USA > Michigan > Muskegon County > History of Muskegon County, Michigan: with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 35
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FRANK H. JOHNSON is proprietor of the handle factory, Whitehall where he commenced business in 1881; was burned out on Christ- mas morning following, and has since rebuilt on the same site, near Thompson's dock. He does quite a thriving business in the manu- facture of handles and pevies. His insurance from the fire was $800.
DALLAS JOHNSON was born in Wilson, Niagara Co., N. Y., in 1844, and belongs to an eminently patriotic family, which was of the war democrat stripe. Himself and all his four brothers enlisted in the army except one who was refused for being under age. Dallas served four years as private, being in forty-two engagements, and in 1872 came to Whitehall, and has taken a deep interest in the G. A R., being in 1881 Junior Vice Commander of the State Department, ranking as Brigadier General. Mr. Johnson is mainly engaged in lumbering.
JAS. H. JOHNSON, M. D,, was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., in 1839, graduating in medicine at Buffalo Medical College in 1866. Being of a strong patriotic family he and all of his brothers except one of 12 years of age, enlisted in various branches of the service in 1861. The doctor then only 22, enlisted in the 7th Cavalry Regi- ment, which was soon disbanded, and he then took some courses in medicine, entering the navy as assistant surgeon in the San Jacinto, Capt. Meade stationed at Key West. They were ship- wrecked on the Bahamas Jan. 1, 1865, but all were rescued. He then came home and finished his studies, practicing in several
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HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY.
places, and coming to Whitehall in 1871, where he has a large run of practice. He is married, and has one son. The doctor does a large run of business, and is a universal favorite.
CHARLES McKINZIE, marshal, was born in Ellicott City, Md., 1845, came in July 1871 to Whitehall, working as a mason and erecting many buildings. He married Helen M. Kleet, of this state, and has two children. He makes an excellent marshal, fearless in the execution of his duty, a terror to evil doers, and a praise to those who do well.
AUGUST JOHNSON, livery stable keeper, Whitehall, son of Charles Johnson, was born 1859, and came to Whitehall when 12 years old, went to Commercial College, Grand Rapids, in 1876, for two terms, and in 1879 commenced livery business, keeping 8 horses. Married Cecilia Demass in March, 1880. He has now a livery establishment in Ludington.
ANDREW KROGSTAD, grocer, corner of Mears Ave. and Eliza St., Whitehall, does a large business especially with his countrymen, was born in Norway 1833 at Trondhym, emigrating in 1869, work- ing at first in railroading below Grand Rapids. His business here was established in 1875. He married Miss Matilda Johnson, and has one daughter who was born in 1877.
A. C. KUSTER, jeweler, Whitehall, is a young man of energy and perseverance, who is rapidly establishing himself in the favor of the community, his business being the most extensive in all the White River region. He was born in Rock Co., Wis., in 1855, and was brought up in Sheboygan. He was educated at High School and at Ripon College, and learned his trade with his father. His ex- perience has been gained by travel and observation. His store is in Mears Block, Colby St., his residence just erected is beautifully situ- ated on the Bluff overlooking the Lake on Mears Ave., next to Slocum Park. He was married in 1878 to Miss Ida M. Bliss of Plainsville, Mich.
CHRIST LAHMAN, was born in Denmark in 1845, when 23 years of age he came to Chicago and afterward in 1869 he came to Whitehall, entering into lumbering for several years, then into the grocery business with Mr. Krogstad for six years. He then kept a saloon in the rear of the depot, and was burned out on the night of August 1st, 1881, with a loss of nearly all he had. He was married to Miss Maria Johnson of Whitehall Township.
W. H. LANDFORD, carpenter, Whitehall, has his residence on Livingston St. He is a native of Medina county, O., and is an old and much respected resident of the village.
THOMAS LARSERD, saloon keeper near Covell's mill, was born in Norway in 1818, came to Chicago in 1843, and in 1848 to White River engaging in lumbering, but has for years been in the saloon and grocery dusiness. He was married in Whitehall and has seven children.
JOSHUA H. McCoy, was born in Cass county, Mich., in 1853, and at 14 years of age he removed with his parents to Harrison county, Iowa, where he remained until 1873, when he came to Whitehall. After three years he returned to Iowa, and went from there to St. Joe, Missouri, then to Kansas, where after two years he returned to Whitehall in 1881, where he still resides.
NELS P. MYRMEL, partner of W. Krogstad in the grocery busi- ness, was also born in Norway in 1843. After he came here he worked for a time in sawmills, and in 1879 he went in with Mr. Krogstad.
JOHN NEQUIST, painter, was born in Sweden in 1849, came direct to Whitehall in 1868. He was married April 17, 1875, to Mary Johnson of Whitehall, and has two daughters.
ANDREW NELSON, saloon keeper, Lake St., was born in Sweden March 28, 1851, and left home when 17 years old. Having received a fair education he came to Whitehall with a party led by the Rev.
Mr. Roden now of Minnesota, and worked in sawmills. He has been in his present business for six years. He was married to Miss Matilda Johnson and has two children living, having lost two.
F. NORMAN, artist and carriage painter, Whitehall, was born in Buckingham, Eng., in 1847, and at five years of age was brought to Jackson, Mich., and when eleven to Calhoun county. In June 1862 he enlisted in the 17th Mich., Infantry, Army of the Potomac and after seeing service there, was transferred to the 9th Michigan, in the Army of the Cumberland, took part in the siege of Atlanta, and was left behind in a garrison at Chattanooga when Sherman marched to the sea. He was discharged Sept. 1865. He attended art school in Chicago, coming to Whitehall in 1867, whither his parents had removed. He is an excellent carriage painter, and in the Winter makes artistic sketches, showing much ability. He was married to Miss Willa A. Austin of Blue Lake, and has two children. He has been village recorder for several years.
OLE T. OLESON was born in Norway in 1848, and in his 18th year came in a Norwegian vessel to Quebec, and from thence he came on to Milwaukee, sailing the lakes for many years. He came to Whitehall in 1869. He now has a saloon on Lake street near the railroad depot. Mr. Oleson is a well-informed man, and his genial disposition gives him great influence with his countrymen, for whose benefit he has been the chief spirit in organizing the Scandinavian Aid Society. He is married and has two children.
O. E. PERRY, sewing machine agent, was born in Ingham County, Mich., in 1845, where he resided until 1869, when he removed to Livingston County, and to Whitehall in May, 1880, to engage in farming, which had been his chief business hitherto. Since com. ing to Whitehall however, he has been engaged in selling sewing machines, and the Mason & Hamlin organs, in which he has been quite successful.
WM. A. PHELPS, dealer in railroad ties, hemlock bark, shingles, and wood &c., office opposite Mears store, residence on Mears Ave- nue, near Slocum Park. Mr. Phelps is a gentleman of quiet energy, of excellent business habits, which have met with a fair reward. He was born in Van Buren County, Mich., in 1844, and until twenty-six brought up on his father's farm, which was taken up in 1829, when his father had to endure the hardships of pioneer life. In 1871 he moved to Montague and engaged in mercantile busi- ness, but was burnt out in the great fire of 1873. Being absent at the time with his family he suffered a heavy loss. He dealt in in- surance for a year and then entered into business with W. E. Par- ker, whom he bought out in 1876, but next year F. Blackmarr be- came his partner, and in another year he sold out to the latter. For the last seven years he has done an outside business in ties, bark, &c., and handles from Whitehall, Pentwater, and Ludington, the Ludington business being under the name of Phelps & Goodenough. In 1881 he handled 185,000 ties, 7,000 cords of bark, wood, 1,000 cords; and 4,000,000 shingles. Married in 1865 Miss Nancy T. Andrew, of Van Buren County, and their children are Charles, born in 1869, Maude, born in 1873.
B. F. REED, Justice of the Peace, was born in Sodus, Wayne County, N. Y., in 1836, from Puritan stock, which can be traced back to the Mayflower. Mr. R. moved west in 1856 and after trying several states, settled in 1857 in White River Township with two other brothers, forming what is known as Reed's settlement. When the new county of Oceana was set apart it had but 300 in- habitants. Mr. R. was Supervisor of Otto and then of Ferryburg a year, and came to Whitehall Dec. 18, 1873, has been two terms Recorder, and Justice of the Peace for several years. Married Miss Mary Roach, of New York State, and has five children.
C. W. REDFERN, late station master and telegraph operator, Whitehall, was born in 1848 in Caledonia, N. Y., but brought up
CHARLES JOHNSON.
MRS CHARLES JOHNSON
RESIDENCE OF CHARLES JOHNSON, WHITEHALL, MICH.
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HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY.
in Calhoun County, Mich. He came to Whitehall in 1866, and taught school winters, working on the farm in Summer. He then learned telegraphy in Montague and has been eight years in the Whitehall Station, succeeding P. I. Hedges. His father, Matthew Redfern, is one of the first settlers in his section of the township. Mr. Redfern is noted for his prompt and energetic manner of doing public business. When Covell's new block, corner of Mears Ave- nue and Colby St., was completed, Mr. Redfern took one of the fine stores and commenced in the hardware line, keeping a first-class stock.
GEORGE J. MOOG, furniture dealer, Whitehall, was born in Pennsylvania in 1844. When nine years old his father removed to Sauk County, Wisconsin, where George learned to work on a farm. The call of his country led him to enlist at thie very first summons in the three months' service in 1861, after which he enlisted for . three years, in the 11th Wisconsin Infantry in the army of Mis- souri. He was also in Grant's corps at Vicksburg, where he was wounded below the knee in a charge in which 350 men were lost. His sufferings, as he lay all day under a July sun, without daring to move a limb, for fear of the enemy's sharpshooters and dying for thirst, may be faintly imagined. At night he dragged himself into his own lines. He was also with General Banks in Louisiana, and was discharged in January, 1862. Mr. M. is the only survivor of his family. He married Miss Miriam E. Streeter, of N. Y. State, by whom he has one son. He has the only furniture business in the village and carries a stock of $12,000 to $15,000. Is a miem- ber of the Village Council and Chairman of the Fire committee, is a member of the School Board, and a County Coroner.
HARLOW RUGGLES, druggist, was born at Brookfield, Conn., in 1812, of Scottish descent by his father, and English by his mother. He learned the trade of shoemaking in Livingston County, N. Y., and pegged away for nearly forty years. In June, 1868, he moved to Whitehall, and with his son, E. M. Ruggles, he entered into the drug business and has been quite successful. He was burned out in the lower terrace of the Foster block in 1881, but has opened out on the old site. Mr. R. has known what it is to struggle up to a competency, having served for over six years, at $25 a year, and at the close saved $70, which he gave to his mother, an act, the re- collection of which, is pleasing in his old age. Mr. Ruggles has a lively, cheerful temperament, which has carried him throught all his troubles.
JACOB E. SARGENT, grocer, was born in the township of Am- herst, N. H., July 21, 1825, and after various changes settled in Whitehall in 1872, when the town was so new that the logs for his present store were cut on the main street. He has a neat grocery store and does a snug trade. Married Rebecca Jane Movar, of Hol- lis, N. H., Nov. 22, 1848, and has one son, Frank, and two daugh- ters, Nellie J, and Clara I.
DAWS SKEELS, baker, was born in Cambridgeshire, England, in 1831, and learned his trade in the old country, from which he emigrated in 1857, coming first to Chicago, where he was for years shipping clerk to a large firm. Was engaged in milling in Muske- gon one year, came to Whitehall in August, 1876, and has a fine bakery business established. Mr. S. is a Past Dictator of the Knights of Honor, of whom there are 120,000 in the United States. He is married and has four children. Mr. S. has good reason to be proud of the results of his persistent energy, as he landed in White- hall with $100 borrowed capital, and has now a surplus of several thousand dollars.
MILTON R. STEPHENS, steamboat agent at Covell's warehouse, and liveryman at 310 Mears Avenue, Whitehall. Mr. S. was born in Massachusetts in 1827, but was brought to Michigan in 1830. To show the hardships in traveling in those days he relates that
although they left the previous fall for Michigan they did not ar- rive until spring, being laid up at Rochester, N. Y., by the freezing of the canals. At Shelby Township, Macomb County, his father en- gaged in farming, but died when Milton was but seven years of age. His mother having died when he was two years, Milton was left an orphan at an early age, and has had to "hoe his own way" through life. But this discipline has made him a cheerful, self-reliant man, a practical philosopher. He was brought up under the care of a guardian chosen by his father, a Mr. Hiram Andrews. Milton had one sister and six brothers, of whom he was the youngest, and he lived with his sister at Pt. Huron, for five years. When fourteen years old he went to Romeo and chose his own guardian according to the laws of the State, a Mr. John Keeler, a farmer. He worked on H. Myers' farm for three years, and then went for nearly two years into government surveying into Newaygo and other places. He then went to Utica, leaving the lumber trade, and returning to Pt. Huron, where he lumbered. In 1848 he married Miss Susan S. Kimball, of Pt. Huron, where he remained until 1867, engaged in buying staves. Came to Whitehall May 2, 1867, acting as steam- boat agent, railroad freight agent, and general drayman until July 4, 1881, when he added livery to his business. He has four sons and an equal number of daughters,
FRANCIS H. STURTEVANT, grocer, was born in Vermont in 1844, came in 1878 to Walworth Co., Wis., there for three years had a successful grocery business in Whitehall, built and ran saw mills in Blue Lake, and had a livery business in Whitehall for ten years, until he was burned out in 1881, losing the finest collection of horses and vehicles in the county. In the fall of 1881 he bought the grocery business of J. R. Conley. His neat and well filled grocery store is nearly opposite the Mears House. Mr. Sturtevant is a gentlemanly and obliging dealer.
A. M. THOMPSON was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., n 1820; at 14 years of age he moved to Bentley Creek, Pa., next farm to Cov- ells, and came to Whitehall in 1862, and ran the old water mill ten years. He married Emily Miller, of New Jersey, in 1842, who died in 1879, leaving two sons and one daughter.
E. D. THOMPSON, tinsmith, Colby St., Whitehall, next to Gee's hardware store. Mr. Thompson was born in Fredonia, N. Y., in 1820, and remained in his native place until he arrived at the age of 22, having previously learned his trade at Jamestown, near Fre- donia, serving faithfully from his sixteenth to his twenty-second year, a period of about six years. He then moved to Medina. Co., Ohio, remaining in that State for twenty years, chiefly at Wadsworth and Seville. In 1865 he came to Muskegon, engaging in the hard- ware, stove and tinware business, but in one year removed to White- hall, his store being in the old Foster Block, where Mr. Morse afterwards was. During his two years residence in Whitehall his health suffered severely, owing to the malaria incident to a new country. Accordingly he sold out to Mr. Morse, and after staying east three months he bought out F. Clark, of Muskegon, remaining two years, but owing to continued sickness he sold out and lived in Chicago for nearly two years. Owing to his real estate interests in Whitehall he removed back, and his health at this present writing is fully restored, having been in his present shop for four years. He has just erected a substantial building next to Moog's furniture store. He married May 4, 1847, Miss Lucetta W. Smith, of Seville, Ohio, by whom has been blessed with six children; Alice R., Chas. L. Emma F., Marion S., Edward K., and Arthur S .; of whom Alice and Marion have passed away. His residence is comfortably situ- ated on corner of Alice and Division Sts.
THOMAS B. WIDOE, clothier, of John Widoe & Sons, Whitehall, was born in Ohio in 1858, and married December, 1859, to Miss Jennie Basom, of Whitehall, and in November, 1859, went into
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HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY.
business with his father, who has been twelve years in business here. The store is 20 feet frontage with a depth of 50 feet, and the stock is worth $8,000.
ARTHUR WATKINS, fruiterer, Whitehall, was born in Milwaukee May 18, 1856, left at 6 years of age and came to a farm near White- hall, taken by his father, where he was reared. In 1877 he started in the fruit and vegetable line, in which he has been quite successful.
We now proceed to classify a few biographies of those con- nected with the
SAW MILLS.
STAPLES & COVELL'S.
J. T. SPEARMAN, engineer at Staples & Covell's saw mill, was born in New York State in 1836, and moved to Michigan in 1855; having previously moved to near London, Ontario, when he was three years of age, and thence to Sanilac Co., Mich. In 1867 came to White Lake. He married in 1861, Miss Acelia Wright, of St. Clair, by whom he had three sons and two daughters.
CHAS. WESLEY CHICK, scaler in Staples & Covell's saw mill, Whitehall, was born Feb. 18, 1856, in North Shields, Gratiot Co., Mich., and moved about as a young itinerant with his father who was an Episcopal Methodist minister, and stationed in various parts of the State. In 1873 he came to Whitehall, and for the first year acted as baggage master for the railroad, and has since worked in his present place. He married Sept. 9, 1880, Miss Dora Hedges. Is a Master Mason in the order of Free Masons, and a Royal Tem- plar of Temperance. Residence on Livingston Street.
ADAM BOHM, head sawyer of Staples & Covell's Whitehall, was born in Saxe-Cobourg Gotha, Germany, in 1835. He came all alone when a boy of 14 to Chicago, working in a lumber yard. In 1854 he came to White River, working for Ferry's at the Mouth, and en- listed in the 5th Mich. Cavalry, Major Ferry commanding, in 1862. He passed through all the battles of the Potomac and was dis- charged at close of the war. He returned to Whitehall, and since 1873, has been with the same firm. He is married and has one child. His residence is on Muskegon Avenue.
COVELL, OCOBOCK & co.'s.
C. A. OCOBOCK, was born in Medina, N. Y., in 1848, and at six years of age moved near to Grand Rapids, and in 1862 moved to Whitehall. He married in 1877 Melvina, daughter of Jos. Hinch- man, Esq., and has one child, Joseph, born in November, 1877.
JAS. W. OCOBOCK, of Covell & Ocobock's shingle mill, born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1822, and after various moves he worked for N. Y. Central R. R., in 1840 for four years attending to Rome sta- tion; thence to Medina, and in 1855 to Grand Rapids and White- hall in 1861, three years sawing for Heald & Co; then into Covell & Hinchman's mill, and in 1874 to his present place. He married Oct. 10, 1843, Susan Ostrom, of Rome, N. Y., and his family are, Harriet (Mrs. Theo. Thompson), Helen, who died Aug. 9, 1864, Charles A., George, James, born May 9, 1860. Mr, Ocobock has been honored with many public positions, having been President of the village two terms, and for years a member of the village board.
HENRY T. GARFIELD, saw filer, was born in Vermont in 1827, but soon removed to Chautauqua, N. Y., and at 12 years of age moving to Wisconsin, and came six years ago to Michigan, saw fil- ing in Covell & Ocobocks. Mr. Garfield is a nephew of the late president, and strikingly resembles him in appearance.
R. W. NORRIS.
RUEL W. NORRIS, shingle manufacturer, was born in Maine in 1842, and came to White Lake in 1863, at that time there being in
Whitehall the old water mill, Mear's store and a few lumber shanties. In 1868 commenced the grocery business and prospered. He bought his present mill above Mear's store from the N. V. Booth estate in 1872, first with Mr. Green, whom he afterwards bought out. He manufactures 50,000 shingles a day, and has beside a sash, door and general planing factory. He is a member of the Village Council, and is the originator of the pine block pavement, which is very durable and costs nothing but the laying down. He married Miss Isabel Maynard, of Newaygo County. In 1882 he is building a fine new block of buildings.
CHAS. BOOTH, packer in the Norris shingle mill, was born in Eaton Co., Mich., June 6, 1853, and moved to Whitehall with his father, the late N. V. Booth, who built the first planing and sash and door factory in Montague, and then built the mill now owned by Mr. Norris. Mr. Booth lives with his mother on Colby Street.
D. T. DUNNING, filer in Norris's mill, was born in Hamilton Co., N. Y., in 1855, and after various changes came to Blue Lake in 1873, and to Whitehall in 1879. He married Aug. 19, 1878, Anna G. Johnson, of Montague, and has two children, Wm. Benjamin, born July 10, 1879, and Irena, Feb. 3, 1881.
CHAS. DEAN, foreman Norris's planing mill, was born in Oswe- go Co., N. Y., Oct. 6, 1847, and after several changes he came to Whitehall in 1868, working for several lumbering firms, but for the last four years in his present position. He married July 2, 1870, Mrs. Isabel Nestell, of Eaton Rapids, and has two children, George and Lucy May. He enlisted in 122nd N. Y. Vols., in 6th Army Corps, under Gen. Sedgwick, was in 34 battles and skirmishes and came out almost unhurt.
A. J. AND C. E. COVELL'S.
FRANK THEIS, engineer in Covell's saw mill, born in Prussia July 13, 1834, landed in Chicago August, 1839, where he was brought up, came to White Lake in 1859, working for several sea- sons for Capt. Dalton, was also engineer on the Daylight, owned by Capt. Burrows, has been with Staples & Covell and A. J. & C. E. Covell for 14 years. Married and has four children.
GEORGE BURNS, sawfiler in A.J.& C. E. Covell's, was born in Peel County, Ont., 1845, coming to Lenawee County, Mich., in 1864, and after various changes came to Bluffton, lumbering for 7 seasons there and for Ryerson, Hills & Co., at Bay Mills. Came to White River in 1876 working for Heald, Avery & Co., has been four years with Covell's, married Miss Harriet VanBroclin and has two chil- dren.
ANDREW M. SUNDSTROM, fireman in Covell's mill, born in Sweden in 1847. After receiving a fair education and learning the carpenter trade he left when 21 for Whitehall, working as a carpen- ter and since May 19, 1881 in his present position.
ALLEY & co's.
WM. E. PARSONS, engineer for Alley & Co's., was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., in 1828, came to Buffalo in 1853, Chicago, 1856 and in the same year set foot in Muskegon County, being employed on the propeller Charles Mears, which then plied along the east coast of Lake Michigan. Came to Whitehall in 1871 and entered the service of Alley & Co., in which he has been ever since, and he is proud to say that under his management there has never been an accident from his engine. He married Sarah Everts, of Leeds, Ontario, and has 4 children, the eldest of whom Helena, married E. Pike, of Michigan City, in 1872 .
A. G. ADAMSON, fireman in Alley & Co's., was born in Sweden in 1844, working on a farm and as coachman, came to Whitehall in 1872, married and has one daughter. Has been with Alley & Co. nearly three years.
THOMAS H. DAWSON, sawfiler at Alley & Co's., born in Lincoln-
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HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY.
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shire, England, in 1843. At two years of age his parents came to Rochester, N. Y., and after various removals he came to Whitehall In 1865. Has been sawfiling 4 years,
PHILIP R. VANKEUREN, foreman of Alley & Co's. sawmill, born in Delaware county, N. Y., 1348, where he resided until 1871 on his father's farm. After a short residence in Iowa he came to Whitehall and in 1878 rose to the foremanship of his mill. Married May 21, 1876, to Minnie Whitman, of Whitehall, and has one daughter, Georgina, born Sept. 16, 1879.
CHARLES B. SLOCUM, of Alley's sawmill, was born in Yates Co., N. Y., in 1843. On April 25, 1861, enlisted in Co. K. Third N. Y. Volunteers, Seventh Army Corps, and was under Butler at Ft. Mon- roe, and Dix at Big Bethel, Suffolk, etc., Va. At the close of his term of service in 1863, re-enlisted in Navy, fought at St. Marks, and was
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