USA > Michigan > Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens > Part 99
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
GEORGE W. TRUMBELL.
The enterprising business man and pop- ular citizen whose name heads this article needs no formal introduction to the people of Osceola county. For a number of years past he has been identified with the hotel business in Evart, being now the proprietor of the Hotel Trumbell, in Evart, and hav- ing attained success through his own efforts. He may well be considered one of the pio- neers of this section, and he has a host of friends in the county in which he has so long resided.
Like many others of the representative citizens of the northern half of the lower peninsula of Michigan, Mr. Trumbell is a native of the dominion of Canada. He was born in Woodstock, province of Ontario, on the 26th of February, 1863, and there passed the first fifteen years of his life, hav- ing duly availed himself of the advantages afforded in the public schools. He then set forth to face the problems of life on his own responsibility, though a mere boy at the time. From his native place he came to Big Rapids, Michigan, where he remained about six months, at the expiration of which, in the autumn of 1878, he came to Evart, which was then a rude and unpretentious village in the midst of the great lumber woods of this section of the state. For some seven years following Mr. Trumbell was em- ployed in various capacities by lumbering firms, turning his attention to whatever honest labor he could secure. He finally be- came night clerk in a local hotel, and showed so marked eligibility for this line of enter- prise that he finally decided to engage in business for himself. In 1895 he became the proprietor of the Hotel Evart, which he
conducted for several years, at the expira- . tion of which, in 1901, he effected the pur- chase of the old National hotel property, which he improved and remodeled and which he has since conducted most success- fully, under the name of the Hotel Trum- bell. The house is well managed and is pop- ular with the travelling public and a credit to the town. Mr. Trumbell ever takes an active interest in all that tends to conserve the advancement and stable prosperity of his home town and county, and in politics he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. In a fraternal way he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks.
In Evart, on the IIth of January, 1892, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Trum- bell to Miss Martha I. Johnson, who was born in Osceola county, this state, and they have one daughter, Genevieve W., and a son, Willis J.
ELLERY C. CANNON.
Senator Cannon is peculiarly entitled to representation in this work, for not only is he one of the leading citizens and honored pioneers of Evart, Osceola county, but he is also a native son of the Wolverine state. having here passed his entire life, and is also one of those who served with distinction as a soldier in the Union army during the war of the Rebellion. He has long been engaged in the general merchandise business in Evart, having been one of the early mer- chants of the town, and has in all the inter- vening years maintained a most helpful in-
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terest in all that has tended to con- serve the prosperity and civic prog- ress of his home city and county. That he has the unqualified confidence and esteem of the people of this section needs no further voucher than is offered in the circumstance of his having been called upon to serve in po- sitions of distinctive public trust and respon- sibility, in which connection it may be noted in a prefatory way that he is at the time of this writing the representative of the twen- ty-fifth district in the state senate.
Senator Cannon was born on a farm in Shelby township, Macomb county, Michi- gan, on the 28th of December, 1842, and is a son of Rev. John and Sally (Cook) Can- non, both of whom died in that county, the father having been a clergyman of the Chris- tian church and having also been engaged in farming. He was a man of exalted char- acter and wielded marked influence in his community, having been one of the early settlers of Macomb county, whither he came from the state of New York. This worthy couple became the parents of three sons and four daughters, of whom the subject of this · review was the fifth in order of birth.
listing as a private in Company B, Twenty- second Michigan Volunteer Infantry, with which he proceeded to the front, the regi- ment being assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. With this command he con- tinued in active service for nearly three years or until victory had crowned the Union arms and the war had ended.' He took part in many spirited battles, the most important and sanguinary of the number having been that of Chickamauga, and he re- ceived his honorable discharge in June, 1865.
After the close of his military service Senator Cannon returned to his home in Macomb county, where he continued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits for the en- suing three years. He then located in the village of Washington, that county, where he established himself in the general mer- chandise business, in which he continued about two years, at the expiration of which, in 1871, he came to Osceola county, locating in Evart in September of that year. Here he erected a store and in the same installed a good stock of general merchandise, while he soon built up a representative trade and gained the unequivocal confidence and es- the development of the surrounding country and the upbuilding of the town his business increased in scope and importance, and he has continued to be known as one of the most progressive and prominent merchants of Evart, where he now has a fine modern store, well appointed in all particulars and equipped with comprehensive and select lines in each of its several departments, while the trade of the concern extends throughout the wide territory formerly trib- utary to the town. Fair and liberal dealing
The future Senator's early years were - teem of the people of the community. With passed in his native township and the con- ditions which surrounded him were similar to those environing the average farmer boy of the locality and period, his educational advantages being such as were afforded in the common schools. He was assisting in the work of the home farm at the time when the thundering of rebel guns against the ramparts of old Fort Sumter announced the precipitation of civil war upon a divided na- tion, and in September. 1862, when but eighteen years of age, he gave significant evidence of his loyalty to the Union by en- has gained to the establishment a high repu-
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tation for reliability and made it one of the most popular in this section, while no citi- zen of the county is better known or more highly regarded than the proprietor, who has been so prominently identified with the business and civic affairs of the county for the past three decades, ever manifesting the utmost public spirit and aiding in the carry- ing forward of all enterprises and measures for the general good.
Mr. Cannon has accorded a stalwart alle- giance to the Republican party from the time of attaining his legal majority to the present, and he is one of the wheelhorses of the "grand old party" in northern Michi- gan, in which state the party had its birth. He served for the long period of eighteen years as supervisor of Osceola township, while he has also held other local offices, in- cluding that of township treasurer. In 1885 he was elected to represent his district in the lower house of the state legislature, making an excellent record in the house and being chosen as his own successor in 1887. Still farther tribute of popular confidence and re- gard was to be paid him, for in 1900 he was elected to represent the twenty-fifth district in the state senate. Here he again proved himself a valuable worker in legislative af- fairs, his policy being straightforward, open and conservative, and he was assigned to various important committees in the sena- torial body, while in the autumn of 1902 he was elected to succeed himself in this im- portant office, serving during the ensuing general assembly with wonted ability and discrimination and gaining further commen- dation from his constituency. In a fraternal way we find Senator Cannon identified with Evart Lodge, No. 320, Free and Accepted Masons, and with Evart Chapter, No. 97,
Royal Arch Masons. He is a charter mem- ber of both of these bodies and has been treasurer of each from the time of its or- ganization to the present. He is also affili- ated with the Ancient Order of Foresters, and at the time of this writing he is chief ranger of the local organization of the same. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and was elected department commander of the state at a meeting held at Traverse City June 19, 1905. In addition to his various holdings in the city of Evart our subject also owns a well improved farm of three hundred and twenty acres, in Osce- ola township, the same being one of the best rural domains in the county.
On the 28th of December, 1868, was sol- emnized the marriage of Senator Cannon to Miss Harriet N. Sybrandt, who was born in the state of New York, whence she came with her parents to Michigan when a child. She proved a devoted wife and help- meet and was held in affectionate regard by all who came within the sphere of her im- mediate influence. She was summoned to that "undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns," on the 9th of April, 1891, being survived by her only child, Emma E., who is now the wife of Robert M. Divley, of Grand Rapids.
MERRITT CHANDLER.
"Perhaps one fact alone better demon- strates than all else that Merritt Chandler is entitled to more credit than any other one man for the marked progress Onaway has made within the past few years-the hold- ing of his standing timber at an almost pro-
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hibitive price for shipment outside and the selling of the same at a reasonable figure to manufacturers who would locate here. His holdings comprised thousands of acres of choice hardwood timber, which was eagerly sought by buyers for years. He steadfastly refused to sell, however, because he knew full well that sooner or later manufacturers would locate here in order to obtain it, and how well placed was his wisdom is shown today in the busy hum of machinery and the employment of hundreds of men-and thus was the real nucleus of a thriving city laid." The preceding quotation, from the pen of one competent to judge, is but the consensus of opinion among the citizens of the pro- gressive little city of Onaway, Michigan. and among his associates and acquaintances, who know him best, no man occupies a higher standing in their regard and esteem.
Merritt Chandler traces his paternal an- cestry back to Quakers who settled in Penn- sylvania as early as 1687. His grandfather, Thomas Chandler, was a prominent physi- cian of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from which city his father, also named Thomas, came to Michigan, locating in Lenawee county in 1829. The subject was born on a farm near Adrian, Lenawee county, this state, on the 29th of November, 1843, and was reared under the parental roof. His common-school training was supplemented by attendance at Raisin Valley Seminary, a well-known Quaker institution, and at the age of about twenty-six years he entered upon life's activities upon his own account. Until the winter of 1874-5 he was engaged in the hardwood lumber business in Cass county, this state, but then located at Che- boygan, remaining there until 1886, when he located permanently at Onaway. where
he has since resided. In 1879 Mr. Chandler contracted with the state for the construction of state roads, building the road from Pe- toskey to Presque Isle, seventy-seven miles, and the one from Black Lake, through Ona- way, to what is now the southeast corner of Allis township, seventeen miles. At the time he took these contracts he was about ten thousand dollars in debt, but so well did he manage his business affairs that upon their completion he found himself ahead financially. As pay for the work he accepted lands in Cheboygan, Alpena, Montmorency and Presque Isle counties, amounting in all to about forty-five thousand acres, practically all timbered land. He proceeded to sell off the pine timber, but retained the hardwood, foreseeing the future enhanced value of that article. The standing timber from twenty thousand acres of hardwood land was sold to Lobdell, Bailey & Company, who, in order to obtain hardwood. were induced to locate at Onaway, in accordance with Mr. Chand- ler's fixed policy of not selling this class of timber unless the buyers would agree to es- tablish the mills at this point. The last- named firm employs at their mills here and in lumbering operations about four hundred hands and has proved a valuable industry, Also the Gardner & Peteman Company were induced to locate their stave and heading mills here in the same way. Mr. Chandler. having retained the ownership of the lands, is now engaged in clearing and improving them as rapidly as the timber is removed. He expects to see a wealthy and prosperous community where so recently stood an un- broken wilderness. He has not been slow in investing his own money in local improve- ments, having erected the first store here, at a time when there was little evidence of
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
the future thriving village. He also built years of age he accompanied his father to and owned the Chandler House, built and operated the first mill here, built the opera house, and has erected over twenty houses, which are now rented. While Onaway was in the village class he served efficiently as a member of the village council and is now a member of the board of public works. The utmost fairness, honesty and public-spirited- ness has ever characterized all his operations and dealings with others, and, while further- ing his own interests, he has to a great ex- tent advanced the best interests of the gen- eral public, for the very existence and pres- ent prosperity of Onaway is due directly to his sound judgment and keen business så- gacity. The possessor of fine personal quali- ties, including a genial and warm-hearted disposition, few men in this section of the state are better known or have more warm and loyal friends than does he.
EDWARD ERSKINE, M. D.
A witness of the wonderful growth and advancement which has characterized Presque Isle, from the very beginning, and an active participant in all the movements which have contributed to this result, the subject of this sketch is entitled to specific mention in this volume. He was born in Sanilac county and is the son of Hon. James Erskine, one of the first settlers of Sanilac county and a brother of Judge B. R. Erskine, of the Macomb county circuit. The subject spent his youthful years in the parental homestead and received a good education in the public schools, after which he took a course in Hillsdale College. When twelve
Presque Isle county, remaining there about two months. At that time the only buildings in the county were two log structures, one at a place known as Crawford's Quarry and the other at the Harvey L. Parris homestead, one mile back of the quarry. Thus Mr. Par- ris and Dr. Erskine are the first persons to set foot upon its soil who are now residents of this county. Mr. Parris now resides upon a small farm one mile from Millersburg. After graduating from Hillsdale College the subject was engaged in teaching school in northern Michigan . for about twelve years and then determined to take up the study of medicine. To this end he matricu- lated in the Michigan College of Medicine and Surgery, at which he graduated on March 13, 1891. As a means of still further preparation, he has also taken two courses in the Chicago Policlinic, graduating there- from on March 10, 1900, and May 28, 1905. He immediately entered upon the practice at Rogers City, Presque Isle county, and has built a large and representative practice here. Natural endowments and careful preparation have enabled him to successfully handle the great majority of cases coming under his care and he enjoys an excellent reputation among his professional col- leagues.
The Doctor has all his life taken a deep interest in public affairs, and his father while a resident of Sanilac county served two terms in the lower house of the state legislature, being elected on the Republi- can ticket. He was also supervisor of his home township in that county for sixteen years. After coming to Presque Isle county he was elected judge of probate, serving one term. Dr. Erskine has served efficiently and
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faithfully as the commissioner of schools of Presque Isle county for the past fifteen years and is now its commissioner, being also at present county physician, as well as acting assistant United States marine sur- geon for the port of Rogers City. The Doc- tor keeps abreast the latest advances in the healing art, both through close reading and his membership in the county, state and na- tional medical societies. He takes a deep interest in educational matters and is now a member of the union school board of Rogers City. He is a man of broad humanitarian principles, of earnest purpose and upright life and does all in his power for the uplift- ing of his fellow men. He is widely known and by all is esteemed for his genuine worth. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Inde- pendent Order of Foresters, Modern Wood- men of America, Knights of the Maccabees and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
CHARLES B. DRAKE.
Although not old in point of years, the subject of this sketch has attained relative distinction as one of the enterprising and progressive citizens of his county. He is now serving his second term in the responsi- ble position of probate judge of Montmor- ency county, and is also the efficient and popular postmaster at Lewiston. Mr. Drake was born at Jacksonville, Chickasaw county, Iowa, and is the son of Darwin and Lodema (Burch) Drake, both of whom were natives of St. Lawrence county, New York. They afterwards removed to St. Clair county, Michigan, where the father
was a teacher and school commissioner for many years. He died in 1905, at the age of seventy years. The subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools at Port Huron, St. Clair county, this state, supplementing this by attendance in the high school at Capac. For the past four- teen years Mr. Drake has been associated with the Michelson & Hanson Lumber Com- pany, at Lewiston, beginning in the yards and mills and rising by successive promo- tions to his present position as assistant gen- eral manager. He has in all things been faithful in the discharge of his duties an 1 has exhibited business and executive abili- ties of a high order.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Drake has at all times taken a commendable interest in public affairs and served one term as clerk of Albert township. In 1901 he was hon- ored with election to the important office of probate judge of Montmorency county, and so satisfactory were his services that in 1904 he was elected to succeed himself, being the present incumbent of this position. In 1903 he was appointed by President Roosevelt postmaster at Lewiston and is still the occu- pant of the office. In his various official capacities he has given the same conscien- tious and careful attention to the details of his duties that has characterized him in pri- vate affairs, with the result that he has won and retains the sincere regard of all .who know him.
Mr. Drake has been twice married. His first wife, whom he wedded in St. Clair county, this state, was Miss Flora Byce, and to them were born three children, namely : Hazel, who is a graduate of the Lewiston high school, as is her sister and brother, Mildred and Charles, Jr. Mrs. Flora Drake
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
died and subsequently Judge Drake married Miss Gertrude Bliss, of Lewiston. The home is a center of gracious and refined hos- pitality and is the rendezvous of a large social circle. By his straightforward course in the affairs of life the Judge has earned the respect and esteem of his associates and because of their genuine worth he and his family have gained for themselves many warm personal friends.
CLIFFORD C. CURNALIA, M. D.
He whose name heads this sketch enjoys the distinction of being one of the leading physicians in this section of the country, having one of the largest surgical practices between Bay City and Cheboygan. To nat- ural abilities of a high order he unites a careful preparation and a genial and sympa- thetic temperament, which go far to lighten the efforts of the successful physician. Dr. Curnalia was born in Henrietta, Jackson county, Michigan, and is the son of Dr. J. H. and Olive E. (Harrington) Curnalia, the former a native of Chenango county, New York, and the latter of Buffalo, that state. The subject's father is now a resident of Roscommon, having located there in 1888. and is still in the active practice. He has been in the harness for half a century, though the date of his graduation from the Cincinnati Medical College was not until 1885. the state law prior to that time not requiring a medical diploma.
The subject of this sketch received a good common school education, supple- mented by attendance at the State Agricul- tural College and the Noble School of Elo-
cution and English Literature at Detroit, and then determined to take up the study of medicine, to which end he entered the American Eclectic Medical College in Cin- cinnati, where he was graduated in 1895. The same year he came to Roscommon and entered upon the active practice, in which he has achieved a most satisfactory and grat- ifying success. He makes a specialty of sur- gery and has exhibited therein a skill and 'aptness above the average, his services being required over a wide extent of northern Michigan. He is a member of the O. M. C. O. R. O. County Medical Society, the Michigan State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, having been for three years the secretary of the first- named body and is the regular correspon- dent of the state society for this county. He is a valued contributor to several medical publications. his articles being read with in- terest and appreciation by the profession. Dr. Curnalia has for eight years been the efficient county physician.
At Roscommon, Dr. Curnalia was united in marriage with Miss Linna Carpenter, of this place, the daughter of Charles Carpen- ter, a former merchant but now retired. Fraternally he is a member of Roscommon Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is master, and is also a member of Bay City Lodge, No. 88, Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks. In politics he gives a stanch support to the Republican party and aids in every way possible all movements having for their object the welfare of the community. Possessing a strong personal- ity and a genial and companionable disposi- tion, he has gained many warm friends throughout this section of the state and is held in high esteem by all who know him.
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. ALFRED R. WEIR.
Occupying a number of important posi- tions of trust and responsibility, and per- forming his multitudinous duties with effi- ciency and entire satisfaction, the subject of this sketch has long occupied a high position in the community of his residence. He has been a resident of Au Sable, Iosco county, Michigan, since 1877, and has therefore borne his full share of the labor and effort incident to the advancement of this section. Mr. Weir was born in Glen Allen, Welling- ton county, Ontario, Canada, August 9, 1859, and is the son of David C. and Cath- erine (Ptolmey) Weir, both parents having been born in Scotland, the father in Inver- ness-shire and the mother in Forfarshire. The subject commenced his active career at the early age of thirteen years, entering a ticket broker's office in Cleveland, Ohio, but subsequently was for a time employed by a tobacco firm. He then entered the employ of H. M. Loud & Sons Lumber Company and has been continuously with them since in various capacities. He located in Au Sable in 1877 and from that time to the present has been closely identified with many movements looking to the best inter- ests of the community. He has charge of the land books and files of the H. M. Loud's Sons Company, looking after taxes, tax titles, original titles and abstracts. He is also abstracter for the H. M. Loud's Sons Company, who have for sale one hundred and twenty thousand acres of Michigan land. During the last few years they have sold forty thousand acres, fifteen thousand acres having been disposed of in 1904. When it is noted that the deeds and abstracts of all this property pass through the subject's
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