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 56
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 56
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GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
ing good health. They were the parents of four children, viz: Thomas T., a liter- ary man, the editor of a newspaper at Ches- terville, Canada; Albert, a dry goods sales- man, is employed at Portage La Prairie, Canada; Charlotte, wife of the subject of this review; William A., painter, resides in Brooklyn, New York, is now a traveling salesman for a dry goods company.
To Dr. and Mrs. Albert H. Holliday three children have been born, viz: Lewis A., born June 30, 1892; Marion Lucille, born June 22, 1894; Thomas Jackson, born June 25, 1896. All are attending school in Traverse City and making very satisfac- tory progress in their studies.
January 1, 1893, Dr. Albert H. Holli- day came with his family from Canada to Michigan, and, finding Traverse City a suit- able location, established himself there in the practice of his profession. The result thus far shows clearly the wisdom of his choice. However, a medical man pos- sessed of the abilities and learning of the Doctor could not fail to succeed in any local- ity where accidents occur or illness and suf- fering prevails. His large and lucrative practice here in Traverse City and vicinity, built up in less than ten years, is a splendid proof of his worth as a man and his skill and abilities in his profession. He is the owner of a beautiful home, one of the finest in the city, splendidly furnished and located on Washington street, the oldest and most desirable residence street of the city.
In politics Dr. Holliday, despite his Ca- nadian birth and education, is as intensely American as the most patriotic son or daugh- ter of the Revolution. On becoming a citi- zen of the United States and after careful and impartial study of the political situation,
he allied himself with the Republican party and voted its ticket at each recurring elec- tion since. He believes that its success sub- serves the best interests of the country, and, as a citizen interested in the welfare of the nation, he acts accordingly. In religion he and his family are members of the Presby- terian church and regular attendants upon the services of that denomination in Trav- erse City. His is a devout, Christian fam- ily. and every member of it is deeply inter- ested in church and religious work. The Doctor is at home in nearly all of the frater- nal societies. He is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias, an Elk, a Forester, a Woodman, a Maccabee, a member of the Mystic Circle and of the Royal Arcanum. He is also a director in the Traverse City Driving Park Association and a member of the board of trustees of the Traverse City library. In all matters involving the interests of the city er county he is enterprising and vigilant. He and Mrs. Holliday are both accom- plished musicians, vocal and instrumental, and their talent is often called into requisi- tion at social gatherings and occasionally to add to the interest of local public entertain- ments.
JAMES W. MILLIKEN. ,
It often transpires that the material necessary for making a good professional man, mechanic, or merchant is spoiled by being used in the' construction of a poor politician. It is very rare that the requisite talents for a good politician are diverted into other channels and are made fully, if not more effective, there than they would have been in the political arena. The subject of
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this sketch, James W. Milliken, splendidly illustrates the possibilities of a man equipped by nature for a political career devoting his time, talents and labors to another and wholly different calling. Hon. James W. Milliken has every element necessary for a successful politician, but he preferred to be a merchant. Ordinarily a choice of this kind is neither satisfactory nor successful. In the case of Mr. Milliken the reverse is true. It is a fine attestation of his versatility and the success he has achieved in the mer- cantile line more than compensates for all that he might have won or lost had he de- voted himself to politics.
James W. Milliken was born in Den- mark, Maine, May 20, 1848. His father was Joseph Milliken, also a native of Maine, who during the greater part of his life en- gaged in the manufacture of lumber. His death occurred October 27, 1885. The mother of James W. Milliken was Mary Ann (Buck) Milliken, who was also a native of Maine, born near the New Hampshire line. She died in August, 1893. They were the parents of four children, viz: Sam K., who is engaged in the carriage business and now resides at Worcester, Massachusetts ; Charles O. was engaged in the express business at Bidiford, Maine, but died in the autumn of 1896; James W., the subject of this sketch, and Henrietta, wife of Homer B. Jennison, a resident of Worcester, Massachusetts.
The early life of James W. Milliken was pased at Saco, Maine. Little oportunity was given him for procuring an education, but that little was well improved. At the age of fifteen he left school to take a position as clerk in a dry goods store in Saco, where he remained three years. Those years supplied
him with a fund of valuable information regarding the mercantile business, gave him a love for the vocation, and not only influ- enced, but determined, his course in life. When eighteen years old, like most ambitious youths of that age, he was influenced with a desire to see more of the outside world. He directed his steps toward the setting sun and eventually arrived in Traverse City, where, in June, 1868, he entered the employ of Hannah, Lay & Company, in the mer- cantile department of their business. With them he remained nearly six years, his serv- ices being efficient and well appreciated by his employers.
After an experience of nearly ten years in the mercantile business, Mr. Milliken, in 1874; when twenty-six years of age, de- termined to embark in the business for him- self. He had been provident and thrifty during all these years and, although not possessed with a superabundance of capital, he felt that he had sufficient upon which to make the venture. Communicating his pur- pose to another employe of the same firm, Frank Hamilton, they were not long in coming to an understanding, the result of which was the firm of Hamilton, Milliken & Company, dealers in dry goods and clothing. They opened their store in Traverse City and were soon in possession of an enviable patronage. The dry goods department was under the direct charge of Mr. Milliken and Mr. Hamilton devoted himself exclusively to the clothing department. The partner- ship continued until February, 1892, when a disolution was decided upon. At that time one large store building was devoted to each branch of the business. By the arrange- ments agreed upon each member of the late
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firm took the stock in the department over which he had presided. No changes or al- terations whatever were made in either store. The internal communication between the stores is just the same as during the continu- ance of the partnership, and there are many people of Grand Traverse county, patrons of the late firm, who are under the im- pression that the partnership still con- tinues.
June 8, 1881, James W. Milliken was united in marriage to Miss Callie Thacker, a native of Ohio, born January 20, 1858. When a child of seven years she came with her parents to Traverse City, was educated in the city schools and is a graduate of the Traverse City high school. She is a lady of many acocmplishments, but is especially gifted as an artist. To this union one child was born, James Thacker, the date of his birth being August 20, 1882. He was edu- cated in the schools of Traverse City, grad- uated from the high school and is now at- tending school at Olivet, Michigan. It is his purpose to enter the University of Mich- igan, Ann Arbor, in the near future. He will take a literary-scientific course, but has not yet definitely decided what profession or calling he will follow. He is a young man of marked ability and gives every promise of a bright future.
Politically Hon. James W. Milliken is an uncompromising Republican. During the exciting campaign of 1888 he was chairman of the Republican county central committee and so successfully directed the affairs of his party that the Republican majority in the county was considerably increased. He served a number of years both before and after that campaign in that capacity. He was elected in 1897 to fill the vacancy and in
1898 received the nomination of his party for state senator in the twenty-seventh dis- trict, composed of the counties of Antrim, Charlevoix, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Benzie, Leelenaw and Wexford. His op- ponent was Heman B. Sturtevant, who was suported by the Democratic, Populist and Free Silver parties. Prentice W. Whitman, a Prohibitionist, was also a candidate. The official count disclosed the vote to be, Whit- man, 316; Sturtevant, 3,256, and Milliken 7,906. He completed a very successful term as state senator, and although amply quali- fied and splendidly equipped for a political career nothing could induce him to accept another political office. He is thoroughly wedded to the calling of his choice, and the halls of legislation will never again inveigle him away from his business.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Milliken are regular attendants of the Congregational church and members of that denomination. He belongs to no fraternal societies. At one time he joined two of them but dropped both for the reason that he felt that his time was too precious to be expended in that way. He is secretary and treasurer of the Implement Company of Traverse City. It is a manti- facturing concern, engaged in the construc- tion of all kinds of small farming imple- ments, more particularly those used in the planting, cultivation and digging of pota- toes, planters, sprayers, etc. But outside of his home, Mr. Milliken's chief joy and pride is his mercantile establishment. It is one of the finest, best stocked and most exten- sive dry goods stores in the lake regions and enjoys a most gratifying patronage. Were he less attached to it there is no doubt that he would he heard from to some pur- pose in politics. -
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GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
HENRY J. SCOTT.
Many of the active and enterprising busi- ness men of Leelanaw county have come from the dominion of Canada and of this class Henry J. Scott is a representative. He is living on section 21, Leelanaw township, where he carries on general farming. He was born in Lenox county, Ontario, on the 3d of November, 1846, and is a son of John and Jane (Hamilton) Scott, 'who were na- tives of Ireland and were of Scotch-Irish par- entage. For long years they resided in Can- ada and both died in Hastings county, On- tario, the wife and mother passing away when about seventy-five years of age, while the husband and father, surviving her for a few years, died at the venerable age of eighty-four years. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom Henry J. Scott is the eleventh.
Henry J. Scott was only two years old when his parents went to Hastings county, Ontario, and there he was reared to man- hood, making that place his home until he came to Michigan. He always resided on his father's farm up to that time and in his early youth he spent the winter months in school. After putting aside his text books he then devoted the winter seasons to work- ing in the lumber woods, while in the sum- mer months he assisted in the cultivation and improvement of the home farm.
In June, 1872, Mr. Scott arrived in Lee- lanaw county, Michigan, and again he was employed in the lumber woods until April, 1877. With the capital he had thus acquired through his own energy and economy he purchased a tract of land, becoming the owner of one hundred and twenty acres. Upon this place he took up his abode and it
has since been his home. He has erected good buildings upon the farm and is the owner of more than three hundred acres of land, of which about one hundred and sev- enty acres have been placed under the plow and are now highly cultivated. The rich fields are well tilled and he annually gathers good harvests as the result of the care and labor bestowed upon his land. Everything about his place is in keeping with the pro- gressive spirit of the times.
On the 24th of March, 1877, in Hast- ings county, Canada, Mr. Scott was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Bruin, who was born in Lenox county, Ontario, on the Ist of March, 1857, and was therefore a young lady of twenty years at the time of her marriage. Her parents are John and Catherine (Hamilton) Bruin. the former a native of the Emerald Isle and the latter of Canada. Of a family of eight children Mrs. Scott was the eldest and by her marriage she has become the mother of four children : Clarence E., Archie and Edith, who are still living, and a son that died in infancy.
For several years Mr. Scott held the of- fice of highway commissioner in Leelanaw township and has taken a deep interest in having good roads. He has, however, never sought political preferment, as he devotes his time and attention to his business cares. His business career has in many respects been well worthy of emulation. Brooking no ob- stacles that can be overcome by undaunted perseverance and strong purpose, he has steadily worked his way upward and now occupies a creditable place in the plane of affluence. His life has been a busy and use- ful one and without turning aside into the fields of speculation he has achieved success and won an untarnished reputation.
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LEELANAW COUNTIES.
HERBERT O. JOYNT.
Ten years is not a very long time, but many people have accomplished much in that period. A little more than ten years ago the subject of this review, Herbert O. Joynt, was engaged in what is termed lumbering, and had been so laboring for many years. It is an honored vocation, but one that is laden with abundance of hard work and is by no means as remunerative as it should be for the amount of toil required. In less than eight years the subject has risen from the position of an ordinary lumberman, through the various positions of fireman, assistant en- gineer and chief engineer, until he is now and has been for two years past general su- perintendent of the water works of Traverse City. Without the possession of the requisite talents and abilities, this never could have been accomplished.
Herbert O. Joynt was born in Portland, Ontario, Canada, February 10, 1870. His father is Charles L. Joynt, a native of Can- ada, born in 1843. He was a farmer, was reared and educated in Canada and there he was married, in 1866, at New Boyne, to Sarah Donovan, also a native of Canada, born in 1841. She also was reared and ed- ucated in Canada. They moved to Leelanaw county, Michigan, in 1880, and she died in 1897, at the age of fifty-six years, while her husband is still living, at his home in Omena, being in good health and giving fair promise of many years of usefulness. They were the parents of seven children, viz: Adelbert, a farmer, resides in Omena, Leelanaw county ; Herbert O., the subject of this review ; Mary E., wife of Alexander Galletch, stationary engineer, is employed and resides in Chica- go; Ada, wife of Wilder H. Graves, resides
at Silver City, New Mexico, where he went in 1900, on account of ill-health, was instruc- tor in a gymnasium at Fargo, North Dakota, and since his removal to New Mexico his health has been almost completely restored; Charles, Jr., a machinist at Beloit, Wiscon- sin, is married and the father of an interest- ing family; Hattie resides at home with her father in Omena; Cowles is at home with his father, assisting in the farm work.
Up to the time he was ten years of age the life of Herbert O. Joynt was spent on the farm in Canada where he was born. When his parents moved to Leelanaw county he, with the other members of the family, ac- companied them. There he attended school and assisted in the farm work. At the age of sixteen he left school to engage in lum- bering and followed that vocation until about eleven years ago. In March, 1892, he se- cured a position as fireman in the water works at Traverse City. After about eight months he became assistant engineer and held that position for two years. He was then made chief engineer and held that posi- tion until 1900, when the city purchased the plant and he was tendered the general su- perintendency of the works. He accepted the sitiuation and has been most efficiently dis- charging the duties of the position since. In company with Frank Lahym, he organized what is known as the Columbia Transfer Company, with offices on Front street near the Columbia Hotel, and from the very first the enterprise has been most successful. The duties of Mr. Joynt as city official precludes the possibility of his giving the transfer busi- ness much attention, so that it is almost en- tirely controlled and directed by his partner, who is a very thorough and capable man.
November 9, 1893, at Traverse City,
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GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
Herbert O. Joynt was united in marriage to Miss Anna Zimmerman, a native of Traverse City, born July 9, 1870. Her parents are John and Johannah (Myers) Zimmerman, old residents of this portion of Michigan, having resided here since 1870, though both are natives of Germany. Their home is on a well-tilled, productive farm, which they own, about one and one-half miles from Traverse City. He is now seventy-seven years old and she numbers the years of her life at seventy.
The game of politics has no charms whatever for Herbert O. Joynt. He is a con- sistent Republican and generally votes the ticket, but never sought or held any political office. He belongs to no religious denomina- tion, but he and his wife usually attend di- vine service at the Congregational church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has advanced to and taken the degrees of the commandery. At the present time he is the worshipful master of the blue lodge, captain of the host in the chapter and sword bearer in the commandery. He is also a member of the Elks. Though still young in years, he has had much experience in life and has shown a physical and mental strength which has enabled him to cope well with the difficulties to be encountered in the battle of life. What he has accomplished in the ten or twelve years since he attained his majority bespeaks for him a brilliant future.
JACOB WAAGBOE.
"Through struggles to triumph" seems to be the maxim which holds sway for the majority of our citizens and, though it is
undeniably true that many a one falls ex- hausted in the conflict, a few by their inher- ent force of character and strong mentality . rise above their environments and all which seems to hinder them until they reach the plane of affluence. Such has been the his- tory of Jacob Waagboe and in his life rec- ord many useful lessons may be gleaned. He now resides on section 32, Leelanaw township, and is accounted one of the rep- resentative farmers of Leelanaw county, Michigan.
Mr. Waagboe was born in the kingdom of Norway on the 21st of August, 1846, and is the fourth in a family of nine children whose parents were Jacob and Mary (O1- sen) Waagboe, also natives of Norway. The father has now passed away, having died in his native land when eighty-four years of age.
In the land of the midnight sun Jacob Waagboe of this review was reared and edu- cated and there resided until 1873, when, at the age of twenty-seven years, he determined to come to America. He was employed as a clerk in a store in Norway for ten years and thus gained practical experience con- cerning mercantile methods practiced there. Bidding adieu to friends and native land, he sailed for the United States, hoping that in its broader business opportunities he could more readily win advancement and secure a competence. He landed in New York and thence made his way across the country to Michigan, since which time he has been a resident in Leelanaw county. He had no capital to aid him in gaining a start here, but he possessed a resolute will and was not afraid to work. He was employed at differ- ent occupations until 1875, when having acquired some money through his industry .
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GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
and economy he purchased forty acres of land on section 32, Leelanaw township. He then took up his abode upon the farm which has been his home through all the interven- ing years, covering a period of more than a quarter of a century. As his financial re- sources increased he extended the boundar- ies of his place until it now comprises nine- ty-seven acres, of which he has about eighty- five acres improved. The good buildings upon the farm have been erected by Mr. Waagboe and he has made other improve- ments, adding good machinery, building fences and cultivating the fields until the farm is equal in its equipments and accessor- ies to any of the fine farms of this portion of the state.
In Leelanaw township, on the 26th of October, 1875, Mr. Waagboe was united in marriage to Miss Mary Garthe, a daughter of Christen and Gertrude Garthe, who are mentioned on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Mrs. Waag- boe's brother, S. C. Garthe. Mrs. Waag- boe was born in Norway .on the 17th of Au- gust, 1853, and by her marriage she has be- come the mother of nine children, of whom eight are yet living, as follows: John, Mary, Gertrude, Carl, Caroline, Harmon, Annetta and William. One son died in in- fancy. Mr. Waagboe has been a member of the school board for many years and is deeply interested in the cause of education, putting forth every effort in his power to advance the standard of the schools and thus more ably prepare the children to meet with the responsible duties which come in later life. He has also served as highway commissioner and both he and his wife are members of the Second Evangelical Luth- eran church at Northport, of which he is
now the secretary. Mr. Waagboe has led an upright life, guided by honorable prin- ciples, and his fidelity to duty is unques- tioned. He is a progressive farmer, a ge- nial and considerate friend and an hon- orable Christian gentleman, who in the com- munity where he makes his home commands the unqualified confidence and good will of those with whom he has come in contact.
HON. JAMES E. CAMPBELL.
The specific and distinctive office of biog- raphy is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave the perpetual record es- tablishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his fellow-men. That Mr. Campbell occupies a notable position among the leading and influential citizens of Leelanaw county is evidenced by his long continuance in the office of probate judge, to which he was first elected in the fall of 1888, and in which he has now served for fourteen consecutive years. No higher tes- timonial of his trustworthiness and capa- bility could be given than the fact of his re- election by popular suffrage. He is, more- over, a representative of agricultural inter- ests in the county, and while he has to some degree retired from the more arduous cares of farm life, he nevertheless owns, occupies and still cultivates a farm of forty acres in Elmwood township.
Judge Campbell was born on a farm in Franklin county, New York, on the 30th of June, 1841. His father was John Camp- bell, a farmer by occupation, following that pursuit throughout his entire business ca- reer. He married Miss Nancy McEdward,
JAMES E. CAMPBELL
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GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
and both were natives of Scotland, but, leav- ing the land of hills and heather in their youth, they came to the new world and were married in Franklin county, New York. The mother died in Canada and the father afterward came to Leelanaw county, spend- ing his last days in Elmwood township, where he passed away in his eighty-first year. They were the parents of twelve chil- dren, of whom the subject of this review was the fifth in order of birth.
In the county of his nativity the Judge remained during a portion of his youth, and then accompanied his parents to Canada, where he lived until he was eighteen years of age. He then crossed the border into the "states" and took up his abode in St. Clair county, Michigan. When two years had passed he removed to Port Austin, in Hu- ron county, this state, where he remained until 1870, and during that time was en- gaged in the lumber business. In the fall of 1870, with his wife and two children, he came to Leelanaw county and purchased a farm in Elmwood township, and upon it he has since lived, devoting his attention to ag- ricultural pursuits. He was at one time extensively engaged in the cultivation of cereals best adapted to the soil and climate, and through the careful, energetic conduct of his business affairs he won very desirable prosperity, that now enables him to take life easier. He has sold off some of his land, re- taining possession of forty acres, most of which is improved.
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