USA > Michigan > Michigan legislative manual and official directory for the years 1899-1900 > Part 60
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 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79
JOHN J. CARTON,
Representative from the second district of Genesee county, was born in Clayton, Genesee county, Michigan, November 8, 1856, and educated in the dis- trict and high schools at Flushing and Flint, Genesee county. He was by turns a farmer, clerk and school teacher until April, 1877, when he worked in a drug store at Flushing until August 13, 1877, and then accepted a position with Miles & Cotchers, merchants at Flushing, as book-keeper, and remained there until December, 1880, in which year he was elected county clerk of Genesee county and re-elected in 1882, serving four years in that position. In the meantime he studied law and was admitted to the bar August 21, 1884. He at once formed a partnership with George H. Durand, under the firm name of Durand & Carton, and the firm has since continued with the exception of about three months, when Mr. Durand was upon the supreme bench by appointment. Mr. Carton was city attorney of Flint two years. Was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 2,458 to 1,300 for Clinton Rob" erts, democratic people's union silver candidate.
FREMONT C. CHAMBERLAIN,
Representative from Gogebic district, composed of the counties of Gogebic, Ontonagon, Keweenaw and Isle Royal, was born in Ripon, Wisconsin, October 6, 1856. He acquired his education at the Ripon college; came to Marquette county, Michigan, in 1875; taught school twelve years; moved to Gogebic county in 1887, where he has since been engaged in the practice of law. He was married to Miss Etta Bartle, of Negaunee, February 8, 1897. In politics he is a republican; has held the offices of supervisor, school inspector, and circuit court commissioner, and is socially connected with the popular fraternal orders of the State. Was a member of the house of 1893-94, 1895-96 and 1897-98, and was re-elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 2,156 to 1,205 for James S. Kennedy, democratic people's union silver candidate.
80
634
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
WILLIAM CHANDLER,
Representative from the Chippewa district, comprising the counties of Luce, Mackinac, and Chippewa, was born of Quaker parentage, in Raisin township. Lenawee county, April 27, 1846, and spent his early life on a farm, receiving his education at a Quaker seminary near his home. In 1862 he went to Indianapolis, Indiana, to serve an apprenticeship at a trade. but before completing it he changed his mind and went into a wholesale paper business on his own account. This naturally brought him into constant intercourse with newspaper men, and in 1870 he became the editor and publisher of a republican paper in Muncie, Indiana. The venture failed because of libel suits and consequent expensive litigation, and in 1872 he returned to Michigan and took the editorship of the newly established Adrian Press. By a change of ownership and politics he left the Press and joined the staff of the Adrian Times, remaining there until 1875, when he established the Cheboygan Tribune. In 1876 was elected a member of the republican state central committee; in 1877 was appointed collector of tolls of St. Mary's Falls ship canal, and in 1878 established the Sault Ste. Marie News. In 1881 the canal passed under the control of the United States and Mr. Chandler became superintendent, holding that position until 1885. In 1886 he organized the Sault Savings bank, and became its first cashier and manager. In the same year was instrumental in organizing a central station electric light plant at the "Soo." In 1892 organized the Chandler-Dunbar water power company at the "Soo," laying the foundation for one of the largest water-power developments in the country. In 1875-76 he secured a swamp land appropriation, and estab- lished the famous "Inland Route" between Cheboygan and Petoskey. He was elected to the legislature of 1899-1900 by a vote of 2,612 to 1,802 for John H. More, democratic people's union silver candidate.
HENRY MARTYN CHEEVER,
Representative from the first district of Wayne county, was born at Still- water, Saratoga county, New York, Junc 20, 1832. His father, Rev. Ebenezer Cheever, D. D. (1791-1866), was a leading Presbyterian divine in the eastern states for many years. The paternal line of ancestry goes back to Edward Cheever, Baron of Bannow, and Viscount Mount Leister, who was impeached for loyalty to King James (Stuart) by the Long Parliament about the year 1642. On the maternal side he is descended from the family of which Gov- ernor Wolcott, of colonial and revolutionary fame. was a member, Mr. Cheever's great-grandmother being Governor Wolcott's sister, and from this family Donald G. Mitchell (Ik Marvel) the author, came. He received his education in classical and private schools in New Jersey, and at the Univer- sity of Michigan, where he was graduated in 1853 with the highest honors, taking the full college course, and receiving the degree of A. B., and three years later that of A. M. He then studied law and was admitted to the bar in his twenty-first year, and from that time forward devoted himself almost exclusively to his profession. He is a member of the American, State, and Detroit Bar associations, serving as vice-president of the latter for ten years. During his entire career Mr. Cheever has avoided politics. He was a mem- ber of the board of education of Detroit from 1857 to 1861, and of the State board of visitors to the University of Michigan in 1857 and 1858. He is a
635
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
staunch Presbyterian, a man of deep religious convictions, though liberal in his sentiments; was one of the organizers of the Westminster church of Detroit, has been a member of its board of trustees for many years, and was four years its president. Politically he is a republican. At the outset of his professional life Mr. Cheever married Sarah Buckbee, eldest daughter of Hon. Walter Buckbee, a prominent lawyer in the state. Mrs. Cheever died in 1890. One child, a daughter, was the fruit of the union, now Mrs. James S. Meredith, of New York. He was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 20, 050 to 17,584 for Alexander W. Blain, highest democratic people's union silver candidate.
SHERIDAN J. COLBY,
Representative from the first district of Wayne county, Detroit, was born in the township of Woodhull, Shiawassee county, Michigan, December 2, 1864, and received his early education in the schools of that township, attending schools winters and working summers upon the farm of his father, William Colby, one of the earliest pioneers of Woodhull. During 1887-88 he sold fruit trees and solicited life insurance and newspaper subscriptions. In the spring of 1889 he secured a situation as conductor for the Citizens' Street Railway company, of Detroit. In September, 1892, he entered the Detroit College of law, attending evening sessions and working on the street car days until, on June 21, 1894, he graduated with the degree of bachelor of laws, and on June 25 of the same year was admitted to the bar in the Wayne circuit court. In November, 1894, he resigned his position as conductor and assumed the practice of his profession, which he has since followed. Was married August 3, 1893, to Miss Eva Mitte, of Detroit, who died July 22, 1895. He has always been a republican, and was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 20,460 to 17,584 for Alexander W. Blain, highest democratic people's union silver candidate.
SAMUEL B. COLLINS,
Representative from the first district of Jackson county, was born at Parma, Monroe county, New York, October 18, 1846. He received his early education in the schools of that county, and in 1864, at the age of eighteen years, he entered the university of Rochester, graduating four years later, in the class of 1868. He obtained a position as traveling salesman, and after an experi- ence of eight years as a "knight of the grip" he removed to Galion, Ohio. and entered the wholesale grocery business. After nine years experience in that line Mr. Collins removed to Jackson, Michigan, in 1884, and founded the transfer house of Smith Bros. & Collins. In 1887 he founded the Collins manufacturing company, and three years later the National wheel company. He sold his interest in the last named company in 1894, and is now vice president and general manger of the Harmon-Whitmore Co. He is also senior partner in the firm of S. B. & H. C. Collins, wholesale coal dealers in the city of Jackson. Mr. Collins is a republican, but not an office seeker, having held but one public office (that of alderman) previous to his nomi- nation to the house of 1899-1900, to which he was elected by a vote of 2,756 to 2,282 for Rudolph W. Orch, democratic people's union silver candidate, and 118 for Frank E. Titus, prohibition.
636
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
BENJAMIN COLVIN,
Representative from the third district of Saginaw county, was born in Cato, Cayuga county, New York, August 3, 1827. His grandsire came from Scot- land. and located on Long Island; later moved to Rutland, Vermont, where Benjamin's father was born, and later served in the war of 1812. When Mr. Colvin was seven years of age his father died and he was bound out to a farmer, where he remained for seven years, then started life for himself, and in 1849 he went to Salt Lake City; returned in 1853, and located on a farm in Brant township, Saginaw county, which he still owns and occupies. Mr. Colvin is one of the pioneers and organizers of Brant township. In poli- tics he belongs to the people's party ; was a candidate for congress, and has held several township offices; was elected to the house of 1897-98, and was re-elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 1,503 to 1,455 for Arthur E. Holt, republican.
WILL A. CROSBY,
Representative from the second district of Calhoun county, was born in Battle Creek township, Calhoun county, June 11, 1863, was educated in the home schools, and graduated from the high school at Battle Creek. He engaged in book-keeping in Battle Creek in the fall of 1880, remaining until the spring of 1881, and in the same year was employed in a broker's office in Detroit. During the latter part of 1881 he engaged in soliciting for a life insurance company in Detroit and vicinity. Was admitted to the bar in 1885, and commenced practice at once, locating at Reed City. After several years of practice he was compelled, in March, 1890, to cease on account of ill health, (of some two years duration at that time) and returned to Battle Creek. In October of the same year, having fully recovered, he resumed practice in that city, and has been active in his profession until his election on the republican ticket to the legislature of 1899-1900, by a vote of 2,516 to 2,336 for Albert Ewer, democratic people's union silver candidate, and 98 for Erastus Rogers, prohibition.
JAMES M. DAVIS,
Representative from the second district of Kalamazoo county, was born on his father's farm at Orchard Grove, Lake county, Indiana, September 11, 1844. His early life was spent on the farm, and he attended the district school until about fifteen years of age, after which he spent one year at high school at Crown Point, Indiana; then attended college at Valparaiso, Indiana, for three years, and then entered Indiana Asbury university-now DePauw uni- versity-at Green Castle, Indiana, from which he graduated with the degree of A. B. in 1868, and A. M. in course in 1871. He attended the Michigan Law school at Ann Arbor during the year 1869-70 and came from there to Kala- mazoo county in March, 1870, where he has since resided. He taught two years in the district schools of Indiana, and while doing his collegiate work taught mathematics and Greek one year at Valparaiso college, and Latin, Greek, and mathematics for two years at Danville academy in Hendricks county, Indiana; also acted as tutor at DePauw university for two years. Was admitted to the bar in November , 1870, and has continued in the practice
637
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
of law at Kalamazoo since that time. He held the office of justice of the peace in Kalamazoo for twelve years, was circuit court commissioner four years, and United States circuit court commissioner for the western district of Michigan four years. In the fall of 1888 was elected judge of probate of Kalamazoo county, which office he held for eight years. Is now, and has been for ten years, president of the Kalamazoo County Sunday School asso- ciation, and also for nine years member of the executive committee of the Michigan State Sunday School association, having served as its president one year. In politics he has always been a republican. Was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 2,441 to 2,314 for James Powers, democratic people's union silver candidate, who was a member of the house of 1897-98 Was married March 22, 1867, to Miss Estella Eldred of Climax, Michigan, and now resides with his family of a daughter and two sons on his farm (Oak- wood) two and a half miles southeast of Kalamazoo.
JOSEPH H. DICKINSON,
Representative from the first district of Wayne county (Detroit), was born at Chatham, Ontario, June 22, 1855. His parents, Samuel and Jane Dickinson, were native-born citizens of the United States, and returned to Michigan and settled at Detroit in 1856, where he acquired his education. At the age of fifteen he shipped on board the United States revenue cutter Fessenden : served two years, then entered the employ of Simmons & Clough (now Clough & Warren), organ manufacturers, where he remained ten years; then went to Lexington, Michigan, where he established the Dickinson & Gould organ company. After remaining at the head of said firm four years, sold out his interest to Messrs. Gould and returned to the employ of the Clough & Warren organ company of Detroit, where he has since been located. In politics he is a republican ; was elected to the house of 1897-98 on the general legislative ticket of the city of Detroit, and was re-elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 20,455 to 17,584 for Alexander W. Blain, highest democratic people's union silver candidate.
EDWARD NELSON DINGLEY,
Representative from the first district of Kalamazoo county, was born in Auburn. Maine, August 21, 1862. His parents moved to Lewiston in 1863. Was educated in the public schools of Lewiston, graduating from the high school in 1879. He spent one year in Bates college, Lewiston, Maine, then entered the sophomore class of Yale university, graduating in 1883, and receiving the degree of A. B. Spent two years in the law school of Columbian university. Washington, D. C., graduating in 1885, and receiving the degree of LL. B. Spent a year in Boston, on the Advertiser and Record, as a political writer, and a like period in Leavenworth, Kansas, doing newspaper work. Moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1888, purchasing (with others) the Kalamazoo daily and weekly Telegraph, and has been its editor ever since. In February, 1897, was elected president of the Michigan league of republican clubs, and was Michigan's candidate for president of the national league of republican clubs in July, 1898, at Omaha, Nebraska. Was a candidate for member of the Michigan house of representatives in 1890 and 1892, and failed to be nomi- nated both times, but received a unanimous nomination for that office in the
-
638
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
republican legislative convention of his district, held in August, 1898. Was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 2,376 to 1,671 for Frederick Cellem, de nocratic people's union silver candidate, and 73 votes for Garland B. St. John, prohibitionist. In June, 1898, he was appointed clerk of the ways and means committee of the national house of representatives.
MICHAEL S DOYLE,
Representative from Clinton county, was born in New Brunswick, dominion of Canada, in 1842, and educated in the New Brunswick district schools. He removed to Ontario, Canada, in 1859, and was employed in farming until 1871, when he removed to Elsie, Clinton county, Michigan, where he has since resided. His occupations in the state have been various-six years in mer- cantile business and twenty-three years in cheese making and farming. He was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 3,226 to 2,739 for Andrew W. Durkee, democratic people's union silver candidate.
HARLAN J DUDLEY,
Representative from Newaygo county, was born in Newfield, Tompkins county, New York, September 27, 1853, and came to Michigan in 1867, attend- ing school at Hastings, while working for his board on a farm. Obtained a state certificate from the state normal school in 1879; conducted a teachers' normal department during the last half of the same year for the convenience of teachers at Freeport, Michigan; removed to Newaygo county to assist his father in establishing a lumbering enterprise, and closed his school work by being principal of Fremont schools, Newaygo county, in 1880-81. Com- menced the manufacture of shingles in 1832, and later, in connection with the manufacturing of shingles, he became a general wholesale dealer in lumber, lath, and shingles. In 1892 he handled for the trade 1;676 car loads of forest products. In politics he is a republican ; has never been a candidate for any office before, was elected to the house of 1897-98, during which time he was instrumental in the passage of the law providing a bounty on beet sugar. Mr. Dudley was re-elected to the house of 1890-1900 by a vote of 1.905 to 1,295 for Charles W. Stone. democratic people's union silver candidate.
WILLIAM J. DUFF,
Representative from the first district of St. Clair county, was born at Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, August 17, 1856. As the son of Lieut. George Duff, of the first U. S. infantry, he was born amidst military surroundings, and has always evinced a lively interest in that profession. Coming to Michigan with his parents in 1858, when but twelve years of age, he received his education in the common schools, finally entering the university of Michigan, and gradu- ating from the medical department in 1885, since which he has practiced the profession of physician and surgeon. He joined the Michigan national guard, and was promoted from rank to rank until in 1887 he obtained the rank of captain, but owing to the growing demands of his profession he was forced to resign. Upon the declaration of war with Spain Dr. Duff sent his name to the governor for a commission, but not meeting with satisfactory rec- ognition, he enlisted as a private in Co. F, 33d Michigan infantry, and was
639
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
assigned to duty as a corporal. In this capacity he served through the battle of Santiago de Cuba, but after the surrender the necessities of the troops demanded his professional services, in the performance of which duties he not only endeared himself to his comrades, but gained flattering recognition from his superior officers, who reported him to both the surgeon general and the secretary of war for their favorable consideration in the reorganization of the army. He remained with his regiment until it was mustered out, when he returned to his home in Port Huron and resumed his practice. He was nominated for the legislature of 1899-1900 on the republican ticket and elected without opposition by a vote of 2,521, the democracy, recognizing . . loyalty, declining to nominate.
HENRY J. EIKHOFF,
Representative from the first district of Wayne county (Detroit), was born of German parents, in the city of Detroit, October 19, 1861, where he acquired his education. At the age of eighteen years he began the trade of metal polisher, in which occupation he is still engaged. Mr. Eikhoff is and has always been an ardent worker in the union labor organizations, being one of the organizers of "The Metal Polishers' International Union of America ;" was a member of the national executive board four years, and became president of its national organization. He is also one of the two members of the house who are recognized as labor union men. In politics he is a republican; was elected to the house of 1897-98 and re-elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 20,044 to 17,584 for Alexander W. Blain, highest dem- ocratic people's union silver candidate.
ALFRED M. FLEISCHHAUER,
Representative from Osceola district, comprising the counties of Osceola and Lake, was born in the village of Waterloo, Ontario, March 31, 1867. At the age of three years, he moved with his father's family to Berlin, where he lived until July, 1877, when they moved to Reed City, Michigan. His early education was acquired in the public schools of Berlin, supplemented by a course at the Reed City schools; after leaving school he began clerking in his father's grocery and crockery store, where he remained until December, 1889, then he was taken into partnership by his father, under the firm name of C. J. Fleischhauer & Son, in which occupation he continued until August, 1891; when he sold out his interest and moved to Grand Rapids, where he engaged in business, continuing for one and one-half years; returned to Reed City, where he began clerking, which occupation he has followed to the present time. In politics he is a republican, and cast his first vote for Benjamin Harrison. He has served three years as chairman of the township committee; secretary of the young men's republican club since its organiza- tion in 1888; was elected to the house of 1897-98, and re-elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 2,219 to 1,050 for Caleb Robson, democratic people's union silver candidate, and 98 for Levi H. Gibbons, prohibition.
640
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
WILLIAM HENRY FOSTER,
Representative from Grand Traverse district, comprising the counties of Benzie, Grand Traverse and Leelanau, was born on South Manitou Island, Michigan, May 10, 1859, where he remained on a farm until the spring of 1880; sailing that summer and fall, he then moved to Traverse City, where he commenced schooling himself ; taught school three terms; graduated from Traverse City schools in 1885, and entered the state normal school the same year; he was graduated in 1887; was principal of schools at Somonauk, Dekalb county, Illinois, in 1888 ; entered the law department of the university in 1889, graduating in 1890, and has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. In politics he is a republican ; was prosecuting attorney and cir- cuit court commissioner, and elected representative to the house of 1897-98, and re-elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 3,399 to 1,625 for David McMullen, democratic people's union silver candidate, and 115 for George W. . Hall, prohibition.
GEORGE EDWIN GILLAM,
Representative from the Iosco district, comprising the counties of Alcona, Iosco, Ogemaw and Roscommon. was born at Coldwater, Branch county, Michigan, December 20, 1863. His early days were spent in the counties of Branch and Hillsdale, where he acquired a common school education, sup- plemented by a course at Hillsdale, graduating in 1881. After completing his course he went to Montague, Michigan, and engaged as lumber inspector, which occupation he followed for three years. During the winter of 1884-5 he entered the law office of Frank Braclin, at Montague, where he studied law, and at the same time assisting in the publication of the local paper at that place. In 1885 he went to Detroit, where he was engaged in local work for the Detroit dailies, which occupation he continued until December 12, 1886, when he purchased the Review, published at Harrisville, Michigan, which he still edits On June 12, 1889, he was married to Miss Rena B. Tillotson, of Oneida, New York. Their family consists of two children. In politics he is a republican; was president of the village of Harrisville and a member of the school board; was elected representative to the house of 1897-98 and re-elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 2,709 to 1,459 for George C. Anschuetz, democratic people's union silver candidate.
JOEL H. GILLETTE,
Representative from the second district of Berrien county, was born in Bertrand township, Berrien county, Michigan, March 22, 1851. His education was begun at a district school in his native township and completed at the Niles high school, after which he engaged in teaching, and taught several years with marked success. His services as teacher were repeatedly sought after, but he declined all offers, preferring to devote his time and energies to his occupation of farmer. Farming was his only occupation until 1888, since which timc the real estate and loan business, and management and settlement of estates have been prominent features of his business carcer. He has always been an earnest and active republican; has been twice elected school inspector; has filled the office of superintendent of schools
ELIAS F. JOHNSON, Member State Board of Education.
641
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
under the old law; was elected town clerk, and supervisor of Bertrand township three terms; in 1892 was elected register of deeds of Berrien county, and again in 1894. In 1880 he served as census enumerator. In 1890 he was president of the Berrien county farmers' institute association. Was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 2,533 to 2,320 for Henry Chamberlain, 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.