USA > Michigan > Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens > Part 80
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110
American as if he had been born under the folds of the stars and stripes, being a great lover of his adopted country and an ardent admirer of its free institutions. He has ever stood for good government and the strict. enforcement of the law. Keenly alive to all public questions and national issues and well informed concerning the same, he is not a partisan, but in the true sense of the term an independent, voting in local and state affairs for the party which best represents his principles and for the candidates best qualified for the offices to which they as -. pire. He cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln and in national politics still prefers the party of which that great man was one of the most notable expon- ents, but when the policies fail to meet his approval, he does not hesitate to throw his influence to the opposition. Inheriting the admirable social characteristics and pro- verbial good humor for which his national- ity has ever been distinguished, Mr. McCann has won the esteem of many friends and as- sociates, and as a hale fellow is popular with all who come within the sphere of his per- sonal influence. Upright as well as enter- prising and successful in business and re- spected in every relation with the world, he enjoys the confidence of the community in which he resides and is fully entitled to the honorable position which he occupies among his fellowmen.
Mr. McCann married, May 3, 1866, Miss Margaret Murray, a native of county Mayo, Ireland, and a daughter of David and Catherine (Mulchrone) Murray, of Mackinac island. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McCann : Mary, John, Michael (deceased), Michael J., James
613
NORTHERN MICHIGAN.
(deceased), Catherine (deceased), and one died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. McCann and family are members of the Catholic church.
JOHN B. BONNER.
The Bonners have long been associated with the history of the northern part of Lake Michigan and the country bordering thereon and since 1856 the name has been closely interwoven with the settlement, growth and prosperity of Beaver island. John B. Bonner, the first of the family to come to Michigan, perhaps the first of the name to seek a home in the United States, was a native of county Donegal, Ireland, and the son of Mannus Bonner, of Rutland island, near the coast of Donegal, which appears to have been the ancestral seat of the subject's antecedents for several generations. The Captain spent his childhood at the place of his birth and when a mere lad ran away to become a sailor, preferring a sea-faring life to the uninteresting and laborious experience of a career on land. In due time he became an able seaman, and after sailing nearly every water of the eastern continent and vis- iting many countries, came to America about the year 1847, landing in New York city, where he soon engaged in the fishery busi- ness. While prosecuting that line of trade he spent the winter in Georgia where he ap- pears to have been a man of considerable in- fluence from the fact that his name still ap- pears upon the map of that state, Bonner's Landing, off the city of Savannah, being so called in compliment to him. Later he re- turned to Ireland as a sailor, but on reaching that country left his vessel and, purchasing a
large amount of twine in the city of London- derry, engaged for a while in the manufac- ture of nets for the further prosecution of his fishing interests in American waters. During the ensuing nine seasons he fished in the Atlantic off the city of Savannah, and the meantime visited the Great Lakes, which he sailed quite extensively, ultimately chang- ing his headquarters to Mackinac island, near which he continued his operations as a fisherman for several consecutive years.
While at Mackinac Mr. Bonner visited Gull island and would have gone to Beaver island had it not been for the Mormons who at that time occupied the place and between whom and the settlers a feeling of enmity had long existed which not infrequently manifested itself in acts of violence on the part of the former. These Latter Day Saints not only destroyed all the property of the fishermen that they could lay hands on, but burned their cabins and boats and at one time basely murdered a man by the name of Bennett, whose heart Dr. Mccullough cut out, saying as he did so that he would like to treat all Gentile hearts in the same man- ner.
In May, 1856, Mr. Bonner and wife ar- rived at Gull island and a little later he joined an expedition made up of about twenty men for the purpose of driving the Mormons from Beaver island, which being duly accomplished he and a number of other fishermen settled on Big Beaver, the Captain selecting for his place of residence a beautiful site on the northern part of French Bay. On August 10th, of the above year, he moved his wife to the new home, a double log cabin which a family of Mormons had formerly oc- cupied, and immediately thereafter resumed
614
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
fishing, in which he was assisted by two hands, hired men, the three using a single boat. Other fishermen came in at intervals until there were several thriving settlements from the founding of which property dates the growth and subsequent history of the island.
During the ensuing three years Mr. Bon- ner carried on a profitable business, in con- nection with which he also handled tan bark and lumber, which he shipped in large quan- tities to the cities of Chicago and Milwau- kee in his own vessel, the "Sophia Bonner," a fine schooner, built under his direction during the time noted. He sailed as master of this vessel for a period of twenty-one years and did a large and thriving business, the meantime building another schooner which he used in the coast trade. After a long and active career on the water, he turned his vessel over to his son and retired to the privacy of his home, where in the en- joyment of his many years of toil the re- mainder of his life was spent in quiet and content.
In the spring of 1857 Mr. Bonner se- cured a tract of land five miles southwest of St. James, where he built a dock, and from this place his shipping business was chiefly conducted. While thus engaged his good wife managed the farm nearby, a beau- tiful and finely improved place on which she has lived continuously since the year 1858 and on which she expects to reside un- til called hence.
Captain Bonner was married in New York city, April 28, 1856, to Miss Sophia Harkins, who bore him eleven children, eight sons and three daughters, the two old- est of whom died in infancy. The others are Capt. John Bonner, whose biography ap-
pears elsewhere in these pages; Thomas, who is engaged in the fishery business ; James, a contractor and builder of West Superior, Wisconsin; John, master of the vessel "Rouse Shannon ;" Daniel, who lives on the home farm; Mary, wife of Lanty Mc- Carty; Patrick, who is still on the family homestead, and two deceased, Maga Ann and Peter.
Captain Bonner's career was eminently honorable and his name will always be iden- tified with the history of Beaver island. He was highly esteemed by all who knew him, enjoyed a wide reputation in business cir- cles and stood out clear and distinct as one of the notable men of his day and generation in the region of the Great Lakes. He pos- sessed great bodily strength and vigor, a sound mind and a high order of ability, and retained his faculties to a marked degree un- til his death, which occurred on the 27th day of September, 1894, at the age of seventy- five years.
Mrs. Sophia Bonner is a native of county Donegal, Ireland, and the daughter of Thomas and Maga (Carr) Harkins, both parents born and reared in the northern part of the Emerald isle. She came to America with her father, who died in 1847, shortly after arriving in this country, and from that time until her marriage in 1856 they lived in New York city. As already stated, she accompanied her husband to Michigan in the summer of 1856, and after spending a few months on Gull island moved to Beaver island, which has since been her home. She proved in the true sense of the term a help- meet to her husband, assisted him in all of his endeavors, encouraged him in times of adversity and the success which character- ized his long and useful career was largely
615
NORTHERN MICHIGAN.
attributable to her efficient co-operation. It was mainly through the influence of Cap- tain and Mrs. Bonner that so many of their old neighbors and friends from the north of Ireland were induced to immigrate to the United States and settle on Beaver island, and among this excellent class of people she has ever been held in the highest regard by reason of her beautiful character, genuine worth, and by her readiness to lend a help- ing hand in time of need. Her influence has always been for good and now in her old age she is surrounded by loving children and de- voted friends who strive by every means at their command to gladden and make bright her life's decline.
JOHN W. GREEN.
One of the best known of the younger business men of St. James, Beaver island, Michigan, is he whose name heads this sketch. He was born here on the Ist of De- cember. 1871, and has always maintained his residence here. His father is Daniel W. Green, who has been a fisherman and farmer on the island since 1865, commenc- ing the former vocation in the year men- tioned and continuing it continuously until 1880 when he took up farming on a tract of land in Peaine township, four miles south of St. James, where he still lives engaged in the cultivation of his one hundred and twenty acres of farm land, which is con- sidered one of the best on the island.
The subject of this sketch has followed fishing for thirteen years, conducting all his operations independently of others, and dur- ing the winter is engaged in lumbering, con-
tracting for himself. Of sturdy and reliable characteristics, he has attained a distinct suc- cess in his vocation. He is a stanch and active Democrat in politics, and has a num- ber of times served his party as a delegate to county conventions. He takes an active interest in legal affairs and does all in his power to advance the interests of his fellow citizens.
Mr. Green was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Roddy, a union which has been blessed by the birth of three children, Erin, Andrew and Mary. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Green are members of the Holy Cross congregation at St. James, and are faithful and consistent in the performance of their religious duties. Mrs. Green is a lady of gentle, moral nature, but resolute of purpose, is an earnest worker in her church and stands high in the esteem of the people of her neighborhood. The subject is a man of in- dustrious and thrifty habits and seldom fails in bringing to a successful termination all his undertakings, while among his friends and fellow citizens he is held in high esteem.
THE BEAVER ISLAND LUMBER COMPANY.
In the first rank of northern Michi- gan's industrial interests stands the Bea- ver Island Lumber Company, a brief sketch of which is outlined in the fol- lowing paragraphs. This large and stead- ily growing enterprise was organized on December 27, 1902, with a capital of seventy-five thousand dollars, W. E. Steph- ens being elected president, John S. Stephens, vice-president, and G. Kitsinger,
616
1
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
secretary and treasurer. A mill with a daily capacity of thirty thousand feet of hardwood lumber was completed and put in operation by June of the year following, also a shingle machine with a capacity of seventy-five thousand per day, the output of both during the first season amounting to five hundred thousand feet of lumber and considerably in excess of two million shingles, much of the lumber being used in the company's build- ings, which, in addition to the mill, included offices, several residences and other struc- tures necessary for the carrying on of such a large and far-reaching industry.
supplied with the latest improved machinery, and to keep them in operation at their nor- mal capacity requires the labor of one hun- dred and twenty-five men, sixty of whom are employed in the woods, sixty to seventy at the mill, others being engaged in trans- porting timber, the pay roll of the establish- ment amounting to three thousand dollars per month. The chief markets of the com- pany are Chicago and Milwaukee, between which cities and the island the proprietors run their own vessels, thus adding very largely to their earnings, besides giving the enterprise additional standing and influence in business circles. A stave mill has also been added, having a capacity of about twenty-five thousand.
On Beaver island alone the company bought nine thousand acres of fine timber land, to be cut in seven years, in addition to which it purchased a vast amount of timber It is unnecessary to state that the build- ing up of a concern of the capacity of the Beaver Island Lumber Company is the work of men of a high order of executive ability and business talent, both of which the Stephens Brothers and Mr. Kitsinger pos- sess in a marked degree. They are charac- terized by great sagacity, sound judgment and rare foresight and with peculiar tenac- ity of purpose, have the power of moulding circumstances to suit their ends, instead of being affected by them. In all their business relations they have ever manifested the most scrupulous integrity and the honorable standing which the company has attained un- der the able and judicious management has earned for them a conspicuous place among the representative business men of the state. coming from other sources, thus affording an easy market which has been greatly ap- preciated, not only by the people of the island but by dealers on the main shore as well. To gain easy access to their lands, the company in due time constructed thir- teen miles of narrow gauge railroad which, supplied with the necessary rolling stock, has greatly facilitated the transportation of stock and added much to the volume of business, besides increasing the value of the plant which with the line of schooners and various other kinds of property represents at this time a capital of two hundred thou- sand dollars. Since it first began operating the company has gradually extended the scope and volume of its business until in magnitude and far-reaching influence it is The Stephen Brothers came to Beaver now easily the leading industry of the kind . island from Freesoil, Mason county, Michi- in northern Michigan, besides comparing gan, where for a period of ten years they operated a mill and built up a large and lu- crative lumber business, and it was there that they laid the foundations upon which favorably with any like firm in the state. The mills, which are substantially con- structed, are of the most modern type, being
617
NORTHERN MICHIGAN.
their subsequent careers as influential factors in the world of affairs rest. In addition to his interest in the Beaver Island Lumber Company, Mr. Kitsinger is partner in a large lumber mill at Manistee, and is also in- terested in the lake trade, owning with other parties a line of boats plying between vari- ous points.
ALLEN M. WILKINSON, M. D.
Notwithstanding the long strides that have been made in the practice of the healing art within the past half century, the discov- ery of medical properties in hundreds of vegetable and mineral substances that not many years ago were not included in materia medica as remedies or barely mentioned in the pharmacopeia, or laid dormant as far as the dispensatory is concerned; notwithstand- ing the charlatancy practiced by adventurers in the legitimate practice of the art and the quacks that claimed particular and special gifts in the treatment of human ills ; and not- withstanding the fact that legislatures have found it necessary to regulate the general practice by the expulsion of diplomaless pre- tenders and the registration of legitimate and truly scientific physicians, there are some of the latter who have risen to eminence within the field of their actual labors, and among these is the subject of this sketch, whose career has been that of a true and conscien- tious worker in the sphere to which he has devoted his life and energy and who pos- sesses a profound knowledge of medicine and surgery.
Allen Marshall Wilkinson, one of the leading and popular physicians at St. James,
Michigan, is a native of this state, having been born at Atwood, Antrim county, April 6, 1875, the son of Byron P. and Sarah (Marshall) Wilkinson. The father was a farmer by vocation, in connection with which he also conducted an agency for farm machinery and implements. He was a pro- gressive and energetic man and succeeded during his life time in clearing up and im- proving a good farm. He was a native of Erie, Pennsylvania, but about the time of his marriage removed to Painesville, Ohio, the home of his wife, from whence, about 1872 or 1873, he came to Antrim county, Michigan, and secured land which he im- proved and added to until eventually he be- came the owner of a good property.
The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm and received his preliminary education in the common schools, after which he attended Benzonia Academy, Ben- zie county, this state, after which he at- tended the Bellaire high school and later Charlevoix high school, from which he graduated in 1897. He had long entertained a desire to enter the medical profession and he now matriculated in the medical depart- ment of the State University at Ann Arbor, taking the regular old-school course of study. He graduated from this institution June 20, 1901, and as he had previously taken some hospital work, he was shortly equipped for active practice. He at once came to St. James on a business trip with a legal friend, Mr. Fitch, of Charlevoix, and while on the island he met a number of the prominent citizens who urged him to make his permanent location there. Besides this he was favorably impressed with the general appearance of things and at once decided to locate here, which he did one month later
618
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
and entered at once upon active practice. No physician had been located on the island for fifty years, since Doctor Mccullough, the Mormon, left here, and in extreme cases of illness it was necessary to call for a physi- cian from the main land, which was found inexpedient and annoying. Doctor Wilkin- son's reputation in this location has been uniformly pleasant and his clientage has been satisfactory and agreeable. He has commanded a large practice and has evinced an ability to handle any complaint brought to his notice. An epidemic of small pox broke out in the lumber camp of the Beaver Island Lumber Company, but under the vigorous and active supervision of the subject, in isolating the first cases and in careful handling the same, the disease was soon brought under control. The Doctor was ably seconded in his efforts by the citi- zens and officers of the company, and as a result of his efforts no deaths resulted, though there were thirteen cases reported. In testimony of his efficient work in the in- terests of the public health, Doctor Wilkin- son was appointed deputy health officer for the township. In connection with his prac- tice, Doctor Wilkinson does his own dis- pensing of drugs, having the only stock of this kind on the island and one that is greatly appreciated by the residents. He is a mem- ber of the American Medical Association, state and county medical societies and takes a deep interest in the meetings of these bodies.
On June 25, 1902, at Charlevoix, Doc- tor Wilkinson was united in marriage to Miss Ada Blodgett, the daughter of J. C. Blodgett. She is an intelligent and highly cultured lady, being a graduate of the Char- levoix high school, and was engaged in
teaching in schools of Charlevoix and the surrounding county prior to their marriage. Their union has been a most congenial one and has been blessed by the birth of two children, Hidegerald June and Clara Marie. The Doctor and his wife are popular mem- bers of society and move in the best circles.
JAMES DONLEVY.
The gentleman to a brief review of whose life and characteristics the reader's at- tention is herewith directed is among the foremost business men of Beaver island, be- ing located at St. James. He has by his en- terprise and progressive methods contributed in a material way to the advancement of his locality and during the course of an honor- able career has been fairly successful in his business enterprises and is thus well deserv- ing of mention in this volume.
James Donlevy is a native of Ireland, having been born in county Donegal, in July, 1846. His father, Capt. Daniel Donlevy, was a native of the Emerald isle, coming to America in 1851, and owned and sailed a lake schooner. During one of his trips he met a Mr. Bonner in Cleveland who told him of Beaver island and its attractions. In 1859 Mr. Donlevy moved his family to Beaver Island, where he took up a piece of farm land and remained there until his death, at the remarkable age of ninety-four years, being the only one of his family to attain old age. His three sons and one daughter who accompanied him to the island have changed their residence to Chicago. Mary, the wife of John Gillespie, now a farmer of Beaver island; James, the imme-
619
NORTHERN MICHIGAN.
diate subject of this sketch, and Francis, a resident of the old homestead. John and James Donlevy both learned the trade of shoemaking and on coming here engaged in their trade, having the only shop in St. James. They remained thus occupied in 1871, when they dissolved partnership, John continuing the business until about eight years ago, when he removed to Chicago. James at the time of the dissolution of part- nership engaged in general merchandising, the only store here at that time being that of C. R. Wright & Son and John Day. The subject continued his enterprise about seven years, being associated during that time with Hugh Boyle. During the panic of 1873 they lost about fifteen thousand dollars, but passed through the crisis, continuing in business until 1878. He also dealt largely in wood for steamboat's, which in 1877 began to burn coal, thus ruining the wood market. At that time Messrs. Donlevy and Boyle had ten thousand cords of wood on hand, which was thus almost a total loss. They had also been to some extent engaged in the fish business, but the market had become so demoralized that there was no sales; thus the subject had become so reduced that in 1879 the partnership became dissolved and for some time the subject was in the employ of John Day. He continued with Mr. Day for seven years and in 1888 moved to Chi- cago where he remained for fourteen years engaged in the operation of a large grocery store. He was fairly successful in business, but his health failing he was compelled to give up this vocation and secured a position in one of the city offices, being at the time directly under the supervision of Carter H. Harrison, who later served as mayor of the city. In 1900 he returned to St. James and
engaged in his present business, stocking his store with general merchandise such as the local trade required. Soon after engaging in business he built the store which he now occupies, it being located on the harbor front which was owned jointly by his brother John and himself. He carries a stock valued at about five thousand dollars, embracing everything needed by the island- ers, and commands a large and profitable trade. He changed his mode of conducting business from that of one largely credit to one of strictly cash, thus insuring him against loss.
The experience he gained in Chicago gave him an insight into city politics, which largely disgusted him and upon returning to his island home he decided to cut loose en- tirely from party lines and consequently he is today independent in every respect along political lines. His friendships and associ- ations are without regard to politics and no public office however attractive is any allure- ment for him. The subject's brother John was county clerk of Manitou county for the long period of twenty-four years and was a man of great influence, whose advice and counsel was sought generally. During the same time the subject was county treasurer ten years and probate judge seven years, being the second person to hold this office here, proving in both capacities a competent and faithful official.
While still engaged in business on Bea- ver island Mr. Donlevy was married in Chi- cago to Miss Sarah O'Malley, daughter of William and Mariah O'Malley and born on Mackinaw island. William O'Malley and sons were general merchants and dealers in fish on Mackinaw island and came to Beaver island about 1861, continuing the same line
620
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
of business here for several years. Later they removed to LaPointe, Lake Superior, and so continued as long as Mr. O'Malley lived. The subject and his wife have no chil- dren of their own, but their home is bright- ened by the face of a niece, Rachel Donlevy, daughter of the subject's brother Francis. In all of the relations of life the subject has ably performed his duties and by his public spirit and progressive attitude has gained for himself an enviable reputation as a lead- ing citizen of his locality.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.