USA > Michigan > Wexford County > History of Wexford County, Michigan, embracing a concise review of its early settlement, industrial development and present conditions > Part 66
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township. He has served as township super- visor, treasurer. highway commissioner. justice of the peace, school trustee and town- ship clerk. In all the affairs of the township he is active and his neighbors defer to his opinion when local matters of public interest are under consideration. He and his wife are both religiously inclined, but do not be- long to the same religious denomination. Ile is a member of the Church of Christ. while she worships at the Swedish Lutheran church. They are worthy, industrious peo- ple, whose labors as producers are constantly ackdling to their own and the country's wealth.
GEORGE A. FREDERICK.
George A. Frederick is the owner and operator of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 26, Wexford township, of which one hundred acres is under a high state of cultivation. A native of Ohio, his birth occurred in Medina county, on the 15th of April. 1860, and he is the fifth in order of birth in a family of eleven children, whose parents were John B. and flelen L. ( Seas ) Frederick. During the boyhood of the sub- ject they removed to St. Joseph county. Michigan, and in the spring of 1896 they came to Wexford county, taking up their abode in Wexford township, where the father passed away on the 19th of February, 1901. in the seventy-seventh year of his age.
George A. Frederick was a little lad of only four summers at the time of his parents' removal to this state and upon the home farm in Leonidas township. St. Joseph coun- ty, he was reared until he had attained his majority. The public schools afforded him
huis educational privileges and when not en- gaged with the duties of the school-room he largely devoted his time and energies to as- sisting in the cultivation of the fields or in the care of the stock upon the home place. lle arrived in Wexford county in 1884 and for four years was identified with its intellec- tual development as a school teacher. At the end of that time he went to the west and for about three years was absent from Michi- gan. He then returned to St. Joseph county. where he carried on educational work and also followed the carpenter's trade, making his home there until 1896. In that year he once more came to Wexford county and set- tled upon the farm on which he is now liv- ing on section 20, Wexford township. Here he has a quarter section of the rich land of Michigan and of this one hundred acres are under cultivation. It is a rich, productive soil and yields to him good returns for his labors. Mr. Frederick is practical in all that he does and this quality manifested in his business career has resulted in bringing to him a comfortable competence, making him one of the substantial citizens of his com- munity.
On Christmas day of 1900. in St. Joseph county, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Frederick and Mrs. Katie A. Huff, the widow of Walter H. Huff and a daughter of William and Rebecca ( Leister ) Lighthiser. Mrs. Frederick was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on the 19th of October, 1871. and by her first marriage had one son, Leo W. Huff. Both the subject and his wife are well known in Wexford county and have gained the favorable regard of many with whom they have come in contact, their cir- cle being constantly increased as the circle of their acquaintance is extended. Mr.
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Frederick is a man of broad mind and keeps well informed on all the questions of the day. political and otherwise. In matters pertain- ing to agriculture he is progressive and his farm indicates his careful supervision, be- ing neat and thrifty in appearance. Politi- cally he supports the platform and nominees of the Democratic party, while fraternally he is affiliated with Lodge No. 212. Knights of Pythias, at Sherman, of which he was the first chancellor commander. He is also a member of Lodge No. 372. Free and Accept- ed Masons, at Sherman, and, with his wife belongs to the Sherman chapter of the East- ern Star.
LEMUEL A. TIBBITS.
Each calling or business, if honorable. has its place in human existence, constituting a part of the plan whereby life's methods are pursued and man reaches his ultimate desti- ny. Emerson said, "All are needed by each one." That is as true in one avenue of life's activities as in another. However, the im- portance of a business or profession is in a very large measure determined by its useful- ness and the benefits it bestows on humanity. The career of the subject of this review. Lemuel A. Tibbits, of Selma township, has certainly been a useful one and the record of its achievements proves very conclusively the inestimable benefits he has bestowed on hu- manity by his labors in the school room and in the education of the young.
Lemuel A. Tibbits was born in the city of Rochester, New York, August 24, 1858. He was reared in his native city and there the greater part of his education was secured in De Grasse Military and Collegiate Insti-
tute at Rochester. In 1874, when but six- teen years of age. he came to Michigan and secured employment ou a farm in Washte- naw county. For seven years he worked as & farm hand, arranging his affairs so that he was enabled to attend school two terms. That he profited well by those two terms at school is shown by the fact that they qualified him for entering the school room as a teacher. In 1881 he came to Wexford county, secur- ed a district school to teach and has since engaged continuously in that honorable vo- cation. No other teacher of Wexford coun- ty has so long continuously engaged in the calling in that county, and there are very few teachers in northern Michigan who have been engaged in the business, as he has been, in one county for twenty-two years. Fifteen of those terms were employed in one district, No. 5. In 1883 he had accumu- lated sufficient from his savings to purchase forty acres of land in section 2. Selma town- ship. where he established a home and where he has since resided. At present the land is nearly all cleared, well cultivated and im- proved with good, substantial buildings and other necessary appurtenances. September 1. 1886, Lemuel A. Tibbits was united in marriage to Miss Frances E. Beckwith, whose parents were among the early settlers of Wexford county. Nathan Beckwith is still living, while his good wife passed to her eternal rest February 22, 1902. Lemuel 1. and Frances E. Tibbits in the goodness of their hearts have adopted a little girl, by name Jessie M., an intelligent, winsome little lady, now attending school.
In all educational matters the subject of this article is very much interested. For six years he has served as county school ex- aminer, a position through which the stand-
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ard of education in a county may be easily lowered or raised. During the years of his administration of the office it is generally conceded that the educational interests of the county were never better attended to and to his influence and wisely directed labors much of it is due. He has served as township clerk, township treasurer and he has been commissioned by the governor of the state a notary public. He is a member of the Pleasant Lake Grange and quite active in the affairs of the order. At present he is the lecturer of the local grange and also of the Wexford County Grange. Beginning life with practically nothing, thrown upon his own resources in a strange common- wealth at the early age of sixteen years, de- ficient in education, through the industry, in- tegrity and the many other noble qualities of which he is possessed, he has surmounted every obstacle and is now recognized as one of the most progressive, public-spirited citi- zens of Wexford county. Others may have more to show in the way of material wealth accumulated in the same length of time, but certainly there are very few who have be- stowed as many blessings upon the communi- ty as he has. His labors in the school room alone are worth more to the country and to humanity than the entire lifework of many another man.
THOMAS A. CORLETT. M. D.
The practice of medicine and surgery is one of the most exacting professions in which a person can engage. It is alike trying upon the physieial and upon the mental powers. Physical strength and vigor are as necessary
in it as is the mental ability which must be possessed by him who would succeed. Dr. Thomas A. Corlett. the subject of this biog- raphy, is a physician and surgeon now en- gaged in the active practice of his profession at Manton, Cedar Creek township. He is possessed of all the essential qualifications of a successful physician and surgeon. That he is rapidly winning success is well attested by the large and steadily increasing practice for which he is at present caring.
Dr. Thomas A. Corlett was born in the county of Grey, province of Ontario, Canada August 7. 1863. His parents were John and Elenore J. ( McKinzie) Corlett, native the former of Scotland and the latter of Canada. He is a prosperous farmer of Bendick town- ship, Grey county. Twelve children were horn to Mr. and Mrs. Corlett, of whom the subject of this review is the third. On the tarm where he was born the subject was reared and received a very thorough knowl- edge of all the elementary branches of learn- ing. Thereafter he took a course at the Owen Sound Collegiate Institute. He at- tended the Toronto University Medical School three years and graduated from the Detroit School of Medicine in the class of 1892. He was at home until February, 1893. when he located in Manton for the purpose of engaging in the practice of his profession. For the past ten years he has been a resident of Manton and actively engaged in the prac- tice.
August 31, 1897. at Cadillac, Michigan. Dr. Thomas A. Corlett was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary E. Stimson, a native of Flint, Michigan, her parents being now de- ceased. One child has been born to Dr. and Mrs. Corlett, whom they have named Donald Alexander. He is an interesting
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child, blessed with a vigorous constitution, which gives fair promise of making for him a long and useful career.
Dr. Corlett is a man of genial disposi- tion, affable and quite companionable. He is a man whose sympathies are easily aroused and who ever responds with alacrity to the call from the suffering, whether it be beneath the humble root of the cottager or within the palatial home of wealth. The duties of his profession bring him in contact with a large number of his fellow citizens of il'ex- ford county. Still comparatively young in years and in his profession, he has all the requisite ability to rise to eminence in his chosen profession and his many friends be- lieve that he is very certain to do so.
DR. HOWARD S. KNEELAND.
The subject of this revien is a substantial and highly esteemed citizen of Cadillac, who since the year 1900 has been following the profession of dental surgery with a con- stantly increasing popularity, being now in the enjoyment of an extensive and lucrative practice which has earned for him a reputa- tion much more than local. With intelli- gence and energy that have served him well and made him a constant student and seeker after knowledge, he has steadily advanced in the line of his calling, until he now occupies a place in the front rank of his compeers. with the assurance of a future of continued professional and financial success.
Dr. Howard S. Kneeland was born June 9. 1863. in lonia county, Michigan, and there spent his early life amid the varied duties of the farm, his father, John K. Kneeland,
having been an industrious and prosperous tiller of the soil. The maiden name of the Doctor's mother was Amanda MI DeLong. These parents, in 1876. moved to Wexford county and settled on a homestead in section 1. Selma township, which the father, with such assistance as his son could render, cleared and converted into a good farm. There the family lived some eighteen or twenty years, at the expiration of which time the elder Kneeland retired from active life and took up his residence in Cadillac, where he spent the remainder of his days, dying August 17. 1897, at the age of seventy-eight years. Of the children born to John K. and Amanda Kneeland, the Doctor is the only survivor. Hle was about thirteen years old when the family came to Wexford county. and in the clearing and developing of the farm and its subsequent cultivation he in- dustriously and worthily bore his part. . 1 naturally studious nature, combined with a laudable ambition to acquire an education. led him to take advantage of every oppor- tunity in this direction and, with the assist- ance of his father, who was an old-time school teacher, he made commendable prog- ress in his studies, completing the common school course besides obtaining a fair knowl- edge of the higher branches. By devoting his leisure time to reading he became widely and thoroughly informed and while still un- der the parental roof his intelligence and good judgment caused him to be chosen to several official positions, in all of which his record was that of a capable and faithful public servant. He served as treasurer of Selma township with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the people, also held the office of justice of the peace for several years, and as school inspector did much to
HOWARD S. KNEELAND.
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promote the cause of popular education in his jurisdiction. In the year 1888 Mr. Knee- land was appointed deputy county clerk and register of deeds, under S. J. Wall, which position he held two years, resigning at the expiration of that time to become bookkeeper for the Cummer lumber firms, a post of greater responsibility than the former, but commanding a much better salary. Not content always to remain an employee, sub- ject to the will of others, he early decided to prepare himself for some specific life work, accordingly, while discharging his duties in the clerk's office, he took up the study of dentistry, to which he devoted his leisure hours under the direction of Dr. H. V. Ward. of Cadillac. Later, during his ten years with the Cummer Company, he fur- ther prosecuted his studies and investiga- tions under Dr. G. M. Brown, and so closely and unceasingly did he apply himself that he was one of the very few to pass success- fully the rigid examination of the state board of dental examiners.
Receiving a license from this body in October, 1900. Dr. Kneeland immediately' opened an office in Cadillac and in due time built up a lucrative practice, which has stead- ily increased with each recurring year. His suite of parlors are finely furnished, his la- boratory is supplied with all the latest mod- ern appliances used in the profession and he is thoroughly prepared to do all kinds of work in his line with neatness and despatch and according to the most approved scientific methods. The Doctor's continued profess- ional success is his best advertising medium and he depends upon this alone to bring him to the notice of the public. He is well known throughout this section of the state as a skillful and finished operator and accom-
plished artisan, and his services have been in such demand that financial as well as pro- fessional success has attended him most liber- ally, he being now the possessor of a hand- some competence, the result of close atten- tion to his duties.
As a private citizen no less than in his professional capacity, the Doctor makes his influence for good felt in the community. He is highly esteemed by all who know him, Is a kind neighbor, a genial companion and his domestic life is one of refinement and taste. He was married in Cadillac February 14. 1803, to Miss Marguerite M. Baroux, the daughter of Adrian Boroux, of Montague. Michigan, the union being blessed with three children, namely : Gladys M., Gaylor L. and Minnie M. Doctor Kneeland is prominent in the social and benevolent circles of Cad- illac, belonging to several fraternal organi- zations, notably among which are Lodge 46. Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 680, Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of the Royal Guard, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of the Maccabees. He stands for progress and improvement, lends his influence to all worthy objects and his self poise, earnest- ness of purpose, directness of thought and action and commendable public spirit have won for him a high rank among the repre- sentative citizens of Cadillac and Wexford county.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
Wexford county owes not a little of its development and business activity to its citi- zens of Swedish birth or descent. The king- dlom in the northern peninsula of Europe has
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sent many representatives to the new world. where they have taken advantages of busi- ness opportunities, have adapted themselves to altered conditions and have by the exer- cise of care, perseverance and diligence won for themselves good homes and provided comfortably for their families. Mr. John- son, a native of Sweden, was born on the 28th of October. 1837, and the years of his childhood, youth and early manhood were there passed. He attended its schools and also performed considerable work in his youth, which resulted in habits of industry and persistency of purpose. The year 1871 witnessed the severance of the ties which bound Mr. Johnson to his native land. The business possibilities of the new world at- tracted him and, crossing the briny deep, he took up his abode in Wexford county, Michi- gan, on the farm where he now lives and which has been his home continuously through twenty-two consecutive years. Dur- ing this period he has erected good farm buildings, including substantial barns for the shelter of grain and stock. He has also built a good residence, and his attention has been given in undivided manner to the im- provement of his eighty acres of land, of which fifty acres is under cultivation at the present time.
In Wexford county Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Magnusson. a native of Sweden, and they now have an interesting family of six children, as follows : Frank. Emil J .. Ida M .. Amanda C., Min- nie and Agnes K.
Such in brief is the life record of Mr. Johnson. He has lived for almost a third of a century in Wexford county and, while there have been no exciting chapters in his life history, it is that of a man who is loyal
in citizenship, trustworthy in business and faithful in friendship, and these are the qualities which are deemed of worth in every land and clime. Ile has labored untir- ingly here in order to gain a good home for himself and family and has found good business opportunities in this country where effort is unhampered by caste or class.
JOSEPH MCCANE.
In this world there is one kind of man who can successfully combat the many dis- advantages and trials which humanity en- counters in every walk of life. It is he who is possessed of superior intelligence and force of character ; the man who is the happy possessor of that energy which seems to be the magic wand that transforms a poor be- ginning into a successful ending. To this class belongs the subject of this review. Jo- seph MeCane, who began life with little and accomplished much more than many whose opportunities were far better.
Joseph MeCane is a native of Scotland, born about thirty miles from Edinburg. Sep- tember 4. 1851. His parents were William and Mary ( Hodgins) McCane, the father a native of Scotland and the mother of En- gland. They migrated to America in 1856 and settled in Saginaw. Michigan, the same year. There the mother still resides. Iler husband died in 1888, while on a visit to his son Joseph, in Wexford county, at the age of seventy-six years. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom Joseph, the subject, was the fourth.
The year of his arrival in America Jo- seph MeCane was five years old. From that
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time until he obtained bis majority he made his home with his parents in Saginaw. He learned the trade of a stone and brick mason, became quite skillful and worked at the busi- less many years after he was twenty-one years old. In many of the towns and cities of Michigan may be seen samples of his work in the buildings erected since 1873.
At Loomis, Clare county, Michigan, .August 6. 1874, Joseph McCane was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Cornelius, a native of the state of New York, born in Steuben county, June 30, 1855. She is the daughter of Ira and Catharine ( Castle ) Cor- nelius, both now deceased. To this union six children were born, viz; Mary E. is the wife of John Bolton, a native of Ottawa, Canada, and a farmer and lumberman, and they had two children, Dovis, aged three years, and Leland, who died at the age of two months; William W., of Liberty town- ship, who wedded Mabel Gilbert, of lonia county ; George. Eva, Earl and Harrold. In August, 1877, the family, then consist- ing of the parents and two children, moved to Wexford county, and settled on a part of section 29. Liberty township, where they have since resided and where the four young- er children of the family have been born. The farm upon which they reside and which they own consists of forty-two and a half acres, all cleared, splendidly cultivated and supplied with every convenience in the way of buildings. A number of acres was set apart some time ago for an orchard, in which a large number of fruit trees were planted. They are thrifty, well cared for and will soon be bearing abundance of fruit. The family occupies a home that for happiness, thrift and comfort, is not excelled in the county.
The principles and policies of the Repub-
lican party early won the favor of Joseph AcCane and his zeal for party success won the favor of the Republicans of his township and they insisted on his acceptance of such positions as they had at their disposal. He has filled the positions of assessor, school in- spector and has been deputy sheriff for that township since 1882, more than twenty-one years. The Christian church, whose mem- bers are known as the Disciples of Christ, is the church of which Mr. and Mrs. McCane are members. They are regular attendants upon its services. The only fraternal society to which he belongs is the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, his membership being in Manton Lodge. Like many of the inhabi- tants of his native land, he is possessed of good judgment and excellent sense. To the energy he displays in all that he undertakes and to the force of character for which he is distinguished he is indebted for the success which has attended the work of his life.
CHARLES J. BECHTEL.
It is generally considered by those in the habit of superficial thinking that the history of so-called great men only is worthy of pres- ervation and that little merit exists among the masses to call forth the praise of the historian or the cheers and the appreciation of mankind. A greater mistake was never made. No man is great in all things and very few are great in many things. Many by a lucky stroke achieve lasting fame, who before that had no reputation beyond the limits of their immediate neighborhoods. It is not a history of the lucky stroke which 1.enefits humanity most. but the long study and effort which made the lucky stroke pos-
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sible. It is the preliminary work, the meth- od. that serves as a guide for the success of others. Among those in this county who have achieved success along steady lines of action is the subject of this brief review. Charles J. Bechtel. of Manton, Wexford county.
Mr. Bechtel was born in Dumfries, On- tario, Canada. July 8, 1858, and is the son of Ephraim and Caroline (Schumacher ) Bechtel. Ilis father was also a native of ( anada, and is a carpenter by trade, while his mother is a native of Germany. The par- ents came to Missaukee county, Michigan. in 1872, and settled in Caldwell township. where they still reside. They reared a fam- ily of eight children, of whom the subject is the eldest. Charles Bechtel was but two years old when brought to the United States by his parents, who at first located in Kent county. Michigan, and later accompanied them to their new home in Missankee county. Ile was given the benefit of a fair common school education and remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-two years old. He then engaged in the lumber busi- ness on his own account in Missaukee coun- ty, an occupation which he has followed ever since in conjunction with farming. At the time of his marriage, in 1891. Mr. Bechtel removed to Manton and has here since re- sided. He is the owner of several hundred acres of good land, of which he cultivates about two hundred and fifty acres, most of which is in Missankee county. He is a care- ful and progressive husbandman, thoroughly up-to-date in his methods and has made a distinctive success of his vocation. Ilis beautiful farm bears the marks of thorough cultivation and careful management and for a number of years he has ranked with the
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