USA > Michigan > Wexford County > History of Wexford County, Michigan, embracing a concise review of its early settlement, industrial development and present conditions > Part 56
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From the time of his advent in Wex- ford county John Goldsmith has actively in- terested himself in all public affairs, par- ticularly those pertaining to the township in which he resides. He has been highly hon- ored by the suffrage of his fellow citizens, having been elected to a number of local po- sitions, among them township treasurer, su-
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pervisor, justice of the peace, constable and member of the school board. He has well and faithfully discharged the duties of the office of justice of the peace for twenty-five years. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, O. P. Morton Post No. 54. at Manton. the Colfax Grange. Patrons of Ilusbandry. Lodge No. 357. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Manton. He is one of the very oldest residents of Colfax township, a man who has led a busy and most useful life and who now, in the evening of his career, is in a position to enjoy the re- wards which have come to him as the natural recompense of a noble, well-spent life.
THOMAS HODGSON.
Agriculture has been an honored voca- tion from the earliest ages and as a usual thing men of honorable and humane im - pulses, as well as those of energy and thrift. have been patrons of husbandry. The free outdoor life of the farm has a decided ten- dency to foster and develop that independ- ence of mind and self-reliance which char- acterize true manhood and no greater bless- ing can befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature in the healthful, life- inspiring labor of the fields. It has always been the fruitful soil from which have sprung the moral bone and sinew of the country, and the majority of our nation's great warriors, wise statesmen, renowned scholars and distinguished men of letters were born on the farm and are indebted to its early influence for the distinction which they have attained.
Thomas Hodgson is a native of merrie
England, born in Westmoreland county on the 28th of February, 1838. He was reared in his native country and there received a fair education. Upon attaining mature years, he became convinced that in the new world lay better opportunities for a man of energy and ambition, and he carried his convictions into effect by emigrating to Canada. After resid- ing in the dominion about six years he re- moved to Kansas and made that his home for about four years. In September, 1874. he came to Wexford county and settled on the farm in section 36, Clam Lake township, on which he now resides. His farm comprises one hundred and twenty acres of land. of which ninety are in cultivation. He has a comfortable and commodious residence and splendid farm buildings in which to house his stock and store the products of the farm. Hle has his farm stocked with good grades of horses, cattle and hogs and his fields are in a high state of cultivation. He has paid special attention to trees, having some splen- did fruit and shade trees on the place, and has otherwise in many ways endeavored to make his farm a model one. Under his care- ful and skillful management it is made to yield more liberal returns than many places of much larger area. He is a man of indus- trious and thrifty habits and seldom fails of winning success from everything to which he lays his hands. His home is a model of neat- ness and comfort and he has surrounded himself with many of the comforts and lux- uries of life which make a rural home so at- tractive. Among his friends and fellow cit- izens he is held in high favor. He is enter- prising in all the term implies, public spirited in all that pertains to the material prosperity of his township and county and as a farmer he occupies a leading place among the citi-
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zens of the community in which he resides. In all his relations with his fellow men his conduct has been blameless and it has been his laudable aim to keep his name and char- acier above reproach.
In 1866, at Ingersoll. Canada, Mr. Hodgson was united in marriage with Miss Mary Gane, a native of England, born April 20, 1848, the daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Parson ) Gane. This union has been a most felicitous one and has been blessed by the birth of twelve children, named as follows : Elizabeth M., born November 23, 1866, is the wife of James Phillips, a millwright at Traverse City, and they have three children, Lena, Hazel and Elmer; Elwood N., born August 9. 1868, a farmer in Clam Lake township, married Edna Thomas and they have one child living. Albert T. ; Maggie E., born July 3, 1876. is the wife of George W. Heator, of Cadillac; Anna F., born January 13. 1873, died April 11, 1895: was the wife of Frederick Phillips, of Cadillac; John H., born June 3. 1875, died September 1, 1877 : Anthony E., born September 10, 1877, is a resident of Missaukee county ; Elsie E., born October 8, 1880, is the wife of Samuel Shine, of Clam Lake township, and they have one child, Milton D .; Edith R., born November 21, 1882, is at home ; Mildred E .. born June 20. 1884, is at home; Julia E., born June 23, 1887, died at the age of three months and three days; Arthur T., born November 15, 1888, is at home, as is Gertha Blanche, born September .30, 1890.
Mr. Hodgson is an ardent member of the Republican party and takes a deep interest in the trend of passing events, especially in all matters affecting the interests of his own community. Religiously he is identified with the Methodist Episcopal church, to
which he contributes liberally of his time and means. His wife and children are also mem- lers of the same church and are actively in- terested in the work of the society. They all occupy a conspicuous place in the social cir- cles of the community and are held in high csteem by all who know them.
The following obituary of John N. Gane, father of Mrs. Hodgson, will no doubt prove of interest to the reader :
John N. Gane was born in Summersetshire, Eng- land, June 5, 1817, and died Dec. 30, 1897, aged sev- enty-eight years, six months and twenty-five days. In the year 1844 he was united in holy wedlock to Elizabeth E. Parsons, with whom he lived a most happy life for forty-eight years. In 1892, in the sixty- fourth year of her age, she was called to her heavenly home. The fruit of their wedded life was nine children. Of these two died in infancy, two after they had reached the years of maturity, and five still remain to mourn the loss of father and mother- a daughter, Mrs. Thomas Hodgson, and four sons, George, Robert, Homer, a Presbyterian. minister in the state of Kansas, and Walter, the youngest of the family
John Gane together with his beloved wife and children then born left their native land, and came to Ingersol, in what was at that time known as Canada West, now called the province of Ontario, and there they remained for twenty years. In 1867 he with his beloved family moved to Clam Lake town- ship, Michigan. His home has been in the township to which he gave the name it at present bears, up to the tire of his death. Sister Gane had at the time of her death lived twenty-three years to a day on the old homestead farm in the extreme southeast of Wexford county.
The deceased was converted very shortly after the birth of his first child. He seemed to have been impressed with the great responsibility resting upon him to train up the precious gift of a dear child in the fear and admonition of the Lord; and while standing in the church of his native land in a prayer mecting, said as he looked on one of the pillars of the building, "Let this be a witness that I this day consecrate my life to God." Shortly after. he and his young wife united with the Wesleyan Meth- odist church of the home land. Through all these years he remained faithful to that yow made in the
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spring-time of lite By the life of such a saint we may karn something of the spirit of early Method- ism The Methodists of that time were a very happy people They lived for the other world. Like the saints of old, they regarded themselves as strangers and pilgrims on the earth. He was a class-leader for more than forty years, and no doubt would have con- tinued the good work but for the fact that he he- came dull of hearing. He delighted in visiting the sick and dying, and in pointing them to the only Savior of sinners.
One could not be long in his company without the subject of religion being introduced, but in such a pleasant and familiar way that even the most wicked could not take offense. He seemed to breathe the atmosphere of the heavenly world. It was no un- common thing for him to spend an hour on his knees -morning, noon and night. lle did not pray as most people do. He talked with God as one does to his most familiar friend. Sunday, December 19. he at- tended his last lovec-feast, and how cheerful was his testimony, notwithstanding the fact that he could not hear the testimony of others.
The following week he was looking forward to the coming Sabbath, telling his son with whom he was visiting that he was glad that they could attend the service that day together. But the Heavenly Father ordered otherwise, for on Saturday night he was stricken with paralysis, lle was unconscious for a time, but soon came to himself so that he understood all that was said to him. When prayer was offered. several times he responded-Amen. Referring to Job. he quoted his words and said : "Though he slay me yet will I trust in Him." As one gazed upon the dying saint the words of the blessed book would come to his mind : "Let me die the death of the righteous. and let my last end be like his." At nine o'clock Thursday morning, without a struggle or a groan. he passed to the heavenly mansions to meet the blessed Savior, the beloved companion of his long life. and the dear children gone before. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth : yea. saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them."
ALBERT L. SMITHI.
With both the agricultural and industrial interests of Clam Lake township Albert L. Smith is identified and is : worthy represent-
ative of business activity here. Realizing that "there is no royal road to wealth" and that "there is no excellence without labor". he has worked earnestly and untiringly to win a comfortable competence and a credit- able name in the business world. He now carries on both farming and hunbering, being engaged in the operation of a saw-mill in connection with the tilling of the soil.
Mr. Smith is a native of the Empire state, his birth having occurred on the 23d of June, 1855, in Ontario county. His parents were Charles C. and Jane .1. ( Broom) Smith, who emigrated westward and spent their last days in Kent county. Michigan. Of their four children Albert L. Smith is the youngest, one is deceased, and the others are: Mary Jane, the widow of Robert H. Lewis, for twenty-nine years a resident of this county, and she has three chil- dren. Cary O .. Albert L. and Emily 1 .; Charles C., a farmer of Osecola county, mar- ried Eliza Smith, and they have five children. The subject was hardly more than an infant when his parents left New York for In- diana and was a lad ot only eight summers when they took up their abode in Kent conn- ty, Michigan, where he continued his educa- tion that had been begun in the schools of Indiana. In the summer months he worked in the lumber business, and was trained to habits of industry, economy and honesty. He continued his residence in Kent county, until 1890, when he made his way to Osceola county, but chose his location in Clan Lake township, where he has since made his home, having here a good farm of ninety-six acres of rich land. While plowing, planting and harvesting claims considerable of his attention, he also has other business inter- ests. for he owns and operates a saw-mill
ALBERT L. SMITH RESIDENCE.
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and is thus engaged in the manufacture of lumber, for which he finds a ready sale. industry is the keynote of his character and he places his dependence not upon specu- lation or upon any fortunate combination of circumstances, but continued, persistent effort, guided by sound judgment.
In Osceola county, Michigan, on the 23d of January, 1881, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Smith and Miss Mahala A. Williams, a native of Wells county, Indiana, born on the 8th of May. 1857. She is a daughter of Francis M. and Mary E. ( Rich- ards ) Williams. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary E. Richards, died in Wells county, September 23, 1873. Mrs. Smith is the eldest of the eight children born unto her parents, of whom the following are living : Mrs. Smith ; John R., a farmer, who is married and lives in Antrim county ; Da- vid H .; Isaac N., of Osceola county; Jo- seph L., also of Osceola county. By her marriage Mrs. Smith has become the moth- er of four children : Lena, Guy L., Charlotte and Bessie E. The family is well known in Wexford county and the members of the household occupy an enviable position in the social circles in which they move. During the thirteen years of his residence in this part of the state Mr. Smith has so directed his efforts that a paying business is now his and a good home property. Both his agri- cultural and industrial interests return to him a good income and he is known as a reliable man, the potent traits of his character being his perseverance and diligence. His beautiful residence was built almost entirely by his own hands, and in furnishing it in its present cosy style his wife has fully done her part. Their cash assets upon coming to this
county were but eleven dollars, so they may justifiably look upon their subsequent success with a large degree of pride and satisfaction.
JOHN OLSEN.
To the subject of this review is accorded the distinction of being the pioneer boot and shoe merchant of Cadillac, consequently he is one of the city's oldest as well as one of its representative business men. As the name indicates, Mr. Olsen is of Scandinavian birth, being a native of Norway, where he was born on the 2d day of December. 1849, having first seen the light of day in the town of Sabo. Until twelve years old he lived on a farm near his native place and at intervals during that time attended the schools of his neighborhood, receiving an elementary train- ing, which was afterwards supplemented by additional study, principally under his own direction. At the age of sixteen he left home and went to the city of Birgen, where he learned shoemaking, spending six and a half years at that place, during which period he not only became a very efficient workman. but earned considerable money at his trade.
Following the example of many of his countrymen. Mr. Olsen, in 1871, came to the United States, locating in Chicago, where he followed his chosen calling until October, 1874, meanwhile experiencing all the horrors of the terrible conflagration which laid the greater part of that city in ashes. In the lat- ter month and year he was sent to Cadillac by his employer, O. F. Bloss, to take charge of a stock of boots and shoes, in connection with which he also worked at his trade, the
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business being the first of the kind brought to the town. Mr. Olsen conducted the business for Mr. Bloss until 1879. in the spring of which year he resigned his charge for the purpose of embarking in mercantile pursuits upon his own account, selecting the line of trade with which he was most familiar,- boots and shoes. His previous wide ac- quaintance and honorable dealing gave him considerable prestige and it was not long un- til he forged to the front as the leading shoe merchant in the place, a reputation he still sustains. For almost thirty years he has been identified with the commercial interests of Cadillac, during which time he has not only built up a large and financially suc- cessful business of his own and acquired a comfortable competence, but he has also con- tributed greatly to the material advancement of the city, taking an active interest in its general growth and development and using his influence to advertise its advantages to the world.
On August 1. 1879. Mr. Olsen was uni- ted in marriage with Miss Sophia Symmson, a native of Sweden, the union being blessed with eight children, whose names are as fol- lows: Fred, who died March 15, 1903. Ar- thur. John F., Ada E .. Anna, Mabel. Helen, and Marion, who died May 16, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Olsen are influential members of the Swedish Mission church of Cadillac, both active in the good works of the congregation and untiring in their efforts to spread the truths of the gospel among the people with whom they mingle.
While retaining a warm feeling for his native land and manifesting a lively interest in its public affairs, Mr. Olsen is neverthe- less an enthusiastic American, with a love for his adopted country and an admiration
for its institutions outweighing nearly every other consideration. Here the greater and more important part of his life work has been accomplished and what success he has achieved has been wrought out under the fostering conditions such as no other coun- try in the world affords. In the spring of 1887 Mr. Olsen revisited his native land and spent about three months amid the scenes of his childhood and youth, renewing old ac- quaintances and noting with not a little pathos the numerous changes that had taken place since he left the dear old home. so many years before. On the whole, his stay was pleasant and when he returned it was with more satisfaction than ever that he con- templated the new home and the many ad- vantages it possesses over the older and more romantic scenes of a home which hereafter will exist only as a pleasing memory.
.As a citizen Mr. Olsen discharges every duty incumbent upon him with an eye to the good of the community and the state. stand- ing for a strict enforcement of the laws and lending his influence and support to every laudable measure whereby the body politic may be benefited. Since coming to Cadillac. his life and the city's growth have been pret- ty much one and the same thing. for he has appreciated the needs of the community and with lavish hand has supplied the same as far as the limits of his ability would permit. Every worthy project for the material, so- cial or moral well-being of his fellow men has received his sanction and, if necessary. his financial support and all his relations with the world have been characterized by a sense of honor bespeaking the upright man and true lover of his kind. Mr. Olsen's life has been largely confined to business and from the beginning of his career as an inde-
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pendent factor to the present time he has made the most of his opportunities, his suc- cess not being due to fortunate combination of circumstances, but to his well-directed ef- forts and earnest enterprise. As stated in a preceding paragraph, he has not circum- scribed his progressive spirit within selfish and narrow bounds, but on the contrary has ever stood ready to lend his influence and tangible aid in furthering such interests as make for the benefit of the city and its peo- ple, being broad minded and public spirited, in brief, a man whose value to the commu- nity is not to be lightly estimated.
LESTER C. MACEY.
A citizen of the United States can have no greater badge of honor than the distinc- tion of having served the government in the four years of war between the states. It is a sacred family inheritance of renown, to be prized like a jewel by all descendants and kept bright and untarnished by other acts of valor, patriotism and loyalty in the inter- est of free government. Among the honored old veterans of the great Rebellion now re- siding in Wexford county is Lester C. Ma- cey, the subject of this review. A native of Burlington, Vermont, springing from the sturdy stock of the Green Mountain state. it is no wonder that he has an army record during the war of the Rebellion of which any man might be proud. October 14. 1861, he entered the Federal service, re-enlisted each time at the expiration of his term of en- listment and served until after the last shot of the great Civil war had been fired. His honorable discharge is dated in February, 1865.
Lester C. Macey, whose farm is a part of section 9. Haring township, Wexford county, was born at the parental home in Burlington, Vermont, September 11, 1846. His parents were Charles and Harriett (Stowe ) Macey, both natives of Vermont. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Lester C. Macey was the fourth. In 1850 the family moved to Clinton county, New York, located on a farm and there re- sided until the death of the father, at the age of seventy-two years. The mother is still living, aged ninety-one years.
October 14, 1861. when but fifteen years of age, Lester C. Macey enlisted in Company K, Ninety-sixth New York Volunteer In- fantry, and served from that time until mid- summer, June 18, 1864. He took part in nearly all of the most sanguinary battles of the Rebellion and escaped not only with his life, but without being maimed or very badly crippled. His most serious injury was re- ceived in front of Petersburg, Virginia, on the Weldon Railroad, on the 18th of June. 1864. He was severely wounded in the right leg and for a time it was feared that amputation might be necessary, but he was fortunate in being able to save this member. Some of the battles and engagements in which he participated are Antietam, Mary- land. September 16 and 17, 1862; South Mountain. Maryland. September 13 and 14. 1862; the Peninsular campaign, Virginia, March 17 to September 2, 1862: Fair Oaks. May 31 and June 1. 8. 18 and 27. 1862; Gaines Farm, May 14 and 15. 1862: Mal- vern Hill. Virginia, July 1, 2 and 23, and .August 2. 5. 6 and 8, 1862. He also partic- ipated in the many battles, engagements and skirmishes in Northh Carolina while under the command of General Foster. He was at
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Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, June 26 and July I to 3. 1863. and in the battles of the Wilder- ness. Virginia, in May, 1864, he was with his regiment and saw some superb fighting all along the line for several days.
On leaving the army he returned for a short time to Clinton county, New York, then moved to Michigan and soon thereafter located in Manistee county, securing employ- ment in the woods, logging and lumbering. which he followed for eight years. He then purchased a forty-acre tract of land, part of section 9, Haring township, where he estab- lished a home and where he has since resided.
October 29. 1876, in the city of Cadillac, Wexford county, Lester C. Macey was uni- ted in marriage to Miss Carrie C. Warren, a native of New York, born May 8, 1854. Her parents were Zephiniah and Elizabeth ( Mc- Corey ) Warren. He was a native of Ver- mont, while the place of her birth was Can- ada They were the parents of seven chil- dren, of whom Carrie C., wife of the subject, was the fifth in order of birth. Mr. Warren was ninety-one years old at the time of his death. Elizabeth, his faithful wife, is a resi- Jent of East Randolph, Cattaraugus coun- ty, New York, being now aged seventy-eight. To the union of Lester C. and Carrie C. (Warren) Macey five children have been born, two of whom died early in life. Ches- ter .V. was only permitted to enjoy one year of earthly existence, and Eva M. gladdened the hearts of her parents for seven years, when death claimed her. The living chil- dren are Edith, Myrtle and Almeda. They are intelligent, well educated and modest. young ladies who by their winning ways and many accomplishments make the family home a most enjoyable one.
Despite the eminent services he rendered
his country. Lester C. Macey has never taken very kindly to politics. He has never sought public place of any kind. At one time he was induced to accept the position of drainage commissioner of Haring township, but he did not really want the place and was only too glad when his term of office expired. There are many men all over this country. whose military records pale into insignifi- cance before that of Lester C. Macey, who are using their alleged military achievements to boost them into public places. He would scorn to make use of what he did through patriotic motives for so base a purpose. Men of his candor, frankness and honesty very rarely make a success of politics. The only fraternal society to which he belongs is the Masons. He is a member of Cadillac Lodge No. 331, Free and Accepted Masons, and a more sincere and conscientious member of the order it would be difficult to find.
GEORGE D. WESTOVER.
Upon the industrial activity of a commu- nity depends in a large measure the prosper- ity of the people and the men recognized as the directors of progress are those who have in hand the management and control of im- portant public enterprises. The gentleman whose name furnishes the caption of this review is entitled to distinction as one of the leading spirits in the material growth of Cadillac. having been identified with the city's advancement in various capacities, be- ing at the present time superintendent of the water and electric light plant, in the estab- lishment and construction of which he was , also an active and influential factor. George
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