Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 77

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

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In 1871 Mr. Osborne was united in marriage with Miss Ardis Blackman, the daughter of Samuel Blackman, a native of Michigan, who now, at the venerable age of ninety-two years, is making his home

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with the subject of this sketch. He is an attorney-at-law by profession and is a very highly respected citizen. To the subject and his wife has been born one child, Grace, who still remains at home and who is tak- ing the literary course at the State Univer- sity at Ann Arbor, with the purpose of fit- ting herself for teaching. The subject owns the fine home in which the family resides and which is located on State street, in Mancelona, the same being the center of a large social circle.

In politics Mr. Osborne is an enthusi- astic Republican and takes a deep interest in the success of his party. He has not been an aspirant for public office, though he has served one year as a member of the city council, performing therein much good service for his constituents. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of the Mac- cabees, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, in all of which he is a valued member. His integrity is the sterling kind that successfully bears the test of the sever- est scrutiny, his character has always been unassailable and his good name gives him marked prestige in the community as a neighbor, friend and citizen.

WINCHESTER R. RICE.

Among the strong and influential citi- zens of Antrim county the record of whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section, the gentleman whose name appears above occupied a prominent place and for years exerted a beneficent in- fluence in the community in which he re-

sided. His chief characteristics were keen- ness of perception, a tireless energy, hon- esty of purpose and motive and every-day common-sense, which enabled him not only to advance his own interests, but also largely contributed to the moral and material ad- vancement of the community. W. R. Rice was born near Rochester, New York, in 1831, and his death occurred at his home in Mancelona, Michigan, in 1902. He was the son of Zibina Rice, also a native of the Em- pire state, who removed to Michigan while the subject was still quite young and located first in Lapeer county and later in Clinton county, in both of which localities he follow- ed farming. The subject was reared under the parental roof and secured a good common- school education, after which he took up the ordinary routine of labor on the farm. In 1879 he came to Antrim county and pur- chased forty acres of land, which now lies within the corporate limits of Mancelona, and he at once set himself to the task of clearing and cultivating this land. The first home was a small, plain shanty, which af- forded shelter until he was enabled to build a better house. The original tract has been added to until the place now comprises sixty acres of fine, tillable land, nearly all under the plow, the farm being worked by Mrs. Rice's brother, Dwight Marsh, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume.

During the Civil war Mr. Rice enlisted in Company M, Sixth Regiment Michigan Vol- unteer Cavalry, and faithfully served his country for three years and ten months. He took part in many of the most hotly contested battles of the war, returning to his Michigan home in 1865.

In 1882 Mr. Rice was united in mar- riage to Miss Lucy L. Marsh, daughter of

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Gideon and Jane (Wellman) Marsh. Her ever since continued to reside, while father, who came to Antrim county in 1879, through his earnest and well-directed ef- forts he has developed a good farm from the land which was covered with a dense growth of native timber at the time when he here erected his little log domicile and prepared himself to grapple with the wilder- ness. He has sold sixty acres of his land, so that his homestead now comprises one hundred acres, of which about seventy acres are under effective cultivation, while the permanent improvements are of excel- lent order. was a farmer by occupation, though in his earlier years he had followed lumbering. His death occurred in this county at the home of his daughter. To Mr. and Mrs. Rice was born one child, Glenn, who died early in life. In politics Mr. Rice was a Re- publican and took a deep interest in public affairs, having served in nearly all the town- ship offices and was also justice of the peace at Mancelona. In all the relations of life, Mr. Rice was true to every trust and exerted a permanent influence in favor of every movement looking to the moral, educational and material advancement of his community. Few men had more personal friends here and many were the expressions of deep-felt re- gret and sorrow at the time of his death. Mrs. Rice lives in a neat and comfortable residence and manages the estate with sound judgment and discrimination, her many fine personal qualities winning for her the loyal friendship of all with whom she comes in contact.

DANIEL TAINTER.

Another of the sterling pioneers of Charlevoix county is Daniel Tainter, whose fine farm property is located in Evangeline township, where he has resided for more than thirty years. In 1871 he came to this county and took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres two miles northeast of the present village of Boyne City, while he was one of the first veterans of the Civil war to here avail himself of the privilege of taking up such a homestead as a soldier's claim. On this original homestead he has

Mr. Tainter is a native of the old Em- pire state of the Union, having been born in Erie county, New York, on the Ist of March, 1840. When he was but five years of age his parents came to Michigan and established their home in Jackson county. His father, Daniel Tainter, had previously visited that county, where he remained for a time, and there he was married to Miss Polly Godfrey, whose parents had likewise come to the locality from Erie county, New York. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Tainter was solemnized by the late Judge DeLand, of Jackson, this being the first ceremony of the sort performed by him. He was one of the honored pioneers of the county and was the father of Colonel Charles V. DeLand, whose death occurred only a few years since. After his marriage Daniel Tainter returned to Erie county, New York, where he remained until 1845, when he came with his family to Michigan once more, locating three miles northwest of the city of Jackson, where he engaged in farming and where he died when our sub- ject was a lad of seven years. His widow was left with six children, and she removed to Tompkins township, in the same county,

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where, about three years later, she married a man named Godfrey, while she there con- tinued to reside until her death, just be- fore the outbreak of the Civil war.

Daniel Tainter, the subject of this re- view, was reared to manhood in Jackson county, this state, where he passed his youthful years on the farm, while he re- ceived a common-school education. In 1861 he enlisted in Company C, Second Michigan Volunteer Infantry, with which he pro- ceeded to the front, and with which he con- tinued in active service for three years, at the expiration of which he received his hon- orable discharge. He was with his com- mand in Virginia for eighteen months,-up to the time Kearney was killed. His regi- ment had been a part of the Third Corps until this time, and was then transferred to the Ninth Corps, under Burnside, with whose forces the regiment proceeded into Kentucky and then to Vicksburg, after which they returned to Kentucky and thence marched to Knoxville, Tennessee, participating in numerous ' skirmishes be- sides the greater conflicts in which the com- mand was involved. Mr. Tainter was wounded in an engagement at Campbell Station, where he received a musket ball in the shoulder, being incapacitated for active service for a time and then rejoining his regiment, with which he remained until he was mustered out, having taken part in fif- teen battles and having proved himself a loyal and ideal soldier of the republic.

After the close of his military career Mr. Tainter returned to Michigan and located in Ingham county, where he continued to be identified with agricultural pursuits until the time of his removal to Charlevoix county, as noted. In politics he is an un-

compromising advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and he has held va- rious local offices, being held in high regard by all who know him.

On December 10, 1865, Mr. Tainter was united in marriage to Miss Eliza A. Hull, and of their four children we record that Herbert is in the employ of W. H. White, of Boyne City; Madge L. is the wife of Melza Brown, of Kalamazoo, this state ; and Fred N. and Alice remain at the parental home, the latter being a successful teacher in the public schools of the locality.

RICHARD P. EASTCOTT.

It is always pleasant and profitable to contemplate the career of a man who has made a success of life and won the honor and respect of his fellow citizens. Such is the record of the well-known farmer whose name heads this sketch, than whom a more whole-souled or popular man it would be difficult to find within the limits of the town- ship where he has his home. R. P. Eastcott was born October 28, 1849, in Cornwall, England, and is the son of John and Ann Maria (Parsons) Eastcott. A few years after the subject's birth the parents left "the mer- rie isle" and located in Huron county, prov- ince of Ontario, Canada, where the father followed his trade, that of shoemaking. Here the subject of this sketch was given the advantage of attendance at the public schools and also learned the secrets of suc- cessful agriculture. Subsequently coming to Michigan, he, in 1889, purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land near Alba, Antrim county, which he cleared from the

EASTCOTT SISTERS.

MR. AND MRS. RICHARD P. EASTCOTT.

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original timber and on which he has made many substantial improvements. A part of the land is still in timber, while the remain- der is carefully tilled and returns to its owner abundant crops in return for the labor bestowed upon it. Mr. Eastcott is a careful and methodical farmer, understanding thor- oughly the best methods of up-to-date agri- culture, and has created here one of the most comfortable rural homes in the township.

On February 13, 1877, Mr. Eastcott was united in marriage to Miss Ann Essery, the daughter of John and Mary Essery, natives of England and farming people, who came to Canada, settling in an early day in Huron county, Ontario, and there spent the remain- der of their days. To Mr. and Mrs. East- cott have been born the following children : Vesta G., Sylva,A., Emma M., Ida M., Lil- lie V., Alma P. and Hattie V. In politics Mr. Eastcott is a stanch Republican, believ- ing that the principles of that party are most favorable to the best interests of the Ameri- can people at large. He is a strong friend of education and has held the school offices in his township. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 423 at Alba. Al- though Mr. Eastcott is now one of the solid, substantial men of the township, he is en- tirely self-made, having had scarcely any as- sistance in establishing himself. Early in his career he realized that the foundation stones of success were industry, honesty and perse- verance, and all through life he has pos- sessed the requisites, the result being that he is able to spend the evening of his days in comfort, enjoying the knowledge that he has won the confidence and esteem of friends and neighbors.

Mr. and Mrs. Eastcott are very proud 38

of their girls, and having secured their pic- tures, grouped, seven in number, they sent one to President Roosevelt and received a very friendly reply.

WILLIAM H. ROGERS.

The subject of this sketch is numbered among the representative citizens of Bay Springs, Charlevoix county, where he is en- gaged in the grocery business. Mr. Rogers is a native of the old Empire state, having been born in Allegany county, New York, on the 24th of January, 1842. He was reared to the discipline of the farm and passed his youth in his native county and Potter county, Pennsylvania, in which lat- ter he was residing at the time when the dark cloud of the Civil war cast its pall over the national horizon. He forthwith manifested in a significant way his spirit of patriotism, since, in the autumn of 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company F, Fifty-eighth Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry, joining the regi- ment at the time of its organization, a con- siderable quota of the command having been recruited in the city of Philadelphia. The regiment was sent at once to Fortress Mon- roe, Virginia, and in that section saw much active service, participating in a number of the important engagements and many skirm- ishes. At the expiration of his two years' term he re-enlisted in the same company and regiment, being in the field at the time. He thereafter continued in active service until the autumn of 1864, when he received a se- vere wound, at Fort Harrison, or Chapin's Farm, having been one of the number to scale the works in a spirited charge against

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the fort and having been shot from a point below. Thirteen members of his command were killed in this charge, ten of the number having been ahead of him when they re- ceived mortal wounds in the head, as they stood up. Mr. Rogers crept across the wall of earth and threw one leg over, preparatory to jumping down into the fort. He was holding his head as low as possible and when shot from below the ball struck the buckle of his cap and then glanced in such a way as to enter just above the right eye, severing the nerve and thence following around the cheek bone and smashing a rear tooth into most minute particles, while the missile fin- ally came out of his mouth. The hole in his forehead is still visible, while the right eye was destroyed. He fell among the en- emy, but his comrades pressed forward and finally succeeded in capturing the fort. He retains as a souvenir of this event in his ca- reer the cap which he wore at the time, while the scene of the action is now a na- tional military cemetery. After being thus seriously wounded Mr. Rogers was placed in the hospital at Willetts Point, New York, where he remained for several months, re- ceiving his honorable discharge on the 10th day of May, 1865, after Lee's surrender. His injury permanently affected his spine and his nervous system was shattered, so that for a long time he was unable to control his head, which shook constantly, while in other ways he gave pitiable evidence of his sacrifice when a soldier valiantly fighting to save the Union.

In the autumn of 1875 Mr. Rogers went to the south, passing the winter in Texas and Louisanna, and receiving considerable benefit to his health. In the following spring he came to Detroit, Michigan, and shortly

afterward made his way to Pine lake, in Charlevoix county. Soon after his arrival he purchased of John Miller a number of lots in the embryonic town of Bay Springs, of which he is the pioneer of pioneers, since he erected the first house in the place, a building which is still standing. About two years later, in company with John Doren- berg, Mr. Rogers purchased forty acres of railroad land in Evangeline township, re- claming the same to cultivation, and in the third year he erected his residence on the farm, of which he became the sole owner two years later, purchasing the interest of Mr. Dorenberg. He there continued to re- side, giving his attention to the development of the land, which now constitutes one of the well improved and attractive rural domains of this section of the state. In 1901 Mr. Rogers engaged in the grocery business in Bay Springs, where he has built up a rep- resentative trade, having a well-equipped store and controlling an excellent business. His farm, which lies contiguous to the town, is on an elevation reaching fully three hun- dred feet above Pine lake, and his commodi- ous and attractive residence occupies a com- manding site, affording a fine view of the lake and the surrounding country. Bay Springs is practically a suburb of Boyne City, which is one mile distant, on the shore of Lake Michigan, and the locality is cele- brated for its scenic beauty as well as for its attractions as a summer and health resort. Mr. Rogers has been much handicapped by delicate health, resulting from the injuries received in his army service, and for nine years after coming to Charlevoix county he was constantly under the care of Dr. San- derson, while his burdens were heavy in meeting expenses and endeavoring to secure

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a competency. It is gratifying to note that he has been prospered in temporal affairs, while his course has been such as to gain and retain to him the unqualified confidence and good will of the people of the commun- ity in which he has lived and labored for so many years. Mr. Rogers shows his abiding interest in his old comrades in arms by re- taining membership in the post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Boyne City, where he is also affiliated with the Masonic lodge.

In Potter county, Pennsylvania, in 1859, Mr. Rogers was united in marriage to Miss Mary Laduska North, and they became the parents of two children, Eliza and Albert, the latter of whom died at the age of six years. Eliza married Mr. P. Howard and they reside on her father's old homestead farm, being the parents of three children. Mrs. Rogers died March 17, 1905, at the age of sixty-three years and ten months.

GEORGE M. KERRY.

At the head of the firm of G. M. Kerry & Company, of Boyne City, stands the sub- ject of this review, who is one of the pro- gressive business men and public-spirited citizens of the thriving town, conducting a general planing-mill enterprise, including the manufacture of sash and doors.

Mr. Kerry was born in the city of Lon- don, England, in the year 1851, and there received his school education. In 1864 he came with his parents to America, the fam- ily locating in Toronto, Canada, where he was reared to maturity. When fifteen years of age he entered upon an apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade, serving five years, and

receiving eight dollars a month for the first year, with an annual increase of two dollars a month thereafter. He became a skilled artisan and after completing his apprentice- ship was well fortified for work as a jour- neyman. In the meanwhile his parents had removed to the city of Chicago, Illinois, and there he joined them a few years after the great fire of 1871. In the suburb of Austin he worked at his trade for two years and thereafter he passed two years in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, where he was similarly employed. His father removed to Michigan in 1873 and settled on a farm one mile and a half from Northport, Leelanau county, and in the same year our subject joined him on the farm, assisting in its rec- lamation and cultivation during the ensu- ing two years. He was married in 1873 and after the two years on the farm he returned to Chicago, the property in Leelanau county having been sold. He worked as a journeyman in Chicago for two years and then engaged in business on his own respon- sibility, opening a blacksmith shop on Og- den avenue, in the vicinity of the suburb of Riverside, where he remained about three years, having been fairly successful in his efforts. In May, 1885, having disposed of his shop in Chicago, Mr. Kerry came to Boyne City, having visited several other towns before finally deciding to take up his residence in Boyne City. At the time there was only one blacksmith shop in the town, the same having been conducted by Frank Chase. Mr. Kerry erected and equipped a shop, and shortly afterward installed ma- chinery which enabled him to add the man- ufacture of sleighs to the general black- smithing business. Before the advent of the railroad in the thriving little lumbering

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town he controlled a very large trade in the at present is city treasurer, having been for line of repair work for the saw-mills, as nine consecutive years a member of the board of trustees of Boyne City and having at all times shown himself to be a progres- sive and wide-awake business man and citi- zen. He and his wife are communicants of the Protestant Episcopal church, but as there is no church organization of this de- nomination in Boyne City they attend and support the Presbyterian church. well as in general horseshoeing and other blacksmithing. At times he gave employ- ment to several men, particularly during the winter season, and the enterprise proved a most profitable one. He finally rented his shop for a term of two years but soon after retiring from active connection with the same he erected a machine shop on the site of the present plant of which he is owner, On the IIth of August, 1873, was sol- emnized the marriage of Mr. Kerry to Miss Mary Ann Perkiss, of Northport. She was born in England and is a daughter of Charles Perkiss, who is one of the honored pioneers of Leelanau county, this state, where he is a farmer by vocation. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Kerry we make a brief record as follows: John is in the employ of his father and is foreman of the mill; George is associated with his father's business; Grace is the wife of David Al- dred, of Boyne City; Florence is book- keeper in the office of the planing mill; Minnie died at the age of ten years, and Thomas at the age of fifteen. The eldest son was for a number of years associated with his father in business, under the firm name of G. M. Kerry & Son. while later he added the planing mill depart- ment and put in an excellent equipment of general wood-working machinery, while for two years he gave special attention to the manufacturing of broom handles. In the connection was maintained a blacksmith shop until of recent years, and the enter- prise as represented at the present time in- cludes the functions noted in the opening paragraph of this article. In March, 1904, the firm of Kerry, Hulbert & Company was organized and the scope of the business was widened to a considerable extent, though all is based on the enterprise and plant which owe their development and distinctive success to the subject of this review, who now continues to give his personal super- vision to the business, though the firm being dissolved he continues alone. He has ever shown himself ready to lend his aid and in- fluence in support of measures and projects brought forward for the general welfare and JAMES DEEVY. prosperity of his town and as a business man and citizen he commands the highest confidence and esteem in the community. In politics his allegiance is given to the Re- publican party, and while he has never been a seeker of political preferment he has been called upon to serve in various positions of public trust in the township and village and

Among those enterprising and progres- sive young men whose efforts have lent to the prestige of the agricultural industry in Antrim county, and who has creditably filled public office here, is the subject of this re- view, who has passed practically all of his mature years within the borders of the

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county and who is now one of the success- ful farmers of his township.

James Deevy was born at Coldwater, Branch county, Michigan, on October 21, 1869, and is the son of Daniel and Katherine (Ryan) Deevy, both natives of Ireland. The father came to this country and during his early life followed railroading, but after- wards took up farming, now residing on a splendid farm near Elmira. The mother's death occurred in 1892. The subject of this sketch attended school at Union City, Mich- igan, eight years, then for a short time in Illinois. In 1888 the family removed to Elmira and here for two winters Mr. Deevy also had educational training. His school- ing has been supplemented by liberal read- ing and a close observation of men and events, so that now he is considered a well- informed man on general subjects. Upon attaining mature years Mr. Deevy followed farming a few years as assistant to his father and after his marriage he continued on the same farm with his father, though in a closer business relation. He has since followed ag- riculture as his principal vocation and, hav- ing given thoughtful attention to the modern methods and theories, he has been enabled to bring the business up to a high standard, the farm now being considered one of the best in the township.

In politics Mr. Deevy belongs to the Re- publican party, of which he has ever been a stanch supporter. At the age of twenty-one years he was elected school inspector and township clerk, which offices he held for five years, and he was then elected township supervisor, holding this office six years and resigning it to accept that of county clerk, to which he had been elected on November 8, 1904. In all these positions he has dis-

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Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 77

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