Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 82

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

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After the close of his valiant service, Mr. DuBois returned to his home in the state of New York, where he remained until 1880, engaged in contracting and building, and also in farming, and he then came to Michigan and located near its capital city, Lansing, where he passed the ensuing four years, at the end of which time, in 1884, he came to Antrim county, where he has ever since maintained his home, having taken up his residence on his present farm in 1890. He has forty acres of land, of which twenty- eight are under cultivation and devoted to diversified agriculture, while ten acres of ex- cellent timber still remain intact on the farm. Mr. DuBois has continued to follow the work of his trade at intervals, but is now giving his undivided attention to his farm, which is one of the valuable properties of this county. In politics he is a stalwart Republican and fraternally he is affiliated with the post of the Grand Army of the Re- public in Bellaire. He is a wide-awake, pro- gressive and loyal citizen, and while never an aspirant for public office he takes a deep interest in local affairs and lends his aid and

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influence in the furtherance of all enterprises for the general good.

Mr. DuBois has been twice married. First he wedded Miss Gertrude S. Acmoody, daughter of Peter and Catherine Acmoody, of New York state, she being at her death survived by four children, namely : Delia, who is the wife of A. C. Robinson, a farmer of Presque Isle county, Michigan; Samuel, who married Miss Beulah Benham; John, who is engaged in farming in South Da- kota; and Nathan, who is employed on a ranch in that state. Subsequently Mr. Du- Bois married Mrs. Emily (Allen) Folsen, widow of Manley Folsen and a daughter of William Allen, of Sanilac county. Of this union has been born one child, Peter, who is now engaged in farming near Traverse City.

HOMER SLY.

Homer Sly, vice-president and general manager of the Elk Cement & Lime Com- pany at Elk Rapids, and a business man of much more than local repute, was born in Will county, Illinois, in the year 1871, being the second son of Eugene and Emma Sly and brother of Elliott M. Sly, whose biogra- phies appear elsewhere in this volume. Ho- mer Sly was a youth of about twelve years' growth when his parents moved to Michi- gan and since that time he has made this state his home, receiving his early education in the public schools and his practical train- ing under the direction of his father who, as already indicated, has long enjoyed the reputation of being one of the ablest busi- ness men in the region of the lakes.

After a thorough business course in the

Ferris Commercial College at Big Rapids, Mr. Sly became teacher of stenography in a similar institution at Muskegon and on re- signing his position in the latter went to Chicago and engaged with the Westing- house Manufacturing Company, remaining fifteen months in that city, during a part of which time he had charge of the company's exhibit at the World's Fair. At the expira- tion of the period noted he was transferred to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and given an important position in the general offices of the company and later took charge of the repair department of the Westinghouse Ma- chine Company in that city, remaining with the concern about seven years.

Resigning his position in 1899, Mr. Sly returned to Michigan and succeeded his brother Elliott as manager of the company's plant at Bay Shore, taking charge of every department of the business at this point. As general manager he has demonstrated efficiency such as few men of his age and experience attain, being an accomplished ac- countant, an able financier with a capacity for large undertakings and the ability to discharge worthily high and important trusts, both of which have come within his sphere of action to be met with the calmness and decision characteristic of the natural leader of men. Mr. Sly has labored faith- fully and earnestly to promote the interests of the enterprise with which he is identified, subordinating every other consideration to this one object and it is conceded that much of the success which has marked its history is directly attributable to his energy, good judgment and systematic methods. Besides he is interested in other industrial enter- prises, all of which have thus far proven safe and remunerative investments, as is at-

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tested by the success with which they are large interests which fell to him took high prosecuted.

Mr. Sly's domestic life has been as happy as his business career has been prosperous, and while not in the strict sense of the term society people, he and his wife move in the best social circles of their town and are highly esteemed by a large number of loyal and admiring friends. The maiden name of Mrs. Sly was Edith Doe; she is a native of Big Rapids and has borne her husband one. child, a daughter by the name of Helen.

ELLIOTT SLY.

Elliott Sly, oldest son of Eugene R. and Emma J. Sly, and secretary and treasurer of the Elk Cement and Lime Company, with offices at Petoskey, is a native of Will county, Illinois, where his birth occurred in the year 1869. After finishing the common branches he took a business course in the Ferris Commercial College of Big Rapids, Michigan, and then accepted a position in a business college at Muskegon where he re- mained one year, his work as a teacher prov- ing creditable to himself and highly satis- factory to the management of the institu- tion with which he was connected. At the expiration of the time noted he took charge of the commercial department in the public schools of White Hall, Michigan, but after holding the place about one year resigned for the purpose of entering his father's of- fice and mercantile establishment at Bay Shore, taking full control of the former and overruling the latter.

Young Sly soon developed superior cler- ical ability and in the management of the

rank as a keen, resourceful, far-seeing busi- ness man, whose plans were always con- ceived in wisdom and whose judgment was seldom at fault. He had full charge of the company's sales both in the line of merchan- dise and the output of the plant, conducted - the purchasing for the firm and continued to discharge his arduous duties until failing health compelled him to resign the position and take up a line of work not quite so heavy and exacting. When the present company was organized in 1883 Mr. Sly was made treasurer and assistant general manager and as such discharged his duties capably and faithfully until April, 1904, when he was elected secretary and treasurer, a position requiring a high grade of business talent as well as executive ability of a superior order, both of which he combines in an eminent degree, as is attested by the success with which his management of the office has thus far been characterized.

Mr. Sly had left nothing undone in the way of familiarizing himself with the lime and cement industry and it is not too much to say that he is thoroughly conversant with the business in its every detail. From his office in Petoskey he keeps in close touch with every department of the company, at- tends to all the sales and purchases and to him as much as to any one man is due the continued prosperity of the firm and its present high standing in business circles, both locally and throughout the state. Mr. Sly is essentially a business man and as such has ever stood for progress in method and management, the result of his interest in this direction being seen in the remarkable advancement which his company has made as well as in the distinguished reputation

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which attaches to his career as one of the leaders of industry in his community. Per- sonally he is known by all his acquaintances as a courteous and kindly gentleman, always mindful of the rights and feelings of others, generous in all the term implies and one whose friendship is largely sought and highly valued in that it bears the stamp of sincerity and is as true as steel. In his social relations he is a genial and agreeable com- panion, respected by all who know him and the esteem in which he is held shows that he is worthy the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens.

Mr. Sly is a married man, his wife hav- ing formerly been Miss Ethelyn Segmiller, of Petoskey ; the pleasant home of this pop- ular couple is brightened by the presence of two interesting children who answer to the names of William and Randolph.

O. C. ATWOOD.

This well known gentleman, who since January, 1902, has had the charge and management of the mercantile department of the Elk Cement and Lime Company at Bay Shore, was formerly engaged in railroad work and for a number of years was bag- gage man and office assistant on the Dela- ware & Hudson Railroad at West Port, New York, in which capacity he proved a faithful and efficient employe, as is attested by his long period of service in a department which affords an excellent test of the sur- vival of the fittest. Severing his connection with railroading, he entered the employ of the Elk Cement and Lime Company as book- keeper, which position he held until January,

1902, when he was made manager of the mercantile department of the company at Bay Shore. Since the above year he has had entire charge of the store, does all the buying for the same and under his judicious management the business has steadily grown in magnitude, being at this time one of the largest and most important establishments of the kind in this section of the state. Mr. Atwood married Miss Loraine Sly, daugh- ter of Eugene and Emma J. Sly, and has a family of three children, Eugene, Stewart and Lloyd. At present Mr. Atwood is post- master and notary public at this place.

BENJAMIN T. HALSTEAD.

The subject of this sketch, who is one of the leading attorneys of Emmett county, residing at Petoskey, was born March 30, 1850, in Brooklyn, New York. His father, John S. Halstead, who was also a native of New York state, was a ship carpenter by vocation and his wife, Emily A. Harroway, was born in the Empire state, though of New England ancestry. When the subject of this sketch was but a child the family re- moved to Keyport, New Jersey, where the father still lives. Benjamin T. Halstead at- tended the schools at Keyport and upon at- taining young manhood apprenticed himself to the trade of ship carpentering, at which he worked four years. At the age of twenty years he entered the Michigan State Agri- cultural College, graduating with the class of 1873. His vacations were employed in teaching at Lake View, Montcalm county, Michigan, and other places. He then en- tered the law office of Judge C. F. McNutt,

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at Bloomington, Indiana, whence after pre- At that time the present city hall of Petoskey was under process of erection, the city bond- ing it for thirty thousand dollars with a view of offering it to the county. Eventu- ally it was offered to the county for fifty paring himself he entered the law depart- ment of the University of Indiana, gradu- ating in June, 1876. He at once went to Waukee, Dallas county, Iowa, and engaged in practice there until 1879, when he re- years for compensation of one dollar for the turned to Michigan and engaged in teach- term. When put to a vote about a two- thirds majority was received in favor of the removal. Mr. Halstead prepared many newspaper articles on the subject and was largely influential in the successful outcome. ing school in Barry county, until 1882, in February of which year he came to Harbor Springs, Emmet county. but subsequently moved to Petoskey, where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of law. He has by his energy, ability and fine personal qualities acquired a leading position among his colleagues and is held in high regard by the public generally. He has served as jus- tice of the peace and while at Harbor Springs was a member of the school board four years. He was also circuit court com- missioner from 1886 to 1888 and prosecut- ing attorney from 1888 to 1892. In 1892 he was elected probate judge, serving one four-year term. A stanch Democrat in politics, he by his efficient performance of the duties of the offices above referred to ac- quired a strong hold on party favor and in 1899 became the candidate of his party for the position of circuit judge of the thirty- third circuit, comprising Cheboygan, Em- met and Mackinaw counties. The district is strongly Republican but Judge Halstead carried his own county, though defeated in the district by present Judge Shepherd. In 1902 he was a nominee for probate judge.

He has been for many years an active party worker and has been a familiar figure in both local and state conventions. He took an active part in the removal of the county seat of Emmet county from Harbor Springs to Petoskey, being chairman of the committee who had the matter in charge.

On May 2, 1875, Mr. Halstead was mar- ried to Miss Nettie Howard, of Lake View, a native of New York state, who, however, removed to Michigan in 1872 and here ac- quired an excellent reputation as a com- petent and capable teacher in the public schools. To this union were born three chil- dren, of whom two are deceased. The sur- viving child is Benjamin Howard Halstead, who was born September 7, 1876, and who was educated in the Michigan Agricultural College and Indiana University, graduating from the latter in the class of 1898. He also took a course in the law department of the University of Michigan with the class of 1899 and was admitted to the bar on his diploma and is now engaged in the active practice with his father. He was married December 26, 1902, to Miss Maude Fuller, of Lawrenceville, Illinois, who was a gradu- ate of the Indiana State University in the class of 1899 and had taken up the profes- sion of teaching. They have one son, Ben- jamin Vance.

Fraternally Benjamin T. Halstead is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, having served as worshipful master of the blue lodge for one year, and is also a mem- ber of the Petoskey Royal Arch Masons. He is also a member of the Benevolent and

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Protective Order of Elks and takes a deep interest in the welfare of the order. In land. 1877 Mr. Halstead was honored by his alma mater by his degree of Master of Arts. He is a widely read and scholarly gentleman, history and philosophy being his favorite lines of reading. In Judge Halstead we find united many of the rare qualities which go to make up the successful lawyer and jurist. As a lawyer he evinces a familiarity with legal principles and a ready perception of facts, together with the ability to apply the one to the other, which has won him the reputation of a sound and safe practitioner. Years of conscientious work have brought with them not only increase of practice and reputation but also that growth in legal knowledge and that wide and accurate judg- ment the possession of which constitutes marked excellence in the profession.

WILLIAM C. CLOVER.

The gentleman whose career is briefly reviewed in this sketch is a native of Onon- daga county, New York, where his birth oc- curred on the 17th of May, 1883, being a representative of one of the old and well- known families of that part of the Empire state. On the maternal side he is descended from the Van Burens, who were also among the old and prominent families of the com- monwealth, one of the most noted of the name being Martin Van Buren, the subject's grandfather, a near relative of President Van Buren, who was the son of Abraham Van Buren, of Kinderhook, New Jersey, near which place the original ancestors of the family settled in colonial times, coming

to this country in a very early day from Hol-

William C. Clover was reared on the old family estate in New York and assisted in tilling the farm until his twenty-sixth year, when he left home to make his own way in the world. In 1860 he was married in his native county to Miss Eliza Jane Coon, of Oneida county, New York, shortly after which he went to Iowa where he spent two years as a tiller of the soil, removing thence to Illinois where he purchased land and engaged in agriculture. After a short time in the latter state he returned to Oneida county, New York, where he owned valu- able landed interests and there lived the life of a prosperous farmer until 1881, when he came to Charlevoix county, Michigan, where he had previously secured a large tract of fine timber land. Owing to the wild condition of the country and the absence of school facilities he spent the ensuing three years in Shiawassee county, but at the expiration of that time returned to his land and addressed himself to the task of its im- provement. The better to provide for his family during the following three years, he rented a farm in the vicinity, but the mean- while devoted all of his spare time to the im- provement of his own place, the greater part of which was reduced to cultivation within the period noted and good buildings erected.

Mr. Clover's original purchase consists of eighty acres, sixty of which are under cultivation, and in addition he owns a sec- ond farm in the same township which is also well improved, the two places ranking with the best farms in Charlevoix county. While clearing his land he did a thriving business in the sale of logs, wood and railroad ties,

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the proceeds from this source going far terially to the ample competence now in his towards meeting all the expenses of im- possession. Mr. Clover is one of the solid men of his township and county and as such has contributed much to the material ad- vancement of each, to say nothing of the abiding interest he has ever manifested in all enterprises for the good of the community in which he resides. In his political affilia- tions he is a Republican, but not a politician ; voting the principles of his party in state and national questions; in local matters he generally gives his support to the best quali- fied candidates irrespective of party ties. provement, besides enabling him to provide comfortably for his family. Unlike the ma- jority of early settlers, Mr. Clover came to Michigan with considerable means, conse- quently he was not obliged to undergo the vicissitudes and hardships which usually at- tend the pioneer, but, on the contrary, was able to prosecute his work more effectively and get a substantial start much sooner than he could have done had he been compelled to rely entirely upon the labor of his hands. As a farmer he has been progressive and eminently successful and, as already indi- cated, his beautiful home and attractive sur-, roundings, fine orchards and other evidences of prosperity bear abundant witness to his enterprise and excellent business manage- ment. In addition to general agriculture and stock-raising, Mr. Clover is an enthusi- astic horticulturist and his faith in fruit as a source of income has led him to set out large orchards, the finest and most prolific perhaps in this part of the state. His vari- eties of fruits have been selected with espe- cial reference to soil and climate and in the raising of apples, plums, peaches, apricots and many of the smaller fruits he has rarely experienced a failure. In the matter of live stock Mr. Clover also has an enviable repu- tation, having been especially successful in this branch of farming, his horses, cattle and hogs being of high grade and representing a capital of considerable magnitude. In connection with the various interests re- ferred to, Mr. Clover usually devotes the winter seasons to lumbering. a business which he has conducted with marked suc- cess ever since he came to Michigan and which is still the means of adding very ma-

Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Clover, namely: Helen, wife of Henry Gildat, of Utica, New York; Amo- ret, who married Eugene March, of Nor- wood township, Charlevoix county ; Lillie, wife of James Cozens, of Anaconda, Mon- tana ; Fred, a prosperous citizen of Norwood township ; Maud, now Mrs. John Wallace, of Perry, Michigan ; Carrie, wife of Charles Underhill, of Charlevoix, and Grant, who lives at home and manages the farm. All but the youngest of the subject's children are married and doing well in their respec- tive spheres of endeavor. Early taught to rely upon themselves and profiting by the instructions, they have certainly made a suc- cess of life as they are all highly esteemed in their respective places of residence, being intelligent and well educated, and the moral standing of each has never been questioned. Mr. and Mrs. Clover have every reason to be proud of their children, not one of whom has ever brought reproach to the honorable name which the family has always borne. They also manifest a pardonable pride in their grandchildren, who are growing up to call them blessed, and who are being trained to habits of industry and lives of usefulness.

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Since her girlhood Mrs. Clover has been an earnest and faithful member of the Meth- odist church and at this time is one of the most active and influential workers in the congregation to which she belongs.

WILLIAM C. GRANDY.

The gentleman whose name introduces this review enjoys worthy prestige among the leading farmers and public spirited citi- zens of Charlevoix county, of which part of Michigan he has been an honored resi- dent since the year 1876. William C. Grandy was born in Wayne county, New York, June 24, 1842, and is a son of Ben- jamin and Rowena (Johnson) Grandy, who were also natives of the Empire state. The early life of the subject was spent on the family homestead, but after the death of his father he went to live with a married sister, being ten years of age when he took up his residence beneath her roof. After attending the public schools and acquiring a fair educa- tion he entered upon an apprenticeship with his brother-in-law to learn carpentry and millwrighting, which trades he mastered in due time and on attaining his majority be- gan making his own way as a carpenter and joiner. Three years later he became a con- tractor and as such erected a number of buildings in both city and country, much of his work having been done in Oswego where he remained for a period of three years.

In 1876 Mr. Grandy came to Michigan and during the ensuing seven years worked at his trade in Kalkaska county, three years of which time he kept boarding house for the entertainment of the mill hands at Fife Lake,

the place of his residence. Mr. Grandy's mechanical work took a wide range and his services were frequently in demand at dis- tant points in adjacent counties. While plying his trade he took several contracts in Charlevoix county and being pleased with the appearance of the country and the ad- vantages it presented in the matter of cheap land and market facilities, he decided to pur- chase a home in the same and make it his permanent place of abode. Disposing of his interests in Kalkaska county in 1886, he moved to Pine Lake where he bought sixty- six acres of land, from which the large tim- ber had been cut, but which at the time noted was thickly covered with an under- growth the density and size of which gave evidence of the great depth and fertility of the soil below.

Mr. Grandy devoted the next few years to clearing and improving his farm, but did not altogether abandon his trade as the peo- ple in the vicinity relied very largely upon him when houses and other buildings were to be erected. In due time he reduced the greater part of his land to cultivation and in addition thereto purchased real estate until his farm was increased to one hundred and sixty-six acres, an area which it still con- tains. Mr. Grandy has not been sparing of his means in the matter of improving and beautifying his place which in many respects is now one of the most attractive and desir- able farms in Hayes township. It lies con- tiguous to Pine lake and from his dwelling, a commodious modern structure of ten rooms constructed after his own plans and embodying many attractive architectural fea- tures, a fine view may be had of the water and surrounding country, while the city of Charlevoix, seven and a half miles distant,

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can easily be seen, also Boyne City, which is ten miles away, besides many other points of interest. Mr. Grandy easily ranks with the most progressive farmers of his part of the country and as a builder has few equals and no superiors. About five years ago he dis- continued his trade, since which time he has devoted his attention exclusively to agri- culture and live stock, meeting with encour- ·aging success in both as is attested by the commanding position he now occupies among his fellow citizens similarly engaged as well as by his industry and efficient man- agement.

The domestic life of Mr. Grandy dates from 1869, in which year he entered the marriage relation with Miss Jane Mckeon, who was born and reared in Wayne county, New York, where the ceremony was solem- nized, her father being a native of Scotland, her mother of Ireland. To this union two children have been born, Claude H., who married Maude Drum and lives in Hayes township, and Ethel, who is now the wife of Roy Kane, also a resident of Hayes town- ship.

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Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 82

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