USA > Michigan > Wexford County > History of Wexford County, Michigan, embracing a concise review of its early settlement, industrial development and present conditions > Part 69
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Ezra Harger, deceased, was born in Kent, Portage county, Ohio, in 1838, but when a mere child he accompanied his par- ents upon their removal to St. Clair, Alle- gheny county, Pennsylvania. At the age of about ten years, in 1848. he returned to Kent county, Ohio, and in 1852 he went to Jeffer- son county, New York. In the fall of the same year he came to Lapeer county, Michi- gan, where he resided until 1861. when he paid a visit to old friends in Fulton county. Ohio. While there he enlisted. in April. 1861, in the Fourteenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for service during the Civil war, Is regiment enlisting for the three months service. Upon his discharge he went to Toledo, Ohio, and from there to New York state and there re-enlisted, being asigned to the Fifteenth United States In- fantry, which became a part of the Western army. He served with this command until February, 1864, when he again re-enlisted for three years, receiving his final discharge in February, 1867. He was a brave and loyal soldier and participated in all the marches, skirmishes and battles in which his regiment took part.
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Upon his discharge from the army, Mr. llarger came to the Traverse region in search of desirable land and in August, 1867. he took up a homestead of eighty acres in section 12, in what is now Colfax township. Wexford county. It was unimproved land. but he went to work to create out of it a model farm, in which he was successful to a high degree. He added to the original tract from time to time and erected substan- tial and commodious buildings and at length found himself the possessor of one of the best farms of the size in the township. He was a progressive and enterprising citizen and assisted in the organization of the town- ship in which he resides. In company with William Mears and George Manton, he platted the town of Manton and here erected the first house. In 1873 he removed from Colfax township to the home which he had created here and lived here during the re- mainder of his days, his last residence being in the town of Manton. For six terms. twelve years, he served as treasurer of Wex- ford county, and was also supervisor of Col- fax township, and Cedar Creek township. and was township treasurer and justice of the peace.
Mr. Harger was twice married. On the 25th of December, 1867, he was united to Miss Mary Bayes, a native of Ohio, and to them were born four children, Virginia, who died in childhood: Emma, who is the wife of Charles 11. Bostick: Flora, who is the wife of M. J. Compton, and Edith. Mrs. Mary Harger died in February, 1889, and he was subsequently married to Miss Mar- garet Bayes, a sister of his first wife. One child was born to the second union, Gladys by name. Mr. Harger's decease, which oc- curred in Manton on April 20, 1900, was a
matter of regret to the people among whom his splendid abilities made him a leader and a forceful factor. In every relation of life he was a manly man, broad and liberal in his views, and won by his courtly manner and genial companionship the esteem and ad- miration of the people of his town and county. With a character open and trans- parent, and a sense of honor strong and de- cided. he was a striking example of what is noblest and best in manhood, and he will always be accorded a high place among Wexford's representative citizens.
SAMUEL J. WALL.
Among Wexford's leading men of af- fairs and distinguished citizens, the name of Samuel J. Wall, of Cadillac, has long been pre-eminent. Of commanding intellectual ability and high professional attainments, he has been a forceful factor in legal circles and as a director of thought and moulder of opiinons in all matters of a public character. his influence being duly recognized and ap- preciated by his fellow citizens in this part of the state.
Samuel J. Wall was born in Kent county. Michigan, July 10. 1851, the son of Samuel and Mary ( Morris) Wall, both parents na- tives of England. Samuel Wall and wife were reared and married in the land of their birth and there remained until several of their children were born, when they came to the United States, sojourning for a time in Ontario county, New York. About the year 1850 they removed to Kent county, Michigan, and settled on a farm which the older sons improved and culti-
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S. J. WALL.
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vated. The father, being a tailor, worked at his trade in the city of Grand Rapids of winter seasons, devoting the rest of the year to agricultural pursuits. Mrs. Wall bore her husband nine children and departed this life in the year 1864, Mr. Wall surviving her mitil 1892, when he too was called to the other world.
Samuel J., the youngest of the nine chil- dren, spent his youthful days in the cease- less round of labor which attends farm life and at intervals pursued his studies in the district schools until he acquired a fair knowledge of the fundamental branches. The training thus received was later supplement- ed by a course in the Grand Rapids Business College, after which he taught school for a while, but soon abandoned that profession for other and more congenial pursuits. Mr. Wall began his business career at Bay Port, Huron county, Michigan, where, in partner- ship with James McKay and others, he or- ganized the Bay Port Salt and Lumber Com- pany, of which he was made secretary. Af- ter remaining at that place umtil 1876 he re- turned to Cadillac and accepted a clerical position in the offices of Harris Brothers, lumber dealers, and continued in their em- ploy until engaging with another lumber firm near the city two years later. Mean- time he devoted his leisure to the study of the law, a profession for which he had long manifested a decided preference, and in the spring of 1880 he was admitted to the bar, immediately thereafter opening an office in Cadillac and engaging actively in the prac- tice. The following fall he was elected on the Republican ticket prosecuting attorney, the duties of which office he discharged one term and at the expiration of which he again turned his attention largely to his lumbering
interests in Lake county, where he made con- siderable investment in the year 1880 with a partner by the name of Sipley. In 1882 these gentlemen enlarged the plant and prosecuted the business with the most encouraging suc- cess until the following year, when the en- tire outfit was destroyed by fire, entailing a heavy loss, which for a time seriously crip- pled them and interfered very materially with their plans. Returning to Cadillac after this disaster, Mr. Wall resumed the practice of the law, which, with various lines of mis- cellaneous business, engaged his attention until 1888, when he was elected county clerk, which position he continued to hold by suc- cessive re-elections four terms, proving a capable and obliging public servant and so administering the office as to gain the con- fidence and good will of the people. Subse- quently, in 1890, he was chosen to represent the third ward in the city council, in which body he was untiring in his efforts to pro- mote the interests of the municipality, and four years later he was further honored by being elected mayor of Cadillac. Mr. Wall served two years in the latter capacity and made an honorable record as an executive, his administration throughout being straight- forward, business-like, creditable to himself and satisfactory to the public. Retiring from the office, he resumed the practice of his profession, and was thus engaged until 1898, when he was again called from private life by being appointed postmaster of Cadillac. the duties of which position he has since dis- charged.
Mr. Wall's almost continuous retention in important official stations affords the best evidence of the high esteem in which he is held by the people and his official career throughout has fully justified the confidence
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IVEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
reposed in him by his fellow citizens. His long residence in Cadillac has enabled him to realize as well perhaps as any other the wants of the people and with clear brain and willing hand he has supplied the demand generously and unsparingly. His coming here and the existence of the town were al- most coeval events and it is not too much to claim for him a large share in the com- mimity's subsequent development and pros- perity. A western man in the broad sense of the word and public spirited in all the term implies, he has labored zealously for the general welfare, and that his efforts have been productive of large and lasting results is cheerfully conceded by those at all familiar with the history of Wexford county and the growth of its flourishing capital city.
In his achievements as a lawyer Mr. Wall is wholly indebted to personal efforts, having pursued his preparatory studies dur- ing spare hours, snatched from time devoted to his regular occupations. He made the most of his opportunities under such circum- stances and today occupies a respectable place among his professional brethren of the Cadillac bar, enjoying a lucrative prac- tice, which but for the pressing claims of his official duties would be far more exten- sive than it now is. In politics, as already indicated, he is an uncompromising Repub- lican and for a number of years past has been an influential factor in local matters, besides taking an active interest in state and national affairs. He knows the grounds of his belief and has carefully studied the differences be- tween the two great parties, therefore his position is that of an intelligent man who reaches conclusions after mature deliberation and supports the cause which in his judg- ment makes for the best interests of the
people. As chairman of the Republican coun- ty central committee his services were es- pecially valuable to the party, and he has also frequently figured as a delegate to vari- ous nominating conventions, local, district and state, manifesting much more than a passive interest in their deliberations. Mr. Wall's fraternal relations are represented by the Masonic order and the Knights of Pyth- ias, both of which he recognizes as impor- tant agencies for man's moral good and so- cial advancement.
Mr. Wall is a married man and the father of four children, whose names are Ruth. Marjorie, Stewart and Morris. His wife was formerly Miss Caroline Sipley, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the ceremony by which it was changed to the one she now bears was solemnized in the year 1881.
LYMAN E. PARKER.
An enumeration of the men of the pres- ent day who have won success and recogni- tion for themselves and at the same time have honored the locality in which they re- side would be incomplete without due no- tice of the subject of this review, Lyman E. Parker. Clearly defined purpose and consecutive effort have been among his more prominent characteristics and his standing today as one of Selma township's most en- terprising agriculturists and one of the county's truly representative citizens is cheerfully conceded by all who know him. Identified with every enterprise having for its object the good of the community,. taking a lively interest in the public affairs of his township and county, he has sought by every means at his command to promote the
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country's material prosperity and advance the standard of its citizenship.
Lyman E. Parker, who resides on a part of section 24, Selma township, Wexford county, was born in Wyoming county, New York, August 26, 1847. When he was two years old his parents moved to Erie county, New York, where they took up their resi- (lence and engaged in farming. There he grew to manhood, received a fair education and acquired a knowledge of the mercan- tile business. In starting out in the world to provide for himself he went into Catta- raugus county, New York, where he estab- lished himself in business and where he pros- pered for two years. Having made up his mind that there were better opportunities in huis line in the west, he made all necessary arrangements and moved to Coopersville. Ottawa county, Michigan, where he opened out in the mercantile business and did a thriving trade for four years. He then sold out and moved to Dorr, Allegan county, Michigan, where he engaged in the hardware business, which he continued until January, 1882, when he came to Wexford county. Some time previously he had purchased eighty acres of land in section 24, Selma township, though he later sold forty acres of this. On this tract he established a home and it has been the place of residence of the fam- ily since. Seventy-six acres more have been purchased since, making a snug farm of one hundred and twelve acres. Abont sixty acres have been cleared and the place is well improved, being all that one could de- sire in a modest, comfortable home.
In Sardinia, Erie county, New York, on the 25th day of December, 1866, Lyman E. l'arker was united in marriage to Miss Hat- tie 1 .. llosmer, a native of New York, born
in Erie county, April 10, 1847. She has proven herself an amiable, worthy wife who has been a most valuable assistant to her husband in his various business ventures. They first engaged in housekeeping, a num- ber of years, in their native state and the wife accompanied the husband in his removal to Michigan. They are the parents of four children, viz: Cora M., Grace M., Clarence U. and Ruth E. Cora, who had taught in Wexford county, was the wife of A. E. Tilyon, resided in Huntsville, Alabama, and died December 25, 1891, when thirty-two years of age. Grace M. is the wife of Or- lean Denike and resides in Selma township.
Ever since he became a citizen of Wex- ford county Lyman E. Parker has taken an active part in all matters pertaining to the welfare and development of the locality. He has served as justice of the peace a number of years, discharging the duties of that po- sition most efficiently. He has also served as township elerk and township treasurer for two terms and has always been found faith- ful and trustworthy in all that he has under- taken. He is a member of Lodge No. 331. Free and Accepted Masons, at Cadillac, and takes an active interest in the work. He and his wife are both members of the church of the Disciples of Christ. Both are persons whose standing in the county is above re- proach, the parents of a worthy family and the occupants of a home that is the model of domestic courtesy and refinement.
CARL B. PETERSON.
When it comes to thrift. the practice of economy and the accumulation of property and wealth the average native American
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does not seem to be able to bear favorable comparison with the natives of other climes who take up their abode in the United States. True, most of the really rich men of Amer- ica are "to the manner born." but, in pro- portion to their number, people of foreign birth are possessed of much more of the wealth of the nation than the native-born citizens, if the gigantic corporations and the millionaires are excluded. There can be no doubt that the difference in training of the two classes produces different results. Pri- (lence and economy is the rule with the one ; lavish expenditure the policy of the other. America is largely peopled with wealth pro- ducers and accumulators from other shores. Nearly every country in Europe has contrib- uted to the grand total and the sons of Swed- en are not the least among the number. The subject of this sketch, Carl B. Peterson, who resides on section 35, Clam Lake township, is one of the thrifty sons of Sweden who have resided in America nearly a quarter of a century. By industry and frugality he has accumulated a comfortable estate, and not yet being bowed down by the weight of years. it is quite likely that he will yet add many thousands more to his possessions.
As before indicated, Carl B. Peterson is a native of Sweden. He was born June o. 1855. and continued to reside in the country of his birth until he arrived at the age of twenty-seven years. The prevailing condi- tions in his native land were not entirely agreeable to him and he yearned for a wider field and better opportunities. After casting about for some time for a location, he decided that America afforded the best field for operation. In 1882. when twenty- seven years of age, he emigrated to . America. remained a few months in Cleveland, Ohio,
and then came to Wexford county. Michi- gan, and purchased eighty acres in section 35. Clam Lake township, on which he set- tled and which has been the family home to the present time. To the original purchase he has added eighty acres more and is now the owner of a fine fertile quarter section, sixty acres of which is improved and in a fine state of cultivation.
In Muskegon, Michigan, Carl B. Peter- son was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Anderson, a native of Sweden, a woman of many noble qualities and sterling virtues. They immediately took up their abode upon the farm on section 35. and that has been their residence to the present time. To Mr. and Mrs. Peterson four children have been born, viz: Joseph, Carl .A., Oscar and David. The family stands well in the township of their residence and enjoy an enviable reputation for thrift and industry and every element that constitutes good citi- zenship.
GEORGE F. WILLIAMS.
The two most strongly marked charac- teristics of both the east and the west are combined in the residents of the section of country of which this volume treats. The enthusiastie enterprise which overleaps all ob- stacles and makes possible almost any under- taking in the comparatively new and vigor- ous western states is here tempered by the stable and more careful policy that we have borrowed from our eastern neighbors, and the combination is one of peculiar force and power. It has been the means of placing this section of the country on a par with the older east, at the same time producing a cer-
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tainty and reliability in business affairs which is frequently lacking in the west. This happy combination of characteristics is pos- sessed by the subject of this sketch, George F. Williams, one of the prominent and en- terprising business men of Manton, Wexford county, Michigan.
Mr. Williams is a native of Canada, hay- ing been born on the 22d of August, 1850. He is the son of James and Paulina ( Pritch- ard) Williams, who were both natives of England, in which country they were reared and were there married. The father died at Shelby. Michigan, in 1881, at the age of sixty-one years. The mother, who was born in 1822, is still living and makes her home with the subject. George F. Williams removed from Canada with his parents in 1864 and located at Aurora, Illinois, and two .years later they removed to Montague. Michigan, where the father engaged in the business of lumbering. There the subject was given the opportunity of attending school, but his studies were interrupted in 1871, when the family removed to Shelby. Oceana county, Michigan, where his father and his brothers, Jeremiah, James H. and Walter S., engaged in the mercantile, lum- bering and saw-mill business. In the new home the subject, with a younger brother, Albert, was again permitted to attend school, though he was also employed at odd times in the mill. In the spring of 1881. upon the death of his father, Mr. Williams assisted his brother Walter in conducting a planing and saw-mill. His first business venture on his own account was the purchase of a lot in the village of Shelby, on which he built a brick veneered block, in conjunction with a Mr. Parmenter, who owned the adjoin- ing lot, the two jointly building the division
wall. In 1881 Mr. Williams was united in mariage with Miss Emma Graves, of Shelby, and the next year he moved to Manton, where their only son, Clarence F., was born, October 1, 1883. In 1883 Mr. Williams engaged in the business of getting out and shipping last blocks and about the same time entered into partnership with his brother James H. in a general store. The last named business was sold out, however, soon afterwards and Mr. Williams devoted his attention solely to the last business, which was not, however, on a very large scale. At the outset of his career there oc- curred one of those incidents which might have easily discouraged a more timid or less resolute man. When he arrived in Manton he possessed about one thousand dollars and it was partially invested in the first shipment of last blocks which he made to a Chicago party. The latter party failed and the subject was unable to realize a cent on the transaction, which, with other unfor- tunate transactions, left him seriously in debt. The outlook was certainly dis- couraging. but Mr. Williams had a thorough insight into the last block business and felt that in that line lay his future success. In Wexford county lay a large quantity of good maple timber suitable for his purposes and he determined to establish himself him- self at Manton and secure a few good cus- tomers for rough turned last blocks. In 1886 he induced his brother, Walter S., to go in with him and, renting a ten-horse power engine and boiler, the two brothers formed a company known as Williams Brothers and started a factory. The factory was a small one and the two brothers did all the manual labor connected with the manufacture. George F. acting as engineer and buying
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the stock, while Walter S. did the turning. They continued to devote their undivided at- tention to their business and were at length rewarded by a substantial and gratifying in- crease in their business, which compelled them to employ others to do the work. At one time they also operated a saw-mill in conjunction with the last block factory. The business continued to grow rapidly and in 1897 had reached such proportions that it was deemed advisable to incorporate a stock company, which was done under the name of the Williams Brothers Company, with a capi- tal stock of thirty-seven thousand dollars. George F. Williams was principal stockhok !- er and was chosen secretary, treasurer and manager, the other stockholders being Wal- ter S. and Albert E. Williams, brothers of the subject, and William .1. Hall, a nephew. Under the new arrangement they found it possible to extend their operations and soon started a branch factory at Mesick, Michi- gan, opened a general store at Manton, and also made large purchases of hardwood tim- ber, including the land on which it stood. In! the summer of 1902 the capital stock of the company was increased to seventy-tive thousand dollars, the subject taking the larger portion of the stock and the other stockholders being Walter S. Williams, Al- bert E. Williams, Clarence F., the subject's son, Marty L. Williams, son of Walter S., William A. Hall. Bruce Green and H. M. Billings. The subject was still retained as the active manager of the company's interests and their holdings were still further extend- ed, they buying a large tract of timber land along the Ann Arbor Railroad and building a saw-mill and last block factory at Cadil- lac. The manufacturing of last blocks was begun on a modest scale, but has grown to
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mammoth proportions, necessitating the em- ployment of over one hundred men and the output amounting to one and a half million last blocks per year. In the spring of 1902 the general store was discontinued and the Williams Mercantile Company was organ- ized. with a capital stock of twelve thou- sand dollars, the officers of the new company being as follows: President, George F. Williams : vice-president, Walter S. Will- iams; secretary, M. J. Compton ; treasurer. Reynold Swanson, these gentlemen holding all the stock. In 1902 Mr. Williams also was instrumental in organizing the Manton Development Association, with a capital stock of six thousand dollars. He was chosen president of the association, the other stock- holders being Clarence F. Williams, H. M. Billings, James R. Oaks, Dr. V. F. Huntley, and J. E. Jones. In addition to all the busi- ness enterprises which have been here men- tioned, Mr. Williams also owns considerable real estate in Wexford county, including a beautiful home and several houses and lots ini the village of Manton. He came to the village at a time when it gave little promise of becoming the busy and thriving town it is today, and it has been largely through his influence and energy that the town has as- sumed the commercial importance that it occupies today. Mr. Williams has been honored by his fellow citizens with several positions of honor, having been one year village president, six years a member of the village council, four years a member of the school board and four years township clerk. He is affiliated with the Republican party, of which he is a warm supporter, and he served one year as chairman of the township com- mittee. Fraternally he is a member of the following orders: Free and Accepted Ma-
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WVEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
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