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 22
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Z. D. Rule was but a lad when he came to Michigan with his father and he grew up on the farm in Gratiot county. He attended Ferris Institute
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two terms after the completion of his course in the common schools and for several years taught school and for four years was connected with the work of the state institution at Traverse City, after which, for a short time, he was engaged as a carpenter. In July. 1898, Mr. Rule enlisted in Company H, Thirty-fifth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, for service during the Spanish-American War, which regiment was encamped at Camp Meade, in Pennsylvania, until winter, afterward being encamped at Augusta, Georgia, where it spent the winter and was mustered ont in the spring of 1899. In July of the latter year % .. D. Rule enlisted in Company C, Thirtieth Regi- ment, United States Volunteers, for service in the Philippines and went out as a sergeant, remaining in that service until February, 1901, during which time he also served for some time as a member of the metropolitan police force in the islands. a force of men picked from the soldiers for special detail in Manila. Upon his return home at the close of his military service, Mr. Rule engaged in building contracting and was thus engaged for eight years. at the end of which time, in 1910. he entered into partnership with a merchant at Butternut. this county, in the general merchandise way, which partnership, however, continued but ten days, for during that time he recog- nized an opportunity to do better in the neighboring village of Crystal and, selling his interest in the Butternut store to his partner, went to Crystal, bought a general store and has ever since been engaged in business there. during which time he has built up an extensive trade and is regarded as one of the leading merchants of the town. He also is financially inter- ested in the cheese factory there and is otherwise interested in the general affairs of the community. Mr. Rule also has given proper attention to the civic affairs of that locality and for some time served as clerk of Crystal township.
In 1903 Zacharias D. Rule was united in marriage to Gertrude Hard- man, who was born in Richland county, Ohio. daughter of Francis M. and Dora A. (Goodwin) Hardman, who settled in North Shade township, Gra- tiot county, this state. in 1886. Mr. Hardiman was a carpenter in Ohio, but upon coming to this state bought a timber tract, cleared the same and there made a home, in which he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1912. His widow is now living at Middleton. Their daughter. Ger- trude, grew to womanhood on the home farm in North Shade township. attended high school at Carson City and the normal school at Mt. Pleasant and had been teaching school for about ten years at the time of her mar- riage to Mr. Rule. Mrs. Gertrude (Hardman) Rule died on December 21,
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1915. She was a faithful and devout member of the Christian church and was greatly mourned by all who knew her.
Mr. Rule is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the encampment of that order and takes a warm interest in both these branches of Oddfellowship.
ROBERT F. EMERSON.
One who has stood as a distinguished type of the state's productive workers is Robert F. Emerson, who has deeply impressed his influence upon the industrial life of the county in which he lives. He has been actively and prominently identified with business interests in Carson City for over twenty consecutive years and holds precedence in the community as one whose life has been marked by useful accomplishments. Robert F. Emer- son is a native of Hastings county, Ontario, Canada, where he was born on the 24th of September, 1857. He is the son of Robert and Margaret ( Rob- inson ) Emerson, both of whom were natives of Ireland. His father, who was born in County Fermanagh, was educated in his native land and upon arriving in this country settled in Canada, where he met his future wife, who had come to America in her childhood.
Robert F. Emerson was trained to the sturdy discipline of the farm and lived in Canada until 1882. when he came to Carson City and took up his residence on a farm one and one-half miles southwest of the place just mentioned. He began farming in this section of the state on forty acres of land, and continued to reside on the farm until the following spring. when he left for the Dakotas. In the West he took up three claims of land, each claim consisting of oue hundred and sixty acres. He remained in the West seven years. After selling out his farm interests in that locality, he returned to Carson City and has been occupied with a dray business here ever since. Mr. Emerson has achieved success in business through his own endeavors. He is a man of firm character who has lived up to the highest ideals of life in every field of activity in which he has been engaged and as a result is held in the highest regard by the citizens of the community in which he labors.
The marriage of Robert Emerson to Rose Ann McGee was solemnized in Canada. Mrs. Emerson, who is the daughter of Thomas McGee, was reared in Canada, on a farm near Sterling, Ontario. By her marriage to
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Mr. Emerson she has become the mother of the following children : Margie, who married Jay Gibbs, of Edmore, and who has one son, Robert; Jay R .. who resides in Detroit and who married Georgia Fritz; and Francis May, who is at home with her parents. It might be added that Jay Emerson is at the present time purchasing agent for the King Motor Car Company, of Detroit, and for a number of years was with the Oakland Company, serv- ing in the same capacity. Before taking up automobile work as a perma- nent occupation, Jay Emerson was in the offices of the Grand Trunk Rail- road Company. At the age of sixteen he was graduated from the Carson City high school and upon completing the course attended the Ferris Insti- tute for eighteen months. Margie is also a graduate of the Carson City high school and of Ferris Institute and before her marriage taught in the public schools, three terms of which were spent in Carson City. Frances May is at the present time attending school in Carson City. Mr. Emerson is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was treasurer several years. He and his wife are members of the Rebekahs and are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church.
WILL LYMAN WRIGHT.
Few men of Carson City. or of Bloomer township. Montcalm county. Michigan, have taken a more important or useful part in the affairs of their community, than has Will Lyman Wright. teacher, educator. business man. public spirited citizen and public office-holder, who was born on November 20. 1868, near Carson City, the son of B. Frank and Rhoda ( Bush) Wright, both of whom were born and married in Machias, Cattaraugus county, New York.
B. Frank Wright and wife came to Gratiot county, Michigan, in 1867. and located abont two miles south of Carson City, in the western part of the county, where they remained about one year, then located on sixty acres of wild land just west of Carson City, where he cut timber and built a log house, in which the elder Wright and his family lived until January. 1881. when B. Frank Wright was killed in the woods near Greenville. After the death of her husband, Rhoda, the widow of B. Frank Wright. in 1883. purchased a property in Carson City, where she lived until 1896, and then went to Morrice, and lived with her son. Will, of this sketch, until later when they went to Bancroft, where Rhoda Wright died. on February 19.
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1002. B. Frank and Rhoda Wright were the parents of seven children : Izora and Horton, who are deceased: Libbie, Walter F., Maggie, Will L. and Fred A .. who survive.
Will Lyman Wright received his early education in the public schools of Carson City, and then, when fourteen years of age, having moved with his mother to Carson City. Will. together with his brother, continued as students in the Carson City high school, they graduating from this school with the class of 1888. after having made their expenses by the selling of newspapers and by doing janitor work. Late in the year 1887. Will Lyman Wright became a school teacher, teaching the school at Vickeryville, for four months, after which he returned to his high school classes, and gradu- ated as the president of his class. Following the completion of his high school education. Mr. Wright was a teacher in the brick school west of Car- son City for three years, and in January, 1801. he entered the Ypsilanti Normal College, graduating in the year 1803, having completed his work in little more than half the time consumed by the other students of his class. Will Lyman Wright returned to Carson City and became principal of the town school for two years, during this time having purchased one hundred and sixty acres of timberland in Wexford county, a place which he, together with his brother. Horton, cleared by the use of a portable saw-mill, which they bought and operated. until the panic of 1893 caused them considerable loss, as a result of which they discontinued their business in lumber.
Late in the year 1806. Will Lyman Wright was elected as superin- tendent of the schools of Morrice, Michigan, an office which Mr. Wright filled in a most efficient manner for four years, after which he moved to the town of Bancroft and there purchased a printing plant in 1900, and was editor of the Bancroft Commercial for eleven years. While a resi- dent of Bancroft. Will Lyman Wright served as township clerk for nine years and as president of the school board for four years, also during his activities at Bancroft having been the organizer of the local Cemetery Association, having for its object the improvement of the town cemetery. Will Lyman Wright served as financial director of the Cemetery Association of Bancroft, and as president and business manager of the Bancroft band for four years.
In October, TOLL, Will Lyman Wright disposed of his business at Ban- croft, Michigan, and returned to Carson City. Montcalm county. where he purchased a one-third interest in the hardware store of his brother. Fred A. Wright, the two brothers conducting the store until July 27. 1915. when
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they sold the store to the firm of Bower & Geller. In March, 1913. Will Lyman Wright was appointed to fill the mexpired term as clerk of Bloomer township, Montcalm county, an office which Mr. Wright has since served, he having been elected to this office on two occasions.
During the year 1895, Will Lyman Wright was married to Neva M. Belden, who was born at Corinna, Michigan, where she lived until about fourteen years of age and then moved with her parents to Owosso, where her father was agent for the Standard Oil Company for thirty years. Fol- lowing her education in the Owosso high school, from which school she graduated in 1889, and after the completion of her course of study at the Owosso Normal College, Neva M. Belden came, as a teacher, to Carson City, where she became acquainted with and was married to Mr. Wright. To the marriage of Will Lyman and Neva Wright have been born four chil- dren. Keitha D., Treta Eileen, Arlon Bush and Nona Rhea.
Will Lyman Wright is a member of the Knight of the Maccabees and Knights of Pythias and is a man who is prominent in varions associations and organizations having for their object the improvement of conditions and the advancement of the interests of Carson City and Montcalm county. The life of Mr. Wright has been a valuable asset to his community and he is one of the honored and esteemed men of the county.
WILLIAM J. GALLAGHER.
William J. Gallagher, well-known liveryman at Carson City, this county, who also is the owner of a fine farm in the neighbormg county of Gratiot, is a native son of Michigan, having been born on a farm in North Shade township, Gratiot county, this state, on December 17, 1869, son of John and Elizabeth ( Hartman ) Gallagher, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Germany.
John Gallagher, who was born in 1834, was but a lad when his parents emigrated from Ireland to this country. They settled in Ohio and in that state he grew to manhood and then came to Michigan, settling at Monroe, where he married Elizabeth Hartman, who was born in Hamburg, Germany, and who came to America with her parents when a young girl. the family settling first in New York state, later going to Ohio and thence to Michigan, settling in Monroe, where she was married. After their mar- riage John Gallagher and wife went back to Ohio, where they lived for a
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time, after which they returned to Michigan and located in North Shade township. in Gratiot township, being among the early settlers in that sec- tion of the county. Shortly after locating there John Gallagher enlisted in a Michigan regiment for service during the Civil War and served until the close of the war, after which he returned to his farm in Gratiot county and there spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1875, at the age of forty-one. His widow, who continued to make her home on the farm, survived him many years, her death occurring in 1910, at the age of seventy-five years. They were the parents of six children, all of whom are still living save one. as follow: Frank. a farmer, living near New Haven, this state: Ella, who married Thomas Urie and lives on a farm in Deerfield township, Isabella county, this state; Rosetta. deceased, who was the wife of Alden Palmer: William J .. the immediate subject of this sketch; Jolm, of Clinton county, this state, and Japhet, who lives on the old home farm in North Shade township, in the adjoining county of Gratiot.
William J. Gallagher grew to manhood on the home farm and remained there until 1898, in which year he bought an eighty-acre farm and started farming on his own account. He later bought an adjoining tract of fifty acres and remained there, engaged quite profitably in general farming until March 16. 1912, at which time he retired from the farm and moved to Car- son City. this county, where he bought a handsome home and where he ever since has made his home. In December, 1912, he bought a livery barn there and has since that time been engaged in conducting the same. at the same time keeping an eye on the proper operation of his farm. He has a good business in the livery line, manages the 'bus line and carries a full line of automobiles for hire, as well as an excellent equipment in the horse livery line, and is regarded as one of the most energetic and capable business men of that flourishing little city.
In 1895 William J. Gallagher was united in marriage to Bertha Worden. who was born in North Shade township, Gratiot county, this state, daughter of Hiram and Elizabeth Worden, natives of Canada, who came to Michigan more than forty years ago, making their home in North Shade township, in the neighboring county of Gratiot, where Hiram Worden died in 1903. His widow now makes her home in Carson City. To Mr. and Mrs. Galla- gher four children have been born, Richard. William, Otis and Bernard. Mr. Gallagher is a member of the Masonic lodge and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in the affairs of both of which orders he takes a warm and active interest.
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B. STEPHEN FRISBIE. M. D.
Dr. B. Stephen Frisbie, who for ten years during the time of his resi- dence in this county was one of the best-known residents of the Crystal neighborhood, was a native of Ohio, having been born near the city of Cleve- land in Cayuga county, that state, on September 12, 1832. He grew up there and in his youth was a schoolnate of James A. Garfield, the martyred President of the United States. He became a physician and successfully practiced his profession in Ohio until 1876, in which year he came to Mich- igan and settled in Montcahn county, buying a farm just south of the vil- lage of Crystal, the place now owned and occupied by his son, William Frisbie. There Doctor Frisbie engaged in farming, at the same time prac- ticing his profession as long as his health would permit, and there he died in September. 1886, and was widely mourned, for during his residence in that section he had greatly endeared himself to all. He had aided very materially in the work of building the Congregational church at Crystal and was active in many other ways in promoting the best interests of that community.
Doctor Frisbie was twice married. To his union with Wealthy Ford five children were born, as follow: Arthur G., who for years was the head of the Frisbie Realty Company, at Cleveland, Ohio, and is now in the real- estate business at Fresno. California : Mrs. Millie A. Van Ettan. a graduate nurse, with a diploma from the Huron Street hospital at Cleveland, for more than twenty-five years active in her profession, now living with a son in Fresno. California: Jennie, who came to Montcalm county with her father, married Martin Binkley and died in 1901; Ella A., who for years was a stenographer, married Philip Henn and lived at Cleveland for eleven years, now a resident of Crystal. this county, and is attending Moody Insti- tute at Chicago, and Dr. H. Gates Frisbie, a practicing physician at Canton. Ohio. The mother of these children died in Ohio about 1871 and Doctor Frisbie married. secondly, Eliza Smith, who was born at Paris, in Stark county. Ohio, and to this latter union seven children were born, namely : William B .. who is now farming the old home place near Crystal. this county: Eva I ... who for fourteen years was a school teacher, the wife of Prof. Emerson Leddick, formerly superintendent of schools at Montagne, this state; Clyda B. and Fred S .. twins, the former of whom is the wife of J. M. Lascelle, postmaster of Crystal, and the latter is a member of the Trehing Manufacturing Company, of Cleveland, Ohio, general building con-
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tractors and manufacturers of all kinds of mill-work for building purposes; Mabel, who died in infancy: Dessie, who lives with her brother, William, and Minnie K., a well-known teacher, a graduate of Mt. Pleasant Normal College, who taught in the upper peninsula of Michigan and in the Island of Porto Rico, now teaching in Arizona, quite a traveler, who finds much delight in seeing the world. After Doctor Frisbie's death his widow con- tinued to make her home at the old home place near Crystal, where she died on September 7, 1901.
JOSEPHI M. LASCELLE.
Joseph M. Lascelle, postmaster at Crystal, this county, is a native of Ohio, having been born near the town of Lyons, in Fulton county, that state. on August 8. 1867. son of Giles B. and Maria (Ledgyard) Lascelle, both natives of New York state, and both of whom died in Ohio.
Joseph M. Lascelle was reared on a farm in Ohio and remained there until he was twenty-five years of age, at which time he came to this county on a visit to his brother, Milton A. Lascelle and his two sisters, Mrs. Mary Herrick and Mrs. Libbie Yaner, who then resided in the pleasant village of Crystal. Mr. Lascelle had come here seeking the benefit of a change of climate, his health having become impaired, and he was so delighted with the beneficial change at once apparent in his condition that he decided to
remain. After a time spent in resting and traveling a bit he worked as a farm hand and in the Inmber camps, seeking the open, and presently was fully restored to his former vigor of body. Following his marriage in 1807 Mr. Lascelle bought a small farm one-half mile cast of Crystal and there made his home for about two years. On January 1. 1900. he was appointed postmaster of Crystal and ever since has held that position. In April, 1900. he also became township clerk and held that position for twelve years, or until the ruling of the postoffice department forbade postmasters from hold- ing other public offices. He also served for some years as school director and for the past sixteen years has been township librarian. From the tine he became postmaster he has been acting as collector for the Tonia-Mont- cahn-Clinton Conties Mutual Fire Insurance Association and for the past three years also has been solicitor for that association.
On August 31. 1807. Joseph M. Lascelle was united in marriage to (lyda B. Frisbie, who was born in Crystal, daughter of the late Dr. B.
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Stephen and kliza ( Smith ) Frisbie, further mention of whom is made in a biographical sketch relating to Doctor Frisbie, presented elsewhere in this volume, and to this union three children have been born, Loy B., Doris I. and Isadora Helen. Mrs. Lascelle grew up at Crystal and supplemented her common-school course by a course at the normal school at Mt. Pleasant, after which she entered the ranks of Montcalm county's teaching force and had taught one term of school when she married Mr. Lascelle. She is a valuable assistant to her husband in his duties as postmaster.
Mr. and Mrs. Lascelle are members of the Congregational church and are active in all good works in and about Crystal, taking a warm interest in all movements designed to promote the general welfare thereabout. Mr. Lascelle is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Knights of the Maccabees and in the affairs of both those organizations. takes an earnest interest.
WILLIAM E. ADAMS, D. V. S.
Dr. William E. Adams, successful veterinary surgeon, prominent busi- ness man and financier, and a citizen who takes a leading place in the affairs of Carson City, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Ontario, Canada, on May 13, 1863, the son of James and Elizabeth (Chaptman) Adams, natives of Ellon, Scotland, and of Ontario, Canada, respectively.
James Adams came to America when he was fourteen years of age. with his parents, and engaged in farming in Ontario, Canada. until about 1900. when he came to the United States and located in the state of Mich- igan, where he now lives.
William F. Adams received his early education in the common schools. of his native commimity, after which he attended high school, graduating and then becoming a student of the Ontario Veterinary College, of Toronto, Canada, an institution from which William E. Adams, together with his. brother, Charles H. Adams, was graduated in March. 1893.
Following the receipt of his degree as Doctor of Veterinary Surgery. Dr. William E. Adams came to the state of Michigan and located at Carson City, in Montcalm county, where he is now engaged in the practice of his profession, in partnership with his brother Dr. Charles H. Adams. The Doctors Adams have a lucrative practice and are among the leaders of their profession in the county and vicinity, both being appreciated and active members of the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association.
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In addition to his professional duties. Dr. William E. Adams has been active in the business life of Carson City, being the president, director and one of the organizers of the prosperous Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Carson City. Dr. William E. Adams has been one of the influen- tial members of the Carson City village council and is now one of the school directors for the town of his residence and activity.
On June 7. 1893. Dr. William E. Adams was united in marriage to Harriett Clegg, a native of Toronto, Canada, and the daughter of Thomas and Anna ( Webster ) Clegg. the former born in Yorkshire, England, the latter in Ontario, Canada. To the marriage of William E. and Harriett Adams have been born three children : James P., Zelma Maude and Grette Mae, aged twenty. seventeen and fourteen, respectively. Dr. William E. Adams and his family are active members of the First Congregational church, of Carson City.
Dr. William E. Adams is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he has been active in the work of the Rebekahs and the Knights of the Maccabees. Dr. William E. Adams is one of the valued citizens of Carson City and of Montcalm county, his efforts for the good of the com- munity and his public-spirited devotion to the progress of the various inter- ests of the locality having won for him a host of friends and admiring fel- low citizens.
WESLEY J. STEARNS.
Former County Treasurer Wesley J. Stearns has been a resident of Montcalm county since he was five years old, that having been the number of his years at the time his parents came to this county and settled at , Sheridan. After having been interested in various forms of enterprise, Mr. Stearns settled down on his present fine farm in Evergreen township, this county, on rural route No. 5, out of Stanton, and is now very well circumstanced.
Wesley J. Stearns was born in Iowa, May 20, 1868, son of J. L. and Addie (Sawyer) Stearns, both natives of New Hampshire, and the former of whom is still living. J. L. Stearns was born in New Hampshire on March 19, 1831. In 1849 he joined the great throng of gold-seekers who flocked to California. but did not realize any great fortune to reward him for the strenuous experience and in 1851 he returned to New Hampshire, where he married Mary Sawyer and straightway started for Iowa with his
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