USA > Michigan > Wexford County > History of Wexford County, Michigan, embracing a concise review of its early settlement, industrial development and present conditions > Part 53
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tency acquired for okl age abundantly at- test.
Mr. Rydquist's wife, whom he married in Wexford county, was formerly Miss Christina Hagstroom, a native of Sweden, who came to the United States some time in the 'seventies. She is the mother of six chil- dren, namely : Oscar E., Esther M., Johanna S., Johan A., Selma E. and a daughter, Johanna, who died at the age of four years. Mr. and Mrs. Rydquist are highly esteemed in their neighborhood and have many warm friends. Their lives have been along quiet and sequestered ways and in a home of plen- ty and content, at peace with the world, they . perform their allotted tasks and fulfill their missions, conscious that the all-wise Father will approve their efforts and at last receive them to himself.
JAMES WHALEY.
James Whaley dates his residence in Wexford county since 1869. Coming here in pioneer times, he entered upon what has proven a very successful career and is today one of the most prosperous farmers of the county, possessing valuable landed posses- sions, well improved, which he has secured through untiring energy and indefatigable industry, prompted by a laudable ambition.
Mr. Whaley is a native of Perth county, Ontario, and is the second in order of birth in a family of eleven children, whose parents were Thomas and Jane ( Whaley ) Whaley. They were natives of Maryland, and for some years resided in Ontario, whence, in the year 1869, they came to Michigan, cast- ing in their lot with the earliest settlers of
(lam Lake township. Wexford county. Under the parents' roof James Whaley was reared and in the public schools he ac- quired his education. In the year of his parents' arrival in Wexford county he also came to Michigan and has since been identi- fied with the agricultural interests here. He entered a tract of eighty acres of land from the government and at once began the de . velopment of a farm. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon the place at that time, but soon the track of the plow was seen across the fields, which in the autumn returned good harvests as a re- ward for early spring planting. The work of development has since been carried on by Mr. Whaley, with the result that he is now owner of a very productive and fine farm. Year by year his capital increased as the re- sult of his careful management, his enter- prise and economy, and he made further in- vestments in real estate until he is now the owner of between three and four hundred acres, of which two hundred acres are cul- tivated. Well kept fences divide the place into fields of convenient size and there are rich pastures upon which the stock grazes and good meadows which furnish food for the stock in the winter months. The build- ings upon the place are modern, commodious and substantial and stand as monuments to his well-directed labor.
Mr. Whaley was married in Cadillac. Michigan, to Miss Isabelle Gane, who was born in Illinois, and they now have four children : Ella. Edward, Ida and Ernest. Of these the daughter. Ida, is married, being the wife of Albert Hollenburg. In public affairs Mr. Whaley has been prominent and influential and has several times been called to office. He was elected and served as sup-
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ervisor of his township, was also highway commissioner and has held school offices. the cause of education finding in him a warm friend, for he realizes its value as a prepara- tion for life's practical duties. For more than a third of a century he has made his home in Wexford county and has therefore witnessed almost its entire growth. He has seen its wild lands transformed into pro- ductive farms, dotted here and there with attractive homes, good schools and churches. Ile has seen its villages founded and grow into thriving towns and in all matters of substantial progress leading to the pros- perity of the county he has taken a deep and abiding interest. Ile is a careful man of business, possessing keen foresight and exec- utive force, and by his earnest effort he has gradually added to his possessions until he has gained a very creditable and desirable competence, making him one of the well-to- do citizens of Clam Lake township.
HENRY J. PAYNE.
America is pre-eminently a land of self- made men, for here abound opportunities for achieving success such as no other coun- try affords. The man of energy and cor- rect training may here readily rise to posi- tions of usefulness, if not distinction, pro- vided he is well grounded in the principles of rectitude and integrity. Not only is this the case at the present time, but to some ex- tent conditions have long existed whereby the individual, with proper conception of the dignity of his mission. might rise superior to his environment and win for himself posi - tions of honor and trust in the community. The story of the life of the subject of this
review. Henry J. Payne, affords a striking example of what a man endowed with good common sense, supplemented by sound men- tal discipline, may accomplish in a country like this, where opportunity is frequently knocking at a man's door.
Henry J. Payne is a native of Canada. born in the county of Peterboro, Ontario. September 24. 1855. His parents were Ed- ward and Sarah Ann ( Hughes ) Payne, both natives of England. They remained resi- dents of Peterboro county up to the time of their death, which occurred many years ago. U'ntil he arrived at the age of eighteen years the subject hereof remained a resident of his native county. There he was reared and . educated, receiving a good common school education. In 1873 he moved to Essex county, Ontario, and there devoted himself to farming for a period of ten years, being gratifyingly successful.
In 1882, in the county of Essex, Ontario, Henry J. Payne was united in marriage to Miss Adelia B. Fraby, a native of Canada, born in Waterloo county, Ontario. Her parents were Frederick and Henrietta Fraby, natives of Canada. The mother died in Essex county in 1884. To Mr. and Mrs. Ilenry J. Payne seven children have been born. viz. : William G., Henrietta. Roy V., Alma .A., R. Stanley. Frederick D., and Ber- tha .\. The older children are well edu- cated and the younger members of the family are still attending school. . All are intelli- gent and well bred and give ample promise of becoming worthy. useful citizens.
About a year after their marriage, in 1883. Henry J. Payne and his wife and one child. William G., transferred their residence 10 the state of Michigan, locating in Wex- ford county. Here he purchased eighty
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acres, to which he has added forty acres more, by purchase, and of the one hundred and twenty acres one hundred are cleared and well improved. Sixty of the improved one hundred acres have been improved by Mr. Payne's own labor. On this tidy little farm the family occupies a neat, comfortable and well-furnished home. The barn, stable and out-buildings are substantial and com- modious indeed and in its every feature the place discloses the thrift, industry and good taste of the owner.
In the affairs of the township, ever since his location therein, Henry J. Payne has taken an active interest. It is his opinion that good citizenship exacts from every man a portion of his time, no matter how valu- able, which should be devoted to the public good and this without any hope of reward or return except such as would come to the individual through the benefits derived by the public generally. Hence, he has felt it to be his duty to accept of and discharge the duties of a number of the township offices. Ile has been a justice of the peace, member of the school board and commissioner of highways and he has been active in every movement inaugurated to improve local con- ditions. He is a prudent, conservative. public-spirited citizen who is rarely found advocating the wrong side of any important question.
JOHN S. TORREY.
Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of success. It carries a man onward and upward, brings out his in- dividual character and acts as a powerful stimulus to the efforts of others. The
greatest results in life are often attained by simple means and the exercise of the ordin- ary qualities of common sense and perse- verance. The every-day life, with its cares. necessities and duties, affords ample oppor- tunities for acquiring experience of the best kind and its most beaten paths provide a true worker with abundant scope for effort and self improvement.
John S. Torrey, senior partner of the firm of Torrey Brothers, proprietors of the Cadillac Marble and Granite Works, at Cad- illac. Wexford county, Michigan, was born at Fowlerville, Livingston county, Michi- gan, on the 6th of August, 1868, and is a son of George S. and Abbie D. ( Smock ) Torrey. The parents, who after their mar- riage had resided for a time at Fowlerville, later removed to Evart. Osceola county, this state, in 1871, but in 1893 they removed to Cadillac. where they have since resided. They are the parents of six children, John S .. Nelson R., Renie M., Neil B., Eugenia and a son who died at the age of three years. The father was a worker in marble and was for a number of years successfully engaged in business at Cadillac.
The subject of this sketch was the eldest child of his parents and was but three years old when his parents removed to Evart. Osceola county, where he received his edu- cation in the public schools. When he was fourteen years old he commenced working at the trade of marble cutting, working in several shops at Evart and Clare, Michigan, Peardstown, Illinois, and at Flint, Michigan. He was employed in a shop in the latter place about a year and then, in the spring of 1893. he came to Cadillac and entered the employ of the firm of Ostman & Torrey, of which firm the subject's father was the
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junior partner. He remained with this firm about a year, when Mr. Ostman retired and the firm of George S. Torrey & Sons was formed, consisting of George S. Torrey and two sons. John S. and Nelson R. This partnership arrangement continued until 1896 when Nelson R. sold his interest to the remaining members of the firm, which con- tinned in business, under the name of G. S. Torrey & Son, until 1898. At that time the father soll his interest to Nelson R., since which date the business has been run under the firm style of Torrey Brothers. The members of the firm are both practical mar- Lle workers and are therefore able to give an intelligent direction to all work entrusted to them. They give prompt attention to all kinds of cemetery work and some splendid examples of monumental work have been produced by them. They also get out large amounts of building stone and coping and have acquired a much more than local repu- tation, sending their work to many points throughout northern and central Michigan. By their determined efforts to please their customers and the excellent quality of their workmanship, they have won a large and representative clientele and are now among the leaders in their line in this part of the state.
1
On the 15th of August. 1891. at Evart. Michigan, Mr. Torrey was united in mar- riage with Miss Fannie Earl, a native of Mt. Clemens, this state, and a daughter of Franklin Earl, of Romeo, Michigan. This minion was a most happy and congenial one and was blessed by the birth of one son. Alton. Mrs. Torrey departed this life on June 11. 1903. She had been an active and persistent worker in the Methodist church, and was active in the work of the
Woman's Christian Temperance Union, of which she was president for seven years. hokling the office at the time of her death.
In his political predilections Mr. Torrey is a Prohibitionist and takes a keen interest in all movements having for their object the welfare of the community in which he re- sides. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist church and contributes to all worthy benevolent objects. Socially he be- longs to Cadillac Tent. No. 232. Knights of the Maccabees, and to Cadillac Lodge, No. 181. Ancient Order of United Workmen. During all his residence in this county he has borne his full part in all public improve- ments and his standing as one of the county's progressive and representative citi- zens is conceded by all. He has an exten- sive acquaintance throughout the county and the name of his personal friends is legion.
GEORGE E. THOMAS.
It must be gratifying to a man who has advanced beyond the meridian of a well spent life to look back and contemplate the good work which, by patient industry and umre- mitting toil, he has accomplished. The men who, "back in the sixties," in the bloom of youth, settled in the forests of Michigan. are now on the shady side of life. Many of them still live on the farms which by their labors have taken the place of the forests. Much of the work which the change necessitated was performed by their own hands. They have not made as much stir. strife or tumult in the world as some others, but the world is far better for their modest efforts than it is for the blatant zeal of some
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who believe themselves entitled to the laurel wreath of fame.
George E. Thomas, the subject of this review, is one of those who devoted his early manhood to the subjugation of a Michigan forest with a degree of success that must be very pleasing to him in his maturer years. He is a native of Ohio, born in Lorain coun- ty, Columbia township, August 30, 1848. His parents were Noah C. and Thuseba ( Bigelow) Thomas, he being a native of New York, while Ohio was her native state. He was by profession a veterinary surgeon, but, seldom having all that he could do in that line, devoted much of his time to car- pentering, in which calling he was very skill- ful. In 1851 they came with their family to Michigan, located in Thornapple town- ship, Barry county, upon a tract of land which was chiefly forest, when they first took possession of it, but which within a few years was converted into a fertile farm. There they continued to reside until visited by death, each expiring when only forty- eight years of age. They were the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters. the subject of this sketch being the third child born to them.
When his parents moved to Michigan George E. Thomas was only three years old, hence his residence in the state covers a period of more than half a century. He was reared and grew to manhood in Barry coun- ty, receiving as liberal an education as the common schools of the time afforded. He remained a member of the parental house- hold until his twentieth year, when, finding one whom he felt would make him a suitable companion with whom to tread life's rugged journey, he determined to marry. Accord- ingly, January 8, 1868, Mr. Thomas was
united in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Mary Ann Briggs, a native of Ohio, born in October, 1847. ller parents were Sherman and Ellen ( Vietz) Briggs, he being a native of the state of New York, and she of Penn- sylvania. Of their family of eight children, Mrs. Thomas was the second.
Young as he was at the time of his mar- riage, George E. Thomas was the owner of a nice farm in Thornapple township. To this place he brought his bride, establishing themselves at housekeeping in a comfortable, little home upon the place and there they con- tinned to reside until 1881, when they moved to Wexford county, locating on a tract of land in Colfax township, where they have since resided. At first he owned but forty acres, which he purchased before moving to the county, but he has since added to this until he is now the owner of one hundred and eighty-five acres. Of this one hundred and sixty-five acres is comprised in one tract located in Colfax township, the other twenty- five acres being detached and located in Cedar Creek township. The place is splendidly improved, he having recently erected good farm buildings of all kinds, in- cluding a neat, comfortable residence. There are eighty acres of the home place in Colfax township improved and under culti- vation.
In all matters relating to the welfare of the township Mr. Thomas takes commenda- ble interest. He has served as township treasurer and being interested in education is generally one of the members of the school board. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are firm believers in religion, its practices and the important work which it does in ameli- orating the condition of mankind. Hence from their substance they give freely to the
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cause of Christianity and charity. In ad- dition to his rural possessions, Mr. Thomas also owns considerable property in Manton. Each season since coming to Wexford coun ty. now ( 1903) twenty-two years, he has been in the employ of the Champion Agricul- tural Implement Company and has sold for them many thousands of dollars' worth of machinery. He is not only a successful and progressive farmer, but a thorough business man, whose character for moral worth and strict integrity is well established by the com- inercial transactions of years. He is a men- ber of Lodge No. 347. Free and Accepted Masons, of Manton.
CARL E. HAGSTROM.
Carl E. Hagstrom, who is engaged in general farming in Clam Lake township. Wexford county, is a native of Sweden, his birth having there occurred on the 3d of July. 1863, he being the fourth of seven children born unto Peter J. and Ingred ( Lar- son ) Hagstrom, who were also natives of Sweden. Believing that he might have bet- ter business opportunities in the new world and furnish his children with better advant - ages than could be obtained in the land of his birth, the father made arrangements to bring his family to America. Bidding adieu to home and friends they sailed from Sweden in the fall of 1874 and in due course of time arrived at New York City. Proceeding into the interior of the country, they remained for almost a year in the vicinity of Howard city. Michigan, but in the spring of 1875 came to Wexford county, where the sub- ject of this review has since made his home.
covering a period of twenty-eight years. Time and man have wrought many changes in the appearance of the county during this time. The farmers have taken possession of the land and transformed it from a wild tract into productive fields. The merchants and artisans have developed thriving towns and all the comforts, conveniences and ad- vantages of the oldler districts of the country have been introduced, placing Wexford on a par with any county in the state.
Mr. Hagstrom has always followed farm- ing. first as an assistant on the old home place and later on his own account. He has also worked in the lumber woods and for eight years he was engaged in buying pota- toes at Hobart as agent for the firm of Free- man Brothers. His savings have been in- vested in property and he is now the owner of thirty acres of land in Clam Lake town- ship. most of which is improved, and upon the place are good buildings. He is now giving his undivided attention to the further development of his farm and follows pro- gressive methods in his farm work.
On the 24th of June. 1893. Mr. Hag- strom was united in mariage. in Clam Lake township. to Miss Jennie Marie Gran. a daughter of N. J. and johanna Christina ( Anderson ) Gran, well-known residents of this township. The father is now a resi- dent of Clam Lake township, aged sixty- three years, while the mother died August 2. 1887. They were adherents of the Swedish Mission church. Mrs. Hagstrom was born in Sweden, August 26, 1866, and like her husband was reared in Wexford county, where both are widely and favor- ably known.
Mr. Hagstrom exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas-
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ures of the Republican party, is deeply inter- ested in its success and does all he can for its growth. Ile has held some offices in his township, including that of highway com- misioner, and he delights in the progress and advancement here made along all lines of general improvement. The moral ad- vancement of the community is also a matter of interest to him and he is an attendant on the services of the Swedish Mission church. From his boyhood days to the present he has been a resident of the county and that his stanchest friends are numbered among those who have known him from his youth is an indication that he has lived an honorable life, characterized by all those traits which it every land and clime command respect and admiration.
OTTO HAGSTROM.
There is no element in our American citi- zenship that is of more value than that fur- nished by Sweden, for the sons of that country possess the characteristics requisite to good citizenship. They are industrious. progressive and thoroughly reliable. One of the renowned travelers who has visited almost every part of the world and visited almost every people on the face of the globe said: "Sweden is the home of the honest man." This element alone in the sons of In his political views Mr. Hagstrom is an earnest Republican, whose study of the questions and issues of the day has led him to the belief that the Republican platform contains the best elements of good govern- ment. He is quite active and influential in local political circles and has served as school inspector and highway commissioner. that country would make them a valued addition to any land. As his name in- dicates, Mr. Hagstrom comes from Sweden, where his birth occurred on the 22d of March. 1866, his parents being Peter J. and Ingred ( Larson) Hagstrom, unto whom were born seven children, the subject of this review be- ing the sixth in order of birth. He was a | He has also taken an active part in church
youth of eight years when the family left their native land and sailed for the new world, arriving in the United States in the autumn. They came at once to Michigan and for a year resided near Howard City. In the spring of 1875 they came to Wex- ford county, and since that time Otto Hag- strom has been a resident of Clam Lake township. His life has been one of indus- try. For seven years he was employed in the lumber woods and since 1893 he has engaged in general farming. Hle thorough- ly understands the best methods of conduct- ing his farm, of raising crops and placing them on the market so as to bring a good return, and in all his work he is progressive, practical and energetic.
In Cadillac, Michigan, Mr. Hagstrom was united in marriage to Miss Ida Johnson. who was also a native of Sweden. They traveled life's journey together very happily for a number of years, but in 1900 were & separated by death, the wife being called to the home beyond on the 9th of September of that year. She left four children: John, Adolph, Oscar and Edla, and they also lost one son. Oscar, who died in infancy. Mrs. Hagstrom was a most estimable lady, de- voted to her family and faithful in her friend- ships, and her loss was greatly mourned throughout the community as well as in her immediate household.
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work and is a member of the Swedish Mis- sion church of Clam Lake, contributing lib- crally to its support and putting forth ef- jective effort for its growth and progress. In all business affairs he is thoroughly re- liable and his word is as good as his bond. his life standing in exemphfication of the fact that "Sweden is the home of the honest man." Wexford county has found hin a valuable citizen and his many excellent traits of character, his freedom from ostenta- tion, his genial manner and genuine worth, render him popular with a large circle of friends.
JOHN H. MANNING.
It requires a master mind to rise superior to unfavorable environment and become a leader in large and important industrial en- terprises. The necessary ability to accom- plish such results is possessed in a marked degree by John H. Manning, who has long been identified with the lumber interests of Michigan and is now one of the leading men of Cadillac, holding as he does a con- manding position with one of the city's lead- ing industries. He is a typical western man. of clear mind. tireless energy, unfaltering perseverance, keen discrimination and ab- solute reliability in every relation of life. l'ew have accomplished as much as he in the same length of time and it is fitting in this connection that an outline of his career be given, as his many friends and acquain- tanees in Cadillac and throughout the state will no doubt gladly peruse the record.
Mr. Manning's father was John II. Manning, a successful farmer and lumber- man of Momoe county, Michigan, who died
some years ago, in the township of London. that county, at the age of seventy-four. Emily Everett, who became the wite of John HI. Manning, spent the great part of her life in the above county and died there at the early age of thirty-seven, leaving a family of eight children, the subject of this review being the fifth in order of birth.
Reverting to the personal history of John H. Manning, whose name introduces this sketch. it is learned that he was born February 8, 1851. in Monroe county, this state, and that he spent his childhood and youth to his thirteenth year on the home farm in London township. Like the ma- jority of country boys, he was early sent to the district schools where he prosecuted his studies of winter seasons and spent the other months of the year at various kinds of farm labor, having early been taught those important lessons of industry and thrift which had such a potent influence in mould- ing his character and shaping his future course of action. Mr. Manning was a mere lad when the great Civil war broke out and he had a burning passion to enter the ser- vice of his country, but his youth prevented him from carrying this laudable desire into immediate effect. When only thirteen. however, an opportunity presented itself by means of which he succeeded in entering the government service as a member of the First Regiment of Mechanics and Engineers from Michigan. In this capacity he accompanied the regiment to Georgia, where it was at- tached to the army under General Sherman. and he reached the scene of action in time to take part. under that distinguished com- mmander. in the celebrated march to the se:1. After remaining in the employ of the government about three months he was
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