USA > Michigan > Mecosta County > Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 42
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Mr. Stearns has dealt extensively in real estate and now owns several thousand acres of pine and farming lands, together with 160 acres within the city limits, divided into small tracts, each containing a few acres. His residence at No. 220 State street is one of the most substantial and best arranged dwell- ing-houses in the city. The grounds are 100 feet front by 700 feet deep, finely graded and laid out, and sheltered by trees. The work has been done chiefly by Mr. Stearns' own hands, and in its unos- tentatious simplicity is revealed the character of its owner. Mr. Stearns has also extensive lumber in- terests, being a member of the firm of Baker & Stearns, who handle annually a large amount of mill products. He is also manager of the sales of the large tracts of land in Mecosta and other counties, belonging to the Warren estate.
Mr. Stearns was married at Detroit. June 4, 1861, to Harriet S., daughter of John Vernor; she was born at Albany, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Stearns have had two children: Carrie E., born March 27, 1869, and died Dec. 6, 1881. Charles F., a book-keeper in
the Northern National Bank, was born June 3, 1865. Mr. Stearns is a member of the Masonic Order and belongs to the Knights of Pythias. He is a Democrat in political sentiment, and in the spring of 1869 he was elected Mayor of Big Rapids, and re- elected in 1871 and 1881, running largely ahead of his ticket.
apoleon Ladouceur, proprietor of the Montreal House, and of the Montreal Liv- ery Stables, Big Rapids, was born at St. Eugene, Ont., and is a son of John B. and Esther (Lalond) Ladouceur.
He came from the Dominion to Big Rapids when 17 years of age, and operated about seven years in the lumber woods. In 1875 he bought the hotel of which he is now owner and manager, and conducted its affairs personally two and a half years. It was leased to a tenant for a similar period of time, after which he resumed its control, and has since continued to occupy and run the business, which is prosperous, and gradually increasing. The building is well adapted to hotel purposes, and contains 34 rooms for guests. In June, 1883, Mr. Ladouceur built the Montreal Livery Stable, 50 x 135 feet in dimensions, where he manages a first-class establish- ment for the accommodation of the public, keeping about 20 horses and all necessary livery fixtures.
Mr. Ladouceur was married at Big Rapids, April 14, 1879, to Susan, daughter of Michael and Mar- garet Bailey, born Feb. 18, 1858, a native of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. L. have buried three children : Lilly M., only surviving child, was born at Big Rapids, Oct. 14, 1882. Maggie is an adopted daughter. Besides his hotel and livery property, Mr. Ladouceur owns two city lots in Rose's Addition, Third Ward.
eister C. Hodskey, jeweler, at Big Rapids, was born at Parma, N. Y., Aug. 10, 1822, and is a son of Willard and Permelia (Rowe) Hodskey. His parents were farmers, and he received the education and training common to farmers' sons. At the age of eight years he went away from home to work on a farm,
yours Truly Om Stickney
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and when 12 years old came to Michigan and located in Highland Tp., Oakland Co.
In the spring of 1848, he bought 40 acres of land, which he owned about one year. When he sold his farm he engaged in traveling in the interests of a firm selling jewelry and Yankee notions. In 1851 he built the first hotel in Holly, Oakland Co., now the Anderson House, which he kept three years, and then exchanged for a farm of 40 acres, on which he resided until 1857, when he moved to Bronson, Branch Co., and there embarked in the grocery and liquor trade, and was soon after elected Constable. He continued to manage his first enterprise about one year, when he sold out and engaged in the jewelry business. He operated in Bronson three years, and exchanged his property there for a farm of 80 acres in Matteson, in the same county. Three years later he again sold and moved into Colon, St. Joseph Co., where he again embarked in the jewelry business, and there continued three years, going thence to Clarence, Shelby Co., Mo., where he pur- sued the same calling, returning after three years to Bronson. His stay there covered a period of a few months only, and he went thence to La Grange, Ind., and was similarly occupied there eight months, when he came to Big Rapids (May, 1873). He opened a jewelry and grocery store, which he ran eight years, and then exchanged his store for a residence and three lots on West Hemlock street. He transferred his stock to the store occupied by Charles Crandall as a grocery, and established his business in one half of the premises. Six months after, he moved into a building next the present establishment of Freyburg, clothier. In July, 1882, he removed to his present location, where he is doing a prosperous business. He has in stock a full line of all articles common to the branch of trade he represents-watches, clocks, jewelry, musical instruments, etc., besides keeping a repair department. His stock is worth about $1,800, and his annual business amounts to $3,000. He also owns a vacant lot in Rose's Addition.
He is a member of the Odd Fellows Order. Mr. Ilodskey was married in Highland, Oakland Co., Mich., Dec. 25, 1847, to Amanda, daughter of Noble and Annie (Merchant) Ruggles, born in Colesville, Broome Co., N. Y., May 4, 1831. Lydia A., elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hodskey, was born in Ilighland, Mich., May 26, 1852, and Jessie M. was born in Bronson, Branch Co., Mich., Sept. 1, 1862.
dmund M. Stickney, lumberman and manufacturer, residing at Paris, was born in McHenry Co., Ill., May 12, 1844. Ilis father, George Stickney, was a native of Jeffery, New Hampshire, where he was born June 26,
M 1809. He came to Chicago June 20, 1835, and went to McHenry Co., 111., in the fall of the same year, where he has since resided, in the pursuit of farming. The mother, Sylvia M. (Beckly) Stickney, was born Feb. 26, 1819, at Granby, Conn., and died in October, 1879. They were married at Nunda, IH., Oct. 27, 1839.
Mr. Stickney acquired a fair education at the pub- lic schools, and pursued a full commercial course at Bryant & Stratton's College at Chicago, and was graduated with the class of 1864. He remained under the charge of his father until the time of his majority. In the fall of 1865 he went to Chicago, and was employed there a few months as book- keeper. In January, 1866, he came to Mecosta C'o., Mich., and in company with Charles Shafer and William P. Montonye, started the first mercantile venture at Paris, Feb. 20, 1866, continuing the enter- prize under the firm name of E. M. Stickney & Co. two years, and alone until 1877, when he purchased the water-power he now owns, with the saw and grist mill built by Shales & Fitting in 1867, on Parish Creek. He built the present saw-mill in 1882.3.
He saws about 15,000 feet of lumber daily, and owns 35 acres of timber land, whereon is the site of his mills, and 40 acres of land in Green T'p.
He was married May 18, 1870, to Mary Todd, a native of Yorkshire, England, born May 18, 1854. Their three children are Nettie M., Carrie A. and George E.
Mr. Stickney has been prominent in the public affairs of his village and township. He has served as Postmaster and Town Clerk 10 years, and has offici- ated as Justice of the Peace 11 years, being the present incumbent of that office, and is also Notary Public.
Politically he was formerly a Republican, but since 1878 has voted the Greenback ticket.
A portrait of Mr. Stickney is given in this volume.
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homas J. Sharpe, Supervisor of the Third Ward of Big Rapids, was born in Lincoln- shire, Eng., Aug. 18, 1843. He is a son of Joseph N. and Elizabeth Sharpe, natives of the same country.
When he was 16 years old Mr. Sharpe went to serve an apprenticeship in a meat-market, and served his time in fitting for the calling as is the custom in his native land. He started for the United States in the fall of 1865, embarking on a sailing vessel, and making an extended passage of seven weeks and three days. He arrived in Big Rapids in January, 1866, and engaged as clerk in the shop of Harvey Anderson. In the autumn of 1867 he commenced business himself on the present site of Geo. A. Roof's block, and soon after formed a part- nership with Carlos Teachout, which relation existed several months. In December, 1868, he established himself in a meat-market in upper Big Rapids, where he has since operated.
Mr. Sharpe was elected to his present position in the spring of 1882, and re-elected in 1883. He owns his residence and three lots on Marion avenue, his store building on North State street, and a house and lot above the Tioga Mills, besides being pro- prietor of 30 acres of land in the township of Big Rapids.
He was married near Kent City, Kent Co., Mich., to Mary, daughter of Alanson Rexford, proprietor of a hotel at Cedar Springs, Kent Co. She was born in Pennsylvania, and died May 19, 1876, at Big Rapids, leaving three children: Elizabeth, Carrie and Sarah A. Mr. Sharpe was married again at Big Rapids, to Jane O'Neil, who was born in Canada, Feb. 2, 1856. Of this marriage two children have been born-Mary and Elsie May.
ohn Martiny, farmer, sec. 4, Martiny Tp., was born in Germany, March 25, 1820, and is a son of John and Katrina (Zegel) Mar- tiny. Like the other youth of his native land, he was kept in school in his carly life and trained to the calling of farmer. At 16 years of age he learned the cabinet-making business, which
he pursued until 1841. He was then drafted into the army and served two years, when he resumed his trade and worked until 1847, and during that year he sailed for this country. He landed at the port of New York and proceeded directly to Albany. After a brief tarry there he went to Springfield, Mass., and spent eight years working at his trade. In 1855 he came to Michigan and pursued his calling three years in Allegan County, and then interested himself in farming in the same county. In 1867 he entered and proved a claim of So acres of land in Mecosta County, in a township designated only by the terms in which it was recorded in the Land Office, but which will perpetuate throughout coming years the name which heads this sketch. Mr. Martiny still holds his homestead, and has added to his possessions until he has 320 acres of land, a portion of which is in a good state of cultivation.
Mr. Martiny has been twice married. His first wife was Mena Licher, to whom he was married in Germany in 1846. Two children were born of this marriage, Peter and Minnie. Mrs. M. died in 1856. Mr. Martiny was again married in 1858, to Mary Hilderbrand, a native of Germany. Of this mar- riage four children have been born, Robert, Daniel, Edward and Paul.
Mr. Martiny is a Democrat in political matters, and has held the offices of Township Treasurer and School Assessor.
saac J. Leggett, M. D., physician and sur- geon, resident at Paris, Green Tp., was born in Cohocton, Steuben Co., N. Y., May 19, 1854. His parents, Isaac and Sarah (Con- nor) Leggett, were natives of New York, where his father was by trade a millwright and also pursued agriculture. The latter died in February, 1881; the mother is still living, at Paris, with the family of her son.
Dr. Leggett obtained his elementary education at the common schools, residing at home until 1866, when he commenced the study of medicine, complet- ing his course in 1875-6, at the Chicago Medical College. He commenced his practice with Dr. Hamilton, at Tecumseh, Mich., where he remained one year. In the fall of 1878 he settled at Paris,
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and opened business as a practitioner. In 1880 he added the drug business, and still combines that trade with his practice.
He was married Sept. 22, 1880, to Mary Wood- ward, born in the State of New York, in 1854. They have one daughter-Lola Genevieve-born Aug. 7, 18SI.
Dr. Leggett is a Republican in political sentiment, and has held all the school offices of his town; was Superintendent in 1879, and is now School Inspector.
CO
illiam Remus, of the firm of Stephens & Remus, manufacturers, at Big Rapids, was born in the Province of Pomerania, Ger- many, Aug. 10, 1842. He is a son of Charles and Caroline (Horn) Remus, and learned the shoemaker's trade in his native country. Accompanied by two brothers and one sister, he came to this country in June, 1865, settling at first in Chicago, where Mr. Remus worked at his trade. In 1857, he came to Big Rapids and estab- lished a boot and shoe store, where he did a thriving business, and employed several men in the custom- work department. His health failing, in 1872 he sold out and worked as a builder about three years, and also acted as clerk in various stores in this city.
June 29, 1883, he formed a partnership with P. M. Stephens, and bought the Stimson Planing Mills, situated at the east end of the lower bridge, where they are engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, etc., including most varieties of dressed lum- ber. The works are especially fitted for the produc- tion of first-class manufactures, being supplied with the best modern facilities and skilled mechanics. The capacity of the mill is estimated at about $35,- ooo annual value, and 20 men are at present employ- ed. Their rapidly increasing business will doubt- less very soon require a large additional force of assistants.
The real estate of Mr. Remus includes two stores on Michigan avenue, and residence and four lots in the Third Ward, on Rose avenue. He is the Vice President of the Big Rapids Furniture Co., and con- trols $9,000 of its stock. He was one of the organizers
and first members of the German Lutheran Church at Big Rapids; was one of its first Trustees, and has served in that capacity continuously since 1869, ex- cept one year; he is also Secretary.
Mr. Remus was married in Chicago, July 4, 1866, to Julia Trescotch, who was born in Germany, June 10, 1843. They have one son, William, Jr., born at Big Rapids, April 2, 1871. The brothers and sister of Mr. Remus, who accompanied him to this country in 1865, are all living in Osccola County.
Among the prominent and representative citizens of this county whose portraits we present in this book, we take pleasure in giving that of Mr. Remus, which we place upon the preceding page.
avid C. Fuller, attorney, Millbrook village, was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Jan. 28, Wody 1818. His father, Reuben Fuller, was a native of Connecticut, and his mother, Han- nah (Scott) Fuller, was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y. They first settled in Otsego Co., N. Y., afterwards removing to Onondaga County in that State. The early life of Mr. Fuller was passed in Madison Co., N. Y. In the fall of 1836, when he was 18 years old, he came to Adams, Hillsdale Co., Mich , where he lived until the spring of 1881, with the exception of five years, which period he lived in Wisconsin and at Adrian, Mich. In the spring of 1881 he came to Mecosta County and fixed his resi- dence in the township of Millbrook.
Mr. Fuller obtained his elementary education in the common schools of his native State and attended an academy in Onondaga County two terms. In 1854 he began to prepare for his profes- sion, and was admitted to the Bar in Wisconsin, Oct. 8, 1858. He was admitted to practice in the courts of Michigan August 2, 1882, and is actively en- gaged in the duties of his profession at Millbrook. Ile was married in Adams, Hillsdale County, Aug. 22, 1843, to Abigail T., daughter of Jacob and Theo- dicea (Hart) Jackson. She was born in Victor, On- tario Co., N. Y., June 14, 1823, and died April 1, 1883, in Millbrook, leaving four children, Morris R., Caroline A., Lucetta L. and Anson D. Mrs. Fuller was an active and prominent member of the M. E. Church (as is Mr. Fuller), and lived for her family,
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where she was a model of all the domestic virtues ; and in her death the household has met a loss which can never be supplied.
Mr. Fuller records himself a Republican "dyed in the wool." He has been in official positions in the various places where he has resided, and in 1854 united with the order of Odd Fellows at Hillsdale.
icholas Scott, farmer, sec. 12, Millbrook Tp., was born in Canada, and is a son of Peter and Clarissa (Bower) Scott, also na- tives of Canada. Mr. Scott remained a resi- dent of his native county until the fall of 1860, in which year he came with his family to Me- costa County and settled on So acres of land in its original state in Millbrook Tp. He built a shanty which served one year for shelter, and was replaced by a log house in which the family lived for 20 years. The primitive, temporary structures of the pioneer days are now all replaced by tasteful, convenient, suit- able modern buildings, and 50 acres of the farm are under good tillage. Mr. Scott was married Dec. 12, 1850, to Betsey, eldest daughter of Lorenzo and Fanny (Fisher) Aldrich, the former a native of New Hampshire and the mother of Massachusetts. Three of their four children are living: Peter L., born Aug. 6, 1855; Ada C., Dec. 18, 1857, and George W., Dec. 6, 1862. Clarissa E. was born Nov. 3, 1851, and died June 1, 1857.
Mr. Scott is a Republican, and has been the in- cumbent of several township offices. Himself and wife are members of the denomination known as the "Church of God."
obert Moore, farmer, sec. 23, Millbrook Tp., was born in one of the northern counties of Ireland, Feb. 7, 1846, and is a son of Joshua and Margaret (Armstrong) Moore, also natives of the same section of the Emerald Isle. Mr. Moore came from his native country to Canada in the spring of 1871, and was a resident of the Dominion one year. He came to Michigan in the spring of 1872, and settled in the
township of Millbrook, where he was engaged as a farm laborer until 1877. In that year he bought 40 acres of unimproved land on sec. 23, where he has built a house and placed about 18 acres of land in tillage. He was married in Stanton, Montcalm Co., Oct. 12, 1874, to Estella, daughter of H. B. and Ruth Wolcott, who was born Feb. 29, 1856, in Shia- wassee Co., Mich. They have had four children : Emma E., born July 17, 1875 ; Margaret L., Dec. 2, 1878; Lewis S., May 22, 1880; Wm. H., Feb. 13, 1883.
Mr. Moore belongs to the Republican party. In the spring of 1883 he was elected District Overseer and also holds the office of School Director. He and his wife are members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.
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tto C. Russ, M. D., practicing physician at Remus, was born at Cleveland, O., Jan. 4, 1854. His parents, Jacob and Barbara Russ, were born in Germany, and came to the United States and settled for a few years at Buffalo, N. Y .. removing later to Cleveland. When Dr. Russ was 16 years old his mother died, and he was thrown upon his own resources and en- ergies. He first found employment in a foundry, where he labored a year as a "cold nut cutter." Receiving a wound in his hand, he was compelled to abandon his occupation and entered the wholesale and retail furniture house of Hart & Malone, of Cleve- land, as a salesman. He was there engaged 18 months. His prospects were so much impaired by the finan- cial stress of 1873 that he left Cleveland and went to San Francisco, Cal., where he found occupation of varied character until the fall of 1875. He came back and went to Baltimore, Wood Co., O., and entered the office of Dr. Shesler, of that city, to read medi- cine. He prosecuted his studies there three years, and in 1878 attended the Eclectic Medical College at Philadelphia, and was there graduated Dec. 29, 1879. Armed with his hardly earned and well-mer- ited "sheep-skin, " he went to Antwerp, Paulding, Co., Ohio, and entered upon the career of a medical practitioner. In the spring of 1881 he went to Vin- cennes, Ind., but the field did not seem one of prac- tical benefi to his hopes, and he came to Fowler,
Charlie Isay
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Clinton Co., Mich., prosecuting his profession there 15 months.
During that time he was married (April 18, 1882) to .Almeda, daughter of James and Sarah (Wheeler) Lance, who was born March 2, 1863, in Clinton County. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania. After marriage, Dr. Russ came to Remus and began his practice, where his success has been almost with- out precedent, and his business has already assumed surprising proportions. Dr. Russ is a Democrat, and is the present health officer of Wheatland Tp. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias in Ohio, and is a member of the Masonic Order at St. Johns, Clinton Co., Mich.
charlie Gay, editor and publisher of the Pioncer at Big Rapids, was born at Cuya- hoga Falls, Summit Co., Ohio, Nov. 12, 1837. llis father, William Gay, was born Nov. 9, 1811, in Vermont, and during the act- ive years of his life was occupied as an en- gineer. He resides with his son at Big Rapids. The mother, Emily (Wells) Gay, was born in C'hat- ham, Kent Co., England, Feb. 27, 1819, and died at Warren, Trumbull Co., O., April 15, 1881.
Mr. Gay secured a substantial elementary educa- tion in the common and graded schools previous to his fifteenth year, when he entered a printing-office to acquire the details of the profession to which he purposed devoting his life. He came to Newaygo, Mich., to fill a position in the office of the Republi- can, where he was occupied six years. In 1862, in view of the budding prospects of Big Rapids, he proceeded thither with the purpose of establishing a county journal. A cursory examination of the field seemed to warrant the enterprise, and on the 17th of April, 1862, the initial number of the Mecosta County Pioneer was issued. The enterprise was established at a momentous period. The country was in the throes of the awful internecine conflict that threat- ened the dissolution and ruin of the grandest na- -tional structure on the records of time, and Mr. Gay fully realized the responsibility of his undertaking at such an era. He established his paper as the organ of no demagogism, but on the inflexible and uncom- promising fundamental principle incorporated in the
sentiment, "The Union, the Constitution and En- forcement of the Laws." The earnest young editor at once put himself en rapport with the community in which he established his business, and entered heartily into the work which, directly and indirectly, was uppermost in every man's purposes,-the re-es- tablishment of the national unity, and the advance- ment of the interests of Mecosta County. An examination of the early files of the Pioneer makes an impression which should be placed on record,-that absolute moral cleanliness pervaded the entire com- munity. The fact is rendered still more patent by the circumstances under which the Judiciary of the county was regulated.
The Pioneer was the first paper published in the county, and until Aug. 1, 1867, was issued in a folio of five columns. It was then enlarged by two ad- ditional columns; and again, in 1870, incre sed in the same proportion, becoming a pretentious i ur- nal of nine columns. In July, 1874, it took on ad- ditional dignity by conversion to a seven-column quarto, when its style was changed to the Big Rap- ids Pioneer. Aug. 1, 1881, the paper was issued as a daily, which still continues, and, conjointly with the weekly edition, is steadily increasing in influence and popularity.
In the spring of 1869, Mr. Gay was elected the first Recorder of the City of Big Rapids, and in 1870 was the successful candidate for the office of County Clerk, a post he held eight consecutive years ; he also officiated as Town Clerk from 1864 to 1869. with the exception of one year, and was Justice of the Peace from the organization of the township until 1869. He is a radical Republican and cast his first Presi- dential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860.
Mr. Gay is a typical American. His impulses are those of honesty and earnestness, and he guides his operations under their influence. He reaches con- clusions with directness, acts always in accordance with his convictions, and makes no compromise with any issue thatthe believes antagonistic or detrimental to the principles which he inscribed upon his b.in- ners in his dawning manhood. He is trusted from his palpable, innate integrity and unselfishness of purpose. If his judgments conflict with those of other men, he is intrenched by his record of manly frankness and candor which have characterized every act of his public life. Ilis journal has been con- ducted in accordance with the principles on which
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it was established, and has won a position second to none in the State, of commensurate scope and purposes. It commands, as it has done from the outset, the respect of its contemporaries, and in po- litical emergencies and general issues holds a de- clared and positive position. Its metal has never an uncertain ring and its tendencies are patent and un- mistakable.
Mr. Gay is zealously interested in Masonic mat- ters and occupies positions of trust in the several bodies of the order with which he is connected. He belongs to Big Rapids Lodge, No. 171, Pilgrimı Commandery, No. 23, Big Rapids Chapter, No. 52, and to King Solomon Council, No. 25. In the two last named he holds the chief position at present writing.
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