state of cultivation. He is a man of progres-) sive ideas in all that relates to the science of agriculture, a reader of the best literature relating to farming and possesses the ability to put all worthy theories to practical test.
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On November 12, 1864, at Auburn, New York, Mr. Montgomery was married to Miss Isabella Stine, a native of Seneca county, New York, born April 12, 1847. Her parents, John and Susan Stine, were both natives of New York state and were honored and worthy people. To Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery have been born three chil- . dren, namely : Moses died in Orange town- ship at the age of twenty-one years; James ; Gertrude is the wife of Allen Ryckman. In all matters affecting the public welfare Mr. Montgomery has taken a large degree of in- terest and has held the offices of supervisor of the township three terms, a member of the board of review and health officer. In poli- tics he gives an ardent support to the Pro- hibition party, believing that the temperance question is the most vital issue before the American people today. Fraternally he is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry. Mr. Montgomery's relations with his fellow men have always been characterized by the ut- most candor and his integrity is of that kind which wins confidence and is never ques- tioned.
GEORGE W. PUFFER.
For many years a respected resident of Kalkaska county, Michigan, the subject of this review is entitled to specal mention with the successful and representative men of the county. His name has long been connected! with the agricultural growth of the commun- ity and in all important matters looking to the public welfare he has taken a part. His life has been upright, as well as successful in the accumulation of a comfortable com-
petence. His career contains few mistakes, and abounds in much that is honorable and of good report, containing the record of an untarnished name and a character above re- proach, which is more to be desired than great riches.
George W. Puffer was born in Peter- borough county, province of Ontario, Can- ada, on June 22, 1870, and he was the fifth in order of birth in a family of seven chil- dren born to his parents, Asa and Louisa (Cordilla) Puffer. His parents were both natives of Canada and their deaths occurred in Kalkaska county, Michigan, the father's in April, 1903, and the mother's in Febru- ary, 1902. The subject of this sketch re- ceived the advantage of attendance at the common schools and also of a course in the Kalkaska high school, so that upon attaining manhood's years he was well equipped to take up life's burdens. He remained under the parental roof, when not engaged in his school work, until his marriage, in 1893, and assisted in the labors of the farm. In his earlier years he had decided to teach school and to this end he took a course in the Ferris Institute, at Big Rapids, this state, and after- wards taught school for eight years. He has also worked some at logging, but aside from these instances his life work has been agri- culture, and how successful he has been is indicated in the general appearance of his farm and the bountiful harvests he reaps in return for his labor. His farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres, of which one hundred acres are cleared and under the plow. Good buildings are on the place and by the exercise of sound judgment Mr. Puffer has maintained the place at a high standard of excellence.
George W. Puffer was married in
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Boardman township, on August 31, 1893, to Miss Roma A. Thomas, the daughter of Mrs. George W. Hart, of Boardman town- ship, and to them have been born three chil- dren, Lorna G., Morris M. and Myral L. Mr. Puffer takes an active interest in local public affairs and has held the offices of school in- spector and justice of the peace. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Puffer reads much, forms his opinions after mature deliberation, and is one of the well posted men of his neighbor- hood. Plain and unassuming in demeanor, he is respected by all who know him and in a quiet way has exerted a good influence upon all with whom he has come in contact.
LOUIS A. ATKINS.
He to whom this sketch is dedicated has served most efficiently and acceptably as road commissioner of Kalkaska county, Michigan, while he is one of the well-known and popular citizens of Orange township, where he has maintained his home since 1894, being now one of the strong and in- fluential citizens of his community. Mr. Atkins is a native of the province of On- tario, Canada, his natal day having been the 7th day of May, 1853. His parents were James and Caroline (Ward) Atkins, the father a native of New York state and the mother of Canada. The father died in Me- costa county. Michigan, at the age of sixty- one years. Of their eight children, the sub- ject of this sketch was the second in order of birth, and he was about nine years of age when brought by his parents to Mecosta county, Michigan. In Deerfield township,
that county, he grew to manhood and re- ceived a good practical education in the com- mon schools. In 1887 Mr. Atkins came to Kalkaska county and in 1894 he settled on the farm on which he now resides, located on section 20, Orange township. He is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land, of which he has seventy-three acres under the plow and in a highly productive condition. The place is adorned with all the necessary buildings, including a good dwel- ling, a substantial and commodious barn and the fences are well-kept, so that to the casual observer the general appearance of the place indicates the owner to be a man of energy, progress and taste.
Mr. Atkins has taken a prominent part in the affairs of his county and township, having been supervisor of Orange township for two years, treasurer of the township for three years, and is now efficiently filling the position of county road commissioner. He is a man of shrewd judgment and of good business qualifications and in all posi- tions of responsibility has performed the duties to the entire satisfaction of his con- stituents.
While a resident of Mecosta county, Michigan, Mr. Atkins wedded Miss Gertrude Scott. a native of the province of Ontario, Canada. They became the parents of two children, Ida, who is the wife of Fred Wil- son, and Dora, the wife of Claude Pickens. Mrs. Gertrude Atkins dying, Mr. Atkins af- terward married Miss Clara Darling, a na- tive of this state and at the time of her mar- riage a resident of Orange township, this county. To this union have been born three children, namely: Walter, Freddie, who died at the the age of four years, and Audie B. Mr. Atkins is a liberal reader and
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a deep thinker, is well informed on general topics, and his judgment in matters of ag- riculture and in business affairs gives weight and influence to his opinions. With the peo- ple of his township he is popular and the high esteem in which he is held attests his standing and trustworthiness as a man and enterprising public spirit as a citizen.
THOMAS STADDEN.
Admired and respected for his general intelligence and his progressive spirit, as well as for his sterling qualities as a neigh- bor and citizen, no man in the township of Orange, Kalkaska county, stands higher in public esteem than the worthy individual the salient facts of whose life and character- istics are herein set forth. Thomas Stad- den is an American by adoption, but none the less a loyal citizen of this great republic and an ardent admirer of its free institutions. He was born February 10, 1850, in Dorset- shire, England, and is the son of William and Sarah (Henning) Stadden, also natives of the "merrie isle." Mr. Stadden spent the first seventeen years of his life in his native land, receiving a fair common school education, and then came to America, locat- ing in Oxford county, Ontario, Canada, where he remained about one and a half years. From there he came to Kent county, Michigan, and a year later went to Minne- sota where he was employed a few months in the harvest fields. He soon afterward went to Cadillac, Michigan, and was em- ployed on the construction of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, remaining in the employ of that company about two years.
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