USA > Michigan > Montcalm County > History of Montcalm County, Michigan its people, industries and institutions...with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families Volume II > Part 19
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David Friedt was reared on the home farm and remained there until after his marriage, removing with his family to Michigan in 1885 and immediately locating on the farm where he still resides. On April 22. 1868, he was married to Mary Eliza Brown, danghter of William and Elizabeth Brown, and they are the parents of six children, whose names follow : James William, of Maple Valley, Michigan; John Franklin. deceased : Clarence E., a resident of Flint, Michigan : Zola, wife of Orange VanZile. now living in Ft. Wayne, Indiana; George C., living in Flint. Michigan, and Florence E .. now Mrs. Clifford Ermitage, of Maple Valley township. Mary Eliza Brown was born in Allen county. Indiana, and her mother was a native of Pennsylvania. Both David Friedt and his wife are members of the United Brethren church of Maple Valley, Michigan. and are active in class work. David Friedt having been the superintendent of the Sunday school for a great many years. Politically, he is a Prohibi- tionist and has served his community in the capacity of school treasurer for one term.
James W. Friedt was fourteen years of age when his parents removed to Michigan and he is indebted to the schools of Allen county, Indiana, as well as to those of Maple Valley, Michigan, for the education which he received. Hle remained at home until he reached maturity, at which time he married Millie Buchanan, the ceremony being solemnized on March 30. 1892. Millie Buchanan was born on December 8. 1871. in Maple Valley township. this county, and is the daughter of Robert L. and Emily M. (Baker ) Buchanan. She was reared and educated in her native township.
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Herself and husband are active members of the United Brethren church. being leaders of the Sunday school and ardent supporters of the church interests. James W. Friedt is now serving as trustee of this denomination. Ile is an earnest worker for the Republican party, taking great interest in each election.
Robert 1. Buchanan, father of Millie B. ( Buchanan ) Friedt, was born on October 12. 1832. in Pennsylvania, while his wife is a native of New York state. her birth having occurred on March 19, 1836, in Tompkins comty. Her death occurred in 1908. She was married in the state of her nativity and removed to Michigan in 1863, where her husband enlisted in Company B. of the Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the Civil War. Nine children were born to the mion of Robert L. and Emily M. ( Baker ) Buchanan, of whom are now living: Oscar D., of Stanton, Michigan: Hattie, wife of Byron Gage: Betsey, wife of Homer llnff : Alban, deceased: Estella, deceased wife of James Hayes; Lottie ; John, living in Cowden Lake: Cora, wife of George Wheeler. and Millic, wife of James W. Friedt.
OTTO C. WALDO.
In the character of Otto C. Waldo is found the type of business man whose interests are largely centered upon the development of the commun- ity in which he lives. A native of Montcalm county, there is no aspect of its industrial prosperity with which he is not familiar. He whose name initiates this sketch was born on April 17. 1888, at Amble, Michigan, on the old Wakdo homestead in Winfield township, of Montcalm county. His parents, Louis and Lena (Lapper ) Waldo, were natives of Germany and were reared in the vicinity of the city of Berlin. As a young man the father of the subject of this sketch served in the German army, where he ranked as an officer, a position which carries with it a great deal of precedence in the Rhine country. He fought in the German war of forty-six years ago and after his retirement from service, at the close of the conflicts. obtained a place as manager of an extensive and wealthy estate, where he acted as foreman over a mimuber of workmen. After his marriage, which was solemnized in his native land. Louis Waldo came to this country with his wife, which was probably in the year 1875. Upon arriving in the United
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States they were attracted to the Middle West, and as a result settled in Ft. Wayne. Indiana. Here the resources of Mr. Waldo were exhausted and he was obliged to seek a place of employment at once. He used the last part of his savings on a trip to Howard City, Michigan, where he met with success and later sent for his wife to join him. In this new location he worked at several forms of employment for a period of seven years and during that time accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to purchase a farm consisting of eighty acres. He lived on the farm until the time of his death, and during his life as a farmer added two hundred acres of land to the original tract of eighty acres.
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Waldo became the parents of the following chil- dren : William, who died when a child: Minnie, who became the wife of Richard Wecker. a business man of Amble: Charles, who resides with his mother on the homestead; Lewis, who lives on part of the old homestead ; August. a farmer of Winfield township and also a landowner in Mecosta county. and Otto C., who is the subject of this sketch.
Otto (. Waldo was educated in the common schools of Winfield town- ship, and after completing the course assisted his father with the work on the farm until he was twenty years of age. He then came to Andble. Michigan, where he has been identified with the business world ever since. The various lines of activity in which the subject of this sketch has been engaged have made bim a well-known figure in the community and a friend to all classes. He is interested principally in the buying of produce and aside from this deals in coal and lumber. He is also prominently identified with the Farmers Elevator Company. Mr. Waldo has been in business for himself since 1908, and since that time has added to his reputation as a man of executive ability.
The marriage of Otto C. Waldo to Dora Larson, the daughter of Mads Larson, and a native of Michigan, took place on June 4. 1908. Her parents were born in Demnark. Mrs. Waldo has become the mother of the following children : Lawrence. Donald Raymond and Crystal Hannah.
In his political interests the subject of this sketch has always given loyal support to the principles of the Republican party. He is also deeply interested in educational affairs, and for three years acted as school director in his school district. In fraternal affairs. Mr. Waldo holds membership in Howard City Lodge No. 329. Free and Accepted Masons, and since twenty years of age has been enrolled with the Canadian Life Endowment Company.
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CHARLES WALKLEY LAADU.
Charles Walkley LaDu, editor of the Crystal Mail, at Crystal, this county, was born on January 20. 1873. son of George Jacob and Catherine ( Minore) LaDo, who for years have been living on a farm near Coral. this county, prominent and influential residents of that section, the former of whom is the son of the late Rev. Stalham W. LaDu, minister of the Gospel and legislator, who for many years was one of the most influential men in this section of the state, in a biographical sketch of whom, presented else- where in this volume, is set out at some detail something of the genealogy of this family.
Charles W. LaDu was but an infant when his parents came to Mont- calm county in 1874. and he was ten years of age when they moved to Manitoba, where they remained for about fourteen years on a farm. Hle therefore was reared to the life of the farm. When he was twenty-four years of age he moved to Munising, in the upper peninsula of Michigan. where his father was for some years engaged as supervisor of the state hospital for the insane at Newberry. He learned the printer's trade at Munising. While there, in 1800, he married and the next year, 1900, returned to this county. the home of his boyhood, and bought the Crystal Mail, which had but recently been established in the pleasant village of Crystal, and has been owner and editor of the paper ever since, during which time he has made it a strong and influential newspaper. The build- ing in which Mr. LaDu houses his excellent newspaper and printing plant was constructed especially for that purpose and leaves little, if anything. to be desired along that line. Mr. LaDn is constantly seeking to improve his plant and his paper and his mechanical equipment is as good as any in a town the size of Crystal in the state of Michigan; his work in the printing line consequently being np-to-date and of high grade. His newspaper serves a wide territory hereabout. the nearest newspapers being at Carson City and Stanton, and therefore has a fine circulation, its high tone and excellent qualities as a newspaper commanding in its behalf the respect and admira- tion of a large circle of faithful readers in the territory it so admirably covers.
Mr. LaDu for years has taken a close personal interest in the political affairs of this county and district. He served as secretary of the Montcalm county Republican committee for two years and as chairman of the same for two years, while for four years he was a member of the Republican
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committee for this congressional district and for the past fifteen years has been the committeeman for his party in Crystal township. On September 1. 1909. he was appointed deputy state oil inspector and served in that important public capacity for five years and two months. He is now treas- urer of Crystal township and in other ways has shown his interest in behalf of the public service, being regarded as one of the most active and public- spirited citizens of Montcalm county.
In 1800 Charles W. LaDu was mited in marriage, at Munising, this state, to Ada Lonise Branch, who was born at Otisville, Michigan, daughter of M. F. and Mary Louise ( Graham) Branch, the latter of whom died when Mrs. LaDu was a small girl. M. F. Branch moved to Munising when his daughter was a girl of about seventeen years, and there engaged in the lumber business and was later made town marshal, which official position he filled for several years. Mr. Branch died in Denver, Colorado, in which city he was engaged as a building contractor during the later years of his life. To Mr. and Mrs. LaDu one child has been born, a son. Stalham Walkley, born in 1909.
Mr. LaDn is a Mason and an Odd Fellow and has filled all the offices in the local lodges of those two orders and is also a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, and both he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star and of the Daughters of Rebekah, Mrs. LaDn having filled the office of worthy matron of the local lodge of the Order of the Eastern Star, and Mr. LaDu, worthy patron of the same. Both take their proper place in the various social and cultural activities of the community and are held in high regard among their many friends.
NATHAN' O. BOYLAN.
Nathan O. Boylan. of Maple Valley township. Monteah county. Michigan, is both respected as a citizen and as a farmer and though quiet and unassuming in his manner, has won many friends throughout the con- munity in which he lives. He is the son of Charles and Sarah ( Parker ) Boylan, and his birth occurred on March 28. 1879. in Pine township. of this county. Both parents were natives of Pennsylvania and came, each with their parents, to Pine township. Montcalm county, Michigan, where their marriage was solemized. Charles Boylan died in 1911 but his wife still resides on the home place, which consists of forty acres. They were
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the parents of three children, two of whom are now living. namely: Nathan (. and Glen M .. the latter being engaged in the cultivation of the home place.
Nathan (. Boylan was reared on the home farm and received his edu- cation in the district schools of Pine township. On August 23, 1897, he was united in marriage to Lula Gage, and to them have been born these children : Charles, born on January 11. 1899. a graduate of the graded schools; Leonard. Angust 23. 1900: Grace. July 28. 1902; Stanley, January 13. 1907. and Alice. August 19. 1912. Nathan O. Boylan is a charter member of the Modern Woodmen of America and carries insurance in this order. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat, and is a director of the school board in this township. In the agricultural field he is engaged in general farming and in the breeding of "Victor" hogs.
JAMES H. KNAPP.
James H. Knapp. prominent farmer and dairyman, and a man well known for his part in the affairs of Winfield township. Montcahn county, Michigan, was born in Steuben county, Indiana, November 30, 1861, the son of O. J. and Armina ( Edmunds ) Knapp.
O. J. Knapp grew to maturity in New York state, and when a young man moved to Noble county, Indiana, where he lived until 1862, and then, his wife having died. Mr. Knapp enlisted with an Indiana regiment for service in the Civil War and was with the armies of Generals Grant and Sherman until the end of the war. After his discharge from military service. Mr. Knapp came to the state of Michigan and located at Howard (ity, where he conducted a store for a number of years. O. J. and Ermina Knapp were the parents of two children: Henrietta, who is deceased. and James IT .. the subject of this sketch.
James Il. Knapp. after the death of his mother, became a part of the household of the Zigler family, of Noble county. Indiana. where he was educated and with whom he lived until twenty-eight years of age. when Mr. Knapp was married. after which he came to Howard City. Montcalm county. Michigan, and worked in the store of his father for about two years. Later. James H. Knapp purchased forty acres of land in Winfield township, a place which he improved and a farm to which he has added land at various times until now he is the owner of two hundred acres of
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land in sections 9 and 17. of Winfield township. On his excellent farm, James H. Knapp now is extensively engaged in general farming, in the raising of high-grade Holstein cattle and in the dairy business.
On February 11. 1890, James HI. Knapp was married to Myrtie Fike, a daughter of James and Sarah ( Lint ) Fike, of Noble county, Indiana. To the marriage of James 11. and Myrtie Knapp have been born four chil- dren : Mabel, who died in infancy; Alta May, who is the wife of Benja- min Englebretson; Ilazen Harold, who lives at home, and Ruby, who died in infancy.
In politics, Mr. Knapp is a Republican, although he has not aspired to public office, preferring to serve as a private citizen and as a worker in the ranks of his party. James H. Knapp is one of the highly respected citizens of Montcalm county, his pleasing ways and unselfish nature having won for him a host of friends.
GEORGE A. ARBOGAST.
George A. Arbogast is one of the leading agriculturists and citizens of Montcalm county, Michigan. the Arbogast farm, which he owns and man- ages, being known as one of the best in this section. It is located southeast of Howard City, Michigan, and one mile west of the town of Coral. A specialty is made of breeding purebred Roan Shorthorn cattle, and "Gor- don" is the leader of the herd. George A. Arbogast has also been elected to serve in office and is now acting as treasurer of the school board. His birth occurred on October 10, 1868. in Canada, and his parents were Mich- acl and Margaret ( Brimmer) Arbogast, both natives of that dominion. where their marriage was solenmized. They removed to Michigan in 1880 and located on three hundred and twenty acres of land which they purchased. This property was located in sections 8 and 7. in Maple Valley township. of this county, and here they remained until his death, in 1885. Margaret ( Brunner ) Arbogast reared her family of children and operated the farm until her death, in 1908. Of the nine children born to this union eight are now living: John, a speculator on the board of trade in Chicago, Illinois; Edward, a farmer of l'ine Grove township. Montcalm county; George . 1. ; Emma. wife of George Hinkle, a farmer living in Pierson township: Clara. wife of Andrew Voss, who is a resident of Lake county, Michigan : Mary. wife of Martin Straight, of Carson City, Michigan: Michael. a farmer of Maple Valley township, of this county: Margaret, deceased, and Carrie,
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wife of George Rader. of Pierson township. All of these children were born in Canada, with the exception of Carrie, who was born in this county.
George A. Arbogast was twelve years of age when his parents came to Montcalm county and is indebted to the schools of Canada, as well as to those of this locality, for the education which he received. On January 15, 1006, he was married to Blanch Edgar, a native of Cato township, of this county, and they became the parents of one child. Robert G., whose birth occurred on February 16, 1907. Blanch ( Edgar) Arbogast was educated in the graded schools of Cato township and in the high school of Lake View. Michigan. George A. Arbogast is an able farmer and there are no finer farm buildings in this county than those which meet all needs of com- fort on this one-hundred-and-sixty-acre place.
J. E. SKEOCIT.
J. E. Skeoch is a very efficient farmer, a progressive citizen and a man of character. Of Canadian birth and of Scotch descent, he has proven himself a worthy representative of his chosen calling, and in all walks of life he is respected by those who know him. He is the son of John and Christena (Soules) Skeoch, and was born on June 18. 1867. John Skeoch was born in Scotland, emigrating to Canada with his parents when but three years of age. His wife was a native of Canada, and they were mar- ried in that dominion, removing to Michigan in 1867. They located in Kent county for a short time and then located in Maple Valley township. Monteahn county, where they remained. It was in this place that the death of John Skeoch occurred and where the mother died on February 6. 1916. They were the parents of four children: Minnie, wife of E. Durkee, of Maple Valley township: J. E .: Robert M .. a farmer living on the home- stead, and Bertie, who married Jay Cooper, and is a resident of Kent county. Michigan.
J. F. Skeoch was but six months of age when he became a resident of this state and was reared and educated in the locality where he still resides. Hle attended school until he was seventeen years of age, remaining with his parents until he reached bis majority. At the age of twenty-eight years he formed a partnership with E. T. Sonles, which partnership continued for some time. He is a self-made man and owes his success to his own ability.
On September 20, 1880. J. E. Skeoch was united in marriage to Blanch
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Cryster, daughter of George and Lydia Cryster, and they are the parents of the children whose names follow: W. J., a graduate of the Ferris Insti- tute, in which institution he took a commercial course, and J. Ambrose, who is a student in the local high school. In his fraternal relations, J. E. Skeoch is a member of the Trufant Lodge No. 456. Free and Accepted Masons. Politically, he is a Republican, holding the office of highway com- missioner and school director. The farm which he owns and manages con- sists of one hundred acres of well-improved land. known as the "Maple V'alley Farm," and is devoted to general agriculture and stock raising. This place is located sontheast of the town of Coral. Michigan, and is known for the high grade of Belgian horses which have become a specialty with its owner.
HENRY LUTTERLOH.
Henry Lutterloh. widely known and highly respected farmer of Win- field township, Montcalm county, where he cultivates one of the best improved and most desirable farms of the community, was born in Ger- many. Jme 15. 1840, living in his native country as farmer and as a soldier. until as a young man he came to America, working his way to this country on a steamboat.
On reaching America. Henry Lutterloh located in New York state, where he was employed in a glass factory for some time. after which he came to Montcalm county, Michigan, in 1871. and worked in the woods near Howard City a few years. Later. Mr. Lutterloh became a farmer, at the time of his marriage taking charge of forty acres of land which was owned by his wife, a place which Henry Lutterloh improved and to which he added land until now Mr. Intterloh is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of valuable and in Winfield township. Montcalm county. As a progressive farmer. Henry Intterloh has taken great interest and pride in the development of his farm into one of the most modern and convenient places for agricultural life to be found in the county, having erected one of the best equipped and arranged barns, as well as a large and suitable silo for the care of his products.
During the year 1878 Henry Lutterloh was married to Reka Schnick, who was born in Germany. To this marriage have been born ten children. eight of whom are living: Willie, Otto. Fred. Henry, Anna. Mary, Her- man and Hattie. Mr. Lutterloh and his family are active members of the
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German Lutheran church, Mr. Lutterloh being prominent and influential in the affairs and in the worship of this congregation. Henry Lutterloh has occupied several offices of his church and is highly honored for his part and for his devotion to the church of his choice. Mrs. Lutterloh died on June 14. 1915, after a long and useful life.
The life of Henry Intterloh is a fair example of perseverance and devotion to purpose, with the result that he is today one of the prosperous farmers of the county. Coming to America without means and by honesty and fair dealing to have risen to a place of note among the agriculturists of Montcalm county, he has shown himself to be a man of unusual worth to the community.
In politics, Mr. Lutterloh is a Republican and although he has taken no especial part in the political or official life of the community, he is known as a man who supports good men for office, and as a man who lends of his time and efforts for the promotion of good citizenship and honest effort in official life.
JOHN H. FENDER.
John HI. Fender, farmer and business man of Maple Valley township, Montcalm county, Michigan, is a worthy representative of the commercial and agricultural interests of the county and is highly respected as a citizen. He owns and manages a farm of eighty acres and at the same time operates a plant for the manufacture of concrete burial vaults, also making concrete blocks and bricks. This industry is located on his place, which is known as "Willow Farm," and is situated northwest of the town of Coral. He was born on July 18, 1878. in Henry county, Ohio, and is the son of Mich- ael and Lanra (Hubert ) Fender. Michael Fender was a native of Ger- many, while his wife was born in New York state, of German and English descent. They removed to Tonia county, Michigan, in 1880. and in 1894 they located in Maple Valley township, Montcalm county. They purchased a farm which was situated southeast of the town of Coral, remaining there for a period of four years, and then removed to Mecosta county, Michigan, where they lived until death. Of the seven children born of their union, only five are now living: Emma, wife of Peter Desgranges; Daisy, widow of Charles Spence; Della, wife of E. A. Desgranges; John H .; Clara, wife of Alexander Dangler.
(14h)
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John H. Fender was reared on the home place and remained under the parental roof until he reached his majority, receiving his education in the district schools of Montealm county. On December 8, 1897. he was mar- ried to Gertrude Fisher, a native of Coral, Michigan, and to their union have been born six children: Marion, Clarence, Grace, Ruth, James and Melvina. John H. Fender and his wife are members of the Congregational church. In his fraternal relations, he is affiliated with the Modern Wood- men of America, and in his political life he is a stanch Republican, and has served as highway commissioner for one year.
REV. STAALHAM W. LADU.
In the annals of Monteahn county there are few names more distin- guished or more highly entitled to honor than that of the late Rev. Stalham W. LaDu, for many years one of the most conspicuous figures in the Meth- odist church in the North country and a state legislator of commanding influence in Michigan. Worn by years of continuous and incessant activity in behalf of the church, whose canse ever was dear to his heart, the Rev. Stalham W. LaDu sought the health-giving breath of the great forests hereabout in the early seventies and in the lumber woods found physical restoration. ever after making Montcalm county his home. As was but natural to one of his vigorous intellect. he early became a dominant factor in the social and civic development of this section and as a member of the state Legislature performed a signal service in behalf of the people of Michigan. At the close of Mr. LaDu's second term of legislative service. the Detroit Free Press editorially commended him as having been "as faith- ful and efficient a legislator as ever held a seat in the Michigan House of Representatives." Ever an earnest advocate of temperance, his service in that behalf during his presence in the House proved particularly valuable to the people of the state and his name, during that period, became a house- hold word throughont all Michigan, many of the laws now on the statute books regulating the liquor traffic in this state having been put there mainly through his zealous efforts. As has been so fitly said of hin, the Rev. Stalham W. LaDu "was a man of profound convictions and possessed in a remarkable degree the graces that make a man strong and at the same time attractive. In character he was a clean and consistent gentleman."
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