USA > Michigan > Grand Traverse County > Sprague's history of Grand Traverse and Leelanaw counties, Michigan embracing a concise review of their early settlement, industrial development and present conditions...to which will be appended...life sketches of well-known citizens of the county > Part 46
USA > Michigan > Leelanau County > Sprague's history of Grand Traverse and Leelanaw counties, Michigan embracing a concise review of their early settlement, industrial development and present conditions...to which will be appended...life sketches of well-known citizens of the county > Part 46
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proved agricultural implements, and the crops when harvested find a ready sale on the market. His entire farm is under culti- vation, which represents many hours of ear- nest toil on the part of Mr. Campbell, who has lived a busy and industrious life.
On the 25th of March, 1868, in Garfield township, Grand Traverse county, occurred the marriage of Mr. Campbell and Miss Ju- lia Beitner, who was born near Berlin, Ger- many, July 16, 1855, a daughter of John and Anna Beitner, who in the year 1857 crossed the Atlantic to the United States and made their way westward to Grand Traverse coun- ty, settling in what is now- Garfield-town- ship. Here both the father and mother spent their remaining days, the former passing away at the age of sixty-seven and the moth- er at the age of sixty-five years. Their fam- ily numbered five children, and, with one exception, Mrs. Campbell was the young- est. As the years passed five children were added to the home of the subject and his wife, four of whom are living-Edwin H., William F., Lewis E. and Ida E. They also lost one son in infancy.
The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell is manifested by their member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal church and their active co-operation in many depart- ments of the church work, leading to the strengthening of the denomination and the extension of its influence. Their home is celebrated for its cordial and gracious hos- pitality and the good cheer which there abounds. It is a favorite resort with their many friends, who in number are almost equal to the number of their acquaintances. Mr. Campbell is a man of resolute purpose, who has worked his way steadily upward. Laudable ambition has stimulated him to put
forth his best efforts, and this to advance on the road to prosperity, and when difficulties have arisen they have seemed to serve as an. impetus for renewed effort. Certainly he deserves great credit for what he has accom- plished, and his life record should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others. .
PETER PETERSON.
Peter Peterson, who is residing on sec- tion 29, Garfield township, was born in Den- mark on the 14th of March, 1848. Through- out the world wherever the sons of that coun -: try have gone they have been recognized as. valued additions to the citizenship of the land in which they have taken up their abode. Their leading characteristics are thrift, per- severance and integrity, qualities which form an excellent foundation for character and for business success. These traits are manifest in the life history of Mr. Peterson, one of the respected and honored residents of Grand Traverse county. He remained in his native country until twenty-one years of age, and acquired his education in its public schools. He also learned lessons of industry and hon- esty, which were instilled into his mind by his parents. When he had attained his majority he resolved to sever the ties that bound him to his native land and seek a home in the new world. He had heard favorable reports of business opportunities in this country, and, wishing to improve his financial condi- tion, he sailed for the United States, landing in New York city. He did not tarry in the eastern metropolis, however, but came at once to Michigan, settling first in Muskegon. He was then employed in a saw-mill during
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the summer months and during the winter seasons he secured work in the forests. He afterward went to Cedar Springs, where for five years he remained in the employ of one company in a saw-mill, his long connection with the firm indicating his fidelity to duty and his capability.
On leaving that employ Mr. Peterson came to Grand Traverse county, arriving here in the spring of 1878. He then settled upon the farm which is now his home. It has been his place of residence for tweny-five consecutive years, and he had purchased it the year previous to his removal to the coun- ty. The farm now comprises one hundred and eighty acres of land, of which one hun- dred and forty acres is improved. Mr. Peter- son has taken advantage of the opportunities for fruit-raising here and has some fine fruit trees upon his place. His fields are also well cultivated, and everything about his farm is indicative of the thrift and enterprise of the owner. He has erected good buildings upon his land, and now has a nice place, which stands as a monument to his enter- prise and energy.
In Garfield township, Grand Traverse county, May 8, 1878, was celebrated the marriage of Peter Peterson and Miss Mary Wilhelm, who was born in this county Au- gust 28, 1861, and was a daughter of An- toine Wilhelm. Hers was a happy married life, but after several years she was called to her final rest, passing away at her home in Garfield township on the 3d of June, 1896. Of the three children born of this union, one daughter died in infancy. The surviving children are Theo, who is still at home with his father and assists in the operation of the home farm, and Clara, who is now the wife of George B. Douglass.
For many years Mr. Peterson has been overseer of highways, and believes in having good roads, realizing their value in trans- porting farm products to the markets and bringing to the country homes the things that have been purchased in the city. In all matters pertaining to the general welfare he is progressive. Churches have his respect and good will and have received his substan- tial aid. In his private and public relations his influence is given for social progress and for the elevation and welfare of mankind. Viewed from a financial standpoint, he is a self-made man, all that he has being the di- rect result of his own labors. He is an hon- ored representative of the land of his birth and of his adoption, in this country he has made good use of his opportunities and he has prospered from year to year, conducting all business matters carefully and success- fully and in all his work displaying an apti- tude for correct management.
WILLIAM W. SMITH.
The history of Traverse City would not be complete, as a municipal record, without an account of the services of the subject of this review, William W. Smith. For ten years he has been an alderman from one of the wards of the city, two years he occupied the position of mayor and at this time he is discharging the duties of water commis- sioner. It is not that he has any penchant whatever for office-holding, but as a public- spirited citizen, when called upon by the voters to do his part in the interest of the municipality, he realized that he could do his duty in no other way than by accepting the positions offered.
WILLIAM W. SMITH.
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William W. Smith was born August 22, 1849, in Constantia, New York. His father was William W. Smith, also a native of New York, born in 1817. He followed the' calling of a lumberman and spent his entire life in his native state, dying in 1857. The mother of the subject was Ada A. (West) Smith, also a native of New York, born in 1822. In 1846 she became the wife of Will- iam W. Smith, Sr., and they were the par- ents of four children, only two of whom, the subject and his brother Frank, are now living. The latter is the senior member of the firm of Smith & Hull, of Grand Traverse county. The mother, now in her eighty-first year, is still living and resides at Benzonia.
The early life of William W. Smith was spent in Oswego, New York, and there he received such education as the limited time afforded him at school permitted. He came to Traverse City in 1860, when only a lit- tle more than ten years old, and at the age of thirteen years entered the employ of Han- nah, Lay & Co. He has not seen the inside of a school room, as a student, since he was thirteen, yet he is a man of splendid business qualifications and well informed. Naturally observant, of quick perception and of an inquiring, studious turn of mind, there are few matters to the study of which he has applied himself that he has not been able to master in a short time. For what learning he is possessed of he is indebted chiefly to his own industry and exertions. His first em- ployment was in a saw-mill. The work was hard and the hours long, so when he got an opportunity of becoming a cabin boy on one of the company's steamboats he gladly em- braced it. This was in 1864 and he remained two years. From that time until 1874 he was engaged in general work for this firm.
From 1874 to 1884 he was in their grocery store, later performing whatever work was assigned him, in the saw-mill in the summer, in the woods in the winter, as steward and clerk on the steamer "City of Traverse," and later as clerk on the steamer "Faxton," plying between Traverse City and Charlevoix, Petoskey and Harbor Springs. After serving one year in the lumber office he was given charge as manager of the com- pany's large flouring-mill, situated on the south bank of the Boardman river, near Sixth and Union streets. For a period of nearly eighteen years he has continued to hold this position, giving eminent satisfac- tion to the owners and winning the respect and good will of all of the patrons of the mill.
June 8, 1874, in Traverse City, William W. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Susan E. Reynolds, a native of Michigan, born in York state, December 3, 1853. Her father was Edward Reynolds, a native of Greenfield, Vermont, who up to the time that he became a soldier in the war of the Rebellion had followed the calling of a lum- berman. He entered the Federal service early in the war and had a splendid record as a soldier, but was killed at the battle of Monocacy Junction, Maryland, July 30, 1864. The mother of Mrs. Smith was Mary (Berryman) Reynolds. She is still living, at the age of seventy-seven years, a resident of Traverse City. They were the parents of five children, viz : James, a farm- er, married, resides in Garfield township, this county ; Susan E., wife of the subject of this review; Richard, delivery man at the mill of which the subject is manager ; Anise, wife of E. L. Parmenter, a farmer, resides in Leelanaw county; Josephine, wife of C.
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D. Monroe, a machinist, resides in Traverse City.
The family are members of the Congre- gational church, and Mr. Smith generally at- tends divine service with them, but he is not a member of that or any other religious denomination. He is a Mason, has advanced to the rank of Knight Templar and at pres- ent occupies the position of eminent com- mander of the Traverse City commandery. He is also an Odd Fellow, in which order he has passed the chairs, and belongs also to the Knights of the Maccabees, the Foresters and the Knights of Pythias. He is a man whose long services to the community are highly appreciated by the general public. It is also a splendid attestation to the steadfast char- acter of the man, and creditable alike to his employers, that he has been constantly en- gaged in their service for upwards of forty years. Few men of the age of William W. Smith, who is now but little more than fifty- three years old, can point to such a record. None but a man of the sternest stuff. could possess it.
ALEXANDER D. McRAE.
Grand Traverse county has been the home and scene of labor of many men who have not only led lives that should serve as an example to those who come after them, but have also been of important service to the county through various avenues of use- fulness. Among them must be named Alex- ander McRae, who is living on section 29, Garfield township, and whose life of indus- try has resulted not only in the acquirement of good property interests, but has also been of direct benefit to the community by reason
of his fidelity in public office and his practi- cal efforts for the general good.
As the name indicates, Alexander McRae is descended from Scotch ancestry. He was born in Prescott county, Ontario, on Christ- mas day of 1837, but his parents, Kenneth and Marian (Cameron) McRae, were both natives of Inverness, Scotland. Coming to the new world, they established their home in Prescott county, Ontario, where they reared their family and continued to reside until called to their final rest. They had five sons and four daughters, of whom Alex- ander is the youngest.
Farm life in its various departments be- came familiar to Alexander McRae in his youth. He remained with his parents until sixteen years of age, and was then appren- ticed for three years to learn the carpenter's trade. During that time he mastered the business, becoming a good workman, and he afterward followed the trade as a journey- man in Canada for about a year and a half. Remaining a resident of his native county until September, 1858, he then came to Grand Traverse county, Michigan, and en- tered the employ of Hannah, Lay & Com- pany, a prominent lumber firm, in the ca- pacity of mill filer and foreman, continuing with them until they sold out their business and plant.
In the meantime Mr. McRae was married in Traverse City to Miss Patience Foster, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in Trav- erse City, leaving a daughter, Alice M., who is now the wife of William A. Rennie, a well-known resident of this county, repre- sented on another page of this volume. Mr. McRae was again married in"Colton; St. Lawrence county, New York, on the Ist of June, 1867, his second union being with Mrs.
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Abigail R. Russell, the widow of George H. Russell, who was a soldier of the Civil war, and died at Poolesville, Maryland. Her maiden name was Abigail R. Macomber, her parents being Harmon and Lydia (Wright) Macomber, the former born in Castleton, Vermont, while the latter was a native of Weare, New Hampshire. Mr. Macomber was of Scotch origin, while his wife was of English descent. They became the parents of fifteen children, five sons and ten daugh- ters, Mrs. McRae being the seventh child. Both Mr. and Mrs. Macomber died in St. Lawrence county, New York, having never come to the west to reside. Mrs. McRae was born in Bristol, Vermont, January I, 1838, and is an estimable lady, who has many friends in Grand Traverse county. Two homeless boys have been taken into the McRae home, their names being Auldice and Clinton. Auldice was taken by Mrs. McRae before the death of her first husband, he be- ing at that time eleven years of age. He was a bright young fellow, having a host of friends, but unfortunately met his death by drowning at the age of twenty-one years. Relative to his death we here insert the fol- lowing article from the Grand Traverse Her- ald under date of August 10, 1882 :
Auldice McRae, son of A. D. McRae, of Garfield township, whose sad death, by drowning, the Herald briefly noticed last week, was born in Parishville, St. Lawrence county, New York, November 29, 1860. He had lived in this county since 1866. Auldice had grown up here from boyhood and was well and very favorably known to most of our citizens. He was a young man of most excellent habits and unsullied character. . A great reader, he had made himself familiar with the best writers, and he took especial interest in the passing events of the day, closely watching the newspapers and carefully perusing their contents. Few young men of his age are as well posted in the politics of his country as was he. It was his ambition to become a thorough political student that he might conscientiously exercise
the right of the ballot. In this, as in many other re- spects, our young friend's life might serve as a pattern to others. A most affectionate son, his loving solicitude for the welfare of his parents met with a cordial response on their part, and his home life must have been, and we know it was, a very happy life. Auldice had many warm friends among the young and the old of his acquaintance, who will all join us most heartily in this tribute to one who was worthy of kind words of remembrance.
Clinton McRae was taken into the home at the age of six years. He was born at Big Rapids, Michigan, May 16, 1878, and has developed into a fine specimen of manhood, holding the universal respect of all who know him. February 14, 1900, he wedded Miss Carrie Buell, and they have one son, Clark.
Since coming to this section of the state Mr. McRae has made his home either in Traverse City or upon his farm in Garfield township. He owns eighty acres of land, of which he operates sixty acres. This consti- tutes a good farm, because of the buildings he has erected and the neatness and thrift which pervades every corner of the place. Practical common sense is brought to bear upon all of his work and leads him to adopt all new methods advanced that prove of ben- efit and also enables him to determine what will prove detrimental rather than beneficial. For several years he filled the office of coun- ty drain commissioner. He has also held the office of highway commissioner for several years, has filled the position of justice of the peace for a number of years and has served in various school offices. He has taken an active part in township and county affairs; and he gives his political support to the Re- publican party, having firm faith in its prin- ciples and their ultimate adoption for the nation's good. His wife is an adherent of the Baptist church, and both are people of sterling worth, honored and respected by all with whom they have come in contact.
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JOHN RENNIE.
Industry and ability invariably win their way to prominence. No matter how small and insignificant the beginning may be, the industrious man, who exerts his talents and has the tenacity of purpose to persist in the course good judgment dictates, never fails of success. The subject of this review, John Rennie, chief of police and of the fire de- partment of Traverse City, is a man whose life is a fair illustration of the foregoing. Coming to Grand Traverse county when a child of only six years, he received but a lim- ited education, worked at many kinds of hard labor, in the clearing, on the farm. and in the woods, until finally the sterling worth of the man was appreciated and he was called to the responsible and honorable position he now so ably fills.
John Rennie was born in the province of New Brunswick, Canada, February 16, 1852. His father was William Rennie, born in New Brunswick February 21, 1821, but who emigrated to America with his parents when a lad of five years ; he was reared, educated and grew to manhood in New Brunswick. There he met and married Margaret Fenton. a native of Scotland, who came to America with her parents when she was ten years old. The Fenton family also located in New Brunswick, and William Rennie and wife continued to reside there some years after their marriage. In 1851 the young husband visited Grand Traverse county, was favora- bly impressed with the location and de- termined to at some future time make it his place of abode. He returned to New Bruns- wick, but found it impossible to arrange his affairs so as to effect a removal until 1858,
when, with his family, he came and estab- lished himself in what is now Traverse City. For many years he worked in the woods, as foreman, for Hannah, Lay & Company. In 1862 he purchased a farm in Garfield town- ship, this county, and superintended its culti- vation in connection with his duties as fore- man. About 1870 he resigned his position with the company and thereafter devoted himself to the cultivation of his farm. Will- iam and Margaret Rennie were the parents of five children, viz: John, the subject of this review; Annie, the wife of J. D. Put- nam, of Omena, Michigan; Mary, wife of Alexander Weidenhamer, of Bayonne, New Jersey ; Elsie, wife of Stephen McGarry, re- sides in Keystone, this county, and William A., who occupies and cultivates the old home place in Garfield township. Both parents are now dead, having passed away a number of years ago.
The early education of the subject of this review, John Rennie, was received in the public schools of Traverse City, where he was reared. When the family moved to the farm in Garfield township, he accompanied them and devoted the next few years of his life to farm work, attending the district schools during the winter months. This con- stituted all the opportunities for receiving an education that were ever afforded him, as in his seventeenth year he attended school as a student for the last time. After a few years of farm work, his father permitted him to go to work in the woods and after follow- ing the calling of a woodman for about four years, working with his father, the com- pany made him also a foreman. For eight years longer he worked for Hannah, Lay & Company in this capacity, when he went to
MRS. JOHN RENNIE.
JOHN RENNIE.
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work for others. The years of his life that he spent laboring in the woods number about twenty-two.
April 16, 1877, at Traverse City, John Rennie was united in marriage to Miss Hat- tie M. Connine, a native of Connecticut, born May 5, 1857. Her foster parents were John R. and Charlotte (Cook) Connine, both na- tives of New York. While the children were yet quite young the foster parents moved to southern Michigan and after a short sojourn there the family moved to Alabama, where they remained a number of years. They then returned to Michigan and located on a farm near Traverse City. Mrs. Rennie was edu- cated in the public schools of Alabama and of Michigan. She is a lady of good mental power and excellent judgment and to her many good qualities her husband is in- debted for much that he is. To John and Hattie M. Rennie two children have been born, both sons, Charles E. and William J. Charles was born April 2, 1878, and is a bookkeeper in the manufacturing establish- ment of Victor Petertyl, Traverse City. His wife was Maude M. Gillett. They are comfortably situated in a pleasant home and blessed with prosperity. He is a graduate of the Traverse City high school and both the boys attended the Ferris Institute at Big Rapids, Michigan. Both of the sons are now stockholders and are engaged in the Ferris Implement Company. William was born August 3, 1879.
About 1890 the family moved to Trav- erse City and have resided here since. In 1894 John Rennie was appointed chief of police of the city, and such excellent satis- faction has he given, both to the general pub- lic and the city authorities, that each suc- cessive year since he has been reappointed.
In 1896, by the appointment of Chief Rennie to the position of chief of the fire de- partment, both positions were consolidated, his salary was increased to one thousand five hundred dollars and he has been both chief of the police and chief of the fire department since. He is a most efficient official, whose services can not be complimented too highly either here or elsewhere.
Politically, the subject of this review is a Republican staunch and true. His father was a most ardent Republican from the first moment that he became a citizen, and the son imbibes much of the earnestness of the father. His present position, however, is the only public office Mr. Rennie ever held or aspired to, and that can scarcely be consid- ered political. Neither he nor Mrs. Rennie belong to any religious denomination, but they are generally attendants upon the serv- ices at the Methodist church. The subject is a Forester and a Knight of Pythias. Both his sons are Masons and Foresters, and Charles, the elder son, is, in addition, a Modern Woodman. The family has a nice home, on the corner of Jefferson avenue and Madison street, it being beautifully located and handsomely furnished. At one time he owned considerable land in the county, but considered it advisable to close it out when he was offered a fair price for it.
John Rennie is a splendid specimen of American manhood-large, muscular and active. He has made one of the best officials. northern Michigan has ever known, as is very forcefully shown by the manner in which he has been sustained in his position. Mentally he is even more active and alert than he is physically. In a broader field and with greater opportunities there is little doubt that he could accomplish much. As it
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is, Traverse City has the satisfaction of knowing that it is blessed with an official whose equal is rarely encountered in a city of its size.
STEPHEN EDWIN WAIT.
The subject of this sketch, S. E. Wait, was born in Fairfield, Franklin county, Ver- mont, July 21, 1834; a twin brother died a few months later. Their father, John J. Whittier, was married to Mrs. Maryann E. Hines (nee Fox) in Fairfield, August I, 1833. Afterward Mrs. Whittier was mar- ried to Martin S. Wait, in Rochester, New York, who had a contract on the building of the Genesee Valley canal. After this mar- riage the son of Mr. and Mrs. Whittier adopted the surname of his step-father. In 1838 the family removed to Ohio, going by the Erie canal to Buffalo, where the canal- boat was taken in tow by a steamer to Cleve- land, and thence on the Ohio canal to New- ark. A two years' residence was made each at Etna, Licking county, and Clinton, Sum- mit county, Ohio. In 1846 the family moved by steamer to Milwaukee, thence by team to Waterville, Wisconsin, and in 1848 they came to Mackinac island, occupying the dairy farm of Michael Dousman, now the Early farm. Mr. Dousman was largely in- strumental in the capture of the island by the British during the war of 1812, giving valuable aid to the enemy in landing at what is now called the British landing. Mr. Wait remembers Mr. Dousman as an old man in 1848. In the autumn of 1850 they moved to Old Mission. At that time the whole Grand Traverse region was an almost un- broken wilderness. This trip was made in
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