USA > Michigan > Wexford County > History of Wexford County, Michigan, embracing a concise review of its early settlement, industrial development and present conditions > Part 71
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71
the place is kept in repair, while neatness and thrift characterize his labors and have been the foundation upon which he has builded his success.
After leaving his native country Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Elna Nelson, a native of Sweden, born May 6. 1850. unto them have been born eleven children. Delia, born in Sweden, October 15. 1871, died in January, 1872: Delia ( sec- ond), born in Cadillac July 17. 1873. was a teacher, but became the wife of AAndrew lohnson, a lumber inspector at Manistee. and they have two children, Alma Elnora and Arthur Rudolph; George Antinian. born July 25. 1875. died October 12, 1901 : Selma Charlotte, born November 10. 1877. is the wife of Carl Olson, a boilermaker of West Superior, Wisconsin, and they have two children, Olive Edna and an infant daughter : Victor Bennett, born February 1. 1880, and who is employed in the Michigan Iron Works, at Cadillac, married Alfreda Precell and they have one son, Milburn P're- cell : Pattie . Albertina, born January 25, 1882, is the wife of Jalmer Johnson, a farmer in (lam Lake township, and they have one son. Harold Raymond: Jennie Amelia, born January 5. 1884. died April 23. 1884: David Paul, born February 20, 1885. Gerda Elvira, born May 12. 1887, Jennie B., born April 29. 1880. and Alma Olivia, born De- cember 9. 1891, are at home and are attend- ing school. Mrs. Anderson is one of seven children born to her parents, Nels and .Anna ( Parson) Parson, both parents now de- ceased, the surviving children being as fol- lows: Sena is the wife of Nels Parson, a farmer of llobart, this state: Mrs. Ander- son : Anna is the wife of Frank LaRose, of Cadillac, and Olaf, who is married and con-
553
WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ducts a farm in Clam Lake township. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson holl membership in the Swedish Lutheran church and are well known people of this community, having the regard of all with whom they have come in contact and the friendship of many. The hope that led Mr. Anderson to leave his na- tive land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the op- portunities he sought-which, by the way, are always open to the ambitious, energetic man-and making the best of these he has steadily worked his way upward. He pos- sesses the resolution, perseverance and trust- worthiness so characteristic of people of his nation, and his name is now enrolled among the best citizens of Wexford county. When he began life in Michigan his capital consist- ed of but fifteen dollars, while today he pos- sesses one hundred and forty-five acres of land, and not a dollar of indebtedness against him.
LUCAS W. GATES.
For thirty-six years Lucas W. Gates has been a resident of Wexford county, and is now living a retired life in Manton, after many years of active connection with agri- cultural pursuits. He was born on a farm in Fowler township, Trumbull county, Ohio. May 15. 1842, a son of Martin R. Gates, a native of New York and a farmer by occupa- tion. The mother bore the maiden name of Electa Rhodes, and both parents died upon the farm in Fowler township, where their married life had been passed. They were well-known representatives of agricultural interests in Trumbull county, and were peo- ple of the highest respectability.
Lucas W. Gates was the youngest of their three children. He was reared upon his father's farm, early becoming familiar with the work of the fields from the time of early spring planting until the crops were harvested in the late autumn. He was still at home when, in April. 1863, when not yet twenty-one years of age, he offered his serv- iees to the government in defense of the Union and enlisted in the Trumbull Guards of United States Infantry. This was an in- dependent company, and was assigned to post duty at Gallipolis, Ohio, where they made their headquarters until the 2d of July, 1865, when the command was mustered out, the war having been brought to a successful termination.
When hostilities between the North and the South had ceased Mr. Gates returned to his father's farm in Trumbull county, Ohio, and there remained up to the time of his marriage, which occurred February 22. 1867, the lady of his choice being Miss Eliza- beth Burns, a daughter of the late Jehu Burns, of that county. 'She was born in 1842. The first summer after his marriage Mr. Gates cultivated his father's land, and then came to Wexford county, Michigan, where he arrived in August. 1867. He en- tered a homestead claim of eighty acres on section 18. Colfax township, took up his abode thereon, and, with characteristic ener- gy, began the development of a good farm, transforming the wild land into richly pro- ductive fields. For twenty-four years he carried on general agricultural pursuits there, and in the fall of 1891 sold that prop- erty and removed to Manton, where he has since made his home. He improved about fifty acres of his homestead. When he came to this county he built a log house, and later
554
WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
replaced it by a more modern and commo- dions frame residence. Hle also built a good barn and other outbuildings necessary for the shelter of grain and stock. The country was entirely new and wild, and he was one of the earliest settlers of Wexford county. At the time of his arrival Wexford and Mis- saukee counties had not been divided, and one-half of the entire area was embraced within the boundaries of Colfax township. Great changes have occurred as the years have passed, and the land has been reclaimed for farming purposes, becoming the place of residence of a contented and prosperous pop- ulation.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gates have been born two children, Rupert D. and Clifford MI. Mr. Gates belongs to O. P. Morton Post No. 54. Grand Army of the Republic, and is a member of Manton Tent No. 220, Knights of the Maccabees. He has always been a stanch supporter of the Republican party since attaining his majority, and upon that ticket he has been elected to a number of local offices. While living in Colfax town- ship he served for many years as township clerk, and since coming to Manton he has been a member of the city council.
WALTER S. WILLIAMS.
in the course of an honorable career been most successful in the business enterprises with which he has been connected. and is well deserving of mention among the repre- sentative men of this section of the state.
Walter S. Williams was born in Glouces . tershire, England, on the 9th of May, 1856, and is the son of James and Paulina ( Pritch- ard) Williams. They were the parents of a large family of children, seven of whom grew to maturity, and of whom the subiect was one of the okier members. When he was about a year old his parents removed to .America. locating in Canada, where they lived about seven years. Not being satisfied with conditions there they removed to the United States, locating in Aurora, Illinois, where they resided about a year and a half, when they removed to Montagne, Muskegon county, Michigan. After a residence there of seven or eight years they again changed their abode, this time to Shelby, Oceana county. In 1884 the subject moved to Man- ton, where he has since continued to reside. James Williams was a man of enterprise and progressiveness, and is credited with having started the first store at Shelby, where he was also engaged in the saw-mill business, being assisted in the latter business for several years hy the subject. The father was highly re- spected and universally esteemed because of his many estimable personal qualities, and his death occurred in Shelby at the age of about sixty-one years.
The gentleman to a brief review of whose life and characteristics the reader's attention About the time Walter S. Williams at- tained his majority he took charge of the saw-mill business on his own account and operated it in this way about three years. On coming to Manton in 1884 he, in com- pany with a brother, George F. Williams, is herewith directed is among the foremost business men of Wexford county, Michigan, and has by his enterprise and progressive methods contributed in a material way to the industrial and commercial advancement of the county in which he resides. He has | rented a saw mill and engaged in the manu-
555
WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
facturing business. When he assumed charge of the business at Shelby he also as- sumed a heavy indebtedness which had been incurred by his father. The subject, how- ever, devoted himself assiduously to the ob- ject of paying off this incumbrance, which he succeeded in doing to the last dollar, and at the time he came to Manton he was the pos- sessor of but ten dollars, which he at once paid down on the purchase of a building lot in the village, and on this lot his present comfortable and commodious residence now stands. Upon engaging in business here with his brother, George F., they were for some time engaged in manufacturing differ- ent articles, but about a year and a half later commenced the manufacture of shoe-last blocks. They conducted operations in the rented mill for a short time and then pur- chased a small mill. They gave their sole and undivided attention to the business, do- ing all the labor themselves, but at length the business grew to such proportions that they were compelled to hire other workmen, and made additions to the plant from time to time, until at the present time they own the largest plant in the world devoted ex- elusively to the manufacture of rough turned last blocks. The factories consume a vast amount of hardwood timber, pay out a large sum of money in wages and in many ways have proven a direet and permanent benefit to the community.
Mr. Williams has of recent years been interested to some extent in other lines of enterprise and in 1897 he and his brother George F. incorporated under the name of the Williams Brothers Company and en- gaged in the manufacturing and mercantile business. About two years later they pur- chased the Truman Brothers' stock of gen-
eral merchandise and, under the name of Williams Brothers continued business until September, 1902, when the Williams Mer- cantile Company was incorporated. At that time the subject was elected president and still holds that office. Mr. Williams also owns in his own right eighty acres of good land in this county, and the firm of Williams Brothers Company own about five thousand ¿eres of as good timber land as is to be found in Michigan.
The subject has always taken a deep in- terest in local affairs and in state and nation- al politics casts his vote and influence in favor of the Republican party, believing the principles of that party to be those most con- ducive to the welfare of the American peo- ple. He takes an intelligent and abiding in- terest in all questions before the public and casts his vote with his honest convictions. His fraternal affiliation is with the Free and Accepted Masons.
On the 21st day of January, 1881, Mr. Williams was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Lydia Colburn, the ceremony being performed at Shelby, this state. Mrs. Williams is a daughter of Will- iam and Jane Colburn, and was born at Missouri on the 21st day of September, 1862. This union has been blessed by the birth of three children, Mand, Abbie and Mart. Longfellow said, "The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do well and doing well whatever you do, without any thought of fame." Illustrative of this sentiment has been the life of the sub- ject and his career should serve as an incen- tive and an inspiration for others. He is a man of marked domestic tastes, whose life is devoted to his wife, children and home. Mrs. Williams is a lady possessed of quali-
34
556
WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ties which have retained her the love and grateful appreciation of her loved ones and won for her the sincere regard and esteem of a large circle of warm and admiring friends.
HENRY M. BILLINGS.
The history of Michigan is not an ancient one. It is the record of the steady growth of a community, planted in the wilderness in the last century and reaching its magni- tude of today without other aids than those of continued industry. Each county has its share in the story of every county that can lay claim to some incident or transaction which goes to make up the history of a com- monwealth. After all, the history of a state is but the record of the doings of its people, among whom the pioneers and their sturdy descendants occupy places of no sec- ondary importance. The story of the plain common people who constitute the moral bone and sinew of the state should ever at- tract attention and prove of interest to all true lovers of this kind. In the life story of Henry M. Billings, the subject of this sketch, there are no striking chapters or startling incidents. It is merely the record of a life true to its highest ideals and fraught with much that should stimulate the youth just starting in the world as an independent factor.
Henry M. Billings, of Cedar Creek town- ship. Wexford county, is a native of New York. He was born in Lebanon, Columbia county, August 29, 1839. His parents were Jonathan B. and Mary Jane ( Ehore) Bill- ings, the former born in Vermont and the latter in New York. They were married
in the latter state and some time thereafter moved to Michigan, locating at Detroit. where he engaged in the produce business. It proved a very successful venture and he continued in it until he had accumulated a competence. Detroit was their home during all the remaining years of their lives. His death occurred about the time he had reached the patriarchial age of three score and ten years, while she survived him near- ly twenty years, expiring in the eighty-fifth year of her age. They were the parents of four children, of whom Henry M. was the second.
The first eighteen years of the life of Henry M. Billings were spent in his native county of New York, where he secured a good common school education. In 1855 he came to Michigan and assisted his father in the conduct of his produce business in the city of Detroit. He continued in the busi- ness until after the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion when, in September, 1862, he enlisted as a private soldier in Company D, Sixth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, nearly three years. He saw considerable service, took part in a number of important battles, among them that of Gettysburg, after which he was put upon detached duty in the office of the medical department at Washington. where he remained until he was mustered out of the service, in the fall of 1865. While in Washington he was stricken with typhoid fever. For weeks he suffered with the dread disease, his life, like that of the nation at the time, being as it were poised in the bal- ance. He escaped death, but it was a long time before he was fully restored to health.
On being discharged from the army Mr. Billings came to Byron, Shiawassee county,
557
WEXFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Michigan, and there engaged in the mer- cantile business for about two years. There. on December 24, 1861. he married Emma C. H. Allen, of Byron, who died November 24, 1867. They had one son, Wilbur Allen, born November 19, 1863, who now resides in St. Louis, Missouri. On the 25th day of May, 1869, Mr. Billings was united in mar- riage to Miss Carrie A. Roberts, a native of Shiawassee county, born May 16, 1850. Her parents were Isaac L. and Harriet R. Roberts, natives of New York, who came to Michigan in 1840, located near Byron, where they resided during the remaining years of their life.
Mr. and Mrs. Billings are the parents of two daughters. Stena P. and Edna. The former is the wife of M. P. Phillips, of Ban- croft, Michigan, while the latter makes her home with her parents in Manton. In 1872 the subject went to Grand Traverse county, where he entered the employ of Hul- bert Brothers as cashier and bookkeeper, re- maining in their service two years. On the opening of the station of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad at Fife Lake he was offered and accepted the position of station agent, which he held for two years, when he was given a place, as accountant, in the of- fice of the auditor of the road at Grand Rapids. He faithfully served the company at the latter place and various points along the line of the road. A position being of- fered him by the Grand Trunk Railroad, at Bancroft, Michigan, he accepted it and
served that company as station agent at that point until 1882, when he resigned the posi- tion and came to Manton and engaged in the lumber business with Closson & Gilbert. for a number of years. During all of these changes from one locality to another his fam- ily continued to reside and he made his home at Bancroft. Ile lived in that place altogeth- cr about eighteen years. In 1886, being em- ployed in Manton as bookkeeper, he moved his family to that place and there they have since resided. Being the owner of a nice tract of land, forty acres in extent, adjoining the village of Manton, he platted one-fourth of it as an addition to the village and on the other thirty he runs a poultry farm and dairy. He has made the business quite profitable. despite the fact that he has very little time to devote to it. Since living in Manton he has held the position of township and village treasurer, each three years, and takes an ac- tive interest in all that relates to the welfare of the locality. Mr. Billing's is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a man who during the course of his long and eventful career has accomplished much good not only for his own household but for many others. He has made the world brighter and better for his presence and when the time comes for him to cease life's labors and join the great majority, he will be sadly missed by those whose burdens he lightened and into whose life lie brought so much of kindness and love.
-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.