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 47
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 47
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the schooner "Arrow," which was making weekly trips between Mackinac and Old Mis- sion. Here Mrs. Wait died August 29, 1879, and her husband passed away about three years later, on May 14, 1882. While the family resided in Ohio, Wisconsin and on the island of Mackinac, S. E. Wait at- tended school in each place. This consti- tuted all of the opportunities he had for re- ceiving an education, but, being a studious youth and having made good use of his time, when he left school he was amply qual- ified for teaching.
In November, 1851, five young men ar- rived at Old Mission in the schooner "Made- line," with the intention of spending the win- ter in study. Three were brothers-Wil- liam, Michael and John Fitzgerald-while the others were William Bryce and Edward Chambers, who was employed as a cook. Mr. Wait was engaged as teacher at twenty dollars per month. The Fitzgeralds and Bryce were to pay the bills, the cook receiv- ing his tuition for his services. The "Made- line" was brought around to Bowers Har- bor and anchored for the winter. The after- hold was converted into a kitchen and dining room and the cabin was used for a school room. The teacher was nineteen years old, the ages of the pupils ranging from twenty to twenty-five. Regular hours of study were observed and strict school discipline was vol- untarily submitted to. Out of school hours they had plenty of exercise in cutting wood and bringing it on board, and in the recrea- tion of snow-balling, in which they engaged with the delight of genuine school boys. Ex- cept by way of Old Mission, six miles away, to which occasional visits were made, the party was entirely cut off from communica- tion from the outside world. The progress
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of Mr. Wait's pupils in their studies was a credit to themselves and their youthful teacher, and a winter's schooling undertaken in a serious desire for knowledge must have left its mark on all their future lives. Wil- liam and Michael Fitzgerald were afterwards masters of vessels for some years, William later becoming government inspector of hulls at Milwaukee, and John owning a ship-yard at the same place. Edward Chambers was afterwards lighthouse keeper at White Fish bay, and a few years ago was a thriving citi- zen of Mackinac. This school was the first white school north of Manistee.
In 1854 Mr. Wait was engaged by Han- nah, Lav & Company, of Traverse City, to- gether with J. K. Gunton, E. F. Dame and others in building the company's boarding house and the county court house, which was burned a few years later. In the winter of 1854-5 he taught school in Clinton, Ohio. From 1856 for a number of years he had charge of the carpenter and joiner work of Dexter & Noble at Elk Rapids. During this time he planned and superintended the build- ing of the side-wheel steamer "Albatross," the first boat of the kind to run on the inland lakes. In 1862 he was appointed by Hon. D.C. Leach, who was Indian agent for Mich- igan, teacher to the Indians at Middle Village and afterwards to Peshawbatown. From 1866 to 1871 Mr. Wait was clerk in Han- nah, Lay & Company's store, and in the spring of 1871, when the new propeller "City of Traverse" came out he took the position on her as clerk and steward. In 1872 a se- vere illness compelled him to resign this po- sition, and on his recovery, in October, he went into the drug store of L. W. Hubbell & Company as cashier and bookkeeper. In May, 1875, he purchased the drug store of
the above firm, and has continued in the busi- ness since with increasing success each year.
Mr. Wait was first married April 8, 1858, to Miss Louisa Colburn, of Old Mission, who died January 29, 1868, leaving two chil- dren, Ida R., who died April 29, 1876, and Cora L., wife of Fred W. Culver, of Sagi- naw, Michigan. They were the parents of two children, Lorraine and Donald. Mrs. Culver was a graduate in pharmacy from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. On June 23, 1870, Mr. Wait was again mar- ried, his bride on this occasion being Miss Ellen Packard, of Racine, Wisconsin. She was a native of Ohio, born at Chatham, Oc- tober 18, 1836. She was the daughter of Roswell and Susan Packard, both natives of Ohio. To this union three children were born, viz: Minnie Belle, a graduate of the Traverse City high school and of the State Normal College; Edmund W. Wait, who was educated in the city schools, graduated from the high school and from the National Institute of Pharmacy at Chicago, and is a registered pharmacist; Cyrus Raymond, edu- cated in the schools of the city, is also a graduate of the National Institute of Phar- macy. Mrs. Ellen P. Wait died May 9, 1903.
May 1, 1901, the firm of S. E. Wait & Sons was established by Mr. Wait taking into partnership with him his two sons. Both are married and comfortably established in homes of their own. There is no discord in the political beliefs of the Wait family. All are Republicans and each takes more than a passive interest in the result of the elections. Many years ago S. E. Wait held at different times a number of minor politi- cal positions in the township in which he lived, and later served as clerk of Traverse
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township before the city was incorporated, but he never sought office or had any desire whatever for political preferment. He is a member of the Congregational church and has served as its clerk since 1875. Few con- gregations have been blessed with so faithful an official and for such a length of time. The entire life of S. E. Wait has been one of industry and propriety. He has reared and educated a noble family, and now, in his de- clining years, surrounded with plenty to sup- ply every want and by a family of which he is justly proud, he may pass the years in comfort and contentment-a deserved re- ward for a most deserving man.
HUGH M. PROUTY.
Since May, 1900, Hugh M. Prouty has served as superintendent of Oakwood ceme- tery, and is well qualified to fill this position. This is shown in the excellent condition of the cemetery, the entire grounds being most beautifully kept up. Trees and shrubs, grass and plants are well cared for, and every ef- fort is put forth by Mr. Prouty to enhance the loveliness of this city of the dead.
A native of Wisconsin, Mr. Prouty was born in Racine county, on the 27th of Au- gust, 1850, and is a son of Williard A. and Rachel (Shepard) Prouty. His parents were natives of Washington county, New York, and for some time resided in Walker township, St. Joseph county, Indiana, whence they came to Grand Traverse county, Michigan, in the year 1861. Here they set- tled in what is now Garfield township, but . was then Traverse township, and they con- tinued to reside upon their farm until called to the home beyond, Mrs. Prouty departing this life when sixty-nine years of age, while
the father died at the ripe old age of seventy- five years. They were people of the highest respectability, and wherever known they made many warm friends.
Hugh M. Prouty was eleven years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Grand Traverse county. He was the youngest of their family of six children, five of whom reached the age of maturity. He well remembers the trip to this portion of the state. The journey was made by boat from Chicago, and on the 24th of May, 1861, the party arrived at Traverse City. The subject lived with his parents until he. attained his majority, his youth being spent upon the home farm in Garfield township, and for a number of years before he left the parental roof he was of much assistance to his father in carrying on the work of the fields. At the age of twenty-four years he started out upon an independent business- career, and was engaged in lumbering in va- rious portions of the northern part of the state. He also followed farming to some extent, and later he gave his undivided at- tention to agricultural pursuits. At the time of his marriage he took up his abode upon the old family homestead in Garfield town- ship, Grand Traverse county, which had for- merly been owned by his father. He contin- ued to make it his place of residence until he was appointed to the position of superin- tendent of Oakwood cemetery of Traverse City in May, 1900. He still owns sixty acres of land, of which about forty-seven. acres have been improved.
Mr. Prouty was married in Monroe Cen- ter, Grand Traverse county, on the 17th of May, 1881, the lady of his choice being Miss Mattie Baker, a native of Erie county, New York, her birth having occurred there in
HUGH M. PROUTY.
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1
MRS. HUGH M. PROUTY.
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1847. She is an estimable lady, and her many excellent traits of character have en- deared her to a large circle of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Prouty belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and co-operate heartily and earnestly in its work. He has held numerous offices in the church, and in public affairs he is likewise deeply and actively interested. He has served as overseer of highways in Gar- field township for several terms, and the mat- ter of good roads is one to which he gives much attention. Whatever pertains to the public welfare receives his earnest endorse- ment, and he is a public-spirited citizen, whose worth to the community is widely acknowledged. In manner Mr. Prouty is genial and kindly, and his true worth is questioned by none who have regard for up- right character and sterling integrity. From an early day he has lived in this county, and his name is, therefore, enrolled among the pioneer settlers. He can relate many inter- esting incidents of the time when Grand Traverse county was largely a frontier re- gion and when many of the roads which now pass between fields of waving grain then led through forests in which was the native growth of timber. There has been marked advancement along social, material, intel- lectual and moral lines as the county has emerged from its primitive conditions to take its place among the leading counties, of the commonwealth, having advantages equal to any to be gained in Michigan or in the older states of the Union.
QUINCY A. THACKER.
Quincy A. Thacker is a representative cit- izen of Acme township, Grand Traverse county, Michigan, and was among the earli-
est white men to establish homes here. He is a native of the Buckeye state, having been born in Defiance county, Ohio, June 9, 1849, and is a son of William and Mary W. (Lack- ey) Thacker. William Thacker was born in Essex county, New York, in 1797, and was twice married, his first wife being Miss Hes- ter Beatty, to whom he was wedded in 1818, and who became the mother of seven chil- dren. His next union was with Miss Mary W. Lackey, a native of Rochester, Ohio, and the mother of the subject. The fruits of this union were six children, of whom five lived to adult years, viz: Henry; Quincy A .: Anna, who is the wife of J. T. Beadle and re- sides in Traverse City; Etta, the wife of A. E. Brainard, a well-known farmer of Acme township; and Callie, who is the wife of J. WV. Milliken, of Traverse City. He left Ohio in 1862 with his family, and was the first white man to bring a team through to North- port or Traverse City. He first stopped at Northport, Leelanaw county, but in a short time came to Grand Traverse county and located in what later became Acme town- ship. Here he remained until he passed into the great unknown, April 22, 1878. He had lived to a good old age, and was ready for the summons which came to him on his eighty-first birthday. The loving companion who had shared with him the vicissitudes of life survived him but a few weeks, and on June 16, 1878, she sank to sleep and was laid to rest beside her husband. They were peo- ple of integrity and sterling worth, who are held in kindly remembrance by the older resi- dents. They were members of the Presby- terian church, in which he was elder.
Quincy A. Thacker was of a studious na- ture, and managed to obtain a good, practi- cal education. Several years of his life have
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been spent in imparting that knowledge to others, and he has been a very successful teacher, one who has held the friendship and esteem of his pupils after they passed from his control into the larger school of life. He was engaged in the seed and implement business at Charlevoix at one time, and later conducted the same line of business at Trav- erse City for six years. As an agriculturist he is second to none in the township, and his farm of one hundred and sixty acres now re- ceives his entire attention.
Mr. Thacker was married May 1, 1879, to Miss Mae L. Arnold, who was born in Charlotte, Michigan, October 1, 1860, and is a daughter of Edwin and Elizabeth (Cur- tis) Arnold. They are the parents of five children-Ralph W., Mary Eva, Lloyd A., Lois A. and Nellie M. Mr. Thacker and his family are attendants of the Presbyterian church, of which they are members and of which he is an elder. He has held a num- ber of school offices and for six years was the efficient and trustworthy treasurer of the township.
ISAAC LOVE.
Isaac Love, a leading and influential ag- riculturist of Grand Traverse county, Mich- igan, was born in Bradford, Wilkshire, Eng- land, April 6, 1829. His parents were Isaac and Elizabeth (Batchelder) Love, who reared a family of twelve children. Young Love visited many places in his native coun- try, but lived principally with his parents until about the middle of the past century, when he set sail for America, and at once proceeded to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was not long in obtaining employment. He was
engaged in the construction of railroads both there and, later, in Canada, and still later he returned to the States and was employed in blasting stone and sinking cribs for the docks at Marquette, Michigan. From there he went to Antrim county, where he worked in a saw-mill and lumbering for a few months, and about 1853 he purchased the farm which is now his home. It contains one hundred and twenty-seven acres, and was bought by him from the government, there having been no previous improvement on the place, not even a tree cut.
Mr. Love was married in May, 1859, to Mrs. Ann Johnson Mclaughlin, who was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1824. She was the widow of John Mclaughlin, by whom she had three children, only one of whom, John R., is now living. To Mr. and Mrs. Love have been born four children- Ann Jane, the wife of John Carson; Mar- tha Eliza, deceased wife of Benjamin Car- son; Abraham I. and George W. Mr. and Mrs. Love are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Yuba, and have a host of friends throughout the entire county. In 1883 Mr. Love paid a visit to his native land, making a tour of the world and taking in many points of interest in his travels. He was away about six months, and spent a most enjoyable summer, but came back more than satisfied with his adopt- ed home.
JOHN ROGERS.
John Rogers was born in Cornwall, Eng- land, July 6, 1832, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Westlake) Rogers. When he was three years old the family crossed the
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ocean and took up their residence in Essex county, Canada, and this was his home until he reached man's estate. He spent a few years in British Columbia, and in 1871 came to the States, settling in Acme township, Grand Traverse county, Michigan, where he bought a farm of one hundred and seventy acres. He has devoted his attention to farm- ing and has been successful in his business.
Mr. Rogers was married in Kent county, Ontario, May 28, 1868, to Miss Ann Shaw, a native of Ireland. She died in August, 1879, leaving a family of three children- Minerva, wife of George Jackson, resident of Acme township; William H., who sur- vived his mother but a few years, and died at the age of eight; and Priscilla O., who is the wife of Edward Carlisle, a resident of Acme township. Mr. Rogers was married a second time on October 15, 1887, to Mrs. Mary Gibson Hallett, who died in August, 1898. This union was without issue. Mr. Rogers is a zealous and active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church of Yuba, and is esteemed and honored by all who know him for his sterling worth and honorable, upright bearing.
SAMUEL P. DEAN. 1
Samuel P. Dean, a prominent and pro- gressive resident of Grand Traverse county, Michigan, was born in Lucas county, Ohio, July 8, 1850, and is a son of James R. and Mary (Horton) Dean. His father was a native of Onondaga county, New York, whence they came to Monroe county, Mich- igan. Later they located in Charlevoix, then known as Pine River, and after remaining there for about two years they moved to
Whitewater township, Grand Traverse coun- ty, in 1859 and continued to make that their home until the father's death, in January, 1897, at the age of seventy-four years. The mother is still living.
The subject is the eldest of a family of seven, five sons and two daughters. He re- mained at home until his marriage, and soon after that moved to his present property, which consists of forty acres in Acme town- ship. He is industrious and hard-working, and enjoys the respect of the entire com- munity. Mr. Dean was married April 17, 1873, to Miss Mary E. Pratt, who was born at Ypsilanti, Michigan, August 12, 1849, and is a daughter of Jerome M. and Aramin- ta (Rosecrans) Pratt. Mrs. Dean's parents came to Old Mission the year of her birth, and were among the first settlers there. They were people of sterling worth, who made many lasting friendships and were honored and esteemed by all who knew them. Mary E. Pratt grew to charming womanhood amid the familiar scenes of her girlhood, and no bride had more hearty good wishes to speed her on the way. She brought to her new home the same pleasing attributes of charac- ter which had characterized her girlhood, and the home over which she presides is a model of cheerfulness and hospitality and the center of an extensive social circle. Nine children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Dean, viz: Edmond J .; Herbert G., who served for one and a half years as a member of the Fourth Cavalry in the Philip- pines; Tena E., the wife of John C. Daw; Robert M .; Anna M .; Blanche L .; Louie R .; Joseph R. and Frank. They are. active mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church of Yuba, and Mr. Dean is the efficient superin- tendent of the Sunday school. He has held
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a number of school offices and served on the board of review. They are also members of Elk Lake Grange, and take a lively interest in all that pertains to the community in which they live.
ELIJAH L. RANSOM.
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Elijah L. Ransom is conducting a large dairy farm on section 10, Garfield township. Grand Traverse county, and is a well-known representative of agricultural interests. He was also at one time actively connected with industrial affairs in this country, and as a busi- ness man he is widely known and held in the highest esteem for his straightforward meth- ods, which have ever been of a character that will bear the closest investigation and scru- tiny. He stands today a strong man, strong in his honor and good name and in the re- gard of his fellow-citizens, which is uniform- ly tendered him.
Mr. Ransom has the honor of being a native son of Michigan, his birth having oc- curred in Branch county on the 3d of Au- gust, 1848. His parents, Francis D. and Chloe (Streeter) Ransom, were both na- tives of the Empire state, but at an early day came to the west, establishing their home in Branch county, Michigan. The father, who was born on the 5th of June, 1816, died in Algansee township, Branch county, on the ยท 5th of March, 1884, when about sixty-eight years of age, but the mother is still living, aged ninety. Their family numbered five sons, of whom Elijah L. is the youngest.
The boyhood days of Elijah L. Ransom were spent in the usual manner of farmer lads of that period. During the winter sea-
son it was his daily task to master the lessons assigned in the schoolroom, and in the sum- mer months, as his age and strength permit- ted, he assisted in the work of the fields, and when sixteen years of age he left home to aid his country in the struggle to preserve the Union. Although but a boy, he enlisted in March, 1865, and was assigned to duty with Company H, Fifteenth Michigan Vol- unteer Infantry, which regiment became a part of the Fifteenth Army Corps under the command of General John A. Logan. Mr. Ransom was at the front until September, 1865, and was then mustered out of the serv- ice at Little Rock, Arkansas, for the war had been brought to a successful termination, and his aid was no longer needed. There are few men of his years who can claim con- nection with the army which preserved the Union intact.
Returning to his home in Branch coun- ty, Mr. Ransom continued upon his father's farm for, a year longer, and in the spring of 1867 he came to Grand Traverse county, reaching Traverse City on the 9th of April. Here he took charge of a saw-mill belong- ing to his father at Lake Ann, and in its con- trol manifested excellent business ability and executive force. He had charge of this en- terprise until 1882, and in the meantime his father built a grist-mill, which the subject likewise operated. One of the salient fea- tures of his career has been the mastery which he has shown over every task that he has undertaken. He studies business condi- tions closely, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution. At length, however, he determined to put aside the cares of industrial life and turn his attention to agricultural interests. It was in October, 1883, that he purchased from his father a
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E. L. RANSOM GROUP.
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tract of land in Almira township, Benzie county. However, he continued to operate the mill and carry on his private interests until September, 1891, when he disposed of his property and removed to Grand Rapids. He continued a resident of that city until the following April, when he returned to Traverse City and engaged in the buying and shipping of produce until June, 1898. It was at that date that he took up his abode upon the farm where he now resides, pur- chasing at that time two hundred and twenty acres of valuable land on section 10, Garfield township. In the years which have since passed he has given his undivided attention to the work of cultivating the property, and is justly classed today among the successful and enterprising agriculturists of his com- munity.
Mr. Ransom was married in Long Lake township, Grand Traverse county, on the 19th of November, 1869, to Miss Edna H. Filmore, who was born in Steuben county, New York, on the 14th of June, 1851, her parents being Ebenezer and Harriet Bessie Filmore, both of whom were natives of New York, but were numbered among the pioneer settlers of Long Lake township, Grand Trav- erse county, where they took up their abode in the spring of 1866. There they spent their remaining days and reared their family of ten children, of whom Mr. Ransom was the sixth child. The home of the subject and his wife has been blessed with ten children, who are yet living, as follows: Francis D., John H., Emma O., Ebenezer, Leland E., Colonel, Benjamin Harrison, Ada K., Perry Hannah and Charles K. The daughter, Emma, is now the wife of James Harris. Mr. and Mrs. Ransom also lost two children, who died in early youth.
In public affairs Mr. Ransom has been quite prominent in Almira township, Ben- zie county. He held the office of justice of the peace and was also school inspector. In Traverse City he cccupied the position of inspector of elections for two terms, and he has also been highway commissioner in Gar- field township. He votes with the Repub- lican party, his study of the political issues of the day leading him to believe that its platform contains the best elements of good government. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Traverse City, and he also belongs to Mc- Pherson Post, Grand Army of the Repub- lic, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old army comrades. Unlike many of the old soldiers, he has never applied for a pen- sion, nor does he intend to so long as he is able to care for himself, and it seems that there will never come a time when he will be unable to do this, for he is now meeting with creditable success in his business affairs, and is making wise provision for the future. Both he and his wife are earnest and consist- ent Christian people, holding membership in the First Methodist Episcopal church at Traverse City. Mr. Ransom gives his atten- tion to the operation of a large dairy farm, and he may well be called a captain of in- dustry, for throughout his business career he has been very active, progressive and deter- mined, carrying forward to successful com- pletion whatever he has undertaken. He is a man of wide experience and broad mind, who has many friends in various sections of Michigan. He is clearly entitled to be classed among the leading citizens of Grand Trav- erse county-a man whose strong individual- ity is the strength of integrity, virtue and deep human sympathy.
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