Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 89

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

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On April 18, 1880, at Big Rapids, Michi- gan, Mr. Schryer was married to Miss Flor- ence R. Granger, who was born at Howard, Cass county, Michigan, on September 27, 1859, and is a daughter of Lemon and Han- nah (Morey) Granger. Her parents were natives of New York state, and the father's death occurred in Big Rapids, this state, at the age of sixty-nine years. Of their six chil- dren, Mrs. Schryer is the third in order of birth. To the subject and his wife have been born the following children: Roy R., Arthur J., Clarence L., Percy R., Clifford S., Mabel H. and Elmer, the last-named having died when about one year old. Fraternally Mr. Schryer is a member of Missaukee

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Grange, No. 918, Patrons of Husbandry, being the present master of the same. He is also a member and the treasurer of Pomona Grange of Missaukee county. He has been school director for two years and is now serving his third term. A man of highest integrity and unvarying courtesy, he is hon- ored by all who know him and is regarded as one of the representative citizens of his township.

CHARLES S. STAMPFLER.

One of the leading and influential citi- zens of Bloomfield township, Missaukee county, Michigan, is Charles S. Stampfler, who has a fine and well-cultivated farm on section 6. He is a native of Battle Creek, Michigan, where he was born on the 28th day of November, 1869. His parents, Nicholas and Victoria (Reutch) Stamp- fler, were both natives of Germany, who emi- grated to Calhoun county, Michigan, and in 1878 they came to Kalkaska county, this state, locating in Springfield township, where they remained for two years. They then settled in Bloomfield township, Mis- saukee county, where they remained until their deaths. Their union resulted in six children, the subject of this sketch being the fourth in order of birth.

Charles S. Stampfler was reared under the parental roof and secured his education in the common schools. He remained with his parents until the spring of 1894, when he settled on the farm on which he now re- sides, located in section 6, Bloomfield town- ship. The place comprises one hundred and sixty acres of land and Mr. Stampfler has

about seventy acres improved and produc- ing in season abundant crops. He is diversified in his farming operations, raising all the crops suitable to the soil and climate. On the place is a good residence, substantial and commodious barn and other outbuild- ings, and good fences, up-to-date agricultu- ral implements and other modern conven- iences characterize the place. In addition to field products, Mr. Stampfler also gives some attention to live stock, having some good cattle and hogs, and also owns a fine orch- ard, producing choice fruit of the different varieties common to this section. In all his operations he exercises sound judgment and wise discrimination and is known in his locality as a progressive farmer.

In all matters bearing on the prosperity and advancement of his community Mr. Stampfler takes an intelligent interest and has been several times elected to official posi- tion, having served as township treasurer four years, highway commissioner two years, school-director several years, and has held the responsible office of supervisor of Bloomfield township since 1901. In his fra- ternal relationship he is affiliated with Fife Lake Tent, No. 749, Knights of the Modern Maccabees, and with Caldwell and Pomona Granges, Patrons of Husbandry. He has not been so abnormally developed along any line as to make him a genius, but he belongs to that class of representative Americans who give due attention to those varied lines of thought and action which most affect the general good. Among his warmest friends are those who have known him longest, a fact which indicates that his career has been honorable and upright. Both are members of the Catholic church, and Mr. Stampfler acts as trustee of the same.

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On November 15, 1893, Mr. Stampfler married Miss Josephine Stampfler, daughter of Lawrence and Marian (Troxler) Stamp- fler, both natives of Germany. To this union have been born five children, four now liv- ing: Lillian C., Anita F., Glenn L., Charles E., deceased, and an infant not named.

ELISHA H. HUNTER.

Among those citizens of intelligence and capacity for "doing things," and who have left a distinctive impress of their personality in the community of their residence, the sub- ject of this sketch is deserving of specific mention. Mr. Hunter was born in Syracuse, New York, on May 19, 1837, and is the tenth child in a family of eleven children born to Robert and Maranda (Wilsey) Hun- ter. The father died in New York state in 184I, and the mother in Lake county, Michigan, in September, 1876. The subject was reared to manhood in his native state and received a good common-school educa- tion. He studied civil engineering and fol- lowed that pursuit while residing there. In 1862 he came to Saginaw, Michigan, and for about forty years he followed steam engineering there and at other places in this state. He then came to Lake county, this state, and for several years followed his pro- fession, and then located permanently in Mount Pleasant, which has since then been his home. He has an interest in the firm of Butcher & Company, lumber manufactur- ers, who also conduct a general store, 1898 being the year in which he engaged therein. The lumbering interests conducted by this firm are extensive and in this line Mr. Hun-

ter has exhibited far-sighted business quali- ties and executive abilities of a high order. He has not only gained a comfortable com- petence during the years of his residence here, but has also gained the respect and confidence of all who have come in contact with him.

In Syracuse, New York, Mr. Hunter was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Rogers, a native of the state of New York, and to them has been born a daughter, Clara B., who is now the wife of John F. Butcher, of Mount Pleasant, this state.

NICHOLAS V. DANBERRY.

Among the prominent and successful citizens of Missaukee county, Michigan, must be mentioned Nicholas V. Danberry, who is a prosperous farmer and respected and useful member of society. His valuable estate, which lies in section 32, Bloomfield township, attracts attention and favorable comment, not only on account of evidences of agricultural superiority but also by rea- son of its attractiveness and its air of gen- erous comfort. Mr. Danberry was born in St. Joseph county, Michigan, on July 7, 1844, and is the son of Rue and Hannah (Starks) Danberry, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of New York. They removed to Colon township, St. Joseph county, this state, and there they both died. The subject of this sketch was the sixth born of their eight children and was reared under the parental roof, remain- ing at the homestead until he was twenty- eight years old. In the years of his youth he was given such educational advantages as

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were afforded in the public schools of the neighborhood and also learned the best methods of farming. In the spring of 1884 he came to Missaukee county, and settled on his present farmstead, which lies in Bloom- field township, though for about nine years he successfully followed the lumbering busi- ness here and in Manton, Wexford county. He is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of good land and has about one hun- dred and twenty-five acres under the plow and in a high state of improvement. He gives due attention to every branch of the farming business and is painstaking and dis- criminating in his operations, being success- ful to a satisfactory degree. He also raises some excellent live stock and has a fine orch- ard, which bears abundantly in season. A good house, substantial barn and well-kept fences adorn the place and among his neigh- bors Mr. Danberry is regarded as a thor- oughly up-to-date agriculturist.

In November, 1873. Mr. Danberry was married to Miss Jennette Haffer, a native of Pennsylvania, and to them have been born six children, namely: Bertha is the wife of Peter Getter ; Mertie is the wife of Levi Kin- sey; Friend; Amy is the wife of Edward Farrell; Bessie, the wife of Fred Kleckler. and Bonnie, who married Wesley Bass. In the public affairs of the township Mr. Dan- berry has taken a prominent and influential part and in partisan matters has cast his vote and influence for the Democratic party. He has been honored with several official posi- tions in the township, having served ef- ficiently and satisfactorily as supervisor, clerk, treasurer and highway commissioner. Fraternally he is affiliated with the time- honored order of Free and Accepted Masons. He is a representative self-made man and is

a liberal, public-spirited citizen, ever living up to the demands of the day and taking an interest in all which will benefit his com- munity.

BENJAMIN H. BOWMASTER.

Among the representative farmers of Missaukee county, Michigan, is the subject of this review, who is the owner of a fine landed estate and is carrying on the various departments of his enterprise with that dis- cretion and energy which are sure to find their natural sequel in definite success. Mr. Bowmaster was born in Filmore township, Allegan county, Michigan, on the 2d of Sep- tember, 1864, and is the son of Henry and Henrietta (Rutgers) Bowmaster, natives of the Netherlands. The father died in Alle- gan county, Michigan, before reaching mid- dle life. They were the parents of two chil- dren, the subject and Henry. Benjamin H. Bowmaster was reared under the parental roof until about seventeen years of age and was given the benefit of a good common- school education. At the age mentioned he went to Ottawa county, where he remained for three years and there learned the trade of a carpenter. He then went to Grand Rapids and followed his trade there for ten years. In the spring of 1894 he came to Missaukee county and settled on land in sec- tion 21, Caldwell township, where he has since resided and carried on farming oper- ations. He owns one hundred and eighty acres of fine, tillable land, of which he has put fifty acres in cultivation. This was all covered with dense woods when he came here and he has indeed wrought a wonderful transformation in the general condition and

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value of the place. A fine residence, good barn and other necessary buildings have been erected and in all his operations the owner is methodical and painstaking, showing him to be a man of sound and discriminating judgment.

On October 6, 1885, in Ottawa county, Michigan, Mr. Bowmaster was united in marriage to Miss Dora M. Talsma, a native of the Netherlands, and to them have been born six children, Henry, Murk, Henrietta; Arthur R., Tressie and Benjamin B. In matters of public import Mr. Bowmaster evinces a healthy interest, throwing his in- fluence at all times in favor of all movements having for their object the welfare of the community. In the matter of public service he has filled the office of supervisor of Cald- well township two years, township treasurer for two years and justice of the peace. In the spring of 1905 he was commissioned a notary public and in 1904 was one of the state census enumerators. His strong per- sonal qualities have won for him a host of loyal friends and a large general acquaint- ance.

HON. JOHN CALDWELL.

The subject of this brief sketch, who has long enjoyed prestige as one of Missaukee county's leading citizens and representative men, and who now resides in a pleasant and comfortable home in section 4, Caldwell township, was born at Medina, Orleans county, New York, on the anniversary of our national independence, July 4, 1850. His parents, John and Jane (Thomson) Cald- well, were natives of Ireland who emigrated first to New York state and then to Michi-

gan. The father died in Big Rapids, this state, in 1870, at the age of sixty-five years, while the mother's death occurred in Hills- dale county, Michigan, at the age of sixty- seven years. They were the parents of nine children, eight sons and one daughter, the subject of this sketch being the fifth born of the family. The latter was about six years old at the time of the family removal to Michigan and he was reared and received his schooling in Litchfield township, Hillsdale county, where he remained until 1868, when he went to Tuscola county, this state, where for about two years he was employed in the woods. In November, 1869, Mr. Caldwell came to Missaukee county and took up one hundred acres of government land in section 4, Caldwell township. He and his brother Thomas were among the first settlers in Missaukee county and assisted in the or- ganization of the county. In honor of these two men the township of Caldwell was named by the legislature. Eventually Mr. Caldwell added forty acres to his original tract and still retains the entire estate. About eighty acres of the place have been cleared and placed in cultivation, good, commodious and substantial buildings being erected. Here he has carried on a diversified system of agriculture and has uniformly met with good success in his enterprise.

In Caldwell township, Missaukee county, on June 29, 1873, Mr. Caldwell was united in marriage with Miss Martha E. Babcock, who was born in Orangeville, Barry county, this state, on November 7, 1857, and is a daughter of Reuben and Margaret (Linder- man) Babcock. Her father, who was a na- tive of Canada, died in Leroy, Michigan, while her mother was born and died in this state, her death occurring in Barry county.

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To Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell have been born the following children: Ida M. died in in- fancy; Florence is the wife of Edwin Hue- sted; Leona is the wife of Bird Mow; and Frank.

Mr. Caldwell has for a number of years taken a prominent part in public affairs in this county and has rendered a stanch sup- port to the Republican party. In 1896 he was elected to the lower house of the Michi- gan state legislature and so satisfactory were his services that in 1898 he was chosen to succeed himself. He has also held a num- ber of local offices, having served as treas- urer of Missaukee county four terms, super- visor of Caldwell township ten years, town- ship treasurer two years, township clerk one year and highway commissioner two years, while he has also at different times filled the school offices in this township, doing much to advance the educational interests of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell are members of Missaukee Grange, No. 918, Patrons of Husbandry, while he is master of Pomona Grange of Missaukee county. In everything affecting the welfare and prog- ress of the township or county Mr. Caldwell has always evinced the deepest interest and has ever been found on the right side of every moral or economical issue. He pos- sesses a genial and warm-hearted manner and has won for himself a host of warm friends in the county of his residence.

WILLIAM J. REEDER.

William J. Reeder, a well-known citizen of Caldwell township, Missaukee county, Michigan, owns and operates a valuable

farm whose neat and thrifty appearance well indicates his careful supervision. Substan- tial improvements are surrounded with well- tilled fields, and all of the accessories and conveniences of a model farm are there found. Mr. Reeder was born on a farm in Monroe county, New York, near the city of Rochester, August 24, 1878. His parents are John W. and Minnie (Schroeder) Reeder, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume and to which the reader is referred for further ancestral history. The subject was the eldest in the family of four children and was about three years old when his parents came to Missaukee county. He was reared to manhood on his father's farm in Caldwell township and received a fair edu- cation in the common schools of the neigh- borhood. Farming and lumbering have been his principal occupations since he reached manhood, and he now owns a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Caldwell township, about eighty acres being under the plow and well cultivated.

On May 13, 1903, Mr. Reeder was mar- ried to Miss Emily V. Large, the daughter of William and Eliza (May) Large. The union has been a most happy one and has been blessed in the advent of one child, Orren E. Though Mr. Reeder is not a per- sistent seeker after the honors and emolu- ments of public office, still he has been persuaded by his fellow citizens to serve them in several official capacities, namely, township treasurer, school assessor and su- pervisor, in the last named of which he is now serving his second term. His fraternal affiliation is with Manton Tent, No. 220. Knights of the Modern Maccabees. Large hearted and public spirited, Mr. Reeder has won the hearty approbation of all who know

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him, and his circle of friends is co-extensive with his circle of acquaintances. If one ex- amines in his life record to find the secret of his success it will be seen that his pros- perity has resulted from close application, unfaltering diligence and keen discrimin- ation. His history contains no exciting chapters, but in it are many examples well worthy of emulation.

WELLER H. TAYLOR.

Among the leading and representative citizens of Missaukee county is Mr. Weller H. Taylor, who is now filling the dual posi- tions of register of deeds and county clerk and who maintains his residence in Lake City. Mr. Taylor was born in Will county, Illinois, on a farm, his natal day being March 30, 1861. His parents, William M. and Mary A. (Hicks) Taylor, came to Mis- saukee county, Michigan, in the spring of 1876 and settled in Richland township, where they have since resided. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest. Weller Taylor was fifteen years old when he came to Missaukee county and he has continued to reside there ever since. He received a good education in the common schools of Will county, Illinois, and upon attaining mature years he took up the vocation of farming, which he has chiefly followed since com- ing to Missaukee county. He has been very successful in his operations and has received satisfactory returns for his labor.

Mr. Taylor was married, in Iowa, to Miss Alice Keepers, a native of Illinois and daughter of William and Mary (Under-

wood) Keepers, and to them have been born nine children, namely : Herbert W., George A., Allen B., John E., Mary, Charles L., Alice, Cornelius J. and Alta. Mr. Taylor and his family enjoy a comfortable and cosy home, which is surrounded by a well-culti- vated farm of three hundred and twenty- five acres, of which about one hundred and seventy acres are actually under the plow. In politics Mr. Taylor is a stanch and uncom- promising Republican and has always taken a deep interest in public affairs. He has been honored with official positions at the hands of the electors of the township and county, having served as constable, town- ship treasurer, justice of the peace and super- visor, and in the fall of 1904 he was elected register of deeds and clerk of Missaukee county and is now serving in that position. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of the Modern Maccabees and Modern Woodmen, being also a member of the Grange and in all circles in which he min- gles he is popular and highly esteemed for his genuine worth. A man of sterling in- tegrity and pronounced business ability and keenly alive to the welfare of his community, he exerts a pronounced influence and his counsel is frequently sought by his friends and neighbors.

JOHN W. REEDER.

John W. Reeder is well known as an enterprising and progressive citizen of Mis- saukee county, Michigan, where he is en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, his well- directed efforts bringing to him gratifying success in his undertakings. He is descended

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from German ancestors and in him are found all the characteristics of that sturdy race- strength of purpose, fearlessness in their de- fense of what they believe to be right, in- dustry, perseverance and reliability. Mr. Reeder was born in Rochester, New York, on the 15th day of December, 1854. His parents, William E. and Christina (Gettle) Reeder, were both born in Germany, and both died in Rochester, New York. They became the parents of nine children, of whom the third in order of birth was the subject of these lines. He was reared under the parental rooftree until he was about ten years of age, and then was placed on a farm in the vicinity of Rochester, where he was taught not only the best and most advanced methods of farming, but also learned those lessons of industry and perseverance which have been such important elements in his subsequent success. While living there he was married and set up a household of his own near Rochester, which he there main- tained until September, 1881, when he came to Missaukee county, Michigan, and settled in Caldwell township, where he carried on farming operations until 1902, when he lo- cated on his present farm in section 33, Bloomfield township, Missaukee county. Here he is the owner of one hundred and ninety-nine acres of as good land as can be found in the county and here he is engaged in a diversified system of farming, raising successfully all the crops common to this sec- tion of the country. He has forty-six acres improved and in a high state of cultivation, and his well-kept fences and neat and com- modious buildings indicate him to be a man of good taste.

Near Rochester, New York, on October 22, 1878, Mr. Reeder was united in mar-

riage with Miss Minnie Schroeder, who was born in Germany on April 1, 1860, and is a daughter of John and Christina (Banks) Schroeder, the former of whom died in his native Germany, while the latter died at the home of the subject. To Mr. and Mrs. Reeder have been born four children, Wil- liam J., Ray, Peter M. and Linda E. In all things affecting the welfare of his fellow citizens or the advancement of the com- munity along any line of progress, Mr. Reeder is deeply interested. He has never been a seeker after political honor, though his fellow citizens prevailed upon him to serve on the Caldwell township board of re- view. The family are prominent in the so- cial life of the neighborhood and are held in the highest regard by all who know them.

JOHN M. HARRIS.

The present incumbent of the office of judge of probate for Charlevoix county fig- ures as the subject of the following brief re- view, and it is needless to say that he is one of the honored citizens of this section, hav- ing long maintained his home in Boyne City, being also an able member of the bar of this section.

Judge Harris was born in Uxbridge, On- tario, on the 10th of September, 1861, and is a son of Chester and Mary Jane (Gray) Harris, the former of whom was born in Canada, being of Pennsylvania Dutch line- age, while the latter was born in Canada, of Irish parentage. The father of the subject early became identified with the lumbering industry in northern Michigan, and he be- came the owner of a farm in Marion town-

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ship, Charlevoix county, where he main- tained his home until his death, which oc- curred on the Ist of May, 1903, while his wife was summoned into eternal rest on Oc- tober 22, 1904. They became the parents of two children, John M., and Mary Louise, married to James Haman, of East Jordan. The subject of this sketch was reared on the pioneer farm and as a boy he became inured to hard work in the lumber woods and on the newly cleared homestead, in whose cul- tivation and improvement he rendered ma- terial aid. His educational advantages in his youth were necessarily limited, owing to the exigencies of time and place, but through personal application he made good the handicap and acquired a liberal and practical education. He early manifested a distinctive predilection for the study of · United States history, particularly the Rid- path history, and thus he was led to become a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party even before reaching his legal majority and securing the incidental right of franchise. He attended the some- what primitive public schools of Canada until he had attained the age of thirteen years, and thereafter worked on a farm until twenty years of age, having practically no opportunity for schooling in the meanwhile. He, however, made good use of his leisure moments and that he advanced rapidly in a scholastic way is manifest when we revert to the fact that he became a successful teacher in the public schools of Charlevoix county, devoting twelve years to this voca- tion, and being employed in the schools of Boyne City during five years of this period. In the meanwhile he took up the study of law, under the direction of Judge R. L. Cor- bitt, of Boyne City, and in 1893 he was duly

admitted to the bar of the state, opening an office in Boyne City on the Ist of July of that year. He soon built up a large and representative practice, and has ever main- tained a strong hold on popular confidence and esteem, while he has been a prominent factor in the civic and political affairs of the county. He effected the organization of a large corporation to control the product of maple lumber in Michigan and also aided in the organization of the Boyne City, Gaylord & Alpena Railroad. As the Judge has been employed as a teacher in nearly every sec- tion of the county he is acquainted with practically every family in this section, and the high esteem in which he is held has led to his securing a very large and representa- tive support in his professional work. He has taken a deep interest in local affairs of a public nature and has been active in local campaign work since 1888. He is retained as counsel for nearly all the local industrial concerns and is a director of the Boyne City Chemical Company, while he has been prominently identified with the furthering of the business interests of his home city, in a number of instances lending his in- fluence and also his financial aid. He has platted two additions to Boyne City and has

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Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 89

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