Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 75

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

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HOMER OLDS.

Clearly defined purpose and consecutive effort in the affairs of life will inevitably re- sult in the attaining of a due measure of suc- cess, but in following out the career of one who has attained success by his own efforts

there comes into view the intrinsic individu- ality which made such accomplishment pos- sible. The qualities which have made Mr. Olds one of the prominent and successful men of Antrim county have also brought him the esteem of his fellow citizens, for his career has been one of well-directed energy, strong determination and honorable methods.

Homer Olds was born in Livingston county, Michigan, in 1848, and is the son of Clinton DeWitt and Abigail (Schnell) Olds, who were born in the eastern states, the father in Vermont and the mother in New York. The father followed farming pur- suits and his death occurred in Leslie, Ingham county, Michigan, though he was not at the time a resident of this state. Clin- ton 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 spent his early days in Ingham county, this state, and was reared to an agricultural life, being early taught the lessons of industry and honesty which are more characteristic of farming lives than of any pursuit. About 1889 Mr. Olds went to Jackson county, this state, and remained there about four years. He then came to Antrim county and purchased a farm of eighty acres, all first-class land, of which he has about sixty cleared and under the plow. In common with most of the early settlers in this section of the state he found it necessary to clear a spot for his new house before he could begin building oper- ations. Many changes have taken place since then and now few farms in Antrim county present a neater or more up-to-date appearance than does Mr. Olds'.

In 1870 Mr. Olds married Miss Lidia

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NORTHERN MICHIGAN.

Rose Huntoon, the daughter of George and Lydia (Lindsey) Huntoon, farming people, and this union has been blessed by the birth of two children, Clinton and Clarence, both of whom are married and living in homes of their own. In politics Mr. Olds is a stanch Republican and takes a keen and abid- ing interest in the success of his party, though he has never been induced to accept any office of a public nature, preferring to give to his farm his undivided interests. His methods are in keeping with the progressive spirit of the twentieth century, and his well- improved property is a monument to his thrift and well-directed efforts. He is a man of broad humanitarian principles, of earnest purpose and upright life, and does all in his power for the uplifting of his fellow men and the promotion of the moral welfare of the community. He is widely known and by all is esteemed for his genuine worth.

GARRET COLE.

One of the prominent and enterprising lumbermen of northern Michigan is the gen- tleman whose name appears above, and who has proved himself a man of distinct and forceful influence in the upbuilding and prosperity of this section of the state. Garret Cole, who now makes his home in Bellaire, Antrim county, Michigan, is a native of this state, having been born near the village of Ota, Newaygo county, Michigan, in August, 1871. His parents were John J. and Arty (Campbell) Cole, the former a native of Jackson county, Michigan, and the latter of Missouri. The father, who followed the oc- cupation of lumbering, met his death

through injuries received by a runaway team. His entire life was spent in this state, excepting the period of his service in the Union army during the war of the Rebellion. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in the Fiftieth Regiment, Missouri Volunteer In- fantry, and served until the close of the con- flict in the Army of the West, being pro- moted to the rank of first lieutenant.

The subject of this sketch is largely self- educated, having supplemented a limited schooling by a liberal course of reading and habits of close observation through his sub- sequent life, being now considered a well-in- formed man. At the age of twelve years he went to work as a clerk in a grocery store, where he remained until the age of sixteen years, when he went to work in a shingle mill. For two years following he traveled with his uncle, W. W. Cole, proprietor of the then well-known circus. He then went to the Black Hills, South Dakota, and engaged in prospecting for gold, being there at the time of the trouble with the Indians, during which the famous warrior and chieftan, Sit- ting Bull, was killed. Mr. Cole remained there but a short time and then, in 1892, went to the upper peninsula of Michigan and entered the employ of a lumber firm. He then went south and spent the winter of 1893 in Florida and Louisiana, returning to Reed City, Michigan, in 1894, and entering the employ of the Wentzel Lumber Company, with whom he remained for five years. In 1899 he went to Torch Lake, Michigan, and for the following two years was in the em- ploy of the Cameron Lumber Company. He then engaged in the lumbering business on his own account and has been uniformly suc- cessful in his business operations, due largely to his intimate knowledge of all the details

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF

of the business, gained by practical ex- perience, but above all, to his own indomi- table energy and the sound judgment and discrimination displayed by him in his busi- ness activities. He owns six hundred and forty acres of good timber land and has a half interest in one hundred and sixty acres additional, while his interests are mainly at Bellaire and East Jordan, the enterprise giv- ing employment to about eighty men.

In 1893 Mr. Cole was united in marriage · to Miss Julia Seaman, the daughter of Ru- dolph and Minnie Seaman, of Mecosta county, Michigan. This union has been a most happy and congenial one and has been blessed by the birth of seven children. In matters political the subject is independent, casting his vote for the men and principles which most nearly meet with his approba- tion, regardless of party lines. In his fra- ternal relationship he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Cole has a pleasant and comfortable home in Bel- laire, which is the center of a large social circle and where a gracious hospitality is ever dispensed.

HON. WILLIAM L. CURTIS.

Michigan has been especially honored in the character and career of her public and professional men. In every county there are to be found, rising above their fellows, in- dividuals born to leadership, men who dom- inate not alone by superior intelligence and natural endowment, but by natural force of character which minimizes discouragements and dares great undertakings. Such men

are by no means rare and it is always profit- able to study their lives, weigh their mo- tives and hold up their achievements as in- centives to greater activity and higher excel- lence on the part of others just entering upon their first struggles with the world. These reflections are suggested by the career of one who has forged his way to the front ranks of the favored few and who by a strong inherent force and superior ability, directed by intelligence and judgment of a high order, stands today among the repre- sentative men of Emmett county and north- ern Michigan. It is doubtful if any citizen of this part of the state has achieved more honorable mention or occupied a more con- spicuous place before the public than he whose name appears at the head of these par- agraphs.

William L. Curtis is a native of this state, having been born on Gull Prairie, near Richland, Kalamazoo county, on the 29th of January, 1842, and being the son of Morgan and Isabella (Monteith) Curtis, the former having been a well-known and successful farmer. The subject of this sketch received his preliminary education in the common schools of his neighborhood, supplementing this by attendance at the Prairie Seminary at Richland. He was a studious lad and applied himself so closely to his studies that before he attained his twentieth year he had taught three winter terms of school in Kalamazoo county. At the age mentioned the subject became, because of the retirement of his father, a part owner of the homestead farm, and for the following nineteen years he ap- plied himself assiduously to its cultivation. He devoted his every energy to this enter- prise, with the inevitable result that he not only laid here the foundation for his future

WILLIAM L. CURTIS.

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NORTHERN MICHIGAN.

success, but also acquired a widespread repu- tation as a clear-headed, sagacious and pro- gressive farmer and business man. This was still further exemplified during his term of office as president of the Kalamazoo Agri- cultural Society, during which term several of the most successful fairs in the history of the association were conducted. A distinct- ive mark of the popular regard in which he was held was his election as the first presi- dent of the village of Richland. Believing that larger possibilities and opportunities lay in the line of commercial enterprises, Mr. Curtis, in 1882, removed to Petoskey and, in association with James R. Wylie, pur- chased the interest of Thomas Quinlan in the banking house of Wachtel & Quinlan. A year or two later they also purchased the in- terests of Mr. Wachtel in the firm and or- ganized the Petoskey City Bank, which for many years enjoyed a most successful ca- reer. Subsequently Mr. Wylie sold his in- terest in the bank to Chalmers Curtis, son of the subject, and the institution was reorgan- ized as the First National Bank, the present officers being as follows : William L. Curtis, president; C. F. Hankey, vice-presi- dent; Chalmers Curtis, cashier, and Heber W. Curtis, assistant cashier. A competent writer had the following to say of this old and well-known institution: "The Petoskey City Bank has not only saved numbers of business men from disaster by timely back- ing and help, but it has helped out many farmers who were threatened with foreclos- ure of mortgages, and no man of known honesty, energy and economy has been re- fused financial accommodation in time of need. In short, the Petoskey City Bank, under the wise and liberal management of its president, William L. Curtis, has been a

tower of financial strength and credit dur- ing the years of Petoskey's youth and de- velopment, and hundreds of Emmett county people are grateful for the favors and confi- dence of Mr. Curtis." During the panic of 1893 Mr. Curtis. was interested in several other banks, these being the Kalkaska City Bank, at Kalkaska, Michigan, the banking house of Curtis & Wylie, at Harbor Springs, this county, and a bank at Webster, South Dakota. For a long time Mr. Curtis was largely interested in lands in northern Mich- igan, but of recent years has disposed of the major part of these holdings. Recently, however, in connection with Messrs. Cook and Miller and his son Heber W., Mr. Curtis purchased about twelve thousand acres of hardwood timber land in the north- ern peninsula, and they are now building a mill at Grand Marais for the manufacture of this timber. In the same connection Mr. Curtis has an interest in a number of sum- mer resorts. In connection with his son Morgan, and Williams Brothers, of Web- ster, South Dakota, Mr. Curtis owns an ex- tensive ranch in the latter state, comprising thirteen thousand acres, on which they have a herd of seventeen hundred cattle. He also holds title to much other land in South Da- kota and Minnesota and possesses a large amount of stock in various banks. All in all. Mr. Curtis is a very busy man and finds his time fully occupied in attending to his multi- tudinous duties in connection therewith.

In politics Mr. Curtis is affiliated with the Republican party and has always a keen interest in public matters, though his busi- ness obligations have prevented his taking a very active part in campaign work. How- ever, he has from time to time been honored by the electors with official position, and it is

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worthy of note that when, a number of years ago, he was nominated by the Republicans for the presidency of the village of Petos- key, the Democrats declined to make any nomination against him. In 1900 he was elected to the Michigan state legislature, and so satisfactorily did he acquit himself in the lower house that at the next election he was chosen to represent his district in the state senate. A writer, closely in touch with the subject and his life record, said of him at the time of his candidacy for the legislature, "Of unimpeachable integrity, in close touch with the farmers, a representative business man, a life-long and unwavering Republican, of genial manners, and entirely devoid of 'purse-pride,' he is an ideal candidate," a statement exemplified in the fact of his re- peated success at the polls. Fraternally Mr. Curtis is a member of the time-honored order of Free and Accepted Masons, belong- ing to Ivanhoe Lodge, No. 344, at Petoskey, while he has also reached the Royal Arch degree, being affiliated with Chapter No. 104.

At Richland, Kalamazoo county, Michi- gan, on the 23d of October, 1866, Mr. Curtis was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Wooding, the daughter of Anson and Martha (Hemstead) Wooding. She was born in New York city and remained in her native city until twelve years of age, when she removed with her parents to Kalamazoo county, Michigan, where she was residing at the time of her marriage. This union has been a most happy and congenial one and has been blessed by the birth of four children, namely : Mabel, who died when but two months old; Chalmers, who was named in honor of Dr. Chalmers, the noted Scottish divine; Morgan and Heber W. Mr. Curtis

takes a great and justifiable pride in his three sons, as they are the very highest type of young manhood, with the best of characters and habits and possessing marked business ability. The eldest son, Chalmers, at the age of twenty-one years, went into the banking business at Webster, South Dakota, and has achieved a pronounced success, having doubled the bank's capital in the short period of two years and four months. The second son, Morgan, after two years in college, went into the Harbor Springs Bank as its manager, acting as such for one year. He then bought an interest in the Forman & Curtis flooring factory at Petoskey and gave that enterprise his personal attention, with very satisfactory financial success. He then sold out his interests and accepted the man- agement of the Michigan Lime Company's works, owning considerable stock in the same and being a member of the board of directors. He is also one of the directors of the First National Bank of Petoskey and of the W. W. Rice Leather Company, and is a one-third owner of a cattle ranch with his father. The third son, Heber W., is a stock- holder in the First National Bank of Petos- key and holds the official position of assist- ant cashier, taking a part in the active man- agement of the institution. He is also a large holder of stock in the Cook, Curtis & Miller Lumber Company and is treasurer of the concern. The father and sons have always taken an active interest in public and church movements, performing with promptness, energy and good judgment every duty that comes to them.

From the foregoing brief outline of a busy career, it is not difficult to arrive at a just estimate of Mr. Curtis's character or to fix his proper standing in the community.

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NORTHERN MICHIGAN.

Beginning life in moderate circumstances, he has not only gained an honorable position in the business world, but has also lived to become a power in the community of his residence. Interested in all that tends to benefit his fellows, materially, educationally and morally, his influence has always been exerted in the right direction and from what he has accomplished along the lines to which his talents have been directed it is demon- strated that the world has gained by his presence.

JACOB BARNETT.

Rising above the head of the masses are men of sterling worth and value, who by sheer perseverance and pluck have con- quered fortune and by their own unaided efforts have risen from the ranks of the commonplace to positions of prominence in the business world, and at the same time have commanded the trust and respect of those with whom they have been thrown in contact. Among the earnest men whose depth of character and strict adherence to principle excite the admiration of his con- temporaries Mr. Barnett is prominent and he is now recognized as one of the successful merchants of Mancelona, Antrim county, Michigan.

Jacob Barnett was born in the city of New York, his natal day having been No- vember II, 1867. His parents, Samuel and Rebecca Barnett, were both natives of Po- sen, province of Hanover, Prussia, the fa- ther having been born in 1833. They came to the United States in 1856, locating in New York city, where he followed his trade, that of tailor. In 1899, however, they

removed to Oscoda, Michigan, where they now live retired. The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools in his na- tive city and his first active employment was as a clerk in a wholesale house, which occu- pation he followed for ten years. He then came to Oscoda, Michigan, and established himself in the gents' furnishing goods busi- ness, in which he was successfully engaged for three years. In 1895 he removed to Mancelona and established himself in his present business, that of general dry goods and other kindred lines. He has a large and well stocked store, carrying a comprehen- sive and well-selected line of goods, and that his coming here was impelled by sound judg- ment has been amply indicated by his sub- sequent success. Personally, a genial, warm-hearted gentleman, and ever striving to meet the tastes of his customers, he has won and retains a large share of the public patronage. Mr. Barnett has wisely invested a part of his profits in real estate and now owns some very valuable town property, as well as a number of village lots, which will undoubtedly enhance in value within a short time.

In 1899 Mr. Barnett was united in.mar- riage with Miss Anna Asher, the daughter of M. A. and Bertha (Solomon) Asher, of New York city, the father being a traveling /salesman. To the subject and his wife have been born two bright and interesting chil- dren, named Ruth and Amie. Politically, Mr. Barnett supports the Republican party and has taken an active interest in public affairs. He has served his fellow citizens as township treasurer for one year, is at present a member of the school board, and was for three years trustee of the village of Oscoda. while making that place his home. His fra-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF

ternal affiliations are with Lodge No. 73, Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge No. 60, Knights of Pythias, Camp No. 5523, Mod- ern Woodmen of America, and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. The story of Mr. Barnett's life, while not a long one, shows what may be accomplished by any one impelled by the right motives and en- dowed with the ordinary qualities of com- mon sense and sound judgment. That he has succeeded is due entirely to his own ef- forts and because of his sterling personal qualities he has won himself a host of warm personal friends.

JOHN HAMILTON MOSELEY, M. D.

Prestige in the healing art is the outcome of strong mentality, close application, thor- ough mastery of its great underlying princi- ples and the ability to apply theory to prac -. tice in the treatment of diseases. Good in- tellectual training, thorough professional knowledge and the possession and utilization of the qualities and attributes essential to success, have made the subject of this review eminent in his chosen calling and he stands today among the enterprising and successful physicians in a community noted for the high order of its medical talent.

Dr. John H. Moseley, of Mancelona, An- trim county, Michigan, was born at Frank- linville, Cattaraugus county, New York, on the 28th of May, 1851, and is the son of Alonzo and Eunice (Hunt) Moseley, natives of the same place. The first American pro- genitors of the Moseley family were two brothers who came to this country from England in about 1620, one settling in Dor-

chester, Massachusetts, and the other on the Connecticut river, in Connecticut. It is from the Dorchester branch that the subject of this sketch is descended. The Doctor's great-grandfather and several other mem- bers of the family took an active part in the war of the Revolution, and it is also worthy of note that the wife of Aaron Moseley, the subject's grandfather, was a cousin of Alex- ander Hamilton, the eminent statesman and financier. Through all the years the Mose- leys have been in the main farming people, maintaining their residence usually in New England. In 1853 Alonzo Moseley moved to western Wisconsin, locating in Monroe county, about one and a half miles north of Sparta, the county seat, where he engaged in farming. He also engaged in veterinary practice to a considerable extent, being an ardent lover of horseflesh, a trait inherited to a marked degree by his sons. He was a pub- lic-spirited citizen and was adored and re- spected by all who knew him. He was the father of seven children, three sons and four daughters, of whom the subject of this sketch is the oldest child.

John H. Moseley received his elementary education in the public schools of Sparta, Wisconsin, following which he purposed tak- ing a complete medical course of study, hav- ing decided upon medicine as his life work. In order to gain the necessary finances, how- ever, he was compelled to first go into the logging woods of northern Wisconsin and the harvest fields of Minnesota and labor at day wages until he had accumulated the nec- essary funds. In this way he saved eleven hundred and fifty dollars and entered at once upon the study of medicine in the Homeo- pathic Medical College at St. Louis, from which he graduated in 1874. He then en-

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tered the Missouri Medical College (now the medical department of Washington Univer- sity), from which he graduated in 1876, and at once entered upon the active practice of his profession at Olathe, Kansas. In No- vember, 1882, the Doctor removed to War- rens, Wisconsin, and in the spring of the following year, leaving his family at the last-named place, he went to North Dakota. Returning from that state, he, in 1884, bought out a practice at Tomah and was there engaged for twenty years. He estab- lished a sanitarium and was also surgeon for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- way at that place, in addition to which he built up a large private practice. In November, 1904, he sold his business at Tomah and, coming to Mancelona, bought out the practice and buildings of Dr. and Mrs. Dr. Cosford, who has been es- tablished at this place for twenty-five years Though comparatively a newcomer here, the Doctor has already established himself firmly in the confidence of the public and is building up a large and lucrative practice. It is his intention to at once open a hospital in his building, the latter being fifty by sev- enty feet in size, and containing fourteen large, airy upstairs rooms, and will make a specialty of surgery and chronic diseases, though it is not his intention to relinquish his attention to his outside practice.

On March 22, 1877, Dr. Moseley was united in marriage to Miss Clara Clarke, at St. Louis, but formerly of Iowa, the daugh- ter of William and Sarah (Tharpe) Clarke, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Mishawaka, Indiana. To the Doctor and his wife have been born the fol- lowing children: Parker J., who was edu- cated at the Tomah high school and the Mil-

waukee Normal School, enlisted in Company K, Third Regiment Wisconsin Infantry (having been a member of the National Guard for three years prior to that time), and accompanied his company to Porto Rico, being discharged from the service in Janu- ary, 1899. After his return home he com- pleted the course at the Milwaukee Normal School and then entered the employ of the American Appraisal Company, where he still remains. Mabel, who was educated at the Tomah high school, is a horse woman of ex- ceptional ability. Edith also graduated at the Tomah high school, also the Milwaukee Normal; and is now engaged in teaching the Tomah schools. She has taught four years at Tomah and secured a position in the Mancelona high school; Juanita graduated in the high school with the class of 1905, while the other children are Cora Marie and Allan Benton. Fraternally the Doctor be- longs to the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, Woodmen of the World and the Knights of the Macca- bees, and takes a deep interest in the wel- fare of the orders. As stated before, the Doctor inherited a love for horses and be- lieves that nothing less than the best stock is good enough. He is the owner of "Gilt- wood," by "Nutwood," record 2:183, and "Regent," a son of "Onward," by "George Wilkes," and also owns a number of stand- ard bred colts, which he will bring to Man- celona and put in the stud here.

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Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 75

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