Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 91

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

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In many other lines of enterprise the young municipality has shown herself strong and imbued with an ambition that will en- able her to soon attain to a front rank among

the progressive cities of northern Michigan. Her citizens are duly conservative, and yet liberal and progressive in regard to all things affecting the general welfare. Maintaining a high standard of morals, a splendid school system, good live churches and lodges, and bustling with industrial and commercial activity, Onaway is destined to a splendid future.

J. MILO EATON.

The subject of this sketch is known as a man of high attainments, and practical abil- ity as a lawyer, and as one who has achieved success in his profession because he has worked for it. His prestige at the bar of Charlevoix county stands in evidence of his ability and likewise serves as voucher for in- trinsic worth of character. He has used his intellect to the best purpose, has directed his energies in legitimate channels, and his career has been based upon the wise assump- tion that nothing save industry, persever- ance, sturdy integrity and fidelity to duty will lead to success. The profession of law offers no opportunities save to such deter- mined spirits. It is an arduous, exacting, discouraging profession to one who is un- willing to subordinate other interests to its demands, but to the true and earnest devotee it offers a sphere of action whose attractions are unequalled and whose rewards are un- stinted. Mr. Eaton has been successfully en- gaged in the practice of his profession in Charlevoix since 1875 and is one of the representative citizens of this section of the state, so that in more senses than one is he entitled to recognition in a publication of the province assigned to the one at hand. In

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addition to his specific professional business he also devotes no little attention to the real- estate and loan business.

Mr. Eaton is a scion of stanch old New England stock, the name which he bears having been identified with the annals of American history ever since the early colonial era, while he himself is a native of the old Granite state, having been born in West Swanzey, Cheshire county, New Hampshire, on the 5th of November, 1848, and having been reared and educated in New England, completing his technical discipline in preparing for his profession in the law de- partment of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1875, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He has been es- tablished in the practice of his profession in Charlevoix since 1875, and within this score of intervening years has made for himself a place of no slight distinction as an able and discriminating lawyer and loyal and public- spirited citizen, while his long residence here has made him well known to the people and he had not been denied the most ample meas- ure of public confidence and esteem.

For a quarter of a century Mr. Eaton gave his allegiance to the Democratic party, being prominent as a worker in its ranks, but when he became convinced that the lead- ers of the party had led it into fields of un- certain fertility and to adopt principles at variance with those upon which it was founded, he showed the courage of his con- victions by aligning himself with the Re- publican party, whose policies he believed best calculated to further general prosperity and progress and stable government. He is a stanch supporter of the principles of the "grand old party," so far as national and

state issues are involved, but in local affairs he maintains an independent attitude. He served for ten years as chairman of the Democratic central committee of Charlevoix county, and was otherwise prominent in the party work, while he was elected to the office of judge of probate in 1876, on the Democratic ticket. For twelve years he was a member of the common council of the vil- lage, including its presidency, giving a most progressive and acceptable administration of municipal affairs. During the administra- tion of President Cleveland Mr. Eaton held the office of collector of customs at Charle- voix. Mr. Eaton has been distinctively public-spirited and has ever stood ready to lend his aid and influence in support of measures and enterprises tending to further the prestige and material prosperity of his home town. He early became interested in the establishing of a beet-sugar manufactory in Charlevoix and has been prominent in en- couraging the great industry which has been built up in this line here, while he has been secretary of the Charlevoix Sugar Com- pany from the time of its organization up to August, 1904. In the real estate line he has been an active dealer and has improved a number of good properties in his home city, while he has also taken a leading part in the development of the great summer-resort business in this beautiful locality, and was one of the earnest and indefatigable work- ers in securing the congressional appropri- ation for the improvement of the local har- bor. Mr. Eaton is to be consistently desig- nated as one of the pioneers of his profession in this county, since he was the second law- yer to establish an office in Charlevoix, the place being but a small and isolated hamlet at the time. He is a Mason, belonging to

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blue lodge, chapter and commandery. He was married August 31, 1875, to Miss Ellen J. French and they have two children, Lil- lian F., who married John T. Beamish, of Detroit, and Clara M., who remains at home.

TAWAS BEACH.

This magnificent health and pleasure resort is situated on Tawas bay, on the west coast of Lake Huron, but a few miles north of the populous cities of Bay City and Sagi- naw, the place being easily accessible. It is but a short ride from Bay City and the sum- mer trains of the Detroit & Mackinac Rail- way offer every convenience to the traveler, direct connection being made at Bay City with diverging lines. To the summer home- seeker of the cities Tawas Beach is an ideal spot, and the remarkable growth it has had in popular favor in the short term of its ex- istence as a summering place has hardly been equaled in this part of the state. The De- troit & Mackinac Railway Company owns the resort, which consists of many thousands of acres, and guests have the unrestricted use of its groves, natural forest parks, bicycle paths and improved picnic grounds, with covered pavilions, swings, shady walks, cozy nooks, etc. Much money has been ex- pended in providing modern conveniences and comforts, among them being a base-ball diamond which cost three thousand dollars. The property faces on Tawas bay, which has proved a shelter spot for many storm-tossed lake sailors. The beach is three-quarters of a mile in length, with a floor of clean, white sand, and hardly a pebble to mar its perfec- tion. Back from the beach lies the natural

forest of pine and oak, a noble grove in all its primeval grandeur and beauty. The bathing beach, with its swimming and div- ing rafts, is the finest on the shores of Lake Huron. Owing to the sheltered position of Tawas bay, the waters are always warmer than in the open lake, and there is no treach- erous undertow for weak swimmers to fear. Extending along the entire front of the bath- ing beach a broad board walk has been built for promenaders who choose rather to watch than to join in the bathing. Back of the walk are the dressing rooms for the bathers. A short distance away is the life-saving sta- tion and dock from which the life savers launch their boat. Directly facing the beach is the dancing pavilion, a commodious build- ing with a good floor and comfortable ac- commodations. Furnished cottages face the bay and but a few feet from the shore, hav- ing electric lights, running water, modern sanitary conveniences and supplied with many improvements not usually found in summer homes. These cottages are rented by the railway company at a nominal figure, and each cottage has a row boat as an ad- junct. All cottages are rented with the un- derstanding that the occupants shall take their meals at the Club House, which, with its orchestra, bowling alley, billiard room, etc., is under the management and direction of the railroad company.

JOSEPH HOFFMAN.

One of the well improved and attractive farmsteads of Banks township, Antrim county. is that owned and conducted by the subject of this sketch, who has been identi-

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fied with industrial affairs in northern Michigan for the past score of years, while he has resided on his present place since 1887.

Mr. Hoffman was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, on the 15th of June, 1854, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Bradfield) Hoffman. The father of our subject was likewise born in Coshocton county, in the year 1823, and is a son of Joseph Hoffman, who removed from Penn- sylvania to Ohio in an early day, becoming one of the pioneers of the Buckeye state, where he passed the remainder of his life en- gaged in farming. The Hoffman family is of stanch German lineage and has long been established in America. The venerable fa- ther of our subject still resides in Coshocton county, Ohio, having devoted his active life to' agricultural pursuits, and his devoted wife also is living, as are ten of their thir- teen children. William Hoffman has been a man of influence in his community, hav- ing held various positions of local trust and responsibility and having been an advocate of the principles of the Republican party from practically the time of its organization to the present.

Joseph Hoffman, the immediate subject of this sketch, passed his boyhood days on the old homestead farm and secured such educational advantages as were afforded in the public schools of the locality, making good use of his advantages along this line. He continued to follow the vocation to . which he had been reared and remained in Ohio until he had attained to the age of about twenty-seven years, when, in the early 'eighties, he came to the northern part of the lower peninsula of Michigan, where he has since maintained his home and where he has gained success and prosperity through

well directed effort in connection with farm- ing. He passed about two years in Kal- kaska county and three years in Grand Tra- verse county and then came to his present place in Antrim county. At the time when he secured this farm it was essentially wild and unimproved, and he personally effected the clearing of about twenty acres, the same having been covered with the native timber. Hi's farm comprises fifty-five acres of fertile land, of which twenty-five acres are under cultivation at the present time, being de- voted to the diversified products best adapted to the soil and climate, while the owner also gives considerable attention to the raising of live stock, which he finds to be a profitable department of his farm enterprise. Mr. Hoffman has set out a number of fruit trees on his place, his orchard comprising about one acre, and the most of the trees are now giving good yields of fine fruit. In addi- tion to clearing about twenty acres of his farm Mr. Hoffman has also made good im- provements of a permanent nature, includ- ing the erection of a comfortable residence, and he is known as a thrifty and hard-work- ing farmer and as a man worthy of the un- qualified esteem in which he is held in the community. In politics he gives allegiance to the Republican party, but he has never sought or held public office of any descrip- tion.

Mr. Hoffman was united in marriage to Miss Melissa Harper, daughter of John and . Lizzie (McLean) Harper, at that time resi- dents of Ohio, and our subject's only child, Susan E., is now the wife of Frank Wil- liams, who assists our subject in the opera- tion of his farm, so that he and his wife re- main members of the family circle. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have a winsome little daughter, Melissa.

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WILLIAM M. WALDRUFF.

Though this well known and representa- tive farmer of Antrim county is nearing the psalmist's span of three score years and ten, he gives slight indication of having passed so many mileposts on the journey of life, being hale and hearty and in the veritable prime of strong and vigorous manhood. He is the owner of one of the valuable farms of the county, the same being located in Banks township, and he is one of those enterprising and far-sighted citizens whose efforts have contributed so materially to the industrial and civic advancement of this sec- tion of the state.

On a farm in Columbia county, New York, there was residing in the year 1838 one Philip Waldruff and his good wife, whose maiden name was Hannah Haga- dorn, and on the 27th of April of that year there was born to them a son, who was duly christened William M., this son being the subject of the sketch at hand. In the family were eight children and all except two of the number are still living. William M. Waldruff grew to manhood on the home farm, early beginning to contribute his quota to its cultivation and becoming in- ured to hard work, the while learning the value of consecutive toil and endeavor, and his educational opportunities were limited to a somewhat irregular attendance in the common schools of the locality and period. Our subject eventually engaged in farming on his own responsibility and continued to reside in the old Empire state until 1880, when he came to Michigan and took up his residence on his present farm, having se- cured the property by purchase and ex- change. His estate comprises one hundred acres of as good land as can be found in

this section of the state, and seventy-five acres are maintained under a high state of cultivation, yielding excellent returns for the time and labor expended, while the prod- ucts are of diversified order, including the cereals and extensive yields of potatoes, peas, fruits, hay, etc. Mr. Waldruff has made excellent improvements of a perman- ent nature, including the erection of a com- modious and substantial residence, which figures as one of the most attractive farm homes of Banks township, while much of the land was reclaimed from its wild state under the personal direction and effort of the owner, who is one of the progressive farmers and valued citizens of this portion of the county. He has never been an aspir- ant for public office but is a stanch advocate of the principles and policies for which the Democratic party stands sponsor.

In the centennial year of our national in- dependence, 1876, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Waldruff to Miss Clara Teal, who was likewise born and reared in the state of New York, and of their nine chil- dren five are living, namely: George, Han- nah, Mary, Charlotte and Elsie. The names of the deceased children are as fol- lows: John, Henry, Ida and William, and all died in infancy or early childhood.

DETROIT & MACKINAC RAILWAY.

The Detroit & Mackinac Railway as originally constructed ran from Alger to Alpena, Michigan, but has since been ex- tended south to Bay City and north to Che- boygan. The Rose City and Prescott divis- ions were later constructed and in 190,1 the shore road was built from a point seven miles

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north of AuSable to Harrisville, connecting high-back seat coaches, observation parlor with the main line. The Detroit & Mackinac cars and Pullman palace drawing-room sleep- ing cars, all equipped with latest appliances, such as regular and emergency automatic air brakes, whistle signal, automatic bell ringers, patent couplers, steam heat, acetylene gaslight, etc. Railroad Commis- sioner Chase S. Osborne, in his official re- port, stated that the Detroit & Mackinac track and roadbed was only excelled by one line; since that time further improvements have made it the peer of any line. The freight equipment, including all classes of cars and locomotives, are of recent design and construction. No section is growing more rapidly or building on a firmer foun- dation than the northeastern section of Michigan, and the Detroit & Mackinac Rail- way is keeping pace with and aiding all de- velopments by the construction of new lines and spurs wherever needed. The road has exerted every effort to advertise to the world the splendid advantages offered in this sec- tion and has contributed to a large degree to its upbuilding and advancement. Railway was incorporated as the successor of the Bay City & Alpena Railway, which was sold in 1894, while in receiver's hands. From Bay City to Alpena, en route to Che- boygan, this magnificently-equipped railway is nearly always within sight of Lake Huron and its many sheltered bays, traversing a country abounding in resorts and rich in the abundance of Michigan's natural resources, which contribute to the pleasure, interest, comfort, welfare, and finances of the tourist, healthseeker, farmer, investor and capitalist. This country is recommended by eminent physicians on account of many advantages, including a climate which makes it a veritable paradise. It is nature's great sani- tarium, and offers special inducements to the tourist, to those who seek rest, to the pro- fessional and the business man, and to the sportsman; there is no surer or more de- lightful way of obtaining a complete realiza- tion of the salutary effects of healthful activity out of doors than by visiting the De- troit and Mackinac country with its cool breezes, quiet woods and delightful restful- ness.

The Detroit & Mackinac Railway has spared no expense in the reconstruction and equipping of its line. A heavily ballasted roadbed, laid with eighty, eighty-five and ninety-pound steel rails, in connection with perfect alignment, adjustment, easy grades, practically no curvature, modern heavy steel bridges. standard semaphore signals and safety interlocking plants, admits of comfort in the highest attainable degree and insures speed and positive safety. Powerful fast- running locomotives haul palatial trains con- sisting of smoking cars, heavy, easy-riding,

WILLIAM H. TAYLOR.

The gentleman to a brief review of whose life and characteristics the reader's attention is herewith directed is among the foremost citizens of Crawford county, Mich- igan, and has by his enterprise and pro- gressive methods contributed in a material way to the county's development and wel- fare. Mr. Taylor is a native of the great Empire state of the Union, having been born near West Monroe, New York. He came

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to Grayling, Crawford county, Michigan, on March 19, 1878, and here received his education, attending the public schools and later the high school, from which he gradu- ated in 1897. Upon completion of his edu- cation, he started out in life on his own ac- count as a lumber inspector, but subse- quently purchased a fine farm in Maple Forest township, which he still owns and operates. When he was not quite of age, Mr. Taylor enlisted for service in the Span- ish-American war, but because of his age his parents would not allow him to go to the

front. However, before his twenty-first birthday he slipped away and joined the Thirty-third Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served throughout the remain- der of the conflict. In 1904, at the age of twenty-seven years, Mr. Taylor was nomin- ated on the Republican ticket for the office of county clerk, and was successful at the ensuing election, being at the present time the efficient and popular incumbent of that office. He is also interested in the abstract and real estate business, in which he has been very successful, having handled a large amount of real estate, both timber and farm- ing lands.

In politics Mr. Taylor is, as was before stated, a stanch and active member of the Republican party and has been influential and effective in advancing the interests of the party in this county. Fraternally he be- longs to Grayling Lodge, No. 356. Free and Accepted Masons, and to the Knights of the Maccabees, taking a healthy interest in the work of these beneficent orders. In religion he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1899 Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss E. Mae Forbush, the daughter of Eli Forbush, and they have a

pleasant and comfortable home in Grayling, where a gracious hospitality is ever dis- pensed to their many friends.

GEORGE W. BURT.

Among those men who have not only won for themselves distinctive recognition in the community of their residence, but have also honored the community by their lives therein, the subject of this brief men- tion deserves record. Judge Burt is a na- tive of the great Empire state, having been born in Addison township. Steuben county, New York, and is the son of John H. and Elizabeth (Fish) Burt, also natives of the same locality. The parents brought their family to Michigan in 1878, locating at once in Harrisville, Alcona county, where the subject has since resided, having therefore been an eye witness, as well as a participant in the wonderful progress and advancement which has characterized this section of the state. The subject gained a fair education in the common schools and upon taking up life's duties on his own account entered the lumbering business, at which he was en- gaged for a number of years. He then com- menced farming operations and has since been successfully engaged along this line, being now the owner of a fine and produc- tive farm in Harrisville township, this county. The Judge has all his mature life taken a deep interest in public affairs and has kept closely in touch with all questions of moment, his knowledge and ability, as well as his sound common sense being rec- ognized in his election, in 1904, to the re- sponsible position of probate judge of Al-

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cona county, which position he is now filling of the Civil war, and who was incumbent of to the entire satisfaction of all who have the offices of justice of the peace, county coroner and village clerk, being well known throughout this section of Michigan and having a host of friends, whose circle was circumscribed only by that of his acquaint- ances. dealings with his court. The matters com- ing within his jurisdiction are naturally from their very nature of a character requir- ing a keen judgment and wise discrimina- tion and the Judge has evinced abilities of a high order, conserving at all times as far as is within his power the best interests of those most needing the protection of legal power and authority.

Judge Burt was united in marriage with Miss Mary Genge, a resident of Harris- ville, though a native of New Brunswick, Canada, and to them have been born the fol- lowing children: Wilbur, Clarence. Sher- idan, Ethel, Gertrude and Walter. In mat- ters political the subject supports the Re- publican party, while his fraternal relations are with the the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In religion the family supports and are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are influential in be- half of all worthy charitable and benevolent movements. Because of, his upright life and his strong personal qualities the Judge has won and retains a host of warm per- sonal friends in the community where for nearly three decades he has been numbered among the active and influential citizens.

REV. WILLIAM H. McCARTNEY.

At this point we take briefly under re- view the life history of one of the late prom- inent and influential citizens of Charlevoix county,-one who labored with effective zeal in the ministry of the Methodist Epis- copal church, who was an honored veteran

Mr. McCartney was a native of the old Keystone state, having been born in the city of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on the 29th of January, 1842, and being a son of Rev. George McCartney, who was originally a member of the clergy of the Dutch Re- formed church and later of the Presby- terian church, having passed the major portion of his long and useful life as a faith- ful worker in the vineyard of the divine Master. When the subject was about seven years of age his parents removed to Troy, New York, where he was reared to matur- ity, having completed the curriculum of the common schools and then entered Schuyler- ville Academy, in which institution he was graduated, while he took the examination which entitled him to matriculation in Un- ion College. His father was earnestly de- sirous of his entering the ministry, and our subject continued his preparatory school work until he was eligible for admission to the sophomore class, but he preferred at that period in his life to adopt the profession of law, to the technical reading of which he de- voted his attention for one year, at Schuy- lerville, being thus engaged at the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion. His intrinsic patriotism was forthwith quickened to re- sponsive protest and he tendered his services in defense of the Union soon after President Lincoln issued his first call for volunteers. He enlisted in the Twenty-second New York Volunteer Infantry, which was in due time

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Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 91

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