Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches, Part 41

Author: Chapman Brothers
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 684

USA > Michigan > Mecosta County > Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 41

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).

After his discharge he was employed as a butcher until 1876. In May of that year he came to Big

Rapids, and worked as a gardener and in grading city lots for some time, when he engaged in farming a year in Colfax Tp., near Clear Lake. He passed the year following in Big Rapids, in the pursuit of business of a character similar to that of his former employment in that city. A year later he bought the farm he now occupies, containing 40 acres of land, and situated in the center of the township of Grant. He has put the place in a condition second to none in the township; has 70 bearing fruit-trees, consist- ing of apples, plums, pears, cherries, etc., also a span of horses, cow, two heifers and five hogs, all of a good grade and first-class in every particular. Politically Mr. Showers is a Democrat.

ohn L. Burkart, M. D., physician and surgeon, at Big Rapids, was born at Delhi, Norfolk Co., Can., Feb. 28, 1853. He is a son of Anselm and Beatrice (Doyle) Burkart. His father was a wholesale liquor dealer, and removed with his family to Ingersoll, Oxford C'o., Can., when his son was two years old. The lat- ter attended the common school until the age of 16, when he was placed at St. Michael's College at To- ronto (Basilian order), with the intent of preparing for the priesthood. He studied in the scientific course two years, and then entered the office of Drs. Scott & McCauseland to read medicine. In the fall of 1870 he matriculated at Victoria Medical College, and was graduated in the spring of 1874. He opened his business as a practitioner of medicine at Beechville, Oxford Co., and remained there two years. He then took the post-graduate course at Trinity Medical University, where he received the de- gree of M. B., and became M. C. P. and S. in the year 1877, and also L. C. P., in the same year.

He commenced the full practice of his profession at Thamesford, Oxford Co., and also managed a drug store there, with satisfactory results. In August, 1881, he came to Big Rapids to visit a relative, and was so well pleased with the apparent future as well as present of Big Rapids, that he returned to Canada, sold out his business, and in November following made a permanent location here, entering into part- nership with Dr. W. A. Hendryx, which relation ex- isted one year. Since that time he has performed

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the duties of his office and profession alone. He was appointed attending physician at Mercy Hospital as soon as he was settled, and has since remained in charge. During his residence at Thamesford, he was Vice President of the Oxford Medical Society, and is now Vice President of the Northern Medical Society for this place.

Anselm Burkart, the father of Dr. Burkart, is a German, and was born at Alshofen, Baden, Germany, April 18, 1826. He is now a resident of Big Rapids, and is engaged in traveling for a business house in Canada. The mother of Dr. Burkart was born April 24, 1833. in County Wexford, Ireland. The parents were married Feb. 9, 1852, in Ingersoll, Canada. They had five sons and a daughter; James A., second child, is deceased. The brothers and sister of Dr. Burkart are Adolph O., Joseph B., Mary H. and Anselm S. His maternal grandfather, Patrick Doyle, was a wealthy farmer and prominent citizen in Norfolk County. John M. Doyle, his son, is a resident there in a prominent position. The family were pioneers of Canada.

lizabeth Corbett, resident on sec. 23, Me- costa Tp., was born Dec. 12, 1824, in Ayr- shire, Scotland. She is a daughter of Will- iam and Elisha (Davison) Spears, also natives of Ayrshire. She became the wife of James Corbett Dec. 6, 1848, and was a resident of her native country until 1856, when they came to the Dominion of Canada. In the spring of 1863 they came to Kent Co., Mich., where Mr. Corbett was en- gaged in lumbering a few years. Their next remove was to Mecosta County, where he was interested in the same pursuit until 1866. In that year he pur- chased, and the family took possession of, 80 acres of land, all of it in a wild state, from which it has been reclaimed, and where they now reside.

Mr. Corbett was born in Scotland, March 18, 1824, and died Dec. 11, 1880, at his home in Mecosta Tp., and was buried in Stanwood Cemetery. He was an industrious man and a good citizen ; interested in the welfare of his children whom he lived to see grow to mature life, with good habits, established reputations, and useful members of society. Following is their record : William, born Dec. 7, 1849; Mary, Oct.

30, 1851; Margaret, May 9, 1857; John, Aug. 5. 1860; James, June 3. 1863 ; Matthew, Sept. 2, 1865 ; Jennie, April 30, 1870; Susan, born July 19, 1859, died March 19. 1860.

Mr. Corbett was a firm Democrat during his life ; himself and wife belonged to the Established Church of Scotland from their childhood. Mrs. Corbett re- sides with her son, James, a promising young man, with good business qualifications and a thoroughgoing farmer.

alter S. Howd, flour and feed merchant at Millbrook village, was born in Canada, Dec. 16, 1829. His parents, Samuel B. and Lovinda (Gould) Howd, natives respect- ively of New York and Canada, were mar- ried in New York, Settled in Canada, finally returning to New York, where the mother died and the father married again. He located at Syracuse, N. Y., for a time and afterward went to Kansas and Missouri, where he died at the age of 74.

When 14 years old Mr. Howd was apprenticed to learn the trade of molder, at which he served two and one-half years. He was afterward occupied about the same length of time as clerk in a grocery, when he resumed his trade, but was obliged by illness to quit it and seek other means of obtaining a liveli- hood. He was employed for some time in a grocery at Cleveland, and in the summer of 1855 came to Gratiot Co., Mich., where he bought 200 acres of land under the "Gradation Act." After clearing 30 acres of this land he sold out and purchased a simi- lar farm in the southern part of the same county, in order to secure for his children the superior educa- tional advantages of that section. Three years later he sold again and came to Mecosta County, where he entered a claim of 160 acres of land in the town- ships of Millbrook and Wheatland, under the provis- ions of the Homestead Act. This he soll, and invested his money and interest in the mercantile business and located at Millbrook, where he is car- rying on a flourishing trade.

In politics Mr. Howd is a Republican. He has been Probate Judge four years and served 12 years as Justice of the Peace. He belongs to the Order of Masonry, and is a member of the fraternity of Odd Fellows. Ile was married in Cleveland, O., to

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Louisa M., daughter of Samuel Pease, a native of the State of New York. Mrs. Howd died in Gratiot County, leaving three children : Levant P., Martha E. and Albert J. Mr. Howd was married in Gratiot County, to Almira, daughter of Benjamin Hawkins, and their three children are, Francis A., Mary and Sarah R. Mrs. Howd belongs to the M. E. Church.

ohn M. Raper, Big Rapids, was born June 29, 1835, at Toronto, Can., a son of John and Abigail W. (Oliver) Raper. His father was born at Bradford, Yorkshire, Eng., and came to America in 1830, locating at Toronto, Ont. He was an officer on the staff of Gov. Sir Penguin Maitland, and married his wife, a native of Boston, Mass., at Halifax, Nova Scotia. She died at Toronto, aged 64 years. The father died at Sea- forth, Ont., at the age of 77 years.

Mr. Raper received a good common-school educa- tion, and when 17 years old obtained a situation as clerk in a store. His next situation was as express messenger from Collingwood to Toronto, on the On- tario, Simcoe & Northern Railroad, Vickers' express line, and he afterward engaged in mercantile business at Holland Landing, Ont. He then removed to Toronto, where he was employed a year as chief clerk in the office of C. R. Christie, Division Superintend- ent of the Grand Trunk Railroad. At the end of that time he received an appointment as freight agent at St. Mary's Station, and after some time was trans- ferred to New Baltimore, Macomb Co., Mich., where he acted in the same capacity two years. He after- ward obtained a position as messenger for the Ameri- can Express Co., between Detroit and Chicago, on the Michigan Central Railroad. Oct. 1, 1864, he went to Elmira, N. Y., as chief clerk of the United States and Adams and Howard Express Companies, remaining there until September, 1866, when he went 10 Ann Arbor, Mich.

On the organization of the Merchants' Union Express Company, Mr. Raper was tendered the posi- tion of route agent, which he accepted, and was in charge of all the offices in Michigan, which position he retained until the company was consolidated with the American Express. While in the employ of the Merchants' Union Express Company, the local agents presented him with a silver tea service, the presentation taking place in the Mayor's office at

Detroit. He then entered the employ of the Ameri- can Express Company, and was also mail agent on the (now) G. R. & I. R. R., between Grand Rapids and Cedar Springs, the latter being then the northern terminus of the railroad. In August, 1869, he was sent to St. Joseph, Mich., to operate as special agent, removing thence to Detroit, to act as traveling solicitor in the commercial agency of Tappan, McKil- lop & Co. While thus employed he was tendered the position of conductor on the C. & M. L. S. R. R., which he accepted, and removed to St. Joseph, Mich., and acted in that capacity about three years, retiring April 1, 1873. In May following, he went back to Detroit, to act as collector for the Weber Furniture Company. Afterward he again entered the service of the American Express Company, and was stationed at Big Rapids, opening an office on Maple street. About 15 days after his arrival the first passenger train from Muskegon to Big Rapids passed over the C. & W. M. railroad. He remained with the Ameri- can Express Company six and a half years, and meanwhile acted as Manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company, located at Big Rapids. On leaving the employ of the express company he oper- ated as a commercial traveler three years, when he engaged in his present occupation as salesman for J. S. Evans & Co., music dealers.

Mr. Raper was married in April, 1861, to Eliza- beth, daughter of Thomas Arksey, of Ann Arbor. They have had three children, two of whom, a son and daughter, are deceased. Charles Edwin Raper, born at Detroit, Feb. 6, 1864, is now in the employ of John Greenop & Co., at Big Rapids.

Mr. Raper was a charter member of Mecosta Lodge, No. 26, Knights of Pythias, and belongs to Big Rapids Lodge, No. 171, F. & A. M. He is a stanch Republican, and was elected City Recorder on that ticket in 1877-8.

lton W. Bennett, member of the firm of Roben, Bennett & Gill, real-estate, loan and fire insurance agents at Big Rapids, was born on a farm in Marcellus Tp., Cass Co., Mich., May 31, 1855, and is a son o William P. and Louisa (Brokaw) Bennett.

The Bennett family, of which the subject of this biography is a descendant, have been a pioneer

M. Cannan

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people. The great-great-grandfather of A. W. Ben- nett cleared a farm in Western Connecticut before the Revolutionary war had ever been imagined. The great-grandfather, Alfred Bennett, emigrated to Central New York when it was a wilderness, cleared a farm and contested titles with wolves, etc., on the tract of land now the city of Cortland. He was also a Baptist preacher of renown, and his memory is still cherished in the thoughts of every theologian of that denomination. He was for years a circuit rider, holding services at every clearing, and spreading the gospel, from a Baptist standpoint, through the wilds of Ohio and Indiana. His son Cephas married Stella, daughter of Abner Keeland, the first apostle of Universalism in New England; in 1829 he took her to the East Indies, whither he went as a missionary. He introduced the first printing-press, and afterwards the first sewing-machine, into Burmah, and with his wife is still engaged in the work of converting the heathen to Christianity, although they have been in active service 54 years. Cephas Bennett sent his son, William P., to America, at the age of 10 years. At 19 the latter became involved in matrimonial snares, and, taking his wife and worldly possessions, made his way West on a canal boat, and plunged into the wilderness of Michigan. He entered 160 acres of land in Marcellus Tp., and camped out until he could make a clearing and erect the pioneer's shelter. The tract of land has been converted into a typical Southern Michigan farm, and is still in the possession of its original owner, now resident at Cass- opolis, where he has held the office of Probate Judge for 15 years.

In a work of this character pioneer reminiscences are specially valuable, and serve to render the bio- graphical sketches of its patrons decidedly inter- esting.

Mr. Bennett was under the personal care of his father until he was 12 years old, when he was sent to Groton, New York, to attend the academy. He studied there two years, and attended the high school at Cassopolis, where he graduated. He afterward learned the printer's trade, at which he worked at Cassopolis, Lawrence and Grand Rapids. In 1874 he commenced a course of studies at the University of Michigan, which he pursued three years, working at the case during vacations, and was graduated in the Law Department, in March, 1877. He at once located at Big Rapids.

In August, 1878, he formed a partnership with D. Roben, in the real-estate, loan and insurance busi- ness, which relation still exists. The style and repute of the house of Roben & Bennett is widely known throughout Northern Michigan.

Mr. Bennett was married Sept. 3, 1878, to Mary, daughter of Matthew and Esther Roben, of Big Rapids. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have one son, nearly two years old.

ahlon Carman, of Morton Tp., whose portrait is given on the preceding page and who is one of Mecosta County's en- terprising business men, was born in Huron Co., Ohio, in the village of Olena. Ile is a son of Lewis and Laura (Aiken) Carman. The father was a merchant and proprietor of a saw-mill in the State of Ohio, and moved to Lockport, Niag- ara Co., N. Y., when the subject of this sketch was eight years old, where he engaged in buying and sell- ing stock.

When Mr. Carman was 16 years of age he was employed one and a half years in a boot and shoe store at Lockport. This engagement was terminated by the removal of his father's family to St. Joseph Co., Mich. Here he worked at home on the farm about two and one half years, when the family came to Millbrook and the father built a saw-mill, where the son worked until of age. In 1877 the latter went to Altona, Hlinton Tp., and was employed in the general store of T. C. Gardner. After a year's service as as- sistant, he purchased the stock and continues to con- duct the business. The value of the stock averages about $12,000, and the annual transactions aggregate about $40,000. Sept. 1, 1883, he established a store in the village of Mecosta, with a stock worth about $1,500. Mr. Carman is operating also largely in shingles, and employs in his interest a shingle-mill in Morton, one in Wheatland and one in Hinton; he manufactures from 75,000 to 100,000 shingles daily, and ships chiefly to Eastern markets, em- ploying about 65 men commonly, cutting and putting in his timber. . The three mills designated are run to their full capacity, in his interest. Ile also deals in groceries and provisions at Mecosta, and has a general store at Altona.

Mr. Carman was married at Grand Rapids, March

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1, 1877, to Isabella, daughter of William and Mary J. Pierce. Of this marriage one child has been born, Raymond W., in Millbrook.

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ohn Pordon, farmer, sec. 6, present Super- visor of Martiny Tp., was born in the town of Ravensburg (Danube), Kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany, Oct. 29, 1837. He is a son of Bertram and Cleopha (Pfleghaar) Par- don. His father was a farmer and died when the son was but one year old. He was fully orphan- ed by the death of his mother when he was nine years of age, and his uncle, Benedict Pfleghaar, as- sumed the care and guardianship of the bereaved child, continuing to protect him until he was 14 years old, when he was placed under training for the busi- ness of carpenter and joiner. After working at that trade two years, he emigrated to the United States and located at Toledo, Ohio. He worked a year at his vocation and then engaged in a nursery for a short time. In 1855 he went to Dundee, Monroe Co., Mich., and operated as a farm hand until the outbreak of the civil war in 1861.

He enlisted in the Fourth Mich. Inf. and served four years, nine and a half months,-the longest military service recorded in the pages of this work. His experiences include all the hardships, privations and contingencies incident to a soldier's life, except capture and torture at the hands of the rebels. The list of battles in which he took part are, Bull Run (Second), Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Marion Hill, Newbridge, Haines' Landing, Gaines' Hill, Mine Run, Hatcher's Run, Gravel Run, Petersburg, Wil- derness, and last, Appomattox Court-House, where he was an eye-witness of the virtual collapse of the Rebellion. At the close of the war he was sent to San Antonio, Texas, and was there stationed nine and a half months. He was wounded May 6, 1864, and lost his hearing from the explosion of a shell at the battle of Gettysburg. He was discharged with the rank of Sergeant and returned to Michigan.

He resumed his former employment at home for a while, and after some time went to Detroit, where he worked as a carpenter three months. He spent six months in the employ of a plumber, and was then engaged in the Water-Works at Detroit, where he

continued five years. His next business enterprise was with Gerhart Gudnaw, in the grocery business, where he was occupied four months. After that he was a peddler six months, and after spending six months more in Detroit in various occupations, he sold his property there and came to Mecosta County, and was engaged by March & -- , heavy land- holders in Chippewa Tp., and resided there four years. In 18-, he purchased the farm he now owns, containing So acres of land.

Mr. Pordon was married in 1866, in Monroe, Mich., to Anna, daughter of Ignatz and Victoria (Gunthner) Hilbert. She was born in Germany, Jan. 22, 1845, and came to the United States with her parents in 1853. Four children are comprised in the family, Cleopha J., Benjamin M., Clara J. and Amelia V.

Mr. Pordon is a Democrat, has held various offices and was elected to his present position in 1883.

lifton D. Richards, hardware merchant, Millbrook village, is a son of James and Minerva (Smalley) Richards. The father was a native of Massachusetts, and the mother of Vermont. They were pioneers of Cleveland, O., where they settled in early mar- ried life ; they now reside at Detroit. Mr. Richards was born at Cleveland, Sept. 6, 1856. He obtained a good education in the schools of his native city, justly cele- brated for their excellent character, and at 19 years of age came to Stanton, Mich., where he was em- ployed as clerk in a hardware store for a period of three years. He came to Mecosta County in 1877, and Oct. 1, opened a hardware store at Millbrook, where he is still engaged in business and has reason- able success. He carries a stock worth $7,000, and leads his line of trade in that section of the county.

Mr. Richards was married at Auburn, N. Y., July 6, 1880, to Ada E., daughter of Lewis and Laura Cannon, of the State of New York, who was born in Ohio, and was an inmate of her father's home until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Richards have one child, Irma L., born May 14, 1881.

Mr. Richards is a Republican in politics; has been Clerk of his township one term, and is now

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acting in the capacity of School Assessor of the dis- trict. lle is an active member of the Congrega- tional Church.

eorge F. Stearns, l'resident of the North- ern National Bank, Big Rapids, was born at Ellisburg, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Jan. 9, 1832. The banking house with which he has been connected from its organization was opened for the transaction of business June 5, 1871. The institution is the result of a project which was carefully considered and made feasible by the combined energy, deliberation and capital of T. C. Platt, John F. Brown and G. F. Stearns. It was organized with Mr. Stearns in the capacity of chief official, J. F. Brown as Vice President, and C'has. P. Gifford as Cashier. They embarked on the sea of finance with a capital of $75,000, which was in- creased in 1874 to $90,000, and in 1883 to $150,000. On the death of Mr. Brown, C. 11. Wagener was elected to the vacant Vice Presidency and in 1875 L. S. Baker became Cashier.

The " Northern National " is one of the most solid institutions in the country, having a deserved repute of carrying on its financial transactions on a system and basis of impregnable security, and hence is justly regarded as incomparably stable as a business house and a model in its methods and purposes. It has a firm grasp upon the confidence of those with whom it has intimate financial relations, and the catalogue of its patrons and correlations include a host of the most substantial names in Northern Michigan.

Mr. Stearns is the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Martin) Stearns, whose record is a part of that of Big Rapids, both from the period of their settlement here and their relations to the social and business growth of the place. Daniel Stearns settled here in 1859, having previously purchased a low, two-story frame building, with a lean-to, where is now the southeast corner of Maple street and Michigan avenue. This buikling, styled the "Mecosta," was utilized many years as a hotel, to which purpose it was first devoted by Capt. Daniel Stearns. It has been raised twelve feet, remodeled, and still

looms up a tangible reminder of the day of "first things " at Big Rapids.

The business record of Mr. Stearus is one continu- ous course of energy, sagacity, shrewdness, prudence, tact and ability. He has all the restless activity tenacity of purpose and intuitive comprehension of human nature which constitute a born financier. His leading traits of character have been conspicuous from his outset in life, and, to his undying credit be it put on record, that, with all his keenness and pow- ers of finesse in business, not one imputation of im- probity or dishonor rests against him. He walks among his fellow men in all the uprightness of moral rectitude, and wields an influence in his sphere second to none. He is always acutely alive to the possibili- ties of a business transaction, but he never swerves from the promptings of his innate manliness and his sense of obligation to society.

His entire life has been devoted to effort. His first speculative enterprise occurred when he was about twelve years old. He had received a package of fire-crackers for the " Fourth," but instead of hay- ing a grand private glorification, he found a swarm of young patriots who paid him a cent each for his stock of small explosives. No employment, so it afforded an opportunity to be doing something, was beneath his honest endeavors. He did whatever the contin- gency demanded and performed every duty becom- ingly. At the age of 12 he was employed in a gen- eral country store, remaining about a year; and on his parents' removal to Mannsville in his native county, he accompanied them, and did all manner of odd jobs in and around his father's hotel. Two years later he went to Adams, Jefferson Co., and engaged as a clerk in a store, where he operated two years. He went thence to Rome, N. Y., and filled a position in an extensive dry-goods establishment. In Septem- ber, 1854, he came to Detroit with a friend, Wm. Chittenden, then holding a clerk's position in a dry- goods establishment, and now proprietor of the Rus- sell House in that city. He borrowed money of his friend to make the trip to Detroit, and made all his associations in first-class places, wisely judging that his best testimonial was the appearance and habits of a gentleman.

With but nominal delay he obtained a clerkship in the commercial house of Holmes & Co., where his friend was a salesman. He remained there two years. Meanwhile his father had moved to Newaygo

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and built the Brooks Hotel, whither Mr. Stearns pro- ceeded and officiated one year as clerk. His next move was to the city of St. Louis, where he operated as a clerk in a dry-goods house two months, going thence to Chicago, where he was similarly engaged a short time. He soon left the Garden City, went to Detroit and secured a situation in the mercantile es- tablishment of Farrell Brothers. In September, 1860, he came to Big Rapids with a stock of dry goods, etc., suitable for the demands of a country trade, and opened the second store in the embryo city. His father was established in the " Mecosta, " and, besides his duties in the store, he assisted in every possible way at home, where the hotel was al- ways overflowing with custom. By degrees he man- aged to convert his original stock of goods, valued at $500, into a general stock of much wider scope, and trafficked in furs and all other articles that came in his way with any reasonable outlook for specula- tion therein. His business grew onerous, the sales of his closing year aggregating $100,000. He had over- worked and was compelled by impaired health to sell out. He devoted his attention and energies to specula- tion in real estate and furs until 1871, when the Northern National Bank was put in successful opera- tion.

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Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches, Part 41

Author: Chapman Brothers Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers Number of Pages: 684

Author: Chapman Brothers
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 684