Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 94

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

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WILLIAM C. FREEMAN.

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gate of one hundred and twenty-five thou- sand dollars, and the concern consumes each year from three to four million feet of maple and beech timber. These facts indicate in a significant way to how great an extent the concern contributes to the industrial and commercial activity and precedence of the town in which the factory is located, and to the section of country from which supplies are derived. Much of the special machinery used in the plant represents the inventive genius of Mr. Freeman, who has protected his various devices and many of the prod- ucts of the factory by patents. Much of the machinery was manufactured by him in a machine shop he established in Louisiana, Missouri, in 1872, and which he continued to operate until 1895, when he came to Kal- kaska to give his personal attention and su- pervision to the plant here and to the execu- tive and administrative affairs of the com- pany of which he is president. In connec- tion with the plant there has been fitted up a machine shop with the best of mechanical equipment and facilities, so that all repair work can be done in the same, as well as the manufacturing of many special machines and tools demanded, while facilities are also afforded for drafting, modeling, etc. The products of the company are shipped into all parts of the Union and an extensive export trade is also controlled, while both are con- stantly expanding in scope and importance. The company issues an attractive catalogue, descriptive of the wares manufactured, and these are varied in nature, including bowls, measures, scoops, dippers, ladles, dairy ac- cessories, mauls, rolling pins, mashers, clothespins, laundry utensils and other spe- cialties too numerous to mention. Mr. Free- man is a thoroughly skilled and practical

mechanic, having learned the machinist's trade when a boy. He gained his initial ex- perience under the direction of his father, who was a blacksmith and a particularly skillful artisan. The father began the man- ufacturing of machines in 1841, having been at that time a resident of Illinois, and from that early date to the present our subject has been consecutively identified with manufac- turing enterprises: Mr. Freeman is a native of the state of Tennessee, but when he was but eleven years of age his parents removed to Illinois, where he was reared and edu- cated. He located in Louisiana, Missouri, in 1865, and there continued to reside until coming to Kalkaska. He is a man of un- bending integrity, an excellent administra- tive officer and a loyal and public-spirited citizen, so that it is superrogatory to say that he is highly esteemed in both business and social circles.

WILLIAM ALBERT DEAN.

One of the well-known and influential citizens of Cold Springs township, Kalkaska county, Michigan, is William A. Dean, who for a number of years has resided here and successfully conducted one of the best farms in the township. He has always been ac- tively interested in everything which tended to promote the development of this region, and has been confidently counted upon at all times to endorse progressive measures and to uphold the law, right and justice. Mr. Dean was born in the township of Grattan, Kent county, Michigan, on the 9th day of September, 1849, and is the son of Law- rence and Rose Anna (Ford) Dean. The

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father was a native of New York state and the mother of Canada. They had a large family, comprising eleven children, of whom the subject was next to the eldest. When the latter was nine years old his parents removed to Mecosta county, Michigan, where William A. grew to manhood and re- ceived a good common-school education. Eventually he left Mecosta county and lo- cated in Ionia county, where for four years he followed farming. His first visit to Kal- kaska county was in 1872 and he was at that time so favorably impressed with the general appearance of things here that he deter- mined to make this his home. Not until 1879 was he enabled to locate here definitely and in the spring of that year he purchased forty acres of land in section 4, Rapid River township. He remained here three years and then sold that property and went to the upper peninsula of Michigan. where for five years he was engaged in land looking. His health then becoming impaired, he went to Hutchison, Kansas, where he remained un- til 1889, when he returned to Kalkaska county, Michigan, and settled on the farm where he now lives, located in Cold Spring township, on section 33. Mr. Dean owns one hundred and fifty-five acres, of which about one-third is improved and in a high state of tillage. He has erected good build- ings on the place, planted good fruit trees and in many other ways enhanced the value of the property. He is a thorough and methodical farmer and stands high among his brother agriculturists of the township.

While living in Mecosta county, this state, Mr. Dean was married to Miss Fanny Singer, by whom he had three children, only one of whom is living, May, the wife of Hiram Brown. Mrs. Fanny Dean died,

and while in Hutchison, Kansas, Mr. Dean wedded Miss Mary Lucas, who was born in Centerville, St. Joseph county, Michigan, on July 28, 1862, and a daughter of John and Eliza (Foster) Lucas, natives of county Monaghan, Ireland. Prior to her marriage she was a successful teacher, having taught schools in St. Joseph, Cass and Kalkaska counties, Michigan, and Reno county, Kan- sas. Fraternally Mr. Dean is a member of Forest Lodge, No. 397, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while he and his wife be- long to Excelsior Grange, Patrons of Hus- handry, and Lodge No. 125, Daughters of Rebekah, at Greenwood. Though not a seeker after public position, Mr. Dean has served his fellow citizens in the capacities of highway commissioner, township treas- urer and justice of the peace.

CHARLES R. HARDY.

One of the substantial and representa- tive men of Kalkaska county, Michigan, is Charles R. Hardy, who is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Cold Springs township, where he owns a fine and produc- tive farm. For a number of years he has been identified with the agricultural devel- opment of, this region and is widely and fa- vorably known. Mr. Hardy was born near Three Rivers, St. Joseph county, Michigan, September 21, 1849, and is the -son of George and Frances (Arney) Hardy. The father was a native of England and the mother of Pennsylvania and their marriage resulted in eleven children, of which number the subject of this sketch is the tenth in or- der of birth. Charles R. Hardy was reared

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in St. Joseph county, on his father's farm, and there took advantage of such educa- tional facilities as were afforded in the pub- lic schools. In the spring of 1882 he came to Kalkaska county and settled in section 16, Cold Springs township, where he has since resided, with the exception of one year when he resided in Mancelona. He has here eighty acres of good land, of which about forty-five acres are under a high state of cul- tivation. He is practical and methodical in his operations and has uniformly met with a high degree of success. He does not con- fine himself to any one line of effort, but raises all the crops common to this section of country. He has a good residence and commodious barn and the well-kept fences and highly-cultivated fields indicate to the passerby that the owner is a man of pro- nounced taste and good judgment.

On February 27, 1873, while living in Kalkaska county, Michigan, Mr. Hardy was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Pulver, who was born in Wayne county, New York, November 12, 1852, and a daughter of Milo and Jane (Crandall) Pulver, both of New York state. Their marriage has been blessed with three children, George A., Ber- nie (who died at the age of three years) and Jessie F. (who died at the age of eighteen years). Mr. Hardy has long occupied an enviable position in the community and has taken a leading part in local affairs, having held all the offices in Cold Springs township with the exception of that of township treas- urer. At present he is efficiently serving as township supervisor. His fraternal affilia- tion is with Mancelona Lodge, No. 368, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows. He is popular among all classes and exerts a be- neficent influence in favor of all good meas- ures.

MYRON J. DAVIS.

It is a well attested maxim that the greatness of the state lies not in the machin- ery of its government, or even its institu- tions, but in the sterling qualities of its indi- vidual citizens, in their capacity for high and unselfish effort and their devotion to the public good. To this class belongs Myron J. Davis, who operates a splendid farm in section 20, Cold Springs township, Kalkaska county. Mr. Davis is a Yankee by birth, having been born in Vermont on the 17th of June, 1853. His parents were Richard and Cornelia (Marston) Davis, the father born in Vermont and the mother in Massa- chusetts. Of their six children, the subject is the second in order of birth. When he was four years of age his parents removed from Vermont to Canada, which was their home for the following three years. They then came to Genesee county, Michigan, where Myron J. grew to manhood and where he was given the benefit of attendance at the common schools, exception being made of three years spent in Illinois. On leaving Genesee county Mr. Davis came to Shiawasee county and, upon his marriage there, in 1883, he settled on a farm, which he continued to operate until March, 1896, when he came to Kalkaska county and set- tled on the farm which he now owns. His real estate holdings comprise one hundred and sixty acres of land, of which about sev- enty-five acres are in cultivation and produc- ing abundant crops of all grains and vege- tables commonly raised in this latitude. On the place is a comfortable residence, a good barn and other necessary outbuildings, while the general appearance of the place indicates the owner to be a man of sound judgment and excellent taste.

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In Shiawasee county, this state, on July 29, 1883, Mr. Davis was united in marriage with Miss Ella Eames, who was born in that county on Christmas day, 1861, and was a daughter of William and Amanda ( Moore) Eames, both natives of New York state. This has been a most happy and congenial union and has been blessed by the birth of one child, Lloyd E. Mrs. Davis possesses a charming personality and is well informed on topics of general interest, probably partly accounted for by the fact that between the ages of seventeen and twenty-six years she was

successfully engaged in teaching school. Mr. Davis takes a deep interest in public affairs and has served as director of his school district and as treasurer of the township.

WILLIAM T. KLECKLER.

Back to the old Empire state of the Union must we turn in referring to the gene- alogy of Mr. Kleckler, since such knowledge as is obtainable indicates that his paternal ancestors came to that state from the Ger- man fatherland. The subject is now one of the honored and prosperous farmers of Mis- saukee county, and from his sturdy ances- tors he has inherited those sterling traits of character which have enabled him to work out his own salvation and to gain and re- tain the confidence and esteem of his fellow

men. He has been practically dependent upon his own resources from his boyhood. and through his indefatigable industry and determination he has advanced step by step to the goal of independence and prosperity, richly meriting the reward of his ceaseless toil and endeavor.

William T. Kleckler was born in Steuben county, New York, on the 17th of Septem- ber, 1850, and is the son of George and Lu- cinda (Whitehead) Kleckler, also natives of the same state. About 1851 they removed from New York state to Livingston county, Michigan, where the mother's death oc- curred, at the age of about sixty years. The subject of this sketch was the eldest of their four children and he lived at home until about twenty-two years of age, the mean- while receiving such an education as could be obtained in the public schools. This training has been supplemented, however, in subsequent years through habits of close reading and keen observation of men and events, so that now he is considered a well informed man. At the age last mentioned the subject left home and took upon himself the responsibilities of life, first engaging as a clerk in a store, where he remained about two years. He then went into the grocery business at Oak Grove, Livingston county, but a couple of years later he commenced farming operations in that county. In Octo- ber, 1882, he came to Missaukee county and located on the farm which is now his home, purchasing eighty acres in section 34, Bloomfield township. At the time of pur- chase this land was all wild and unimproved, but by dint of much hard labor he succeeded in reducing sixty acres of the tract to a till- able condition. He has made the best of improvements and has brought the place un- der a high state of cultivation, so that he has now one of the valuable and attractive farm estates in this section of the county. He has ever taken an active interest in the enterprises and undertakings which have been projected for the general good of the community and his attitude has been that

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of a public-spirited, liberal and progressive citizen.

In Livingston county, Michigan, on July 3, 1874, Mr. Kleckler wedded Miss Ida M. Davis, who was born in Washtenaw county, Michigan, on September 15, 1857, and the daughter of Martin L. and Mary E. (Smalley) Davis. To this union were born three children, Sherman G., Fred L. and Leroy. In matters political Mr. Kleckler has always supported the Republican party and has been honored by election to several positions of responsibility in his township, having served as township clerk several terms, supervisor one term and highway commissioner. His fraternal relations are with the Missaukee Grange, Patrons of Husbandry.

EZRA S. HALL.

In one of the most exacting of all call- ings the subject of this sketch has attained distinction, being recognized as one of the most successful teachers in the county of Missaukee. He is a well educated, symmet- rically developed man, his work as an educa- tor having brought him prominently to the notice of the public, the result of which has been a demand for his services where a high standard of professional excellence is re- quired. Mr. Hall was born in McGillvary, Middlesex county, Ontario, Canada, on Sep- tember 29, 1860. His parents were Robert and Margaret (Sharon) Hall, both natives of Ontario, who were the parents of nine children, of whom the subject was the fourth in the order of birth. He was reared in the parental home and was given splendid educational opportunities. After complet-

ing the common-school course he attended the Collegiate Institute at Park Hill, in Mid- dlesex county, Ontario, seven miles from his home, he making the trip to and from daily on horseback .- Upon graduating from this institute he took a course of practical in- struction in teaching in the London Model School, at London, Ontario. He then took a position with the Grand Trunk Railroad Company at Ailsa Croix, where he learned telegraphy and was employed about a year. He then came to Saginaw, Michigan, and was employed as a clerk in a furnishing store for some months and then worked for about two years in saw-mills. · In 1885-6 he attended normal classes conducted by Profs. McCook and Harris, at Mt. Pleasant. In 1887 he attended the Central Michigan Normal School at Alma (now Alma Col- lege) and on his final examinations had an average per cent. of ninety and one-half. In 1884 he commenced teaching at Mt. Pleasant, and about a year later engaged in the insurance business for a few months. He then taught school in Osceola county and in Missaukee county, and in 1888 went to Jennings, this state, and accepted the prin- cipalship of the schools there, continuing there until 1895, in March of which year he was elected county school commissioner of Missaukee county, which office he has since held, his long retention being a marked recognition of his ability and satisfactory discharge of the duties of this responsible position. He resided in Lake City until May, 1902, when he removed to his farm of forty acres, which is situated within the limits of the village of Lake City, and is here pleasantly situated in a comfortable and tasty rural home.

On August 25, 1888, at Evart, Michi-

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gan, Mr. Hall was married to Miss Annie T. Ross, who was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, September 28, 1863, the daughter of Peter and Ellen (Kenney) Ross. To Mr. and Mrs. Hall have been born six children, Ar- thur F., Katie P., Oscar R., Louise E., Lyle R. and one that died in infancy. In local public affairs Mr. Hall has taken a part and has served as clerk of Lake township. Fra- ternally he is a member of Lake City Lodge, No. 408, Free and Accepted Masons, and served as master of the lodge for several years; he is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and, with his wife, belongs to Lake City Chapter, No. 179, Or- der of the Eastern Star, and to Reeder Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, he having been lecturer of the County Pomona Grange. Mr. Hall is a gentleman of scholarly tastes and studious habits, keeps abreast the times in advanced educational methods and his general knowledge is broad and comprehen- sive. Because of his courteous manners, genial disposition and genuine worth he has won and retains the friendship of all who know him.

IVINTER CARPENTER.

To such men as Mr. Carpenter we turn with particular satisfaction as offering in their life histories justification for works of this nature,-not that their lives have been such as to gain them wide reputation or the admiring plaudits of men, but that they have been true to the trusts reposed, have shown such attributes of character as entitle them to the regard of all, and have been useful in their spheres of action.

Winter Carpenter is a native son of

Michigan, having been born in Fairfield township, Lenawee county, on the 6th of May, 1834. His parents, William L. and Sarah J. (Compton) Carpenter, were natives of New York state and were the parents of fourteen children, of whom the subject was the seventh in order of birth. In his native county the subject received a fair common- school education and upon attaining mature years he took up the vocation of farming, at which he has continued since, almost without interruption. In October, 1881, he came to Missaukee county and settled on the farm on which he now resides, the same being lo- cated in section 18, Caldwell township, and comprising eighty acres of good, arable land. Mr. Carpenter has cleared about sixty acres of his land and improved it in every possible way until now few farms in the county excel in the general excellence of its improvement. Good buildings have been erected, improved machinery is employed and the general ap- pearance of the place bespeaks a man of good taste.

In Deerfield township, Lenawee county. this state, on October 17, 1858, Mr. Carpen- ter wedded Miss Mary Chapman, who was born January 2, 1838, in Tioga county, New York. She has proven to her husband a helpmate in the largest sense of the word and their home has been made happy by the birth of six children, namely : George, John, Stephen, and Samuel, Sely and Silas, the three last named being triplets. Mr. Car- penter is active in advancing the best inter- ests of the community and was a member of the first board of review of Caldwell town- ship. In religion Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are connected with the Methodist Episcopal church and aïe in hearty sympathy with every movement looking to the moral, social

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and educational advancement of the commu- nity. Of sterling character and marked so- cial qualities, they have won and retain the warm friendship of a host of acquaintances, who esteem them for their genuine worth.

JOHN ARMSTRONG.

Among the thrifty and energetic farm- ers of Lake township, Missaukee county, Michigan, none are more deserving of es- pecial mention than the gentleman whose name appears above. He was born in Mark- ham, Ontario, Canada, on October 30, 1844, and was there reared to manhood, receiving the benefit of a fair common school educa- tion. In the fall of 1878 he came to Missau- kee county, Michigan, and for two years re- sided in Reeder township. He then pur- chased eighty acres of his present fine farm, which is located in section 25, Lake town- ship, and to which he has since added by purchase forty acres, and the greater part of which is under the plow and in a finely im- proved condition. The land was largely in its primitive condition when he obtained possession of it and great indeed has been the transformation wrought by him during the subsequent years. He gives due atten- tion to all branches of the enterprise, con- fining his attention to no particular branch, but raising all the crops common to this lo- cality. He is painstaking and methodical in his operations and has met with a success commensurate with his efforts.

Mr. Armstrong has been twice married. He first married, in Ontario, Canada, Miss Rachel Simons, who was born in Ontario and was of Irish parentage. They became

the parents of eight children, of whom five are living, namely: Mary F., the wife of Gerald Tennant; Ermine, the wife of Les- ter Tripp; Elias B., Thomas A. and Arthur E .; two others died in infancy. Mrs. Rachel Armstrong died May 13, 1901, and he sub- sequently married Miss Nellie L. Walsh, a native of Toronto, Canada. Mr. Armstrong has held a number of local official positions, having served as treasurer of Reeder town- ship and also treasurer of the village; he has also served as highway commissioner in Lake township, a member of the board of reviews and several of the school offices. In all the relations of life he has commanded the respect and confidence of all who have come in contact with him, by reason of his eminent personal qualities and his genuine worth.

WILLIAM M. TAYLOR.

The present efficient and popular post- master of Lucas, Missaukee county, Michi- gan, and an intelligent and progressive farmer of Richland township, that county, William M. Taylor, was born in Hopkinton, St. Lawrence county, New York, on De- cember 25, 1833, and is the son of Hiram and Eliza (Weller) Taylor, both natives of Vermont. They came from St. Lawrence county, New York, to Will county, Illinois, in 1849, and remained residents of that lo- cality during the remainder of their lives. The subject of this sketch was the fourth born in the family of eleven children and he remained under the parental roof and as- sisted in the labor of the home farm until the time of his marriage, when he farmed on his own account until 1876, with the ex-

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ception of a short period spent in Lyons, Cook county, Illinois. In April, 1876, he came to Missaukee county, Michigan, and located land in Richland township, being the third settler in that township. He pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres in sec- tion 16, all wild land, which he at once started in to improve and on which he has developed a good home, having a large share of the place under active cultivation. He is engaged in all branches of general farming and has achieved a very gratifying success in the enterprise, having devoted to it almost his entire attention.

On February 25, 1861, in Will county, Illinois, Mr. Taylor wedded Miss Mary A. Hicks, who was born in Oneida county, New York, on February 16, 1840, and is a daughter of Joseph Hicks. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have become the parents of thirteen children, namely: Weller H., a daughter, died in infancy; Eugenie A. is the wife of John English ; William G .; Hiram B .; John C .; Jay H. ; Arthur died at the age of about twenty years ; Hugh S .; four others died in infancy, two in Illinois and two in Richland township. In a public capacity Mr. Taylor has served as supervisor of the township for many years and was the first treasurer of the township, having also held all the school and other offices in the township excepting that of justice of the peace. Mr. Taylor was appointed postmaster of Garfield when it was known by that name, and when the name was changed to Lucas he was also appointed postmaster, the last appointment being under the first Mckinley administra- tion and his tenure of the office having been continuous since then. He has proven a most efficient and satisfactory postmaster, having shown marked business ability and

an evident desire to please the patrons of the office. He is a genial gentleman and be- cause of his pleasing personal qualities and his genuine worth he has won the regard and esteem of all who know him.

HENRY H. LONG.

The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is a highly respected resident of Reeder township, Missaukee county, Michi- gan, and a record of the salient points in his life history will no doubt be of interest to those of his friends who are readers of this volume. Mr. Long was born on a farm in Champaign county, Ohio, on October 22, 1845. and is the son of Abel and Sarah Ann (Shroufe) Long, the father a native of Vir- ginia and the mother of Ohio. She died in' Noble county, Indiana, in 1854, at the age of thirty-four years, while he died in 1887, at the age of seventy years. They were the parents of nine children, of whom the sub- ject was the fifth born. Henry H. Long was quite young when his parents removed, with their family, to Noble county, Indiana, and there he passed the early years of his life. In December, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Forty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served with that command until the early part of 1863, when he received a severe gunshot wound in the right wrist at the battle of Iuka, Mississippi, and in consequence of the resulting disa- bility he was discharged. He then returned to Noble county, Indiana, but shortly after- wards re-enlisted, this time in Company E, Thirtieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, with which command he served until

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Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 94

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