USA > Michigan > Michigan official directory and legislative manual for the years 1915-1916 > Part 80
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SIGURD G. NELSON,
Of- Ironwood, representative from Gogebic county, was born in Ironwood, in 1890. After attending the public schools, he entered the U. of M. and graduated from the law department in 1912, since which time he has followed the practice of his profession in his home city. He is a Republican, and was elected to the legislature November 3, 1914, by a vote of 1,237 to 1,196 for John Holland, and 488 for James Trudgeon ..
MARSHALL A. OAKLEY,
Of Bay City, representative from the first district of Bay county, was born in Ulster county, New York, July 10, 1878. He was married in 1901 to Miss Anna Mae MacNeil, of Bay City, and they have three children,-M. Donald, Hughferd T. and Merle Margaret. Mr. Oakley has been engaged in newspaper work for a number of years, and during this time he was actively identified with the labor movement in Michigan, having held the highest offices in Bay City central labor organizations. During the Spanish-American war he enlisted in Co. E, 35th Michigan volunteer infantry, and is a member of the Spanish-War Veterans and the National League of Veterans and Sons. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Loyal Home Fraternity, Loyal Americans and other fraternal societies and labor organizations. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature of 1913-14 and reelected November 3, 1914, by a vote of 2,455 to 1,305 for Nathaniel Todd, 2,306 for Louis P. Coumans, Jr., and 192 for Daniel Rowley.
PATRICK O'BRIEN,
Of Iron River, representative from the Iron district, comprising the counties of Baraga, Iron, Keweenaw and Ontonagon, was born in western Pennsylvania, March 9, 1858. In 1871 he came with his parents to Michigan, locating at Brighton, Livingston county, where he attended high school and worked on a farm during the summer. In the fall of 1876 he entered the office of the Brighton Citizen to learn the printing trade and has continued in that business ever since, working on different papers in Michigan, and Wisconsin. In 1885 he was married to Georgia Elliott, of Black River Falls, Wis., from which union five children were born, two of whom are living, Stella and Dorothy. In 1887 he purchased the Iron County Reporter at Iron River, now known as the Iron River-Stambaugh Reporter and is still editor and publisher of the same. He was postmaster for four years under Harrison; is director of the Iron County Agricultural Society, secretary of the Republican county committee, and a member of the board of directors of the U. P. Development Bureau. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 3, 1914, by a vote of 4,281 to 615 for Fred Schwalm and 992 for Walfred A. von Zellen.
CLIFFORD GEORGE OLMSTED,
Of Midland, representative from Midland county, was born in Midland, May 20, 1879, in the same house in which he now lives. He attended the Midland high school and graduated at the age of 17 years. He attended Alma College one year and the M. A. C. one year, leaving the latter to engage in the general mercantile business, in which he is at present interested. Mr. Olmsted was alderman of his city for eight years, super- intendent of the poor four years and under sheriff for two years. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 3, 1914, by a vote of 1,041 to 938 for Henry Hetsman and 597 for Ewart L. Gardiner.
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WILLIAM B. ORMSBEE,
Of Flint, representative from the second district of Genesee county, was born in Maple Grove, Saginaw county, in 1875. His education was obtained in the Flint high school and normal He was employed for ten years in the factory of W. A. Paterson Co., and for the past eight years was department foreman in the Durant-Dort Carriage Co. plant. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 3, 1914, by a vote of 2,714 to 888 for John A. Partridge, 2,082 for Austin D. Alvord and 203 for John A. C. Menton.
GEORGE PERRY PALMER,
Of Detroit, representative from the first district of Wayne county, was born at Detroit, Michigan, July 13, 1868, of American and English parents. He was educated in the Detroit high school, the Cass public school and the University of Minnesota. He was assistant city attorney of Detroit during the incumbency of Frank A. Rasch, assistant corporation counsel under Hon. John J. Speed, a former member of the Michigan legis- lature and later judge of Wayne circuit court and corporation counsel. He was also assistant corporation counsel under Hon. Charles Flowers, a member of the 1913 and 1915 legislatures. Mr. Palmer is married. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature of 1913-14 and reelected November 3, 1914, by a plurality of 12,668.
HARVEY A. PENNEY,
Of Saginaw, representative from the first district of Saginaw county, was born April 26, 1866, in the city of Saginaw in the house adjoining his present residence. He at- tended the public schools of Saginaw, and the University of Michigan, receiving his L. L. B. degree in 1889. Il1 1890 he took a post graduate course at the U. of M., and received the first diploma given to the first class in that course conferring the L. L. M. degree. On October 7, 1907, he was married to Sarah E. Procunier. He held the office of alderman for over six years, was a member of the board of assessment and review, and in 1912 was appointed local white slave officer for the city of Saginaw, which position he resigned in 1914. He is a member of the F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., K. of P., B. P. O. E. and other fraternal societies and social clubs. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 3, 1914, by a plurality of 37 votes.
SEYMOUR H. PERSON,
Of Lansing, representative from the first district of Ingham county, was born in Howell township, Livingston county. Michigan, February 2, 1879, of American parents. He was educated in the Howell high school and the University of Michigan, graduating from the law department of the latter institution in 1901. He lived on a farm until nine years of age when his father removed to the village of Howell. He was employed for four years in the postoffice after which he went to Ann Arbor and entered the uni- versity. After graduating in 1901 he removed to Lansing where he spent one year in the office of his uncle, Judge Person. He then formed a partnership with Patrick H. Kelley, under the firm name of Kelley & Person. Later he became a member of the present firm of Warner, Raudabaugh & Person. Mr. Person is married. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 3, 1914, by a vote of 3,062 to 2,281 for Sherwood S. Bennett, 697 for Leo J. Myers, 397 for Hope Black and 1 for Fred W. Corbett.
ALBERT EDWARD PETERMANN,
Of Calumet, representative from the first district of Houghton county, was born at Calumet, Michigan, March 3, 1877, of German parentage. He was educated in the Buffalo, New York, high school and Cornell university, graduating from the literary course of the latter in 1900. He was admitted to the bar in 1901. He is a member of the law firm of Rees, Robinson and Petermann. Mr. Petermann is married. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature of 1913-14 and reelected November 3, 1914, by a vote of 2,192 to 1,229 for Frank A. Schulte and 68 for Pat 1 Fromholz.
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LESTER B. PLACE,
Of Three Rivers, representative from St. Joseph county, was born in Delaware county, Ohio, February 14, 1842. Mr. Place is an iron moulder, having worked at that trade for the past forty years; the last twenty years being superintendent of the Sheffield Car Co. of Three Rivers. He is a veteran of the Civil war, having served in the 136th Ohio infantry. For eight years he was postmaster of Three Rivers. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 3, 1914, by a vote of 2,295 to 329 for Frank H. Camburn, 2,053 for Geo. W. Schaeffer and 208 for Geo. E. Jackson.
ERNEST GEORGE PRAY,
Of Dimondale, representative from Eaton county, was born in Windsor township, Eaton county, Michigan, October 4, 1874, on the farm where, thirty-six years before, his father, Esek Pray, was born, the latter being the first white child born in that town- ship and the third in Eaton county. He acquired his education in the country schools and at Olivet College. With the exception of four years at Charlotte he has always resided upon the same farm. He was married October 4, 1893, to Ernestine Gowdy and has one son, Myron Esek. Mr. Pray has always been a Republican, but has never held office except that of county clerk two terms, he having resigned November 2, 1912, to become a candidate for representative. He was elected to the legislature of 1913-14 and reelected November 3, 1914, by a vote of 3,419 to 2,136 for Frank H. Foster and 41 for Garrison Moore.
AUGUST QUINTEL,
Of Auburn, representative from the second district of Bay county, was born in Germany in 1858, and came to this country when nineteen years of age. In 1878 he located in Williams township, Bay county, where he purchased a farm, working four seasons in a saw mill to help pay for the farm. He attended school at night in order to obtain the needed rudiments of an English education. He has successfully served his township as justice of the peace, treasurer, school director and supervisor. Mr. Quintel is married. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 3, 1914, by a vote of 1,445 to 901 for John J. Jackett.
THOMAS READ,
Of Shelby, representative from Oceana county, was born at Rochester, New York, May 28, 1881. He was educated in the public schools, Ferris Institute and the Uni- versity of Michigan, graduating from the law department of the latter in 1913. He opened a law office in Shelby, in which place he is now practicing. In April, 1913, he was elected township clerk. Mr. Read is married. Mr. Read is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 3, 1914, by a vote of 1,671 to 610 for Archie D. Himebaugh, 414 for George W. Sowles and 1 for A. R. Goerbig.
CLARENCE J. REED,
Of Spring Arbor, representative from the second district of Jackson county, was born in Fairfield, Lenawee county, Michigan, May 8, 1867, of Scotch and Dutch parentage. He was educated in the Spring Arbor Seminary, from which he graduated in 1884. He has always resided in Michigan where he has been engaged in general farming and stock raising. He has also served five years as supervisor of Spring Arbor township and in 1913 was elected chairman of the board. In December, 1914, he was elected first vice-president of the Michigan State Association of Farmers' Clubs and he is at present president of the Jackson County Farmers' Club. Mr. Reed was married in 1885 to Miss Frankie M. Crouch. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 3, 1914, by a vote of 1,891 to 1,703 for Chauncey C. Worth, 15 for S. A. Manwell and 1 for James W. Dey.
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WAYNE REMINGTON RICE,
Of White Cloud, representative from Newaygo county, was born on a farm in Plainfield township, Kent county, Michigan, July 26, 1885, of Irish and American parentage. He was educated in the Grand Rapids high school and graduated from the law depart- ment of the University of Michigan in 1908. He then located at White Cloud, Newaygo county, where he has since been engaged in the practice of law and in the real estate business. During the year 1910 he served as circuit court commissioner. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature of 1913, and reelected November 3, 1914, by a vote of 1,500 to 828 for James E. Sharp, 146 for Loren O'Brien and one for George Soles. At the opening of the 1915 session he was elected speaker pro tem. of the house.
ARCHIBALD ROBERTSON,
Of Saginaw, representative from the first district of Saginaw county, was born in New York City, April 7, 1850, of American-Scotch descent. He established the Robertson Valley Laundry in Saginaw 36 years ago, and has continued in the business ever since; the last ten years he has also been engaged in the life insurance business. Mr. Robertson has held the office of supervisor for 17 years. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 3, 1914, by a plurality of 15 votes.
TOM F. ROGERS,
Of Ravenna, representative from Muskegon county, was born at Ravenna, Michigan, October 29, 1852, of Irish and Scotch parents. He was educated in the public schools and the Michigan Agricultural College. After leaving college he taught school for four years and read law one year in the law firm of Smith, Nims, Hoyt & Erwin in Muskegon. He later engaged in the drug business at Ravenna. In the spring of 1878 he removed to Lakeview and established the Lakeview Enterprise which he conducted for ten years. He returned to Ravenna in 1888. and established the Ravenna Times which is now owned and published by him. Mr. Rogers is married and has two children. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 3, 1914, by a vote of 2,482 to 2,012 for Gaylor M. Brown, 1,336 for Edward Campbell Farmer and 335 for Walter Johnson.
LYMAN C. ROOT,
Of Allegan, representative from the first district of Allegan county, was born in Lorain county, Ohio, September 29, 1852, of Yankee parentage. He was educated in the district schools of Allegan county. He has resided in Michigan thirty-two years where he has been engaged in farming. Mr. Root is married and has one son. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 3, 1914, by a vote of 1,837 to 1,127 for George W. Taylor and 296 for Alden Barron.
HENRY T. ROSS,
Of Milford, representative from Livingston county, was born November 5, 1883 and has always lived in Brighton township, of that county. He was educated in the district schools of that township, and is a graduate of the M. A. C. After graduation he re- turned to the farm, which he has since operated. He has been supervisor of his township for four years, and was chairman of the board when elected to the legislature. He has always been a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 3, 1914, by a vote of 2,183 to 1,975 for Edwin Farmer and 226 for William D. Richards.
JOHN SCHMIDT,
Of Reed City, representative from Osceola county, was born in Richmond township, Osceola county, Michigan, March 11, 1865, and is of German descent. He was educated in the district schools and the Reed City high school. At the age of twenty-seven he was married to Miss Mathilde C. Blank and they have two sons and two daughters, one son having died. In 1902 he was elected supervisor and held this office for six
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consecutive years, being chairman of the board in 1906. He was also treasurer of the school board for nineteen years and secretary of Richmond Grange for a number of years. Mr. Schmidt has always lived on the farm and besides being interested in real estate makes a specialty of shorthorn cattle. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature of 1913-14 and reelected November 3, 1914, by a vote of 1,444 to 550 for Emil F. Brehm and 176 for Walter L. Kinney. .
ALONZO J. SHERMAN,
Of Fostoria, representative from Tuscola county, was born in Canada on May 8, 1857. His education was acquired in the district schools. In 1859 the family removed to Michigan and located on a farm in Watertown township, Tuscola county, where his father, age eighty-one, still resides, his mother having died a few years ago. Mr. Sherman was married December 25, 1880, to Hannah L. Summers and they have two boys and two girls. He resides on and owns one of the best 140-acre farms in Tuscola county. He has served as township highway commissioner three years, supervisor for ten years, and member of the school board twenty-four years. For sixteen years he was a director of the Tuscola county mutual fire insurance company. He is a Repub- lican and was elected to the legislature of 1913-14 and reelected November 3, 1914, by a vote of 2,681 to 1,217 for Clare T. Purdy and 445 for John W. Lamon.
JOSEPH A. SHIELDS,
Of Lake Linden, representative from the second district of Houghton county, was born in Woodstock, Canada, November 28, 1859, of Scotch and English parentage, and has resided in Michigan for fifty-three years. Most of his years were spent in railroad work, and for the last twenty-two years he has been a locomotive engineer. Mr. Shields was married in 1891 to Miss Avrina Davey, and one daughter was born to them, but died in infancy. Fraternally he belongs to the F. & A. M., the Chapter and Knights Templar. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 3, 1914, by a vote of 1,066 to 991 for Frederick Kappler and 51 for William J. Faull.
ALEXANDER SLY,
Of Gould City, representative from the Schoolcraft district, comprising the counties of Alger, Luce, Mackinac and Schoolcraft, was born in Worth township, Sanilac county, Michigan, in 1863, of German and English parents. He was educated in the district schools. He removed to Mackinac county in 1884, being one of the first settlers of Newton township. He has served Newton township nine years as supervisor and was chairman of the board two years. Mr. Sly is married and has five children,-one boy and four girls. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 3, 1914, by a vote of 2,355 to 630 for William F. Cox and 84 for Ernest Hunter Scott.
CHARLES WALLACE SMITH,
Of Lapeer, 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 years and has been for eight 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. He has served as president of the water board and is now serving his sixth term as secretary-treasurer of the park board of Lapeer. Mr. Smith is a Republican and was elected to the legis- latures of 1911-12 and 1913-14 and reelected November 3, 1914, by a vote of 2,439 to 1,433 for Oliver C. Youngs and one for A. Baldwin. Mr. Smith was unanimously elected speaker of the house of 1915-16.
FRANK A. SMITH,
Of Luther, representative from the Wexford district, was born in Lynchburg, Ohio, January 8, 1874. In 1884 he removed with his parents to Blackford county, Ind., and attended the public schools at Hartford City. On April 14, 1894, he was married to
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Miss Martha A. Younce, and has two children, Gladys and Marion. He removed to Michigan in 1902, and has been engaged in farming and shipping of farm produce. He is a member of the Grange, I. O. O. F. and F. A. & M. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 3, 1914, by a vote of 2,425 to 994 for George C. Hargrave, 133 for George W. Eldridge and 85 for John A. Seegmiller.
NEWEL SMITH,
Of St. Louis, representative from Gratiot county, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, May 1, 1852, of German parentage and acquired his education in the district schools. At the age of ten years he removed to Gratiot county, Michigan, where he now resides. He studied law at home and in 1889 was admitted to the bar and in 1897 and 1898 held the office of prosecuting attorney. He held the office of supervisor for eleven years and was justice of the peace twenty-two years. He was also city attorney of St. Louis two years and alderman for several terms. Mr. Smith is married. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature of 1913-14 and reelected November 3, 1914, by a vote of 2,550 to 2,010 for Willard D. Tucker, 263 for Charles Kerr and 44 for V. K. Beshgetoor.
SAMUEL J. SMITH,
Of Mackinaw City, representative from Cheboygan county, was born in County Grey, Ontario, January 16, 1859. . He was educated in the Bruce county, Ontario, and Newaygo county, Michigan, schools. In 1871 he removed from Ontario to Newaygo county, Michigan, where he attended school and lumbered with his father until 1881. He then removed to Antrim county where he secured a position as stationary engineer with the Elk Rapids Iron Company. In 1886 he received marine papers to run an engine on the Great Lakes which occupation he continued until 1893, when he removed to Mackinaw City and embarked in the hotel business. He was married in 1892 and has two daughters. He has served one term as county treasurer, twenty-one years as supervisor of Mackinaw township, seven years as president of Mackinaw City and fourteen years as school director. Mr. Smith is a Republican and was elected to the legislature by a vote of 1,518 to 835 for Charles L. Smyth and 339 for Eugene F. Smith.
MILO A. SNOW,
Of Richland, representative from the second district of Kalamazoo county, was born in Oshtemo township, in the same county, January 12, 1858. After leaving the district school he attended the Plainwell high school three years, the Kalamazoo Business College two years, and one year at Parsons' Business College in Kalamazoo. He was married May 23, 1888, to Kate Boyles of Richland. They have three children, two sons and a daughter. He has always lived on a farm, at present owning five hundred acres on Gull Prairie, adjoining the village of Richland, and is also president of the Farmers' State Savings Bank in Richland. He has served four years as supervisor, and one year as chairman of the board. He has always been a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 3, 1914, by a vote of 1,642 to 1,535 for R. Henry Hopkins, 168 for Lewis P. Thurston and 63 for A. J. Armstrong.
LOWELL SOURS,
Of Elk Rapids, representative from Grand Traverse county, was born at Battle Creek, Michigan, May 11, 1852, of German-American parentage. His education was acquired in the Elk Lake district school. He removed from Battle Creek to Grand Traverse county in August, 1855, where he has since resided. He was married in 1880 to Emma J. Sherman of Whitewater township. He is a member of the Grange and has held most of the offices in the local and county granges. Mr. Sours is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 3, 1914, by a vote of 1,252 to 956 for John R. Santo, 430 for Frank W. Carver and 150 for William H. Henderson.
J. FRANK STEVENS,
Of Star City, representative from the Missaukee district, comprising the counties of Kalkaska and Missaukee, was born at Ames, Story county, Iowa, September 24, 1872,
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of English parentage. He was educated in the Ames schools and the Capital City Commercial College. In 1881 he removed from Iowa to Parma, Michigan, and attended school there at the time Senator Townsend was principal. In 1883 he returned to Iowa and resided on a farm continuously with the exception of the time spent at school. In 1903 he removed to Missaukee county, Michigan, and has since resided on his ranch at Star City. He was principal of the Star City school in 1908-1910. He also was postmaster at that place during the years 1910 and 1911. At the present time he is secretary of the Missaukee county farmers' institute association. Mr. Stevens is married. He is a Republican and was elected to the legislature November 5, 1912, and reelected November 3, 1914, by a vote of 1,521 to 392 for Charles R. Burleson.
JOHN STEVENSON,
Of Detroit, 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 uni- versity. Mr. Stevenson is married and has resided in Michigan forty-five 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 elected November 3, 1914, to the 1915-16 legislature by a plurality of 12,765.
DANIEL B. SUTTON,
Of Ann Arbor, representative from the first district of Washtenaw county, was born in Northfield township, Washtenaw county, June 12, 1872, of American parents, receiving his education in the district schools and the Ann Arbor high school. He was married April 25, 1906, to Miss Bessie Meade and they have a daughter and a son,-Thorna, age seven years, and D. B., Jr., age five years. Mr. Sutton resides on a farm and deals extensively in live stock. He was for four years sheriff of Washtenaw county. His grandfather and father both served in the legislature,-the former in 1875 and the latter in 1885. He is a Democrat and was elected to the 1913 legislature, and reelected November 3, 1914, by a vote of 2,568 to 544 for Herbert A. Hodge, 1,966 for James E. Harkins and 90 for Arthur L. Wilkinson.
CHARLES D. SYMONDS,
Of Powers, 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 a member of the 1911 legislature, and again elected November 3, 1914, by a vote of 2,499 to 1,416 for Paul Perrizo ..
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