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 73
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 73
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In the year 1889 Mr. Cox was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died after a happy married life of about a third of a century. She was a devoted and loving wife and mother, a helpful neighbor, a faithful friend and her many virtues made her death deeply deplored by those who knew her. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cox had been born six children: Milton; Emma, the wife of Joseph Kain; Hattie, the wife of Charles D. Copeland, a resident farmer of Grant township; Nettie, who married John Pollock and is living in northern Michigan; William; and Lillie, the wife of Warren Horton.
There are no exciting chapters in the life history of Washington Cox, his record be-
ing that of a man who at a comparatively early age started out to make his own way in the world, who has taken advantage of the opportunities that have come to him, who has labored earnestly through many years and is now the possessor of a substantial competence as the direct result of his labors. His prosperity is certainly well deserved and there is perhaps no history in this volume which illustrates more clearly the force of honesty and diligence in the affairs of life.
JOHN BISARD.
For sixteen years John Bisard has been a resident of Grand Traverse county and is living on section 12, Grant township, where he owns a farm of eighty acres. He is a na- tive of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred in Medina county, Ohio,. on the 30th of May, 1834, his parents being Philip and Betsey (Rush) Bisard. The father reached an advanced age, passing away in Allegan county, Michigan, at the age of eighty-nine years-a venerable and highly respected man. His wife had passed away in Kent county, this state, when seventy-two years of age, and, like her husband, she had many good traits of character, which won the friendship and good will of those with whom she came in contact.
John Bisard is the youngest of the fam- ily of five children born unto this worthy couple and under the parental roof he was. reared to manhood. He attended the pub- lic schools near his home, and his training at farm labor was not meager. Almost as soon as old enough to handle the plow he began work in the fields and thus early became fa-
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miliar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He lived in Medina county, Ohio, until thirty-one years of age and in the meantime he was married.
It was on the 23d of December, 1856, that Mr. Bisard was joined in wedlock to Miss Candace A. Aldrich, who was born in Brunswick, Medina county, Ohio, August 18, 1838, a daughter of George and Mary (Wyman) Aldrich, both of whom were na- tives of New York. They have now passed away. The mother died in Lorain county, Ohio, when seventy-two years of age, and Mr. Aldrich spent his last days in Ottawa county, Ohio, and was also seventy-two years of age at the time of his demise. Their family numbered seven children, of whom Mr. Bisard was the third. Her girlhood days were spent in Medina county and after the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bisard they continued to reside in Medina county until the spring of 1864, when they removed to Kent county, Michigan, settling in Byron township. They have since remained in this state. After about four years spent in Kent county, they went to Allegan county in 1868 and there lived until 1887, when they came to Grand Traverse county. In the spring of that year Mr. and Mrs. Bisard located in Grant township and through sixteen years have made their home upon the farm which is still their place of residence. The place comprises eighty acres of land, most of which is cultivated by Mr. Bisard, and his possessions have all been acquired through his own efforts.
Unto the subject and his wife have been born five children, of whom two are still liv- ing, George P. and Homer O., who are yet under the parental roof. Three of the chil-
dren died in early childhood. The parents are active and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and for many years Mr. Bisard has served as one of the class leaders in the church. ' He takes an active interest in its work and does all he can for the extension of its influence and his life is in harmony with its teachings. In politics he is a Democrat and he has been a school officer and also treasurer of Grant township.
EARL J. CASE.
Earl J. Case, a rising young business man of Kingsley, Michigan, is the present clerk of Paradise township and also clerk of the village. He was born March 15, 1880, in Kalamazoo county, this state, but has been a resident of the village of Kingsley since his second year. His parents, Ralph and Emma (Snyder) Case, are among the most respected and honored residents here, where the father stands high in business circles.
Earl Case was educated in the schools of Kingsley and later in the Ferris Insti- tute of Big Rapids, Mecosta county, this state, from which institution he graduated. He is an energetic, persevering and capable young man and upon leaving college decided to at once embark in business. In January, 1902, a partnership was formed with A. W. Overholt and the hardware firm of Case & Overholt opened their stock to the public with an evident determination to gain pat- ronage and also to please it. Although they have been conducting this stand but little over eighteen months, the volume of busi- ness done by them is large and profitable, the many friends of the young men each
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throwing their influence that way. The firm has prospered beyond their fondest hopes and their commendable wish to give satisfaction to their customers has caused them to put in a line of goods far more ex- tensive than is ordinarily found in village stores, so their patrons are reasonably sure of finding what they want and also of being waited upon with courtesy, promptness and dispatch.
Mr. Case was married in Kingsley, Sep- tember 15, 1900, to Miss Maud McDonald, a native of Canada and a daughter of George and Hattie (Irwin) McDonald, who are well and favorably known in this coun- ty. One child, Donald Ralph, has blessed this union. Mr. Case is at present acting as village clerk and was elected to the office of township clerk of Paradise township in the spring of 1900, an office he is filling with eminent satisfaction to all concerned. He is a popular and enterprising young man, whose affable and engaging manners have won him a host of friends, while his busi- ness record has been such as to stamp him as a man of honesty and integrity. He is a member of Traverse City Lodge No. 222, Free and Accepted Masons.
GEORGE G. NICKERSON.
George G. Nickerson, a successful and highly esteemed agriculturist residing in Mayfield township, Grand Traverse county, Michigan, is a native of York state, having been born in Cayuga county, New York, March 16, 1833. William A. Nickerson, the father of the subject, located in this town- ship about the year 1865, took a prominent
part in the upbuilding of the county, and now, at the age of ninety-one, is one of the most venerated and loved residents of Trav- erse City. He has made his home with the subject since the, decrepitude of years has come upon him, and it was there that the loving companion passed to her reward in May, 1901, at the advanced age of eighty- seven years.
George G. Nickerson is the eldest of four brothers who grew to man's estate. He was joined in marriage in De Kalb county, Illi- nois, October 12, 1856, to Miss Julia Ann Ault, and for six years resided in that local- ity. In 1862 he removed to Grand Traverse county, Michigan, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Mayfield township. Mr. Nickerson is one of the pro- gressive farmers who has not been backward in living up to his convictions, and his home, one of the best improved and most desirable in the county, speaks well for his methods. One hundred and twenty acres are under cultivation, and all his improvements have been of the most substantial kind-a hand- some, commodious residence and neat out- buildings.
Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nickerson, two of whom passed away in the very morning of their lives. A third child, Georgia, died in her twenty-seventh year while a resident of Wisconsin. Those surviving are William; Samuel; Emery; Amos T .; Eunice, the wife of A. B. Stinson, whose sketch appears elsewhere; and Mattie, the wife of Frank Wilson. Mr. and Mrs. Nickerson are active members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. As treasurer of May- field township he has had no superior. Polit- ically he is independent, casting his vote for the best qualified candidate, regardless of
GEORGE NICKERSON.
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MRS. GEORGE NICKERSON.
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party lines. He takes advanced ground on the temperance question, believing the aboli- tion of the liquor traffic to be the greatest question now before the American people.
Mrs. Nickerson is a native of Pennsylva- nia, born February 4, 1837, and is the eleventh in order of birth of the fourteen children born to her parents, of whom five are yet living. Her parents, who were of German descent, are both dead. Mrs. Nick- erson received a good common school educa- tion, and takes a deep interest in literature. She is a member of the Ladies' Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal church at Mon- roe Center. Mr. and Mrs. Nickerson were among the earliest settlers in Wexford town- ship, their first home being a log cabin, which, however, has been replaced by a mod- ern and handsome residence. Mr. Nickerson was the guide of the Kingsleys when they lo- cated the land upon which now stands the prosperous little village of Kingsley, and the subject has also assisted in locating many families upon good home sites in this section of the country. He was mainly instrumental in affecting the organization of Mayfield township, the first election of which was held at the Wynkoop log school house.
JOHN WHITE.
John White has a very wide acquaintance in Leelanaw county, where he has made his home for thirty-five consecutive years, dating his residence from 1868, and no man in the county is held in higher regard. He has long been continued in public office by the vote of his fellow citizens, who recognize his ability and faithfulness and thus give evi-
dence of their appreciation of his capable service. He is now serving as supervisor of Solon township and makes his home in the village of Solon. His business interests are those of agriculture and he owns and op- erates a good tract of land here.
Mr. White is a native son of the land of the hills and heather. He was born in Ayr- shire, Scotland, on the 16th of September, 1842, and his parents, Thomas and Jane (Kirkwood) White, were also natives of the same locality. The father died in Scotland, after which the mother crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling in Cuyahoga county, Ohio. She died in Strongville, that county, when sixty-six years of age. Of her family of seven children John White is the youngest. He was reared in Scotland and attended the common schools, and while under the guidance of his mother he learned lessons of industry, economy and integrity, which left a deep impress upon his mind and have aided in shaping his character. On attaining his majority he resolved to carry out his wish of coming to America, believing that in "the land of the free" he would en- joy better business opportunities. He was. energetic and willing to work, merely wish- ing to have the opportunity of putting forth his efforts where they would produce the best results, and in this land he knew that he would have that opportunity. He had just attained his majority when he crossed the Atlantic and making his way to Ohio, he lo- cated in Cuyahoga county, where he engaged in farming from 1863 until 1868.
The latter year witnessed the arrival of Mr. White in Leelanaw county, Michigan. He took up his abode in what is now Solon township and it has since been his home, while farming has been his chief occupation
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throughout the long years of his residence here. His work has been productive of good results. He has not only developed a good property, but has earned a comfortable liv- ing for his family and has gained some cap- ital for the evening of life, when labor is somewhat abated.
Mr. White was first married in Scotland before he sailed for America. He wedded Miss Elizabeth Wilson, who died in Solon township, Leelanaw county, in January, 1882, when thirty-nine years of age. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Maggie is now deceased. The others are: ยท Thomas R .; Andrew J .; Jane, who is the wife of S. B. Cate; Elizabeth, the wife of William Morse; John D .; George W .; and Adam M., who completes the family. After the death of his first wife Mr. White was again married in Solon township, the wed- ding being celebrated in 1884, Mrs. Adelia Ferris becoming his wife. She was the wid- ow of Dr. George W. Ferris, and she died in Solon, Michigan, November 22, 1898. She had endeared herself to many friends in Leelanaw county and therefore her death was the occasion of wide-spread regret among those who knew her.
Mr. White's fellow townsmen, recogniz- ing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to public office. He has held the office of supervisor of Solon township and as justice of the peace has settled many litigated interests, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial, unbiased by fear or favor. He acted in that capacity for several years and for more than twenty years he has been high- way commissioner. He has also served as school assessor, and in all matters pertaining to the public good and substantial improve- ment of the community he is a co-operant
factor. His political support has always been given to the Republican party and he is also a strong advocate of the cause of temperance, doing everything in his power to secure the adoption of temperance principles. In man- ner he is cordial, in disposition genial, in temperament kindly, and his many sterling traits have won for him the warm friend- ship and regard of those with whom he has been brought in contact. His many friends will gladly receive this record of his career.
HARRISON SPEER.
Harrison Speer, for several years a lead- ing agriculturist of Grand Traverse county, Michigan, was born in Whitley county, In- diana, March 9, 1846, to Jesse and Hannah (Jenkins) Speer. Both parents were natives of Miami county, Ohio, but in later life re- moved to Indiana and died there, the father on his eighty-second birthday and the mother at the age of thirty-two years, when the subject was a babe of six months. Har- rison Speer grew to manhood and engaged in farming in his native county, but after- wards engaged in lumbering in the same locality. In 1885 the family came to Alle- gan county, Michigan, and for two years was engaged in fruit farming. From there they moved to Grand Traverse county in 1887 and settled on the farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres which they still own.
Mr. Speer was married in Indiana, to Miss Mary I. Hughes, the ceremony being performed May 26, 1872. She was born in Noble county, Indiana, October 28, 1853, and is a daughter of William G. and Mar- gery (Gregory) Hughes. Her father died
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in Marion, Grant county, Indiana, leaving twelve children, of whom Mrs. Speer was the oldest. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Speer, Bertha V., Arlington H., who wedded Miss Zema Dean, Jesse W., and Margery A. Arlington and Mar- gery have both followed the profession of teaching, the former having completed his educational training at the Northern Indiana Normal School and Business College, at Valparaiso, Indiana, after which he was for one year principal of the schools at Kings- ley, Michigan.
They are zealous members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church at Summit City and Mr. Speer has been the efficient superinten- dent of the Sunday school for many years and has placed the school in its present flourishing condition. He has taken a live- ly interest in school matters and has served on the board, also has held the office of su- pervisor of the township. He is an ardent Republican. He has recently erected a new residence where the latchstring is always out to his numerous friends.
CHARLES W. LOEFFLER.
Michigan is one of the best fruit-produc- ing states in the Union and horticulture has been one of its best sources of wealth. Soil and climate are particularly adapted to this and throughout the Union Michigan fruits are noted for size, excellence and flavor. For about a year Mr. Loeffler has been a representative of this great division of agri- cultural labor and has already won notable and enviable success. He has made a close study of the subject, with the result that his
judgment is practical, his methods progres- sive and his labors crowned with gratifying results. He makes his home in Solon town- ship and as he resided in the town of Solon for a number of years he is well known in this portion of the state.
A native son of Michigan, Mr. Loeffler was born in Oakland county, on the 6th of May, 1869, and is therefore yet a young man. His father, Godfrey Loeffler, was born in Germany and the mother, who bore the maiden name of Henrietta Hartwig, was also a native of the same country. Through a long period they were residents of Mich- igan, the father spending his last days in Chase, Lake county, where his death oc- curred in January, 1889. His widow still survives him.
Children to the number of eight came to bless their marriage and to the fourth child was given the name of Charles W. Loeffler. His early boyhood days were passed in the county of his nativity, but when he was ten years of age he accompanied his parents to Lake county, Michigan, the family settling in Chase, where he lived until twenty-three years of age. He then started out upon his business career and as a preparation for further labor he began learning telegraphy. Going to Copemish, Michigan, he was there employed as an operator on the Manistee & Northeastern Railroad for six months, after which he came to Solon and here acted as agent for the railroad company for a half year. At the end of that time, however, he was requested to return to Copemish and was in the employ of the railroad company as agent at the place for six years, his efficiency - giving general satisfaction to the corpora- tion that he served, while his obliging, court- eous manner made him popular with the
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patrons of the office. On again leaving Copemish Mr. Loeffler once more came to Solon, where he occupied the position of station agent and telegraph operator until April, 1902. He then resigned, wishing to devote his attention to another calling, and since that time he has carried on farming and horticultural pursuits, making a special- ty of the cultivation of fruits. He now owns two hundred acres of land, and he has it largely planted to fruit, raising some fine varieties of peaches, etc.
Mr. Loeffler was married in Solon, Michigan, September 17, 1893, to Miss Amelia Amtsbuchler, a daughter of Frank and Caroline Amtsbuchler, who were na- tives of Austria. Mrs. Loeffler was born in Solon township, Leelanaw county, in May, 1872, and unto the subject and his wife has been born an interesting little daughter, Esther A. The parents are widely known in I.eelanaw county and the circle of their friends is almost co-extensive with the cir- cle of their acquaintance. They are of so- cial nature, and their cordiality and sincerity have won them the regard and pleasant com- panionship of many people whom it is de- sirable to know.
Voting with the Republican party, Mr. Loeffler thus endorses the political principles in which he believes. He has held the office of township treasurer of Leelanaw town- ship, but has never been an aspirant for pub- lic office, his business cares leaving him little time for such work, even had he desired to enter the political arena. He is, however, a citizen of worth, and national progress and local advancement are causes dear to his heart. Although he has recently undertaken a new field of labor his friends do not hesi- tate to predict that he will be successful, for
he possesses the determination and laudable ambition which are the basis of all prosper- ity and advancement in business life.
JERRY SULLIVAN. .
To say of him whose name heads this sketch that he has risen unaided from com- parative obscurity to rank among the weal- thy and prominent representatives of the lumber interests of Michigan is a statement that seems trite to those familiar with his life, yet it is but just to say in a history that will descend to future generations that his business record has been one that any man might be proud to possess. Beginning at the very bottom round of the ladder, he has ad- vanced steadily, step by step, until he is now occupying a position of prominence and trust in this portion of Michigan reached by few. Through his entire business career he has been looked upon as a model of integrity and honor, never making an engagement that he has not fulfilled, and standing today as an example of what determination and force, combined with the highest degree of business integrity, can accomplish for a man of nat- ural ability and force of character. He is respected by the community at large and honored by his business associates. As pro- prietor of the shingle mill and saw mill at Cedar, Leelanaw county, he materially pro- motes the prosperity of the community, by furnishing employment to many scores of workmen and thereby putting a large amount of money in circulation.
Mr. Sullivan is a native of Palos, Cook county, Illinois, born on the 28th of July, 1862. His parents, Daniel and Catherine
J. SULLIVAN GROUP
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(Gleason) Sullivan, were both natives of Ireland, and, having crossed the Atlantic to America, they became residents of Illinois. The father died in Cook county, that state, and, the mother spent her last days in White hall, Muskegon county, Michigan. Thei: only child is the subject of this review, who was but seven years of age when taken by his mother from Illinois to. Whitehall, Michi- gan, where he was reared to manhood and educated, attending the public schools and later pursuing a course in a business college at Valparaiso, Indiana. He is indeed a self- made man, for at the early age of eleven years he began earning his own living, and has since been dependent upon his own ef- forts. He commenced work in a shingle mill in Whitehall, and, though but a boy, proved himself faithful and competent, and as his age and efficiency increased he was promoted from time to time, and more im- portant work was entrusted to him, until he had gained a good knowledge of the business in principle and detail. He remained in Whitehall until thirty years of age, and then came to Cedar, where he has since resided. Two years previously, however, he had built a shingle mill here and placed it in operation. In this enterprise he was connected with W. A. Whitman, under the firm name of Whit- man & Sullivan, a relation that was main- tained with mutual pleasure and profit for five years, or until November, 1896, when Mr. Sullivan purchased his partner's inter- est, and has since been alone in business. The enterprise has now assumed extensive proportions, the business constantly growing in volume and importance.
While living in Whitehall Mr. Sullivan had also engaged in the manufacture of shin- gles on his own account, being one of the
members of the Nufer Cedar Company, an enterprise with which he was associated for about five years. He has always followed the calling to which he gave his attention in his early boyhood, and this persistency of purpose has undoubtedly been one of the strongest features in his career. His work has been remarkable chiefly by reason of his natural ability and his thorough insight into the business in which as a young artisan he embarked. His enterprise has now become extensive, and in the operation of the saw mill and of the shingle mill he employs on an average of one hundred and fifty men throughout the year. He sends his products into many portions of the Union, and his trade is constantly increasing. He has made extensive purchases of timber lands, and is now the owner of over two thousand acres.
Mr. Sullivan was married at Whitehall, Michigan, on the 3d of March, 1886, to Miss Mary E. Tuttle, a native of Kalamazoo coun- ty, Michigan, and they are now the parents. of four children-Jerry, Jr., Herbert L., Mary E. and Catherine E. In his political affiliations Mr. Sullivan is a stalwart Repub- lican, and has always taken a deep interest in political questions, as every true American should do. He has, however, never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, al- though for several terms he was a member of the board of review.
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