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 48
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 48
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GRAND TRAVERSE, AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
HARRISON PULCIPHER.
Harrison Pulcipher is a representative agriculturist of Grand Traverse county, Michigan, and has resided continuously on the same farm for the past forty-eight years. He was born in Jefferson county, New York, March 21, 1840, his parents being Edwin and Matilda (Walts) Pulcipher, former well-known and highly esteemed residents of Acme township. Both parents were na- tives of the state of New York, but left that state and spent three years in Wisconsin. In the fall of 1855 they settled in Grand Trav- erse county, Michigan, locating on the farm in section 24, Acme township, now operated by the subject. The father died July 17, 1884, at the age of seventy-seven, and the mother September 6, 1885, when in her seventy-third year. Their family consisted of but two children, John and Harrison, both of whom have always made this locality their home and are among its most honored citi- zens.
Harrison Pulcipher is a farmer in the truest sense, his talent for the work being both inherited and acquired. His father was a farmer and a very painstaking one, who taught his sons to be thrifty and industrious. Young Pulcipher liked the free, independent life, and was his father's able assistant in every department of the work, and it was but a short time until he was competent to successfully manage horse and plow and prove of material help in carrying on the work. Brought up on the farm, it is not surprising that he has developed into one of the foremost agriculturists of the county and his opinion is regarded as authority along lines of farm work. He owns and op- erates three hundred and twenty acres of
land. This and most of the surrounding country had been uncultivated and but thin- ly inhabited when Mr. Pulcipher came here in 1855, and his reminiscences of many in- cidents connected with the growth and devel- opment of the country are most interesting.
Mr. Pulcipher was married March 16, 1874, in Charlevoix county, to Ida M. Smith, a native of Emmett county, Michigan, born February 18, 1855, and a daughter of Thomas and Phoebe (Hull) Smith. The father is now deceased, while the mother is living in Charlevoix county at the age of seventy-four years. The subject and his wife are the parents of a bright family of six chil- dren-Grace, Bertha, Florence, Helen, Ber- nice and Gladys. Grace graduated in the class of 1897 in the Traverse City high school, and was a teacher for three years in Grand Traverse county. Bertha wedded John Bennett, a resident of Acme township. Florence was in the tenth grade, and will take a business course. Mr. Pulcipher is a prominent member of Traverse City Grange No. 369, and takes a lively interest in all lo- cal affairs. He is a Democrat in his political views and has been a school officer many times, working earnestly for the betterment of the schools.
WILLIAM SELKIRK.
William Selkirk, a prominent member of the agricultural element of Grand Traverse county, Michigan, was born in Essex coun- ty, Ontario, December 5, 1858, and is of Scotch extraction. His father is George Sel- kirk, a wealthy farmer of Whitewater town- ship, and his mother, Jeanette Selkirk, a dear
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EDDY E. NEWCOMB.
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MRS. E. E. NEWCOMB.
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old lady who was born acress the seas in the picturesque country of Scotland over seventy years ago. They are people of the strictest integrity, and have reared a family of eight children, who are an honor and credit to their teachings.
William Selkirk was twelve years of age when his parents came to this county, and it was here he received the major part of his education as a student in the common schools. He has devoted his life to the pur- suits of agriculture and has a farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres, the greater part of which has been placed under cultiva- tion and made to produce large yields. He is an up-to-date farmer, using modern meth- ods and keeping in touch with all the latest improvements, and he is not slow to intro- duce new ideas when they can be made to subserve his interests.
Mr. Selkirk was married September 20, 1883, to Miss Rhoda Scofield, whose parents, Daniel B. and Cordelia (Gray) Scofield, were pioneer settlers of this county. Mrs. Selkirk died in April, 1894, in the thirty- seventh year of her age, and left two chil- dren, Clarence W. and Robert E. February 10, 1897, Mr. Selkirk led to the altar Miss Cordelia May Stites, who was born in Kal- kaska county, this state, July 27, 1876, and is the only child of K. and Jane Stites. They have one child. Mrs. Selkirk is a bright, vivacious lady whom it is a pleasure to meet. She was formely one of the successful and popular teachers of this county, and left the school room to become the wife of Mr. Selkirk. They are liberal contributors to the cause of religion, and their influence is al- ways on the side of right. Mr. Selkirk has always affiliated with the Republican party and has held a number of township offices,
having served as treasurer, supervisor and justice of the peace. He is a present mem- ber of the board of county canvassers, and has discharged the duties in each office in a most praiseworthy and satisfactory manner.
EDDY E. NEWCOMB.
Eddy E. Newcomb, a venerable and re- spected resident of Acme township, Grand Traverse county, Michigan, was born in Kent county, New Brunswick, February 14, 1822. He is a son of Samuel and Mary (Fletcher) Newcomb, both of Nova Scotia. He grew to manhood in Ontario, was brought up on a farm and then learned the trade of a millwright, at which he worked in his native land until 1860, when he came to Michigan and followed the business for two years more. In 1862 he settled on the farm of one hundred and sixty-two acres which he now operates, and has given his attention to agriculture. He has been a care- ful and prudent farmer, and all his improve- ments have been of a most substantial and durable nature, giving an air of elegance and ease to the entire premises.
Mr. Newcomb was married March 16, 1852, in Lambden county, Ontario, to Miss Elizabeth Burgess. She was born October 9, 1833, in Lambden county, and was one of a family of ten children who were born to Edward and Sarah (Exal) Burgess. Mrs. Newcomb has presented her husband with seven children, namely : Samuel Eddy, who died September 6, 1881, at the age of twen- ty-eight years; Sarah A., who is the wife of Ellis Vendeventer; Andrew; David B .; John; Henry C .; Mary E., born October 7,
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1854, died February 10, 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Newcomb are active members of the First Baptist church of Traverse City and contribute liberally of both time and means for its advancement.
JOHN McDONALD.
This work would be incomplete did it not include in its history the memoirs of one of its most influential and valued citizens, John McDonald, who has grown gray in our midst and whose life has been closely identified with Grand Traverse county during the great- er part of the past half century. He was born in Scotland, the country which has sent so many of her sturdy sons to our shores to add strength and honor to our broad civilization. His birthday was July 4, 1828, and it may be that his own and our national birthday oc- curring on the same date had something to do with his fervency in honoring the stars and stripes and the country this emblem rep- resents. His parents, George and Jane (Call) McDonald, belonged to the yeoman- ry of Scotland, and it was this occupation that occupied the attention of the subject in his native country until his twenty-fourth year. In 1852 he brought his family to the United States, and for several years was en- gaged in operating a saw-mill at Elk Rap- ids. While living there he purchased eighty acres of land in Acme township, erected buildings and has since made his home upon it. He is an up-to-date farmer and has been quick to see and adopt new methods when they would be of advantage to him.
Mr. McDonald was married June 8, 1852, to a Scotch lassie, Miss Mary Mc-
Keand, who was born July 3, 1828. Of the seven children born to this union but two survive, namely, Gertrude, wife of Hope Phillips, and Agnes A., wife of William Love. Jane was the wife of Edward Wilds. George died at the age of eighteen years. Bessie was in her twentieth year when she was called home. Jessie married John Spen- cer and lived to be thirty, and May died when a child of eight years. Mr. McDonald is genial and affable, the soul of honor and always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. With the exception of town clerk, he has held every office in the township with- in the gift of the people.
LANDON H. BRACKETT.
Landon H. Brackett was born De- cember 21, 1835, in Onondaga county, New York, the youngest of a large family of chil- dren born to Ephraim and Joanne ( Buckett) Brackett, who settled in Grand Traverse county, Michigan, in 1858 and lived to ex- treme age, the father reaching his eighty- ninth year and the mother her eighty-fourth. Landon H. Brackett remained in New York until his parents came to Michigan, when he accompanied them and engaged in farming in Acme township. He is one of the men who understand how to make farming pay, and his farm, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres, is one of the best cared for and most productive in Grand Traverse county.
Mr. Brackett was married in South Boardman, Kalkaska county, this state, De- cember 14, 1878, to Miss Charlotte Ann Wells. She was born in Canada, April 14, 1852, and is a daughter of William H. and
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LANDON H. BRACKETT.
MRS. L. H. BRACKETT.
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GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
Jane (Fralick) Wells. Her father died at Walton, this county, at the age of fifty-four years. He was a man who was highly re- spected. There are five children in the fam- ily of Mr. Brackett, viz : Jay C., Leon E., Noble L., Elvin W. and Harry. Mr. Brack- ett is an independent in politics, and votes for the best man, regardless of political senti- ment. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and located a land grant in Grand Traverse county under Buchanan's adminis- tration. Mrs. Brackett is a lady of pleasing personality and grace, and in the early days proved to her husband a true counselor and helpmate in the arduous toil incident to the establishing of their early home. She has reared a fine family, all of whom are living honorable and useful lives.
JOHN R. BAYNTON.
John R. Baynton is a prosperous and progressive farmer of Grand Traverse coun- ty, Michigan, where he has resided since early boyhood and where he has made friends far and near, who appreciate the many at- tributes which have made him a reliable, up- right, honorable gentleman. He was born in West McGilvory, Ontario, January 24, 1860, and is a son of Thomas and Lucy (Patching) Baynton. His father was a native of Ontario, and his mother of Eng- land. The family consisted of twelve chil- dren, who have been residents of this county since their parents located in Acme township in 1870. They both died in the very prime of life, when about forty-eight years of age, the father in 1882 and the mother in 1887.
John R. Baynton received a common
school education and was reared on a farm, .where he assisted with the work and learned · habits of thrift and industry, which have placed him among the leading agriculturists of Grand Traverse county. He owns eighty acres of productive land, which it has been his pride to keep in the highest possible state of cultivation, the immense yield of grain being due to his system of fertilization and rotation. As his land is kept in good condi- tion he succeeds in getting much larger yields than many of his neighbors who have twice the acreage, and who are inclined to attribute his fine crops to good luck rather than good management. His buildings are substantial and comfortable and in keeping with his. surroundings. Mr. Baynton was married April 19, 1892, to Miss Mary E. Bailey, who was born in Marshall county, Indiana, July 2, 1870, and is a daughter of Henry and Eliza (O'Brien) Bailey. She is the eldest of four children. Mrs. Baynton is the mother of three children, viz: Florence M., who died when a child of six years ; Lucy A. and Ralph W. Mr. Baynton has served as over- seer of highways and also as constable of Acme township and is a man whose every act will stand the closest investigation.
WILLIAM WILLIAMSON.
Thirty-three years have come and gone since William Williamson took up his abode in Leelanaw township, Leelanaw county, and during this period he has continued his la- bors in an untiring manner, until today he is the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred acres, situated on section 22, Leelanaw town- ship. He was born in Lambton county, On-
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tario, on the 28th of January, 1842, his par- ents being John and Margaret (Calvert) Williamson, both of whom were natives of county Antrim, Ireland. They were reared on the Emerald isle and thence came to America, taking up their abode in Canada, where they lived until called to their final rest. They were the parents of a large fam- ily of fifteen children, the subject of this review being among the older members. He was reared upon his father's farm in Canada and early became familiar with the labor in- cident to the cultivation of the fields and the harvesting of the crops. Throughout his entire life he has carried on farming. He lived in the place of his nativity until he came to Leelanaw county, in the spring of 1870. At that time he took up his abode upon the farm where he is now living, and it has been his home for thirty-three consecu- tive years. Evidences of his industry are seen in the substantial buildings which he has erected and the fine appearance of the place and in the good crops which he an- nually raises. Of his farm of two hundred acres one hundred and forty acres are under cultivation. He raises the cereals best adap- ed to the soil and climate and he also has good grades of stock upon his place.
Mr. Williamson was married in Strath- roy, Canada, on the 19th of November, 1867, the lady of his choice being Miss Magdelena Brown, a daughter of Calvin and Ann (Liv- erpool) Brown, both of whom were natives of Canada, in which place they remained un- til called to the home beyond. Of a family of ten children Mrs. Williamson was the second, and she was born in the county of Lambton, Canada, on the 22d of July, 1848. Eight living children graced the marriage of the subject and his wife, namely: Magde-
lena, who is the wife of Frank McGuire; Laura, the wife of Walter Kalb; Perry L. W .; Alice, who is the wife of E. J. Scott; Elsie, Florence, Frances and Ada, who are still under the parental roof. They also lost a daughter, Melinda, who was the wife of Edgar Miller, and died in Chicago, Illinois, on the 13th of November, 1890, when twen- ty-two years of age.
As has been truly remarked, after all that may be done for a man in the way of giving him early opportunities for obtaining the re- quirements which are sought in the schools and in books, he must essentially formulate, determine and give shape to his own char- acter, and this Mr. Williamson has done. He has persevered in the pursuit of a persist- ent purpose and gained a most satisfactory reward. His life is exemplary in many re- spects, and he has ever supported those inter- ests which have for their object the welfare of the community and the benefit of hu- manity.
FLAVIUS J. STOVER.
Flavius J. Stover, who follows farming in Garfield township, and has been a resi- dent of Grand Traverse county since 1882, was born on a farm in Jay county, Indiana, on the IIth day of May, 1847. His father, Jacob Stover, was born in Pennsylvania, and after arriving at years of maturity he wed- ded Rebecca Walter, who was also a native of that state. Removing to the west they took up their abode in Jay county, Indiana, and there reared their family of two chil- dren, of whom the subject of this review is the elder. The father carried on agricultural pursuits in Jay county until his death, which
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F. J. STOVER.
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MRS. F. J. STOVER.
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GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
occurred when he was fifty-five years of age. The mother afterward came to make her home in Grand Traverse county, where she died in her eighty-first year.
Mr. Stover, whose name introduces this record, spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the county of his nativity upon the home farm, and as soon as old enough to handle the plow he began work in the fields, being thus employed when not engaged in the task of acquiring an education in the common schools. On leaving Indiana he located in Monroe county, Michigan, where he lived for about three years, and then re- turned to Jay county, which continued to be the place of his residence until his removal to Grand Traverse county, in March, 1882. He settled in Garfield township, and for twenty- one consecutive years the farm upon which he now resides has been his home. He has ninety-eight acres of land, and with the ex- ception of fifteen acres all is under cultiva- tion.
Mr. Stover was married in Randolph county, Indiana, on the 27th of February, 1868, to Miss Amanda J. Stewart, who was born in Ohio, March 18, 1850, and was reared in Randolph county, Indiana. Her parents were Isaac M. and Cynthia (Lam- bert) Stewart. Her mother died in Ran- dolph county when forty years of age, and the father, surviving her for some time, passed away in Kansas. Of their nine chil- dren Mrs. Stover was the sixth. By her marriage she has become the mother of eight children-Curtis M .; Alva E .; Ollie B., who is the wife of Charles Hall; Jacob A .; Rufus S. ; Ida G., the wife of Albert Redell; Ernest and Irving J.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Stover offered his services to the government, en-
listing in January, 1864, as a member of Company B, of the Eleventh Indiana Cav- alry, with which he served nearly two years. He took part in several different engage- ments of importance, including the battle of Nashville, Tennessee. He was also in the battle of Franklin, Tennessee, and whether upon the field of contest or stationed on the lonely picket line, he was always found loyal to the cause which he had espoused. In mat- ters of citizenship he is true and faithful, manifesting the same interest in the welfare of his country that he showed by his serv- ices in the army. He has served as overseer of highways, and as school director in Gar- field township, Grand Traverse county. Both he and his wife are consistent and helpful members of the Friends church of Traverse City, and for several years he has been one of its elders. He takes high ground on the subject of temperance, and is a pronounced Prohibitionist.
WILLIAM H. WHITEFORD.
William H. Whiteford, a leading and en- terprising farmer of Acme township, Grand Traverse county, Michigan, was born in Brant county, Canada, December 21, 1852, and is a son of William and Mary (Mul- grove) Whiteford. His parents located in East Bay township in 1865 when it had not yet received the name of Acme, and made that their home for the remainder of their lives. The mother reached her sixtieth year and the father reached the ripe age of eighty- two.
Mr. Whiteford is the eldest of ten chil- dren, and he was taught habits of industry and economy at an early age. Much of his
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early life was spent in lumbering, then he turned his attention to agriculture and pur- chased land from time to time, until he now owns four hundred acres in Acme township. His buildings are among the best in Grand Traverse county, and he is regarded as one whose opinions are authority on all questions of agricultural import, ar d whose judgments have been proven right by actual experience. He was married July 3, 1879, to Miss Laura Scofield, who was born here April 14, 1862, and is a daughter of Charles T. and Laura (Gray) Scofield. They were among the most prominent pioneer families of White- water township, settling here in 1861 and taking an active part in developing this part of the county. They had a family of eleven children, many of whom are esteemed resi- dents of the county today. Mrs. Scofield died at the age of fifty-six years, and her husband at the age of sixty-eight. Four children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Whiteford, the eldest dying in infancy. The remaining children are Charles T., John B. and Maribel. Mr. Whiteford is a firm believer in good roads, and as highway com- missioner ably advocated the permanent im- provement of the roadways. He is a mem- ber of the Free and Accepted Masons at Acme, and he is also a member of the Wil- liamsburg Tent, Knights of the Maccabees.
VALENTINE DUNN.
Most of the successful men of America are self-made, and it is one of the glories of our republic that this is so. It shows that op- portunities are afforded to the citizens of the United States and that they possess the
courage, determination and strength of pur- pose to use the advantages which surrround them. Valentine Dunn is one who deserves much credit for what he has accomplished and that his labors with those of his esti- mable wife have been attended with good results is shown in the fact that he is now the owner of extensive land interests, com- prising one hundred and ninety-seven acres in Grand Traverse county. His home is sit- uated on section 20, Garfield township, and he has an attractive residence there, which forms one of the pleasing features of the landscape.
His father, Dominick Dunn, was born in Dublin, Ireland, and the mother, who bore the maiden name of Ellen Odell, was also a native of the Emerald Isle, her birth hav- ing occurred in Limerick. Crossing the At- lantic to America, they became early settlers of Grand Traverse county, taking up their abode among the first residents of Traverse City. There Mr. Dunn soon became recog- nized as an active factor in the work of upbuilding and substantial improvement, and he remained a resident of Traverse City until called to his final rest in the fall of 1900, when more than eighty years of age. His wife had passed away in that place in Au- gust, 1891, when more than seventy years of age. They had six children.
Valentine Dunn, the second of this fam- ily, is one of the native sons of Traverse City, his birth having there occurred on the 17th of November, 1856. He spent the first nine years of his life in that place, and then re- moved with his parents to Garfield township, where he has since lived. In the public schools he was educated, and he has followed lumbering in connection with farming. He has allowed no difficulty or obstacle in his
VALENTINE DUNN RESIDENCE
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path to impede his progress, but by strong purpose and indefatigable energy he has worked his way upward, and is today one of the prosperous and well-to-do citizens of his community. Of his landed possessions, com- prising one hundred and ninety-seven acres, one hundred and forty acres is under cultiva- tion. This represents much hard work, but Mr. Dunn has never had any desire to be idle, and thus upon the sure foundation of earnest labor he has builded his success. He has also erected good buildings upon his place, and his farm is now productive, re- turning to him a good income. Few are the residents of Grand Traverse county who have so long resided within its borders as Mr. Dunn.
On the 18th of April, 1883, Mr. Dunn was united in marriage to Miss Isabella Mc- Garry, who was born in Traverse City July 16, 1861, and is a daughter of Stephen and Jane (Humphrey ) McGarry. Her mother is now deceased, having passed away in Trav- erse City in 1891, when about sixty-six years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn are the parents of two children, Hugh and James L. The founders of a state or county are not merely the men who handle the reigns of govern- ment or control the public policy, but are also those who carry civilization into hitherto wild regions and develop the natural re- sources of the country. Such a one is the subject, who in pioneer days located in the neighborhod which has since been his home. One visiting this portion of the state could then look abroad over great forests which stood in their primeval strength. Few roads had been made, and only here and there was a clearing to show that the work of settle- ment had been begun. Mr. Dunn remembers many pioneer experiences which came to him
in the course of his boyhood and youth, and can relate many interesting incidents of the early days here. He has always been identi- fied with the work of the most important lines of business that have contributed to the welfare of the county-farming and lumber- ing-and in the control of his own business affairs he has met with creditable and richly- merited prosperity. He is a Republican and is a member of Lodge No. 22, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, at Traverse City.
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