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 54
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 54
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103
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sisting of the father, mother and two broth- ers of Mrs. Montague, were coming to make a visit to the daughter and sister in Traverse City. They embarked at Mil- waukee and had made about half the distance in safety, when, through the drunkenness of the officers and crew, the boat became dis- abled and began to sink. All of the pas- sengers, including Mrs. Smith and her two sons, were rescued, except Mr. Smith and six other men who were so intent on rescuing their fellow passengers that they did not ap- preciate their danger and they went down with the ill-fated craft. Had he been more selfish and not so kindly alive to the danger of others he would not have perished.
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Montague are the parents of two children, viz: Gertrude E., born January 7, 1877, is the wife of Fred R. Hoover, a bridge builder, and they are residents of Kansas City, Missouri; Benja- min S., born August 11, 1884, is a student in the city high school. When he graduates from the high school he expects to attend the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. His father designs him for a mercantile ca- reer, in which design the lad heartily acqui- esces. He is a good student, possessed of a retentive memory and lessons once learned are not forgotten.
While too deeply absorbed in business af- fairs to pay very much attention to politics, Herbert Montague is, nevertheless, a very ardent Republican, as was also his father and his grandfather. The only public office he ever held was that of alderman from the first ward of the city and he occupied that place four years. Even that he could not have been induced to accept only he felt that as a citizen it was a duty he owed to the public. He is interested in religious matters to the
extent of contributing to its support and to the support of every worthy cause brought to his attention. Mrs. Montague is a mem- ber of the Congregational church, but their son and daughter are Episcopalians. He belongs to only two fraternal societies, the Masons, in which he has advanced to the commandery, and the Knights of Pythias. He has been chairman of the finance commit- tee of the Masonic grand lodge of the state of Michigan for the past seventeen years. A thorough man of business, prudent, cour- teous, yet enterprising, Traverse City has for a long time known and appreciated the value of his services.
BENAJHAR PUTNAM.
Benajhar Putnam has been a resident of Leelanaw county from the age of seventeen years and thus the entire period of his man- hood has been here passed. He owns and occupies a farm of one hundred and ninety acres on section 23, Leelanaw township, and is classed among the self-made men there. An analyzation of his life work shows that he has been dependent upon no inheritance or influential friends for what he has ac- quired, but has through his continued effort and capable management gained a desirable property, whereby he is classed among the substantial citizens of his community.
Mr. Putnam was born in Leeds county, Ontario, on the 10th of December, 1853, his parents being Rinaldo B. and Mary Ann (Donovan) Putnam, the former a native of New York and the latter of Canada. In the family of this worthy couple were born five children, of whom Benajhar Putnam is the
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third in order of birth. He spent the first seventeen years of his life in Leeds county and during that time mastered the branches of learning taught in the public schools so that he was well qualified to transact busi- ness after starting out in life on his own ac- count. With his parents he came to Leelanaw county, where he has resided continuously since the fall of 1871. He made his home with his parents until the time of his mar- riage and then settled upon the farm where he now lives. His place is a tract of one hundred and ninety acres, of which he has more than one hundred acres improved. Upon this farm he has erected good buildings and has made excellent improvements in keeping with the progressive spirit of the times.
In Leelanaw township, on the 18th of December, 1884, Mr. Putnam was united in marriage to Miss Cora H. White, who was born in this township on the 20th of March, 1861, a daughter of Newcomb L. and Lydia (Jarvis) White, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. About 1860 her parents came to Leelanaw county, settling in Leela- naw township, and the father devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death, on the 24th of April, 1887. His widow still survives him. Mrs. Putnam is their only child and by her marriage she has become the mother of five children, namely : Warren S., Howard N., Lottie I., M. Helen and Otis D.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Putnam are earnest, consistent Christian people, holding mem- bership in the First Methodist Episcopal church at Northport. Their interest in its welfare is deep and sincere and has been manifested by the active co-operation which they have given to church work and to the
extension of Christian influence. In matters pertaining to the general welfare Mr. Put- nam is found reliable and helpful. In busi- ness affairs he is energetic, prompt and trustworthy. He has a good fund of that quality which is too often lacking in the business world-common sense.
Since starting out in life for himself he has been self-reliant and energetic and is today the possessor of a good capital gained through this means.
FRANK W. WILSON.
Holding worthy prestige among the pub- lic men of Grand Traverse county, enjoying wide popularity and maintaining a repre- sentative position as an official, it is fitting in this connection to give a brief resume of the life story of the well-known gentleman whose name introduces this article, a young man of decided ability and marked influ- ence. Frank W. Wilson, register of deeds, Traverse City, is a native of Grand Traverse county, born on a farm in Paradise town- ship, July 26, 1873, being the son of Wil- liam L. and Orrilla Wilson. William L. Wilson is one of the leading agriculturists of the above township, and as proprietor of Maple Hill farm has achieved more than local repute as a stock raiser, making a spe- cialty of fine Durham cattle, which have become widely and favorably known in this section of the state. Frank W. first saw the light of day in his father's original log dwelling, and he spent his childhood and early youth after the manner of the majority of lads raised in close touch with nature amid rural scenes. When old enough he became a student in the little school two and a half
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F. W. WILSON.
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miles distant from his home, but he never attended a session in summer after he was sufficiently strong to be of service on the farm, all of his time being required in clear- ing the land and fitting the soil for culture. While thus engaged he devoted the winter seasons to the most unremitting study, and, inheriting a studious nature, he made sub- stantial progress in his school work, stand- ing first in all of his classes and taking a leading part in the debating societies which the young men of the neighborhood for a number of years maintained. He early man- ifested decided forensic abilities, and, taking advantage of every means to improve this talent, he soon won such a reputation as a clear, logical and eloquent speaker that he attracted the attention of his political party, who in due time persuaded him to exercise his natural powers on the hustings. Young Wilson began making political speeches when scarcely eighteen years of age, and from that time to the present he has taken active part in every political campaign of any moment, not only stumping his own county, but his services have been in great demand in other parts of the state whither his reputation had preceded him.
Mr. Wilson, after receiving a diploma from district school No. 3, Paradise town- ship, attended for one year the Traverse City high school, and later entered the high school in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where he took special courses on civil government and bookkeeping, thus fitting himself for the ac- tive business career which he has subsequent- ly led. Until attaining his majority he re- mained on the family homestead, where he worked early and late clearing the land, blasting out stumps and cultivating the crops, and in the winter of 1894-5 he taught
a term of school in his native township and made a creditable record as an instructor. Meantime, in the summer of the former year, he took a job of blasting and grubbing stumps, and in the spring of the year follow- ing accepted a clerkship in the hardware store of D. E. Wynkoop, one of the leading business establishments in the village of Kingsley, Grand Traverse county. After continuing a few months in that capacity Mr. Wilson, the following August, in com- pany with two friends, George and Daniel Becker, went to North Dakota, where they worked as harvest hands until the month of November, when they made an exten- sive tour through the two Dakotas, Min- nesota and Manitoba, returning as far south as Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where the subject secured employment in a furniture factory. Working there until June, 1896, failing health induced him to return home, and when sufficiently recovered he began buying live stock and produce, which lines of business he followed with fair success until January of the following year.
On the 12th day of January, 1897, Mr. Wilson contracted a matrimonial alliance with Miss Mattie Nickerson, daughter of G. G. and Julia Nickerson, of Monroe Cen- ter, Michigan, and shortly after this event he took charge of a general store at Kings- ley, owned by A. B. Stinson. After man- aging this establishment until May, 1898, he severed his connection with his employer and engaged in the produce business at the same place, in connection with which he also dealt in agricultural implements and all kinds of farm machinery. These lines of trade occupied his attention until the fall of 1899, when he disposed of his store and ac- cepted a position as traveling salesman with
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the Empire Drill Company, of Shortsville, New York, which he represented on the road during the two years following, his territory being confined to the state of Mich- igan. Retiring from the road, Mr. Wilson engaged with the Cassopolis Manufacturing Company as block man, in which capacity he took charge of the firm's business in the northern half of Michigan, where he con- tinued to discharge his duties until Novem- ber, 1902, when he was elected register of deeds for Grand Traverse county.
The month following his election Mr. Wilson removed from 'Kingsley to Traverse City, where he is now living and devoting his attention exclusively to the duties of his office, his administration thus far fully dem- onstrating his eminent fitness for the posi- tion and meeting the high expectations of his friends and the people generally, and justifying their confidence in his integrity and ability.
Although a young man, Mr. Wilson has led a very active and in the main successful life, and the prominent part he has taken in the political and public affairs of his country shows him the possessor of those powers of mind essential to success in im- portant undertakings. In his business and official relations he has been true to his con- victions of right, discharging his duties in an honorable manner, and under all circum- stances proving himself a man of intelligence and sagacity, discreetness of judgment, of strict integrity and gentlemanly demeanor. Prior to his election to the office he now so ably fills he served his township as inspector of schools, being elected to the position in 1895, and in 1899 he was made justice of the peace, in addition to which he was elect- ed in the spring of 1902 trustee of the vil-
lage of Kingsley. In 1890 he was appointed vice-president of the Michigan Commercial Travelers Republican League, which office he still holds, and through the medium he has become widely known to the leaders of the party throughout the state, by all of whom he is held in high esteem.
It is not too much to claim for Mr. Wil- son pre-eminence as a leader among the young Republicans of Grand Traverse coun- ty, his ability as an organizer and campaign- er giving him a prestige which to a large degree has made him a molder of opinion in the local councils of his party, besides, as already stated, earning him a reputation in other sections of the state. As. a politician he is aggressive and uncompromising, but honorable, never resorting to the wiles and artifices of the professional partisan nor compromising his reputation by anything savoring in the least of disreputable prac- tice. He is a reader and thinker, a close ob- server, with quick perceptions, and his clear intellect and accurate judgment give him the power to analyze the character and motives of mankind with a high degree of accuracy. Eminently social and a most genial compan- ion, he has a large number of friends and admirers, and in the atmosphere of his pleas- ant home circle he exercises a wholesome and elevating influence not only among the different members thereof, but upon the guests who partake of his generous hospi- tality.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the proud par- ents of three bright children, in whom are centered many fond hopes for the future. They are Russel H., born November 12, 1897; Beatrice O., born August 22, 1899, and Wilma B., whose birth occurred No- vember 12, 1901.
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GEORGE W. STEWARD.
Self assertion is believed by many people to be absolutely necessary to success in life, and there are good reasons for the entertain- ment of such a belief. The modest man very rarely gets what is due him. The selfish, aggressive man elbows his way to the front, takes all that is in sight, reaches for more and howls if he doesn't get it. In- deed it sometimes looks as if modesty was a sin, with self-denial the penalty. There are, however, exceptions to all rules and it is a matter greatly to be regretted that the ex- ceptions to the condition of affairs referred to are not more numerous. One notable ex- ception is the case of George W. Steward, county treasurer of Grand Traverse county. He is a modest man, imbued with little if any self assertion, and yet he has been twice nominated and elected to the office of county treasurer. His success is chiefly attributable to his native merit and to the intelligence of the people of Grand Traverse county in per- ceiving and appreciating it.
George W. Steward was born October 7, 1859, on his father's farm in Delaware county, Ohio. He is the son of Henry E. and Caroline A. (Thompson) Steward, who were among the early settlers of Benzonia, Benzie county, Michigan, where they took up their residence in 1861. He was a native of Delaware county, Ohio, while she was born in New Jersey, but came to Ohio with her parents when quite young. Both were reared in Delaware county, Ohio, where they were married January 1, 1851. There they reesided until ten years later, in 1861, when they moved to Michigan and settled in Ben- zonia. With the exception of the first two years of existence, the entire life of George
W. Steward has been spent in Michigan. He attended the common schools and was studious and attentive to his books, with the result that while yet a mere boy he had ac- quired a very thorough knowledge of all the branches taught. As soon as he was old enough to govern a school he began teaching in the country and continued as an educator until he attained his majority. At the age of twenty-one he began farming on his own behalf and continued at that voca- tion until he assumed the duties of county treasurer.
September 18, 1890, George W. Steward was united in marriage to Miss Laura J. Griffith, at Sandusky, New York, of which place she is a native. She is a lady of many accomplishments and has done much to ad- vance the interests of her husband. They are the parents of two children, Anna C., born November 12, 1891, and Bertha M., born December 27, 1893. Both are attend- ing school in Traverse City, are studious and are making rapid progress in securing an education. All his life George W. Steward has been a very pronounced and zealous Republican. His labors for the success of his party early won him a high place among the leaders and the gratitude of his party had much to do with his nomination and election to the office of county treasurer. In the convention of 1901 he received the nom- ination and was elected to the position the following November. In 1902 he received the nomination without opposition and so satisfactory had he discharged the duties of the office the preceding two years, that the people testified their approval by giving him a relatively increased majority. The only other office he had held was that of clerk of Garfield township, which he held for about
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seven years. Despite his modest mien, he is an excellent politician and the cause or the candidate that receives special interest from him is sure to be rewarded by a greatly in- creased vote.
Mr. Steward and his family are mem- bers of the Congregational church of Tra- verse City, are regular attendants upon its service and are deeply interested in all mat- ters relating to religion and works of char- ity. To all such he has contributed liberally not only since he became a county official, but long before. He is a member of the Maccabees, the Fraternal Mystic Circle and the Knights of Pythias. In his quiet, unos- tentatious way he has accomplished more good for the community than many whose praises are loudly sung and whose works are receiving continuous commendation.
GEORGE W. FRALICK, M. D.
Concentration of purpose and persistent- ly applied energy rarely fail of success in the accomplishment of any task however great, and in tracing the career of Dr. George W. Fralick, a well-known physician of Maple City, Leelanaw county, it is plain- ly seen that these things have been the secrets of his rise to a position of prominence and respectability. Moreover, he possesses gen- uine love for his work, and esteems it a priv- ilege to carry comfort and aid to the sick and suffering. His knowledge of the science of medicine is broad and comprehensive, and in his professional labors he has shown that he is well qualified to cope with the intricate problems which continually confront the physician in his efforts to prolong life and restore health.
The Doctor is numbered among Michi- gan's native sons, his birth having occurred in St. Clair county on the 17th of June, 1866. He is a son of Thomas T. Fralick, a native of Canada, who, after arriving at years of maturity, wedded Elizabeth R. Lord. The mother was born in Pennsylva- nia, and died at Copemish, Michigan, on the 20th of March, 1901, at the age of fifty- four years. The father, however, is still living.
The Doctor is their only child. He was reared in Port Hope, Huron county, Mich- igan, and after acquiring his preliminary edu- cation he completed his literary studies in the high school at that place. With a good general knowledge to serve as the founda- tion upon which to rear the superstructure of his professional learning, he took up the study of medicine in 1889. Prior to that date, however, he had engaged in teaching school for six years, and in this way he gained the money necessary to defray the expenses of his collegiate course. He is a graduate of the Michigan College of Medi- cine and Surgery of Detroit, having com- pleted the course in that institution in March, 1893. He then began the practice of his profession at Maple City, where he has since been located, and he now enjoys a large and lucrative patronage. From the beginning his success was sure, because of his thorough preparation and his deep in- terest in the profession-two qualities which are absolutely essential to advance- ment in his chosen calling. In March, 1897, the Doctor established a drug store in Maple City, which he has since conducted, and is thus able to compound his own medicines.
On the 15th of December, 1892, in Port Huron, Michigan, Dr. Fralick was united
G. W. FRALICK, M. D.
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in marriage to Miss Minerva E. Ennest, a daughter of Elias and Margaret Ennest. The lady was born in Bridgehampton, Sani- lac county, Michigan, on the 22d of Novem- ber, 1868, and her culture and refinement, combined with her cordial manner, make her a valued acquisition to the social circles of Maple City. Unto the Doctor and his wife has been born one daughter, Orpha E.
Fraternally, Dr. Fralick is prominent, having attained the Knight Templar degree in the Masonic order, while in the Odd Fel- lows society he is a member of the lodge and is also connected with the Patriarchs Mili- tant. He belongs to the Improved Order of Foresters and the Modern Woodmen camp, and he is surgeon general with the rank of major in the Patriarchs Militant of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows of the de- partment of Michigan. In the line of his profession he is connected with the State Medical Society and with the Grand Trav- erse Medical Society. For ten years he has been coroner at Maple City, and since 1897 he has been postmaster here. He is widely and favorably known both professionally and socially. Everything which tends to bring to man the key to that complex mys- tery which we call life is of interest to him, and his reading and research have been broad and long continued, bringing to him accurate and comprehensive knowledge of the best methods of eradicating disease and restoring to man his most priceless posses- sion.
JULIUS T. HANNAH.
The life of many a promising young man has been blighted either by much wealth or the hope of a rich inheritance. Were they
left dependent upon their own resources, they might not only have become worthy and influential citizens but might have made names to which their posterity could have pointed with pride. Instead, they simply became genteel loafers, a disgrace to them- selves and a constant source of sorrow and shame to their relations. In most instances the parents of such sons are as much to blame for their bad habits and dissipation as are the sons themselves. In youth they were petted and pampered, and as they grew older were indulged beyond all reason, lavish- ly supplied with money, and when they in- curred indebtedness it was paid with possibly a mild reprimand. The subject of this review, Julius T. Hannah, cashier of the Traverse City State Bank, one of the largest, most prosperous and substantial financial institu- tions in northern Michigan, is a son whose career has been the very opposite to that described. Born of wealthy and influential parents, his life has been one of as much in- dustry and exertion as if he had been the son of one of the most humble of his father's employes. In his youth, possibly, he may have thought his parents unnecessarily se- vere in requiring of him as much as they did, but now in his mature years he sees the wisdom of their course. It qualified him for the onerous duties that are now and will be for many years required of him. Naturally of a kind, generous disposition, possessed of an unlimited amount of self respect and family pride, no amount of indulgence could have detracted from the worthy character that is his, but he would have lacked the qualifications which make him a most effi- cient successor to his worthy father.
Julius Trueman Hannah was born March 29, 1858, in what is now Traverse
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City, Michigan. His father is Perry Han- nah, a native of Erie county, Pennsylvania, born September 24, 1824, and who for up- wards of fifty years has been a lumberman. He came to Traverse City in 1851, invested in large tracts of timber land in what is now the city and in the vicinity and has resided here ever since. An interesting review of the successful career of Perry Hannah will be found in another part of this volume. The mother of Julius T. Hannah was Anna A. (Flynn) Hannah, a native of the state of New York, born December 25, 1832. While she was yet quite young her parents died and in her girlhood she moved to Chicago, where she met and married Perry Hannah. They were the parents of three children, viz : Hattie, wife of J. F. Keeney, resides in Chicago; Julius T., the subject of this re- view; and Clara Belle, wife of George W. Gardner, of St. Paul, Minnesota.
The early life of Julius T. Hannah was passed in his native city where the founda- tion for his education was laid in the pub- lic schools. In 1871 he went to Racine, Wisconsin, and there entered college, took the regular course and graduated in 1876. Being the only male member of the family, his father designed him as his successor in business, and desired him to be thoroughly familiar with every detail of the varied, im- mense and growing business which he has for years been so successfully conducting. Accordingly he entered one of the depart- ments of the mercantile establishment, worked as an employe for a year, then de- voted a year to another department and so passed from one to another until the educa- tion was complete in each and every depart- ment. The habits of industry, zeal and ยท earnestness thus acquired were most valuable
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