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 31
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SOLOMON LISK.
Solomon Lisk, well-known retired merchant and leading citizen of Howard City, Montcalm county, was born in Coeymans, Albany county, New York. on September 15, 1828, a son of Israel and Elizabeth (Skinner) Lisk, natives of New York state, the former born in Coxsackie, now New Baltimore, Greene county, on February 10, 1792, a son of James and Mar- garet Lisk ; the latter in Coeymans, Albany county, on May 5, 1791, a daugh- ter of Solomon and Catherine Skinner. About the year 1830 James Lisk, with his family, moved to Lyons, Wayne county, New York, where they lived about one year and, in 1831, moved to Seneca county, New York, which was the home of James Lisk for the remainder of his days.
Solomon Lisk lived at home until he was eighteen years of age and then, with his sister and her husband, he went to Warren county, Illinois, where he remained a short time, after which he went to Burlington, Iowa, there engaging in different lines of work, among which was the driving of a stage-coach and an omnibus for about two months. Later, Solomon Lisk started back home, stopping at Chicago, for some time, then at Michigan City, Indiana, and afterwards at Battle Creek, Michigan, where he spent the winter. In the following spring he went to his home in Seneca county, New York, where he took his father's place and aided in the care of the family. After two years, during which time Mr. Lisk was married, he came to the state of Michigan, about 1851, and after a short time in Battle Creek, came to Hillsdale county, where he purchased a farm in Wheatland township, and where he lived as a general farmer until 1861. Having recovered from an attack of rheumatism, Mr. Lisk moved to Branch county,
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Michigan, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land near Quincy, which he sold after a short time, and then went to Chicago, where for about one and one-half years he was employed in a commission house. From Chicago, Mr. Lisk went to Decatur, Michigan, for a short time and then went to Lawrence, Van Buren county, and took charge of a place for four years. Later he farmed for a short time and then went to Cass county, Michigan, and conducted a store at Cassopolis, until he came to Howard City, Montcalm county, and entered the grocery business. He retired from the grocery business and was an employee of a sash and blind factory, after- wards buying a wagon works, which he operated until he became a dealer in implements, in partnership with his son. Solomon Lisk continued as a mer- chant of Howard City until he retired from active business life.
On December 27, 1849, Solomon Lisk was married to Cordelia B. Humphrey, a daughter of George and Elizabeth Humphrey. To the mar- riage of Solomon and Cordelia Lisk have been born five children: Warren, a merchant of Howard City: Flora, who is the wife of Charles Larray; Jennie, the widow of George Hewitt; Agnes, who is the wife of Franz King, of Howard City, and Bessie, who is deceased.
As a public man, Mr. Lisk is well known, having served Howard City, and Reynolds township. as president of the village board, and as township supervisor for abont seven years, and as township treasurer and justice of the peace. In politics. Mr. Lisk is a Republican. In fraternal circles, he is prominently affiliated. being a member of Howard City Lodge No. 326. Free and Accepted Masons, and for three or four years was master of his lodge. Mr. Lisk is also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, at Howard City.
JAMES BATY.
An admirable record as one of the progressive workers and representa- tive farmers of Montcalm county, Michigan, has been made by James Baty. the subject of this sketch. He ranks high as a loyal citizen of the com- munity in which he resides, and his success in his chosen field of endeavor has been due to his own individual effort.
James Baty is a native of Ontario, Canada, having been born near Blantford on Angust 28, 1855. He is the son of John and Jane (Scott) Baty, the former of whom came to this country from Cumberland. Eng- land, with his parents when a small child. The family settled in Canada,
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where John Baty grew to manhood and where he met his wife, who was a native of the Dominion. The couple spent their married life in Canada, where they reared an interesting family, including the following children : Jane, the wife of Donald Tate. lived in Canada until her death; Richard is unmarried and resides in Canada; Robert also lives in Canada; John has become widely known in Pierson township, Montcalm county; Marian mar- ried Olive James, of Canada: James is the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth became the wife of David Ross, of Canada : William also resides in Canada; May, the wife of Joseph Woodall, resides in Howard City; Isabella, the widow of Thomas McGannon, is living in Big Rapids; Thomas, the young- est son, lives in Winfield township. Montcalm county.
James Baty attended the public schools near his home in Canada and after reaching the age of manhood assisted his father with the work on the farm. Tle was thirty years of age when his marriage took place, and at that time began his independent carcer. Hle rented a small tract of land in Canada, where he continued the occupation as a farmer for three years. At the end of that time he came to Howard City, Montcalm county, where he was employed in a factory for two winters and where he worked as a carpenter during the summer months. Later he obtained employment on the farm of Bert Collins, where he worked for eight years. During that time he accumulated enough to purchase a farm of his own, which is the one on which he resides at the present time. The farm just mentioned consists of one hundred and forty acres of land and is located in section 17, Maple Valley township, on rural route No. 2. of Coral, Michigan. "Brookdale Farm" is the name given to the place, which is a model of attractiveness. The excellent condition in which the farm is now found is due to the untir- ing efforts of Mr. Baty to make every piece of work he has undertaken show the result of first-class workmanship. The success now enjoyed by Mr. Baty is only the logical result of a life of well-directed endeavor and honest principles of living.
On July 19, 1885, James Baty was united in marriage to Bess Anna Ross, the daughter of William and Maggie ( McClay ) Ross, both of whom were born in Scotland. but who spent the greater part of their lives in ('anada. Mrs. Baty has become the mother of three children, as follow : Maggie McClay, who died shortly after her marriage to William Armitage; James Alexander, who married Carrie Croft. and who resides on the home place, and William Ross, who married Clara Weaver, and who lives on his father's farm.
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Though Mr. Baty has never cared to take an active part in political affairs, he has strong convictions regarding governmental policies and gives his allegiance to the Republican party. His religious faith is sincere and zealous, and he is a prominent and influential member of the Presbyterian church.
JAMES B. HASKINS.
James B. Haskins, postmaster of Howard City, Montcalm county, Michigan, and editor and publisher of the Howard City Record since Janu- ary 1, 1903, was born in Ensley township, Newaygo county, Michigan, on July 18, 1880, a son of James II. and Adella (Moore) Haskins, natives of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and Oakland county, Michigan, respect- ively.
James H. Haskins, who was the son of James B. and Jemima ( Daniels) Haskins, was born on September 26, 1842, and when a boy came to Illinois, where he lived until the death of his father and then, with his mother, returned to the state of Pennsylvania, where he received his education and lived intil 186r. James H. Haskins enlisted for service in the Civil War, with the One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. After the close of the Civil War, Mr. Haskins returned to Craw- ford county, Pennsylvania, for about one year and then came to Montcalm county, Michigan, and settled at Moores, about five miles west of Howard City. In his new home, Mr. Haskins first worked in the woods, and then was engaged in the hauling of supplies to various lumber camps, a line of work which he followed for about two years and then he came to Ensley township. Newaygo county, in 1866. and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land. located in section 1, where he is now successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits.
On April 7, 1860, James II. Haskins was married to Adella Moore, a daughter of Jacob J. and Hepsabeth ( Gillett ) Moore, the former of whom was born in New Jersey and who, as a young man, came to Michigan and operated one of the first saw-mills of the community, together with the engaging in his trade as a cabinet-maker. To the marriage of James II. and Adella Haskins have been born three children, Charles Theodore and Altie M., who are deceased, and James B.
James B. Haskins received his early education in the common schools of Ensley township. after which he attended the Howard City high school.
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an institution from which he graduated with the class of 1898. Following his school days, he became an employe of B. J. Lowrey, who was the mana- ger and editor of the Howard City Record, on which Mr. Haskins was engaged in the publishing business for about two years, after which he went to Big Rapids, Michigan, for a short time, thence to Grand Rapids, Michi- gan, where he was engaged in editorial work for about two years. Late in 1902 Mr. Hlaskins returned to Howard City, Montcalm county, and pur- chased a half interest in the plant of the Howard City Record, this partner- ship continuing until April 1, 1906, when he purchased the whole interest in the business and became the editor and publisher of the paper, which he now edits and publishes in a most able and efficient manner.
On September 10, 1902, James B. Haskins was married to Bella M. Scott, who was born at Big Rapids, Michigan, a daughter of Stephen C. and Bella (Munn) Scott, natives of Indiana. James B. and Bella M. Haskins are the parents of three children. Iva Natalie, Elizabeth Scott and James Stephen, aged twelve, nine and six years, respectively.
Mr. Haskins is prominent in the official life of Montcalm county, now being the postmaster of lloward City, an office which he has occupied since 1912, and he has served his town as president for one year and as treasurer for two years. In politics, he is an ardent Republican. Frater- nally, Mr. Hlaskins is a member of Howard City Lodge No. 329, Free and Accepted Masons, and he is a member of Dewitt Clinton Consistory and of the Saladin Temple. Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Grand Rapids, Michi- gan.
WILLIAM A. HARRIS.
William A. Ilarris, of Pierson township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born on January 8, 1849, in England. He emigrated to America with his parents the same year and has lived in the state of Michigan ever since. His father, Orlandon Harris, was born in 1823, in Whitehorse Tavern, Eng- land, married in that country and then removed to the United States, locat- ing in Allen township, Hillsdale county, Michigan, where he purchased one hundred acres of land. He still lives on the home place, where, at the ripe age of ninety-two years, he is enjoying the fruits of an active life. Ann M. ( Morely ) Harris, mother of William A. Harris, was born on November 24, 1825, in England, and died on October 2, 1909. She and her husband were the parents of these children : William A., Elizabeth, widow of John lles.
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who was a native of England; Jane, widow of Edgar Parrish; Robert, now living in Coldwater, Michigan; Lewis, also of Coldwater, Michigan, who is engaged as a traveling salesman, and Harriet, wife of Fred Frary.
William A. Harris received his education in the township schools of Hillsdale county, Michigan, remaining at home until twenty-one years of age. Hle then married Catherine Cain, on November 28. 1878, and began independently to accumulate a comfortable competency. Catherine Cain was born on December 8. 1858. in Jonesville, Michigan, and is the daughter of J. D. Cain, whose family are of French descent. Soon after their mar- riage, William A. Harris and his wife removed to Montcalm county, Michi- gan. where they have since remained and where they have reared and edu- cated their four children, whose names follow: George D., a resident of Flint, Michigan, an electrician by trade; Emma, a graduate of the Pierson high school, from which her brother, George, also graduated, and the wife of John K. Burch, of Grand Rapids, Michigan: Milfred B. and Mildred C. (twins) were born on May 29, 1891, and are both graduates of the high school at Pierson, Michigan. Mildred C. is also a graduate of the Montcalm county normal and taught school prior to her marriage to Frank Pierce.
William A. Harris is a Republican in his political views and is progres- sive in his agricultural pursuits. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising and has a well-regulated place, which was much improved in 1904 by the erection of a large, well-equipped barn. His wife is an active member of the Disciples church, which denomination they heartily support.
CHESTER H. STEBBINS.
One of the influential retired citizens of Lakeview, Montcahn county, Michigan, is Chester HI. Stebbins, who has lived in Lakeview for a great many years.
Chester IT. Stebbins was born in Clinton county, Michigan. December 17, 1841, a son of Chauncy and Sophia ( Rice) Stebbins. Chauncy Stebbins was born in Conway, Massachusetts, and was the son of Chester Stebbins. The Stebbins family is of English origin and the founder of the family in America was Rollin Stebbins, who came over in the early days with the Pilgrim Fathers. Chauney Stebbins first came to Michigan in 1834, locating in Clinton county, and when Chester H. was but a small boy the family moved to lonia county where the father had secured by trade a tract of
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farming land, which is now the site of the reformatory. On that farm Chester H. passed his boyhood, attending the schools near his home and receiving probably a little better than the common school education possible in this section in those early days. While still a small boy he began assist- ing the father in the work of the farm and while still in his teens the father died, after which Chester IT. made his home with a brother until the time of his marriage. After marriage, he and his brother, George, formed a partnership for the purchase of one hundred and sixty acres of land, which they farmed together for a time and then divided. and on his portion Chester lived for a great many years.
Chester H. Stebbins came to Montcalm county in 1866, locating in Lakeview, and has since made his home there. flis first business venture was a tammery, which he opened and operated for some four years, and by that time realizing that the distance to a railroad was a serious handicap to his business and also the need of a planing-mill being apparent, he closed up his tannery and became engaged in the mill business, operating that for some six or seven years. His next venture was the purchase of farming lands in Cato township, where he took up agriculture as an occupation, but continued to reside in Lakeview. le prospered in that venture and at one time owned and operated two hundred and twenty acres of land. In addi- tion to his farming interests, he owns his home in Lakeview, which was one of the first in the town of modern construction. In 1908 Chester Stebbins practically retired from the active duties of life, having given many years to active and useful pursuits.
Chester 11. Stebbins was first married in 1861, his bride being Emmeline Pike, a native of Canada. Iler death occurred seven years later and she left one child, Ensign B., now a banker in Carson City, Montcalm county. Michigan, who married Mattie Fuller, and they have three children, Alien. Hazel and Mildred. About 1870 Mr. Stebbins was again married. his bride being Bertha O. Porter, a native of Ohio and two children of that union lived to maturity. These are Laura, who married Addison Kirtland and has four children, Iyle. Clair. William and Dean: and Roy, who married Elma Gaffield and is the father of two children, Dorothy and Walter. Mrs. Bertha Stebbins died in 1914 and in August of 1915. Mr. Stebbins married Mrs. Minerva ( Brown) Porter, widow of a brother of the second Mrs. Stebbins, and the mother of six children: Addic. Una, Glenn. Alvin. Bertha and ( layton.
Throughout the years of his residence in Lakeview, Mr. Stebbins has
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been actively interested in the growth and development of various com- munity interests. He has served as president of the village and was a mem- ber of the council for a great many years. Independent in politics, he has served as township supervisor, township treasurer, justice of the peace and school trustee, discharging the various duties thus devolving upon him in a manner pleasing to all concerned.
Ensign Stebbins, eldest son of Chester II., was the founder of the furniture factory in Lakeview, which has meant so much to the commercial and manufacturing interests of the place, and Roy Stebbins, youngest son of Chester H., is now at the head of this factory.
WILLIAM W. KEITH.
William W. Keith, a retired farmer of Pierson, was born in Otsego county, New York, on May 30, 1834, being the son of Pierce and Mary (Weeden ) Reynolds. When William was but two years of age his father died, and at the age of four his mother passed away and the young boy was given to Thomas Keith, a prominent Democratic politician of the state of New York. At the time Polk was elected President, Thomas Keith was elected by his county to represent it in the Legislature. That was when William was a lad of ten years.
William W. Keith grew to manhood in the state of New York and lived there until he was twenty-eight years of age, at which time his foster father, Thomas Keith, died, and he came to Michigan. On his arrival at Rockford, Kent county, his only earthly possession was five dollars in money. He went to work at once in a saw-mill, where he was engaged until 1865, when he returned to New York. After renting land in New York state until 1877, the family returned to Pierson, where Mr. Keith was again engaged in a saw-mill, being employed by Fred F. Taylor for a time. ITe later served for twelve years as town marshal and constable and managed to save enough from his meager earnings to purchase an eighty-acre farm in Pierson township, which he held for a number of years, when he traded one-half of it for town property. Mr. Keith spent some years in the Upper Peninsula, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land. which he after a time sold, and purchased six acres of land in the village of Pierson.
In 1857 William W. Keith was married in New York state to Elmira
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Peck, who was a first cousin of Governor Peck, of Wisconsin, the author of "Peck's Bad Boy." Mrs. Keith was the daughter of Chester Peck, a brother of David Peck, the father of George Peck, the author.
To Mr. and Mrs. Keith were born the following children: Chester, who died while the family were still residents of the state of New York, and Myrtle Kate, who died in 1883, at the age of seventeen years. The wife and mother died six years later, in 1889.
In 1892 William W. Keith was married to Mrs. Edith Porter, who came to Pierson to purchase property. She was a native of Ohio and after hier marriage to Mr. Keith she resided in Pierson until her death, on Novem- ber 13, 1914.
Mr. Keith is a Democrat of much prominence and takes much interest in the activities of his party. He has been a member of the town council for a number of years.
PROF. ARAL. E. COOK.
Prof. Aral E. Cook, teacher, educator, superintendent of the public schools of Carson City, and a prominent citizen of Montcalm county, Mich- igan, was born in Carson City, on July 7. 1881, the son of Walter S. and .Anna (Straight ) Cook, natives of Morrow county, Ohio, and Hillsdale county, Michigan, respectively.
Walter S. Cook was educated in the schools of his native county and lived there until he was sixteen years of age, when he moved to Richland county, where he lived for some time and then went to Hudson, in Hills- dale county, Michigan, where he was married to Anna Straight, after which they came to Carson City, about 1877, making their home in this locality for several years and then going to Petoskey, where Mr. Cook now lives. Mrs. Anna Cook died in 1804. and two years later Mr. Cook was married to Addie A. McClure. Walter S. and Anna Cook were the parents of two children. Aral E. and Eva Delora, who is the wife of Fred Colson and lives at Lansing, Michigan.
When twelve years of age. Aral E. Cook moved with his parents to Petoskey, Michigan, where he completed his elementary education, and where he lived for five years, and then, his mother having died, Mr. Cook returned to Carson City, where he attended high school, and then became a student at the Mt. Pleasant Normal College, an institution from which Aral E. Cook graduated in 1905. Later Professor Cook was a student of special work in
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science and education at the University of Chicago, after completing which he was a teacher for three years in the Montcalm county rural schools and then for two years was principal of the Vestaburg schools.
Professor Cook then became the principal of the Trufant school for two years, after which he was a teacher in the high school of Lakeview for four years, and then was made superintendent of the Lakeview schools, remaining in this office for three years. In 1913 Professor Cook came to Carson City and became superintendent of the city schools, a position which he now holds and an office which he is serving with notable efficiency and ability. During the administration of Prof. Aral E. Cook, great progress has been made in the various phases of school work in Carson City, among the most notable being the erection of a new fifteen-thousand-dollar, modern addition to the school building. as a result of which Carson City now has one of the best equipped and most convenient school buildings of the county and vicinity.
During the year 1906, Prof. Aral E. Cook was married to Carrie M. Cadham, who was born at Leland, Michigan, the daughter of John and Anna (Service) Cadham. Prior to her marriage Mrs. Cook was a well-known school teacher, having attended the Mt. Pleasant Normal College and for six years was a successful teacher in the schools of Leelanau county. To the marriage of Aral E. and Carrie Cook have been born two children. Walter John and Rhea Rosamond, aged four and one, respectively.
Prof. Aral E. Cook and his wife are prominent members of the Congre- gational church at Carson City. Professor Cook is a Mason and he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star.
FRED U. O'BRIEN.
In the domain of newspaper enterprise in Montcalm county, Michigan, Fred U. O'Brien has attained a position of influence and special recognition, and as editor of the Coral News for the past eighteen years has made his paper one of the leading exponents of social and industrial life in the county. His loyalty and public spirit are of the highest type and he has made a splendid record of achievement in his chosen field of endeavor.
Fred U. O'Brien is a native of Michigan, having been born in the city of Ionia, Tonia county, on May 19. 1869. and has been a resident of Coral almost continuously since 1873. He is the son of Frederick W. and Augusta
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(Hanham) O'Brien, who are of Irish descent, and natives of Ontario, Can- ada. As a boy and young man the subject of this sketch spent his time in the public schools of Coral, and worked in the stave and lumber mills of northwestern Montcalm county. At the age of nineteen years he entered the office of the Howard City Record to learn the printer's trade. After serving his apprenticeship he worked as a journeyman printer in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and in smaller towns in Michigan until 1897, when he established the Coral Newes, working with success and public commendation.
The marriage of Fred U. O'Brien with Ora E. Reighley, a native of Newton, Kansas, took place on July 23, 1892. Mrs. O'Brien is the daughter of William S. and Sarah (Williams) Reighley, who were pioneer settlers in Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien are the parents of the following children : Lena A., who is a graduate of the Coral high school, attended the Ferris Institute for two terms and is an accomplished musician and teacher of music; Frederick, who follows the occupation of a printer, is employed in his father's office; George H., who is a graduate of the high school at Coral, is employed as a bookkeeper in the bank at Coral, and Edmund, the youngest. is still attending school.
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