USA > Michigan > Wexford County > History of Wexford County, Michigan, embracing a concise review of its early settlement, industrial development and present conditions > Part 70
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sons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Order of the Eastern Star, and in the Masonic order he is a Knight Templar and also has taken the de- grees of the Mystic Shrine.
In 1894 Mr. Williams was married to Miss Eliza Gaunt, of Manton, a daughter of Austin and Mary ( Johnson ) Gaunt, and borg June 2, 1866. By his courteous manners, genial disposition and genuine worth Mr. Willams has won a warm place in the hearts of all who know him and he and his wife are the center of a large circle of warm and loyal friends.
JAMES H. BAKER.
There are few states in the union where enterprise is better appreciated or industry more liberally remunerated than in Michi- gan. This is especially truc of that portion of the state known as the northern part of the southern peninsula, wherein is located the fertile and productive county of Wex- ford. Youth and inexperience is no bar to success in that favored region, and it is noth- ing uncommon there to encounter beardless boys at the head of enterprises of such mag- nitude as woukl deter okdl veterans from tin- dertaking them in more conservative sections of the land. James H. Baker, of the firm of Phelps & Baker, millers and produce dealers of Manton, is a splendid specimen of the shrewdness, tact and commercial foresight which can be displayed in this part of the country by a lad who had scarcely attained his majority. In the year 1889, when barely twenty-one years old, he took upon himself as proprietor the care and operation of a
flouring-mill at Manton, with all of the busi- ness management incident to the conduct of such an enterprise, and has attained an en- viable success in each and every department of his undertaking.
James H. Baker was born at Dorr, Ale- gan county, Michigan, October 16, 1868. His parents were Henry M. and Catherine ( Butcher) Baker, the former being by occu- pation a machinist and millwright. He came to Manton in AApril, 1882, and for about seven years operated the flouring-mill at that place. In 1889, on account of failing health, he was obliged to retire from active business, which, however, did not improve his physicial condition and he died March 18, 1802, being then in the fifty-seventh year of his age. His faithful wife is still living, residing with her children, in Manton. To them six children were born, of whom the subject of this sketch was the oldest child and only son.
The early years of the life of James H. Baker were spent in his native county and did not differ materially from the youth of other lads of the same age and time, except that he had acquired a very thorough knowl- edge of all the common school branches of learning at an early age. Under the tuition of his father he applied himself to securing a knowledge of machinery and milling. When the father first came to Manton his son accompanied him and during the seven years that the parent operated the mill there the boy was his constant attendant and helper. When the physical condition of his father compelled him to retire in 1889, so well had the son learned his lessons in mechanism that he easily stepped into his parent's place, and the operation of the mill and the busi-
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ness connected with it went on without a stop or friction. In 1892 the subject formed a partnership with C. D. Phelps, under the firm name of Phelps & Baker, and from that time to the present they have conducted a very successful business, year after year in- creasing their patronage and steadily adding to their capital.
July 3, 1897, James H. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Newland, a na- tive of Ohio, born June 3. 1869. Her parents were Richard and - Newland, who were among the early settlers of Manton. Having assumed new and very important responsibilities, the subject applied himself to the business of his choice with a keener zest. They not only rebuilt the okdl mill, but in 1900, to accommodate their increased patronage and that they might have a man- ufacturing plant that is strictly up to date, they erected an entirely new mill on the most improved plan, with the very latest machin- ery and most improved processes and with a capacity of seventy barrels daily. The ok! mill they still retain intact, and it is almost constantly in operation on rough grinding, meal, feed etc. The capacity of both mills will exceed one hundred barrels daily. In the summer of 1902 the firm embarked in the produce business. They established a large warehouse at Manton, and buy and ship all kinds of produce. The business is yet in its infancy, but everything indicates that their success in this new line will be all that they coukt desire. In the conduct of all of his af- fairs Mr. Baker is strictly business-like; no detail. no matter how trivial, escapes his at- tention, and each and every department of the business, under his care and direction, glides along as smoothly as the machinery of his inills.
AARON F. ANDERSON.
Into the complex fabric of our national commonwealth have entered elements rep- resenting every civilized nation on the globe, each element having its part in conserving the textile strength of the composite whole, the entirety constituting the grandest republic the world has ever known. Among those from foreign lands seeking new homes and working out new destinies on .American soil, the strong, stalwart, mentally alert sons of Scandinavia have been especially prominent in that they have brought with them these noble attributes of manhood and that love of personal freedom for which the people of the northland have long been distinguished and which constitute such important ele- ments of true .American citizenship. The well-known business man whose name intro- (luces this sketch is a representative of the above nationality and as such worthily up- holds the honor of his fatherland, although a lover of his adopted country and to all in- terests and purposes as loyal a citizen of the United States as an American to the manner born. Aaron Frederick Anderson hails from far-away Sweden, where his birth occurred on the 8th day of March. 1858. His father being a tiller of the soil, he was reared to agricultural pursuits and assisted to run the home farm until his twentieth year, mean- while receiving a good education in the com- mon schools, and when not engaged in the fields, learning the shoemaker's trade, at which in due time he became an efficient workman. Thinking to better his condition in a country abounding in more favorable opportunities than prevailed in his native land, Mr. Anderson, in 1878, came to the U'nited States, making his way direct to Cad-
A ANDERSON.
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illac, Michigan, where he began working at his trade. Meeting with encouraging suc- cess from the start. he was induced after a few years to engage in the general boot and shoe business ; accordingly, in 1885, he pur- chased a full line of goods, and in due time succeeded in building up a lucrative trade, which was successfully conducted until 1901. Meanwhile, in 1897, he became interested in the lumber industry and, to better prose- cute the same, disposed of his mercantile business in 1901, since which time his atten- tion has been exclusively devoted to lumber- ing. with fortunate financial results.
Mr. Anderson is essentially a business man, possessing the sound judgment and clear insight necessary to success in large and important undertakings. With compar- atively no outside assistance, he has steadily pursued his way from a modest beginning until he now occupies a conspicuous place among the enterprising and well-to-do men of his adopted city. Strong determination, perseverance in the pursuit of an honorable purpose, unflagging energy and careful man- agement, are among the salient features of his career and his life stands in unmistaka- ble evidence that success is not a matter of genius or the result of fortune's favors, but is more the outcome of earnest and well- directed endeavor.
Mr. Anderson was married in Cadillac on the 26th of September. 1882, to Miss Addie Greenburg, the union resulting in the birth of six children, namely: Fred W., Clarence E., Ester E .. Ruth F., Helen M. and Rachel D., the second of the family dy- ing at the age of twelve years. Mr. Ander- son is an influential member of the Swedish Baptist church of Cadillac, and contributes liberally to its material support. Personally
he is quite popular, possessing in a marked degree the characteristics which win and re- tain warm friendships and which render one a favorite in the social circle. He is public spirited and progressive, deeply interested in the welfare of the community and does all within his power for its advancement along material, social, educational and moral lines. His business efforts, as already stated, have been crowned with a large measure of suc- cess and it is no fulsome praise to state that no citizen of Cadillac stands higher in the confidence and esteem of the people or has shown himself more worthy of public re- gard. Mr. Anderson has worthily upheld an honored ancestral name and his loyalty to friends and devotion to family mark him a true man and an upright citizen.
HORACE G. HUTZLER.
It is a well-recognized fact that the most powerful factor and influence in shaping and controlling public life is the press. It reaches a greater number of people than any other agency and thus has always been and, in the hands of persons competent to direct it. always will be a most important factor in molding public opinion and shaping the destiny of a nation. The gentleman to a brief review of whose life these lines are devoted is prominently connected with the journalism of Wexford county, and at this time is editor and publisher of the Manton Weekly Tribune, one of the most popular papers of the county, comparing favorably with the best local sheets in this section of the . state as regards news, editorial ability and mechanical execution. The county recog-
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nizes in Mr. Hutzler not only one of the keen- est newspaper men, but also a representative citizen, whose interest in all that affects the general welfare has been of such a character as to win for him a high place in the confi- dence and esteem of the people.
Horace G. Hutzler was born in Iroquois, Iroquois county, Illinois, on the 16th of Sep- tember, 1863, and is the son of David Davis and Charlotte (Church) lutzler. He is of German-Wefch descent, his emigrant ancestors first settling in Virginia, in which state all his grandparents were born. His mother's grandfather, Henry Shipman, was a relative and pioneer companion of the cele- brated frontiersman, Daniel Boone, and to- gether they settled in the wilds of Kentucky. The subject's father is a native of Ohio and his mother of Illinois. At the time of the outbreak of hostilities between the north and south, in 1861, they were prosperous farmers in Iroquois county, Illinois, but the father, feeling that his country needed his services at the front, left his family and the peaceful pursuits of civil life and went to the front, where for four years he fought in the defense of Old Glory and the vindication of the prin- ciple of central government. His wife died in Manton about nine years ago, but he still resides at that place at the age of seventy- nine years, making his home with a daughter. enjoying the respect and esteem of all who know him.
The subject of this sketch at the close of the Civil war was brought by his parents to Berrien county, Michigan, where his boy- hood days were passed. Ile was permitted to attend school during the winter months, but during the summers was employed on the farm and in getting out timber. his father being engaged in the shipping of the latter.
It was necessary for him to walk to New Troy, two and a half miles distant, in order to attend school, but he was of a studious disposition, and made the most of his op- portunities, so that eventually he became a fairly well-informed lad. This training has since been liberally supplemented by wide reading and a close observation of men and events, and today there are few men in this locality better informed in a general sense than is the subject. . At the age of twelve he removed with his parents to Indiana, set- tling near Warsaw, in Kosciusko county, where his teens were passed, partly in at- tendance at school and in the capacity of salesman. At the age of nineteen years Mr. Hutzler went to Grand Rapids, Michigan. where he was engaged as a dry goods sales- man, and at the same time he attended night school and a commercial college. Subse- quently he came to Manton, where his par- ents had located some years previously, and shortly afterward entered the Union Law College at Chicago, it being his intention at that time to take up the practice of law as his life work. However, because of impaired health, he was compelled to relinquish these plans, and the following two years were passed in the capacity of traveling salesman. with the object in view primarily of bene- fiting his health. Returning to Manton in 1892, he shortly afterward purchased the Manton Tribune and at once assumed the active management of the paper. Ile is a ready and facile writer, wielding a trenchant pen, and through the columns of the Tribune he has exerted a powerful and far-reaching influence on all questions which have become of public importance. By pen and personal influence he has been an earnest advocate of all movements which have tended to the
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betterment of the people of his community and the upbuilding of the city, materially or morally. Of the common people, he is a lover of justice and equity and a foe to class legislation, and is also an earnest advocate of municipal ownership of public institutions. In politics he is a stanch Republican, a cham- pion of the protective tariff system and a standard dollar of intrinsic value. Since set- tling in Manton Mr. Hutzler has several times been honored by his party with offices of trust and responsibility, having served several years as village clerk. several years as township clerk, being at the present time a member of the common council, township clerk and deputy state oil inspector for the twenty-first district, having received the lat- ter appointment at the hands of Governor Bliss in July, 1901.
In 1895 Mr. Hutzler was united in mar- riage with Miss Lillian Bostich, of Manton, and they have three children, Ralph Emer- son. Wauneta M. and Damon. Fraternally Mr. Hutzler is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees, of which he is past com- mander : the Ancient Order of United Work- men, of which he is past master workman ; the Modern Woodmen of America, of which he is one of the managers, and with the Knights of Pythias, of which he is chancellor commander.
GEORGE S. GRAHAM.
The gentleman whose name introduces this article is one of the oldest living settlers of Wexford county, and during a continuous residence of nearly a third of a century his life has been very closely identified with the
growth and development of the section of the country in which his present home is situated. George S. Graham is a citizen of the United States by adoption, being a native of Canada, born December 1. 1839. in Sim- coe county, Ontario. His father being a farmer, he was reared in close touch with nature and early became accustomed to the labors and wholesome experiences which at- tend life under such circumstances. Until fifteen years old he lived in the counties of Simcoe and Holdeman, but at that age came to the county of Perth, where he remained until changing his residence, in 1871, to Wexford county, Michigan. On coming to this country Mr. Graham took up a home- stead of eighty acres in section 10, Clam Lake township, and at once addressed himself to the task of its improvement, working early and late to provide a comfortable livelihood for his family and prepare a home in which to spend his declining years. By well-direct- ed energy he soon had the greater part of his land in cultivation, and by judiciously investing his surplus earnings from time to time added to his real estate until he now has land to the amount of two hundred acres, all finely situated and well adapted to general farming and fruit raising. As an agricultur- ist Mr. Graham easily ranks with the most enterprising and successful of his fellow-citi- zens similarly engaged, being progressive in luis methods and possessing the ability and tact to take advantage of circumtances and mold them to suit his purposes. As already stated, he was one of Wexford's early pio- neers, and not long after his arrival he as- sisted in building the first saw-mill at Clam Lake, besides in many other ways contribut - ing to the carly growth and material advancement of the village and adjacent
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country. His industry, directed in proper channels, has made him prosperous, and, as indicated in a preceding paragraph, he is now well situated in life to enjoy everything. having a comfortable home, with a suffi- ciency of this world's goods to enable him to spend the remainder of his days free from care.
On the 29th of April. 1868, in Welling- ton county, Ontario, Mr. Graham was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Bridge, who was born in Lower Canada, July 22, 1850. To this union seven children have been born, of whom the following are living: Thomas R., George F., William J. and Albert E. Of the deceased members of the family three died when quite young. . \ daughter by the name of Maggie M. grew to maturity, became the wife of Andrew Hawthorne and departed this life in Missaukee county, Michigan, on April 1 of the year 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Graham are zealous members of the Presby- terian church, and their daily lives beauti- fully exemplify the faith which they profess. They are widely known for their many vir- tures, among which hospitality is worthy of especial mention. Their door is ever open to the needy, and in crossing its thresholdl the guest is sure of a welcome which at once puts him at his ease and in departing carries with him sweet remembrances of the whole-souled host and hostess.
In his relations with the world Mr. Gra- ham is ever ready to lend a helping hand to others and to give his influence and material support to all enterprises for the general welfare of the community. Few men of the county are as well known or as popular. His integrity has always been above reproach and his name is synonymous with all that is correct in manhood and ennobling in citizen-
ship. He has been successful beyond the average, and, being indebted to no one but himself for his rise in the workl, his career may be studied with profit by the young man just starting on the road to fortune.
CHARLES H. BOSTICK.
It is not an easy task to describe ade- quately a man who has led an eminently active and useful life and who has attained a position of relative distinction in the com- munity with which his interests are allied. But biography finds its most perfect justifica- tion, nevertheless, in the tracing and record- ing of such a life history. It is, then, with a full appreciation of all that is demanded . and of the painstaking scrutiny that must be accorded each statement, and yet with a feel- ing of satisfaction, that the writer essays the task of touching briefly upon the details of such a record as has been that of the honored subject whose life now comes under review- Charles H. Bostick, of Manton, Wexford county, Michigan.
Charles H. Bostick is a native of the state of Michigan, having first seen the light of day at New Troy, Berrien county, on the 18th of January, 1869. His parents were Dr. Charles Il. and Sarah .A. (Merry- field ) Bostick, the former a native of New York state, born May 13. 1825, and the lat- ter born August 29, 1825, at New York. They came from New Troy, Berrien county, to Mlanton in 1880 for the purpose of visiting a son, Dr. John C. Bostick, and, being pleased with the country, they located permanently at Manton in 1882. The father continued in the active practice of his profession up to
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within two years of his death, when, because of failing health, he was compelled to relin- quish his practice. His death occurred at Manton August 5, 1896. Ile and his wife were the parents of twelve children, six sons and six daughters, of whom the subject was the eleventh in the order of birth.
Charles H. Bostick was educated pri- marily in the schools of New Troy and later at Manton, having accompanied his parents upon their removal to this place in 1882. L'pon completing his common school train- ing he was employed for about three years in the drug store of his brother, Dr. John C. Bostick, and then for about two years en- gaged at various occupations. He then took a course of study in the department of phar- macy at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and upon his return home was again employed in his brother's drug store, where he remained until 1895, when he purchased an interest in the business, and has since had the active management of the store. He is a thorough and practical pharmacist, and particularly well-equipped in a knowl- edge of all that goes to the making of a capa- ble prescription druggist. In 1891. upon examination by the state board of phar- macy, he was given a certificate as a pharma- cist. His store is well supplied with a full line of drugs, besides which he keeps a large assortment of sundries such as are usually to be obtained in a drug store. By his cour- teous manners and his evident desire to please his customers he has won their confidence and commands a large and profitable busi- ness. In company with his brother, Dr. John C., he erected the block known as the Bost- wick block, one of the most substantial and best arranged public buildings in the town.
In September, 1888, Mr. Bostwick was
united in marriage with Miss Emma L. Har- ger, who was born October 3, 1870, the daughter of Ezra and Mary (Bayes) Harger. Mrs. Bostick was born in Colfax township, this county, and was reared there and in Manton. To her union with Mr. Bostick have been born five children-Ray E .. Rex. Kenneth, Herbert and Mary. Po- litically Mr. Bostick is identified with the Republican party, in which he takes a deep interest. He has been honored by his fellow citizens with several offices of public trust and responsibility, having been village treas- urer of Manton two terms, village clerk for two terms, and served five terms as village president. In all these positions he has per- formed his duties in a manner highly cred- itable to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Maconic fraternity, holding membership in Manton Lodge No. 347. He has attained the thirty-second degree in Ma- sonry in Dewitt Clinton Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and belongs to Sala- din Temple, Ancient Arabic' Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Grand Rapids. He is also a member of Cedar Creek Lodge No. 147. Knights of Pythias, Drasmic Order Knights of Khorassan No 155. of Traverse City, and with Manton Tent No. 220, Knights of the Maccabees. Mr. and Mrs. Bostick are deservedly popular and are the center of a large social circle.
JOHONNAS ANDERSON.
Among the Swedish- American residents of Clam Lake township is numbered Johon- nas Anderson, who has made his home in
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Wexford county for almost a third of a century, having arrived here in 1872. 1lis interests have since been identified with this section of the state and through the greater part of the time he has followed farming. his labors being attended with good results.
Mr. Anderson's natal day was February 7. 1842, and his birth place Sweden. In that country he was reared and educated. and when he began earning his own living he took up farm work, which claimed his attention until 1871, when, at the age of twenty-nine years, he resolved to try his for- tumme in America. His fellow countrymen who had come to the United States had sent back favorable reports of the opportunities afforded in this land and hoping to better his financial condition, Mr. Anderson crossed the briny deep. landing in New York city .April 27. 1871. For one year he remained in the east and in the spring of 1872 arrived in Wexford county, Michigan, first going to the village of Clam Lake, which is now the city of Cadillac and the county scat. He began earning his livelihood here by work- ing on the railroad and was thus employed for several months. Ile afterwards worked in saw-mills for about a year, and at the end of that time settled on the farm on which he now lives in Clam Lake township. His savings he invested in a tract of forty acres of land and with characteristic energy he began its development. It was not long he- fore richly cultivated fiekls began to return good harvests and the annual sales of his farm products brought him a desirable in- come. This he invested in more land and he now has one hundred and forty-five acres, of which sixty acres lies in Clam Lake township. Upon the home farm he has erected good buikling's and everything about
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