USA > Michigan > Official directory and legislative manual of the State of Michigan for the years 1893-4 > Part 53
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WILLIS F. SAWYER,
Of Ontonagon, Senator from the thirty-second district, composed of the counties of Houghton, Baraga, Keweenaw, Gogebic, Ontonagon and Isle Royale, was born in Kent, Ohio, September 21, 1858. He graduated from the Kent high school in 1874; worked at the cabinet maker's trade four years and engaged in the mercantile business. In 1886 he came to Michigan, locating at Ontonagon, where he has since continued in the mercantile business. In politics he is a Republican, and has held the office of supervisor and village president. He was elected to the Senate of 1893-4 by a vote of 7,326 to 5,877 for L. M. Grismar, Democrat.
575
MEMBERS OF THE SENATE.
GEORGE A. STEEL,
Senator from the nineteenth district, was born in St. Johns, Mich., June 19, 1862. He acquired his early education in the public schools at that place. In July, 1878, he went to Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, to take a position as bookkeeper and pay- master for James McIntyre & Co, bridge constructors. Later he entered the employ of the Oregon construction company (of which his father was president) and served as paymaster, agent and secretary in the construction of about 400 miles of railroad in Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Idaho. In 1895 he returned to Michigan and became largely interested in banks, real estate, and manufacturing institutions, in the counties of Clinton, Gratiot and Isabella. He is president of the Ithaca Savings Bank, Ithaca, Mich., vice president of the St. Johns National Bank, and second vice president of the St. Johns manufacturing company, the largest table manufacturing company in the United States. He is also a director and large stockholder in the St. Johns electric light, heat and power company. January 28, 1885, he was married to Miss Cora Stout of St. Johns, and has two sons aged four and six. He was a member of the Republican State central com- mittee for 1892-3 and was elected to the Senate for the term of 1893-4 by a vote of 6,223 to 5,994 for John T. Swigart, Democrat and Populist, and 256 for Martin V. Brown, Prohibitionist.
JAMES D. TURNBULL,
Of Alpena, Senator from the twenty-ninth district, was born in Harvey, New Brunswick, February 5, 1813. He came to Michigan in 1858, locating at Chelsea. In 1862 he enlisted in the 20th Mich. Inf. and remained through the war, being promoted to lieutenant. After the war he attended the State Normal School, and at the close of his course, he engaged in teaching at Memphis, which he con- tinued three years, and after a private study of law was admitted to the bar in 1871. The next year he located at Alpena and began the practice of his profession, where he still continues in the same. He is a Democrat in politics, was defeated for circuit judge of the twenty-sixth circuit, and for the Legislature of 1888. He has held the office of comptroller of the city of Alpena; was a member of the House of 1879-80, and 1881-2, and elected to the Senate of 1893-4 by a vote of 5,247 to 4,966 for W. A. French, Republican.
JOSEPH M. WEISS,
Senator from the second district, comprising the 1st, 2d, 3d, 5th and 7th wards of Detroit city, was born in Detroit, May 25, 1856. He acquired his education at the Detroit high school, graduating in 1873 and the next year began the study of law. In 1877 he was admitted to the bar of the supreme court, and in November of that year was appointed prosecuting attorney for Chippewa county. In politics he is a Republican, was circuit court commissioner for Wayne county for the terms of 1885-6, 1887-8. Was a member of the Senate of 1891-2 and re-elected to that of 1893-4 by a vote of 8,146 to 6,884 for James A. Randall, Democrat, 123 for Edward J. Warren, Populist, and 98 for P. C. Bassett, Prohibitionist.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
SAMUEL L. WILKINS,
Senator from fifteenth district, comprising the counties of Barry and Eaton, was born in Baughman, Wayne county, Ohio, August 16, 1836. When thirteen years of age his parents died and he was taken in charge by his relatives. He attended district school winters and worked on the farm summers. At the age of seventeen he attended the union schools at Canal Fulton, Ohio. He taught school the following winter and then took a two years' course at Vermillion Institute, Hayesville, Ohio. He then went to an uncle's in Illinois, where he taught school eighteen months. In 1859 he, with his brother, took a trip with an ox-team to California, where until November, 1861, he was engaged in gold mining. He returned to Ohio and con- tinued his medical studies which he had begun before leaving. August 8, 1862, he enlisted in the 102d Regiment Ohio Infantry; at Stone River he was assigned to hospital duty as assistant surgeon, which position he occupied until mustered out June 6, 1865. After the war he attended medical colleges; removed to Eaton Rapids, Mich., in 1866, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. He is president of the Eaton and Barry county medical society; member of the State medical society and of the American medical association. In politics he is a Republican ; has held the office of president of the village and mayor of the city of Eaton Rapids. He was a member of the State Legislature for the term of 1879-80 and '81-2. He was awarded his seat in the Senate of 1893-4 by that body in the con- test with Milton F. Jordan, the Democrat, Peoples' party and Prohibition candidate.
MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE.
JEREMIAH H. ANDERSON,
Representative from the first district of Kent county, was born in Walker, Kent county, Mich., May 22. 1843. He acquired his early education at the district schools. In 1865 he moved to Grand Rapids and began the manufacture of sash, door and blinds, and is yet located there engaged in the manufacture of general furniture. In the spring of 1892 he became a member of the Order Work furniture company. In politics he is a Republican; has held the office of alderman of the sixth ward, Grand Rapids, two terms, and was elected to the House of 1893-4 by a vote of 8,400 on the general legislative ticket of the city of Grand Rapids.
RICHARD W. BAGOT,
Representative from the district composed of the counties of Antrim, Charlevoix and Kalkaska, was born in England in 1832. He came to America in 1854, landing in New York. Three years later he came to Michigan and located at Elk Rapids, where he has since made his home. Shortly after locating he was married to Miss Mary E. Radley, of New York, and engaged in business as manager for a mercantile firm. He followed this occupation for twenty-two years, the last ten years being engaged for himself. He has since been engaged in banking. In politics he is a Republican and has held the office of county treasurer, clerk and register of deeds. He was elected to the House of 1893-4, by a vote of 2,920 to 2,185 for F. E. Bosinger. the Democrat and Populist candidate.
CHAS. A. BAILEY,
Representative from the second district of St. Clair county, was born in Port Huron, July 21, 1850. He acquired his early education in the public schools of Port Huron. His life has been spent thus far on the farm bordering the city limits. He is at present manager of the Port Huron gas company. In politics he is a Dem- ocrat; has held the office of supervisor and township clerk, and was elected to the House of 1893-4 by a vote of 1,826 to 1,623 for John Schimer, Republican.
THOMAS E. BARKWORTH,
Representative from the first district of Jackson county, was born in Lincoln- shire, England, July 21, 1851. He acquired a common school education. At the age
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
of twenty he came to Michigan, locating in a rural district in Liberty township, Jackson county. He worked on a farm during the summer months and taught school winters, at the same time being privately engaged in the study of law. In 1878 he moved to Jackson city, was admitted to the bar and began the practice of the law ; he still resides at Jackson and is engaged in the practice of his profession. In politics he is a Democrat; was a member of the House of 1891-2 and elected to to that of 1893-4 by a vote of 2,812 to 2,581 for Robert Tawse, Republican; Charles A. Littler, Populist, received 199 votes, and Dallas M. Cookingham, Prohibition ist, received 170 votes.
FRED H. BATHEY,
Representative from the third district of St. Clair county, was born August 21, 1865, on the farm which he now owns and occupies. He acquired his early education at the common schools and for a time attended the Parson business college at Sag- inaw. His life's occupation has been that of a farmer, and that on the farm where he was born in Columbus township. In politics he is a Democrat; has held the office of township clerk four terms, was a member of the House of 1891-2 and re- elected to that of 1893-4 by a vote of 1,873 to 1,793 for Albert Tosch, Republican.
WM. B. BAUM,
Representative from the first district of Saginaw, was born in East Saginaw, Jan- uary 23, 1856, where he has resided all his life. He attended public schools until the age of seventeen years, when he entered his father's employ in the Sherman House. At the age of twenty-one he was admitted as a partner and still retains one-fourth interest in the business. He is principally engaged in dealing in real estate. In politics he is a Democrat ; has held the office of alderman four years and of mayor of East Saginaw two years, being the first native born mayor of East Saginaw and the last one before the consolidation. He was elected a member of. the House of 1893-4 by a vote of 4,521 to 3,765 for Herbert A. Forrest, Republican.
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ADAM BENNETT,
Representative from the first district of Macomb county, was born in Chateaugay, Franklin county, N. Y., March 18, 1832. He received no college education and his district school days were also very limited. He was early engaged as foreman on the Great Western & Canada R. R. and the Grand Trunk R. R. In 1859 he came to Michigan and located at New Haven, Macomb county, and engaged in the mercan- tile business, which occupation he followed until 1870, when he engaged in real estate and insurance business, in which he has continued to the present, being yet located at New Haven. In politics he is a Democrat; has held most of the sev- eral township offices, president of the village of New Haven, and elected to the House of 1893-1 by a vote of 1,780 to 1,348 for Manly C. Perry, Republican, and 125 for N. Miller, Prohibitionist.
579
MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE.
CHARLES P. BENOIT, JR.,
Representative from the first district of Wayne county, was born in Detroit, Mich., March 27, 1870. So far as is known he is the youngest member ever elected to the Legislature, being but twenty-two years of age. He was educated at the German American seminary and the Detroit business university. For five years he has been engaged in the insurance and real estate business, and for the past two years has been book-keeper for the Detroit sheet metal and brass works. In politics he is a Republican, and was elected to the House of 1893-4 by a vote of 22,248 on the general legislative ticket of Detroit.
ROSWELL P. BISHOP,
Representative from the county of Mason, was born in Delaware county, New York, January 7, 1843. At the age of eighteen, or at the outbreak of the war, he enlisted in Company C, 43d New York Infantry Volunteers. May 1, 1862, he lost his right arm but remained with his regiment until December. He subsequently attended school at Unadilly, Y. N., Cooperstown seminary and Walton academy, and later came to Michigan and September, 1868, entered the University. January 2, 1872, he was appointed to a position under the sergeant-at-arms of the National Senate and House of Representatives. He was elected alderman of the fifth ward of the city of Ann Arbor, April, 1875, admitted to the bar in May and began the practice of law at Ludington the following year. In politics he is a Republican ; has held the office of prosecuting attorney of Mason county three terms, was a mem- ber of the House of Representatives of 1883 and elected to that of 1893-4 by a vote of 1,444 to 1,344 for William Neilan, Democrat, and 278 for David E. Reed, Prohibitionist.
ABRAM R. BLAKLEY,
Representative from the district comprising the counties of Alpena, Montmorency, Otsego, Oscoda and Crawford, was born in Delaware county, N. Y., October 19, 1841. He came with his parents to Michigan in 1853, locating 'in Meridian township, Ingham county, where he supplemented his common school education with a short course at the Agricultural College. He was the first railroad agent and grain buyer- at the village of Okemos, and was supervisor of his township for several terms. In 1865 he moved to Alpena and engaged in the mercantile business and later in farming and real estate dealing. In politics he is a Republican ;"has held the office of supervisor, comptroller and alderman, and was elected to the House of 1893-4 by a vote of 2,900 to 2,807 for Casper Alpene, Democrat, and 61 for the Prohibition candidate.
CHARLES E. BRENNER,
Representative from the first district of Saginaw, was born jin Overath, Prussia, January 1, 1838. At the age of eleven years he came to America, landing at New York, where he remained one year and came to Saginaw with his parents in 1850.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
He acquired his early education at the public schools in Germany and New York, and attended school two years after coming to Saginaw. From 1857-65 he was in the mines of Colorado, Montana, British Columbia, Idaho and Washington. He returned to Saginaw for a short visit but was detained in an official capacity, and has since lived in Saginaw. He was appointed city marshal in 1866, and in 1868 was made deputy sheriff. In 1880 he was elected recorder of the city. From 1868 to 1875 he served as constable and from 1875-85 as justice of the peace. In the fall of 1885 he was admitted to the bar and has since been engaged as practicing attorney and real estate dealer. In 1890 he was elected the first recorder of the consolidated city of Saginaw, which position he now holds. In politics he is a Democrat and was elected to the House of 1893-4 by a vote of 4,350 to 3,989 for Eli S. Bliss, Republican; Wm. L. Blanchard, Populist, received 93 votes.
DARIUS D. BUELL,
Representative from Branch county, was born Dec., 13, 1853, on the farm he now owns and occupies, near Union City. He acquired his early education at Olivet College, graduating in 1877. His life occupation has been that of a farmer, with some special attention to stock raising. He was a delegate to the Farmers' national congress at Montgomery, Ala., also to Council Bluffs, Iowa; at which last named place he was elected vice president of said congress. He is also vice president of the Farmers' National Bank of his native village. In politics he is a Republican; has held the offices of school inspector and justice of peace of his township; he was a member of the House of 1891-2 and re-elected to that of 1893-4 over M. E. Wattles, Democrat and Populist, by a vote of 3,325 to 2,844; Willard T. Ellis, the Prohibition candidate, received 418 votes.
ABRAM G. BUTLER,
Representative from the second district of Eaton county, was born in Marshall, Calhoun county, August 15, 1841. He attended common school, also private semi- nary, and at the age of seventeen entered Albion College. December 6, 1865, he was married to Lovinia M. Balch, of Marshall, who died July 12, 1887, leaving him eight children. While in Marshall, he was engaged in handling wool; he went to Detroit and later to New York City, where he more extensively continued in the wool busi- ness. After the great fire of Chicago he went to that city and was for ten years an . active and successful member of the board of trade, exporting largely American breadstuffs and provisions. In the meantime, he made several trips to the British Isles and the continent of Europe. In 1884 he moved to Bellevue, Michigan, where he has since been proprietor of the National lime works, also an extensive dealer in wool and grain. In politics he is a Republican; has been president of the vil- lage of Bellevue three terms and supervisor of his township one term; he was elected to the House of 1893-4 over F. Spicer, the Democrat and Populist candi- date, by a vote of 1,970 to 1,747; the Prohibition candidate, Schuyler S. Boorn, received 284 votes.
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MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE.
FRED C. BUZZELL,
Representative from the second district of Macomb county, was born at Romeo, Mich., in 1856. His early education was acquired in the public schools of Romeo" He afterwards studied law and after a short practice drifted into the more active pursuits and jouralism and politics. He was at times connected with the Chicago Daily News, the Rocky Mountain News, and the Detroit Free Press. He, with a younger brother, founded the Romeo Hydrant and still holds an interest in that paper. He also owned the Mt. Clemens Press, selling out in 1890. In politics he is a Democrat; was store-keeper of the port at Port Huron under Cleveland's first administration, and was elected to the House of Representatives for the term of 1893-4 by a vote of 1,775 to 1,461 for Henry J. Switzer, Republican.
H. FRANK CAMPBELL,
Representative from the district composed of the counties of Wexford, Missaukee and Clare, was born in Branch county, Mich., in 1851. He acquired his education at the public schools at (trand Ledge, and at the age of fifteen began the trade of print- ing. In 1877 he moved to Wexford county and entered the office of the Clam Lake News (now the Cadillac News and Express) ; he remained here but a short time when he went to Sherman and bought one-half interest in the Wexford County Pioneer. In 1878 he sold his interest in the paper to accept the position of postmaster, which he held until 1881, when he removed to Manton and engaged as clerk in a general store. Two years later he purchased the Manton Tribune and once more engaged in his favorite occupation. Soon afterwards he was again appointed postmaster, which position he held until removed by the Democratic administration. He then sold his paper and returned to Sherman where he engaged in the drug business, which occupation he has followed until the present time. In politics he is a Repub- lican; has held several local offices, and was elected to the House of 1893-4 by a vote of 2,801 to 2,508 for William Doyle, Democrat, and 353 for Cyril H. Tyler, Prohibitionist.
JOB T. CAMPBELL,
Representative from the second district of Ingham county, was born in Onon- daga township, said county, July 9, 1855. He worked on a farm and handled wood and coal on the Buffalo dock in summers, attended school in winter until twenty-two years of age when he taught two winters. He then spent eight months in the Leslie high school, graduating therefrom in 1879. He was deputy clerk of Ingham county from 1880 to 1883, having full charge of the office in 1881-2. He published the Leslie- Local from 1883-6 and the Pinckney Dispatch in 1887. He then spent five months in the law department of the University and was admitted to the bar by Judge Peck June 19, 1888. He purchased the Ingham County News November 1839, which he still publishes. In politics he is a Republican. While at Leslie he held the office of township clerk three years, was member of the school board and village coun- cil. His home now is at Mason where he has served as circuit court commissioner by appointment of ex-Gov. Luce. He is a member of the board of education and supervisor of his ward. He was elected to the House of 1893-4 by a vote of 1,955 to 1,882 for A. T. Ferguson, Democrat; 551 for E. S. Spross, Populist, and 261 for the Prohibition candidate.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOHN T. CARTWRIGHT,
Of Davison, Representative from the first district of Genesee county, was born December 19, 1846, in the township in which he now lives. He attended public schools until the war, when he enlisted in the Thirtieth Michigan Infantry. On returning he attended school at Flint and Pontiac until the fall of 1868, when he began teaching, in which he continued for three successive winter terms. In 1872 he was married to Miss Mercy A. Cole, of Davison, and engaged in the mercantile business in Davison, which he followed for three years. From 1875-77 he man- aged a flour and lumber mill ; the two summers following he spent in the west. On returning he engaged in the mercantile business, which, in connection with bank- ing, is still bis occupation. In politics he is a Republican; has held most of the various township and village offices, and was elected to the house of 1893-4 by a vote of 2,393 to 2,223 for Daniel E. Calkins, Democrat and Populist, and 297 for Wm. Denton, Prohibitionist.
FREMONT C. CHAMBERLAIN,
Representative from the district composed of the counties of Gogebic, Ontonagon. KHweenaw and Isle Royale, was born at Ripon, Wisconsin, Oct. 6, 1856. He has been a resident of Michigan seventeen years. He acquired his education at the Ripon college; taught school thirteen years; in the meantime studied law, reading with the firm of Coleman, Carter & Kent, at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, which with private study admitted him to the bar February 2, 1888, since which time he has practiced in Gogebic county. In politics he is a Republican; has held the office of supervisor, and chairman of the county board; circuit court commissioner; mem- ber of the county board of school examiners, and was elected to the House of 1893-4 by a vote of 3,466 to 2,895 for Frank A. Healy, Democrat.
LUCIUS L. CHURCH,
Representative from the second district of Montcalm county, was born in the township of Ada, Kent county, April 22, 1844. He moved with his parents to Illi- nois when five years of age, where two years later his father died; he then moved to Wisconsin where he stayed until twelve years of age when he returned to his home in Michigan. His education was received in the district schools, which he left dur- ing the second year of the war and enlisted in the 21st Michigan Infantry, where he served until the close of the war, when he returned to Michigan, locating in Mont - calm county, where he still resides. He is by occupation a farmer and in politics a Republican. He has held the office of justice of peace for twelve years, highway commissioner one year, treasurer two years, supervisor eleven years. He was a member of the House of 1891-2, and re-elected to that of 1893-4 by a vote of 1,843 to 1,489 for N. Briggs, Democrat, and 147 for the Prohibition candidate.
GEORGE G. COVELL,
Representative from the district composed of the counties of Grand Traverse, Benzie and Leelanau, was born in Dundee, Mich., October 16, 1860. Most of his early life was spent upon the farm. His early education was acquired at the Dundee
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MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE.
union school; was a junior member of the law class of the Michigan University of 1885. May 21 of that year he was married to Miss Allie J. Kyle, of Corunna. He then read law and in 1887 was admitted to the bar. In August of that year he moved to Benzie county, where he held the office of prosecuting attorney from 1889-92; resigning before the expiration of his second term he moved to Traverse City, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession, being the senior member of the firm of Covell & Gilbert. In politics he is a Republican, and was elected to the House of 1893-4 over George H. Smith, the Democratic and Populist candidate by a vote of 3,300 to 2,460; Wm. A. Betts, the Prohibition candidate received 313 votes.
WILLIAM W. CRIPPEN,
Representative from the second district of Oakland county, was boru in Highland, said county, September 3, 1842. He began life as a day laborer, and later engaged in farming, which has been his chief occupation. He is now located at Milford, dealing in agricultural implements. During the late war he was engaged as private in Co. I of the 22d Michigan Infantry. In politics he is a democrat; has held the office of supervisor four years; justice, four years; president of the village of Milford two years; was elected to the House of 1893-4 by a vote of 2,510 to 2,360 for Joseph Bird, Republican.
GEORGE M. CURTIS,
Representative from the second district of Genesee county, is a resident of the township of his birth, aud was fifty years of age the day he took his present seat in the House, January 4, 1893. His early education was received at the district school and the Flint high school, supplemented with a short course at the State Normal. He then began teaching which was mostly confined to winter terms, his summer seasons being devoted to farm work. In 1876 he was married, and after two terms more in the school room, he devoted his attention exclusively to farming, in which he makes a specialty of fine stock breeding. In politics he is a Republican; has held a township office for sixteen years resigning that of supervisor on election to the Legislature. He was a candidate to the House of 1891-2 and defeated by M. L. Seeley, Democrat and P. of I., by five votes. Was elected to the House of 1893-4 by a vote of 2,312 to 2,047 for C. E. Foote, Democrat and Populist, and 254 for the Prohibition candidate.
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