USA > Michigan > Wexford County > History of Wexford County, Michigan, embracing a concise review of its early settlement, industrial development and present conditions > Part 46
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71
state's growth in population. People went by every known route. Caravans tempted Indian malice and cupidity by traveling across the continent with ox teams: other fortune hunters sailed to Panama, crossed the isthmus, and reached their destination by way of the Pacific, while still others sailed around Cape Horn. making the trip entirely by water. The subject of this review. George H. Otis, was only twelve years old when the excitement was at its height. He was a lad of more strength and manly vigor than most youths of his years and he yearned to be among the throng crowding westward to the new El Dorado. He had to curb his impatience, however, for a few years. By practicing the most rigid economy, by the time he was eighteen years old, in 1855. he had accumulated sufficient funds to en- able him to gratify the dream of his youth- ful years. Making the trip by the Panama route, he arrived safely at his destination. but. like thousands of others, he found that the yellow metal was neither so plentiful or as easily gotten as his brilliant imagination had pictured it.
George H. Otis was born in Leoni, Jack- son county, Michigan, March 27. 1837. His parents were Joseph H. and Lanra ( McNall) Otis, natives of New York, and both now (leceased. The early years of the subject were spent in his native county, where he was reared and educated. At the age of eighteen years he determined to try his for- tune in the gold fields of California. Hay- ing tried his luck at mining and finding it not nearly so remunerative as he imagined it would be. he turned his attention to the more prosaic calling of a dairyman and picked up more gold in this way than he did delving in the mines. A good cow is a far
365
IFEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
better wealth producer than a poor gold mine. Year after year he followed this call- ing until after the breaking out of the Civil war, in April, 1862, when he enlisted as a private soldier in the First Regiment, Wash- ington Territory Volunteer Infantry. The field of operations of this regiment was most- ly on the frontier. Their chief foe was the implacable red man, who knew neither North nor South, nor the cause which either repre- sented, but embraced the opportunity given him by the absence of the regular army in the south to glut his hate against every species of pale face. George H. Otis spent three years in military service, and at the close of the war, 1865. he received an hon- orable dicharge.
The years of life on the Pacific coast as miner, dairyman and soldier made some very material alterations in the views, opin- ions and notions of life entertained by Mr. Otis. He was no longer the romantic youtlı, but the hardened toiler, the seasoned vet- eran, the practical man, when he returned, in 1865. to his native county of Jackson, Mich- igan. After a little rest and recuperation after his years of toil, soldiering and his long journey from the west, he procured em- ployment in the state penitentiary at Lansing, as overseer or keeper. He held this position for six years, and until he voluntarily re- signed it. desiring to engage in a calling more agreeable than that of farming.
In Leoni, Jackson county, Michigan, on the 3d day of February, 1869, George H. Otis was united in marirage to Miss Adaline Tilyou, a native of Michigan, born July 17, 1842, in Leoni, Jackson county. Her par- ents were Carlyle and Harriett ( Train ) Til- you, natives of New York, and both now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Otis one child
has been born, a daughter, Hattie E., who is at home, and is being educated in the com- mon schools.
In October, 1871, the family moved to Wexford county, and settled on eiglity acres of land, a part of section 22, Selma town- ship. They erected a home, cleared and im- proved the land, and there they have resided up to the present time. Forty acres of the original eighty are well improved and under cultivation. There is a fine bearing orchard upon the place and the land is very pro- ductive of any crop suitable for this climate.
Politically a stanch Republican, there are few if any of the local offices in Selma town- ship that have not been filled by Mr. Otis. He has been the assessor of school district No. 6, since it was organized twenty-three years ago. He has seen a great deal of the world and has profited greatly, both in knowledge and material wealth, by. all that has been brought under his observation dur- ing the course of his long and useful life. He is a member of the Union Veterans' Union.
JONATHAN W. COBBS.
Few men in Wexford county were as widely and favorably known as was the late Jonathan W. Cobbs, of Cadillac. He was one of the strong and influential citizens whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section of the state and for years his name was synonymous with all that constituted honorable and upright man- hood. Tireless energy, keen perception and honesty of purpose, combined with every- day common sense, were, among his chief characteristics, and while advancing indi-
366
IVEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
vidual success he also largely promoted the material welfare of his community.
Jonathan W. Cobbs was a native son of the old Buckeye state. having been born at Westville, Columbiana county, Ohio, on the 25th of February, 1828. He was a son of Joseph and Tacy ( Walton) Cobbs, the former of whom was a cabinetmaker by trade. They were both highly respected in the community in which they lived, and were the parents of nine children, of whom the subject was the third in the order of birth. Jonathan W. Cobbs passed the early years of his life in his native county and when old enough was employed as an assistant to his father, becoming an adept in wood working. Subsequently he learned the trade of wagon- making, at which he was engaged until he left his native state, going to Butlerville, Jennings county, Indiana, where he engaged in the lumber business. He there erected a saw-mill and was soon doing a good busi- ness, shipping the products of his mill to Cincinnati, Ohio. Feeling that in Michigan lay wider opportunities for a man of energy and ambition, he, about 1873, went to Grand Rapids, where he remained about seventeen months, and in April, 1874, he came to Cadillac ( then called Clam Lake). He was thoroughly familiar with the lumbering busi- ness in all its details, having owned three saw-mills in Jennings and Jackson counties, Indiana, and upon coming to Michigan he felt that in that line of industry lay the best chances for his future success, the accuracy of his judgment being proven by his sub- sequent careeer. He was one of the first men to engage in the lumber business at Cadillac and remained actively identified with it until within about four years of his death, when he gave his interests over into
the charge of his son, F. J., this move being necessitated on account of the precarious condition of his health. He had always been a strong and vigorous man and had de- voted his entire energy to the business in which he engaged, the result being a success commensurate with the untiring efforts put forth by him. His interests were large and in them he took the keenest interest, no ‹letail being too trivial to escape his atten- tion, this fact probably being the true secret of his success. For many years he was considered one of the leading lumbering men in this part of the state, and bore a conspic- tous part in commercial circles in his city.
On the 29th of March, 1855. at Butler- ville, Jennings county, Indiana, Mr. Cobbs was united in marriage with Miss Nancy J. Preble. She was a native of Olean, Ripley county, Indiana, born March 21, 1833, and was a daughter of Barnard and Elizabeth ( Maddox) Preble. Her father was a car- penter by occupation and he and his wife both died in Jennings county, to which local- ity they had removed after the birth of Mrs. Cobbs. They were the parents of ten chil- (ren, of whom Mrs. Cobbs was the third in order of birth. To the marriage of the sub- ject and his wife were born three children. as follows: Tacy MI. is the wife of Isaac Murphy; Fmma is the wife of Richard W. Massey; Isabelle is the wife of H. W. Mc- Master and an adopted son, Frank J., who is now in control of the lumbering business. Few men who have resided in Wexford county have exerted as wide an influence in material matters and in things affecting the general welfare of the community as did Jonathan W. Cobbs, his support being al- ways given to those movements which tend- ed to improve the condition of those about
367
WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
him or to make life's burdens lighter for those less fortunately situated than himself. He won many friends and always retained them. His courteous manners, genial dis- position and genuine worth earned for him the sincere respect even of those who were not intimate with him and his death was sin- cerely mourned by all.
LEWIS T. WILSON.
The surest, most unerring way of judging a man is by the estimate placed upon him by the people of the locality in which he has lived for years. One or two or even a dozen transactions with an individual may disclose a very little of his real nature. Even the inost obtuse, however, of those with whom he lias associated for a series of years have no difficulty in forming a proper estimate of liis nature. They see him and view him from many different situations, at his work, in the family circle, at public meetings, in the church, in his moments of mirth and enjoy- ment, in his days of sorrow and in his periods of excitement or anger, with the result that they are able to know the man even better than he knows himself. This being conced- ed and Lewis T. Wilson, the subject of this review, being judged in the light above indi- cated, he is disclosed to be a most worthy and capable man. His neighbors and associ- ates know what he is and the estimate they place upon him is indeed a high one.
Lewis T. Wilson, who resides on his own farm, which is a part of section 31. liberty township, and who is the subject of this review, was born in St. Lawrence coun- ty, New York, January 6, 1854. Ilis par-
ents were James and Caroline (Thomas) Wilson. he a native of Ireland and she of New York. After the birth of the subject, the family moved to Onon- daga county, New York, where they re- sided a mummiber of years and in the spring of 1877 the family moved to Wexford county, Michigan, and settled on a farm in Liberty township, where they have since continued to reside. They were the parents of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, the subject of this review being the third child of the family. When a lad of only fourteen years Lewis T. Wilson bravely faced the world with the firm pur- pose of providing for himself thereafter. He sought and secured employment in various localities in New York, and although young in years, he was steady. industrious and pru- dent with his money. He often visited be- neath the parental roof and continued to look upon his parents' residence as his home. When the family arranged to move to Mich- igan he was earnestly solicited by his par- ents, brothers and sisters not to remain be- liind. He acceded to their wishes and made one of the party that came from New York that year to swell the population of Wexford county and win from fate a better fortune than they had yet known. In Michigan, as in New York, he devoted himself to farming.
In Eaton county, Michigan, October 5. 188t, Lewis T. Wilson was united in mar- riage to Miss Flora Hall, a native of New York, born in Orleans county, October 5. 1860. She is a daughter of William and Clarissa Hall, who moved to Michigan and settled in Eaton county in 1863. The father died at the age of fifty-six years, while the mother still survives. They were the parents of eight children, Mrs. Wilson being the el-
368
IVEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
dest child of the family. Immediately after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wilson established themselves on a farm, a part of section 31, Liberty township, which they have made their home continually since that time. The farm consists of forty-six acres, nearly all clear and well improved. They are the par- ents of ten children, two of whom died in early life. Those living are: Herbert L., Ethel F., Clara M., Ariel E., Cebert D .. Lulu M., Mildred E. and Wallace H. The children are all possessed of much mental ability and in their studies at school have shown an aptitude for knowledge far above that of the average pupil.
Lewis T. Wilson has always shown a keen interest in public affairs. The improve- ment and development of the township in which he resides absorbs much of his atten- tion and every public enterprise receives his most hearty encouragement. He has been honored by the people of his township with the office of treasurer and he served a num- ber of terms as school director. His charac- ter is above reproach and no man stands higher in the community than he does.
JOHN T. PARKER.
Successful farming is an art not ac- quired alone from the reading of books, al- though agricultural literature will always prove to be a most valuable auxiliary in the hands of the reflecting and experimenting tiller of the soil. The great book of nature is, however. the alpha and omega of the wise farmer's true literature, and the lessons therein studied impart the knowledge which leads to triumphant mastery of this oldest of all industries. John T. Parker, the sub- ject of this review, is one who had the good
fortune of early studying and practicing the art of agriculture in such a manner as to secure substantial and permanent results and the story of his modest career is well worthy of perusal.
John T. Parker, a resident of section 6. Selma township, is a native of the state of Michigan, born in Sanilac county. September 6. 1858. His parents were Thomas and Rosana (Surbrook) Parker, who were the parents of seven children, of whom the sub- ject of this sketch was the fifth. The mother died in 1867, when the subject was only nine years of age, while the father resides in Sanilac county, and is a farmer, being in politics a Republican.
In his native county of Sanilac John T. Parker was reared and educated in the com- mon schools until he reached the age of sev- enteen years. By that time he had become very conversant with farm labor and was considered a good agriculturist himself. In those days the terms of school each year were short and the seasons of labor on the farm long, so that while he gained a fair knowledge of books, he acquired much more of plowing, harrowing, sowing, planting, reaping and harvesting. He was a prudent, provident youth and, combining these very desirable qualities with industry, he carly gave promise of the success which he has since attained.
In the autumn of 1876, when barely eighteen years old, with a comfortable little sum of money in his pocket, he came to Wexford county and secured employment for the fall and winter, while looking for a desirable investment. In the early spring he found a good forty-acre tract of land that was for sale and bought it, it being located in section 18, Selma township. After
369
WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
making some improvements, he sold it at a nice margin of profit, and immediately pur- chased a tract of land in section 6, same township, erected a modest .home, made some other improvements, and lived there two years, when he disposed of it also.
About this time Mr. Parker became im- pressed with the notion that while the real- estate business was profitable, it necessitated too many removals. He therefore decided to get out of it, by buying a place that suited him and holding it at such a figure that no one would care to buy. Accordingly he pur- chased forty acres in Boon township and later another forty-acre tract across the line in section 6, Selma township, where he es- tablished his home and where he has since resided. This eighty-acre farm he has splen- didly improved, seventy acres have been cleared and are in a most desirable state of cultivation. Good buildings have been erected and the place has been supplied with every appurtenance necessary for good farm- ing.
July 29, 1878, in Selma township, John T. Parker was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte L. Frank, a native of New York, born in Erie county, July 28, 1862. Her parents were Levi and Marietta (Michael) Frank, both natives of the Empire state, and both are deceased. To Jolin T. and Char- lotte L. Parker five children have been born. One son, Owen F., died when about two years old, and the living children are Thomas H., Lulu J., Erma E. and Reba M.
The life of John T. Parker has been too busy a one to give him either time or inclina- tion to dabble in politics. He has given to politics, therefore, all that good citizenship required of him and no more. Ile served Selma township as highway commissioner a
number of years, and, being deeply interested in the cause of education, he consented to serve as school moderator and performed the duties of the office very acceptably sev- eral terms. The only fraternal order to which he belongs is the Odd Fellows, be- longing to Harrietta Lodge No. 186. He is a thorough farmer and most capable busi- ness man, and because of his many fine per- sonal qualifications has won the regard and esteem of a large circle of acquaintances.
ROBERT M. WADDELL.
Robert M. Waddell was born in North Manchester, Indiana, on the 25th day of September, 1874, twenty-nine years ago. His father is Charles Waddell, a practicing physician in North Judson, Indiana, and a veteran of the Civil war. His mother, who died in 1879, was a member of the Ohio Hosmer family. During the time the sub- ject of this sketch was acquiring his educa- tion he became interested in newspaper mak- ing, and for fifteen years has been connected in various capacities with a half dozen news- papers in Indiana and in Michigan. Mr. Waddell came to Cadillac in the fall of 1898 to accept a position in the editorial and busi- ness departments of the Cadillac News and Express and the Cadillac Daily News, Perry F. Powers' two newspapers, and has since remained with Mr. Powers. Mr. Waddell was married in 1895, in La Grange, Indiana, to Miss Bradford, a daughter of Captain and Mrs. Samuel P. Bradford. Captain Brad- ford served nearly five years as a soldier in the Civil war, was a lawyer, and for eight years was clerk of the La Grange cir-
370
WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
cuit court. He died in 1890. Mrs. Waddell was educated in the La Grange schools and in St. Mary's of the Notre Dame University, near South Bend, Indiana, and in the West- minster Academy in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Waddell are the parents of one living daughter, Ruth, who was born on the 3d of June, 1902.
AUSTIN W. MITCHELL.
The well known family of which the subject of this review was an .honored representative, has been identified with the history of Michigan in different capacities since the early settlement of the state, the name appearing in connection with the material growth and development of vari- ons localities in which the Mitchells figured prominently as pioneers. The descendants of the original settlers have been active in carrying forward the work so auspiciously begun by the latter and for a number of years no name has been more prominent in business and industrial circles, or more actively identified with the material pros- perity of the different parts of the com- monwealth in which, for several generations, it has been so well and familiarly known. Conspicuous among the representatives of this old and highly esteemed family was the late Austin W. Mitchell, of Cadillac. a man of strong mentality, sound judgment, ripe business experience and deep human sympathies, whose untimely death, about one year ago, under peculiar and distress- ing circumstances, while on his way to Japan, caused a cloud of sadness to settle over Cadillac and bring sorrow to every
home in the city. Mr. Mitchell was born in Hillsdale, Michigan, July 5, 1852, the son of Charles T. and Harriet S. ( Wing) Mitchell, the latter a daughter of Hon. Austin E. Wing, a pioneer settler of the city of Monroe, and one of the state's first representatives in the lower house of the national congress.
Blessed with the best of home training and favored with exceptional advantages for intellectual improvement, young Mitch- ell, after completing the usnal grade-school course, was graduated from the high school of his native city and in 1870 entered the University of Michigan where he prose- cuted his dutties for a period of two years. Leaving the latter institution after finishing the sophomore year. he was appointed deputy collector of internal revenue for the third district by Harvey B. Rowlson, in which capacity he served until 1875, when he resigned his position and for several years thereafter devoted his attention to the lumber business in Hillsdale.
In 1879 Mr. Mitchell bought a section of pine land in Cedar Creek township, Wexford county, and in March of the fol- lowing year began the manufacture of lumm- ber at Bond's mill. continuing the business for four years, the meantime. 1882, becom- ing senior member of the firm of Mitchell Brothers, which, under his capable direction and able management, attained a growth and importance second to no similar enter - prise in the northwestern part of the state. The initial movement of the firm was the purchase of fifty million feet of timber at Jennings, Missaukee county, and the erection of a mill in that town, and in addition to this and subsequent operations in the general lumber business the subject became
Clectic IN. Mitchen
371
WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
interested in the Cadillac Handle Factory, besides buying with his brother an exten- sive tract of valuable timber in New Mexico. Mr. Mitchell's business experience, which extended over a period of twenty years, was eminently successful, as is attested by the fact that during that time he not only earned for the large enterprise of which he was the head a wide reputation in commercial and industrial circles, but accumulated a private fortune second in magnitude to few if any in this section of the state. For a num- ler of years he devoted his attention exclu- sively to pine lumber, but in 1893 the firm began the manufacturing of maple flooring, which soon grew in magnitude and impor- tance, necessitating a gradual enlargement of the milling facilities until in due season their plant covered an area of three acres of ground, being eight hundred feet long, two hundred feet wide and as well an equipped mill for the manufacture of polished floor- ing as there is in the United States. In con- nection with these various lumber interests the firm also constructed many miles of log- ging railroad for the purpose of supplying their mill with logs, the supervision of the business and the management of its different departments falling almost entirely upon the shoulders of the senior member of the company.
Mr. Mitchell ever manifested a. pardon- able pride in the growth and material de- velopment of Cadillac and as long as he lived in the city was an influential factor in all of its affairs. He served five or six years as alderman and in that capacity was instrumental in the interests of the munic- ipality in many ways, standing at all times for progress and improvement and proving a careful, painstaking and capable public
servant, his official service throughout be- ing highly creditable to himself and to the people to whom he so faithfully and effi- ciently served. At the expiration of his last term in the city council he was made a mem- ber of the board of education, which position he held by successive re-elections for a number of years, his labors as chairman of the committee on teachers being influential in bringing the school system up to the standard for which it has ever since been noted.
Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage with Miss Bertha Spaulding of Greenville, Michigan, the union being blessed with two offspring, Marian and DeWitt C., who with their mother are still living in San Diego, California. By reason of failing health, the result of long-continued hard work and over exertions, Mr. Mitchell in 1900 retired temporarily from the manage- ment of the Mitchell Brothers lumber operations and sought the rest and recreation of which he had so long stood in such imperative need. After spending several months in his boyhood home in Hillsdale, he joined his family in San Diego, Cali- fornia, but the climate of the Pacific coast not producing the desired results, it was de- cided three or four months later that he should take an ocean voyage. Dr. Carroll E. Miller, his family physician, accompanied him from San Francisco and on the 9th of August, 1902, they took passage at the latter city for Honolulu, the beginning of a con- templated tour of the world.
All of Mr. Mitchell's active life was closely devoted to his business in its various capacities and during a long period of active endeavor he attained enviable distinction in the world of affairs, while his whole-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.