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 71
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 71
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From his ninth year until his nineteenth Frederick Walker lived in the state of Ten- nessee, where his parents had moved. He then went to Kansas and spent four years in the counties of Reno and Osage, his next and last move being to Grand Rapids coun- ty, Michigan, in the spring of 1884. He purchased one hundred and eighty acres of choice land, one hundred and ten acres in Mayfield and seventy acres in Grant town- ship, and has carried on farming operations for the past twenty years and has become closely associated and identified with the leading men of the county.
Mr. Walker was married in Mayfield, April 26, 1898, to Miss Myrtle Dixon, who was born February II, 1874, and is a help- mate to her husband in the truest sense of the word. They have two children, Russel
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R. and Frederick R. 'Mr. Walker is a. stanch Republican, but has warm friends in both parties. He has been township super- visor for many years and also has acted as justice of the peace and notary public for a long time. He enjoys the highest respect and esteem of all and is a man who is a credit to any community.
FRED REVOLD, JR.
Fred Revold, Jr., is one of the enterpris- ing young farmers of Leelanaw county and has spent almost his entire life here, being reared chiefly in Bingham township, where he yet makes his home. He is a son of Charles and Mary (Ulrich) Revold, prom- inent and well-known people of this county. Both were born in Mechlenberg, Germany, and in childhood they crossed the Atlantic, becoming residents of Canada. It was in that country, on Christmas day of 1868, that they were married, making their home in that locality for four years, or until 1872, when they came to Michigan, settling in Bingham township, Leelanaw county, where they have since resided. The father secured a tract of land and has since engaged in farming. He owns a quarter section, of which eighty acres has been placed under cultivation, and the farm is now very productive and returns a good profit for the care and labor bestowed upon it. Modern equipments and accessories are desirable features of the place and in its neat and thrifty appearance it tells of the enterprise and careful supervision of the owner. Unto Charles and Mary Revold have been born three children: Fred; Emma, who is now the wife of Charles King; and Martha, who is the wife of A. W. Mebert.
Fred Revold was born July 18, 1871, in Hamilton, Ontario, and the following year he came with his parents to Leelanaw coun- ty, being reared in Bingham township on the family homestead, where he has since lived. At the usual age he began his education in the district schools near by, and after mas- tering the rudimentary branches of learn- ing he continued his studies in the Traverse City high school. On putting aside his text books he took up farm work as a life occupa- tion and he is today the owner of forty acres of land, of which thirty acres are cultivated. He has practical knowledge concerning farm work in all its departments and is carrying on his task in a manner that shows good business ability, sound judgment and marked enterprise. He lives with his parents, and when not engaged with business cares finds many interests to claim his time and atten- tion.
In matters of citizenship Mr. Revold is public spirited and he has held the office of township clerk of Bingham township for three years. He has also served as justice of the peace for several years and his official record is a blameless one, his fidelity to duty winning him the commendation and endorse- ment of the public. He votes with the Re- publican party and is thoroughly informed concerning its platform and its principles, which he believes contain the best elements of good government.
Everything concerning the moral welfare of the people is of interest to Mr. Revold and the active assistance which he has given to church work has been of benefit thereto. He is superintendent of the Sunday school of the Evangelical Association, in which he has his church membership, and has marked in- fluence with the young. He is also secretary
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and treasurer of the Leelanaw County Sun- day School Association and he regards as of the utmost importance the early religious training. He has been a member of the church since the age of fifteen years and his life has been in consistent harmony with its teachings and principles. He is a young man of strong mentality, of marked individuality and of great strength of character, loyal to what he believes to be right, and a co-operant factor along lines of business, social, intel- lectual and moral progress.
CHARLES M. HAGER.
Charles M. Hager, supervisor of Union township. but a resident of Traverse City, Grand Traverse county, Michigan, is a native of Oswego county, New York, having been born there November 19, 1853. His parents, John and Phœbe (Calkins) Ha- ger, were both natives of New York, and it was from that state that the father enlisted as a soldier in the Civil war, serving a little more than three years. In 1863, while he was thus engaged, his wife with their two children moved to Lapeer county, Michigan, and it was there he joined them two years later when the rebellion had been subdued. In October, 1871, the family moved to Grand Traverse county, locating in what is now Union towniship, and this was their home during the remainder of their lives. The father, who was born March 9, 1829, died February 28, 1897, aged sixty-eight years, and the mother, born September 2, 1831, died December 12, 1898.
Mr. Hager was reared as a farmer boy, and is one of the thrifty, prosperous agricul-
turists of Union township. He owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Fife Lake township. However, he is a man of resources, and has not devoted his entire time to agricultural pursuits, having at one time taken the road as a traveling salesman for a line of agricultural implements. Later he handled considerable stock and, as he is a good judge of this class of goods, he added largely to his income by this means. He also engaged in the grain business, buying and selling hay, grain and potatoes. He has made a specialty of the latter business for several years, and few men are better posted on the potato trade than he.
Mr. Hager was married in Fife Lake township October 6, 1879, to Miss Rosa B. Thompson, daughter of John and Phoebe J. Thompson. They were natives of the Do- minion of Canada, where Mrs. Hager was born. To Mr. and Mrs. Hager five children have been born-Jessie M., Jennie L., Ray- mond R., Max M. and A. J. Mr. Hager has been township clerk two years and supervisor for five years, and has shown that the town- ship interests have been placed in good hands. He is a prominent member of Fife Lake Tent No. 749, Knights of the Maccabees, and in politics he is a stanch Republican.
WILLIAM F. GRANT. :
William F. Grant, who is serving as clerk of Garfield township and lives on sec- tion 8, is a well-known and popular resident of Grand Traverse county. His father was the late John F. Grant and his mother bore the maiden name of Maria Woodhams. The former was born in Scotland, but was
MRS. AND MRS. C. M. HAGER
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reared in England and it was in the latter country that Mrs. Grant was born. Com- ing to this country, Mr. Grant took up his abode in Traverse City in March, 1857, and spent his remaining days there, his death oc- curring when he had reached the psalmist's span of three score years and ten. In the family were six children, of whom William F. Grant was the third.
The subject of this review is a native son of Traverse City, for it was there, on the 28th of August, 1857, that he first opened his eyes to the light of day. He was reared and educated there, and after acquiring a good literary education in the public schools he attended a business college in Grand Rap- ids, where he was well fitted for the prac- tical and responsible duties that come with the transaction of business in any depart- ment of life. He has always followed farm-' ing and today is the owner of a valuable property comprising eighty-two acres of land. His tilled fields cover fifty-five acres of this farm and the products annually re- turn to him a good income. Mr. Grant has made excellent improvements upon his place and uses the best agricultural implements in carrying on his work. He has also erected good buildings and has a nice home, attrac- tive in appearance and tastefully furnished. Moreover, an air of comfort pervades the place and hospitality reigns supreme.
Mr. Grant has been twice married. In Garfield township. Grand Traverse county, on the 12th of September, 1879, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Priscilla Chant- ler, a daughter of Charles Chantler, one of the prominent pioneer settlers of Grand Traverse county. Two children graced this marriage: Nellie W., who is now the wife of W. H. Hubbell; and John Francis.
The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 27th of March, 1884, passing away at her home in Garfield township. On the 5th of June, 1894, Mr. Grant was again married, in Roscommon, Michigan, the lady of his choice being Miss Eliza Murner, who was born in Ontario, Canada, the daughter of Christian and Hannah (Kleinknecht) Murner. Her father was a soldier of the Civil war, going in the Union army in de- fense of the policy of the government in re- taining possession of all of the territory comprised within the United States. In battle he was captured by the Confederate forces and taken to Andersonville prison. There the hardships of prison life proved too much for him and he died, giving his life as a sacrifice for his country. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Grant have been born three chil- dren : Harold M., Dolly and Miriam. Mrs. Grant was educated in the common schools in Canada and taught for nine years. Then she entered the Tri-State Normal, at Angola, Indiana, in 1889, and graduated in the business department the same year. She then entered the normal college at Ypsilanti, Michigan, and graduated in the class of 1802. In the fall of the same year she en- tered the city schools in Traverse City and taught one year, and then entered Wilhelm Brothers' department store, being in their employ one year, as bookkeeper and ac- countant.
In public affairs Mr. Grant has demon- strated his loyalty to the government and es- pecially to the best interests of the commun- ity in which he lives. He has served as justice of the peace for four years and for two years occupied the position of township treasurer. He is the present township clerk, and in all of the various offices he has dis-
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charged his duties in a manner that has won him the highest commendation. Public af- fairs in Garfield township have awakened his deep interest and when his approval has been given to any measure it has also been accompanied by his earnest efforts in its be- half. In the fall of 1902 he was a delegate to the state convention at Grand Rapids. He has always acted with the Republican party and his opinions carry weight in its local councils. Both he and his wife are de- voted and consistent members of the First Baptist church of Traverse City, of which he is a deacon and also one of the trustees of the church. His labor in its interest has been effective and far-reaching. He is a popular member of the Modern Woodmen of America and is a man whom to know is to respect and honor. Over the record of his public career and his private life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. His fellow townsmen know him as one in whom they have every reason to place confidence and in his business affairs he has been equally honorable and straightforward.
LOUIS R. SOGGE.
It requires considerable personal courage and a strong resolution to sever the ties which bind one to home, friends, kindred and native land and seek a home in a foreign country, where the language is unknown, where manner and customs are strange and where the future is uncertain, but Louis R. Sogge took the risk incident to such a course, nor has he been disappointed in the hope which led him to leave Norway and come to the United States. A young man
of twenty-two years at the time of his ar- rival, possessing no capital save a willing- ness to work and strong determination to succeed, he is today one of the prosperous merchants and extensive landowners of Lee- lanaw, and his advancement to this position is the history of his life.
Mr. Sogge was born in Norway Octo- ber 17, 1862, a son of Robert and Bertha (Anderson) Sogge, who spent their entire lives in "the land of the midnight sun," the father's death there occurring when he was eighty-six years of age, while the mother departed this life at the age of seventy-four years. They were the parents of eight chil- dren, of whom Louis R. was the seventh. He spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his native country, remaining there until May, 1884, when, attracted by the stories he had heard concerning the business opportunities of the new world, he sailed for the United States. Making his way direct to Leelanaw county, he has since lived with- in its borders. For two years he was em- ployed on a farm in Leelanaw township and then removed to Sutton's Bay township, where he occupied similar positions for a time. As the years passed he managed to save more and more from his earnings, and when he felt his capital was sufficient he went to Leland, where he purchased an in- terest in the.Leland Lumber Company. He lived in that city for six years and contin- ued in the lumber trade, but at the expira- tion of that period he came to Sutton's Bay, believing there was a favorable opening for a mercantile enterprise. Accordingly, he opened a general store here in the summer of 1899 and has since conducted it with in- creasing success. It is well appointed in all particulars and is stocked with a large and
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carefully selected line of general merchan- dise such as is in demand by varied tastes. He has tact in meeting his customers, is ever courteous in his attention to their wants and his business methods too are so honorable as to commend him to the public patronage. As his financial resources have increased he has made judicious investments in real estate and is today the owner of sev- eral hundred acres of valuable land in Lee- lanaw county.
Mr. Sogge was married in Sutton's Bay, on the 6th of April, 1889, to Miss Bertha Johnson, a daughter of Christopher John- son, and they now have an interesting fam- ily of two daughters and two sons-Lena, Rosa, Robert and Henry.
The attention which Mr. Sogge has giv- en to political questions and his deep inter- est in the political welfare of the country have led him to give a stanch support to the principles of the Republican party, and at the polls he casts his ballot in favor of its men and measures. He has been called to several local offices, having served as super- visor for several years while for two terms he was county treasurer of Leelanaw county and was a most careful guardian of the pub- lic exchequer. He was also treasurer of Leland township for two years, and the moneyed interests of the public could not be entrusted to more reliable hands. His fidelity to the public good is above question and over the record of his public career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. His name is synonymous with hon- orable dealing in business affairs, and his life history stands in exemplification of the fact that success is ambition's answer. He found in this country wider fields in which to give full scope to his industry and enter-
prise-his dominant qualities-with the re- sult that he is now a prosperous citizen here. Though born across the water, he is thor- oughly American in thought and feeling, and is patriotic and sincere in his love for the stars and stripes.
GEORGE L. ROBERTS.
The subject of this sketch was born in Kalkaskia, Illinois, March 16, 1821, to which place his father, Edmund Roberts, removed from New Hampshire about the year 1810. The latter was a merchant, hav- ing first embarked in the business in Ports- mouth, New Hampshire, residing in that town when Daniel Webster commenced there the practice of law. They were there acquainted and again met when Mr. Web- ster visited Springfield, Illinois, in the sum- mer of 1837, on an electioneering tour seek- ing a nomination to the Presidency of the United States. He was tendered a great ovation and a. western barbecue, and made a speech to a very large concourse of people. Mr. Roberts walked with him to the grounds, at the western end of the town. He went thence to Chicago, returning east, but General William H. Harrison received the nomination and was elected.
Edmund Roberts, though not in public life, was one of the three canal commission- ers who laid out Chicago and other canal towns, so-called, in 1827. The other two were Dr. Gresham Jaynes, of Springfield, father-in-law of the late Judge Lyman Trumbull, and Charles Dunn, who after- wards became United States judge of the district of Wisconsin. It was not thought
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by many persons that Chicago would be- come a place of importance, as the climate was regarded as too rigorous for any but Indians and trappers. In fact, the attorney general of the state,. who had previously vis- ited the region, pronounced it unfit for the habitation of a Siberian dog.
Kalkaskia, as is well known, was set- tled about the same time as Philadelphia, the latter part of the seventeenth century, by the French. When the territory of Illinois was organized, in 1808, Kalkaskia became the seat of government, and was also the first capital of the state. In those early years it was a more important place than St. Louis. It is now, by the inroads of the Mis- sissippi river, erased from the map, but few houses remaining. Lafayette visited it in 1824 and some of the prominent men of the West once had their homes there, Col. Thomas H. Benton and Hon. John J. Crit- tenden among them. Of the early pioneers, Rev. Hubbell Loomis was prominent. He was the father of Professor Loomis, of Yale College, whose works on mathematics were long used as text books in that and the lead- ing colleges of the country. Mr. Loomis opened a school in Kalkaskia, and the sub- ject of this sketch was a pupil under him, and later when Mr. Loomis became president of the Shurtleff College in Upper Alton, Illi- nois, he was sent there to school, together with Pope, afterwards major-general in the Civil war, and the nephews of Governor Edwards. Mr. Roberts afterward became professor of languages and acting president of McKendree College, of which Rev. Peter Akers was president, and Hon. John L. Scripps, late of the Chicago Tribune, a pro- fessor of mathematics. He came to Old Mission about the year 1868 and engaged in
fruit culture. He was for many years secre- tary of the Farmers Club of the Peninsula, and his reports of the debates of the club published in the Traverse City newspapers, did much towards the development of the Grand Traverse region as a fruit-growing county. Increasing years compelled him to resign the office and he spends the evening of his life in literary pursuits, to which he has ever been inclined and which are the so- lace of his declining years.
NATHANIEL W. HARRINGTON.
Among the honored veterans of the Civil war and the leading agriculturists of Leela- naw county, Nathaniel W. Harrington is numbered. There is much that is commend- able in his life record, for he has been found true to duty in every relation, whether of a public or private character, and while energy and unabating industry have been salient features of his business career, he is equally well known for the honorable methods which he has always followed, and for his loyalty to any public trust reposed in him.
Mr. Harrington resides in section 13, Kasson township, where he has a good farm. He was born in the county of Russell, Can- ada, on the 22d of April, 1842, and is a son of William and Mary (Wood) Harrington, who were also natives of that country. The parents. removed from Canada to St. Law- rence county, New York, about 1858, and after a decade spent in that locality they came to Michigan, settling in Leelanaw county in 1868. It was spring time, and they took up their abode in Solon township. Their remaining days were passed in this
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county, and they died in Kasson township at the home of their son Nathaniel, who was the fourth in order of birth of their ten chil- dren. He repaid their care and devotion to him in his childhood by the filial love and consideration which he gave them in the evening of their lives, striving earnestly to make their last days happy and comfortable.
Nathaniel W. Harrington spent the first sixteen years of his life in the land of his birth, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to St. Lawrence county, New York. He was still at home when the Civil war broke out. His sympathies being enlist- ed by the Union cause, on the 13th day of July, 1861, he offered his services to the government, joining the boys in blue of Com- pany B, Twelfth United States Infantry, with which he served for three years, his military record being a most honorable one. He never faltered in the performance of any duty, but with valor and loyalty performed the tasks assigned him, and was in many of the most hotly contested engagements of the war. He took part in ten heavy battles, among them being the hard-fought battle of Gettysburg, the only one which occurred on northern soil. There, in the midst of the mountains, for three days the contending armies contested every inch of the ground, one side advancing to be again repulsed, but later rallying for another attack. On the third day the Union troops, however, man- aged to retain their position, until at length the victory was theirs, and upon the pages was recorded one of the most hotly-contested engagements known to modern warfare. Many were the dead who lay upon the battle- field at the close of the contest, and Mr. Har- rington was among the wounded, being shot through the left leg by a minie ball. He re-
joined his regiment, however, as soon as he had sufficiently recovered from his injury and took part in other important battles, includ- ing those of Chancellorsville and the Wilder- ness. He was a non-commissioned officer, being promoted from the rank of corporal to sergeant. Continually facing death through three years of service, Mr. Harring- ton was nevertheless always found loyal to his duty, and faithfully followed the stars and stripes wherever they led.
On the expiration of his term of service Mr. Harrington returned to St. Lawrence county, New York, and began farming, which occupation he has made his life work. He went to the war a boy; he returned a man. There is nothing that so quickly de- velops manhood and brings out the latent powers and character of the individual as war, and the subject returned with a correct view of life and broader experience. He continued farming in St. Lawrence county, New York, until the fall of 1867, when he came to Leelanaw county with his wife. Here he took up a claim of one hundred and six- ty acres in section 13, Kasson township, and has since resided upon his farm, giving his undivided attention to its improvement. Suc- cess has attended his efforts, and as his labors have brought to him increased capital he has invested in real estate until he now owns two hundred and thirty-three acres, of which he has about one hundred and forty-five acres improved. He has erected a nice house on 'his farm and has made many modern and de- sirable improvements, which add to the value and attractive appearance of the place.
Soon after his return from the war Mr. Harrington was married in St. Lawrence county, New York, to Miss Eunice Rickett, the wedding being celebrated on the 4th of
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July, 1866. The lady was a native of St. Lawrence county and a daughter of Alexan- der and Jane (Day) Rickett. Mr. and Mrs. Harrington became the parents of four chil- dren-Royal G .; William A .; Esther M., who is the wife of Fred Freeman; and Ra- chel, at home. The wife and mother died upon the home farm in Kasson township, Leelanaw county, August 2, 1889, and Mr. Harrington was again married in the same township, in 1891, his second union being with Mrs. Mary Cuthbert Smith, who was born in Tonawanda, New York, and was the widow of Lucius Smith, who died in Kasson township. By her first marriage she had two children-Clarissa A., who is the wife of Frank Bright, and Alvin L.
In public affairs Mr. Harrington is active and prominent, and his fellow citizens have given proof of their confidence and trust in him by electing him to a number of official positions. He filled the position of sheriff of Leelanaw county for four years, and for a similar period was under-sheriff. He was a janitor in the state legislature in the session of 1895, and he has been county agent for the state board of charities and corrections. As justice of the peace his decisions were so fair and unbiased by personal prejudice that he won the commendation of all concerned, and he has been highway commissioner and has filled a number of school offices, the cause of education profiting by his labors in its be- half. He has taken an active and helpful interest in township and county affairs, and is recognized as one of the leading workers in the ranks of the Republican party in the com- munity. He has also served as a delegate to the county and state conventions of his party, and his opinions carry weight in its councils. Fraternally he is connected with the Inde-
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