USA > Michigan > Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens > Part 9
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E. H. FOSTER.
This very highly respected and in- fluential citizen of Helena township, An- trim county, Michigan, is a native of the Wolverine state, having been born in Otsego, Allegan county, Michigan, on the 9th of September, 1843. His parents were S. D. and Mary C. (Franklin) Foster, the for- mer of whom was born in Montpelier, Ver- mont, and the latter at Watertown, New York. S. D. Foster was engaged in busi- ness at Otsego, Michigan, during the long period embraced between 1831 and 1893. his death occurring in the latter year, his wife surviving until 1900. The subject of this sketch was their only child. S. D. Foster was an active Democrat all his life and took an active part in the public affairs of his com- munity, having held all the minor offices of his township, including that of justice of the peace. His religious affiliations were with the Baptist church. He was an active business man and became quite well-to-do, but later in life met with misfortune in busi- ness affairs. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of his na- tive county and in 1872 went to Grand Traverse county, this state, locating at Fife Lake, where he engaged in merchandising. He continued this enterprise until 1893. when he disposed of his interests there and came to Alden, Antrim county, and opened a general store which he conducted for nine years when, on account of failing health, he sold out. He kept a full line of goods usu- ally kept in a store of this nature. His stock was well selected and such as met the de- mand of the large trade which he com- manded and he was accorded a liberal share of the public patronage.
Mr. Foster is a Democrat in politics and
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has been honored by several positions of stitutes his individuality, and the one thing public trust and responsibility. While a resident of Grand Traverse county he was elected county treasurer, serving a full term of two years, and was also treasurer of his township there and since coming to Antrim county he has served four years as treasurer of Helena township, performing the duties of the office to the entire satisfaction of his constituents.
Mr. Foster has been twice married, his first union being in 1866 with Miss Mary Maloy. To this union was born one child, E. F., who married Miss Clara McCrum and is engaged in the lumber business and mer- chandising at Alden. Mrs. Mary Foster died in 1870. Mr. Foster's next venture in matrimonial relations was with Miss Mar- garet J. Mathews, whose parents were na- tives of Ohio, where they still reside.
Mr. Foster is affiliated with the time- honored order of Free and Accepted Ma- sons, belonging to Lodge No. 332, at Kal- kaska, and in his life exemplifies the benefi- cent principles of that order. He has during his years of residence in this county so lived as to meet the approbation of his fellow citi- zens and few men in his community are rendered a higher meed of admiration and respect.
ERNEST D. FOSTER.
It has been stated that men's lives are practically alike; that "born, married and died" is the summing up of the majority of careers, and, superficially considered, this often seems to be the truth, but the filling in of this meager skeleton of minor events in the life of the average man is what con-
which truly counts both in this life and the one to come is character. It has often been pointed out to us that strong, rugged char- acters are formed only in the storm; that flowery beds of ease are not conducive to the development of that strength of character which we admire. In the life history of Mr. Foster we find qualities worthy of admir- ation. In the pursuit of his business career he has displayed unfaltering devotion to the principles he has learned to cherish and his honesty and integrity have earned him a place among the prominent citizens of An- trim county. Mr. Foster was born in Otsego, Allegan county, Michigan, on the 9th of December, 1866, and is the son of E. H. and Jennie (Malloy) Foster, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. Foster was enabled to attend the common schools during his youthful years and proved an earnest and faithful student. thus acquiring a good, practical knowledge of the common branches of learning. His acquisition of knowledge, however, did not stop with the close of his school years, for he has always been a close reader and a keen observer and has thus acquired a wide and comprehensive fund of knowledge. He was early inured to the strenuous life incident to various business pursuits and has always lived a life of activity and industry. He spent a part of his years in the West, fol- lowing various pursuits, but, becoming con- vinced that Michigan offered as good oppor- tunities for advancement as elsewhere, he returned to this state in 1893, though shortly afterward he went to Oklahoma territory. where he remained until 1895. In that year he came to Antrim county and established his present enterprise as a manufacturer of
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lumber. He built a sawmill, which is mod- ern in its equipment, and has since been favored with a satisfactory degree of pros- perity in his efforts in the prosecution of his business. Recently Mr. Foster purchased his father's store in Alden and has conducted the same with profit. It is well stocked with a high grade of goods and by his genial qualities and constant efforts to please his customers, he has acquired and retained a satisfactory patronage. Mr. Foster is also the owner of eighty acres of valuable land in this county, all of which is under the plow and which is yielding abundant harvests. On this place Mr. Foster breeds and raises cattle, sheep and hogs and makes a point of keeping one or two good breeds of these animals, finding this more profitable than wasting his time and attention on the low grade of stock. In politics Mr. Foster is a staunch Republican and has served several years as trustee of the township school board. Fraternally he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, of which he has attained to the Knight Templar degree, being a mem- ber of Commandery No. 4I, of Traverse City. Religiously he attends the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is a member, and he gives liberally of his time and means to the advancement of all worthy objects.
In 1887 Mr. Foster was united in mar- riage to Miss Clara McCrum, the daughter of Robert and Maggie M. (May) McCrum. Mrs. Foster's parents were residents of Har- risburg, Pennsylvania, where the father was a merchant. They were the parents of eight children and never left their native state. To Mr. and Mrs. Foster have been born seven children, namely: Robert H., James D., Max, Alda, Harry, Ernest F., Jr., and an infant.
DAVID H. ANGELL.
The goddess of success never smiles upon the idler or dreamer. Her favor is hard to win and she does not deign to crown the great majority with her blessings. In trac- ing the history of David H. Angell it is plainly seen that the prosperity which he enjoys has been won by commendable quali- ties, those of well applied energy, unflag- ging determination and perseverance in the active affairs of life. Shaping his life along such lines, he has won the high esteem of his fellow men and become one of the well- to-do agriculturists of Antrim county.
David H. Angell was born in Lenawee county, Michigan, in 1859, and is the son of Jason and Lucinda (Chapman) Angell. The subject's parents were both born and reared in New York, the father having been born in Saratoga county, in 1842. He re- ceived his early education in his native state and came with his parents upon their re- moval to Michigan in 1865, at which time they settled in Antrim county. Here a com- fortable home was created and the family maintained their residence here until the father's death in 1892. The latter was in very limited circumstances financially when he arrived in this state, but was possessed of abundant energy and the qualities that in- sure success and later in life he became quite well-to-do. In religious belief he was a Quaker and in politics a Democrat, having for many years held office in his township. His wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They were the parents of eight children, namely : Mary, Sarah, Ruth, Ruben, J. D., Eliza, John and David H.
David H. Angell was reared pretty much after the manner of the majority of the country boys whose early experience is
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closely in touch with the rugged and whole- some duties of farm life. Since old enough to bear his part in the cultivation and har- vesting of the crops he made a helping hand, thus forming and fostering habits of in- dustry and thrift, and under the direction of his father he early learned. to appreciate the true dignity of honest dealing. Meantime he devoted his winter seasons to study in the district schools and, while he cannot be called a highly educated man in the sense the term is generally understood, he is, nevertheless, well informed, the greater part of his knowl- edge being of the practical and valuable kind obtained by coming in contact with the world in various business capacities, a knowledge such as schools and colleges fail to impart. During the earlier years of his mature life Mr. Angell followed the pursuit of farming, in which he was fairly success- ful, but subsequently engaged in merchandis- ing at Alden, and also started a bakery and restaurant, with which enterprise he has since been identified. A man of strong social qualities, affable in his relations with the public and of rugged honesty in all of his business dealings, he has formed a large cir- cle of acquaintances and has been given a liberal share of the public patronage. Mr. Angell's political views are in harmony with the platform and policy of the Republican party and he has ever been a staunch, earnest and uncompromising advocate of its prin- ciples. He has not been a seeker after public office, though his fellow citizens have seen fit to elect him to the office of township clerk, expressing the appreciation of his services by a re-election, he thus serving two terms as such. He has also served many years as a member of the school board. His re- ligious affiliations are with the Advent
church, and he endeavors at all times to live a life thoroughly in harmony with his pro- fession.
In 1883 Mr. Angell was united in mar- riage to Miss Julia Park, daughter of Allen and Julia (Armstrong) Park, and this union has been blessed with the birth of the fol- lowing children: Earl and Pearl, twins, Mable, Vern and Fern twins, Wave and Nihl, all of whom are living. Mr. Angell is a public spirited citizen, deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and its progress along moral, social and intellectual lines. His acts are honorable, his manner sincere and un- affected and in the community where he makes his home he has gained the good will and regard with all whom he has been as- sociated.
DONALD McDONALD.
This honored representative of the agri- cultural industry in Antrim county, is a na- tive of the fair land of hills and heather, having been born in Scotland, a country which has sent many of its sturdy sons to America to add strength and honor to our broad civilization, and it may consistently be said that the subject of this sketch pos- sesses the many sterling traits of the canny Scotsman. He was born in Vernelshire, Scotland, on the 25th of October, 1853, and is a son of Angus and Ann (McLeod) Mc- Donald, both representing old and dis- tinguished Scottish families. They came to America in 1865 and located in the province of Ontario, Canada, where the mother died. The honored father passed the closing years of his life in the home of the subject, his
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death occurring in 1898, at the venerable age of seventy-eight years. In his native land Angus McDonald followed the vocation of fisherman, but after coming to America he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, becoming the owner of a good farm in Canada, where he continued to maintain his home for a quarter of a century. Of the six children in the family all are living except three, the names, in order of birth, being as follows : Mary. John, John, Malcom, Alex- ander and Donald, the only daughter being deceased. The father was a man of strong mentality and inflexible integrity of char- acter, and both he and his wife were con- sistent members of the Presbyterian church.
He whose name introduces this review was but eleven years of age at the time of the family immigration to the new world, and he was reared to maturity in Canada. where he assisted in the work of the home farm, in the meanwhile attending the public schools and making good use of the ad- vantages thus afforded. He continued to reside in the province of Ontario until 1873. when he came to Michigan, and then he made permanent location in Antrim county. securing a tract of wild land in Echo town- ship, where he has ever since maintained his home. The land was covered with the na- tive timber at the time when he came into possession of the same, and thus it became his task to reclaim the tract to cultivation, a labor of herculean order, as one may well imagine, and one which the pioneers of the western plains and prairies have never had to encounter. He erected a log cabin in the NORVELL F. CHURCHILL. midst of the woods, and this continued to be the family residence for the ensuing twelve This prosperous farmer and popular citi- zen of Echo township, Antrim county, comes progenitors of the family having settled in years, and he now has a commodious and comfortable house, harmonizing with the of stanch old colonial stock, the original general air of thrift and prosperity which
is in evidence about his homestead. He and his second son are associated in the owner- ship of ninety-seven acres of most arable land, and of this sixty acres are under ef- fective cultivation and devoted to general agriculture and horticulture, while they also raise some fruit of excellent type and have good grades of cattle and swine on their place. In his political proclivities Mr. Mc- Donald is known as a stalwart Republican, and while he takes a helpful interest in public affairs of a local nature he has never sought or held office. Mrs. McDonald is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
On the IIth of April, 1876, was solem- nized the marriage of Mr. McDonald to Miss Margaret Joynt, who was born in On- tario, Canada. being a daughter of Richard and Maria (Pursell) Joynt, who came from Canada to Michigan and became numbered among the pioneers of Antrim county, where Mr. Joynt was engaged in farming for fif- teen years, and up to the time of his death, his wife also being deceased. Of the seven children of Mr. and Mrs. McDonald we in- corporate the following brief record: Rich- ard is employed in a harness shop in the vil- lage of Central Lake, this county ; Angus is associated with his father in the manage- ment of the home farm: Ray and Ora are still at home; Anna is the wife of George Morrow, a successful farmer of this county, and Mary and Metta are still members of the home circle.
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New England in the colonial era of our na- He continued to be associated in the work tional history. He is himself a native of Michigan and a member of one of its sterl- ing pioneer families, so that there are many points which render consistent a review of his career in this connection.
Mr. Churchill was born on the old home- stead farm in St. Clair county, Michigan, on the IIth of June, 1840, and is a son of David and Zoa (Edgerton) Churchill, both of English lineage and both native of Ver- mont, where they were reared and where their marriage was solemnized. In 1837, shortly after the admission of Michigan to the Union, they came to this state and lo- cated in St. Clair county, where they passed the residue of their lives, the father having reclaimed a tract of wild land and having become one of the successful farmers and honored and influential citizens of that sec- tion, having owned one hundred and sixty acres of land. He was a Whig in politics up to the time of the organization of the Re- publican party. when he transferred his al- legiance to the same, ever afterward continu- ing a stanch advocate of its principles. He and his wife were members of the Baptist church and their lives were ever in harmony with the faith which they thus professed. They became the parents of eight children, namely : Peter, Warren D., Nelson, Judson, Cyrus (deceased). Norvell F. (subject of this sketch), Mina and Louisa (deceased).
The subject of this sketch passed his youthful years in much the same manner as did the average farmer boy of the locality and period, having been reared to manhood on the old homestead, in St. Clair county, and having early begun to assist in its work, while he duly availed himself of the educa- tional privileges afforded in the local schools.
of the home place until he had attained the age of twenty-one years, and continued to be identified with farming in St. Clair county until 1878, which year stands as the date of his advent in Antrim county, which was then considered a part of the "great north woods," as the reclamation of this section for agricultural purposes had not far ad- vanced at that time. He secured a tract of heavily timbered land, in Echo township, and with the passing of the years a won- derful transformation was here wrought through his efforts and well directed ener- gies, since his present attractive and well im- proved farm is the same land which he se- cured so many years ago. When he came here wild game of all kinds was plentiful, and he often saw the beautiful deer in close proximity to his little log cabin, while much of the meat supplied for the family larder was secured by means of his trusty rifle or shotgun.
Mr. Churchill has one hundred and twenty acres of land, fifty-five being under a high state of cultivation, while the build- ings and other permanent improvements which he had made on the place are of sub- stantial order. He raises the various prod- ucts best adapted to this section, and also devotes no little attention to the raising of Jersey and Durham cattle and the Berkshire and Chester White types of swine. His po- litical views are indicated in the stalwart al- legiance he has ever given to the Republican party, and while he is essentially public spirited he has never been an aspirant for office of any description, though he has given most effective service as a member of the school board of his district. He is a member of the Congregational church.
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On the 30th of December, 1874, Mr. Churchill assumed marital responsibilities, being then united in the bonds of wedlock to Miss Hannah Savage, who was born and reared in St. Clair county, being a daughter of John Savage, a well known pioneer and prominent farmer of that county. Concern- ing the seven children of the subject and his estimable wife we offer the following brief record: Elmer, who married Miss Maude Harris, is a successful farmer of this county ; Nellie, who became the wife of Albert Glas- ford, of Capac, this state, is now deceased; Floyd R., a sailor by vocation, is now in the northwestern part of the Union, and Maude E., Ina L., Harrison D. and Hugh W. still remain at the parental home. Mrs. Churchill died on the 24th day of September 1893. She was a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church.
In reverting to a previous period in the subject's record, it may be stated that Mr. Churchill enlisted and was mustered into the United States service August 17, 1861, in Company L, First Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, and served in the Army of the Po- tomac. He was an orderly with General Banks for several months and was an orderly with Mansfield when he was killed and caught him when he was falling from his horse. He was then an orderly with Gen- eral Sherman for three months, and was afterwards with General Custer, whose life he saved by removing the Confederate who aimed a blow at the General. He now has the saber, with two nicks in, made by the Confederate who was about to take General Custer's life. At the battle of Gettysburg Mr. Churchill had his horse shot from under him. Subsequently he was sent to Grand Rapids, Michigan, to drill new recruits and
conduct them to the front, remaining in this service until he was mustered out, at Detroit, February 25, 1865, six months after the ex- piration of his term of enlistment.
THOMAS VANCE.
The fair Emerald Isle figures as the place of the birth of Mr. Vance, who is one of the representative farmers of Antrim county, where he has improved a good farm, having come to the county as a pioneer and secured a tract of wild land which he reclaimed from the native forest, enduring the hardships and strenuous toil which came to those sturdy settlers who here instituted the work of im- provement and progress in the early days. He is held in high esteem in the county and is well deserving of representation in this publication.
Mr. Vance was born in the city of Water- ford, Ireland, on the Ist of May, 1855, and is a son of Henry and Susan (Lairy) Vance, who emigrated thence to America when the subject was about four years of age, settling in the province of Ontario, Canada, where they remained about ten years, at the expiration of which, in 1874, they came to Michigan, settling in Wayne county, where the father continued to be identified with agricultural pursuits for a short time. His death occurred in 1882, at the age of seventy-two years, his loved and devoted wife following him to eternal rest in 1884. Mr. Vance passed his youthful days in Canada, assisting his father in the farm work and availing himself of the ad- vantages of the common schools. He ac- companied his parents on their removal to
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Michigan and came to Antrim county in 1874, being about twenty years of age at the time and thus becoming one of the young pioneers whose energy and determination proved so potent in connection with the early development of this section.
He took up a homestead of eighty acres in the virgin forest and began the work of clearing the same and making it available for cultivation, and his toils were unceas- ing and his advantages few, as settlers were not numerous and points of supply distant. On one occasion he made the trip on foot to Charlevoix, a distance of forty miles, in order to secure a needed supply of pork, compassing the journey in one day, while he often made other trips of a similar order. For about three years he found employ- ment during a portion of the time on the railroad and thus earned the funds which enabled him to continue the improvement of his farm. His attractive homestead com- prises eighty acres, of which forty-eight are under cultivation, devoted to the various products common to this section, while he also has a good orchard which gives profit- able yields each year, the trees having been set out by him, while all the improvements on the place represent the results of his la- bors. In 1902 he erected his present com- modious and attractive modern residence, and the other buildings on the farm are of substantial order. In 1901 Mr. Vance had the misfortune of losing a good barn by fire, the building being entirely destroyed, to- gether with a quantity of hay and other produce. In politics the subject is a stanch Republican, and in a fraternal way he is identified with the Orangemen, the Inde- pendent Order of Good Templars and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr.
and Mrs. Vance are Methodists in religious affiliation.
In the year 1881 Mr. Vance led to the marriage altar Miss Rose B. Morehouse, who was born in the state of New York, being a daughter of Ira H. and Belinda (Showers) Morehouse, who came to Michi- gan when she was a child. Mr. and Mrs. Vance have three children and have also reared a boy, Don, whom they legally adopted. Susan B. is the wife of James Aenis, and Nettie and Fannie remain at the parental home. One son died in infancy. Mr. Vance at one time, about twenty years ago, killed a bear near his house with a mattock.
JOHN H. HENNING.
1
The dominion of Canada has given to Michigan many sterling citizens, and among the number is this well known and popular pioneer of Antrim county, whose well im- proved farm is located in Echo township, where he has made his home for more than thirty years.
Mr. Henning was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, on the 19th of Febru- ary, 1846, and is a son of James and Mary (Wilson) Henning, the former of whom was born in England and the latter in the state of Vermont, while their marriage was solemnized in the province of Quebec, Canada. The father devoted his active life to agricultural pursuits and continued to re- side in Canada until his death, as did also his devoted wife. The subject was reared on the old home farm and secured a common- school education, while he early began to depend upon his own resources, having come
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