USA > Michigan > Michigan official directory and legislative manual for the years 1901-1902 > Part 60
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FREDERICK C. MARTINDALE,
Representative from the second district of Wayne county, was born in the Prov- ince of Ontario, December 18, 1865. He came to Michigan with his parents in 1867, and settled on a farm in the township of Greenfield. He obtained his edu- cation in the public schools and Detroit high school, after which he taught for six years, being principal of the McMillan school. His health failing he spent
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three years in the southern states, returning to Detroit he began the study of law in 1895, and was admitted to the bar in 1898. Has since practiced law. Mr. Mar- tindale is married, and is a strong republican, being elected to the legislature of 1901-1902 by a vote of 3,795 to 2,026 for E. W. Potts, democratic candidate, and 59. for William Lathers, prohibition candidate.
GEORGE T. MASON,
Representative from Shiawassee county, was born in Owosso township, February 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. Ma- son 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 Quackenbush Post No. 205, G. A. R. Was elected to the house of 1899-1900, and re-elected to the house for the term of 1901-1902 by a vote of 4,421 to 4,158 for Geo. B. McCaughna, democratic candidate.
JOHN MICK,
Representative from the second district of Ionia county, was born in Wurten- berg, Germany, August 26, 1841, in which country his early education was obtained. He came to America in 1860, and worked on a farm until December 29, 1862, when he enlisted as private in the eighth Michigan cavalry, and served during the civil war under the flag of his adopted country, being honorably discharged at Louis- ville, Kentucky, December 20, 1865. He came to Michigan in 1866. After follow- ing the occupation of brick moulder for a number of years, he finally purchased a farm, and married, settling down to the occupation of farmer. Mr. Mick has held various offices in his township, having been drain commissioner and super . visor, and in 1892 was appointed under sheriff. In January, 1899, was appointed deputy county treasurer. He is a strong republican, and was elected to the legis lature of 1901-1902 by a vote of 2,558 to 2,049 for W. F. Bricker, democratic candi- date, and 1 for D. G. Weippert.
JAMES SMITH MONROE,
Representative from the Gogebic. district, comprising the counties of Gogebic, Keweenaw and Ontonagon, was born in Paterson, New Jersey. December 29, 1854,. and was reared on a farm. His education was received in the public and private- schools of New Jersey and at Seward institute at Warwick, New York. He grad- uated from Cornell University in 1880, and came to Michigan, settling in Ontona-
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gou as principal of the schools, which position he held until 1886, when he went to Ironwood. He was admitted to the bar in 1886, and has since practiced his profession. Mr. Monroe is married, and has held the offices of township clerk, assessor, secretary of board of school examiners, commissioner of schools, circuit court commissioner, superintendent of poor at Gogebic for twelve years, and city attorney and assessor of Ironwood. In politics, a strong republican, he was elected to the legislature of 1901-1902 by a vote of 3,495 to 1,304 for George N. Sleight, democratic 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 Col- lege, 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, which he conducted for ten years. While engaged in farming, he bought the St. Clair Republican and owned and edited that paper for seventeen years. During this time he was twice ap- pointed postmaster at St. Clair, first under the administration of President Hayes and again under the administration of President Harrison, serving about nine years in all. While still editing the Republican he joined with three other citi- zens 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 of 1899-1900, and re-elected to the house of 1901-1902 by a vote of 2,020 to 1,467 for Thomas Woods, democratic candi- date, and 166 for John W. Gardner.
JOHN J. MURDOCH,
Representative from Huron county, was born in Scotland in 1847, received a com- mon 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 married 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; has served as supervisor of Caseville township. Was elected to the house of 1899- 1900, and re-elected to the house of 1901-1902 by a vote of 3,402 to 2,437 for Jolin Hunt, democratic candidate.
LINCOLN AVERY, Member State Board of Education.
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CHRISTOPHER MURPHY,
Representative from the first district of Sanilac county, was born in Cumberland 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. The subject of this sketch is 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 pur- chased 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 rep- resenting 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, and re-elected to the house of 1901-1902 by a vote of 2,189 to 1,271 for Henry Ruttle, democratic candidate.
EDWARD P. NASH,
Representative from the third district of Kent county, was born in Livingston 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 educa- tion in the district schools, supplemented by one year each in the Rochester and Utica union schools. Taught school for fifteen consecutive winters in the dis- trict schools of Oakland, Macomb and Kent counties, working on'a farm sum- mers, with the exception of two summers 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 repub- ยท lican, 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 acclamation, and was elected to the house of 1899-1900, and re- elected to the house of 1901-1902 by a vote of 3,089 to 1,980 for James S. Tozer, democratic candidate, and 275 for Alfred M. Church, prohibition candidate.
FRANK S. NEAL,
Representative from the third district of Wayne county, was born in Seneca county, New York, September 21, 1862, and obtained his education in the common schools. He came to Michigan in 1880, and, locating at Dundee, he entered the employ of the C. S. & L. S. and M. C. R. R., where he remained eight years, as tieket agent and telegraph operator, after which he went to Northville, and engaged in the mercantile business. Mr. Neal is married, and in 1891 he bought the Record and has since devoted himself entirely to newspaper work. He is a strong republican, and was elected to the legislature of 1901 -1902 by a vote of 3,338 to 2,383 for Charles A. Sessions, democratic candidate. 81
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BARTLETT A. NEVINS,
Representative from the first district of Allegan county, was born at Richland, 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 gradu- ated in November, in the class of 1875. In the same year he went to Otsego, Alle- gan 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 partner- ship 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 super- seded by a democrat four years later. Since then he has engaged in various kinds of business, 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, and re- elected to the house of 1901-1902 by a vote of 2,977 to 1,934 for Charles I. Clapp democratic candidate.
FRANK A. OSBORN,
Representative from the second district of Kalamazoo county, was born in Pa- vilion township, Kalamazoo county, December 21, 1652. He obtained his educa- tion in the common schools, one year at the Kalamazoo high school, and one term in the Baptist college at that place. He taught school four years, afterward settling on the farm where he now resides. Mr. Osborn is married, and has held the offices of township clerk, superintendent of schools, and supervisor, and has always been a staunch, reliable republican, being elected to the legislature of 1901-1902 by a vote of 2,745 to 2,456 for W. F. Montague, democratic candidate, and 10 for Howard G. Colman.
JOHN J. PERKINS,
Representative from Barry county, was born in Franklin township, Portage county, Ohio, December 14, 1827. He attended the district school winters, and worked on his father's farm summers, until he attained the age of seventeen years, when he entered the academy to finish his education. He was married at the age of twenty, and in 1856 he moved to Michigan, and settled on the farm he still occupies. His first vote was cast for John C. Fremont, and ever since the organization of the republican party, has been one of the most reliable and enthusiastic leaders in his part of the county. Mr. Perkins is married, and for ten years held the office of supervisor. He has been elected treasurer three times, and has held the office of highway commissioner for eighteen years. He was elected to the legislature of 1901-1902 by a vote of 3,228 to 2,973 for Lester Warner, democratic candidate, and 192 for Judge R. Barnum.
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HERBERT ERNEST POWELL,
Representative from the first district of Ionia county, was born in Ronald town- ship, Ionia county, Michigan, April 27, 1866. His education was obtained in the high school at Ionia, graduating from there in 1886. He has since engaged in farming pursuits. Mr. Powell is married, and has never before sought or held public office, but has made an enviable record as an able speaker and energetic worker in the recent campaign. He was elected to the legislature of 1901-1902 by a vote of 2,403 to 2,237 for James Scully, democratic candidate.
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 Chattanooga to Savannah and thence to Washington; returned from Washington to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was mustered out, and returned to Jackson, 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 legislature. 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, and re-elected to the house of 1901-1902 by a vote of 2,379 to 1,227 for John W. Perkins, democratic candidate, and 182 for David L. Graver, prohibition candidate.
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, and re-elected to the house of 1901-1902 by a vote of 3,039 to 2,459 for David A. Cornell, democratic candidate, and 91 for George Crook.
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
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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 connected 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 1895 was elected township supervisor 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 and re- elected to the house of 1901-1902 by a vote of 2,931 to 2,807 for Patrick Hankerd, democratic candidate, and 171 for David S. Warner, prohibition.
ARTHUR LAWRENCE RICH,
Representative from Newaygo county, was born near Bridgeton, Michigan, June 8, 1873, and obtained his education in the district schools, supplemented by a course in the Bryant and Stratton Business College in Chicago, Illinois, after which he returned to Michigan and taught school four years. In 1890 he settled on the farm which he now owns and occupies. Mr. Rich is unmarried and is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry and helped to organize the Grangers' Mutual Insurance Company of which he is secretary and treasurer. He has always been a strong republican and was elected to the legislature of 1901-1902 by a vote of 2,671 to 1,504 for Neil McCallum, democratic candidate.
JOHN MICHAEL RIEGEL,
Representative from the second district of Bay county was born in Bavaria, Germany, December, 9, 1852. After a course of seven years in the elementary school he studied one year at college in Germany. He came to Michigan in 1881 and engaged in general merchandise business for twenty years. He is a strong republican and held the office of county treasurer for two terms, 1894-1898. Mr. Riegel is married and was elected to the legislature of 1901-1902 by a vote of 1,417 to 1,097 for James Washington, democratic candidate, and 78 for George H. Whithouse, prohibition candidate.
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 township 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 house of 1899-1900 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 legisla- ture of 1899-1900 and re-elected to the house of 1901-1902 by a vote of 3,173 to 2,871 for Samuel W. Breece, democratic candidate, and 124 for William W. Wyrick.
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LINCOLN RODGERS,
Representative from the first district of Muskegon county, was born in Muske- gon, June 2, 1866, and obtained his education in the schools of his native city. Has been a successful manufacturer of lumber and iron in Wisconsin and Michigan for many years; is a staunch republican and was elected to the legisla - ture of 1901-1902 by a vote of 2,311 to 2,193 for William H. Hoyt, democratic candidate.
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 edu- cation 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 legislatures of 1897-98 and 1899-1900 and re-elected to the house of 1901-1902 by a vote of 3,894 to 1,424 for Archibald J. Scott, democratic candidate.
'ASA T. SANDERSON,
Representative from the third district of Saginaw county, was born in the town- ship of Fenner, Madison county, New York, May 2, 1854. In 1857 he came to Michigan with his parents and located on a farm near St. Charles. His educa- tion was obtained in the common schools of Saginaw county and at the age of twenty-two he learned the carpenter's trade and conducted lumbering opera- tions and bouglit out the hardware store of B. J. Dowing. 'He read law two winters, but failing health compelled him to return to the farm, where he has since engaged extensively in stock raising and farming. He has held all the township offices except that of clerk, being the present supervisor. Mr. Sander- son is married and has always been a strong republican, having been elected to the legislature of 1901-1902 by a vote of 2,084 to 2,036 for Benj. Colvin, democratic candidate; 33 for William Bierd, prohibition candidate; 20 for E. S. McCollough.
ANDREW J. SCOTT,
Representative from the first district of Saginaw county, was born in Canada. December 1, 1840. At the age of thirteen he came to Michigan and has been ell- gaged in the lumbering business forty years. Mr. Scott is married and has held the office of alderman two terms. In politics, a republican, he was elected to the legislature of 1901-1902, on the general legislative ticket, by a vote of 4,172 to 3,935 for Frank M. Totten, highest democratie candidate.
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THADDEUS D. SEELEY,
Representative from the first district of Oakland county, was born on a farm near Pontiac, August 26, 1867. He obtained his education in the common school and Pontiac high school. When he attained his majority he went to Bay City and entered upon a special line of farming and stock breeding which he conducted for five years, returning to Oakland county where he has since resided. Mr. Seeley was married in 1888 and has held various township offices. In 1890 he was elected president of the Michigan Holstein Friesian Cattle Breeders' Association, which office he still holds. In politics, a strong republican, he was elected to the legislature of 1901-1902 by a vote of 3,275 to 2,759 for Thomas J. Jones, demo- cratic candidate.
ALBERT E. SHARPE,
Representative from Iosco district, comprising the counties of Iosco, Alcona, Roscommon and Ogemaw, was born in Trenton, Ontario, May 30, 1860, where he received his education in the common schools, supplemented by a course in Albert College at Belleville, Ontario, after which he taught school three years. He came to Michigan in 1881 and located in West Branch, where he was principal of schools for five years and a member of the board of school examiners. He also held the offices of county commissioner and superintendent of the poor. In 1884 he purchased the West Branch Times, which he successfully conducted for five years. In 1889 he removed to East Tawas and in 1894 was elected prosecuting attorney of Iosco county and re-elected again in 1896 and 1898. Mr. Sharpe is married and has always been a staunch republican, being elected to the legislature of 1901-1902 by a vote of 3,561 to 1,752 for John Macgregor, democratic candidate.
NEWTON C. SPENCER,
Representative from Menominee county, was born in Ashland, Ohio, June 16, 1866, and received his early education in the high school of Champaign, Illinois, from which school he graduated and entered the University of Illinois where he studied mechanical engineering for two years, after which he entered upon newspaper work in New York until 1889 when he enlisted in the Seventeenth Infantry and was engaged in the campaign against the Sioux Indians in South Dakota in 1890-91. He was discharged from service in 1892 and taught school until 1893, when he entered the University of Michigan, from which he gradu- ated with the degree of LL. B. in 1896. Mr. Spencer is a successful lawyer and staunch republican, having been elected to the legislature of 1901-1902 by a vote of 2,546 to 2,165 for G. T. Werline, democratic candidate.
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