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 66
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 66
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
After their marriage the subject and his wife began their domestic life in Adams county, Illinois, where he made his home for about four years. During that time the Civil war was inaugurated, and, prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he offered his ser- vices to the government, enlisting on the 12th of August, 1862, as a member of Com- pany I, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry, with which he served con- tinuously for three years and three days. He was in a number of important engage- ments and was in the siege of Vicksburg,
,
MR. AND MRS. C. A. HANNAFORD
528
GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
being under fire there for eighty days. His military record is most commendable, for he was ever loyal and unfaltering in the performance of duty and never wavered in his allegiance to the stars and stripes, even when called into the thickest of the fight.
Soon after the close of his military life Mr. Hannaford took up his residence in Boone county, Illinois, where he remained for a year, and in September, 1866, he came to Leelanaw county, Michigan, where he secured a claim of one hundred and sixty acres of government land, lying in Solon township, although the township organiza- tion was not then effected. In fact it was Mr. Hannaford who gave to the township
his name, calling it Solon in memory of the place of his birth. With characteristic energy he began the development of his land and has since carried on general farm- ing, meeting with very gratifying success in his work. He now owns one hundred and twenty acres, of which sixty-five acres have been improved, and the farm is now in keeping with the advancement of the times in agricultural lines.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hannaford has been blessed with nine children, of whom four are living: Ida, who is the wife of Joseph Hewitt; Minnie, the wife of Albert Smith; Roy and Albert. These are the ones now living, and those who have passed away are Charles, Lyman, Edna, Franklin and Charles.
That Mr. Hannaford is widely and fa- vorably known in his adopted county is shown by the many times he has been called to public office and the length of time he has been retained as the incumbent of public positions. He has held the office of justice of the peace for twenty-five years, has been
township treasurer and has filled other posi- tions of public trust, including that of coun- ty clerk. He has always been a stanch ad- vocate of the Republican party, has done everything in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of the party, and has frequently served as a delegate to county and state conventions. He belongs to Murray Post No. 168, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he has served as com- mander, and he and his wife are active and consistent members of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Traverse City. For four years Mr. Hannaford rented his farm and resided in Traverse City, but is again living upon the old homestead, where he took up his abode thirty-seven years ago. Leelanaw county has found him a valued citizen who co-operates in many measures for the general good. He has been honor- able and active in his business career and in citizenship has been found trustworthy, placing the general welfare before personal aggrandizement. His Christian faith has permeated his entire life and has made his record worthy of the highest emulation and respect.
WILLIAM O. GILBERT.
William O. Gilbert is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Lee- lanaw county. From pioneer times down to the present the name of Gilbert has been in- scribed in the annals of the county in connec- tion with its interests which advance public prosperity and the social and moral stability of the community. His father, George W. Gilbert, was a most highly respected and hon- ored man. He was born in New York, and
32
524
GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
his wife, Mrs. Ellen Gilbert, was a native of Massachusetts. They came to Leelanaw county about 1861 and settled in Kasson township, where for many years the father carried on farming. He was a man of strong will, of earnest convictions and always true to his ideas of right and justice. He enjoyed in a high degree the confidence and good will of his fellow-men, and when he was called to the home beyond one more name was add- ed to the list of honored dead, whose earthly records closed with the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." He was (levoted to his family and friends, and his loss was deeply felt by all who knew him as well as in the immediate home circle. He died June 14, 1899, when more than seventy years of age, and his widow still survives him and is now living in Kasson township. They were the parents of three children, of whom William O. Gilbert is the youngest.
Upon the home farm in Kasson township the subject of this review was reared, and here he has resided most of the time. He attended the public schools during his youth and has since made farming his chief occu- pation. He now owns one hundred and twenty acres of land, and has about one hun- dred acres of this improved. Upon his farm are good buildings and all modern equip- ments calculated to facilitate the farm work and to make it of value in the acquirement of a competence.
As a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Mr. Gilbert chose Miss Ida Bow, their wedding being celebrated in Le- land, Michigan, on the 10th of January, 1891. The lady was born in Empire town- ship, Leelanaw county, and is a daughter of Julius and Mercy Bow, of that township. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert has been
blessed with four children-Warren W., Glenn R., Harold R. and Erwin.
Mr. Gilbert belongs to the Republican party, believing firmly in its principles and putting forth every effort in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. He has, however, never been an aspirant for office, preferring to devote his energies to his business affairs. His manner is genial and entirely free from ostentation. Without pre- tense or display he commands the respect of his fellow-men, because he has been true and faithful to every relation in which he has been placed.
GEORGE S. GODARD.
The tide of emigration has steadily drift- ed westward, until the work of settlement has been carried on throughout the great stretch of country which lies between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. At a comparatively early epoch in the development and improvement of Michigan the Godard family was estab- lished within its borders, the subject of this review being a little lad of only six years when he came to the Wolverine state. He now lives on section 32, Grant township, his attention and energies being devoted to ag- ricultural pursuits. He is a native of Onon- daga county, New York, born on the 17th of August, 1848. His father was Philo Godard, of an old New England family, and a native of Massachusetts. Having arrived at years of maturity he wedded Harriet Henderson, who was born in the Empire state. When their son, George S., was a lad of six sum- mers -- he being the eldest of their three chil- dren-they came to Michigan and estab- lished a home in Kalamazoo county, locat-
-
525
GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
ing in Oshtemo township, where the son was reared to manhood. He lived upon the home farm and entered the public schools, where he pursued his studies during the , winter months. In the summer he was trained to habits of industry on the old homestead, and the work of the fields and meadows became very familiar to him dur- ing his practical experience.
It was in Kalamazoo county, on the 28th of March, 1882, that Mr. Godard was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Day, who was born in that county, December 2, 1861, her parents being W. U. and Margaret E. (Green) Day. Her father was also a native of Kalamazoo county, Michigan, and her mother's birth occurred in New York. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Godard was blessed with a family of eight children, six of whom are yet living, namely : Philo L., Harriet M., May C., Eiva B., Ward W. and Hugh K. The two children who have passed away died in early youth.
It was in the fall of 1877 that Mr. God- ard came to Grand Traverse county, and here he remained for a little more than two years. He then returned to Kalamazoo county, where he again resided for two years, and then once more he came to Grand Traverse county, which has now been his home for more than two decades. Since 1881 he has resided in Grant township, and his home is now on section 32, where he has one hundred and sixty acres of land, of which about for- ty-five acres cleared and improved. Farm work has claimed his attention throughout his entire life, and he is a well-known agri- culturist, carrying on his work in a manner that enables him to gain a good financial re- turn for his labor. He is public-spirited and his interest in the welfare of the community
is deep and abiding. His fellow-townsmen recognize his worth and have several times called him to office. For three years he has been supervisor of Grant township, and he has also been school treasurer. His wife is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and both are widely and favorably known. For about half a century Mr. God- ard has been a resident of Michigan, and early in life he became imbued with the spirit of enterprise which has ever dominated this section of the country. In all his work he has been practical, accurate and honorable, and his business reputation is unassailable. His geniality and deference for the opinion of others have served to gain him an enviable position in the regard of his fellow-men, and such qualities make him well worthy of men- tion among the representative citizens of Grand Traverse county.
EDWARD H. BURROWS.
Edward H. Burrows, who follows farm- ing on section 22, Grant township, Grand Traverse county, was born on the old family homestead in this township, May 29, 1868, and spent his entire life in Grand Traverse and Calhoun counties. He came of Eng- lish lineage. His father, the late John Bur- rows, was born in Cambridgeshire. Eng- land, on the 10th of April, 1842, and was a boy of about ten or twelve years when he accompanied his parents. on their emigra- tion to the new world. The family home was first established in Vermont, but sub- sequently the grandparents of the subject left the Green Mountain state and came to Michigan. John Burrows attained his ma-
526
GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
jority in Grand Traverse county and then, desiring a companion and helpmate for the journey of life, he wedded Mrs. Hannah (Allen) Babcock, the marriage being cele- brated in Traverse City. The lady was a native of Sanilac county, Michigan. Mr. Burrows took his bride to the home which he prepared on section 22, Grant township, and there they lived happily for a short time, when death separated them, Mrs. Burrows being called to the home beyond in 1869. Edward H. Burrows was the only child born of this marriage. The father was afterward again married, his second union being with Emma Fancher, by whom he had one daughter, Flora E. For his third wife he chose Viola Soper, and unto this marriage four children were born, Hiram L., Rosa, Callie and Hazel, all still living. The father met his death by being kicked by a horse. and died instantly. He was for many years an active, energetic farmer of Grant township and a man of considerable influence, and his loss to the community is widely felt.
Edward H. Burrows was only about a year old at the time of his mother's death, at which time he was taken to the home of his paternal grandmother in Penfield town- shipp, Calhoun county, where he spent about seven years. He then returned to his father's home, where he remained through- out the remainder of his minority. He was educated in the common schools and has al- ways followed farming, early gaining thor- ough and practical knowledge of the best methods of improving the fields, so as to make his labors profitable. He owns a tract of land of eighty acres, of which forty-seven acres is cultivated, and he gives his attention in undivided manner to his farming interests,
always making his work his first consider- ation.
Mr. Burrows was maried in Inland, Benzie county, Michigan, October 26, 1895, to Miss Eva Schell, who was born in Trav- erse City, June II, 1877, a daughter of Joram and Abbie (Spafford) Schell, the former a native of New York, while the lat- ter was born in Ohio. Their marriage was blessed with five children, of whom their daughter Eva is the eldest. Mr. and Mrs. Burrows have one living child, Glen L., and they buried a son who died in infancy. Of the Methodist Episcopal church they are members and in its work they take an active and helpful interest, believing firmly in its teachings and having strong desire to see the: church grow in influence and power as a sav- ing force in the world. Mr. Burrows has held the position of school inspector and di- rector for seven years, but the honors and emoluments of public office have had no at- traction for him, as he has desired rather to devote his time and energies to his busi- nes affairs, whereby he is now gaining a good living.
GEORGE C. McMANUS.
George C. McManus, a prosperous and highly respected farmer of Paradise town- ship, Grand Traverse county, Michigan, was born in Leeds county, Canada, Febru- ary 17, 1840. His parents were William B. and Mary (Myers) McManus, the former of Irish nativity and the latter from Canada. Early in the 'seventies they came to Grand Traverse county and continued to make this their home through life. George McManus was one of a family of thirteen
- --------
GEORGE C. McMANUS.
MRS. GEORGE C. McMANUS.
527
GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
children and, with the pluck that has char- acterized his entire life, he left home at the age of thirteen years to do for himself in the great battlefield of life. He followed dif- ferent occupations, accepting whatever hon- est work was offered. He enlisted on Lake Erie as a marine, and was assigned to the "Harrison," on which he served three years. When seventeen years old he shipped on the "North Star," a whaling vessel from Port- land, Maine, and sailed to the Sandwich isl- ands, going from there to San Francisco, and thence making one trip to the Isthmus of Panama on the "Golden Age." Returning to California, Mr. McManus went into the Sierra mountains as a miner and was later in the Rocky mountains, spending seven years there as a miner and passing through many exciting and interesting experiences. He crossed the plains six times and was fairly succesful in the mines.
In the summer of 1865 he longed for a more quiet and less hazardous life and re- turned to Grand Traverse county. He ac- cepted a position with the firm of Hannah, Lay & Company, remaining in their employ for ten years, after which he went to Duluth, Minnesota, where he spent two and one-half years estimating and locating pine lands. At the request of his brother, Will- iam L., he went to Petoskey and took charge of his large lumber business at that point, remaining there seven years.
Mr. McManus had previously purchased land in this county and when he left Petos- key he returned here and took up his resi- dence on his farm in 1893. He owns two hundred acres and has been devoting the past ten years to its development and im- provement. The name of his place is "Sun- ny Side Farm." He has been twice mar-
ried, first to Miss Matilda Reynolds, to whom he was joined December 31, 1868, and who died September 1, 1877, leaving two children, George E. and William A., who died in the twenty-fourth year of his age. Mr. McManus was married February 28, 1879, to Miss Mattie A. Everling, who was born in Tipton county, Indiana, August 13, 1855, and is a daughter of Edward and Rebecca (Hutto) Everling.
Edward Everling was a native of Jen- nings county, Indiana, born in, 1826, and his death occurred September 17, 1889. In con- nection with coopering and blacksmithing, he also farmed to some extent. In politics he was a Democrat. Rebecca Everling was born in Tipton county, Indiana, May 4, 1836, and died September 1, 1896. They were the parents of eight children, of whom the following are living: Mattie, Mrs. Mc- Manus; Mary, wife of Arthur W. Kimball, a lumberman in Wisconsin; Edward, who is city marshal of Onaway, Michigan, mar- ried Miss Mary Hobner; Otto, a lumber- man at Fife Lake, Michigan, married Miss Carrie Ones; John resides in Grand Tra- verse county. The subject's present union has resulted in four offspring, viz: Georgia A., who died at the tender age of three years; Charles A .; George C., Jr .; and one son who died in infancy. Charles and George are both attending the public schools, and are gifted with much musical ability, both playing the violin and the former being quite proficient as a guitarist. Mr. McManus is a gentleman of sound busi- ness principles, strict integrity and upright character who enjoys the respect and es- teem of all who know him. Mr. McManus is independent in his politics and supports the man best fitted for the office, regardless
528
GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
of political sentiment. He is a member of Petoskey Tent No 223, Knights of the Modern Maccabees, and Mrs. McManus is a member of Petoskey Hive No. 61, Ladies of the Modern Maccabees, of which she was prelate.
SAMUEL L. BRAZEBRIDGE.
Examine into the life records of the self- made men and it will always be found that indefatigable industry forms the basis of their success. True, there are other elements that enter in-perseverance of purpose and keen discrimination, which enables one to recognize business opportunities-but ahe foundation of all achievement is earnest, persistent labor. At the outset of his career Samuel L .. Brazebridge recognized this fact and did not seek to gain any short or won- drous method to the goal of prosperity. He began, however, to work earnestly and dili- gently in order to advance himself in the business world and although he started out as a farm hand he is now the possessor of a good farming property of his own situated on section 22, Grant township, Grand Traverse county.
Robert Brazebridge, his father, was a native of Cambridgeshire, England, born on the 22d of October, 1826. Coming to this country he took up his abode in Sanilac county, Michigan, and was there united in marriage, in the village of Peck, in the spring of 1859, to Miss Mary Ann Allen, whose birth occurred in St. Clair county, this state, November 10, 1842. They were residents of Sanilac county until September, 1865, when they moved to Grand Traverse county, settling in Grant township, where their re-
maining days were passed, the mother of our subject departing this life on the 29th day of May, 1882, while the father, long surviving her, died August 8, 1901, at the age of about seventy-five years. Unto them were born five children, Samuel L .; William E .; Alice and Allen, who are now deceased; and Walter E.
Samuel L. Brazebridge, whose name forms the caption of this review, was born in Sanilac county, Michigan, on the 3d of December, 1860, and was about five years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Grand Traverse county, where he has since lived with the exception of a brief period spent elsewhere as a farm hand. On the homestead farm in Grant township he was reared and in the public schools he mastered the branches of learning usually taught in such institutions. Early in his business career he worked as a farm hand and when he had managed to save from his earnings a sum sufficient to purchase land on his own account, he invested in eighty acres on sec- tions 22 and 27, Grant township,-forty acres in each section. To its further develop- ment and improvement he has since devoted his energies, and the fields are now well tilled and bring forth good harvests. Forty-five acres of the land is improved and the fur- ther work of development is being carried on in an energetic manner which produces good results.
In Traverse City, July 5, 1894, occurred the marriage of Mr. Brazebridge and Miss Minnie Bigger, a native of Grant township and a daughter of Smith and Abigail Big- ger, well-known farming people of the same township. Three children have been born to them, Clarence E., Cecil L. and Allen. The eldest and youngest are at home, but the
529
GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
second son died in his fourth year. The parents hold membership in the Seventh Day Adventist church, and their religious faith is manifest in their daily lives and in their straightforward treatment of their fellow men. Mr. Brazebridge takes a deep interest in all township and county affairs and has given effective aid to measures for the gen- eral good. Moreover he is practical in all that he does, and his labors therefore both for the public good and for his individual success have the desired effect. He is a man of strong purpose and of firm convictions and never falters in his allegiance to what he believes to be right. During the long years of his residence in Grand Trav- erse county he has become widely known and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are numbered among those who have known him from boyhood is an indication that his career has been an honorable one.
GEORGE W. GILBERT.
George W. Gilbert is residing upon the old Gilbert homestead on section 30, Kasson township, Leelanaw county. He has lived here for many years, an active representative of agricultural interests, and his farm meth- ods are of such a practical and progressive type that he has become one of the substan- tial citizens of the community.
His father was the late George W. Gil- bert, who was born at Washington Mills, Onondaga county, New York, in the year 1829. The mother bore the maiden name of Ellen George and her birth occurred in New Bedford, Massachusetts, on the 17th of April, 1843. In early life they came to
the west and were married in Chicago, Illi- nois, February 19, 1859. In that city they began their domestic life, living there until the fall of 1861, when they came to Michi- gan. Leelanaw county was then largely un- improved, but it afforded good opportunities to the ambitious and energetic business man because of its splendid natural resources. For a year and a half Mr. Gilbert resided in Glen Arbor township and at the end of that time removed to Kasson township, es- tablishing what is now known as the old family homestead. His attention was chiefly devoted to farm life and his indefatigable efforts and unabating energy resulted in bringing about a great transformation; in the tract of land which came into his pos- session at an early day. The farm, once wild and unimproved, became rich and pro- ductive and the fields returned to him good harvests. After long years of residence here Mr. Gilbert passed away on the 12th of June, 1899, and thus the county lost one of its honored pioneer settlers. He had aided in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present prosperity of the county and he took a justifiable interest and pride in every- thing that pertained to the advancement of Leelanaw county, which compares favor- ably with the foremost counties of this great commonwealth. Unto him and his wife were born three children: Emma, who is now the wife of N. Chapman; George W., of this review ; and William O., who is rep- resented on another page of this work.
George W. Gilbert was born in Glen Arbor township, September 17, 1862, but during his early infancy his parents removed to Kasson township and he was reared upon his father's farm there. It has since been his home with the exception of a period of
1
530
GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
six years that he lived with his parents in Chicago. In early life he became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. The sun shone down upon many a field which he plowed and planted in his youth and in later years he has continued his labors upon the old homestead, where he now owns one hundred. and sixty-seven acres of land. Of this about ninety acres are improved and on the farm are commodious and substantial build- ings which add to the attractive appearance of the place, indicating the careful super- vision of the owner.
In Kasson township, on the 19th of July, 1883, Mr. Gilbert was united in mariage to Miss Kate Krubner, who was born in Cleve- land township, Leelanaw county, on the 26th of November, 1868. She is a daughter of Jo- seph Krubner, of that township. Her moth- er, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Stiger, died at the birth of her daughter,Mrs. Gilbert. Unto the subject and his wife have been born three children, Gladys M., Rosa E. and Bessie E. Their presence adds to the light and life of the household and the mem- bers of the family occupy an enviable posi- tion in social circles. Mr. Gilbert votes with the Republican party and has held the office of highway commissioner and overseer of the highways. At all times he has kept in touch with the progress of the country, being a man of broad general information. While his efforts have been largely concentrated in farm work in his native county, he is full of sympathy with the spirit of national ad- vancement and has put forth his efforts to keep this locality apace with general im- provement. Mr. Gilbert's many excellent traits of character command uniform respect and he is held in the highest regard.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.