USA > Michigan > Men of progress : embracing biographical sketches of representative Michigan men with an outline history of the state > Part 66
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
MARSHALL HARTLEY GODFREY.
gan State Troops, and afterwards of the Third and Fourth Regiments and of the De- troit Battalion. He was aide on the staff of Gov. Begole two years, with the rank of colonel, and is now a member of the Old Guard and of the Veteran Corps of the De- troit Light Guard. Mr. Godfrey is a member and trustee of the Central Methodist Church of Detroit. He was made a Mason in Detroit Lodge, No. 2, and was one of the charter members of Palestine Lodge, No. 357, and has the Chapter, Knights Templar, Consistory and Moslem Temple Degrees. He has been for nearly seventeen years a member of the United States Master Painters' Association and was its president one year, and was presi- dent of the local association four years, and of the state association two years.
Miss Marion Isadore Carrick, of Buffalo, N. Y., became Mrs. Godfrey, April 2, 1868. Mrs. Godfrey's father, John Carrick, was lcd to California by the gold fever in 1849, and died there. Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey have two sons, Marshall II., Jr., a graduate of the Na- tional Art Training School, South Kensing- ton, England, and David F., a graduate of the New York Trade School, who are today con- tinuing as decorators and painters the business inaugurated by their grandfather in 1838. David F. served as ship painter on board the Yosemite, during the war with Spain.
492
MEN OF PROGRESS.
CHARLES DURANT JOSLYN.
JOSLYN, CHARLES DURANT. Mr. Joslyn is a native of Vermont (Waitfield), the son of Ezra O. and Eliza A. (Durant) Joslyn, born June 20, 1846. Ilis father died at Wait- field, October 16, 1881, and his mother died September 1, 1846, when he was but a few months old. The Joslyn name is of Welsh origin and appears among those of the inhab- itants of Connecticut as early as 1637. One John Josselyn gained some notoriety in the early days as a historian and writer of travels, and in one of his books written previous to the time when the "Connectient Settlement" be- came generally known, he made mention of such a spot in the new world, from which it is inferred that he is one of the founders of that settlement. The name is a familiar one in England, one of the name having at one time been Lord Mayor of London. Mr. Jos- lyn's great-great-grandfather was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and supported General Washington at Valley Forge. Others of his relatives (great uncles) were soldiers in the War of 1812. On his mother's side the family tree runs back in a direct line to Henry Leland, who was one of the pilgrim band that
came over on the Mayflower, the name of Durant coming through his grandmother, Susan Leland, whose husband was of that name.
Mr. Joslyn's education passed from the primary schools of his native town to the Vermont State Normal School, and Barre Academy, from both of which he graduated in due course. In 1867 he entered Dart- mouth College at Hanover, N. H., but left there in 1869 to accept the position of Assis- tant Superintendent of the State Reform School at Waterbury, Vt. He there entered upon the study of law in the office of Gov. Paul Dillingham, of that place, and was ad- mitted to the bar before the Supreme Court of Vermont in 1874. He came at once to Detroit and entered upon a general civil prae- tice, which has been interrupted only by offi- cial duties with which he has been entrusted. IIe was assistant clerk of the Superior Court of Detroit, and was U. S. Consul at Windsor 1890-93. Ilis greater public service, how- ever, was as Assistant Corporation Counsel of Detroit, which position he held six years, 1894-1900. As first assistant, the greater volunne of the work of the office fell to Mr. Joslyn, the exacting duties of which were always discharged with promptness and with a clear perception of the legal aspects involved. He represented the city successfully in a num- ber of litigated cases and was counsel in the case of Pingree vs. Moreland, and the State vs. Sutton (the alleged military goods fraud case). Since his retirement from the office of Corporation Counsel in July last, Mr. Jos- lyn has resumed his private practice.
Mr. Joslyn was first married at Waterbury, Vt., in 1873, to Miss Julia Atherton, of that place, who died in 1881, leaving three chil- dren, Max A., now a civil engineer, and Alice E. and Louise D., both at home. His second marriage was in 1883 to Mrs. Fannie Cooper, of Detroit.
There is no better known gentleman in mu- nicipal and social circles in Detroit than "Charlie" Joslyn. Of stature somewhat be- low the average, but with an ample breadth of chest and limb, he is brim full of good nature and of devotion to his duties and his friends. IIe is a Republican in politics, but polities has no place in his personal and business relations.
493
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
---
HUGH P. STEWART.
STEWART, HUGH P. Mr. Stewart is a native of Michigan, "to the manor born," and has demonstrated by a successful career that a prophet may have honor in his own country. He was born in Lockport township, St. Joseph county, July 6, 1856, and was reared in that vicinity.
Mr. Stewart is of Scotch descent and has inherited many of the characteristics of that race. He received the advantages of home schools until the age of 17. When 19 years of age he entered the law office of Alfred Akey and afterwards that of Judge Melendy. He was admitted to the bar in 1878 and estab- lished himself in practice in Centreville, the county seat, where his practice has grown steadily year by year until it has become re-
munerative and second to none in the county.
Mr. Stewart is a stanch Republican in poli- ties, and served the county four years as Prose- cuting Attorney, 1889-92. Hle is vice-presi- dent of Wolf Bros. Bank of Centreville, a member of the firm of W. Denton & Co. (knitting mills), and director in the Centre- ville Electric Light & Water Co.
He was married to Miss Anna Hasbrouck, of Centreville, in 1884, and they have two bright and interesting children. Mr. Stew- art is a prominent Mason, being a member of Three Rivers Commandery and Saladin Tem- ple, at Grand Rapids.
Mr. Stewart has by pluek, perseverance and hard work won an enviable position in his chosen profession, and has the confidence and esteem of the community in which he lives.
494
MEN OF PROGRESS.
HON. PHILIP T. VAN ZILE.
VAN ZILE, HON. PHILIP T. Strength of character is an attribute of the people of Holland and their descendants, a fact strik- ingly exemplified in the person of Judge Philip T. Van Zile, who is of that stock, his great grandfather, Isaac Van Zile, having come from the Netherlands and settled in New Jersey. He was born at Osceola, Tioga county, Pa., July 20, 1844, his father being a shoemaker, to which calling he early applied. himself. His mother, however, had more am- bitious views for him, and he was prepared for college at Union Academy, Knoxville, Pa., and entered Alfred University, at Alfred Center, N. Y., from which he was graduated in 1862, having relied largely upon his own exertions to pay his expenses during his col- lege course. The Civil War was then at high tide, and unable to resist the impulse to have a hand in it, young Van Zile enlisted in Bat- tery E, First Ohio Artillery, in which he served to the close of the war. Upon his honor- able discharge in 1865, he entered the Law Department of the University at Ann Arbor, graduating therefrom in 1867. He settled in Charlotte and soon secured a good practice. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney in 1868 and
re-elected in 1870. In 1875, yielding to a strong pressure by members of the bar and others, he accepted a nomination for Judge of the Circuit Court, and was elected, sup- ported not only by his own party but largely by the opposition. While in the middle of his term, Judge Isaac P. Christiancy, of the Supreme Court, who had known Judge Van Zile personally as well as officially, and who knew and appreciated the material of which he is made, was elected to the United States Senate. At that time a vigorous administra- tion of the Federal laws was demanded in the Territory of Utah, and Judge Christiancy recommended Judge Van Zile for appoint- ment as United States District Attorney there. After twice declining the appointment he finally accepted upon the urgent desire as well of Judge Christiancy as of President Hayes. It was perhaps here that the record of his life was made. During his six years of service he was instrumental in securing the enforcement of the laws against the corrupt and corrupting practices of the Mormon Church, and also aided in the modification of those laws, to render them more effective. Judge Van Zile resigned in 1884 and returned to Charlotte, and that year conducted the state campaign of his party, as chairman of the State Central Committee.
Judge Van Zile removed to Detroit in 1890 and has filled the position of special lecturer before the Detroit College of Law, and Dean of the Faculty. He is also a member of the State Board of Examiners, before whom can- didates for admission to the bar are examined. He enjoys the degrees of Ph. D., and LL. D., conferred upon him by his Alma Mater, Al- fred University. He has been a member of the Masonic Fraternity since 1869 and is at present (1900) Right Eminent Grand Com- mander of the Knights Templar of Michigan. A Republican in politics, his natural energy and earnestness have always been exerted in behalf of his party. With a strong physique, a stature measuring over six feet, a resonant voice, a strikingly magnetic power, and an air of conviction in his intellectual efforts, he is a dangerous opponent at the bar and a power on the stump. Miss Lizzie A. Jones, daughter of Alexander Jones, a merchant of Rochester, Ohio, became Mrs. Van Zile in 1866. Two children, Hortense E. and Philip Donald, are the fruit of the marriage.
495
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
MeLAUGHLIN, JAMES C. Mr. Mc- Laughlin is of Scoteh parentage, his parents, David and Isabella (Campbell) MeLaughlin, having come from Edinburgh in 1851, and settled in Beardstown, Ill., where James C. was born January 26, 1858. Mr. MeLaugh- lin is of the law firm of J. C. & J. A. Me- Laughlin, Muskegon, and comes to his profes- sion through inheritance as well as by study, the father, David MeLaughlin, having been a leading attorney at Muskegon for many years. He was for twenty-five years a mem- ber of the Muskegon School Board and for nineteen years served as it secretary. The efficiency of the Muskegon public school sys- tem is regarded by the citizens as largely due to the untiring work of Mr. MeLaughlin. James C. attended the public schools of the city and graduated from the High School in 1876. After a preparatory course he entered the Literary Department of the University at Ann Arbor, in the fall of 1878, but did not graduate. He became an assistant to his father at Muskegon in his abstract office and was later employed in a local bank. In the summer of 1880 he went into the law office of Smith, Nims, Hoyt & Erwin, as office clerk and bookkeeper and read law as opportunity offered. He entered the Law Department of the University in the fall of 1881, graduating therefrom with the class of 1883. After graduating he entered the office of his father, where he remained until the death of the latter in 1891. After that date he practiced his profession alone until November, 1899, when the firm of J. C. & J. A. MeLaughlin was formed, a cousin being the junior part- ner. Mr. MeLaughlin succeeded to the ab- straet business of his father, which is con- dueted under the name of the Muskegon
JAMES C. MeLAUGHLIN.
County Abstract Company. He is a director in the Enterprize Foundry Company and a director in and attorney for the Home Build- ing & Loan Association, both of Muskegon. He is a Republican in politics, and served as Prosecuting Attorney of Muskegon county four years, 1887-91. He has served at differ- ent times as chairman of the Republican county and city committees. In 1898 he had the support of his county delegation for a Congressional nomination and in 1900 was a candidate for the nomination for Auditor General, in which he had the support of many of the West Michigan delegates, but was de- feated by Perry F. Powers, of Cadillac. Mr. MeLaughlin is unmarried but has extended society connections, being a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Foresters, Maccabees. and Elks (Muskegon, No. 274), of the latter of which he is Past Exalted Ruler. He is also a member of the Michigan (Republican) Club, Detroit.
196
MEN OF PROGRESS.
HORATIO N. HOVEY.
HOVEY, HORATIO N. The subject of this sketch is a thorough Michigan man, hav- ing been born at Oxford, Oakland county, February 20, 1853. where his father, Horace Ilovey, was a farmer. His grandfather, Phi- letus Hovey, was a contractor on the first Erie Canal. His mother, Hannah Scribner Hovey, was from Otisfield, Maine. The fam- ily moved to Michigan from the state of New York, May 18, 1828, He attended the local schools until 1867, when the family removed to Muskegon, where Mr. Hovey's active life began, and on whose prosperity and growth he has made his impress. He secured a position in the grocery store of S. II. Stevens at six dollars per week, and in the fall of 1SGS was made delivery clerk in the Muskegon post- office, under the then Postmaster E. W. Mer- rill, where he remained six years. After his first year, at the age of 17, he was made deputy postmaster. During his service in this con- nection he secured a lay-off and in the winter of 1872-3 attended a commercial college, tak-
ing a thorough commercial and business conrse. In 1875, having saved about one thousand dollars, he engaged in the hardware business with Elias W. Merrill, under the firm name of Merrill & Hovey. Mr. Hovey then engaged in the Immbering business, and the firm of MeCracken, Hovey & Company was formed. They built a sawmill and began sawing lumber and in 1883 the firm of Hovey & McCracken was formed for the purpose of buying timber lands and purchasing logs for the mill. This latter firm subsequently ab- sorbed the firm of MeCracken, Hovey & Co., and for several years operated two sawmills at Muskegon, being one of the largest lumber manufacturing concerns there. Their lum- ber supply was exhausted in 1899 and the mills closed. They are large holders of farm- ing lands in Michigan and of pine lands in Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Mr. Hovey has been self-supporting since he was 14 years of age and without help from any one in a financial way, has built up for himself a substantial fortune. He is presi- dent of the Muskegon Savings Bank, a director and vice-president of the National Lumber- men's Bank and is president of the Muskegon Chamber of Commerce. He is a Republican in polities but has never held any political office, though having served seven years as a member and treasurer of the Board of Educa- tion of Muskegon. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity and of Muskegon Com- mandery, Knights Templar. Miss Nellie Merrill, daughter of Elias W. Merrill, here- tofore mentioned as having been carly asso- ciated with Mr. Hovey in business, became Mrs. Hovey in 1874. Four children are the fruit of the marriage: Anna M., Eleanor, Sila M. and Willard M., the three last named being still attendants at school.
497
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
FRED. N. BONINE.
BONINE, FRED. N. Dr. Bonine traces his ancestry both on the paternal and maternal side, to the year 1600. One ancestor was an officer on George Washington's staff in the Revolutionary War and the Bonines were also distantly related to Daniel Boone, the so- called first settler of Kentucky, and famous Indian fighter.
Dr. Bonine's father, Dr. Evan J. Bonine, was for many years a prominent citizen and physician of Niles. He was appointed sur- geon of the Second Michigan Infantry when it was mustered into the service during the Civil War, remaining in the service until the close of the war in 1865, having been gradu- ally promoted to the position of division sur- geon of the Army of the Potomac. He filled many places of trust, including four terms in the House of Representatives and one term in the State Senate. In his religious leanings he was of the so-called Society of Friends, or Qnakers, and the writer, who knew Dr. Bo- nine quite well, takes the liberty to say that he was one of those plain, blunt, honest, soul- ful men that are none too plentiful in the world. He died in 1892. His widow (mother of Dr. F. N.), formerly Eveline Beall, of Cen- treville, Ind., is still living in Niles.
the Holy Land and in fact nearly every corner of the habitable globe, combining pleasure with study. In 1888 he established practice in Niles, his native place (born October 21, 1863), and has from the first enjoyed a flatter- ing degree of success, more particularly as an oculist, in which line he is widely known as a specialist. He is now special pension exam- iner for the pension district in which Niles is situated and is division surgeon for the Michi- gan Central Railroad. A Republican in poli- tics, his election as mayor in a Democratic city, in 1900, attests the estimation in which he is held by his fellow-townsmen. He has also served the city as alderman and city physi- cian. The doctor is an all-round athlete and holds the world's championship for 110 yards, eleven second, officially timed, Ann Arbor field day, May 22, 1886. In May, 1885, at "Meeting of all Colleges," including Yale, Columbia, Harvard, Princeton, Cornell, U. of M., etc., held in New York city, he won the championship for 100 yards dash. In all, Dr. Bonine has won 275 first prizes in college athletic sports, including running, jumping, weight-throwing, ete. His lodge connections are Masonie, including all the degrees except the 33rd. Is a member of the Mystie Shrine, has been Eminent Commander of Niles Com- mandery, K. T., and is now High Priest of St. Joseph Valley Chapter (Royal Areh), and Grand Warder of the Grand Commandery of Michigan. Is also a member of the Maeca- bees, Oddfellows and Royal Arcanum. Miss Viva M. Thomas, danghter of Drew Thomas, of Newark, N. J., beeame Mrs. Bonine (mar- ried at Niles) July 28, 1886. A daughter,
Dr. Fred. N. Bonine, upon leaving the local schools at Niles, went at once to Freiburg, Germany, where he took an academic course of four semesters. His early medical education received under his father's tutelage was con- tinued at the State University, from the medi- cal department of which he gradnated in 1886, after which he took post-graduate courses in London, Paris and Vienna. He then took an extended European trip, visiting Natalie, aged 10 years, is their only child.
498
MEN OF PROGRESS.
FREDERICK A, NIMS.
NIMS, FREDERICK A. Mr. Nims has been for a full quarter of a century a member of the law firm of Smith, Nims. Hoyt & Er- win, of Muskegon. His parents, Dr. Dwight B. and Mrs. Anna W. (White) Nims, were descendants of a New England colonial an- cestry, and came from Madison county, New York, and settled in Michigan in 1835. The son, Frederick A., was born June 15, 1839. He passed from the district schools to a pre- paratory college course at the then Wesleyan Seminary (now Albion College), at Albion, and in 1853 entered Hobart College, at Ge- neva, N. Y. He pursued the classical course here for three years, when he was compelled to abandon his studies by a threatened failure of eyesight. He left college and remitted all study and literary pursuits for two years, when in 1858, he entered upon the study of law in the office of Withey & Gray, of Grand Rapids and was admitted to the bar in 1860. He at onee formed a partnership with Col. Andrew T. MeReynolds, which was inter- rupted a year later by the advent of the war,
Col. MeReynolds accepting a position in the army, Mr. Nims also receiving a commission as second lieutenant and being subsequently promoted to first lieutenant. He was mus- tered out in 1864 on account of expiration of term of service. He returned to Grand Rap- ids, where he remained for a year seeking re- covery of health, and in 1865 established him- self in practice in Muskegon. In 1867 he formed a partnership with Franeis Smith and George Gray, from which Mr. Gray retired in 1869. In 1870 D. D. Erwin became a member of the newly-formed firm of Smith, Nims & Erwin, under which style a successful business was proscented until 1874. H. J. Hoyt was then admitted to the firm, the firm becoming as named first foregoing, and has since so continued and has ranked among the foremost law firms of the state. Mr. Nims has been active in promoting the material interests of that section. The first railroad connecting Muskegon with the outside world, the Muskegon & Ferrysburg road, connecting with the Detroit & Milwaukee at Ferrysburg, was started in 1868, of which Mr. Nims was one of the incorporators, and the secretary and attorney of the company until the line was completed. He was for several years a direc- tor in the Muskegon National Bank and was one of the organizers and a director in the Merchants' National Bank of Muskegon, and was at one time president of the City Street Railway Company of that city. He has served for over twenty-four years as a member of the Board of Education and was for several years its president. He is a Democrat in polities but has never held any political office. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of over thirty years' standing, including the Knights Templar, and of the Knights of Pythias, the G. A. R. and the Loyal Legion. Mr. Nims has been twiee married, and has one daughter and six sons.
499
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
WOOD, LUCIAN EBY. The Wood fam- ily are of English descent, the first American representative of the family having settled in Vermont at an early day. The grandfather, Lyman E., moved from Vermont to New York and thence to Michigan in the thirties, first settling at Edwardsburg, Cass county, and then going to St. Joseph county, where he became interested in a woolen mill. The parents of Lucian E., Jerome and Ganthia (Corey) Wood, were married in Flowerfield, St. Joseph county, Michigan, the mother being a daughter of Samuel Corey, who was a captain in the war of 1812. Their first Michi- gan home was in Kalamazoo county, moving thence in 1854 to Silver Creek, Cass county, and in 1867 to Howard township, Cass county, where the father died in 1889, the mother being still a resident there.
Lucian E. Wood was born in Kalamazoo county, October 5, 1852, and received his edu- cation in the public schools of Cass county. He adopted the profession of a teacher when 19 years old, first teaching for a year in the township of his residence (Howard) and the next year in Silver Creek. In 1872 he taught in Berrien county and in 1874 in Summerville and Pokagon, Cass county, devoting the inter- vals of time to farm work. From 1874 to 1878 he was engaged in farming, and from 1878 to 1881 was employed in the State Fish Hatchery at. Crystal Springs Camp Ground, on Dowagiac creek, near Pokagon. He was then employed as assistant tie inspector for the Michigan Central Railroad, under Inspector Clark Johnson, and on Mr. Johnson's death in 1885 he succeeded him as chief tie inspector, so continuing until 1894. In the last named year he opened a real estate and insurance office in Niles, which is his present business and residence. He has always kept in touch with his farming interests, however, and still ranks as a farmer. He is also president of the Freeland Manufacturing Company and a stockholder and director and treasurer in the Schwabac Manufacturing Company, both of Niles. Mr. Wood represented his district in the State Legislature in the session of 1895.
LUCIAN EBY WOOD.
Mr. Wood has quite an extended record in the Masonic and other fraternal orders. Hc received the Master Mason's Degree in Paka- gon Lodge, No. 136, in 1873, and subse- quently served four years as Master of the Lodge. He became a Royal Arch Mason (St. Jo Valley, Chapter No. 2) in 1880, and a member of the Niles Commandery, Knights Templar, No. 12, in 1881, of which latter he is a Past Eminent Commander. He is a Scottish Rite Mason and member of De Witt Clinton Consistory. Ile also became a mem- ber of Saladin Temple (Mystic Shrine) of Grand Rapids in 1890, and was made Grand Marshal in 1891, holding the position six years. He became a member of the Grand Lodge in 1894 and has held the following posi- tions therein : Grand Marshal, 1894; Junior Grand Deacon, 1895; Senior Grand Deacon, 1896: Junior Grand Warden, 1897; Senior Grand Warden, 1898; Deputy Grand Master. 1899; Grand Master, 1900. Mr. Wood is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Elks.
Mr. Wood was married November 11, 1874. to Miss Alice L. Walter, daughter of Joseph Walter, of Pokagon. They have two sons, J. Walter, aged 22, electrical engineer, gradu- ate of the University, June 1900; Floyd J., aged 20, studying electrical engineering at the University.
500
MEN OF PROGRESS.
ARCHIBALD B. DARRAGH.
DARRAGH, ARCHIBALD B. This well-known representative citizen of Gratiot county is a native of Michigan, having been born near Monroe December 23, 1840. Ilis father was Benjamin F. Darragh, formerly of Chambersburg, Pa., his mother's name having been Catherine Bard. The Darragh and Bard families are of Irish and Scotch descent, set- tling in this country prior to the Revolutionary War, many of their names being found in the Colonial Army Register.
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.