USA > Michigan > Wexford County > History of Wexford County, Michigan, embracing a concise review of its early settlement, industrial development and present conditions > Part 41
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WL'EXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Clyde C. Chittenden was born in York- shire, Cattaraugus county, New York, on the 19th day of August, 1860. and spent his early life under the active and wholesome discipline of the farm. After attending for some years the public schools, he entered an academy not far from his home, where he pursued the higher branches of learning until completing the prescribed course in 1881, when he became a student of Hamilton College, near the city of Utica. Eight months of diligent application in that in- stitution terminated his scholastic training. after which he began the study of law at Little Valley, in the office of Nash & Lin- coln. well-known attorneys of that place, con- tinuing under their direction until his remo- val to Michigan in the fall of 1883.
On coming to this state Mr. Chittenden decided to locate at Cadillac and here he ap- plied himself closely to his legal studies until March of the following year, when he was admitted to the bar. Opening an office and announcing himself a candidate for a share of public patronage, he soon succeeded in building up a lucrative business and it was not long until he forged to the front as one of the rising members of the Wexford coun- ty bar. During the spring and summer of 1884, he applied himself closely to the gener- al practice, with encouraging success, but the the following fall, at the earnest solicitation of his friends, he entered the race for circuit court commissioner, to which office he was elected by a very decided majority.
This may be termed the beginning of Mr. Chittenden's public career, as he has been prominently before the people from that year to the present time, fully justifying their con- fidence in his ability and integrity and prov- ing true to every trust reposed in him.
After serving one term as court commission- er. he was elected, in 1886, prosecuting at- torney and so able and faithfully did he dis- charge the duties of this exacting office that he was twice re-elected, serving six years in all, during which period he continually add- ed to his reputation as a sound lawyer and shrewd. resourceful practitioner.
Mr. Chittenden is an influential politician and ever since locating at Cadillac has been a wise counsellor and judicious leader of the Republican party. He has served as dele- gate to local and state conventions and as member of the county central committee, a position he has held ever since coming to the state, his efforts contributing greatly to the success of the ticket in a number of elec- tions. In the fall of 1894 he was elected sen- ator from the twenty-seventh district and as a legislator in the state councils proved equal to the responsibilities intrusted to him. Dur- ing his incumbency he was active and effi- cient in the discharge of his every duty. served on a number of important committees, took a leading part in the general delibera- tions and earned the reputation of a wise and judicious law-maker, meeting the high ex- pectations of his friends throughout the dis- triet by the interest he manifested in behalf of his constituents and the state.
Mr. Chittenden, in the year 1900, was elected judge of the twenty-eighth judicial circuit, in which honorable position he has already acquired a high reputation for soundness in the knowledge of the law and for careful application of its principles in the investigation and determination of cases sub- mitted for his consideration and disposal. Fortified by his convictions of right, his rulings are fair and impartial, his decisions clear. terse, and embodying a careful review
Camer
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printed on the pages of history presents to the youth of the rising generation an exam- ple worthy of study and emulation. Such a life has been that of the eminent business man and distinguished citizen to a brief re- view of whose long and varied career this article is devoted.
Jacob Cummer. for many years one of the leading business men of Michigan, is known from one extremity of the state to the other, and his name is also familiar in busi- ness circles throughout the entire country. as his operations have by no means been circum- scribed by the bounds of the commonwealth in which he has conducted his extensive inter- ests and in which his signal financial success- es have been achieved. Mr. Cummer is a native of Canada, in which country his fam- ily settled in an early day and with the local history of certain parts of which the name has long been identified. His father, John Henry Cummer, was a farmer and lumber- man, who at one time operated several saw- mills, in addition to which he also did a flourishing business in the manufacture of flour. He spent all his life in Canada and clied in the city of Toronto in the seventy- fifth year of his age. The maiden name of Mrs. John 11. Cuminer was Sarah Lock- man Smith; she bore her husband ten chil- dren and departed this life shortly after his death at Waterdown, being between sixty and seventy years of age at the time of her demise.
Of the large family of children that once gathered around the hearthstone of John H. and Sarah (Smith) Cummer, Jacob, the subject of this review, is the oldest. He was born November 1, 1823. in the city of Toron- to, but spent his youthful years on his fath- er's farm where he early learned those lessons
of industry and thrift which had such a de- cided influence in forming his character and shaping his future course of action. At the age of eighteen he entered his father's busi- ness and after two years of hard work and steady application there, went to Lockport. New York, where he received additional in- struction in flour making, in due time be- coming a very efficient miller. After re- maining one year in that city he returned to Canada and took charge of the home mill. which he operated for his father one year. and at the expiration of that time entered into an agreement to run the business for a share of the proceeds. Leasing the mill, he continued its operation about two years. when he purchased the structure and as sole proprietor did a reasonably successful busi- ness until selling out at a fair profit several years later.
After disposing of the mill, the subject. in partnership with his brother, Lockman Cummer, engaged in the manufacture of flour at Waterdown, where they took charge of two grist-mills, in connection with which they also operated the same number of saw- mills and a foundry and a machine shop. When Mr. Cummer went to Waterdown he invested all of his earnings, amounting to twenty-seven thousand dollars, in the above enterprises and for a time things went favor- ably: the business continued to grow in volume and importance until fortune seemed assured, but the great financial panic of 1857 coming on, during which time it was impossible to make collections, the busi- ness was so seriously crippled that at the ex- piration of about seventeen months pay- ments were suspended and the doors closed. This failure swallowed up the entire capital of the firm and entailed a loss from which
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the brothers were a long time recovering. Shortly after suspending business Mr. Cum- mer engaged to conduct a mill for another party at Delaware, Ontario, having been reccomended for the position by certain par- ties who were cognizant of his superior abilities as a miller. After operating the mill about a year for a share of the earnings he gave up the place and came to Michigan, locating in 1860 in Newaygo county, where he purchased what was known as the Brooks property, consisting of a lumber and flour- ing-mill. to which he subsequently added a plant for the manufacture of staves. Mr. Cummer embarked in the three-fold enter- prise with every prospect of success, but the Civil war breaking out soon afterwards and the consequent flooding of the country with a depreciated and largely irredeemable, or "wild cat," currency, brought on a season of depression which continued with little or no abatement for three and a half years, to the great detriment of all business enterprises, many of which suffered severe losses, while others failed, never again to resume opera- tions. During this period Mr. Cummer tried hard to keep his business on a paying basis, but owing to stringency of money matters he finally succumbed to the inevita- ble and was obliged to suspend and relin- quish the property on which he had already made several large payments. With noth- ing better in view, he soon afterwards rented one of the mills and for a period of two years operated it with fair success, giving it up at the end of that time and then rented for a term of years Rice Bros.' mill in the town of Croton, Michigan. During the three years in which he operated the latter Mr. Cummer met with encouraging success, and it was while at Croton that he began in-
vesting his surplus capital in pine lands, a venture which ultimately proved the making of his fortune. In company with the late Nelson Higbee and Robert J. Mitchell, both shrewd. far-seeing business men, he purchas- ed large tracts in various parts of the coun- try, all of which afterward proved very prof- itable, and in due time he retired from mill- ing to devote his entire attention to the lum- ber industry. With an eye to the future, he bought, shortly after leaving Croton, a large amount of fine timber land, which he subse- quently sold at profit of one hundred thous- and dollars, the meanwhile continuing his investments until, as stated in the preceding paragraph, he became widely known as one of the leading lumber dealers in the state.
Removing from Croton, Mr. Cummer took up his residence at Cedar Springs, Kent county, Michigan, where he remained between one and two years, devoting his attention to buying and selling lumber and assisting his brother, Franklin D. Cummer, who some time before had become involved in various business difficulties. From Cedar Springs he removed to Morley, Michigan, where he formed a partnership in the lum- ber business with his son, Wellington W., erecting a saw-mill which they operated with a large financial profit until 1876, when the subject changed his abode to Cadillac. Here, in partnership with his son, he continued to deal extensively in timber lands, purchasing large tracts in the counties of Wexford and Missankee, which, like his previous invest- ments, returned him liberal profits and added greatly to the already independent fortune at that time in his possession. Becoming somewhat advanced in years and not caring to assume any additional responsibilities. Mr. Cimmer, as soon as he could reasonably
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do so, gradually turned his extensive busi- ness interests over to other hands and sought the quiet shades of retirement in Cad- illac, where he has since lived in the enjoy- ment of the fruits of his many years of strenuous toil. lle still retains, however. an interest in the business which he formerly conducted with such marked success and in addition thereto keeps in touch with the trend of affairs in the city, manifesting a lively regard for everything pertaining to the good of the community and contributing to the promotion of the welfare of his fellow
Mr. Cummer's ability to rise superior to obstacles that would have discouraged the majority of men and to win success from conditions which woukl have meant defeat to many, shows him the possessor of a re- sourceful mind, a soundness of judgment, a clearness of perception and rare forethought such as few men are endowed with. His career presents much that is commendable. not the least being his ability to rally from severe financial reverses, to perceive in the midst of discouraging circumstances a way to take advantage of them, and to create op- portunities where they did not hitherto exist. In the midst of the thronging cares and de- mands of a busy life he has never been un- mindful of his obligations to the community as a citizen, being always gracious in his as- sociations with his fellow men and enjoying a popularity which is the natural result of his characteristics. He is a man of strong intellectuality and keen discernment, and. calculating well the future outcome of busi- ness transactions, is seklom mistaken in the : ultimate results of any of his undertakings. As already stated, he has devoted consider- able of his time and talent to the improve-
ment of his town and county and his gen- erosity, unswerving integrity, public spirit and pronounced ability have gained him a distinctive position as one of the truest and best citizens of Cadillac.
The married life of Mr. Cummer dates from 1845. on November 6 of which year he was united in the bonds of wedlock with Miss Mary A. Snider, who was born April 7. 1825. in the dominion of Canada. Iler parents, Jacob and Rachel ( McCready ) Sni- der, were natives of New Brunswick, but spent much of their lives in Canada, and died near the city of Toronto. Their family con- sisted of nine children, Mrs. Cummer being the fifth in order of birth. To Mr. and Mrs. Cummer have been born six children, whose names are as follows : Wellington W., a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume; Emily Eliza died in infancy : Emma Bell also died young : Harvey F. de- parted this life in his sixth year; Elmer C. died when twenty-seven years old, and Car- rie E., who married Fred A. Diggins, a prominent business man of Cadillac. Mr. Cummer and wife have been zealous mem- bers of the Congregational church for many years and since coming to Cadillac have been active in all lines of religious and benev- olent work and to their efforts and liberal financial support the church in this city is largely indebted for its material prosperity and spiritual growth. Since becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States Mr. Cummer has acted with the Republican party and while not a partisan, much less an as- pirant for official honors, he has been active in party councils and an influential worker for the cause he espouses. In political mat- ters as well as in business affairs and in his relations with the world generally he is a
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vigorous as well as an independent thinker and has the courage of his convictions upon all subjects he investigates. Ile is also cos- mopolitan in his ideas, a man of the pco- ple, and cares little for conventionalism or for the sanctity attaching to person or place by reason of artificial distinction, accident of birth or time-honored tradition. In brief, he is a representative type of the strong, virile American manhood, that by reason of inherent merit, sound sense and correct con- duct commands and retains the respect of the people, and he stands today. as he has stood in the past, a forceful and influential factor in business affairs and an honored citizen in the walk of life.
WILLIAM L. SAUNDERS.
In a history of the prominent and influ- ential citizens of Wexford county, William L. Saunders, of Cadillac, is deserving of spe- cific notice as his well-spent life, his fine busi - uess acquirements, his loyalty to every trust reposed in him and his ability to manage large and important industrial enterprises, as well as the honorable and straightforward course he has ever pursued, have gained him a high place in the confidence and esteem of his fellow men. Mr. Saunders is a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and the second in a family of six children, whose parents were William and Mary ( AAshton) Saunders. He was born in the city of Car- lisle on the 5th day of September, 1858, and when quite young was taken to Bloomburg, where he spent his early years, as soon as old enough assisting his father in a planing- mill and at intervals attending the public
schools of the town. By reason of circum- stances over which he had no control his ed- ucation was somewhat limited, but he made the most of his opportunities and in time became well informed in the common branches of learning. Like the majority of successful men, however, his training was mostly of a practical nature, obtained in the rugged school of experience, such discipline being of far greater value than much of the knowledge imparted by colleges and univer- sities. Mr. Saunders' father was a lumber (lealer, and he was careful to instruct his sons in the fundamental principles of busi- ness, the subject coming in for his full share of this severe practical training. In 1877 the family moved to Cadillac, Michigan, where the elder Saunders established a plan- ing-mill, William L. afterwards becoming a partner in the enterprise, which for two years went by the firm name of Saunders & Son. At the expiration of that time the sub- ject withdrew and entered the employ of Cummer & Cummer, as foreman of that firm's large business, subsequently being pro- moted to the superintendency, in which capa- city he served about ten years, becoming dur- ing that time familiar with every detail of the lumber industry besides developing great skill and efficiency as a sound, practical busi- ness man. The firm was originally known as Cummer & Diggins, and it was with the latter partnership that Mr. Saunders became identified in the year 1900 by purchasing an interest in the business. As at present con- stituted the firm is known as Cummer, Dig- gins & Company, Mr. Saunders being the practical superintendent of the enterprise, a position which his natural abilities and pre- vious training peculiarly fit him to fill.
Whatever success Mr. Saunders has
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achieved, and it is by no means inconsider- able, is due entirely to his own industry, in- telligence and well-directed efforts. In his young manhood he started out to make his own way in the world, with little aid from outside sources, and he has steadily worked onward and upward to the responsible posi- tion he now holds with one of the largest business firms in northern Michigan. Pos- sessing untiring energy, quick perception and sound judgment, he is well qualified for leadership in important undertakings. He forms his plans readily, is determined in their execution, and his close application to the interests of his firm and excellent busi- ness management have brought him the high degree of prosperity which today is his. It is true that he became interested in an en- terprise already established, but in manag- ing, practically controlling and in no small measure enlarging the same, he has displayed executive abilities of a high order and dem- onstrated the fact that success in such an in- dertaking is not the result of genius or fortuitous circumstances, but the outcome of sound sense, mature judgment and the right kind of experience.
The domestic chapter of the life of Mr. Saunders bears date of 1879, on November oth of which year he entered the marriage relation with Miss Mary Graham, a native of Ontario and a daughter of the late Archi- bald Graham, for many years a prominent and influential business man of Big Rapids, this state. To this union three children have been born, Clyde A. and Marion, living. Blanche, the second in order of birth, dying at the carly age of five years. Mr. Saunders has served several times in the common council of Cadillac and as a member of that body labored zealously for the city's ad-
vancement, standing for all needed public improvements and bringing about much leg- islation for the good of the municipality. He has been closely identified with every movement for the general welfare of the community since becoming a resident of the same and no worthy enterprise for the ad- vancement of the city's interests, materially or otherwise, has been inaugurated and car- ried forward without his hearty co-opera- tion and support. Public spirited in all the term implies, he devotes much of his time and attention to matters outside the province of his business affairs and is ever ready to lend a helping hand when projects for the common weal are under consideration of being pushed to practical conclusion.
Politically Mr. Saunders supports the Republican party, but he is not a politician nor has he any aspiration in the way of office holding, preferring the active life he is now leading as a private citizen to any honors or emoluments within the power of his fel- low citizens to bestow. Fraternally he is a Mason of high degree, belonging to the lodge, chapter and council at Cadillac, in all of which he is an active member and inthu- ential factor, ever striving to exemplify in his daily life the beautiful teachings and sublime precepts of this ancient and honor- able order. Mr. Saunders is a well-rounded. symmetrically developed man of recognized ability and unimpeachable integrity, and he may be taken as a splendid example of broad- minded, progressive American citizenship. His influence has always been on the right side of every moral question, and under all circumstances he has been true to his con- victions of right, both theoretically and prac- tically. Genial in manner, kindly in disposi- tion and cheerful in temperament, he has the
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warm regard of all with whom he mingles, and his life demonstrates the possibilities that are open to every young man with en- ergy and ambition to rise above mere self so as to be of use to society and to the world.
JOHN M. TERWILLIGER.
Newspapers are powerful agents in the development of every community, and upon their carly establishment the rapid growth of an incipient municipality to a large ex- tent depends, while at all stages of advance- ment they figure as the pulse indication of local thought and action. The thriving city of Cadillac is favored in having so ably edit- ed and conducted a newspaper as is the Cad- illac Globe, of which Messrs. John M. Ter- williger and Ralph W. Crawford are edi- tors and publishers. Of this paper, Mr. Ter- williger was the founder, and he has been continuously identified with the same to the present time, being known as one of the alert and progressive young business men of the city, while he holds the unequivocal con- fidence and regard of the community.
John M. Terwilliger is a native of the state of Michigan, having been born in Clay- ton, Lenawee county, on the 21st of Feb- ruary, 1870, and being a son of AAlbert E. and Polly ( Forbes) Terwilliger, the former of whom was born in Rochester county, New York, and the latter in Lenawee county, Michigan. Albert E. Terwilliger was at- tending school at the breaking out of the Civil war, and then enlisted in the One Hun- dred and Thirty-eighth New York In- tantry, being later transferred to the Ninth New York Heavy Artillery. He served val-
iantly during the conflict and at its close went to Clayton. Michigan, where he resided until 1875, when he located at Sylvania, Lu- cas county, Ohio. In 1880 he returned to Michigan and in 1883 he came to Wexford county and located in Antioch township, where he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, in which he here continued until the death of his loved and devoted wife, on the 19th of June, 1889, at which time she was fifty-one years of age. In the autumn of that year he returned to Lenawee county, where he has since resided. Of this umion were born two children, John M., the imme- diate subject of this review, and Fred E., who is a farmer in Lenawee county. When the subject was five years of age his par- ents removed to Sylvania, Lucas county, Ohio, where he prosecuted his studies in the public schools until he had attained the age of ten years, when the family returned to Lenawee county, locating on a farm near Clayton, where they resided until their re- moval to Wexford county, John M. having in the meanwhile continued his studies in the public schools. At the age of sixteen years he began teaching in the district schools of Wexford county, successfully continuing his pedagogic efforts for a period of four years, after which he completed a business course in the Ferris Institute, at Big Rapids. Mr. Terwilliger's identification with the "art preservative of all arts" dates its inception back to the spring of 1892, when he came to Cadillac and accepted the position of solici- tor and reporter on the Michigan State Dem- ocrat, retaining this incumbency until De- cember of the following year, when he pur- chased the Fife Lake Monitor, which he continued to publish until July, 1898, when he disposed of the plant and business, having
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in the meanwhile also founded and conducted the Boardman River Current, which was published in connection with his other paper. On the ist of September, 1898, he founded the Cadillac Globe, and in July of the follow- ing year Ralph W. Crawford, an able young newspaper man, became associated with him in the enterprise, purchasing a half interest. and since that time the business has been conducted under the firm name of Terwilli- ger & Crawford. The Globe is published on Thursday of each week, is a seven-column quarto, and is not only a worthy exponent of local interests but is a credit to the town and also to its publishers; the letter-press being excellent and the makeup always taste- ful and effective, while its character and its circulation are such as to secure to it a rep- resentative advertising support, the business men of the city appreciating its value in this line. The plant of the firm is well equipped. and the facilities of the job department are maintained at the highest standard, so that attractive work is issued, and that with ex- pedition and proper care to details. The political policy of the Globe is independent. Mr. Terwilliger is personally a stanch ad- vocate of the principles of the Democratic party, and takes an active interest in its canse. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, holding membership in Cadillac Lodge No. 46, while in the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows he affiliates with Arbutus Lodge No. 359. at Fife Lake.
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