Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 63

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

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In Barry county, this state, Mr. Beaver was united in marriage with Miss Pauline Campbell. the daughter of the late Ames Campbell and a native of New York state. To this union were born two children, Glenn and Pearl S. Mrs. Pauline Beaver died in Excelsior township on the 3d of October, 1897, and on April 9, 1898, at Kalkaska,

Michigan, Mr. Beaver wedded Miss Dora Grow, a native of Michigan and the daugh- ter of William and Stella (Babcock) Grow. To this union have been born two children, Dewey and Bethel. In local public affairs Mr. Beaver has been closely identified with all movements looking to the upbuilding and development of the community and he has also served in the responsible position of treasurer of Excelsior township for two years. Fraternally, he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having membership in Forest Lodge, No. 397. Few citizens of Excelsior township receive a greater meed of popular regard than does the subject of this brief sketch, who well merits a more extended notice.

JOHN E. SIMPSON.

There is no calling, however humble, in which enterprise and industry, coupled with a well-directed purpose, will not be produc- tive of some measure of success and in the pursuit of agriculture the qualities men- tioned are especially essential. Among the farmers of Kalkaska county, Michigan, who have attained to a definite degree of suc- cess in their line is John E. Simpson, whose fine farm is located on section 24, Kalkaska township. He was born in Thedford, On- tario, Canada, on October 15, 1863, and is the son of John and Diana (Erb) Simpson. When he was about one year old his parents brought their family to the United States. locating in Kent county, Michigan, settling on a farm. Here the subject grew to man- hood and there imbibed those sentiments of- honesty and integrity which have ever been

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to him a rule of action. He was taught the rudiments of farming and also obtained a good practical education in the public schools. In November, 1883, he came to Kalkaska county and purchased forty acres of land in section 35, where he lived for about five years, but at the end of that time he sold out and purchased eighty acres of good farming land in section 24, that being the place of his present residence. He has put many good and substantial improve- ments on the place and has brought it up to a high standard of excellence, in return for which he reaps bountiful harvests in sea- SON1.

At Kalkaska, Michigan, on December 23, 1888, Mr. Simpson married Miss Lib- bie Rosenburg, who was born in Washtenaw county, this state. To this union have been born three children, Mabel, Maude and Clyde. Mr. Simpson takes much interest in affairs affecting the welfare of his com- munity, especially along educational lines, and for the past five years he has served as assessor in school district No. 7. In many other ways also he has shown that he is alive to the best interests of the locality and because of his sterling worth he is in the enjoyment of the unreserved confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.

Mr. Simpson's parents, John and Diana (Herb) Simpson, were natives of the prov- ince of Ontario, Canada, and in 1864 they came to Kent county, Michigan, and settled on a farm in Lowell township, where they still reside. Of their eight children the sub- ject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth. Mrs. Simpson's parents, Peter F. and Sarah (Race) Rosenburg, were both born in the state of New York, but eventu- ally came to Washtenaw county. Michigan,

where they resided for three years, and then removed to Lowell township, Kent county, this state. In February, 1882, they came to Kalkaska county and settled on a farm in section 25, where the father died in March, 1900, at the age of seventy-five years. Of their seven children, Mrs. Simpson was the last born.

LORIN A. RICE.

The agricultural interests of Kalkaska county have an able representative in the subject of this review, who is thoroughly in touch with the progressive spirit of the age, his well improved farm being eligibly lo- cated in section 32, Rapid River township. Mr. Rice claims the old Empire state as the place of his nativity, having been born in Madison county, New York, on November 21, 1831. His parents, Horace and Betsey (Coburn) Rice, were also natives of New York state, and in 1856 removed to Berrien county, Michigan, and from there, in 1867, to Kalkaska county, settling on section 32, Rapid River township. The father died the following spring, at the age of sixty- one years, while the mother's death occurred February 8, 1897, at the age of eighty-six years. Of their nine children, the subject was the eldest.

Lorin A. Rice was reared in his native county and there received a good common school education. In 1856 he accompanied his parents upon their removal to Berrien county, Michigan, where he remained until 1867. He was engaged in farming and also learned the cooper's trade, which he followed for several years. In January, 1864. Mr. Rice enlisted in the Second Michigan Cav-

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alry Regiment and was in active service in the South until the close of the war, being mustered out in September, 1865. In May, 1867, Mr. Rice came to Kalkaska county and settled on the farm where he now re- sides. He took up a homestead of eighty acres in section 32, Rapid River township, it all being covered with a dense growth of timber. He cleared this land and has added to it from time to time until he now owns two hundred and forty-seven acres, about one hundred of which are under the plow. Good buildings have been erected on this place and other substantial improvements made and in all his operations he is up-to- date and progressive, being considered one of the best farmers in the county.

On April 29, 1858, Mr. Rice married Miss Cornelia Taggart, a native of Cass county, Michigan, born on August 25, 1841, the daughter of Philander and Phoebe (Stone) Taggart. Mrs. Taggart's parents died in Berrien county, where they had set- tled in 1833, the father being aged fifty-two years and the mother sixty-two years. Of their six children, Mrs. Rice was the fourth in order of birth. To Mr. and Mrs. Rice have been born three children, Willard S., DeForest J. and Anna M., who is the wife of Milo Ireland. Three other children were born to them also, but died in infancy. In local public affairs Mr. Rice has taken an active part, having held the office of town- ship treasurer, justice of the peace, highway commissioner and road commissioner. Fra- ternally Mr. and Mrs. Rice are members of the Rapid River Grange, Patrons of Hus- bandry, and are active church workers, lend- ing their influence to all movements for the betterment of the community.

URIAH VARGASON.

This worthy old pioneer is one of the few remaining links in the chain that con- nects the present age to a period almost buried in the mists of the past. He enjoys the distinction of being one of the oldest living settlers of Kalkaska county and has been a witness of its development from the virgin forest to its present prosperous con- dition as one of Michigan's most advanced and enlightened counties. Homes and vil- lages have sprung up on every hand since he first saw the county in its primitive wildness and beauty; forests have disap- peared before the ax wielded by the strong arm of the woodman; farms, with fertile, well-tilled fields, fine orchards, comfortable dwellings and all the adjuncts of civilization, have taken the place of the tangled wilder- ness which sheltered numerous beasts of prey and, at no very remote period, the red man.

Mr. Vargason is a native son of the old Keystone state of the Union, having been born at Towanda, Bradford county, Penn- sylvania, on July 8, 1837. He is the son of Horatio and Polly (Vargason) Varga- son. The mother's death occurred in Run- ning Water, Nebraska, while the father, who came to Kalkaska county, Michigan, in 1867, died in Clearwater township, the following year. The subject of this sketch was about two years old when his parents moved to Tioga county. Pennsylvania, where he re- mained until he was about fifteen years old, receiving a fair education in the common schools. He then went with his parents to Fayette county, Iowa, where he remained about three years, the following three or

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four years being spent as a trader with the Indians in South Dakota. Going then to St. Joseph, Missouri, he was for a year en- gaged in buying mules for Pike's Peak ex- peditions, and then went to Calumet, Indi- ana, where he remained about eighteen months. He afterwards operated a wood store in Chicago, Illinois, and in the fall of 1866 he came to what is now Kalkaska county, Michigan, and located on the tract of land which now comprises his fine and well-improved farm. He was the fourth settler in the township of Clearwater and is thus clearly entitled to distinction as one of the earliest pioneers. He has, almost with- out interruption, followed farming since coming here and has accumulated a comfort- able competence as the result of his years of earnest and consistent effort. His farm comprises one hundred and twenty acres, of which he cultivates about fifty-five acres and has also devoted about five acres to an orchard, which is stocked with choice and standard varieties of fruit of all kinds. He is diversified in his farming operations, rais- ing all the crops for which the soil and climate are adapted. He has, a neat and sub- stantial residence and all the buildings on the place are well adapted to their several uses.

Mr. Vargason was married, in Allegan county, Michigan, in the early 'sixties, to Miss Eliza Thomas, a native of New York state, and whose death occurred in Clear- water township in September, 1904, in her sixty-first year. Their children are briefly mentioned as follows: Elsie is the wife of Robert Morrison ; Achela is the wife of Wil- liam Granger ; Clifford ; Myrtle is the wife of Charles Harris; Grace is the wife of Hugh Miller ; Raymond G. and two children who

died in infancy. Mr. Vargason has not been a seeker after the honors or emoluments of public office, but about thirty years ago he was chosen to the office of justice of the peace and his services have been so char- acterized by fairness and sound judgment that he has been retained in the office ever since. He has also held several school offices, having maintained a keen interest in educational matters. His fraternal relation- ship is with the Masonic fraternity and the Patrons of Husbandry. Before concluding this sketch, it is worthy of special note that Mr. Vargason was one of the first men in Kalkaska county to engage in the raising of fruit and has done much to stimulate and encourage this industry among other farm- ers of the county. His present orchard is one of the best selected and cared for in the community and produces some fine fruit in season. Personally Mr. Vargason enjoys no small degree of popularity ; his friendships are firm and loyal and he aims to discharge his duty, public and private, in such a way as to merit the confidence and good will of his fellow citizens.

JAMES A. DRAKE.

A citizen of the United States can wear no greater badge of honor than the distinc- tion of having served the government in the four years of war between the states. It is a sacred family inheritance of renown to be prized like a jewel by future descendants and kept bright and untarnished by other acts of valor, patriotism and loyalty in the interest of free government. One of these sturdy defenders of his country's flag and

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the nation's integrity was the gentleman who name appears at the head of this article. He is one of Michigan's native sons, having been born in Amboy, Hillsdale county, on September 25, 1845. His father, John S. Drake, was a native of Sodus, New York, while his mother, whose maiden name was Lucia A. Cohoon, was born in Wayne county, Michigan. They became the parents of eleven children, of whom James A. Drake was the first born. These parents both died in Hillsdale county, this state, the father at the age of sixty-one years, and the mother when about forty-seven years old. James A. Drake spent his boyhood years in his na- tive county, securing in the meantime a good education in the common schools of that lo- cality.

In the war between the North and the South, when the integrity of the nation hung in the balance, Mr. Drake's patriotic love of country impelled him to offer his services, and his life if need be, and in October, 1863. he enlisted in Company A, Eleventh Regi- ment Michigan Volunteer Cavalry. This command took part in a number of import- ant battles, skirmishes and other arduous service, including Sherman's famous march to the sea, and Mr. Drake remained on ac- tive duty during nearly the entire period of his enlistment. At the close of hostilities, in September, 1865, he was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, and he returned at once to Hillsdale county, Michigan, and in the following spring he went to Pioneer, Ohio, and learned the blacksmith trade, be- ing employed there for two years. He then returned to Michigan and here followed his trade until March, 1871, when he came to Kalkaska county and took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, lying in sec-

tion 4, Orange township, where he has since resided. He has followed blacksmithing to some extent, in connection with farming, and has found it not only profitable, but his services have been of great advantage to his neighbors. Mr. Drake improved about one hundred acres of his original homestead and is now the owner of about eighty acres, on which he carries on farming operations. He has erected good buildings on this place and has otherwise in many ways improved it. He is diversified in his operations, not giv- ing special attention to any line of products, and has always been favored with good crops, for which he has found a ready mar- ket. He has taken an active part in all local affairs affecting the public welfare and has held at different times nearly all the offices in the township, having been township super- visor, township clerk, township treasurer, justice of the peace and highway commis- sioner. In all these positions he has exhibited judgment and business ability of a high order and has acquitted himself with credit to himself and the satisfaction of the citizens of his township. Fraternally, Mr. Drake be- longs to the Free and Accepted Masons and . to the Grand Army of the Republic, holding membership in Colonel Baker Post of the latter organization, at Kalkaska, and being held in the highest appreciation by his old comrades-in-arms.

At Pioneer, Williams county, Ohio, on February 22, 1867, Mr. Drake was married to Miss Mary A. Wright, who was born at Perrysville, Lucas county, Ohio, June 25, 1845, and is a daughter of Haight and Mary A. (Carpenter) Wright. Haight Wright was a native of New York state and died in Osceola county, Michigan, when about six- ty-seven years old; his wife, who was born

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in Pennsylvania, died in Orange township, Kalkaska county, Michigan, at the age of seventy-three years. Mrs. Drake was the first-born of their family of four children. To Mr. and Mrs. Drake have been born the following children : Hiram A .; Carrie L., who is the wife of Charles Myers ; John H. ; Etta died in infancy.

HON. ALONZO J. STROWD.

The subject of this notice enjoys dis- tinctive prestige among Charlevoix county's representative men and as an honored pub- lic servant has met every demand incum- bent upon him with the ability and faithful- ness characteristic of the true guardian of the people's interests. Judge Alonzo J. Strowd, of Horton's Bay, was born May 6, 1843, in Cayuhoga county, Ohio, and spent his boyhood days on the family homestead, receiving a fair educational training in the public schools of the neighborhood. When a young man he left home to battle for him- self and until the breaking out of the great Rebellion devoted his energies to various lines of industry, the meanwhile laying strong and deep the foundation upon which his subsequent successful career as an influ- ential factor in the affairs of his fellow men rests.

Judge Strowd first entered the Union army as a private in the Fourteenth Ohio Infantry, but shortly after being mustered into the service his father prevailed upon the authorities to release him, consequently his initial military experience was of brief duration. Subsequently, in 1863, he joined

the quartermaster department and, pro- ceeding to the front, was shortly afterwards captured in the Scotch valley, between the cities of Bridgeport and Chattanooga, being a wagon master at the time with a number of men under his charge, all of whom fell into the hands of the enemy. In due time he was paroled at the former place, where he laid for some months in camp, but in February, 1864, returned home and later in the same year enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Ohio Infantry, with which he served valiantly until the close of the war, receiving his discharge in Septem- ber, 1865.

From the time of leaving the army until 1872 Mr. Strowd assisted his father in operating a mill, but the latter year he en- tered a store at Berea, Ohio, and during the ensuing three years devoted his attention to the mercantile trade. Owing to ill health, he abandoned the mercantile business at the expiration of the period noted and in 1875 came to northern Michigan, where amid the invigorating breezes and the activities of an outdoor life he hoped to regain the strength and vitality for which he had so long strug- gled in vain. Selecting a beautiful site on Horton's bay, Pine lake, Mr. Strowd spent the next two or three months in quest of his health, dividing the time between labor and recreation, but later he purchased property at the bay and in 1876 brought a small portable saw-mill to the locality which he operated for a number of years with profitable results, cutting upon an average of ten thousand feet of lumber per day, the greater part of which was shipped by schooners to Chicago. With the exception of a small sash factory at Advance, and the Michaels Mill at Charlevoix, Mr. Strowd's

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mill was the only industry of any import- ance in the county for several years, and the country being thinly settled there was little local demand for lumber, consequently he was obliged to ship his output to other points. He continued the business, however, and with the advent of settlers built up a flourishing local trade in addition to his shipping interests, both of which so grew in magnitude and importance that in 1896 he put in another mill of enlarged capacity with a daily output of from twenty-five to thirty thousand feet, mostly of hardwood and hemlock lumber. Associated with Mr. Strowd in the latter enterprise was a Mr. Dilworth, but at the end of one year the subject purchased his partner's interest and became sole owner. He continued to oper- ate his mills until about four years ago. when the scarcity of timber induced him to dispose of the lumber business and turn his attention to other interests. While engaged in lumbering Mr. Strowd not only realized large financial profits, but cleared and im- proved a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which, with other valuable real estate in different parts of the county, he still owns. He sold several pieces of land at handsome prices and it is a fact worthy of note that all of his undertakings were suc- cessful, as is attested by the ample fortune now in his possession and the prominent position which he holds among the finan- cially strong and reliable men of his part of the state.

rose and Springvale, and of the forty-five ballots cast a decided majority was in favor of the subject, who entered upon the duties of his office with the confidence and good will of the people of his jurisdiction, irre- spective of party affiliation. He served seven or eight years in the township of Evange- line as originally organized and when Bay township was created a separate jurisdiction he was made supervisor of the latter and continued to fill the office to the satisfac- tion of the public for three consecutive terms. Later he was further honored by being elected sheriff of Charlevoix county and on leaving that office was made probate judge, which position he held two terms of four years each, discharging his duties with credit to himself and great acceptance to the people. In the year 1904 Judge Strowd was nominated by the Republicans of Char- levoix county for the general assembly. For years he has been one of the standard bear- ers of the party and to his efforts as an or- ganizer and leader the party is indebted for its success in a number of hotly contested campaigns. He has been deeply interested in all lines of political work, and since be- coming a resident of Michigan there have been few county, district and state conven- tions which he has not attended as a dele- gate. He combines many of the qualities and characteristics of the successful poli- tician, while his high standing as a citizen and his clean record in the public life of his adopted county entitle him to the respect and confidence of men of all parties who honor and admire probity and ability in a public servant.

Judge Strowd's interest in public life dates from his arrival in Michigan. One year after becoming a citizen of Charlevoix county he was elected supervisor of Evange- Judge Strowd is a member of Charle- voix Post, Grand Army of the Republic. line township, which then comprised the present townships of Evangeline, Bay, Mel- He was also identified with the posts at

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Boyne and Horton's Bay, the latter of which has been disbanded and his name appears on the charters of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in the cities of Charlevoix and Bay Shore. In the latter fraternity the Judge has been especially active and influential, having served his local lodge in every office within its gift besides repre- senting it a number of times in the grand lodge, by which exalted body he has also been honored with eminent official station. After filling successively all the chairs, he finally rose to the high post of grand mas- ter, in addition to which he represented the state of Michigan in the sovereign grand lodge, thus receiving all the honors within the power of the order to bestow, such favors being conferred upon but few mem- bers of the brotherhood. Judge Strowd has long been an acknowledged leader and au- thority on all matters pertaining to the Patriarchs and Knights Militant, the mili- tary branches of Odd Fellowship, and for some time past he has held the office of colonel of the Second Regiment, an organi- zation which has been brought to a high state of efficiency under his able and ju- dicious management. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias and holds an important position in the Uniform Rank of the order, besides being prominent in the affairs of the local lodge to which he be- longs.

For some years the Judge has devoted much of his time to agricultural pursuits and as a farmer he is not only progressive and successful in all the terms imply, but has long been an authority upon all things relating to this important branch of in- dustry. His home is one of the most beau- tiful and attractive places of residence in

the county and being well situated to enjoy the many material comforts by which he is surrounded, he enjoys life and stands among his fellows a representative Amer- ican of his day and generation. Judge Strowd is a married man but has no chil- dren, his wife having formerly been Miss Celia A. Norton, of Cuyahoga county, Ohio. She is a lady of varied culture, active in Sunday-school and church work and a favorite in the best society circles of the com- munity in which she lives.

CHARLEVOIX COUNTY-SEAT TROUBLES.

Charlevoix county, like many others in the state, has had her trials and troubles over a county seat war, which lasted many years, and as I was supervisor of Norwood and Marion nearly all of that time it is thought that I was the proper person to write the article on that subject. I will be as brief as possible. I have not all the dates at hand and may not always be absolutely correct as to exact time in all cases ; but the facts stated are correct and the dates sub- stantially so. Prior to 1869 the territory now in Charlevoix county except the town- ships of Hudson, Boyne Valley, Wilson and South Arm, was a part of Emmet county ; and there were six organized towns in the county, three in what is now Emmet county and three in Charlevoix county. The three in Emmet county were Little Tra- verse, Bear Creek and La Croix, the three in Charlevoix were Charlevoix, Evangeline and Eveline, and the county seat was at Little Traverse. At a meeting of the board

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Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 63

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