Michigan legislative manual and official directory for the years 1899-1900, Part 57

Author:
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Lansing : [Secretary of State]
Number of Pages: 942

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JASON E. HAMMOND. Superintendent of Public Instruction.

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STATE OFFICERS.

GOVERNOR.

HAZEN S. PINGREE,

Of Detroit, was born at Denmark, Maine, August 30, 1840, the fourth child of Jasper and Adaline (Bryant) Pingree. His first American ancestor was Moses Pingree, who emigrated from England in 1640 and settled in Ipswich, Mass., where his descendants continued to reside for more than 140 years. Many of the family have been distinguished in colonial and national history ; prominent among them Samuel Everett Pingree, governor of Vermont (1884-86). Jasper Pingree was a farmer and resided at Denmark, Maine, from the time of his birth in 1806 until 1871, going then to Detroit, Michigan, where he died in 1882. The son resided with his parents until fourteen years of age, when he went to Soco, Maine, and secured employment in a cotton factory. In 1860, he went to Hopkinton, Mass., and secured employment in a shoe factory. Here he learned the trade of cutter, at which he worked until August 1, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in company F, first Massachusetts regiment of heavy artillery, for the unexpired three years' term of the regiment. When the regiment was mustered out at the end of the term, he re-enlisted on the battlefield for three years more, or during the war. With the regiment he participated in the second battle of Bull Run, the battles of Fredericksburg Road, Harris Farm and Spottsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, North Anne and South Anne. At the battle of Spottsylvania, May 8, 1864, his regi- ment opened the engagement, and a number of men were killed and wounded. On May 25, 1864, Mr. Pingree with a number of his comrades while guarding a wagon train en route to Port Royal, was captured by a squad of Mosby's men. As]prisoners of war, they were brought before that officer, who exchanged his entire suit of clothes with Pingree, but afterward gave back the coat, remarking that his men might shoot him for a "Yank." After his capture, he was confined for nearly five months at Andersonville Stockade, Salisbury, N. C., and Millen, Ga. t the latter place, in Novem- ber, 1864, he was exchanged, rejoined his regiment in front of Petersburg and soon after took part in the. expedition to Weldon railroad, and in the battle of Boydton Road, Petersburg, Sailor's Creek, Farnsville, and Appomat- tox Court House. He was mustered out of service in August, 1865, and shortly after went to Detroit, Michigan. Here, for a time, he was employed in a boot and shoe factory. Deciding to embark in business for himself, in December, 1866, with C. H. Smith, he purchased a small boot and shoe factory, the entire capital represented by the firm of Pingree and Smith, when estab- lished, being but $1,360. The first year they employed but eight persons, and the value of their production reached only $20,000. Increasing business com- pelled their removal to larger quarters, and in time they secured and main- tained their position as the most extensive boot and shoe manufacturers in the west, and their factory is excelled by but one or two in the United States. More than seven hundred persons are employed and the value of

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their products amounts to about $1.000,000 annually. From the beginning of this enterprise, Mr. Pingree has had the general supervision of the entire establishment. His success has been the result of hard work and good man- agement. In social life, he is large hearted and generous, a faithful friend and good citizen. He has confined his energies almost solely to the advance- ment of his business, but has ever evinced a commendable public spirit and a willingness to do his full share to promote all publie projects. Governor Pingree has in his possession, at his Detroit residence, three old muskets, one of which was carried by his great-grandfather in the Revolutionary war; another by his grandfather in the war of 1812, and the other by himself through the war of the Rebellion. Mr. Pingree was elected mayor of Detroit in 1889 and at once introduced needed reforms, which, while making him many enemies among the rings that had held the municipal affairs in their control for years, received the support and encouragement of the orderly and law- abiding citizens without regard to political creed. On August 7, 1896, he was nominated for governor of Michigan on the republican ticket, and was elected November 3, by a vote of 304,431 to 221,022 for Charles R. Sligh, the demo- cratic people's union silver candidate; 5,499 for Robert C. Safford, prohibi- tionist ; 9,738 for Rufus F. Sprague, democrat ; 1,944 for John Giberson, national : 256 for Lester H. Chappel, socialist labor; imperfect, scattering, 4,912 votes. His majority was 61,060. On September 21, 1898, he was again nominated for governor of Michigan on the republican ticket, and was elected on Novem- ber 8, by a vote of 243,239 to 168,142 for Justin R. Whiting, the democratie candidate; 7,006 for Noah W. Cheever, the prohibition candidate; 1,656 for Sullivan Cook, the people's party candidate; 1,101 for George Hassler, the socialist labor candidate; scattering, 20 votes. Thus receiving a plurality vote over the democratic candidate, of 75,097, and a majority over all, of 65,314. Mr. Pingree married Frances A. Gilbert, of Mount Clemens, Michigan, February 28, 1872. They have three children, two daughters (the eldest deceased), and one son.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

ORRIN W. ROBINSON,

Of Chassell, Houghton county, was born in Claremont, New Hampshire, August 12, 1834, where he acquired a district school education. At the age of nineteen years he moved to Ontonagon, Michigan, where he remained two years and then started for Green Bay, Wisconsin, making an overland trip with snow shoes, while the provisions and blankets were carried by dog-train. He camped in the woods nights, taking about two weeks to make his trip. From Green Bay he went to Kossuth county, Iowa. In May, 1862, he returned to Hancock, Houghton county, Michigan, where he engaged as receiving and shipping clerk for the Quincy mine, which occupation he followed twelve years. In 1873, he organized the Sturgeon River Lumber company, and built mills at Hancock, which were removed to Chassell in the fall of 1887, and be has been superintendent of the company since its organization. In politics he is a republican, casting his first vote for John C. Fremont in 1856; was deputy collector of customs, and superintendent of the poor for Houghton county ; was delegate to the national convention in 1892; was a member of the house of 1895 6, and was elected to the senate of 1897-8. On November 8,

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1898, Mr. Robinson was elected lieutenant governor for 1899-1900 by a vote of 236,837 to 168,604 for Michael F. McDonald, democratic people's union silver candidate; 7,268 for N. Norton Clark, prohibition ; 1,948 for Austin S. Randall, people's party ; imperfect and scattering, 2,982.

. SECRETARY OF STATE.

JUSTUS SMITH STEARNS,

Was born in the town of Pomfret, Chautauqua county, state of New York, April 10, 1845. His father, Heman S. Stearns, was a farmer and lumberman, with whom Justus S. resided, on a farm, until sixteen years of age. His education was received at the district school of that township. In the year 1861 his father removed to Erie, Pennsylvania, and was engaged in lumber- ing for ten years, when he went to Toledo, Ohio, continuing in the lumbering business there until 1876. Soon after, Justus S. located at Ludington, Michi- gan, and served as clerk in the Catherine L. Cameron store until 1882, when he began the manufacture of lumber, in a small way, in Lake township, Lake county, Michigan. He has pursued this business until the present time, and now has mills at Stearns, Lake county, Michigan; at Ludington, Michigan ; Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin, and Odanah, Wisconsin. He is the largest manufacturer of lumber residing in the state of Michigan, having manufac- tured, during 1898, 125,000,000 feet. He has never held office other than that of school director at Ludington, and presidential elector from the ninth congressional district in 1892. Was elected to the office of secretary of state for the term of 1899-1900 by a vote of 236,576 against 170,119 for Le Roy E. Lockwood, democratic people's union silver ; 7,294 for John Sweet, prohibition : 1,919 for Jonas M. Borough, people's party ; 1,182 for Peter Friesema, Jr., socialist labor, and 14 imperfect and scattering.

STATE TREASURER.

GEORGE A. STEEL,

Of Detroit, Wayne county, was born in St. Johns, Michigan, June 19, 1862. He acquired his early education in the public schools of that place. In July, 1878, he went to Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, to take a position as book- keeper and paymaster for James McIntire & Co., bridge constructors, later discharging similar duties for the same firm at St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1879 he went to Nevada, becoming paymaster on the Nevada Central railway during its construction; the following year he became general paymaster and purchasing agent of the Oregon Construction company in the construc- tion of about four hundred miles of railroad in Oregon, Washington and Idaho, later combining those duties with that of secretary of the corpora- tion, having full charge of the finances of the company. In this capacity he disbursed nearly ten million dollars during a period of five years. In 1885 he returned to Michigan and became interested in banking, mercantile and manufacturing institutions, and also in real estate. He became vice presi- dent of the St. Johns National bank, at St. Johns, Michigan, upon its organ- ization in 1885. On January 28, 1885, he was married to Miss Cora Stout, of St. Johns, and has two sons aged eight and ten years and one daughter. He

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organized and became president of the Ithaca Savings bank at Ithaca, Michigan, in 1893. In January, 1895, he formed a partnership with F. A. Smith, of Detroit, under the firm name of Steel, Smith & Co., for the pur- pose of carrying on the business of buying and selling municipal bonds and commercial paper. He was a member of the republican State central com- mittee for 1892-3; was elected to the senate from the nineteenth district for the term of 1893 4; 'elected state treasurer on the republican ticket for the term of 1897-8, and was re-elected to the office of state treasurer for 1899-1900 by a vote of 233,668 to 173,114 for Edgar B. Smith, democratic peo- ple's union silver candidate, and 7,232 for Robert King, prohibition; 1,949 for Robert Blenhuber. Scattering 1,175.

AUDITOR GENERAL. ROSCOE D. DIX,

Of Berrien Springs, was born in the county of Jefferson, state of New York, June 11, 1839, and came, with his parents, to Michigan in April, 1852. The family located on a farm in Bainbridge township, Berrien county, where young Dix lived until the age of seventeen, working on the farm and teaching the district school in winter. At a later period he attended Albion college. On the 26th of April, 1861, he enlisted at Kalamazoo, in Co. K, 2d Michigan infantry, and was with his regiment and company in every engagement in which it participated, as private, corporal and sergeant, until he was severely wounded at Knoxville, November 24, 1863. He was in the hospital until May 25, 1864, when he was honorably discharged, permanently disabled. Returning to Ber- rien county, he was nominated and elected register of deeds in the fall of 1864. and re-elected in 1866, 1868 and 1874. For eight years he was president of the village of Berrien Springs, and a member of the school board for ten years, taking a deep and active interest at all times in the material and educa- tional advancement of his own locality in the state. He was the founder and organizer of Kilpatrick Post No. 39, G. A. R., and for twelve years its commander, and the admiration and respect of his comrades is attested by the confidence and honors they have bestowed upon him. He has been depart- ment inspector and a delegate to the national encampment, judge advocate of the department of Michigan, G. A. R., and a member of the executive committee of the national council of administration, G. A. R. In 1869 Mr. Dix formed a partnership with Thomas L. Wilkinson, and engaged in the abstract and real estate business, which has continued since that time under the firm name of Dix & Wilkinson, with office at St. Joseph. He was elected commissioner of the state land office in 1886, and in 1888 re-elected by the greatest number of votes cast for any candidate on the state ticket and by the largest plurality. Mr. Dix was elected auditor general for the term of 1897 8. He was unanimously renominated for auditor general by the republi- can state convention, 1898, and was re-elected to that office for 1899 -1900 by a vote of 236,322 to 170,568 for John L. Frisbie, democratic people's union silver candidate; 7,281 for Henry Andrus, prohibition, and 1,934 for Archibald Malone, people's party ; scattering, 1,187.

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LAND COMMISSIONER.

WILLIAM A. FRENCH,

Of Bell, Presque Isle county, was born in Pelham, Canada, March 2, 1849, and received his education in the public schools of that city. In 1867 he went to Chicago, where he was engaged as night manager of the lines of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad, remaining in that capacity for four years, when he moved to Dundee, Michigan, where he was engaged as agent for the Chicago & Canada Southern railroad. He also engaged in saw- milling, and as a railroad contractor furnished materials for the Chicago & Canada Southern railroad west of the Detroit river. He represented the people of that district in the state legislature of 1883-84 and at the close of his term moved to Bell, Presque Isle county, where he continued in lumber- ing and milling. In politics he is a republican and was for four years a member of the republican state central committee. March 20, 1894, he was appointed commissioner of the state land office to fill the vacancy caused by the removal of John G. Berry, and was elected to that office to succeed himself for the term of 1895-96; was nominated at the republican state con- vention held in Grand Rapids in August, 1896, by acclamation, to again suc- ceed himself for the term of 1897-98; and was renominated at the republican state convention held in Detroit in September, 1898, for the term 1899-1900 and elected by a vote of 235,745 to 170,572 for Carlton Peck, the democratic candidate ; 7,061 for Jacob Van Zolenberg, prohibition; 2,087 for James H. Baker, people's; 1,205 for Gustav Zander, socialist labor; scattering, 233.

ATTORNEY GENERAL. HORACE MANN OREN,

Of Sault Ste. Marie, was born in Oakland, Clinton county, Ohio, February 3, 1859. His father, Captain Charles Oren, having been killed in the siege of Petersburg, himself and mother moved to Indianapolis in 1868. Mr. Oren graduated from the Indianapolis high school in 1877, and from the Michigan university (classical course) in 1881, and law in 1883; came to Sault Ste. Marie in 1882; was editor of the Soo News for three years; began the practice of law in 1883; held the office of circuit court commissioner one term; served as prosecuting attorney two terms, and was village clerk and attorney for several terms. Mr. Oren was elected on the republican ticket for attorney general for 1899-1900 by a vote of 236,018 to 170,421 for Royal A. Hawley, democratic people's union silver candidate; 7,251 for Myron H. Walker, prc- hibition; and 1,937 for Justus G. Lamson, socialist labor; imperfect and scat- tering, 1,262.

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SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

JASON E. HAMMOND,

Of Hillsdale, was born in Ransom township, Hillsdale county, May 17, 1862. His education, begun in the district school, was continued in both Hillsdale and Michigan agricultural colleges. Graduating from the latter in 1886, he entered the teachers' ranks, utilizing the long vacations by work in summer schools or by reading law. In 1888 he was elected member of the Hillsdale county examining board; in 1891 was made county commissioner, and in 1893 was chosen as deputy superintendent of public instruction. His suc- cessful conduct of the important duties devolving upon him in this position. four years later elected him to the head of this department. As chief he has employed the same vigor, zeal and practical methods by which he heretofore has been characterized, and has turned his attention largely to the better- ment of the rural schools. The various publications issued from the depart- ment during the past two years are universally commended as among the most helpful ever sent out by the department. The revised State Manual and Course of Study has been in especial demand both among rural and village teachers, on account of the practical devices and helpful outlines it contains. Mr. Hammond was re-elected superintendent of public instruction on the republican ticket for the term of 1899-1900 by a vote of 236,463 to 170,173 for John F. Evert, democratic people's union silver candidate ; 7,227 for David S. Warner, prohibition; 1,927 for Philander Brant, people's party ; 1,237 for Joseph Kopytkiewicz, socialist labor; 6 scattering.

MEMBERS OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

PERRY F. POWERS,

[Term, January 1, 1895, to December 31, 1900.]

Of Cadillac, Wexford county, was born in Jackson, Jackson county, Ohio, September 5, 1858. He received such early school education as his home town afforded, and on account of the death of his father, who was killed in the war, he was at an early age compelled to provide for himself. He continued his studies at night and during spare moments in the daytime ; learned the printer's trade at Jackson, Ohio, and in 1879 went to Davenport, Iowa, where he worked as printer and reporter four years. Since that time he has been engaged in editing and publishing republican newspapers, locat- ing first at Cambridge, Henry county, Illinois, where with Geo. C. Smith he published the Cambridge Chronicle two years; thence to Ypsilanti. Michigan, in partnership with the same gentleman, as editor and publisher of the Ypsi- lantian. In 1887 he sold out his interest in the Ypsilantian and removed to Cadillac, where he has since been engaged as proprietor and editor of the Cadillac News and Express. In politics he is a republican, has held several honorary positions, as president Michigan press association, 1890; president republican press association, 1892-93; is at present president of Michigan republican state league, and president of state board of education; was elected member of the state board of education for the term of 1889-94, and

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re-elected to that of 1895-1901 by a vote of 234,806 to 126,831 for Michael Devereaux, democrat ; 29,031 for Frederick H. Olmstead, people's party, and 18,627, for Harvey B. Hatch, prohibition. Frank H. Olmstead received 506 votes in Huron county ; miscellaneous and rejected, 222 votes.

ELIAS F. JOHNSON,

[Term, January 1, 1899, to December 31, 1902.]

Member of the state board of education, was born June 24, 1860, at Van Wert, Ohio, and brought up on a farm. His primary education was obtained at the common schools, and he subsequently attended the National normal univer- sity, and graduated from the Ohio state university with the degree of B. S. To enable him to graduate from college, Mr. Johnson engaged as a table waiter, and worked at various odd jobs during vacations, and also taught in rural school districts for several terms. After graduating, he was elected superintendent of schools of Van Wert for five years; was appointed sur- veyor of his native county, and served until elected to the Ohio legislature in 1885. The county was democratic. but he was elected by a handsome majority, and served until the close of 1887. In 1888 he came to Michigan, and in 1890 was appointed to a professorship in the law department of the University of Michigan, a position which he still holds. In May, 1898, he was appointed a member of the state board of education by Gov. Pingree, and was nominated for the same position (short term) in 1898 by the republican state convention, and elected for the term 1899-1902 by a vote of 183,427, against 134,699 for Lester O. Chatfield; 52,903 for Frederick O. Platt; 333.231 for George E. Willits; 5,559 for William C. Clemo ; 1,843 for Delvan B. Reed ; 1,513 for Dison J. Porter, and 2,592 imperfect and scattering. Mr. Johnson received more votes than any other candidate on the republican state ticket excepting Gov. Pingree.

FREDERICK A. PLATT,

[Term, January 1, 1899, to December 31, 1904.]

Of Flint, Genesee county, was born in Utica, Macomb county, October 19, 1856. He received his education in the university of Michigan, graduating in the iterary course in 1875. He was a teacher and superintendent of the school for the deaf at Flint for seven years. In 1883, engaged in the mercantile business, which occupation he still pursues. Mr. Platt has held the office of city treasurer for two terms, and that of member of the board of education for nine years. On November 8, 1898, was elected on the republican ticket as a member of the state board of education by a vote of 183,293 to 136,511 for George E. Willits, democratic people's union silver candidate ; 5,319 for Delevan B. Reed, prohibition; 1,440 for William Warner, people's party ; 981 for Lewis Erb, socialist; 52.891 for Elias F. Johnson, republican ; 33.289 for Leston O. Chatfield, democrat: 1,861 for William C. Clemo, prohibition ; scat- tering, 588.

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STATE LEGISLATURE.

SENATORS.

THERON W. ATWOOD,

Senator from the twenty-first district, composed of the counties of Lapeer and Tuscola, was born at White Oak, Ingham county, Michigan, January 3, 1854, but has been a resident of Tuscola county since infancy. Received his early education in the schools of that county, graduated from the law department of Michigan university in 1875, and has been in the active prac- tice of law for twenty-three years. Was prosecuting attorney of Tuscola county during the years 1886, 1888, 1892 and 1894, and was elected to the senate of 1899-1900 by a vote of 6,313 to 4,732 for James S. McArthur, demo- cratic people's union silver candidate.

FREDERICK KESSLER BAKER,

Senator from the thirtieth district, comprising the counties of Chippewa, Delta, Luce, Mackinac, Menominee and Schoolcraft, was born at Fleming, Cayuga county, New York, January 5, 1861. His early education was derived from the common schools, and the Cayuga Lake Academy at Aurora, N. Y. He taught school during 1879-1880. In 1881 he entered the Mercantile National Bank of New York, where he was employed until May, 1882, when he came to Michigan and accepted the position of book-keeper in the Fourth National Bank of Grand Rapids. He was subsequently elected assistant cashier. In 1887, while yet a resident of Grand Rapids, Mr. Baker was a candidate for city treasurer on the republican ticket, but went down to defeat with his ticket in the "landslide" of that year. A year later he removed to Menom- inee, engaged in lumbering, and has since resided there. Mr. Baker is a stalwart republican. He has been favored by his fellow townsmen of Menom- inee with the positions of alderman and president of the council, and has been, since 1894, chairman of the republican county committee. He was elected to the senate of 1899-1900 by a vote of 6,490 to 3,694 for James A. Leisen, democratic people's union silver candidate.

EDWIN A. BLAKESLEE,

Senator from the seventh district, composed of the counties of Berrien and Cass, was born in Galien, Berrien county, Michigan, July 18, 1865. His early education was acquired in the Galien high school; entered the state norma at Ypsilanti in the fall of 1882. where he remained three and one-half years. In the fall of 1887 he entered the University of Michigan, spending two years on special work in the literary department and one year in the law depart- ment. Owing to the death of his father in the fall of 1890 he was compelled to leave college and return home, where he has since been actively engaged in farming, banking, and mercantile business, and is at present a director of the Citizens' National bank, of Niles, Michigan. In politics he is and has always been a very active republican ; he has held the offices of township clerk and councilman of the village of Galien; was clected supervisor of his

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township by the largest majority ever received by any other candidate for said office. Was elected to the senate of 1897-8, and re-elected to the senate of 1899-1900 by a vote of 8,670 to 6,858 for John V. Starr, democratic people's union silver candidate, and 258 for John B. Sweetland, prohibition.

ADDISON MAKEPEACE BROWN,

Senator from the ninth district, comprising the counties of Kalamazoo and Calhoun, was born at Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, February 15, 1859. His early education was acquired in the public schools of his native village, and in 1883 he was graduated from the university of Michigan with the degree of A. B. At the close of his university studies he assumed control of his father's [farms, in which occupation he still continues. For eight years he has been director of the board of education at Schoolcraft, in which position he has given much attention to educational matters. He was twice elected justice of the peace; was president of the village of Schoolcraft two terms; was for several years secretary of the Kalamazoo county pioneer association, and is now president of the Kalamazoo county husbandman's club. In politics Mr. Brown is a republican, and was elected to the senate of 1899-1900 by a vote of 9,997 to 8,859 for George S. Woolsey, democratic people's union silver candidate, and 168 for James Finch, pro- hibition.

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Michigan legislative manual and official directory for the years 1899-1900, Part 57

Author: Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Lansing : [Secretary of State] Number of Pages: 942

Author:
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Lansing : [Secretary of State]
Number of Pages: 942