USA > Michigan > Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens > Part 62
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He then went into the lumber woods, and also farmed for others to some extent. In 1889 he settled on the farm on which he now resides, consisting of ninety-one acres which he purchased of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad Company and which is located in section 31, Orange township, Kal- kaska county. The land was all wild and unimproved when he took possession, but a wonderful transformation has since that time been wrought on the place. The place is now characterized by good buildings, well- kept fences and highly cultivated fields, that indicate the owner to be a man of energy, thrift and progressive ideas.
On August 18, 1875, Mr. Stadden was married to Miss Fannie Duncan, who was born near Brantford, Ontario, Canada, April 26, 1857. Her parents were John and Catherine (Coyl) Duncan, and when she was four years old they removed to Grand Traverse county, this state, where she remained until seventeen years old. To the subject and his wife have been born three children, namely : John W., who died at the age of ten years, Ralph Coyl, and Gwindo- line, who is the wife of James Rowe. The family are highly esteemed by their neigh- bors and friends and possess the unlimited confidence of all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.
GEORGE L. CARLISLE.
Among the representative farmers of Kalkaska county is the subject of this re- view, who is the owner of a fine landed es- tate and is carrying on the various depart- ments of his enterprise with that discretion
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and energy which are sure to find their natural sequel in definite success. Mr. Car- lisle was born on a farm in East Aurora, Erie county, New York, October 9, 1842, and is the son of Hamilton and Phoebe Ann (Wilcox) Carlisle. The parents were na- tives of that state also, and the father's death occurred in Ottawa county, Michigan, at the age of forty-one years, he having been killed by a falling tree during a windstorm. The mother died at Greenville, Montcalm county, Michigan, at the age of fifty-five. Of their five children, the subject of this sketch is the second in order of birth. George L. Carlisle spent his childhood years in Erie county, New York, and at the age of twelve years accompanied his parents on their removal to Ottawa county, Michigan. He was residing in that county when, in May. 1861, he enlisted in the military ser- vice of his country for the purpose of sup- pressing the southern insurrection, joining Company I. Third Regiment Michigan Vol- unteer Infantry. He served three years and participated in a number of the heaviest en- gagements of that conflict, some sixteen in all. In one of the battles of the Wilderness he received a severe gunshot wound in the left side and endured many privations and made many sacrifices on the altar of his country's freedom. Upon receiving his honorable discharge from the service, Mr. Carlisle returned to Ottawa county, Michi- gan, where he was employed in farming and lumbering, making his headquarters there and in Kent county. this state. In the spring of 1872 he came to Kalkaska county and took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 24, Kalkaska township. He then returned to Kent county and worked until the following autumn,
when he returned to Kalkaska county, and soon afterward his wife joined him there. They first stopped on the site of what is now Kalkaska and for three weeks their home was a tent. In April they started for the homestead, and a long and arduous trip it was, requiring four weeks, as a deep snow was on the ground and much of the distance had to be traveled afoot. About half way they were forced to remain most of this time until the roads could be opened to their new home. This has been the subject's home continuously since that time and he has wrought a marvelous change in the con- dition and appearance of the place during the subsequent years. His real estate holdings here comprise about two hundred acres, of which about ninety acres are under the plow and improved with a good set of farm build- ings and all other conveniences and necessi- ties of an up-to-date farm. He devotes his attention to all the crops common to this sec- tion of the country and his efforts are al- most invariably rewarded with satisfactory returns.
At Grand Rapids, Michigan, on April 26, 1871, Mr. Carlisle wedded Miss Helen Ry- kert, who was born at Ada, Kent county, Michigan, on April 24, 1847. Her parents were George W. and Emeline (Sprague) Rykert, both natives of the state of New York. The father's death occurred at How- ard City. Michigan, at the age of seventy- seven years. To Mr. and Mrs. Carlisle have been born seven children, namely : Ada (died in infancy), Claude C., Frank G., Arthur E., Ray A., Leon C. and Lulu M. Socially Mr. and Mrs. Carlisle are members of the Patrons of Husbandry, and Mr. Carlisle is also a member of Col. Baker Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Kalkaska. In the
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Grange Mr. Carlisle has been honored by official position, having been master of Boardman Valley Grange and also of Po- mona Grange and has been gatekeeper and steward in the state grange. Mrs. Carlisle has been a faithful member of the Baptist church since she was eighteen years old, holding present membership, with five of her sons, in the First Baptist church of Kal- kaska. Mrs. Carlisle taught school three terms in Kent county, this state, and one term in Ionia county, before her marriage. All the members of this family are public- spirited in their attitude toward all ques- tions affecting the welfare of the commun- ity and are popular with all who know them.
RICHARD G. LEWIS.
In the history of northern Michigan, as applying to the agricultural interests, the name of Richard G. Lewis occupies a prom- inent place, for through a number of years he has been one of the representative farm- ers of Kalkaska county, progressive, enter- prising and persevering. Such qualities al- ways win success, sooner or later, and to Mr. Lewis they have brought a satisfactory re- ward for his well directed effort. He is a native of England, having been born in county Devonshire on the anniversary of American independence, July 4, 1849. His parents were James and Jane (Gidley) Lewis and in 1866 they emigrated to America, and after a few months' visit with friends in Oakland county, Michigan, they located in Vigo county, Indiana, where they passed the balance of their days, the father dying in 1867 and the mother in 1871. Of their
nine children, the subject of this sketch was the last born. He made his home with his parents in Vigo county, Indiana, for three years after coming to this country, and then went to Milford, Oakland county, Michigan, the scene of his former visit, where he made his home until 1880, being engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. In March of the year last mentioned he brought his wife and one child to Kalkaska county and settled on the farm which he now occupies and which has been his home continuously since that time. He is the owner of eighty acres of good, arable land, on which he made many substantial and permanent improvements and from which he receives bountiful harvests in sea- son. He is careful and methodical in his farming operations and no detail is so trifling as to escape his notice.
On February 14, 1872, while living in Oakland county, this state, Mr. Lewis was married to Miss Emma Harlow; a native of Milford, Oakland county, born May 30, 1850, and the daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth J. (Bush) Harlow. Her father was born in Vermont and her mother in New York and their deaths both occurred in Oakland county, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have become the parents of two chil- dren, Flora A., who is the wife of Burton S. Phelps, and Howard B., who died when nearly nine years old. Mr. Lewis has taken a prominent part in local affairs and has been honored by his fellow citizens with sev- eral official positions, having served as school inspector, township clerk, member of the board of review and township treasurer, holding the latter position for seven terms, certainly a pronounced testimony as to his ability, integrity and popularity. Fraternally he is a member of Forest Lodge, No. 379,
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Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Excelsior Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, while he and his wife are affiliated with the Daughters of Rebekah. Religiously. they are both members of the Congregational church and endeavor to govern their actions in accordance with their highest conception of right living. They are interested in every movement for the moral, educational, social or material upbuilding of their community and because of their sterling characters they have won and retain the loyal friendship of all who know them.
IRA H. ECKLER.
Among the prominent and successful citizens of Kalkaska county, Michigan, may be mentioned Ira H. Eckler, who is a pros- perous farmer and a respected and useful member of society. His valuable estate, which is located in section 18, Excelsior township, attracts attention and favorable comment, not only on account of the evi- dences of agricultural superiority but also by reason of its attractiveness and its air of generous comfort.
Mr. Eckler was born on March 31, 1866, in Oakland county, Michigan, and is the son of William H. and Almeda (Stowell) Eck- ler. The parents were also both natives of Michigan and in the fall of 1879 they re- moved from Ionia county, this state, to Kal- kaska county and settled in Excelsior town- ship, where they made their home for many years, eventually removing to the town of Kalkaska, where the mother's death oc- curred January 25, 1900, at the age of about fifty years. They were the parents of four
children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest. Ira Eckler accompanied his parents upon their removal to Kalkaska county, in October, 1879, and has been a resident of Excelsior township continu- ously since that time. Farming has been his occupation and in this line he has achieved a definite success, the result of his thought- ful and intelligent attention to every detail of his work. His holdings aggregate eighty acres, and he has in active cultivation about thirty-eight acres, which, though not as large as many surrounding farms, is unex- celled by any in the quality and proportion- ate quantity of the products.
In Kalkaska township, this county, on February 3, 1889, Mr. Eckler wedded Miss Alice .A. Campbell, who was born in Alle- gheny county, Pennsylvania, on May 13, 1872, the daughter of William and Mary Campbell. To the subject and his wife have been born two children, Harry I. and Ida M. Mrs. Alice Eckler's death occurred on April 6. 1904. and in her death the community felt a distinct and irreparable loss, as she pos- sessed a personality that impressed itself upon all who knew her and made friends of all her acquaintances.
In all matters of public import Mr. Eck- ler keeps in close touch, being a close reader and a keen observer of men and events, and on all leading questions he takes a decided stand, being able at all times to give sound reasons for his belief on any question. He has served his community in several official capacities, having held the offices of school inspector, justice of the peace for several terms and several years as highway com- missioner, and in the spring of 1905 he was elected one of the county road commis- sioners. In 1900 he was a national census
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enumerator and in 1904 assisted in taking the state census.
His probity, fidelity and sterling worth have won him the unqualified confidence of his fellow citizens and he receives the respect and esteem which ever follow an upright career.
JOSEPH DAVIS.
One of the prominent and highly re- spected residents of Kalkaska county, Mich- igan, is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this article. He is a native of the Wolverine state, having first seen the light of day in Oakland county, Michigan, on March II, 1870. His parents. Edward and Harriet (Osborne) Davis, came to Kal- kaska county, from Oakland county. this state, in February, 1878, and settled in Ex- celsior township, where the mother died in the latter part of July, 1899, at the age of almost seventy-four years. They were the parents of three children, William; Eliza- beth, who is the wife of Henry Hagni; and Joseph.
The subject was eight years old when the family removed to Kalkaska county and in the parental home he grew to manhood. receiving in the meanwhile a good educa- tion in the common schools, and at the same time learning, under the wise direction of his father, the secrets of successful agricul- ture. He remained at home until his mar- riage, in 1896, when he settled on the farm on which he now lives, on section 17. Excel- sior township. The place comprises one hundred and twenty acres, of which one hundred are under cultivation, and on this place he has erected good, substantial build-
ings and made many other improvements which make the place among the best farms in the county. Mr. Davis is a careful and conservative business man, giving attention to every detail of the enterprise and keeping in touch with the most advanced ideas as to the tilling of the soil and the care of crops.
On December 1, 1896, Mr. Davis was united in marriage with Miss Mabel Drumm, who was born in Shiawassee county, this state, on March 9, 1875, and is a daughter of Albert and Emma (Clark) Drumm. She was reared in the home of her grandfather, Artemus H. Clark, who was one of the early pioneers of Excelsior township and a prominent citizen of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are the parents of one child, Raeburn C. E.
Mr. Davis is interested in all matters affecting the public welfare and has been honored with official station, having served as treasurer of Excelsior township, a mem- ber of the board of review, and for two terms supervisor of his township, Frater- nally he is a member of Excelsior Camp, No. 6579. Modern Woodmen of America, while he and his wife are both members of the Church of Christ.
GEORGE M. BEACH.
The subject of this review has long been recognized as one of the successful farmers and representatives of the township in which he now resides, and he is also an influential factor in all that pertains to the welfare and advancement of the community. His par- ents. Luther and Mary Ann (Atwood) Beach, were both natives of New York
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state and became the parents of three chil- dren, the subject of this sketch being the last born. The father died in Hillsdale county, Michigan, October 5, 1904, at the age of nearly eighty-two years, while the mother died in Orange township, Kalkaska county, in September, 1901, when nearly seventy years old. They were farming peo- ple and were highly respected by all who knew them.
George M. Beach was born in Marion, Wayne county, New York, his birthday be- ing October 29, 1842. When he was but a few months old his parents removed to Michigan, locating first in Livingston and then in Hillsdale counties, where the subject grew to manhood. In youth he was given the advantage of attendance at the public schools. thus securing a fair education, which has been liberally supplemented dur- ing the subsequent years through wide read- ing and habits of close observation, so that Mr. Beach is now considered a man of wide information on general topics. His first ac- tive occupation was as a farmer, and he has ever since followed this vocation. While living in Hillsdale county Mr. Beach mar- ried and settled in a home there until 1882, when, in the autumn of that year, he came to Kalkaska county and until the following spring resided in South Boardman, in the meantime casting his eyes around for a de- sirable farming property. Eventually he purchased forty acres of land in section 9. Orange. the nucleus of his present farm, which he has added to until his present hold- ings amount to one hundred acres, about sixty-five of which are improved. Much of this land was in timber and undergrowth when he Fought it and much hord hbor was entailed in getting it ready for cultivation,
but today few farms in the township are in a more advanced state of improvement and few, in proportion to acreage, return a greater amount of products. Mr. Beach erected good, substantial and tasty build- ings and has made many other improve- ments not only practical in their purpose, but pleasing to one of taste. He is up-to- date and progressive in his methods, believ- ing that the best is none too good for suc- cessful farming, and is considered one of the representative agriculturists of his com- munity.
On July 4. 1865, in Hillsdale county, this state, Mr. Beach was united in marriage with Miss Ella Heckle, a native of Ohio and a daughter of John and Sarah Heckle. To this union has been born a daughter, Sarah Gertrude, who is now the wife of Edwin Reynolds. In religion, Mr. Beach affiliates with the Free Methodist church and in his daily life endeavors to live in accordance with the teachings of the lowly Nazarene. His integrity is unassailable, his personal honor above reproach and in all his relations with the world his record has been free from the slightest suspicion of questionable trans- action.
ARCHIBALD BUTTARS.
One of the solid and popular financial in- stitutions of northern Michigan is the Char- levoix County Bank, of which the subject of this sketch has been cashier from the time of its organization to the present, while it is largely due to his discriminating adminis- tration that the bank has gained such pre- cedence in controlling a large and represent- ative business. The executive corps of the
ARCHIBALD BUTTARS.
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institution is as follows : John Nichols, president ; Harry Nichols, vice-president ; Archibald Buttars, cashier; and Albert F. Bridge, assistant cashier. Operations are based on a cash capital of about twelve thou- sand dollars, and a general banking and in- surance business is conducted. The fine building occupied by the bank is owned by the institution and was erected in 1904, at a cost of eighteen thousand dollars, being one of the most substantial and attractive business structures in this section of the state. The enterprise has been conducted under the present corporate title since 1898. the bank being the successor of the Charle- voix Savings Bank, which was established in 1885, as a state bank, having been the di- rect successor of a private banking institu- tion founded by .\. Buttars. A. N. Upright and G. S. Thomas one year previously. Mr. Buttars was one of the organizers of the savings bank in 1885, and became its cash- ier in 1892, retaining this incumbency until it was merged into the Charlevoix County Bank, when he assumed the same position in the new institution, so that he has been con- secutively in executive service for more than twelve years.
the family locating in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, where they remained for a period of two years, the father there following the mechanical vocation to which he had been trained. At the expiration of the period noted they removed to Huron county. Michigan, where the father of the subject became identified with lumbering interests, and both he and his wife passed the re- mainder of their lives in this state. Our subject received his educational discipline in the common schools and as a boy began to learn the lessons of practical industry, so that as he approached the years of maturity he was well equipped for fighting the bat- tle of life. In 1856. when seventeen years of age, he came to northern Michigan, num- bering himself among its early pioneers of Antrim county and having been identified with the general merchandise business in Elk Rapids, Northport and Traverse City. In 1869 he came to Charlevoix, where he opened a general store, being associated in the enterprise with Messrs. Amos Fox and Hiram O. Rose, whose names were promin- ent in the pioneer annals of this section. The firm of Fox, Rose & Buttars did a large and flourishing general merchandise and wood business, supplying wood to the various lake steamers which touched this and neigh- boring ports and also making large ship- ments of wood to the city of Chicago, the consignments averaging from five thousand to ten thousand cords annually. These ex- tensive shipments indicate how rapidly the work of reclaiming the land in this section was then progressing, for many settlers were pushing forward the development of farms in this and adjoining counties. This firm continued active operations until 1881.
Mr. Buttars is a pioneer of this section of the state, coming here in 1856, and has been prominently identified with its civic and material development and progress, while he is recognized as one of the repre- sentative citizens and influential business men of Charlevoix, where he has main- tained his home for the past thirty-six years and where he is held in high confidence and esteem. Mr. Buttars is a native of the city of Manchester, England, where he was born on the 21st of November, 1838. In 1850 he came with his parents to America, when the partnership was dissolved. Of
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Amos Fox and Captain Hiram O. Rose, with whom our subject was so long and pleasantly associated, it may be said that they were for many years prominent resi- dents of the city of Northport, the former being now deceased. He came to northern Michigan about the year 1854 and early be- gan dealing in wood at Northport, while later he became identified with industrial enterprises at Charlevoix and Northport and other points, having conducted a gen- eral mercantile business in Northport, Char- levoix and Petoskey for a number of years. In 1864 he came to Charlevoix, where he and Captain Rose were associated in various business enterprises, as they had also been for a number of years at Northport, where Mr. Buttars was a clerk in the Campbell & Goodrich store, having been previously em- ployed for six years by that firm. The firm of Fox, Rose & Buttars closed out its busi- ness in 1882, Messrs. Rose and Buttars sell- ing their interests to Mr. Fox, who died a number of years later, in Charlevoix. Mr. Buttars and Captain Rose then established a general merchandise business in Petos- key, and two years later our subject retired from the firm and came to Charlevoix, where he became indentified with the bank- ing business, as has been already noted in this context.
Mr. Buttars has been a progressive and public-spirited citizen and has contributed his quota to the support of all enterprises tending to advance the material and civic prosperity of his town and county. He has served as village treasurer and president and also as a member of the board of educa- tion, while he has ever been a stanch advo- cate of the principles and policies of the Republican party.
During 1863-4-5 he was collector of customs at Northport, Michigan, and was county clerk of Leelenaw county in 1865- 6-7-8. He was state senator from the thir- teenth senatorial district in 1881-2-3-4, be- ing president pro tem of the senate in the session of 1883. He was then elected and served as lieutenant governor of the state of Michigan during the years of 1885-6, after which he voluntarily retired from pol- itics. He is a prominent Mason, having served two terms as master of the lodge in Charlevoix and being also identified with the commandery of Knights Templar at Pe- toskey.
In 1865, at Charlevoix, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Buttars to Miss Celia Moses, who was born and reared in Cleve- land, Ohio, and who died in 1875, leaving one daughter, Essie B., who is now the wife of Edwin F. Parmalee, of San Diego, California. In 1895 Mr. Buttars wedded his present wife, whose maiden name was Emma C. Blinn and who was born in the state of Vermont. No children have been born of this union. Both husband and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
HERSCHEL V. BEAVER.
One of the fine properties of Excelsior township, Kalkaska county, Michigan, is that owned by Mr. Beaver, who has here maintained his home for more than two score years and who is known as one of the progressive and successful business men of this section of the county and as a citizen whose life has been dominated by high prin- ciples and a determination to achieve a suc-
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cess worthy of the name, so that he has not been denied the fullest measure of con- fidence and esteem. Mr. Beaver was born in Schoharie county, New York, on Septem- ber 26, 1860, and is the son of Thomas and Elmira (Franse) Beaver, both natives of the Empire state. They removed from New York to Barry county, Michigan, and from there, in 1879, they came to Kalkaska county and settled in section 16, Excelsior township, where they spent the remainder of their days, both dying at the age of about seven- ty-four years. The subject of this sketch, who was the seventh in order of birth of their eight children, accompanied his par- ents upon their several removals and in his youth was given the advantage of a good common school education, which has been liberally supplemented through the subse- quent years by habits of close observation and a wide and liberal course of reading. He has always followed agricultural pur- suits and is now operating the home farm with a satisfactory degree of success. The farmstead comprises seventy-three acres, of which Mr. Beaver has about fifty-five acres in cultivation, raising thereon all the crops common to this section of country. The place is improved with splendid buildings, well-kept fences and all the accessories of an up-to-date twentieth-century farm and is yielding to its owner a bounteous return for the labor he bestows upon it.
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