Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 65

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

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dock land and it was through his influence that Messrs. Fox and Rose were induced to locate at the mouth of Pine river. Subse- quently the river was dredged by them to en- able wide boats to run through and still later the government improved the channel so that the vessels could also run into Pine lake. The business finally dwindled, however, and the dock was finally abandoned, there being nothing left now but a few old rotten piles. Archibald Buttars about this time became a partner of the firm and the name was changed to Fox, Rose & Buttars and the partnership proved a most congenial one. No separate account was kept between the subject and Mr. Fox and if either needed money he went to the purse and took what he wanted. No accounting at all was done until the final division, about twelve years ago. They also had a branch store at Pe- toskey. At the final statement and settle- ment of accounts, all the interests of the firm were invoiced and Mr. Rose took every- thing about Petoskey, while Mr. Fox took the Charlevoix interests, each division in- cluding a home. Everything was divided excepting about two hundred acres of land at Northport which neither thought of suffi- cient value to take into consideration. Rose proposed to play a game of seven-up, the winner to take this land. Fox replied, "No, I will not do it. I could always beat you at seven-up and I will be d -- d if I want the land." Mr. Rose paid taxes on this land for a few years and finally sold it for one thou- sand dollars. During all the years of their partnership there was not the slightest dis- sension at any time. Mr. Fox remained at Charlevoix during the remainder of his days and died a few years ago. Mr. Rose was the originator of the lime business at Petoskey

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and so continued until about three years ago when he sold this together with his dock interests. He has in his possession an origi- nal plat of Petsokey containing about twenty acres including the central portion of the city. He has done much to forward the development of this section of the state especially looking to the location of the sum- mer resort at Bay View to which he donated about eighty acres of land. When the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad was about to be extended to this section, Mr. Rose bought all the land he could secure that was placed on market and in consequence of the build- ing of the road and as further evidence of his enterprise may be stated that in 1872 he and another gentleman contracted to build the railroad from Walton Junction to Tra- verse City, which has since proved to be a most enterprising achievement and has done much for the community in which it is lo- cated. His residence stands on an eminence at the head of the bay and overlooking the same, at the railway station, and is on the same foundation as the original structure built many years ago, at which time not a tree had been cut on his plat and only In- dians were the inhabitants of this section. Mr. Rose has had an honorable and long ca- reer in this locality and a record replete with many incidents which would make interest- ing reading and during all these years he has enjoyed the sincere respect of all the people of this region. Few men are better known and none have more steadfastly stood for the best interests of the community and none have reaped a higher reward in the confi- dence of their fellow citizens.

Mr. Rose was married to Miss Juliet Burbeek, daughter of J. M. and Abigal (Spenser) Burbeek, on September 15, 1856.

at Northport, and they have two daughters, Mary Elizabeth, the wife of G. S. Foster, of Traverse City, and Abbie J., who is now a widow and is living at Petoskey.

GEN. ISAAC DEGRAAF TOLL.

The life story of "Petoskey's Grand Old Man," if told in detail, would overreach the limits prescribed in a book of this size, but the publishers would be remiss in their ob- ligations to the citizens of this section of Michigan were there failure to make some mention of the more prominent facts con- cerning the life record of him who has been honored by, and has honored, this great commonwealth. A brief synopsis of the General's ancestral record is as follows :

(I) Karl (or Charles) Hansen Toll was born in Sweden in 1665 and became a vessel owner and commander. He was attacked and captured by Algierine pirates, but es- caped from captivity at Algiers and swam six miles to a British ship. The ship was searched by the pirates, but he was safely secreted and escaped recapture. The ship brought him to New York, from whence he went to Schenectady county, New York, in 1685, where he became an extensive land- holder, some of his land extending to Hoff- man's Ferry, on the Mohawk river, his de- scendants at this day retaining much of it. He was a member of the provincial assem- bly from 1714 to 1726, and his name is prominently connected with the early his- tory of Schenectady county. The Mohawk Indians called him Kingego, from his ex- pertness as a swimmer. In 1685 he married Elizabeth Rinckhout, the daughter of Dan-

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iel Rinckhout, of Albany, New York. His death occurred at Glenville in March, 1738.

(II) Captain Daniel Toll was born at Glenville, New York, July 1, 1691, and was the first person killed in the ambuscade and battle with the French and Indians on July 18, 1748, called the battle of Toll Farm. His father-in-law, Samuel Bradt, and Nich- olas DeGraaf, John A. Bradt and Col. Adrian VanSlyck (great-great-uncles of the subject of this sketch) and Col. Jacob Glen were also killed there, Simon Toll, brother of Daniel, gallantly commanding the sur- vivors. About twenty citizens and soldiers were killed in this battle. In 1903 the Toll family erected a monument upon the site of the battle, commemorating the event and the names of Captain Daniel and Simon Toll.

(III) John Toll was born at Glenville, New York, August 13, 1719, and died there on the 3Ist of December, 1746. On Decem- ber 23, 1742, he married Eva VanPatten, a descendant of Nicholas F. VanPatten, one of the original trustees of Schenectady, and whose family was engaged in the colon- ial wars, and also the war for independence.

(IV) Charles Hansen Toll was born at Glenville, New York, February 10, 1745, and died there August 26, 1832. He inher- ited much of the wealth of his great-grand- father, Charles H. He married, January II, 1767, Elizabeth Ryley, born November 17, 1747, and who died October 25, 1839. She was descended maternally from Col. Adrian VanSlyck, who was among those slain at the battle of Toll Farm and was a sister of Judge James V. S. Ryley, first sheriff of Schenectady county and postmas- ter for twenty years, and who was noted for his exploits among the Indians in Michigan in 1812, having assisted General Cass in his

treaties with them. His grandchildren, the Ludlows of Philadelphia, were children of his daughter Cathilena, who married Dr. Ludlow, president of the University of Phil- adelphia.

(V) Philip Ryley Toll was born at Glen- ville, New York, May 10, 1773, and died at Monroe, Michigan, August 17, 1862. He studied medicine with Dr. D. J. Toll, of Schenectady, New York, but only practiced gratuitously, preferring other pursuits. He served in the war of 1812, in Canada, with credit, as first sergeant, then as ensign and captain of the Schenectady Mounted Artil- lery. His equipments were burned in the great fire in Schenectady in 1819. He served as president of Ovid, New York, in 1830. He removed to Centreville, Michigan, in 1834, and to Fawn River in 1837, where he built flouring and saw-mills. He was a member of the convention at Ann Arbor, in 1837, called to consider the admission of the state into the Union. He married, January 4, 1817, Nancy, born September 18, 1797, daughter of Judge Isaac DeGraaf, or De- Graff, who served during the entire period of the war for independence, first as master of transportation of stores in Tryon county, New York, to Lake George, etc., then, in October, 1776, as a staff officer; was ap- pointed deputy commissary of issues and served with Elisha Avery, Ebenezer Win- ship and James Gray until July, 1780, then to the close of the war with Col. F. Fisher (his brother-in-law) and Major Taylor and Walter Vrooman, of the Rangers. He was born November 16, 1757, at Schenectady, New York, and died December 21, 1844. Isaac DeGraaf married, December 19, 1779, Susan, daughter of John B. VanEpps, her death occurring March 14, 1829. John B.

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VanEpps was at the burning of Schenec- tady in 1690, where his father and two oth- ers of the family were killed, and he him- self was captured and taken to Quebec, from whence after three years he escaped, re- turned and married Helen, granddaughter of Col. Alex L. Glen. Isaac DeGraaf's fa- ther, Daniel, was born May 26, 1708, and, on June 26, 1735, married Gazena, daugh- ter of Simon Swits. She was born April 20, 1713, and her brothers, Capt. Walter S. and Lieut. Simon S., First New York Continentals, were distinguished at Stony Point under General Wayne; and General Abraham S. served in the war of 1812. Daniel DeGraaf's brother Nicholas was found by the side of an Indian with whom he had grappled in deadly lock, July 18, 1748, at the battle of Toll Farm. Daniel's father, Jesse D., was born August 4, 1688, and married Alida Henion October 20, 1705. He was captured, taken to Quebec. but made his escape. His father, Nicholas Andrew, purchased the farm known as "Claas Graven-Hoek," two miles from Schenectady, in 1688. He married Eliza- beth, daughter of William Brouwer, of Al- bany, her death occurring November 18, 1723. Mrs. Nancy Toll's brother, John I. DeGraaf, son of Isaac, was thrice mayor of his native city; served in two congresses, 1827-29 and 1837-39; was the first presi- dent of the Mohawk & Hudson Railroad, first line of the New York Central, 1831. He furnished the means to equip the fleet under Commodore MacDonough to meet the British on Lake Champlain, September, 1814. In this he lost greatly by the depre- ciation of United States treasury notes, which congress partly made up to him. To Philip and Nancy Toll were born the follow-

ing children: Isaac D., whose name heads this sketch; Elizabeth, who married Rev. S. E. Lane, and died at Galway, New York, January 19, 1861; Susan, who remained with her mother at Monroe, Michigan; Jane Anna died January 14, 1889; Charles, of Monroe ; Alfred, of Kansas City, Missouri, who married Mary Lee; Sarah G. married Dr. Alfred I. Sawyer, an eminent surgeon; an infant, Jane Anna, died at Ovid, New York, March 20, 1828.

(VI) Isaac DeGraaf Toll, whose name is familiar in southern and northern Michi- gan, was born at Glenville, New York, on the Ist day of December, 1818. Upon com- pleting the common school studies, he at- tended Ovid Academy, and was then admit- ted to the sophomore class in Union Col- lege, but his services being needed by his father in the new home in Centreville, Mich- igan, he at once left college. In 1834 he removed to Centerville and in 1838 to Fawn River, this state, where he remained a num- ber of years. He at once took a front rank among the leading men of this newly settled and rapidly developing section and was su- pervisor of Fawn River for fifteen years. He engaged in mercantile pursuits and man- ufacturing and was fairly successful in all he undertook. In 1846 he was elected to the lower house of the state legislature, and the following year was elected to a seat in the senate, being the youngest member of that body. He is now the only survivor of the house of 1846 or the senate of 1847. He was a member of the committee of public improvements and instrumental in prevent- ing the diversion of the Michigan Southern Railroad south of St. Joseph county and its sale to Toledo parties. He was also chair- man of the committee on militia and secured

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the passage of a new code by which the or- ganization of independent companies was encouraged. He became identified with the state militia, and was commissioned lieuten- ant colonel, also aid to Governor Ransom, with the rank of colonel, later being pro- moted to brigadier general and major gen- eral of state troops. At the outbreak of the war with Mexico he accepted a commission as captain in the regular army, though it was most injurious to his business affairs to leave home. He went to the front as cap- tain of Company E, Fifteenth United States Infantry, in March, 1847, and distinguished himself by his gallantry and courage at the battles of Contreras and Churubusco, Mex- ico, August 19 and 20, 1847, and was gar- risoned at Chepultepec. At the battle of Churubusco, where the situation became des- perate, Captain Toll twice left the field un- der a heavy fire to obtain permission to charge the enemy, but was each time re- fused, whereupon, realizing the critical con- dition of the conflict and that prompt action only would be effective, he ordered and led a desperate but successful charge. His rec- ord during his entire service in the field was replete with a record of duty faithfully per- formed. An evidence of the high esteem in which he was held by his superior officers is the following statement by George W. Mor- gan, colonel of the Fifteenth Regiment : "In my estimation he ranked among the best offi- cers of the Fifteenth Infantry, and his bear- ing at Contreras and Churubusco was gal- lant and distinguished." . Two months after the cessation of hostilities he resigned his commission, which resignation was accepted with honorable comments, and, by act of congress, he received three months' extra pay for meritorious services. In 1854 Gen-

eral Toll was appointed examiner of patents, holding the position seven years and having charge of cases of electricity, instruments of precision and kindred subjects. He was chosen commandant of the Interior Guard, the first volunteer organization formed in Washington, and also a member of the Na- tional Rifles, at Washington, in April, 1861. His many friends in St. Joseph county, Michigan, desired to present his name for congress, but he firmly declined.

In 1880 General Toll came to Petoskey on account of his health, his previous exper- ience of two or three summers having proven to him the benefit of a residence here. He was already well known to the leading'citi- zens of this city and in 1881-2 he was elected president of the village, twice de- feating James Buckley, the present post- master. In the presidency he gave his per- sonal attention to the erection of the water works, an itemized account of which was given to the public. He also was instru- mental in securing the construction of the "breakwater" here, in the face of the adverse advice of many leading citizens. However, General Toll secured the co-operation of the member in congress, who sent a United States engineer here to survey the harbor, and he, being won over by the strong argu- ments and good fellowship of General Toll, made a favorable report, in consequence of which congress made an appropriation of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dol- lars for the purpose. The General, as presi- dent, gave his personal attention to the vil- lage streets and sidewalks, and by keeping them in perfect repair saved the city prob- ably a number of damage suits. His sole remuneration from the village treasury was during the two years but fifty cents, and

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that was simply reimbursement for stamps used by him. At the close of his adminis- tration he had an itemized account of all ex- penditures published for the information of the public. During his term he was a firm and persevering advocate of the purchase of a public park. After his retirement from the office of village president, he gave his attention to the improvement of his own land, giving his attention principally to fruit and proving the adaptability of the soil and climate to the raising of plums especially. He gave the site of Lockwood Hospital to the city, first giving it to Colonel Lombard Post, Grand Army of the Republic, the post later giving up its right. In 1886 he was made postmaster under President Cleve- land, and before his term expired he so ar- ranged his office matters that when the time came to turn the office over to his successor he was enabled to settle with him in less than three minutes.

General Toll has for over a half century had an intimate acquaintance with public men, from Gen. Lewis Cass to President Lincoln, and hundreds later. Usually aligned with the Democratic party on gen- eral issues, he has, however, at times sup- ported such men as have met his approval on the strength of their record, such as Sen- ator Burroughs. A soldiers' monument is to be erected at Centreville, on the north side of the base of which is to be a tablet memor- ializing the members of Company E, Fif- teenth United States Infantry, commanded by Captain Isaac D. Toll. The General is one of the few remaining cultured and pol- ished old-time gentlemen, whose patriotism is founded upon principle and a deeply rooted love for free institutions and human liberty. He is the possessor of a large and

well-selected library, of which he has made judicious use, being a close reader and deep thinker. The General is particularly pleas- ing as an after-dinner speaker or toast-mas- ter, and in memorial or dedicatory addresses. He has for many years been a familiar fig- ure in local and state political conventions, his counsel being sought by his political as- sociates and party leaders. He is a strong believer in the wisdom of preserving ances- tral records and possesses a justifiable and commendable pride in his own family rec- ord, the line embracing, as it does, the best strains of American citizenship. For more than fifty years he has kept a diary of events, which today possesses an almost priceless value, and his home is filled with correspond- ence with notable men and pictures of many men and women of national prominence who have been numbered among his acquaint- ances. The General is thoroughly conver- sant with art and is a pleasing conversation- alist on this and kindred topics. He pos- sesses many valuable engravings and copies of celebrated paintings by the old masters.

The following incident illustrates the presence of mind and personal courage of General Toll: In 1848, while on his way to Sturgis, Michigan, he was asked by the sheriff of Wabash county, Indiana, to assist in the capture of a horse thief by the name of Ward. Toll agreed to do so and the posse was divided into three parties. Ward was finally located and a constable by the name of Fanning, who led the larger party, approached him. Ward drew a large hunt- ing knife and mortally wounded Fanning. The cowardly sheriff was with Fanning, but was afraid to pursue Ward, who was allowed to escape. He went in the direction of Toll, who met him. The latter's companions de-

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serted him and he was left face to face with the desperado alone. Ward, a tall, muscular man, stood defiant, hunting knife in hand. Toll was unarmed. He said, "What are you doing with that sticker?" Ward re- plied, "You will soon find out." Looking him squarely in the eye, Toll said, "You can have your choice of giving up that knife or have your neck stretched." Ward hesitated a moment and then handed over his weapon, allowing Toll to take him into custody. The knife is still among the General's collection of souvenirs.

On the 9th of January, 1849, the sub- ject was married to Miss Julia Victoria Mo- ran, who was born May 24, 1829, and who died at Fawn River April 14, 1865. She was the daughter of Judge Charles Moran, who at sixteen years of age served in the war of 1812 and was later a member of the territorial council and state legislature. His wife was Julia DeQuindre, whose brother, Major Antoine DeQuindre, received the thanks of the Michigan legislature for his gallantry at the battle of Monquagon. To General Toll and his wife were born the fol- lowing children: Charles Phillip; Julia Jo- sephine, who became the wife of Col. F. H. Croul, of Detroit; Anna J., born November I, 1849, died January 17, 1850.

A. F. WALBRECHT.

Prominent in the industrial affairs of Central Lake, pre-eminently distinguished for carrying to completion important public enterprises and enjoying marked prestige in business circles far beyond the limits of the

community honored by his citizenship, A. F. Walbrecht stands out a clear and con- spicuous figure among the successful men of a part of Michigan noted throughout the state for its high order of intelligence and business talent. Characterized by breadth of wisdom and strong individuality, his achievements but represent the utiliza- tion of innate talent, in directing effort along lines in which mature judgment, rare discrimination and a resourcefulness that hesitates at no opposing circumstances pave the way and ultimately lead to great achieve- ments. It is not the intention of the biog- rapher to give in this connection a detailed history of the subject's life, but rather to note incidentally his connection with the various enterprises with which his name is linked and to show the marked influence he has wielded in advancing the material in- terests of Central Lake and promoting the general welfare of its populace. Mr. Wal- brecht was born in Monroe county, New York, and when a lad of nine years' growth came with his parents to Michigan, of which state he has since been an honored resident. At the age of twenty he began his business career by entering a mill at Wayland, Allegan county, where he re- mained for a number of years, applying him- self very closely the meanwhile so as to ac- quire a thorough knowledge of the industry, in its every detail. From the above place he went to Mancelona, where he was simi- larly engaged until the year 1893, when he came to Central Lake and in partnership with his brother, H. A. Walbrecht, erected the large flouring mill which he still oper- ates, and which under his able management has become one of the leading enterprises of the kind in the northern part of the

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state. The firm of Walbrecht Brothers was connected in business from 1886 to 1898, when they dissolved, the brother going to Los Angeles, California, in 1898, where he is engaged in irrigating in that country.

The present mill at Central Lake was erected in 1893 by the Walbrecht brothers at a cost of about eleven thousand dollars and, as already stated, is fully up-to-date in matter of equipment and character of prod- uct, being supplied with the latest and most approved machinery for the manufacture of flour by the roller process, seventy-five bar- rels of which represent the daily output. The high grade of this flour has given it a wide reputation in the markets of northern Michigan, the result being a large and con- stantly growing demand, which taxes the mill to its utmost capacity to meet. There is also an extensive local trade which the proprietor makes it a point to supply, the wheat being nearly all shipped from other parts and only the best quality used in the manufacture of the high-grade brands of flour which have become so popular wher- ever used. Since W. A. Walbrecht pur- chased his brother's interest in the mill he has been sole owner, the business being con- ducted under his immediate supervision and management. Actuated by a laudable am- bition to produce as fine a grade of flour as any other manufacturer in the state, he has spared no expense in equipping his mill, and that he has realized this ambition is abund- antly attested by the scope and magnitude of the business which he now commands.

In addition to his milling interests, Mr. Walbrecht is also owner of the Central Lake electric light plant, which enterprise he es- tablished in 1900, at a cost of ten thousand dollars and which has since been enlarged

and extended so as to keep pace with the growth of the town. The present capacity of the works is fifteen hundred incandescent and seventeen arc lights, all being in use. The plant is conducted on sound business principles, and gives the best of satisfaction to the patrons, the service being all that could be desired, while in point of efficiency and management it compares favorably with any other plant of the same capacity in the state. Mr. Walbrecht devotes his entire at- tention to the mill and the electric light works and displays executive ability of a high order in the management of both, but in addition to these he is also identified with another important public enterprise, being treasurer of the water works board of Cen- tral Lake, which position he has held since the year 1898. -

The Central Lake water supply company was organized in 1896 as an individual en- terprise for private use only, but the capacity of the plant has since been enlarged so as to supply the entire town, there being five public hydrants, while the number of pa- trons at this time is considerably in excess of one hundred. The plant is operated on the gravity system, the water being first forced into a large reservoir, from which it is distributed by natural pressure through- out the mains, the system proving satis- factory in every respect and fully answering the purposes for which intended. To Mr. Walbrecht belongs the honor of being the first president of Central Lake, which office he held for a period of two years and the duties of which he discharged with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the pub- lic. He has been an active and influential participant in the affairs of the municipality ever since becoming a citizen of the town

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Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 65

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