Michigan legislative manual and official directory for the years 1899-1900, Part 59

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

USA > Michigan > Michigan legislative manual and official directory for the years 1899-1900 > Part 59

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).

JOHN J. PERREN,

Senator from the first district of Wayne, was born at Buffalo, N. Y., April 21, 1848, but became a resident of Detroit by the removal of his parents a year after his birth, and has since lived there. He acquired his education in the schools of that city, and after leaving school he went to work in a hat, cap and fur store, remaining there until 1877, when he was appointed chief clerk in the office of the receiver of taxes. In 1885 he was appointed a member of the board of city assessors by Mayor S. B. Grummond, for a term of three years, at the close of which he was appointed for a second full term by Mayor John Pridgeon, Jr., serving altogether six years on the board of assessors. Since 1891 he has been engaged in insurance and real estate. Was elected to the senate of 1899-1900 by a vote of 6,154 against 6,107 for William Richert, republican, and 301 for William H. A. Schneck, socialist labor. Mr. Perren's seat was contested by Mr. Richert, but his elec- tion was confirmed by the senate after an official recount of the votes.

WILLIAM W. POTTER,

Senator from the fifteenth district, comprising Barry and Eaton counties, was born at Maple Grove, Michigan, August 1, 1869. He spent his boyhood upon his father's farm, attended the district school, and taught school in 1889 and 1890, subsequently entering the Nashville high school, graduating in June, 1891, and entered the summer school at the state normal in the same year. He was principal of the Harrison public schools from September, 1891, to June, 1894; was admitted to the bar, and entered the University of Michigan the same year, graduating in 1895, and commencing the practice of law at Hastings. In November, 1895, he entered the firm of Barrell & Potter, but became a member of the firm of Colgrove & Potter in August, 1896, where he has remained to the present time. Mr. Potter is a republican in politics, and was elected to the senate of 1809-1900 by 6,965 votes to 6,369, cast for Joseph C. Hendee, democratic people's union silver candidate.

626

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

IRA T. SAYRE,

Senator from the thirteenth district, comprising the counties of Livingston and Genesec, was born in Hector, Schuyler county, New York, March 6, 1858, came to Michigan in 1864, and has since been a resident of Genesee county. He was educated at the public schools of Flushing, at the Agricul- tural college, and at the University of Michigan; and he has been, since manhood, engaged in the practice of law and in farming. He was elected to the senate of 1899-1900 by a vote of 7,967 to 5,195 for Orrin N. Moon, dem- ocratic people's union silver candidate, Mr. Sayre's majority being 2,572.

SUEL ANDREWS SHELDON,

Senator from the twenty-third district, comprising the counties of Muskegon and Ottawa, was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, December 6, 1850. He removed at an early age, with his parents, to Ottawa county, Michigan, and for three years his father, Eli Sheldon, worked in the lumber woods along Grand river. He then settled on the farm in Wright township which Senator Sheldon now occupies. The early life of the subject of this sketch was that of the typical pioneer youth. As soon as he became old enough, the rough toil and long hours of the country boy compelled to make his way by his own labor were his. His only schooling was such as could be obtained in the short winter terms of the district school, but was supplemented by home study, and while yet in his teens he became a teacher, teaching for twelve winters, five of them in the district in which he then lived and now resides. Was married November 13, 1879, to Eleanor Gear. As a business man he has had an active and varied career. From a country pedagogue he became western manager for the Austin, Tomlinson & Co. wagon company, of Jackson, with headquarters at Omaha, Nebraska; held this position five years, resigned, and returned to Michigan, purchasing the homestead from his father, whose advancing years compelled him to retire. Subsequently he became advertising manager for the Grand Rapids Morning Press; was also for a time connected with the Michigan Tradesman, and afterwards acted as business manager of the Workman, and of the Practical Farmer and Fruit Grower. Now resides on his farm near Berlin. Mr. Sheldon is a strong believer in the doctrines of the republican party as taught by Abraham Lincoln. Was nominated in the spring of 1898 for supervisor of Wright township, which for ten consecutive years had been solidly democratic, and was elected over the fusion nominee, though the rest of his ticket was defeated by about cighty majority. Was elected to the senate of 1899-1900 by a vote of 8,055 to 4,172 for M. J. Manting, democratic people's union silver candidate, and 136 for D. O. Blanchard, prohibition.

ALVAH G. SMITH,

Senator from the 28th senatorial district, comprising the counties of Glad- win, Oscoda, Alcona, Ogemaw, Iosco, Crawford, Missaukee, Roscommon and Clare, was born in Sunfield township, Eaton county, Michigan, March 14, 1862. He was a son of Edward O. Smith, who, with two others, were the first three settlers of Sunfield township. He removed with his parents to Lyons township, Ionic county, in 1864. His early life was spent on a farm. He attended district school until fourteen years old, then entered Portland high

627

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

school, and after his graduation taught school winters and managed a farm summers for eight years. He graduated in the class of 1882, C. L. S. C., and received the degree of L. B. from the University of Michigan in 1890, but was admitted to the bar in 1889. Mr. Smith began practicing law at Stanton, but removed to Lake City, Missaukee county. in 1891, where he now resides. Was married May 21, 1884, to Miss Ada M. Willett, of Leavenworth. Kansas, and has two children. He is a stalwart republican, and has taken an active part in politics, having held the office of circuit court commissioner, and for three terms that of prosecuting attorney of Missaukee county. He has also taken a deep interest in agriculture, having himself purchased and cleared a farm. Mr. Smith is an intense American, but an anti-expansionist. He was elected to the senate of 1899-1900 by a vote of 5,610, against 3,228 for Isaac Minthorn. democratic people's union silver candidate.

CHARLES SMITH,

Senator from the thirty-second district, composed of the counties of Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton. Keweenaw and Ontonagon, was born in the township of Livonia, Wayne county, Michigan, December 24, 1839, and remained on the farm until 1857; attended the union school at Ypsilanti until 1862 with the exception of three months' service as a private in company H, first regiment, infantry. In 1863 he located in Houghton county, where he has since made his home. For the past twenty-two years he has been in the employ of copper smelting companies. and at present is clerk of the smelting depart- ment of the Calumet & Hecla mining company. He is vice president of the First National bank of Lake Linden, and a director of the Northern Michigan building and loan association of Hancock. In politics he is a republican, and is at present supervisor of his township for the ninth con- secutive term; was a member of the house of 1895-6, and re-elected to that of 1897-8 by a vote of 3,142 to 994 for William L. Hagen, democratic people's union silver candidate. Was elected to the senate of 1899-1900 by a vote of 7,078 to 1,129 for Worth W. Wendell, democratic people's union silver can- didate.

ALBERT STOLL,

Senator from the second district, composed of the first, second. third, fifth and seventh wards of Detroit, was born at Detroit, Michigan, August 10, 1852, His education was received at the public schools and the German-American seminary of that city. He began business life as a manufacturer of cigars in his native city, and continued until 1875, when he engaged in insurance and real estate. From 1881 to 1885 he was assistant city clerk; from 1886 to 1888, inclusive, was county auditor; was a member of the soldiers' relief com- mission from 1889 to 1891, inclusive, and receiver of taxes from July 1, 1892, to June 30, 1898. Is at present in the business of real estate and insurance. He was elected to the senate of 1899-1900 by a vote of 5,990 against 5,302 received by John Miner, democratic people's union silver candidate, and 115 for Frank Dyck, prohibition.

628

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

EDGAR S. WAGER,

Senator from the eighteenth district. comprising the counties of Ionia and Montcalm, was born in Constantine. St. Joseph county, Michigan, August 30. 1850. He was reared on a farm. obtained his education at the public schools, and at the age of eighteen he went to Cedar Springs and engaged as a clerk in a store. In this occupation and book-keeping he continued until 1878, when he removed to Edmore, Montcalm county, and engaged in a gen- eral hardware business. In 1887, when the lumbering business was at its height, he sold out and engaged in the lumber and shingle trade, in which he was quite successful. In 1897 he succeeded Mr. Wisner in the banking busi- ness, which he still pursues. Mr. Wagar is an active member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, and has been president of the Epworth league. He is an uncompromising republican, and has been for two years chairman of the republican county committee of Montcalm county. He was elected to the senate of 1897-98, and is now serving his second term, having been elected to the senate of 1899-1900 by a vote of 8,013 to 5.927 for Frank J. Luick, demo- cratic people's union silver candidate.

MATTHEW D. WAGNER,

Senator from the twentieth district, composed of the counties of Huron and Sanilac, was born in Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence county, New York, Decem- ber 26, 1856; was educated at Vassar. Michigan, high school. On August 22, 1877, he entered the banking house of Bostwick R. Noble, at Lexington, Mich- igan, and remained there until December, 1880, when he, together with Mr. Noble, established the Huron County bank at Sand Beach, Huron county, Michigan, since which time he has managed the said banking firm and engaged in real estate and insurance business. In politics he is a republican ; has held the offices of village president, village and township treasurer; was elected to the senate of 1897-98, and re-elected to the senate of 1899-1900 by a vote of 4,256 to 3,570 for Duncan Buchanan, democratic people's union silver can- didate. and 939 for Michael Mugan, prohibitionist.

CHARLES A. WARD,

Senator from the tenth senatorial district, comprising the counties of Jack- son and Washtenaw, was born at Shelby, Macomb county, Michigan, Decem- ber 28, 1859. He received his education in the public schools of his native town and Portland, Ionia county, and graduated from the high school of the last named village. In 1879 he entered Michigan Agricultural college, but left in 1881 to go to Colorado, where he remained some thirteen seasons, during ten of which he was engaged as a mining engineer and in charge of large mining interests. Returning to his native state, he located at Ann Arbor, entered the newspaper field, and soon became editor and publisher of the Ann Arbor Democrat (now the Argus-Democrat), which he has recently sold. Mr. Ward is an outspoken democrat, but a believer in "equal and lower taxation." He was elected to the senate of 1899-1900 by a vote of 9,775 to 9.550 for John C. Sharp, republican, and 170 for O. R. L. Crozier, prohibitionist.

629

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE.

EDGAR J. ADAMS,

Representative from the first district of Kent county, Grand Rapids, was born in Branch county, Michigan, August 6, 1866. When six years of age his parents moved to Monroe county, locating on a farm. Six years later his father sold out and moved to Elwell, Gratiot county, where he started a small country store; later moving to Dushville, Isabella county, where they still reside. His early education was acquired in the district schools of Monroe county. At the age of seventeen he taught school one term, at the close of which he entered the employ of Hopkins & Lyon at Mt. Pleasant, as fire insurance and abstract clerk, where he continued for four years, and then engaged in the same business for himself. In 1888 he chose law for his profession, but being prevented by circumstances from entering an office or college, he pursued the course alone, and five years ago passed his exam- ination before Judge Grove of the Kent county bar. Since then he has devoted his entire time to his profession. In politics he is a republican; has held the office of justice of the peace; was elected to the house of 1897-98 on the general legislative ticket of the city of Grand Rapids, and re-elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 7,881 to 6,584 for William H. Stewart, highest democratic people's union silver candidate. Mr. Adams was chosen speaker of the house of 1899-1900 on their organization.

FRANK ALDRICH,

Representative from the first district of Detroit, was born in Pierpont, Ohio, March 17, 1850; moved to Oberlin, Ohio, in 1856, and attended the public schools there and in Pittsfield, near Oberlin, until 1865. He enlisted in the 3d U. S. artillery in 1867, and was sergeant when discharged in 1870, when he went to Iowa and taught country school for two years. In 1875 went into the Black Hills, and was among the pioneers of the gold fields. In 1878 went to Wash- ington, D. C., read law for two years. and in 1880 engaged in business there with Gately & Haskell, book publishers; bought the interest of Mr. Haskell in 1885, and conducted the Washington branch of the Gately & Aldrich com- pany until Mr. Gately's death, in 1889, when he accepted the management of the Hanson Battery Light and Power company, and was also electrician for the company. Held several civil appointive offices during his fourteen years' residence in the District of Columbia, and in 1890 President Harrison appointed him quartermaster-general of the D. of C. N. G., which position he held until his removal to Detroit. Has always been a republican, his first vote being cast for U. S. Grant for President. Was editor of the Times-Standard, a Washington weekly, during the Blaine and Logan campaign; was a delegate to the Chickering Hall convention, in New York, when the National Repub- lican league was organized, and was chairman of the Republican Central committee of the District of Columbia during the second Harrison campaign. Removed to Detroit, Michigan, in 1892, and in 1893 invented and patented a car seal which was almost immediately adopted by several large railway sys- tems. In 1894 he chartered and organized the "Aldrich Car Seal Manufactur- ing Company." In 1896 he sold his interest in this company, and has since been engaged in designing and manufacturing special machinery. Was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 20,362 to 17,584 for Alexander W. Blain highest democratic people's union silver candidate.

630

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ROBERT ALWARD,

Representative from the second district of Ottawa county, was born in Nor- folk county, Province of Ontario, November 12. 1844. His parents were of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. After the death of his mother the family became separated and young Robert found a home with a farmer in Canada. where he lived until he was nineteen years of age; during which time he acquired a common school education. Came to Michigan in the fall of 1863 and worked in the mills and lumber woods for four years. On April 14. 1867, he was married to Miss Alvevra Barton of New York State. Their family consists of five boys and four girls. He settled on a farm which he still owns and occupies in the township of Georgetown. In politics he is a republican ; was township treasurer four years; supervisor seven years: vice president and chairman of the board of directors of the Kent, Allegan and Ottawa counties Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance company ; represented his county before the board of equalization; was a candidate to the house of 1892-93, but was defeated by the democratic landslide; was elected to the house of 1897-98, and re-elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 2.017 to 1,069 for Willard W. Dickerson, democratic people's union silver candidate.

JEREMIAH H. ANDERSON,

Representative from the first district of Kent county, was born in Walker township, Kent county, May 22, 1843. He acquired his early education at the district schools. In 1865 he moved to Grand Rapids and commenced working at the manufacture of sash; doors and blinds, and in the spring of 1892 he began the manufacture of furniture, but two years later was burned out. losing nearly everything invested in the plant, and resumed work in a furni- ture factory. In politics he is a republican ; has held the office of alderman of the sixth ward of Grand Rapids, three terms; was a member of the house of 1893-94 and elected to that of 1897-98 on the general legislative ticket of the city of Grand Rapids; was re-elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 8,047 to 6,584 for William H. Stewart, highest democratic people's union silver candidate.

CHRISTOPHER G. BABCOCK,

Representative from Branch county, was born in Portage county, Ohio, Janu- ary 9. 1837. He was raised on a farm and acquired his education in the dis- trict schools and supplemented by a two years' course at Hiram college; he came to Michigan in 1858, where he has since been engaged in farming and shipping stock. In politics he is a populist; was supervisor of his township sixteen years, and elected to the house of 1897-98 on the silver ticket, and re-elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 3,397 to 3,236 for Henry C. Clark, republican.

LEONARD BAUMGAERTNER,

Representative from the second district of Saginaw county, was born of German parents on a farm in the township of Buena Vista, Saginaw county, Michigan, December 30, 1859. Hc acquired an education in the common schools of his neighborhood, and reached the age of twenty-one years, when

631

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

his father died, leaving a family of six children, of which he was the eldest. He at once took control of the homestead, and has since held possession, being generally engaged in farming. In politics Mr. Baumgaertner is an active republican; has been a member of the school board, school inspector, and township clerk, holding the last named office at the present time. Was elected representative in the state legislature of 1899-1900 by a vote of 1,665 to 1,246 for James Kerr, democratic people's union silver candidate.

EDMUND BROWNELL,

Representative from Lapeer county, was born at Metamora, Lapeer county. in May, 1853, received his education in the common schools of that township, and resided there until 1891. when he removed from the old homestead to his own farm in the township of Hadley. Mr. Brownell comes of good stock, his father, Hon. Ellery A. Brownell, having served in the state legislature in 1867 and again in 1869. Pleasant, companionable and a trusty friend, the con- fidence of Mr. Brownell's fellow-townsmen is shown in the positions of trust which he has held at their hands, including a third term as supervisor of Hadley township. He is vice-president of the First National bank of Lapeer and has been one of its directors for a number of years. Was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 2.785 to 2,080 for Ira H. Hunt, democratic people's union silver candidate.

EDWARD C. BRYAN,

Representative from the second district of Wayne county, was born at Portsmouth, Ohio, August 2, 1867; came to Michigan, locating at Wyandotte in 1868, where he acquired his education, graduating from the public schools of said city in 1885. He went to Detroit and engaged in wholesale houses for five years, after which he returned to Wyandotte and engaged in busi- ness, where he is still located. In politics he is a republican; was city clerk for two years; was elected to the house of 1897-98, and re-elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 2,403 to 1,757 for Elijah W. Potts, democratic people's union silver candidate.

LOU J. BURCH,

Representative from the first district of Wayne county, was born at Eaton Rapids, Eaton county, Michigan, February 28, 1863, and was educated at the public schools of his native village. At the age of eighteen years he entered a job printing office to learn the trade, and one year later, when but nine- teen years of age, he, in company with C. M. Seger, began the publication of the Eaton Rapids Times, thus becoming the youngest publisher in the state at that time. He was married to Miss Ida M. Bryant of Albion, May 29, 1884. He went to Detroit in 1887 to engage in newspaper work, and is at. present the senior member of the firm of Burch & La Riviere, publishers and commercial printers, and editor of Truth, the official organ of the organ- ized liquor interests of Michigan. In politics he has always been a republi- can, is president of his ward club, and an active worker in the interests of his party. He received 95 out of 116 votes in the convention which nominated him, and was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 19,319 to 17,384 for Alexander W. Blain, highest democratic people's union silver candidate.

632

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

NOAH WHITTIER BURDICK,

Representative from the Antrim district, comprising the counties of Antrim, Charlevoix and Kalkaska, was born at Dexter, Penobscott county, Maine, September 6, 1855. He remained at home with his parents and attended school until the fall of 1870, when he entered a harness shop to learn the trade. In September, 1875, he opened a shop at Monson, Maine, remaining there nearly three years, when he came to Michigan and established a har- ness shop at Millbrook, Mecosta county. In May, 1881, he removed to Traverse City and pursued his avocation until December, 1883, when he removed to Mancelona and opened a shop, which he sold three years later to give his sole attention to official and private business. Was village clerk of Mancelona from 1889 to 1895 inclusive; school inspector from 1885 to 1895 inclusive; justice of the peace, 1891-92; supervisor from 1895 to 1898 inclusive ; village assessor from 1896 to 1898 inclusive; was for a number of years a member of the board of water commissioners, and at present chairman. Since 1895 has been grand chief templar of the grand lodge of Good Tem- plars of Michigan. Has always been a staunch republican. Was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 2,960 to 1,010 for Edwin E. Mills, democratic people's union silver candidate.

EDMUND BURFOOT,

Representative from the first district of Kent county, Grand Rapids, was born in England in 1858, and removed with his parents to Canada in 1867. He acquired his education in the public schools of Toronto, Canada, supple- mented by private study, having learned the art of wood carving, came to the United States in 1880, working at his trade in different parts of the country, and in 1887 settled in Grand Rapids, still plying his trade by day and studying nights, and in 1895 was admitted to practice law, which profession he now follows. Mr. Burfoot was elected on the general legislative ticket of the city of Grand Rapids by a vote of 7,909 to 6,584 for William H. Stewart, highest democratic people's union silver candidate.

HENRY F. BUSKIRK,

Representative from the second district of Allegan county, was born at Hopkins, Allegan county, Michigan, November 26, 1856, and lived on a farm until he was sixteen years of age. His education was acquired in the Otsego high school, and in 1876 he attended the agricultural college; taught school during winters; paid his own tuition, and graduated in November, 1878, with the title of B. S. After completing his course of education he located in Wayland township, where he has since been engaged in farming, also dealing in lumber and hay since 1881. He was married in 1881; has one daughter thirteen years of age. In politics he is a republican; has held township and village offices, and was elected to the house of 1897-98. Mr. Buskirk was re-elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 1,719 to 1,114 for Henry Strabbing, democratic people's union silver candidate.

633

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JOHN CALDWELL,

Representative from the Wexford district, comprising the counties of Wex- ford, Missaukee and Clare, was born in Medina, Orleans county, New York, July 4, 1850, and came with his parents to Litchfield, Hillsdale county, Michi- gan, in 1856. He worked on his father's farm summers and attended school during winters. At the age of seventeen he went north and worked in the lumber woods for four years, and then took up a homestead, which is today one of the best farms in Missaukee county. In politics he is a republican ; has held the office of highway commissioner, town clerk, township treasurer, justice of the peace, county treasurer four years, and supervisor ten years; was elected to the house of 1897-98, and re-elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 3,173 to 1,888 for Joseph Yarnell, democratic people's union silver candidate.

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.

Michigan legislative manual and official directory for the years 1899-1900, Part 59

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