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 69
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 69
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The winter of 1860-61 Dr. Leach spent in Traverse City. It was at that time a lit- tle hamlet in the woods, with no roads lead- ing to it from the outside world. He came on foot from Grand Haven, up the lake shore and over the trail from Portage via Bear Lake and Benzonia. In the spring, it seem- ing advisable to return to Duplain, he went back, again on foot, over the route by which he had come. The war of the Rebellion had just broken out, and on the organization of the First Michigan Calvary, in the following August, he, with many of his neighbors and friends, enlisted as a private in that regi- ment. He was soon afterward made a hos- pital steward. In this capacity he had the immediate care of the sick and wounded of the regiment, and often performed the duties properly belonging to a surgeon.
The regiment spent the fall in Washing- ton and the winter in Frederick, Maryland, crossing with General Banks' forces into the Shenandoah valley late in the following Feb- ruary. General Banks, after the battle of Kernstown, having pursued the enemy up the valley to Harrisonburg and afterward
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fallen back to Strasburg, was finally com- pelled to fly before the overwhelming force of Stonewall Jackson. On the retreat Dr. Leach was moving with the wagon train, with several wagons containing the hospital stores, nurses and sick men of his regiment, when a short distance north of Middletown the train was suddenly charged by the Con- federate cavalry. Though a hospital steward was not required to carry arms, he had al- ways carried a sabre and a revolver, and now, perhaps not wisely, he commenced using his revolver, attempting almost single handed to repel the attack and save his men. In less time than it takes to tell it he was unhorsed and lay on the ground, bruised and bleeding, with a severe sabre cut on the right cheek, a slight cut on each hand and another on the shoulder, and a bad bullet wound in the lower part of his thigh. He was made pris- oner and carried back to Middletown, where, a few days later, when Jackson, in his turn, had to retreat, he was placed on parole and left in the hospital. As soon as he was able to travel, he returned home, spent some time in Camp Chase, Ohio, whither he was or- dered with other paroled prisoners, was dis- charged from the service on account of disa- bility from wounds, and again returned home. In the fall of 1862, having nearly recovered from his wounds, he received a commission as assistant surgeon in the Ninth Regiment of Michigan Calvary, then organi- zing at Coldwater. He left with the regi- ment for Kentucky in May, 1863, and, after participating in the stirring events occurring in that state during the summer, passed over the Cumberland mountains in the fall, and joined General Burnside's command in Ten- nessee. He remained with the regiment till the spring of 1864, when he was detailed for
service in one of the general hospitals of Knoxville. In the course of the summer, finding his health seriously affected by cli- matic conditions and the influences of the environment incident to the performance of his duties as a medical officer, he resigned his commission and retired from the service. Af- ter the war he was engaged for some time in the construction of state swamp land roads, at first in connection with his brother, Hon. D. C. Leach, between Traverse City and Charlevoix, and later, by himself, between Charlevoix and Harbor Springs. Afterward he engaged for a short time in the mercan- tile business, losing in it all the profits pre- viously made in road-building.
During a considerable part of his life Dr. Leach was a frequent contributor to the newspaper literature of the country. As in his younger days he read for the love of reading, so now he wrote mainly for the love of writing. True he sometimes got pay for his articles, but, with a few exceptions, the remuneration was so small as to be scarcely worthy of consideration. His lit- erary productions are scattered through the papers of the period, probably very few copies of any of them being in existence at the pres- ent time. Among the most elaborate of his works may be mentioned, "Tom Rinkle and His Friends" and "Letters from Pickle Cor- ners," printed in the Household, a monthly, at that time published in Brattleboro, Ver- mont. The former is a story of backwoods life, the latter a series of articles loosely con- nected by narrative and spiced with philo- sophical observations on men and things. Several short stories, that created consider- able interest, were written for the papers of David C. Cook, the Chicago publisher' of Sunday-school literature. Doubtless Mr.
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Leach's most important work is his "History of the Grand Traverse Region," published in the Grand Traverse Herald, in 1883. It was prepared with painstaking care. On this point we quote the author's own state- ment :
"A few simple principles have guided the author in the execution of the work. It has not been written in the interest of any per- son, party or clique. To tell the truth, and to make of the truth an interesting narrative, has been his constant aim. In case of con- flicting testimony, of which there have been but a remarkably small number of instances, he has carefully and impartially weighed the evidence, and has given the statement of what to him appeared to be the truth without fear or favor." This history has never been put into book form. It has come to be recog- nized standard authority on the matters of which it treats. Besides contributing to various publications, he was for short periods, at different times, engaged in editor- ial work. During the latter half of 1872 and the former half of 1873, he worked as assist- ant editor on the Grand Traverse Herald, at that time published by his brother.
The death of Mrs. Leach, in 1878, was the occasion of the breaking up of his home in Duplain. Remaining in that vicinity till the spring of 1880, he then removed to Char- levoix. where he remained two years, en- gaged in the practice of his profession. In the meantime his brother had conceived the project of publishing a monthly agricultural paper at Traverse City, and offered him an opportunity to take part in the work. The offer was readily accepted. The first num- ber of the Northwest Farmer appeared in April, 1882. At the end of three years, not having proved a financial success, the publi-
cation was discontinued. During that period Dr. Leach, besides doing a fair share of the editorial work, traveled three times on foot over nine or ten counties of the Grand Tra- verse region, visiting repeatedly almost every neighborhood in the interest of the paper.
From the time of his removal to Charle- voix in 1880, Dr. Leach's residence has been continuously in the Grand Traverse region, but not all the time at Traverse City. On the 4th of May, 1890, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Emily Caroline Wisner, widow of Merritt G. Wisner, one of the pioneers of the settlement at Wexford. Mrs. Leach was the owner of a farm in that neighborhood, on which she had lived for many years, and af- ter the marriage they continued to occupy the farm.
Dr. Leach was a Methodist. He had been converted when about eight years of age, and at twelve was baptized and received into the church. At Wexford he, with his wife, became a member of the church at that place. Mrs. Leach was a believer in the Seventh-Day Adventists. Some years after their marriage, finding that she felt a strong conviction that she ought to keep the seventh day as the Sabbath, he proposed to keep it with her, and for some time kept both the first day and the seventh. The Methodist pastor, fearing, doubtless, the spread of the Adventist influence, as there was a small but wide-awake church of that faith within the bounds of his circuit, engaged a noted lectur- er to come and deliver a course of lectures against the doctrine of the seventh-day sab- bath. Before he got through with his first lecture, Dr. Leach, who was an attentive and interested listener, became satisfied that he was not entirely candid in all his statements and arguments, The incident led him to give
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more careful attention to the scriptural teach- ing of the doctrine of the Sabbath, with the result that he was convinced that it is a duty of Christians to keep the seventh day. He was at that time class leader and superinten- dent of the Sunday school at Wexford. He resigned the offices, and he and his wife withdrew from the church and united with the Adventists.
Any biography of Dr. Leach would be incomplete which should make no mention of his interest in the study of nature. His general reading early took a trend in that di- rection. In middle life, and later, he gave much time to the study of geography, botany, zoology, and especially conchology, and to the remains of the prehistoric races of the United States. An account of the ancient mounds, the work of the Moundbuilders, in Clinton county, and of the two old forts, supposed to be the work of some race, in Ogemaw county, Michigan, written for the Smithsonian Institute, form interesting ar- ticles in its report for 1884.
In the fall of 1897 Dr. Leach and Mrs. Leach disposed of their farm at Wexford, and removed to Traverse City, where, at the present writing, 1903, they still reside.
JOHN AMTSBUCHLER.
On the old family homestead on section 28, Solon township, Leelanaw county, where he is still living, John Amtsbuchler was born, his natal day being March 2, 1866. He has always lived here, and, while his life has been quietly passed in some re- spects, he has shown himself worthy of the confidence and friendship of those who have
known him from youth. He is a son of Franz Amtsbuchler, who was a native of Austria, and brought his family to the United States when this country was still surrounded by the environments of pioneer life. His wife, Mrs. Caroline Amtsbuch- ler, was also born in Austria, and several children had come to bless their union before they sailed for the United States in the fall of 1865. The journey across the briny deep being completed in safety, they landed at New York, but their destination was Mich- igan, and the father spent his remaining days in Solon township, Leelanaw county, where he died in his fifty-fifth year. He had always followed the occupation of farming, and continued in active connection with that work until his life's labors were ended in death. Unto him and his wife were born five children. John being the third of the family.
Upon his father's farm John Amts- buchler was reared. A description of the every-day experiences of most farmer boys of the period would tally with the account of his youth. He perhaps had more advant- ages than some and less than others, but school life and farm work alternated to oc- cupy his time, and while receiving his men- tal training in the public schools, he was also being prepared for agricultural pursuits by the practical training which he received under the direction of his father upon the old home place. He has always lived upon the old homestead, and he now owns the place, comprising two hundred acres of the rich land of Solon township. The buildings here are substantial and the farm is valu- able, the work of cultivation transforming it into a tract which would command a high price on the market, did he desire to sell,
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JOHN AMTSBUCHLER
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but he prefers to make his home here at the place where he was reared, and which is, therefore, endeared to him through the as- sociations of his youth. He has worked so persistently that he is now accounted one of the men of affluence in the community, and in the control of his agricultural interests he manifests excellent business, keen dis- crimination and sound judgment.
FRED RICHTER.
Forty years ago Fred Richter came to Leelanaw county and during almost the en- tire intervening period he has here resided. His home is now on section 4, Bingham township, and, as the place of his residence indicates, he is a farmer. That he has led a busy and useful life is indicated by a glance at his well-tilled fields, with their good crops, his substantial buildings, modern farm ma- chinery and fences always kept in good re- pair. Many evidences of thrift go to indi- cate the character of life he has led, a life worthy of respect and honor, and also merit- ing the prosperity with which it is crowned, for Mr. Richter is now classed with the men of affluence in his community.
A son of the fatherland, Fred Richter first opened his eyes to the light of day in Germany on the 10th of November, 1844. He lived there until about fourteen years of age, when he crossed the briny deep to the new world, becoming a resident of Canada, in company with his father, Fred Richter, Sr. About 1863 they came to Leelanaw county, and the following year the father died, passing away at his home in Bingham township. The subject of this review was
then about twenty years of age. He has since been dependent upon nis resources, and has since lived in Leelanaw county with the exception of two years spent in Traverse City, Grand Traverse county, in the employ of the well-known lumber manufacturers, Hannah, Lay & Company. Purchasing one hundred and sixty-two acres of land in Bing- ham township, he began its further develop- ment, and he now has eighty acres under cul- tivation, while from the well tilled fields he annually gathers rich harvests. Farming has usually claimed his entire attention since he started out in life for himself, and he has made a close study of everything appertain- ing thereto, and is quick to adopt new meth- ods and improvements which he believes will prove of practical utility and benefit in his work.
In Bingham township was celebrated the marriage of Fred Richter and Miss Hannah Bormaster, who was also born in Germany. Four children have been born unto them, but John died in Bingham township when twenty-five years of age, and William died in the same township when twenty-three years of age. The eldest child of the family is Sarah, who is now the wife of Wal- ter Traverse. Edward completes the family, and is still at home with his parents, assisting his father in the improvement and cultivation of the home farm.
Mr. Richter votes with the Republican party, keeps thoroughly posted on political questions and is deeply interested in the suc- cess of his party, but has never been an as- pirant for the honors and emoluments of public office, preferring to devote his time and energies to the conduct of his business affairs, in which he has been meeting with signal success. His property is now val-
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uable, and year by year its worth increases as the county becomes more thickly popu- lated, making land in greater demand, and as he carried on the work of improvement, add- ing new buildings, modern machinery and up-to-date equipments. He has worked ear- nestly to gain his present creditable financial standing, and his efforts have been in strict conformity with business ethics. He has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellow-men in a business transaction, and his name is therefore hon- ored in trade circles.
EVAN J. EAST.
Evan J. East, who is living on section 30, Long Lake township, is one of Michi- gan's native sons, his birth having occurred upon a farm in Calvin township, Cass coun- ty, on the 20th of September, 1846. He is the youngest of the three children born unto William H. and Mary (Lundy) East. Both of his parents are now deceased. Many years have passed since the mother was called to her final rest, her death having occurred in December, 1846, when the subject of this re- view was only two months old. The father, however, long survived her, and died in 1888, when seventy-two years of age.
In Cass county, Michigan, Mr. East was reared and educated in the public schools, while his business training was received upon the farm and he has followed agricultural pursuits during the greater part of his life. After arriving at years of maturity he was married, in Cass county, Michigan, on the 19th of September, 1869, to Miss Lucy Wright, a native of Grant county, Indiana,
born on the 16th of June, 1848. She is a daughter of William R. and Hannah (Gauntt) Wright, and was the second of their three children. Her mother died in Cass county, Michigan, when about fifty- three years of age. For three years after his marriage Mr. East was employed in a wool- en-mill, and on the expiration of that period went to Kansas, but remained in the Sun- flower state for only one summer. He then returned to his native county, and soon after- ward removed to Grant county, Indiana, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for two years. Again he took up his abode in his native county, where he lived from the fall of 18,6 until the autumn of 1889, at which time he arrived in Grand Traverse county. He settled near Grawn, in Blair township, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for four years, and then once more he went to Cass county, which continued to be his place of residence for two years. He then came to Grand Traverse county for the second time and settled upon the farm which has since been his home. It is situated on section 10, Long Lake township, and comprised a tract of eighty-five acres, the greater part of which is under cultivation. In the place are seventy acres, and the improvements which he has placed upon his property have made it valuable and productive.
Mr. and Mrs. East have two sons, Lloyd G. and Elroy W., who assist in the operation of the home farm. Public duties have been intrusted to the subject, and he has served as township treasurer of Long Lake town- ship for two years, while for one year he was township clerk. He has also been school in- spector, and his active co-operation is given to many measures and improvements for the general good. He endorsed the Republican
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party by his ballot until 1900, when he be- came identified with the Prohibition party, to which he now gives his earnest support. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Friends church, and he has taken an active part in church work.
JOSEPH SOURS.
The history of Grand Traverse county would be far from complete did it not men- tion those grand men who came to the new country when it was an unbroken wilderness and paved the way to its present prosperity. Amid hardships and suffering such as the present generation cannot realize those sturdy men and women braved sickness and peril to establish homes on the frontiers, trans- forming the broad expense of wild, unsettled country into flourishing fields of grain, dot- ted here and there by the small cabin of the settler and the struggling hamlet. These in turn gave way to the neat frame and brick houses of more recent times, while the ham- let grew into the thriving village or city ; the oxen gave way to the horse, which in turn was succeeded by the steam and electric car ; telegraph and telephone convey instant news where once the stage took days in its transit, and the frontier is in the midst of a bustling, active civilization. It is a pleasure to do honor to the memory of such men, and none are held in more sacred regard than he whose name heads this sketch and whose life has been so closely interwoven with the early his- tory of Whitewater township.
Joseph Sours was born on a farm near Rochester, New York, July 4, 1820, and it was there he grew to adult years. He learned the trade of a cooper and followed the busi-
ness in New York until his twenty-first year. He then decided to try his fortune in the west and came to this state, locating in Battle Creek, where he followed his trade for many years, and was fairly successful. In August, 1855, with his wife and two children, he came to Grand Traverse county and settled on a farm in the north part of Whitewater township. This land he made his home until his death, setting out a fine orchard, erecting good buildings and making such improve- ments as he saw were needed from time to time. He was industrious and hard-work- ing, and at the time of his death owned and operated a farm of one hundred and twenty acres.
Mr. Sours was married October 22, 1848, to Miss Mary V. Lowell, a daughter of Asa and Eliza (Smith) Lowell. She was born in Livingston county, New York, June 10, 1828, and was a woman whose sympathetic nature made her the friend of every one. They were excellent neighbors, and thought nothing of traveling several miles to do a neighborly act. Five children blessed their union : D. Lowell, who is a leading citizen of Whitewater township; Ella M., the wife of Thomas B. Pettitt; John Joseph, who died at the age of thirty-three years; Frances, wife of August DeCrausaz; and Frank E., who resides on the old homestead; the latter was married December 23, 1891, to Miss Matilda J., daughter of Neil Munro, a prom- inent resident of Elk Rapids, Michigan.
PROF. JOHN O. DUNCAN.
Since the autumn of 1896 John O. Dun- can has been actively and prominently con- nected with the educational interests of Lee-
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lanaw county, and his deep interest in the schools and their advancement has been man- ifest in the earnest, practical and zealous ef- forts which he has put forth to raise the standard of education here and promote the intellectual activity of the young. Education is the basis of all progress, of business pros- perity and moral worth, and the man best fitted to cope with the world and its complex problems is the man whose mind is well trained, alert and receptive. Mr. Duncan is now serving for the third term in the office of county commissioner of schools in Leela- naw county, having once been appointed and twice elected to the office.
A native of Michigan, Mr. Duncan was born on the 15th of March, 1868, in Marion township, Sanilac county, his parents being John and Fanny (Garrow) Duncan, the for- mer a native of Scotland and the latter of Canada. Coming to America, Mr. Duncan was for many years identified with the agri- cultural interests of Sanilac county, Michi- gan, and in his farm work he prospered, win- ning for himself a comfortable competence. In 1868 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in the month of March . of that year, at their home in Marion town- ship, Sanilac county, leaving two children, of whom John O. is the younger. The husband and father long survived and continued his farming operations until he, too, was called ·to his final rest, in September, 1896.
Upon the old homestead farm in the county of his nativity John O. Duncan spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and in the public schools near by he was educated. After studying for some time in Downing- ton, Sanilac county, he entered the Ferris Institute, at Big Rapids, Michigan, and there, on the completion of the regular course, he
was graduated in 1896. Well qualified for the profession of teaching, he then came to Leelanaw county in the fall of 1896, locating at Sutton's Bay, where he took charge of the public schools, acting as superintendent for four years, during which time he instituted a number of needed refoms and inaugurated improvements that greatly benefited the school system of that place. On the expira- tion of that period he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of school commissioner of the county, and at the ensuing election, in 1891, he was chosen by popular ballot for the office. In the spring of 1903 he was re- elected to the position, and the county has profited by his efforts in behalf of her system of public education. He has made a close study of the work, its needs and the prevail- ing condition of the schools in this county, and has put forth every effort in his power to promote the efficiency of the schools and make both of them of benefit as a preparation of the young for life's work.
Mr. Duncan was married in Argyle, San- ilac county, Michigan, to Miss Maggie Her- dell, a native of that county and an estimable lady of culture and refinement. She proved to her husband most companionable and help- ful, but was not long spared to him, her death occurring in Argyle on the 28th of February, 1893. He was again married on the 23d of December, 1896, at Clarkston, Oakland county, Michigan, the lady of his choice be- ing Miss Estella Seeley, a native of Califor- nia, who, however, was reared in this state. They have one child, J. Alden.
Fraternally Mr. Duncan is quite promi- nent and popular. He is a member of Sut- ton's Bay Lodge No. 463, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Northport Lodge No. 265, Free and Accepted Masons; Traverse City
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Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and Northport Tent, Knights of the Maccabees. Both he and his wife have a wide acquaintance in the county, and they occupy an enviable position in the social circles, where true worth and intelligence are received as the passports into good society.
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