USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun County, Michigan, a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume II > Part 76
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Egbert E. Page is indebted to the public schools of his native city for his early educational discipline, which included the curriculum of the high school. As a young man he was identified with agricultural pursuits for a time and finally he became associated with his brother William L. in the manufacturing of vehicles, the enterprise having been founded in 1869, by William L. Page, who began operations on a modest scale. Egbert E. was admitted to partnership in 1882, and for the pur- pose of expanding the commercial facilities of the business, which had grown to be one of most substantial order, the present stock company was organized in July, 1890, the co-operation of other representative business men having been enlisted and the business having then been incorporated under the present title of the Page Brothers Buggy Com- pany. Operations are based on a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars,
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and the original executive corps was as here noted: William L. Page, president; Charles Cronin, vice-president; William Connor, second vice- president; Egbert E. Page, secretary ; and John A. Bentley, treasurer. The Page brothers now control the stock of the company, with William L. as president and Egbert E. as secretary and treasurer. The enterprise has been built up to large proportions and the plant of the company is one of modern order, the main building being of brick and sixty by four hundred feet in dimensions. It is three stories in height and is eligibly located on the Michigan Central Railroad. The company manufactures high grade vehicles, with a capacity of five thousand carriages annually, and a specialty is made of car-load lots, the trade of the concern extend- ing into the most diverse sections of the Union, and its unassailable repu- tation constituting its best commercial asset. . In the general industrial chapter of this publication further reference is made to this progressive and representative enterprise.
Besides having been actively concerned with the upbuilding of the large and prosperous business of the Page Brothers Buggy Company, Egbert E. Page has identified himself with other business enterprises in his home city and is known as a loyal, progressive and public-spirited citizen. In politics he accords a staunch allegiance to the Prohibition party, but he is essentially a business man and has had no predilection for the honors or emoluments of public office, though ever ready to lend his influence and tangible aid in the furtherance of measures and enterprises projected for the general good of the community. Both he and his wife are most zealous and valued members of the First Metho- dist church of Marshall, and he has been a member of its board of trustees for fully a quarter of a century, besides which he served for a number of years as superintendent of its Sunday school. His fine modern resi- dence, at 604 West Prospect street, is one of the most attractive in the city, and is a center of gracious and unostentatious hospitality.
On the 2nd of November, 1881, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Page to Miss Etta Hepner, who was born at Knox, Indiana, and who is a daughter of the late M. T. Hepner, an honored citizen of Knox, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Page became the parents of six children, of whom four are living,-Forest E., identified with the Page Brothers Buggy Company, Ethel M., Pearl E. and Franklin L.
WILLIAM GARDNER. In spite of the handicap of crude tools, poor irrigation and wild, untamed land, the farmers of fifty years ago were able, through their knowledge of agricultural methods and conditions, by hard work and untiring perseverance, to make their farms yield good crops, and the man who kept everlastingly at it was able to amass a competence for his later years. In these days, however, the work is not so hard, nor the success so difficult to gain, for the farmers of today, profiting by the experiences and mistakes of those who have gone before them, and being assisted in their work by the wonderful power machinery of this age, have learned to cultivate their land , scientifically, and as a result are making records in the raising of crops that should make those of former years look to their laurels. One of the successful agriculturists of Homer township, Calhoun county, whose good judgment, industry and general training have made him one of the leaders in agricultural work in his section, is William Gardner, the owner of a well-cultivated property of 100 acres. Mr. Gardner is thoroughly conversant with conditions in this part of the county, as he was born on the farm on which he now resides, and with the excep- tion of a few years spent in travel has spent his life here. He was born September 5, 1860, and is a son of Barney A. and Larettie (Stookey) Gardner.
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Barney A. Gardner, who was affectionately known by his neighbors as "Uncle Barney," was born in New Jersey, July 28, 1820, and as a lad of less than seventeen years came to Michigan, where he arrived May 26, 1837. He at once entered the employ of Powell Grover, and during the next thirteen years worked on his farm and in his mill, at the end of that period being able to purchase the farm now owned by his son, William, then a tract of eighty acres. He spent the remainder of his life in cultivating this land, and died on. his farm August 1, 1895, one of his community's most highly respected citizens. He was married in Michigan to Larettie Stookey, who was born April 4, 1822, in Pennsylvania, and she died January 3, 1872, having been the mother of one child, William.
William Gardner received his education in the district schools, the high school at Concord, Michigan, and the normal school at Valparaiso, Indiana. On completing his schooling he went on an extended trip through the west, visiting Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado, and after six years spent in various occupations and in familiarizing himself with agricultural conditions and methods, returned to the home farm, which he has since continued to cultivate. He has devoted him- self to general farming and has made numerous improvements on the home property, including the erection of new buildings, among which is a handsome barn. He is considered one of the substantial men of his community, where his sterling integrity has won the confidence of his fellow townsmen, and has many friends throughout the township. In his political views he is a Republican, but he has never desired pub- lic office.
In 1894 Mr. Gardner was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Bill- man, daughter of Nathan and Evelyn (Fayler) Billman, the former of whom still resides in Homer township, while the latter passed away in June, 1879. Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gardner : De Witt and Clair, both living at home.
WILFRID HAUGHEY, M. D. Man's greatest prize on earth is physical health and vigor; nothing deteriorates mental activity so quickly as prolonged sickness-hence the broad field for human helpfulness af- forded in the medical profession. The successful doctor requires some- thing more than mere technical training,-he must be a man of broad sympathy and genial kindliness, capable of inspiring hope and faith in the heart of his patient. Such a man is he whose name initiates this review. Since 1906 Dr. Haughey has been engaged in the practice of his profession at Battle Creek, Michigan, where he makes a specialty of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat.
Dr. Wilfrid Haughey was born in Ross township, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, the date of his nativity being the 10th of August, 1880. He is a son of Dr. W. H. Haughey, with whom he is associated in practice and concerning whose career a sketch appears on other pages of this work so that further data in regard to the family history is not re- quired at this point. The first in order of birth in a family of six chil- dren, Dr. Wilfrid Haughey received his rudimentary educational dis- cipline in the public schools of Battle Creek. Subsequently he attended the Battle Creek high school, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1900. He was matriculated as a student in the University of Michigan in the fall of 1900 and was graduated in the literary de- partment of that institution in 1904, duly receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Soon thereafter he entered the Detroit College of Medicine, in which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, in 1906. Also in this year he received the degree of M. A., from the Detroit College, now the Detroit University. He initiated the
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active practice of his profession at Battle Creek, in 1906, and since that time has been associated with his father, who controls a large and lucra- tive general practice, while he devotes his attention to diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. In connection with the work of his profession Dr. Haughey is a member of the Michigan State Medical Society, of which he is secretary, and he is also affiliated with the Calhoun County Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is con- nected with the Detroit Otolaryngological Society ; the American Acad- emy of Medicine and the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology. He is editor of the Journal of the Michigan State Medical Society and was recently appointed, by President Taft, as First Lieutenant of the Medical Reserve Corps of the United States army. He is a member of the Phi Beta Pi Medical Fraternity, the National Geographic Society, the Athelstan Club of Battle Creek, and in his political convictions is a stalwart in the ranks of the Republican party.
At Sand Lake, Michigan, June 27, 1907, was solemnized the mar- riage of Dr. Haughey to Miss Edythe L. Cowles, daughter of Clifton S. and Louise Cowles, of Sand Lake. Mrs. Haughey was born at Sand Lake and was graduated in the Greenville high school in 1901. She also attended the University of Michigan and for one year was a teacher in the Lowell schools, after which she taught for a similar period in the Greenville high school. Her father is a farmer in the vicinity of Sand Lake and she has two sisters, namely,-Mrs. R. R. Scott, of Ann Arbor; and Mrs. Arthur Penney, of Cadillac, Michigan. Dr. and Mrs. Haughey are the parents of three children,-Edythe Ellen, Wilfrid, Jr., and Clifton Francis, all of whom were born in Battle Creek, Michi- gan. In their religious faith the Haughey family are devout communi- cants of the Catholic church, being members of St. Philips church at Battle Creek. The home is maintained at No. 40 Poplar street and the Doctor's office is at No. 24 Main street, in the Kapp block. Dr. Haughey is a genial, kind-hearted man, one who is always considerate of others and who is ever lending a helping hand to those less for- tunately situated in life than himself. He is ever on the alert to give of his aid and influence in support of all measures and enterprises ad- vanced for the good of the general welfare and his civic attitude is characterized by loyalty and public spirit of the most insistent order.
JAMES STEPHEN UPTON. The name of James Stephen Upton is sig- nificant not only of the intrinsic character of the man, which was of an exceptionally high order; nor yet merely of that and the added im- portance of his influence on his city's growth and prosperity, which has been notable; but rather for these combined values, in view of the fact that his personality was one in which the stamina of race is demon- strated. Therefore an account of this lately deceased citizen of Battle Creek must be essentially a family history.
The Upton family is among those claiming most ancient lineage in the Anglo-Saxon world. At the time of the Norman conquest, they were settled in Cornwall, the known descent continuing in an unbroken line from the twelfth century to the period of John Upton. He was born in Cornwall in 1625 and became the founder of the Upton fam- ily in America. He came to America in 1652 and settled in the locality then called Salem Village, but now known as Danvers, Massachusetts. His wife was Eleanor Stuart, a scion of that Scottish family so conspic- uous in the heroism, the romance and the tragedy of British history. A descendant of John Upton was William Upton, who married Mary Morse, a cousin of Samuel F. B. Morse, that man of mingled gifts whose skill as an artist has been all but forgotten in the light of his fame as
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the inventor of the telegraph. A son of John Upton (IV) and his wife, was Daniel Upton, who was born in Dublin, New Hampshire, on the fourth day of December, 1796. His wife was Electa Fifield Randall, who was born in Danville, Vermont, on the eighth of August, 1888, and who was the daughter of Samuel Fifield, a Revolutionary patriot of considerable distinction. Both Daniel Upton and his wife died in the year 1888, at the family homestead near Batavia, New York. This old homestead was, on the twenty-second day of July, 1831, the birthplace of James Stephen Upton, to whom this sketch is dedicated. The place, which is a station on the Lehigh Valley Railroad, is now known as Upton Station.
Before viewing the career of James Stephen Upton, we will briefly outline that of his brother, Major General Emory Upton, whose name is so well known in the military world. His prominence grew steadily during the Civil war. After his graduation at West Point in 1861 he served in the army of the Potomac and in Georgia and Alabama. He at- tained the rank of brigadier-general in 1864 and from 1870 to 1875 was commandant of cadets at West Point. He was sent around the world by the United States government on a tour for investigating the military systems of Europe and Asia. On his return in 1876 he wrote out his scheme for a military system for the United States-one which embodied what he considered the best and most adaptable features of the armies of the countries he had visited. For some years the manu- script lay in the archives of the war department at Washington. When the Honorable Elihu Root became secretary of war, he recommended its adoption. Mr. Taft, who succeeded Secretary Root, accomplished its adoption and today the army is regulated by it. At the laying of the corner-stone of the War College in Washington, General Upton was given full credit for the plan. Another conspicuous honor which has been recently accorded General Upton is the naming of a Hawaiian military post Fort Upton. He has been widely known as a military tactician from the time of the Civil war; he was the author of "A New System of Infantrv Tactics," published in 1867, and of "Armies of Asia and Europe," published in 1878.
James Upton received his earlier education in the public schools. He later attended Oberlin College, from which he was graduated. He then entered the Poughkeepsie Law School, completing his course in the year 1855, after which he came to Battle Creek to practice his pro- fession.
On June third, 1857, he was married to Miss Viola Vernette Packer, who was born July 25th, 1838, and who was a daughter of Edward and Rachel (Platt) Packer, the father being a native of Guilford, Ver- mont. A family of fine attainments grew up about them, but it was Mr. Upton's misfortune to lose his life's companion twenty years before his own demise. Mrs. Upton died in Mobile, Alabama, in 1879.
From the time of James Stephen Upton's coming to Battle Creek to the time of his death, he was closely identified with all its worthy activities. Until 1860 he practiced his profession, being twice elected city attorney. But he had gradually become interested in the business interests of Battle Creek and in 1860 he left the practice of law and identified himself with the Upton Threshing Machine company of which he was made president and the signal success of which has been largely due to his ability and discrimination. Those characteristics, combined with certain others which make for good statesmanship, led the friends and fellow-townsmen of James Stephen Upton to desire his activity in the political world. In 1878 he received from his party the nomina- tion for congress, although their minority in this section made an elec-
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tion practically impossible. He was again honored by the Democratic party, both during one of the Cleveland campaigns and in that of Palmer, Bryan and Mckinley, by being placed on the electoral ticket. He is remembered by earlier citizens of Battle Creek as one of its post- masters and as one who served as alderman at two different times when strong hands and intelligent minds were needed in such offices. In these and many other ways Mr. Upton's interests were closely inter- woven with those of the city which was his chosen home during the years of his greatest efficiency. In religious affiliation he was a member of the Congregational church, of which he was an important supporter. His death occurred at home at 281 Upton avenue, on the fourth of March, 1899.
Since not only in his deeds, but also in his children does a man live after his earthly presence is no longer physically perceptible, the de- voted children who survive their father must in their continuation of family characteristics and their furtherance of worthy activities seem a fitting sequel to an account of James Upton's personal achievements. Four children were born to him and his wife. Edward Frank Up- ton, the eldest, was born on the 31st of May, 1859, and was married to Jessie Peters of Chicago, on January 8, 1890. Two years later, in Mentone, France, where he had gone with his wife in the hope of re- gaining his failing health, he passed from life February 25, 1892. His remains were brought to Battle Creek for burial. Among the distin- guishing activities of his too short life was his organization of the Athel- stan Club of Battle Creek of which he was elected the first president ; it is considered one of the finest men's clubs in the state.
Marie Rachel Upton was born on the eleventh day of June, 1862. She was educated at Ingham University in LeRoy, New York, from which famous old school she was graduated in 1883. In 1887 she went to New York City for further study, with a particular view to develop- ing her artistic talent. To Florence, Italy, that Mecca of artists and art lovers she later went for the superior training of the masters there. On the 14th of April, 1898, she was married to Henry Martyn Strong, of Battle Creek. He was the son of Martin Dewey Strong, his birth- place being Pawlett, Vermont and his natal day the 13th of August, 1848. His father was also a native of Pawlett, where for several years he was judge of the probate court; his mother, Delia Maria Short, of Granville, New York, died in 1872. Henry Martyn Strong has been well known as a member of the firm of J. S. Upton and Company. Mrs. Strong is a charter member and has for several years been respectively regent and vice-regent of the Battle Creek chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
,The third child of James S. Upton was Martha Platt Upton, who was born December 16, 1864, and died nine days later. The youngest daughter, Grace Marie Louise Upton, was born on the ninth of De- cember, 1865. She was educated in the public schools and in the Ing- ham University at LeRoy, New York, from which she was graduated in 1885. She is the present regent of the D. A. R. On the 25th of De- cember, 1889, she was married to Charles Francis Bathrick, a son of Doctor Freeborn Bathrick and Georgiana Rowley, of the state of New York. He has been for many years connected with the Nichols & Shep- ard Company of Battle Creek, he is also prominent in social circles of the city, having been chairman of the Athelstan Club entertainment committee for the past twenty-two years and having been the latest in- cumbent of its presidential chair.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bathrick-the grandchildren of J. S. Upton-are three in number. Viola Georgiana Bathrick was born on
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April 21st, 1891. She was graduated from the Battle Creek high school in 1909 and attended Miss Mason's well-known school, "The Castle" at Tarrytown-on-the-Hudson, in New York. Donald Upton Bathrick was born on the 4th of March, 1893; and Frances Grace Bath- rick was born on the 27th day of July, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Bathrick reside in the Upton homestead, at No. 281 of the avenue which bears Mr. Upton's name.
ELLIS R. SMITH. One of the very interesting chapters in the his- tory of any city is concerned with its theatrical and artistic activities, its recreations. No one citizen of Battle Creek is better informed as to these activities, and has been more influential in promoting and direct- ing them, than Mr. E. R. Smith, who has been manager of the Post Theatre since its premier opening, was for many years manager of the old Hamblin Opera House, and for a quarter of a century has been the local manager for the principal amusements furnished the people of this city. Mr. Smith is closely connected with the general business enterprise of the city, and has had an interesting and varied career in which his energy and strong initiative have enabled him to create out of small opportunities a large and responsible position in the com- munity.
Representing one of the old and prominent families of this part of Michigan, Ellis R. Smith was born in the town of Battle Creek, April 8, 1852. His father was Enos N. Smith and his mother Mary Ann (Phetteplace) Smith. Enos N. Smith was born in Genesee county, New York, February 21, 1821, and when a boy lost his father and then went to live in a stranger's home in that neighborhood. Acquiring" the trade of wagon-maker, he followed that occupation in the east, and on his emigration to Michigan and settlement at the town of Otsego he again found employment in the same line. At Jackson, this state, he married for his first wife Harriet Holden, who at her death left one son, Julian, now a resident of Jackson. After his wife's death, Enos N. Smith returned to New York and was employed as a railroad en- gineer when railroads were new. After a few years he again took up his residence in Michigan, and located at Battle Creek. Here he con- ducted, under the firm name of Smith and Gardner, one of the old wagon shops of this city, owning and occupying property at the corner of Monroe and State streets, where they did a wagon making, blacksmithing and painting business. This was a very complete shop for the time, turning out a high grade of light and heavy vehicles, and the firm name soon became a guarantee for solid and enduring work- manship. In this way Enos N. Smith became one of the most pros- perous business men of Battle Creek, and continued actively in the in- dustry until the close of the war, when he sold out to his partner. Be- ing an energetic man who could not endure idleness, he then entered the shops of the Nichols & Shepard Company, and was engaged in working on wheels for fourteen years, until failing health compelled his retirement. He died at the old home on 27 North avenue, May 2, 1896. He had purchased this home property on coming to the city, and built the residence which has been occupied by his wife for the last third of a century. He also bought a large tract of land on North ave- nue and erected the first house on McCamly street. He was an hon- orable and upright citizen, and was held in high esteem throughout the many years of his residence in this city. In politics he was a Demo- crat.
Enos N. Smith was married on March 12, 1851, to Miss Mary A. Phetteplace, at her home in Plainwell, Michigan. Mrs. Smith, who is
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now eighty-three years of a healthy old age, one of the venerable pioneer women of Michigan, resides with her daughter in the old home on North avenue in this city. She was born in Burlington, New York, October 17, 1828, a daughter of Eseck and Submit (De Costin) Phetteplace. Her father, who was born in Rhode Island, October 23, 1800, when a young man removed to New Berlin, New York, where in 1821 he wedded Miss De Costin, daughter of Ebenezer De Costin, a French nobleman and a man of superior education. Mrs. Smith's paternal grandfather was Samuel Phetteplace, whose wife, Lydia Williams, was a descend- ant of the famous Roger Williams, the original settler and founder of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Eseck Phetteplace, father of Mrs. Smith and maternal grandfather of Mr. E. R. Smith, was a Michigan pioneer whose career is identified with several localities in the southern part of this state. In New York he had been given a farm by his father, who was a wealthy man, but later he sold that place and moved first to Crawford county, Ohio, and thence to Michigan, settling at Coldwater in 1835. There he conducted a grist and saw mill as one of the important enterprises for that new community, and subsequently settled at Pine Creek in Allegan county, where he had one of the pioneer mills for two years. He then bought a farm near the village of Plainwell, in the same county. While living there his wife died, and after that he was engaged in the grocery busi- ness. The last years of his long and eventful life were spent in retire- ment, and he died at the home of a daughter in Plainwell, October 22, 1892.
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