USA > Michigan > Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens > Part 74
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JOHN A. MATHEWSON.
Though no land is richer in opportuni- ties or offers greater advantages to its citi- zens than America, success is not to be at- tained through desire, but must be persist- ently sought. In America "labor is king," and the man who resolutely sets to work to accomplish a given purpose is certain of suc- cess if he has but the qualities of persever- ance, untiring energy and practical common sense. John A. Mathewson has gained the respect of all, for through his diligence and persistent effort he has won a leading place in agricultural circles in Antrim county.
Mr. Mathewson is a native of Rhode Island, having been born on the 18th of Sep-
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tember, 1856. His parents, Otis and Mary (Hathaway) Mathewson, were farming peo- ple, in addition to which the father also car- ried on harnessmaking. They were worthy people and passed their entire lives in their native state. John A. Mathewson was reared under the parental roof and received his education in the district schools of his neighborhood, receiving also during those youthful years a good drilling in the secrets of successful agriculture. He remained at home until nineteen years of age, when, im- pelled by a desire to locate in a locality where better opportunities abounded for a young man of ambition and energy, he took a trip through several of the western states, in- cluding Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa. On the homeward trip he stopped in Kalamazoo county, Michigan, and formed so favorable an impression of the country that he en- gaged in farming and remained there for three years. He then returned to the old homestead in Rhode Island, but one year later again came to Kalamazoo county, Michigan, where he remained engaged in agriculture until 1893, when he came to his present location in Antrim county and es- tablished himself on a fine, fertile piece of land which has since that time been his home. This place comprises sixty acres, of which thirty-two are under the plow and yielding good crops. Mr. Mathewson is di- versified in his farming operations, giving attention to all the crops which are ordinarily raised in this section. He raises large crops of hay and also gives some spe- cial attention to dairying, owning some splendid cows. Everything about the place is indicative of the supervision of a practical and progressive owner, who keeps in touch with modern improvement.
John A. Mathewson was married, in 1882, to Miss Cora Raymond, daughter of Ayers and Helen (Wheeler) Raymond, of this state, and she has proved in many ways and in the truest sense a helpmate to her hus- band. In politics Mr. Mathewson is a firm and ardent Republican, but has never been induced to accept any public office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his busi- ness. Fraternally, he is a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 423 at Alba and taking a deep interest in the success and welfare of the order. As many of his warmest friends are those who have known him longest, it is an indication that his career has been straightforward and honorable.
CHARLES H. TUTHILL.
The subject of this sketch is an enter- prising farmer and representative citizen of Hayes township, Otsego county, Michigan, where he has spent the most active years of his life, being closely associated with its ma- terial welfare. A thorough agriculturist and a successful man of business, he has . been the architect of his own fortune and his career happily illustrates what industry can accomplish when properly applied and in- telligently directed. Mr. Tuthill is one of Michigan's native sons, having been born in Washtenaw county on the 2d of August, 1844. His parents were Francis and Esther (Pease) Tuthill, both of whom were natives of New York state, while the former, a farmer by vocation, died in 1892. The sub- ject of this sketch received the advantage of a good practical education in the common
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schools and upon attaining manhood's years decided to make farming his life work, his experience and training prior to that time having convinced him that no more inviting or promising field was open to the man of energy and ambition. With this aim in view, Mr. Tuthill came to Otsego county in 1884 and purchased land and has since made his home here. His present real estate hold- ings comprise forty-five acres in Otsego county and thirty-eight acres in Antrim county, the greater part of which he has himself cleared of the dense timber with which it was formerly incumbered. Thir- ty-five acres are now under the plow and devoted to the production of the various crops usually raised in this section of the country. The place contains substantial buildings, including a good barn and neces- sary outbuildings, and a residence well sup- plied with modern conveniences and com- forts, while the fences and splendid condi- tion of the fields and everything else on the premises bear testimony to the intelligence. energy, good taste and superior manage- ment of the proprietor.
Mr. Tuthill has been twice married. In 1869 he wedded Miss Addie Hatch and, after her death, he was married to Miss Mary Moorehead. Four children have come to bless this home, namely : Harry E., Bertha M., Frank H. W. and Charles C. The family circle is a happy and congenial one and the home is a center of the most gracious and bountiful hospitality. In poli- tics Mr. Tuthill is a firm and uncompromis- ing Republican and has held several respon- sible local offices, having been justice of the peace, town clerk and a member of the school board, filling these different positions with credit to himself and to the satisfaction
of his fellow citizens. His fraternal associ- ation is with the Grange, of which he is an active and influential member. Mr. Tuthill was one of the earliest settlers in Hayes township, having resided here since 1884, and he has been an eye-witness of all the wonderful strides made in all lines of devel- opment in this well-favored section, he him- self having taken a no mean part in the gen- eral upbuilding and development of the township along material, educational and so- cial lines. Personally Mr. Tuthill is a man of pleasing presence and his sterling worth has won him a high place in the esteem of the people.
FRANK J. WEBB.
One of the fine farms of Antrim county is that owned and occupied by Mr. Webb. The same is eligibly located in Mancelona township and comprises one hundred and sixty acres, the land being rich and arable, while the well-tilled fields, pleasant resi- dence, commodious barn and other substan- tial buildings all bespeak thrift and prosper- ity. The owner is accounted one of the most progressive and practical agriculturists of the community. He utilizes the most im- proved machinery in the development of his farm, studies the best methods of producing the various products adapted to the soil and climate, and above all brings to his work that unflagging industry which is ever the conservator of definite success. Aside from his success in temporal affairs, the subject has also won that better benefice, the confi- dence and good will of his fellow men.
Frank J. Webb is a native of the state of Delaware, where he was born on the 7th
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day of May, 1864, the son of Mason D. and Mary (Auston) Webb, also natives of Dela- ware. The father was a farmer by vocation and in 1870 he came to Cass county, Michi- gan, and there tilled the soil until his death, in 1874. They were the parents of seven children, of whom three are yet living. The subject received the benefit of attendance at the common schools in his youth, an edu- cation which has been supplemented during his subsequent years by liberal reading and habits of close observation. He early learned the meaning of honest toil, such as is necessarily entailed on a farm and in 1881, several years before attaining his majority. he came to Antrim county and bought a farm in Mancelona township. His holdings now amount to one hundred and sixty acres ; one hundred and five are under the plow and yielding gratifying returns to the owner. A large share of this land was cleared of its original growth of timber by the subject himself, an operation which meant a vast amount of strenuous toil, but for which he has been amply recompensed during the sub- sequent years. He has made the best of im- provements on the place and at every stage in his career has manifested that self-reli- ance, indomitable energy and maturity of judgment which have won him a place among the substantial and representative farmers of the township.
In 1888 Mr. Webb was united in mar- riage to Miss Hattie Besaw, the daughter of Frank and Minnie (Russell) Besaw, farm- ing folk of Tuscola county, Michigan. In politics Mr. Webb supports the Republican ticket, but aside from exercising the right of franchise he takes no active part. In all matters affecting the general welfare of the various interests of the community he takes
a keen interest and is to be found on the right side of every moral issue. His fraternal re- lations are with the Knights of the Macca- bees, of which he is an influential member.
ANSON OLDS.
Among the representative farmers of Antrim county, Michigan, is the subject of this review, who is the owner of a fine landed estate and carrying on the various departments of his enterprise with that dis- cretion and energy which are sure to find their natural sequel in definite success. To such men as Mr. Olds we turn with particu- lar satisfaction as offering in their life his- tories justification for works of this charac- ter. Anson Olds is a native of the state in which he now resides, having been born in Oakland county, Michigan, on the 2d of April, 1844. His parents, Clinton DeWitt and Abigail (Schnell) Olds, were born in the eastern states, the father in Vermont and the mother in New York. He was a farmer by vocation, and his death occurred in Leslie, Ingham county, Michigan, though he was not a resident of this state. Clinton and Abigail Olds were the parents of the following children, all of whom are living : Anson, Edson, Homer, Orin and Jennie.
The subject of this sketch was reared under the parental roof and was early taught the science of agriculture. He was also given the advantage of attendance at the public schools, so that upon attaining ma- ture years he was well qualified to take up life's labors for himself. He followed farm- ing in his native locality until he came to Antrim county, in 1885, at which time he
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purchased eighty acres of desirable land, with the intention of making this his future home. The land was at that time covered by dense timber, it being necessary to clear the trees away before space could be had for building a house. A part of the house then built is still retained as a part of the sub- ject's present home and is in a good condi- tion of repair. In 1893 Mr. Olds also erected a fine, commodious barn, for the protection of his stock, grain and imple- ments. He has devoted his attention to gen- eral lines of agriculture, though giving special attention to potatoes, oats and hay. He is a lover of live stock and has on the place some fine specimens of shorthorn cat- tle and Poland China hogs. Fruit is also given its due share of attention and in this line also Mr. Olds has been fairly successful.
On July 4, 1872, Mr. Olds was united in marriage to Miss Alice Knight, and to this union have been born four children, namely : Elmer, Arthur, Laila, Lewellyn, Sadie (de- ceased) and Edson (deceased). In matters political Mr. Olds is an uncompromising Republican, and is strong and earnest in his support of the party, his efforts in its be- half being accorded of value in party lines. He served one term as treasurer of his township and has also been a member of the school board. His fraternal relationship is with the Grange. Throughout his residence in Antrim county he has been identified with those interests which have tended to the growth and advancement of the community along all legitimate lines. His probity, fidel- ity and sterling worth have won him the un- qualified confidence of his fellow citizens and now in the evening of life his path is brightened by the respect which is ever ac- corded an upright and honorable life.
ROBERT W. PADDOCK.
Charlevoix county is favored in having as its representative in the legislature of the commonwealth so able and progressive a man and so loyal a citizen as Mr. Paddock, who figures as the subject of this brief sketch, while his is the added distinction of being the first to represent the district com- prised in the county, which was a part of the Antrim district until 1901.
Mr. Paddock was born in Lake county, Illinois, on the 13th of March, 1861, and is a son of Robert W. and Nancy (Stickney) Paddock, both of whom were born and reared in the old Green Mountain state, the former being a son of Dr. Robert Paddock, of Barre, Vermont, one of the early and prominent physicians of that section. The maternal grandfather of our subject was a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church and was a presiding elder in the Ver- mont conference. Robert W. Paddock, Sr., located in Lake county, Illinois, and became a successful farmer of that section. Our sub- ject passed his boyhood days in his native county and secured his early educational training in the public schools, after which he continued his studies for two years in Wau- konda Academy, in the town of that name in the same county. In this well conducted in- stitution he made himself eligible for suc- cessful pedagogic work, while later he still farther qualified himself by a thorough course in both the commercial and normal departments of the Northern Indiana Nor- mal University, at Valparaiso, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1879. He thereafter was engaged in teaching in the public schools of his native county, while he also taught several terms
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in the Lake Forest Academy, that county. In 1885 he went to Dayton, Ohio, where he remained for two years incumbent of the position of superintendent of the local fac- tory of the Brownell Brush & Wire Goods Company, of Cincinnati. At the expiration of the period noted he became assistant su- perintendent of the Ohio Industrial School for Boys, at Lancaster, serving during the administration of Governors Foraker, Mc- Kinley and Bushnell, his wife also being for a time a teacher in the school. Mr. Paddock remained identified with this insti- tution until 1899, when he came to Charle- voix county and identified himself promin- ently with its industrial activities by engag- ing in farming and stock-growing. He is the owner of eight hundred acres of land in Marion and Eveline townships, the prop- erty being well improved and being devoted principally to the raising of high-grade stock. In the raising of cattle, sheep and hogs he breeds from thoroughbred sires and his is one of the best and most celebrated stock farms in this section of the Wolverine state. The home market is excellent, as this part of the state is in high favor for sum- mer resort purposes, the great inflex of sum- mer guests causing a large demand for the various farm products. In his farming en- terprise Mr. Paddock has brought to bear scientific methods and progressive ideas, and he has attained to a marked success in the connection, while his efforts have done much to encourage others, since they have demon- strated the unrivaled attractions for develop- ment and successful enterprise along these lines in this and neighboring counties. Mr. Paddock's beautiful farm has three and one- half miles of frontage on Pine lake and is most eligibly located one mile distant from
Charlevoix, the county seat, .while it is im- proved with substantial buildings, including an attractive modern residence. He has done much to promote the stock-growing industry here, and in the county there are fully three times as many farmers giving attention to this important line of enterprise as were to be found so doing when he inaugurated operations here.
In politics Mr. Paddock accords an un- compromising allegiance to the Republican party, with which he has been aligned ever since attaining to his legal majority, while he has been an active and effective worker in the party cause. In the fall of 1902 he was made the candidate of his party for representative of Charlevoix county in the state legislature, being elected by a gratify- ing majority and thus becoming a member of the general assembly of 1903-4. He was assigned to the committees on fish and fish- eries, boys' industrial school, and state af- fairs. It was signally consistent that he be placed on the committee first mentioned, as his district includes the leading fisheries in the state, the enterprise being one of much importance here. His experience in the in- dustrial school of the neighboring state of Ohio made his interposition particularly valuable on the second of the committees mentioned, while the committee on state affairs has the supervision of such matters as are assigned to special committees. Mr. Paddock was active in committee work and in the discussions and deliberations of the house, being an effective speaker and prov- ing an influential working member of the lower house of the legislative body. He se- cured the enactment of a special bill for Charlevoix county requiring all liquor deal- ers to furnish surety company bonds, though
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a general bill covering the same ground for the entire state was vetoed by the governor.
Mr. Paddock is a member of the Charle- voix County Agricultural Society, which conducts a fair each year, at East Jordan, and he is secretary of the farmers' institute of the county, his services in this connection being greatly appreciated, as he gives to his fellow members the benefits of his wide knowledge and experience by delivering special addresses in relation to live stock and other interests. He has been a stanch ad- vocate of improving stock grades, and has exhibited prize-winners in the fairs at Pontiac and Grand Rapids, including cattle, sheep, swine and poultry. He is also a mem- ber of the Grange, the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of Korassan, and the Knights of the Maccabees, taking an active interest in the affairs of each. In the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias he served two years as chancellor commander, while he also repre- sented the body in the grand lodge of the order in the state. Mrs. Paddock is af- filiated with the Rathbone Sisters and is a zealous member of the Congregational church, while she is prominent in the social life of the community, the beautiful home, located on the banks of the lake, being a cen- ter of generous hospitality and good cheer. This residence is one of the best rural dwell- ings in the county, being modern in design and equipment and having a most attractive site.
In 1885 Mr. Paddock was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary F. Nicholls, of Charle- voix, she being a daughter of John Nicholls, who was a pioneer of this section. Mr. and Mrs. Paddock have three children, John, Hubert and Richard.
EDSON M. OLDS.
One of the sterling pioneers and influen- tial citizens of Antrim county, Michigan, is the gentleman to whose career attention is now directed, and it may be said that the agricultural interests of the county have few if any more able representatives. A man of excellent mental endowments and upright character, he has been a valued fac- tor in local affairs from the pioneer days, and has ever commanded unequivocal con- fidence and esteem in the community in which the best portion of his life has been spent.
Edson M. Olds is a native of South Lyon, Oakland county, Michigan, having been born on December 19, 1848, and is the second son of five children born to Dewitt C. . and Abigail (Snell) Olds, the father being a native of Vermont and the mother of New York state. Dewitt C. Olds was one of the first settlers of Ingham county, Michigan, to which place he came in 1837, and was a farmer by vocation. Both parents died while their children were yet young. Edson Olds received his early education in the pub- lic schools of Oakland and Wayne, this state, which he supplemented by an attend- ance at the high school at Plymouth. About 1870 he commenced farming on his own ac- count, but shortly afterwards he went into the meat business, in which he was engaged about one year. He then entered the mer- cantile business, but about one year later, in 1880, he removed to his present location in Antrim county. This was in the early days of the county's settlement and it may be noted that Mr. Olds assisted in the organiza- tion of Star township, and that he built the
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first barn, sunk the first well and owned the Frank Clymer and they reside at Alba; Al- first team of horses in that township. His bert D. is deceased; Wesley H. married Ida Eascott and lives on a farm near Alba ; Elsie M. became the wife of Edward Sloat and resides at Alba; Ferris A. married Maude Bailey and resides on a farm near Alba. Mr. Olds is today considered one of the leading and influential citizens of his com- munity. He has taken an active interest in its public affairs and in many ways contrib- uted to the material advancement of his township and county, being recognized in all enterprises for the general welfare. abilities were promptly recognized in his new home and he was appointed to fill an unexpired term as supervisor of his town- ship, a period of about one year. He is a Republican in his political tendencies and on the ticket of that party he was, in 1899, elected county treasurer. So satisfactory was his administration of the duties of that responsible position that he was re-elected to succeed himself, thus filling the office two terms, to the eminent satisfaction of his con- stituents. Mr. Olds is the owner of a splen- did farm near Alba, which he has brought up to a high standard of excellence and from which he derives a good income. The WILLIAM H. KITTLE. well-tilled fields and the splendid condition of house, barn, outbuildings and fences indi- One of the most straightforward, ener- getic and successful business men of Antrim county is William H. Kittle. He is public- spirited and thoroughly interested in what- ever tends to promote the general welfare of the community, and for many years he has been numbered among the valued and hon- ored citizens of the county. cate the owner to be a man of thrift and care- ful attention to details. He is now building a beautiful summer home on a choice site on Torch Lake, he having recently secured a farm there, comprising one of the finest lo- cations bordering on that beautiful body of water, which is becoming one of the most noted resorts in northern Michigan. In his fraternal affiliations Mr. Olds is identified with the Knights of the Maccabees, the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and the Patrons of Husbandry, of which last-named organization he served as master two years.
On October 17, 1871, Mr. Olds married Miss Mary J. Fitch, the daughter of Doras- tus and Mary Jane (Ramsey) Fitch, of Hen- rietta, Jackson county, Michigan. Mrs. Olds' parents are both dead, the father hav- ing passed away May 24, 1892, and the mother on November 1I, 1878. To Mr. and Mrs. Olds have been born the following children : Alma M. became the wife of
Mr. Kittle is a native son of the old Em- pire state, having first seen the light of day at Addison, New York, on the 2d of Octo- ber, 1857. He is a son of George and Jane Kittle, the former a farmer by profession and a man honored and respected in his community. He is dead, while his widow is still living. The subject is indebted to the common schools for his elementary educa- tion, which has been liberally supplemented by much reading and close observation of men and events. His youth was much the same as the average farmer boy's, and he early learned the lessons of energy and per- severance which have played such a promi-
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nent part in his subsequent success. In 1878 Mr. Kittle came to Michigan, locating first at Boyne City, where he established a stage line and livery business. He was fairly suc- cessful from the start, but about 1888, feel- ing that Mancelona offered better opportuni- ties in his line, he came to this place and established a livery stable. That the move was a wise one has been demonstrated by subsequent events. Mr. Kittle has a well equipped stable, owning none but good horses and has a fine line of carriages and all kinds of vehicles demanded by the general public, keeping in close touch with the pop- ular taste and ideas, and has always com- manded a large share of the public patron- age.
Mr. Kittle has been twice married. His first union was with Miss Sarah Baker, and after her death he married Miss Maude Plumb, and to them has been born a son, William, who is now employed as a stenog- rapher and bookkeeper at Grand Rapids, this state. In politics Mr. Kittle is an unwav- ering Republican and for a number of years was deputy sheriff of Antrim county. He is a conservative business man of recognized ability and belongs to that class of represen- tative Americans who give due attention to these lines of thought and action which most affect the general good.
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