USA > Michigan > Michigan official directory and legislative manual for the years 1911-1912 > Part 77
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 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93
WILLIAM H. MARTZ,
Representative from the first district of Wayne county, was born at Detroit, Michigan, April 21, 1877, of German parents. He was educated in the German and public schools of Detroit. At the age of twenty-one he was elected justice of the peace of Macomb county and has been deputy sheriff of Wayne county six years. He was married on July 23, 1896, to Lotta Blackwell and they have three sons, Clifford, Lyall and Floyd. Mr. Martz is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 8, 1910, by a plurality of 8,739.
CHARLES H. McBRIDE,
Representative from the first district of Ottawa county, was born at Lansing, Michigan, August 30, 1874, of American parentage. He was educated in the Holland high school, Hope and Olivet colleges, graduating from the latter in 1894. In 1896, he graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan. He was married August 16, 1899, to Emily L. Lowing and has four daughters. Mr McBride has practiced law since July 5, 1896. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 8, 1910, by a vote of 1,973 to 1,438 for Henry Brusse and 59 for Benjamin Efting.
1
785
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ARCHIBALD MCEACHERN,
Representative from the Schoolcraft district, comprising the counties of Alger. Luce, Mackinac and Schoolcraft, was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, January 10, 1814. of Highland Scotch parentage. He came to America with his parents in 1852 and was educated in the common schools of Middlesex county, Ontario. In 1873 he was mar- ried to Miss Mary Lowe, of Elgin, Ontario. Mrs. McEachern died in 1906. Mr. Mc- Eachern has lived in Mackinac county thirty years; held the office of county treasurer . four terms, and was county clerk twice. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 8, 1910, by a vote of 2,217 to 1 for John Peterson.
JOHN McKAY,
Representative from Macomb county, was born in Bruce township, Macomb county, August 16, 1843. His father, Robert Mckay, was a native of Scotland, descendant of a long line of Scottish ancestry. Mr. Mckay received his education in the common schools. On February 21, 1866, he was married to Miss Lucinda E. Day, and two children were born to them, Robert and Olive Jean. In the spring of 1866, Mr. Mckay moved to a farm of his own in the township of Armadia, and the next year commenced the breeding of shorthorn cattle, of which he made a specialty for thirty years. In 1900 Mr. McKay located at Romeo, where he has since resided. Always interested in matters pertaining to agriculture he has been a member of the Armadia Agricultural Society for a number of years, and was its president for four years. He has also been a member of the executive committee of the State Agricultural Society for ten years and is at present treasurer of the society. Other offices of honor and trust held by him -president of the Macomb County Farmers' Mutual Firc Insurance Company, ten years first vice president of the Romeo Savings Bank, and member of the State Live Stock Sanitary Commission for nine years. Mr. Mckay is a Republican and was elected to the legislature of 1909-10 and reelected November 8, 1910, by a vote of 3,271 to 3,008 for George W. John and 136 for Howard L. Holmes.
THOMAS H. McNAUGHTON,
Representative from the second district of Kent county, was born May 1, 1861, on his father's farm in Ada township, Kent county, Michigan. His education was acquired in the public schools of the township. He has been master of Kent Pomona eight years, a member of the executive committee of the state Grange six years, and recently m- elected for two more years. He has been a member of the legislative committee of the state Grange for three years, and for nine years a member of the Ada high school board. Mr. McNaughton is a Republican and has always been active in the political affairs of the state and county. He was elected to the legislature of 1909-10 and re clected November 8, 1910, by a vote of 2,233 to 998 for Ora C. Taylor, 79 for Lewi R Davis and 43 for R. J. Vietor.
HENRY CLAY McNITT,
Representative from the Wexford district, comprising the counties of Lake and We.s- ford, was born in Sparta township, Kent county, Michigan, March 19, 1849, and was educated in the union schools of Grand Rapids. At the age of twenty-four he em barked in the mercantile business at various places, mostly at and near Cadillag. Ile continued this business until the age of forty-four, since which time he has been engaged in cattle-raising and dairy farming. He has served several ferins as supervisor In Wexford county. Mr. McNitt is married. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 8, 1910, by a vote of 1,788 to 640 for James Bell and 176 for Robert C. Young.
99
786
MICHIGAN MANUAL
JAMES H. MILLIKIN,
Representative from Tuscola county, was born in the township of Bruce, Macomb county, Michigan, September 23, 1855, of Scotch parentage, and has always resided in Michigan. He received his education in the district schools and the Almont high school. In 1880 he was married to Hattie S. Morton and has four daughters and two sons. Mr. Millikin has always been an active Republican. In 1888 he removed to a farm in Almer township, Tuscola county. In 1896 he was elected supervisor and held that office for nine successive years. He resigned in 1904 and was elected county treasurer which office he held four years. Mr. Millikin was elected to the legislature of 1909-10 and reelected November 8, 1910, receiving all the votes cast for this office.
J. LEE MORFORD,
Representative from the Presque Isle district, comprising the counties of Crawford, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle, was born at Unionville, Tuscola county, Michigan, June 14, 1873, of Scotch parentage. His early life was spent on a farm, and at the age of fifteen he assumed the sole management of the farm work. His education was acquired in the district schools and the Caro high school, the family having moved to Caro in his eighteenth year. In 1900 he went to Gaylord, purchasing an interest in a furniture and undertaking business with R. H. Russell, and ten months later bought Mr. Russell's interest in the business which had been well established. On June 27, 1904, he was placed in charge of the Otsego County Bank, a position which came unsolicited. He was elected village president in 1906 and held this office four terms. Upon the reorganization of the Gaylord Motor Car Company Mr. Morford was elected a director and he is now its treasurer. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 8, 1910, by a vote of 2,347 to 59 for James Cameron and 16 for John Cameron.
DAVID T. MORGAN,
Representative from the second district of Marquette county, was born at Charleston, Tiogo county, Pennsylvania, October 2, 1857, and has been a resident of Michigan since 1879. He received his education at Mt. Union College, Ohio. He entered the employ of the Republic Iron Co., April 1, 1879, and resigned his position January 1, 1907. Mr. Morgan is a Republican, and held the office of supervisor of Republic township con- tinuously from 1893 to 1907. He represented the thirty-first district in the constitu- tional convention of 1907-8, was elected to the legislature of 1909-10, and reelected November 8, 1910, by a vote of 1,990 to 673 for W. J. Roberts.
DWIGHT S. MORRISON,
Representative from Clinton county, was born in Orleans county, New York, December 4, 1856. He acquired his education in the common schools. He came to Michigan with his parents when he was nine years old, and settled in Gratiot county. In 1882 he was married to Miss Josephine Bryant and removed to Clinton county, where he has since resided. Mr. Morrison is a farmer and has been reasonably successful. He is a Republican and has held several minor township offices, having been elected super- visor seven times and county treasurer two terms. His immediate family consists of his wife and two sons, Robert D., who is a farmer, and W. Jay, who is at present engaged in the mercantile business at Germfask, U. P. He was elected to the legislature of 1909- 10 and reelected November 8, 1910, by a vote of 2,472 to 1,795 for Dean W. Kelley.
HARRY L. MURPHY,
Representative from the first district of Berrien county, was born at St. Joseph, Michigan, May 13, 1881, of Irish parents. He attended the public schools and was graduated from the high school in 1900. In 1901 he entered the employ of the Threshermen's
787
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Review and Gas Power Publishing Company and resigned in 1905 to become city clerk which office he held for four consecutive terms. In 1909 he became city assessor and his term expired March 1, 1911. He has been unanimously elected to preside over a number of fraternal organizations, having been Exalted Ruler of the B. P.O. E., Grand Knight of the K. of C. and Worthy President of the F. O. E. Mr. Murphy is a Democrat and was elected to the legislature November 8, 1910, by a vote of 2,333 to 1,626 for Herbert W. Gowdy.
GEORGE C. MYERS,
Representative from the second district of Genesee county, was born in Otsego county, New York, July 10, 1863, of German and English descent. His parents, George L. and Nancy (Somers) Myers, were both natives of New York, the latter dying November 19, 1864. He is the youngest of a family of four sons and four daughters. He was about four years old when his father removed to Genesee county, Michigan, and settled on a farm. He received his education in the common schools and attended the Flint high school for one year. On March 14, 1884, he married Miss Carrie E. Estes, of Burton township. He has held the office of township treasurer two terms, justice of the peace one term and supervisor five terms. Mr. Myers is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 8, 1910, by a vote of 2,318 to 1,402 for Walter Barkey, 145 for Warren Rogers and 457 for George P. Wiltse.
ARTHUR U. ODELL,
Representative from the first district of Allegan county, was born in Trowbridge town- ship, Allegan county, June 9, 1868, of American parentage. He was educated in the district schools, Allegan high school and Hope College. He was united in marriage in 1892 to Ethel O'Brien and they have two children. At the age of eighteen he began teaching school and taught six years, after which he engaged in farming and stock- raising. For several years he has been a director of the Allegan and Ottawa Insurance Company; was school officer ten years and supervisor three years. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 8, 1910, by a vote of 1,785 to 891 for Alvah H. Tracy and 61 for John F. Eesley.
ยท SAMUEL ODELL,
Representative from Oceana county, was born at Shelby, Michigan, August 30, 1881, of English descent. He acquired his education in the schools of Detroit, and the Univer- sity of Michigan. His father died in 1883. He has always been a resident of Michigan. and has been engaged in farming and the real estate business at Shelby since 1902, Mr Odell is unmarried. He is a Republican, was supervisor of Shelby township two terms. and was elected to the legislature of 1909-10 and reelected November 8, 1910, by a vote of 1,587 to 669 for Archie D. Himebaugh.
ROBERT Y. OGG,
Representative from the first district of Wayne county, was born in the town of Dundas, Ontario, July 22, 1860, of Scotch parentage. He received a common school education and began life as a newsboy. He learned the printer's trade and was subsequently newspaper writer, public official and business man. He is now engaged as manu facturers' representative for paving materials. He is married and has lived in Detmit the best part of his life. Mr. Ogg was a member of the house of representatives in 1887-8. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature of 1909-10 and melertal November 8, 1910, by a plurality of 8,467.
CHRISTIAN A. OPPENBORN,
Representative from Alpena county, was born in Alpena county, Michigan, January 31. 1873, of German parentage. He was educated in the public schools, supplemented by
788
MICHIGAN MANUAL.
courses at the Alpena Business College, and Ohio Northern University. He is a grad- uate of the Detroit College of Law and was admitted to the bar June 17, 1907. He was treasurer of Alpena county four years and also served as circuit court commissioner. Mr. Oppenborn is married and has always resided in Michigan. He served in the Spanish-American war as a member of the thirty-third Michigan volunteer infantry. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 8, 1910, by a vote of 1,203 to 759 for James L. Sanborn.
JOHN HUNTER PARKS,
Representative from the Iron district, comprising the counties of Baraga, Iron, Keweenaw and Ontonagon, was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, June 4, 1844, of Scotch parentage. He was educated in the public schools. In April, 1876, he was married to Eva A. Jewett and two years later removed from Wisconsin to Michigan. He enlisted in September, 1862, and served in the civil war, being a member of company A, fifth Wisconsin infantry. Mr. Parks was the first president of Crystal Falls and also was its first mayor. Mr. Parks has followed the occupation of farming, lumbering and merchant. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 8, 1910, by a vote of 3,770 to 2 for James Fyfe and 1 for Martin Fooslind.
WILLIAM J. PEARSON,
Representative from Charlevoix county, was born at London, Ontario, May 10, 1860, of American and English parentage. His education was acquired in the public schools of Oakland county. He has lived in Charlevoix county twenty-five years, and has been chairman of the Republican county committee for ten years. He has lumbered quite extensively for the past twelve years and still has some lumbering interests. Mr. Pearson has held several offices, having served two terms as sheriff, two terms as register of deeds, supervisor of Chandler township a number of years, having been chairman of the board in 1898. He is at present president of the Boyne Falls board of trade. He was elected to the legislature of 1909-10 and reelected November 8, 1910, by a vote of 1,321 to 183 for Zenus A. Young and 607 for William R. McCuistion.
JOHN M. PERRY,
Representative from Osceola county, was born in Orleans county, New York, May 12, 1864, of English descent. Came to Michigan with his parents in the spring of 1870, when his father located on a homestead in Burdell township, Osceola county. His education was received in the district schools and the Valparaiso Normal School, Val- paraiso, Indiana. Mr. Perry was married in 1889 to Miss Allie A. Bickhart and has two children. He has successfully been a clerk, school teacher, merchant and banker, and is now cashier of the bank at Tustin. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. O. T. M., M. W. A., I. O. F., and the Modern Brotherhood. He is a Republican, was elected to the legislatures of 1907-8 and 1909-10, and reelected November 8, 1910, by a vote of 1,053 to 730 for Harry S. Nolte.
HENRY C. RANKIN,
Representative from the second district of Washtenaw county, was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, December 1, 1843. The Rankins moved to Michigan in 1856, settling on a farm in Jackson county. During the civil war Mr. Rankin served three years in the ninth Michigan infantry and one year in the fifth U. S. veteran volunteers. During Grant's administrations he was an active figure in Jackson county politics, although he persistently declined office. In 1876 he graduated from the Ypsilanti State Normal and later took the full classical course in Olivet College, receiving his degrees from that institution. He was superintendent of schools at Cassopolis, Leslie, Buchanan and Lapeer. For more than twenty years his services as an educator were in demand. He has been successful in soliciting college endowments and in late years has taught in the
789
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Cleary Business College at Ypsilanti. He is married and has three children. One daughter is Mrs. Dr. Grawn, of Duluth, one is assistant instructor in English in the State Normal College, and his son, Paul, thirteen years old, is a junior in the Ypsilanti high school. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 8, 1910, by a vote of 1,993 to 1,885 for Frank Johnson and 116 for Albert D. Newton.
RICHARD RAUDABAUGH,
Representative from the first district of Ingham county, was born at Celina, Ohio, Febru- ary 19, 1866, of German parentage. He was educated in the public schools and at Ohio State University, Cincinnati. He was married October 15, 1891, to Sue E. Fanger. He has resided in Michigan ten years where he has been engaged in the practice of law. He has also served as alderman from the fourth ward, Lansing. Mr. Raudabaugh is a Democrat and was elected to the legislature November 8, 1910, by a vote of 2,755 to 2,441 for B. Frank Hall, Jr., 340 for Origin D. Hardy and 120 for Edward McAfee.
RUSH W. REYNOLDS,
Representative from Hillsdale county, was born August 22, 1858, on a farm near Tiffin, Seneca county, Ohio. He came to Michigan with his parents in 1867, and received his education in the village schools of Waldron, and at Hillsdale College. In 1881 he was married to Miss Florence M. Fay, of Hillsdale, and has two sons. He resides on his fine, well improved farm just south of the village of Waldron. Mr. Reynolds has always been a Republican, has held the office of deputy sheriff for twenty years and is at present a member of the council of the village of Waldron. He was elected to the legislature of 1909-10 and reelected November 8, 1910, by a vote of 2,730 to 1,659 for William W. Mercer.
ORLANDO D. RUSSELL,
Representative from St. Joseph county, was born in Nottawa township, St. Joseph county, Michigan, March 15, 1840, of English parents. He acquired his education in the Sturgis schools and at the Michigan Agricultural College. He was married in 1864 to Miss Louisa Schoch, of New Berlin, Union county, Pennsylvania, and has two children. His early life was spent in farming. About twenty-five years ago, he located at Sturgis. where he served as councilman two terms and supervisor eight terms. He is at present engaged in buying farm produce. Mr. Russell is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 8, 1910, by a vote of 2,407 to 2,299 for George W. Schaeffer.
JAMES EVERETTE SHARP,
Representative from Newaygo county, was born at Morgan, Ashtabula county, Ohio. February 17, 1849, of Holland parentagc. He was educated in the district schools, February 2, 1865, just fifteen days before he was sixteen years of age, he enlisted in the 196th regiment O. V. I. He was one of five brothers, all of whom served in the war of the rebellion and all of whom are now living, the oldest one being eighty-three years of age. Mr. Sharp has resided in Michigan thirty-nine years and nearly all of this time he has been engaged in farming. He has held the offices of township clerk, justice of the peace and was supervisor of Ashland township thirteen successive years. He also -rred as sheriff of Newaygo county for one term. The township and county in which he lives have always been strongly Republican and he is the first to be elected to the legislatum from Newaygo county on the straight Democrat ticket, having been elected November 8, 1910, by a vote of 1,166 to 1,003 for Edward L. Brooks and 63 for Daniel Truman
CHARLES WALLACE SMITH,
Representative from Lapeer county, was born in Lapeer county April 22, 1864, and was educated in the Lapeer city schools. He was a building contractor for twenty fram
790
MICHIGAN MANUAL.
and has been for four years treasurer and secretary of the Lapeer Gas-Electric Company. His official experience has been chiefly as supervisor for the first district of Lapeer city. He served one year as chairman of the board and is now president of the county association of supervisors and ex-supervisors, and a member of the executive committee of the state association of supervisors. He is a Republican and is now serving his second term as treasurer of the Chandler club and his first term as chairman of the city committee. He was elected to the legislature November 8, 1910, by a vote of 2,195 to 1,459 for Alphonso Baldwin and 3 for Wheeler Ovaitt.
JOHN STEVENSON,
Representative from the first district of Wayne county, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, April 22, 1854. He was educated in the grammar schools and business university. Mr. Stevenson is married and has resided in Michigan forty-one years. He came to Detroit, January 9, 1870, and has been in the steamboat business, at the foot of Randolph street, since that time, serving as messenger, bookkeeper, agent and owner. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature of 1909-10 and reelected November 8, 1910, by a plurality of 8,632.
EARL RUTHVEN STEWART,
Representative from the first district of Kent county, was born at Byron, Kent county, Michigan, October 5, 1872, of Scotch-German descent. He was educated in the district schools, high school, and University of Michigan, graduating in 1900 from the latter. Mr. Stewart is married and has resided in Michigan thirty-six years. He has been a member of the Michigan National Guard since 1891, missing one year from his college course on account of the service of the Michigan National Guard in the Spanish-American war. Since his graduation from the university he has practiced law at Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mr. Stewart is a Republican and was elected to the legislature of 1909-10 and reelected November 8, 1910, by a plurality of 1,849.
HENRY E. STRAIGHT,
Representative from Branch county, was born on a farm in Coldwater township, Branch county, Michigan, December 26, 1864, of American descent. His education was acquired in the district schools, the college of Valparaiso, Indiana, and Ypsilanti Normal. He followed farming and school teaching for a few years and has held several township offices. Early in life he identified himself with grange and farmers' institute work, holding the office of worthy lecturer of Branch county pomona, and has for the past four years held the office of secretary and treasurer of the Branch county farmers' institute society. He was committee clerk in the senate in 1900. He is a member of Coldwater lodges B. P. O. E. and I. O. O. F. and was for six years a member of company A, second regiment, M. N. G. In 1899 he married Sarah B. Depue, and to them have been born three boys and two girls, all of whom are living. He is now manager of a retail coal, wood and tile company in Coldwater. Mr. Straight has always been a Republican, served two terms as county clerk of Branch county and was elected to the legislature of 1909-10 and reelected November 8, 1910, by a vote of 2,682 to 1,968 for S. W. Leonard Scott.
CHARLES D. SYMONDS,
Representative from Menominee county, was born at Beloit, Wisconsin, July 30, 1873, and was educated at the Ferris institute, Big Rapids, afterwards taking a law course at the university of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He taught school for six years and since 1904 has practiced law. He was married July 3, 1900, to Roxanna Anderson, of Big Rapids, and has one daughter, Janet. Mr. Symonds is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 8, 1910, by a vote of 1,918 to 1,353 for Louis J. Leisen.
791
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
THADDEUS BLAKE TAYLOR,
Representative from the third district of Kent county, was born at Middleville, Mich- igan, July 4, 1887, of American parents. He was educated in the Middleville public school, Grand Rapids high school, Ferris institute and graduated in June, 1909, from the law department of the University of Michigan. He was married July 10, 1907, to Miss Hazel Hendrick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Hendrick, of Middleville, Michi- gan. Mr. Taylor was admitted to the bar July 9, 1909, and has been practicing law since then at Cedar Springs. He is a Democrat and was elected to the legislature November 8, 1910, by a vote of 1,327 to 1,263 for Colin P. Campbell and 125 for Fred E. Waterman.
CHARLES TUFTS,
Representative from Mason county, was born in Norfolk county, Canada, in 1856, of Scotch and English parents. He was educated in the public schools. In 1878 he entered the life-saving service and served as surfman at Ludington, Michigan. In 1884 he was appointed keeper, and in 1893 he and the crew were sent in charge of the life-saving station at the World's Fair, Chicago, to give exhibition drills. In 1895 he had charge of the life-saving exhibit at the Cotton States Fair, Atlanta, Georgia. In 1897, on account of poor health, he left the service and went on a farm. Five years later was elected sheriff, serving two terms, after which he returned to the farm where he has since remained. He is married and has two children. Mr. Tufts is a Republi- can and was elected to the legislature November 8, 1910, by a vote of 1,554 to 1,182 for Joseph Zeif.
G. JOSEPH UNSOELD,
Representative from the first district of Wayne county, was born at Ulm, Germany. April 20, 1845, of German parentage. He received his education in the public schools of Germany and night schools of Detroit. He is married and has resided in Michigan fifty years. Mr. Unsoeld is a molder by trade. Was apprenticed to J. B. Wilson of Detroit and traveled three and one-half years as journeyman. He has been connected with the Detroit Stove Works thirty-eight years, beginning as a journeyman molder. then foundry foreman, and since 1892 superintendent, retiring in 1904. He has always been an active Republican and was elected to the legislature of 1909-10 and reelected November 8, 1910, by a plurality of 8,239.
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.