USA > Michigan > Michigan legislative manual and official directory for the years 1899-1900 > Part 62
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LYMAN H. MCCALL,
Representative from the second district of Eaton county, was born in Dela- ware county, New York, August 31, 1860, and received his early education in the schools of that county. He removed to Michigan in 1877, and located in Eaton county, graduating from Olivet college. He subsequently entered the law office of Judge Edward A. Foote of Charlotte, and was admitted to practice by the circuit court at Charlotte, in 1883, since which time he has been in the active practice of law, residing in that city. He was elected and served as prosecuting attorney of Eaton county for the years 1893-94. Mr. McCall is a republican, and was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 2,108 to 1,941 for Charles H. Mead, democratic people's union silver candidate.
GEORGE PERCY MCCALLUM,
Representative from the Delta district, comprising the counties of Alger, Schoolcraft and Delta, was born at Lapeer, Michigan, March 27, 1871. His childhood and youth were spent at his birthplace and in Ogemaw and Delta counties, graduating at the West Branch high school in June, 1890, and enter- ing Albion college in the fall of the same year to prepare for the university. In the fall of 1895 he entered the law department of the University of Mich-
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igan, graduating in June, 1898, with the degree of L. B. In the intervals of his studies he was engaged in various capacities by the Delta Lumber Co., of which his father, John H. McCallum, was superintendent, and to help out his cash account he worked in the pineries as a scaler. While at Ann Arbor Mr. McCallum was president of the U. of M. republican club. He is at present chairman of the executive committee of the national league of college republican clubs and a member of the advisory council of the repub- lican state league of Michigan. Mr. McCallum has been a member of the county board of school examiners of his county. He is greatly interested in fraternal societies, being a Freemason, a Pythian, and a Maccabee. Was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 2,706 to 1,329 for Peter C. Carpenter, democratic people's union silver candidate, and six for Ole L. Peterson.
WILLIAM MCKAY,
Representative from the second district of Tuscola county, was born in Ayr- shire, Scotland, September 9, 1840, his education being acquired in the schools at Kilmarnock, Scotland. In April, 1854, he immigrated to the United States, coming direct to Almont, Lapeer county, where he engaged in labor on a farm. January 1, 1863, on the day the emancipation proclamation of President Lincoln took effect, he was married to Mary A Mackie at Romeo, Mich. In 1876 he removed to the township of Dayton, Tuscola county, where he also fol- lowed the business of farming. He was elected supervisor in 1877 and held that office for six consecutive terms. Was elected sheriff in 1882 and held that office two terms. He is a republican, and was elected to the house of 1889-90. Mr. Mckay was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 1,724 to 1,302 for Slade Lazelle, democratic people's union silver candidate, and 113 for Wyan A. Clough, prohibition.
JOSEPH MCLEAN,
Representative from the first district of Bay county, was born in Ireland, December 25, 1849. His parents emigrated to Canada. He was educated in the common schools of that province, and followed the profession of con- tractor and builder. In 1871 he removed to Michigan, and has been for many years a resident of Bay City. He has not been prominent as an office- holder, having been contented with the office of school trustee for one term. He was elected to the legislature of 1899-1900 by a vote of 2,490 to 2,012 for Daniel Mangan, democratic people's union silver candidate, and 65 for John Keyes, populist.
MALCOM J. MCLEOD,
Representative from the first district of Detroit, was born in Huron county, Ontario, January 22, 1868, of Scotch parentage, and removed with his parents to Attica, Lapeer county, Michigan, the same year. From thence they moved to Sarnia, Ontario, in 1880. Mr. McLeod's early education was obtained in the common schools of Attica and Sarnia, and in 1882 he went to work in a grocery. In 1889 was employed on the St. Clair tunnel at Port Huron; removed to Detroit in 1891, taking a position as street car conductor for the Citizens' Street Railway company; December, 1897, was clected traveling
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delegate for the Street Railway Employees' association, and re-elected in December, 1898, still holding that position. Has always been a republican. Was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 20,185 to 17,584 for Alex- ander W. Blain, highest democratic people's union silver candidate.
GEORGE T. MASON,
Representative from Shiawassee county, was born in Owosso township, Feb- ruary 2, 1842. His father, Ezra L. Mason of Rochester, New York, settled in Owosso township, Shiawassee county, Michigan, in 1839, upon the farm on which Mr. Mason was born, and which now constitutes a part of his present homestead. It was then an almost unbroken wilderness. He remained on the farm until twenty-one years old, receiving his education in the district school, and in 1863, enlisted for the civil war in the eleventh Michigan cavalry, remaining with his regiment until the close of the war, and returning with it, September 26, 1865. Upon reaching his old home in Owosso township, Mr. Mason purchased a farm adjoining the homestead where he now lives. On November 25, 1869, was married to Miss Hannah A. Shepard, who was born in Owosso township March 11, 1845, her parents being also pioneers of Owosso township, having come from Lockport, New York, and settled on a new farm in 1841. Mr. Mason has held the various offices of township clerk, treasurer highway commissioner, drain commissioner, (both township and county), and all the various official positions in the school district. In politics he has always been a republican; is an Odd Fellow, and also a member of Quack- enbush Post, No. 205, G. A. R. Was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 4,197 to 2,993 for Abraham W. Spitler, democratic people's union silver candidate.
CHESTER A. MILLER,
Representative from the second district of Montcalm county, was born in Orion, Oakland county, Michigan, April 30, 1846. When eight years of age he moved with his parents to Fairplains, Montcalm county. His education was acquired in the district and Greenville schools. His life occupation is that of a farmer. In politics he is a republican; was township treasurer five years, and elected representative to the house of 1897-98 and re-elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 1,607 to 958 for Lucius E. Backus, demo- cratic people's union silver candidate.
FRANKLIN MOORE,
Representative from the second district of St. Clair county, was born in the township of St. Clair, September 6, 1845. Up to his fourteenth year he attended the public school in his district with the exception of about two years, when he attended private schools in the city of St. Clair. After that he was a pupil in Williston seminary, at Easthampton, Massachusetts, going from there to Yale college, from which institution he graduated in 1868. He then returned to Michigan, where he was engaged in the lumber business in Saginaw until 1875. In that year he bought a farm in his native township of St. Clair, and carried it on for ten years. While engaged in farming, he bought the St. Clair Republican and owned and edited that paper for seven- teen years. During this time he was twice appointed postmaster at St. Clair
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first under the administration of President Hayes and again under the admin- istration of President Harrison, serving about nine years in all. While still editing the Republican he joined with three other citizens in organizing the Diamond Crystal salt company, of which he was elected the secretary and treasurer and still holds that position. The only elective offices which he has ever held are those of member of the board of education of the St. Clair city schools and supervisor of the first ward of the city of St. Clair. The only business in which he is now engaged is the salt business, to which he gives his entire attention. Was elected to the house 1899-1900 by a vote of 1,661 to 1,193 for Thomas Wood, democratic people's union silver candidate.
JOHN J. MURDOCH,
Representative from Huron county, was born in Scotland in 1847, received a common school education in that country, and became a miner. He emigrated to this country in 1868, when but twenty-one years of age, and worked in the mines of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Iowa until 1873. Was mar- ried in Ohio in 1871, to Miss Louisa Sollan of Ohio, and in 1873 he came to Michigan and settled on a backwoods farm, now cleared and in a good state of cultivation. He still resides on the old homestead. Has been connected with the Huron county agricultural society for nearly eighteen years, was president of the society two years, and still holds that office. Has been treasurer for two years of the Huron county farmers' mutual fire insurance company, and is now a director. Also at present supervisor of Caseville township. Was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 2,840 to 1,665 for Luke S. Johnson, democratic people's union silver candidate; 119 for Alfred Paget, people's party, and 78 for Wright Bartlett, prohibition.
CHRISTOPHER MURPHY,
Representative from the first district of Sanilac county, was born in Cumber- land county, England, July 26, 1842, and was educated in the English and Canadian common schools as well as at home, his father being a school teacher, and the subject of this sketch next to the youngest in a family of six. At the age of twelve he emigrated with his father's family to London township, Ontario, where Mr. Murphy worked on a farm and attended school until he was twenty years of age. Was married to Eliza Nelin of London, Ontario, and in 1866 removed to Michigan, settling in Greenleaf township, Sanilac county. At that time his nearest railroad station was at. Saginaw, sixty miles distant. In 1875 was elected supervisor of Greenleaf township, holding the office nine successive years; was elected treasurer of Sanilac county in 1884, and re-elected in 1886. In 1892 he purchased and removed to a farm near Sanilac Center, where he lived several years, holding the office of supervisor of Watertown township four years and twice representing the county of Sanilac on the state board of equalization. Mr. Murphy has since sold the homestead to his son, and is now living in retirement in the village of Sanilac Center. He was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 1,464 to 1,171 for James A. Cawood, democratic people's union silver candi- date.
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EDWARD P. NASH,
Representative from the third district of Kent county, was born in Livings- ton county, New York, February 27, 1846; came to Michigan with his parents in 1857, locating on a farm near Rochester, Oakland county. Obtained his early education in the district schools, supplemented by one year each in the Rochester and Utica union schools. Taught school for fifteen consecu- tive winters in the district schools of Oakland, Macomb and Kent counties, working on a farm summers, with the exception of two in the shingle mills of Lapeer county. In April, 1879, removed with his parents to Grattan, Kent county, where he still resides and operates a farm which he owns, and in which occupation he has been successful. He was married in January, 1883, to Miss Maria Purdy, and his family consists of a wife and three boys. In politics he is and always has been a republican, having cast his first vote for U. S. Grant. Has held the office of school inspector and member of the Grattan union school board for a number of years; was nominated by accla- mation, and was elected to the house of 1899-1900 on the republican ticket by a vote of 2,514 to 1,566 for John E. Goul, democratic people's union silver candidate, and 165 for Benjamin F. DeCou, prohibition.
BARTLETT A. NEVINS,
Representative from the first district of Allegan county, was born at Rich- land, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, June 1, 1854. He attended the district schools until he was fourteen years old, when he started out for himself, working on a farm for twelve dollars a month. By hard labor and economy he saved enough to enable him to enter Michigan Agricultural college in February, 1872, and graduated in November, in the class of 1875. In the same year he went to Otsego, Allegan county, and remained there four years as principal of schools. In March, 1880, he purchased a half interest in a planing mill at Otsego, forming a partnership under the firm name of Prentiss & Nevins. The manufacturing part of the plant was burned in December, but was rebuilt the following spring, a partner added, and the firm became Prentiss; Nevins & Co. In 1895 the firm became Nevins & Lindsley, and the plant was finally sold to the Otsego Chair company. In January, 1890, Mr. Nevins was appointed postmaster of Otsego, but was superseded by a demo- crat four years later. Since then he has engaged in various kinds of busi- ness, including real estate and insurance; has been justice of the peace, member of the school board several times, village councilman, deputy sheriff, and village treasurer. Was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 2,145 to 1,402 for Alva H. Tracy, democratic people's union silver candidate.
AUGUST NIEDERMEIER,
Representative from the second district of Monroe county, was born at Lippe, Germany, in the kingdom of Prussia, February 8, 1812. Came with his parents to Monroe county in 1852, and settled on a farm in Monroe town- ship, where he received a district school education. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-six years old; was married November 26, 1867, and moved to a new farm in the township of Berlin. In politics he is a democrat; was elected drain commissioner in 1876, but resigned on account
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of accident to his person, causing an amputation of one of his limbs; was supervisor seven years; county treasurer from 1885-89; was elected to the house of 1897-98, and re-elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 1,647 to 1.624 for James H. Laboe, republican candidate, and 8 for John R. Rankin prohibition.
WILLIAM J. OBERDORFFER,
Representative from Menominee county, was born in Germany, March 18, 1855, where he acquired his education ; came to America in 1871, locating at Mason- ville, Delta county, Michigan, where he was engaged in lumbering for two years; went to Escanaba and entered the employ of the C. & N. W. railway company, which occupation he followed three years. In 1876 he went to Stephenson, Menominee county, and located on a farm, and has since devoted his attention to farming. In politics he is a republican ; was supervisor seven years; was a member of the board of education five years; has been a member of the republican county committee for six years; was elected to the house of 1897-98 and re-elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 1,616 to 1,246 for Gideon T. Werline, democratic people's union silver candidate.
WILLIAM F. PACK,
Representative from St. Joseph county, was born in the Raisin Valley, between Adrian and Tecumseh, Michigan, July 4, 1861, and received his early education in that vicinity, subsequently attending the Michigan Agricultural College. His father was a Baptist minister, and the subject of this sketch an only son. Upon reaching manhood he engaged in mercantile business, became prominent as a democratic campaign manager in St. Joseph county, and was postmaster of Centerville during President Cleveland's last term. At the opening of the Spanish-American war Mr. Pack enlisted in the 33d regiment of Michigan volunteers, went to Cuba as a second lieutenant, was in active service before Santiago, and received a scratch in the shoulder from a Mauser bullet while in front of Aquadores, July 1, 1898. Was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 2,436 to 2,410 for Martin H. Bumphrey, republican, and 68 for Gutelius Snyder, prohibitionist.
RICHARD PEARSON,
Representative from the second district of Sanilac county, was born in Whitby, Ontario, October 6, 1853. In December, 1860, he came with his parents to Sanilac county, Michigan, where he spent his early days in helping to clear up a farm, and attending district school; worked in the lumber woods and saw-mills seven years; married in 1876, and two years later moved to a farm in Moore township, Sanilac county, where he has since made his home. In politics he is a republican; has held the offices of justice of the peace, highway commissioner, township treasurer, and a member of the republican legislative committee for four years; was president of the farmers' institute of Sanilac county and succeeded in organizing six institutes for the winter of 1896 97; was a member of the house of 1895-96, and 1897-98. Was re-elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 1,179 to 1,002 for James Lane, demo- cratic people's union silver candidate.
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CHARLES CURTISS PHILLIPS,
Representative from the first district of Van Buren county, was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, June 8, 1845. His early education was acquired in the district schools of Kalamazoo county, supplemented by one year at Olivet college and two years at Hillsdale college. On January 2, 1864, he enlisted in Company H, 25th Michigan infantry, and served in it and in the 28th Mich- igan for two and one-half years. In 1875 he engaged in newspaper work at Bangor, which occupation he followed until 1888; also published a paper at Hartford four years, then returned to Bangor and engaged in mercantile business. In politics he is a republican ; has served as township and county superintendent of schools; was postmaster at Bangor seven years, and elected to the house of 1897-98. Mr. Phillips was re-elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 3,630 to 3,203 for Varnum H. Dilley, democratic people's union silver candidate, and 101 for A. B. Palmer, prohibition.
EDMUND S. RANDALL,
Representative from Oceana county, was born at Morristown, St. Lawrence county, New York, October 16, 1845. He moved with his parents to Kent county, Michigan, in May, 1851, locating on a farm in Cannon township, and residing there until November 19, 1861, obtaining his education in the schools of Kent county and the high school of Otisco, Ionia county. On the date last mentioned he enlisted in company C, 13th Michigan volunteer infantry, serving in the army of the Cumberland and Tennessee during the civil war, until February, 1864, when he re-enlisted, following Sherman from Chatta- nooga to Savannah and thence to Washington; returned from Washington to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was mustered out, and returned to Jack- son, Michigan, being discharged July 5, 1865. Returning to Kent county, he married December 24, 1867, and in February, 1879, moved with his family to Lawrence county, Tennessee, where he engaged in farming and lumbering until September, 1884, when he came back to Michigan, locating in Grant township, Oceana county. Was elected supervisor of Grant township in the spring of 1889, and held that office continuously until elected to the legisla- ture. Also served as chairman of the board of supervisors of Oceana county two years and was elected justice of the peace in 1896. Was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 1,880 to 1,233 for Ara E. Motley, democratic people's union silver candidate, and 111 for William Wing, prohibition.
J. HERBERT READ,
Representative from Manistee county, was born in the township of Potter, Yates county, New York, January 24, 1858, and resided there until March, 1884, when he came to Manistee county, Michigan, and settled upon the farm where he now resides. Mr. Read was educated in the district schools of Yates county with the exception of two terms spent in the union school at Rushville. Was married in 1885, but has no family. Has held the offices of township clerk and supervisor for six years. Is a republican in politics, and was elected to the legislature of 1899-1900 by a vote of 2,483 to 1,968 for Montraville S. Howes, democratic people's union silver candidate.
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GEORGE W. REED,
Representative from Mecosta county, was born in Howell, Livingston county, Michigan, July 8, 1846. He attended the public schools at Howell. At the outbreak of the civil war he (at the age of fifteen) enlisted in company I sixteenth Michigan volunteer infantry, and served as a private; after the close of the war he went to Mecosta county, Michigan, and located on a homestead; shortly afterward he engaged in general merchandise, which business he is still engaged in. He is also connected with farming, dairying, creamery and other general business. In politics he is a republican; was supervisor of his township several terms; was elected to the house of 1897- 98. Mr. Reed was re-elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 1,880 to 1,014 for Joseph Kilbourne, democratic people's union silver candidate.
WILLIAM A. REED,
Representative from the second district of Jackson county, was born at Mt. Morris, Livingston county, New York, March 11, 1850, and in the same year his parents removed to Hanover township, Jackson county, where he has since resided. He was educated in the district schools of Hanover, and pursued the usual avocation of a farmer's son. In 1872, when but twenty years of age, he purchased thirty acres of land, paying $100 down. Within twenty-six years he has paid for the original farm, and owns 240 acres in three separate farms, with residences and buildings on each, and all con- nected by telephones. Mr. Reed is one of the most extensive dealers in sheep in south-central Michigan, and was for two years president of the National merino sheep register society. In 1835 was elected township super- visor on the republican ticket in a democratic town; re-elected in 1896 and 1897, and declined a fourth term in 1898; has been president of the Hanover township pioneer association, and for three years president of the West Liberty farmers' club. Was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 2,610 to 2,461 for Duncan Hyndman, democratic people's union silver candi- date, and 148 for Oliver H. Perry, prohibition.
JAMES L. ROBINSON,
Representative from Cass county, was born in Howard township, Cass county, January 28, 1848, and was educated in the public schools of Howard and Jefferson townships. At the age of nineteen he removed to Jefferson town- ship, and thence to Calvin township at the age of twenty-four, where he has since resided. While farming has been his principal occupation, he has been a trusted adviser for a large number of people in the county as guardian for minors and administrator for numerous estates. At the time of his election to the present house he was serving in that capacity for eight estates. Politically he has always been a republican and a persistent worker for the entire ticket, serving many terms as a member of the republican county committee. He was elected to the legislature of 1899-1900 by a vote of 2,861 to 2,435 for John Huff, democratic people's union silver, and 86 for J. H. Breed, prohibitionist, giving Mr. Robinson a majority of 340. Two years ago the fusion candidate, M. F. Phillips, was elected by thirty majority.
FREDERICK A. PLATT. Member of State Board of Education.
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GEORGE W. RULISON,
Representative from the second district of Houghton county, was born in Watertown, Jefferson county, New York, March 7, 1834. He was born on a farm, where he lived until he was seventeen years of age. He acquired his early education in the district school, supplemented by a normal and academic course. After completing his course he took Horace Greeley's advice and came west, locating in Wisconsin in 1855; spending two years in Wisconsin and Minnesota, he went to Kansas in 1859 and remained there one year; then he went to Colorado and engaged in gold mining, where, meeting with very poor success, he returned to Wisconsin and taught school for two years. In 1866 he moved to Houghton county, Michigan, where he has since been engaged in various occupations, spending most of his time in teaching, and clerking for a lumber and mill yard firm. In politics he is a republican ; has held the offices of supervisor, school inspector, justice of the peace, county clerk and village trustee; was elected to the house of 1897-98, and re-elected to the house of 1899-1900, having no opposition.
HENRY M. SCHMIDT,
Representative from the first district of Saginaw county, was born at Sagi- naw (west side), January 9, 1866. Was educated in the parochial and public schools of Saginaw, and began business life at an early age. In 1884, when but eighteen years old, he engaged in handling meats, continuing in that business seven years, when, upon the death of his father in 1891, he suc- ceeded him in the real estate business, and is at present a member of the real estate firm of Schmidt & Deindorfer, Saginaw. Is also somewhat interested in farming, owning several farms, and a forty acre "truck" garden, all in operation. Has also been elected secretary of the Hemmeter cigar company of Detroit, and president of the Crescent cheese and butter manufacturing company of Saginaw. Politically Mr. Schmidt is a democrat, and has served his constituents of the twelfth ward two terms in the city council, holding the position of chairman of the finance and auditing com- mittee in that body four years. Was elected to the house of 1899-1900 by a vote of 3,274 to 3,261 for William E. Gardner, republican. The seat was con- tested in the house by Mr. Gardner, an investigating committee appointed, and after a recount of the votes the committee reported in favor of Mr. Schmidt. Their report was adopted by the house.
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