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 74
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 74
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There is much in the life record of Mr. Sullivan worthy of commendation and ad- miration, and his business career is especially notable. When he entered upon his business. career the salary he received was small and the position he occupied was insignificant, but, like many other brainy, energetic young men who have left their impress upon the magnificent development of this part of the
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country, he did not wait for a specially bril- liant opening. Indeed, he could not wait, and his natural industry would not have per- mitted him to do so, even had his financial circumstances been such as to make it possi- ble. His mental and physical activity-the only capital he brought with him into this region-combined with his poverty to make immediate employment a necessity. At that time he showed conspicuously the traits of character which have made his life excep- tionally successful. He performed all the duties that devolved upon him, however humble and however small the recompense might be, conscientiously and industriously, but he gradually advanced, and since begin- ning business on his own account prosperity has steadily been his. It is true that, like other business men, he may not have found all the days equally bright. Indeed, in his industrial experience he has seen the gather- ing clouds that threatened disaster, but his rich inheritance of energy and pluck has en- abled him to turn defeats into victory and promised failures into success. He enjoys in the fullest measure the public confidence, because of the honorable business methods he has ever followed, and one of the most suc- cessful, prominent and honored men of this portion of Michigan is Jerry Sullivan.
DANIEL C. HUTCHINS.
Daniel C. Hutchins, of Fife Lake town- ship, Grand Traverse county, Michigan, is not only a self-made man in the truest sense of the word, but his life has been so closely identified with the growth and development of the community that a history of its past progress would be incomplete did it not
contain some mention of the active part he took in its advancement. Mr. Hutchins was born in Noble county, Ohio, on October 8, 1859, and is a son of Daniel and Emeline (Clark) Hutchins. Both parents were na- tives of Maine, but migrated to Ohio where they lived until about 1869, when they moved to this county and located in Traverse City. After a residence there of two years they moved to Fife Lake township, where they lived up to the time of their deaths.
Mr. Hutchins was the youngest of a fam- ily of nine children and was ten years of age when his parents moved to this county. He was educated in the common schools and the fund of knowledge there acquired has been used as the foundation upon which to build a storehouse of varied and useful informa- tion. Reading and observation were the source from which he drew largely for in- formation and a retentive memory has placed him among the brightest men of his age. He was reared to habits of industry and his life has been one of activity and usefulness. For many years he was employed in working about the saw-mills and in lumbering, but this work was uncongenial in that it did not afford him the proper outlet for his energy and ability, and he decided to try some other line of enterprise. Two years were spent in Colorado and two more in Kalkaska, Mich- igan, after which he returned to this local- ity, and in 1893, in the month of July, he embarked in his present mercantile career in Fife Lake. His success was assured from the first, his close application to business and his fair dealing and untiring efforts to please bringing him a constantly increasing patronage which soon placed him among the leading business houses of Fife Lake. Hon- esty of purpose and integrity of character
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have gained him the confidence and esteem of all who have had dealings with him and few men stand higher among their asso- ciates. It would be difficult to place too high an estimate upon his efforts to promote the welfare of this community. Few public en- terprises have been carried to completion that were not helped by his influence and material aid. Time and personal discom- forts were as nothing to him if good were thereby gained to the commonwealth. Pub- lic spirited to a degree, he has been the life and center of the force which has set the seal of prosperity upon Fife Lake and sur- rounding country. Mr. Hutchins has served three terms as supervisor of the township and as its treasurer three terms. He was a most acceptable village clerk for a term of years and is now president of the village board. As a member of the school board he has done much to advance the cause of edu- cation, an effort which is appreciated by the public. He is a Democrat, but not an offen- sive partisan. He is also prominent among the fraternal orders, being a member of Lodge No. 359, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Fife Lake, and Tent No. 749, Knights of the Maccabees. January II, 1888, Daniel Hutchins was joined in mar- riage to Miss Anna, daughter of John and Bridget (Cronin) Shutler. They have two children, Beatrice C. and Daniel Joseph. Mrs. Hutchins is a member of St. Aloysius' Catholic church at Fife Lake, and belongs also to the sodality.
FRANK DEAN.
Frank Dean, favorably known as a pros- perous farmer of Grand Traverse county, Michigan, and a man of sterling worth and
unblemished reputation, was born on a farm in Huron county, Ohio, September 7, 1848. His father, John Dean, was a native of the state of New York, while his mother, Dolly (Hoyt) Dean, traced her origin to New England. From Ohio they moved to Branch county, Michigan, then to Steuben county, Indiana, then back to Michigan, in Muske- gon county, where the father passed to his reward. A widow and three children were left to mourn his death. The widow was afterward married to Joshua M. Leonard and became a resident of Paradise township, Grand Traverse county, where she died in 1900 at the age of eighty years.
Frank Dean came to this county in 1867 and entered a homestead of eighty acres in section 22, Paradise township, the nucleus about which he has collected his present comfortable competency. He cleared and improved this tract of land, adding to it as circumstances permitted until he now owns one hundred and fifteen acres of plow land and one hundred more of timber land and pasture. Good buildings and substantial improvements have added largely to the value of his possessions, making his farm one of the most desirable in the county and a monument to his industry and thrift.
Mr. Dean was married, June 4, 1875, to Miss Allie Taylor, who was born in De Kalb county, Illinois, July 31, 1856, and is a daughter of Franklin and Polly (Bonny) Taylor, both of New York .. They came to this county in 1866 and remained there dur- ing the rest of their natural lives, the father reaching the age of sixty years and the mother the more advanced age of seventy- two. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dean, namely, Fred, who died in his seventeenth year; Zema, the wife of Ar-
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lington Speers, Clarence, Daisy and Don. Mr. Dean has always been a Republican and has been active in the affairs of the town- ship, serving as supervisor and treasurer for several terms.
MRS. RUTH L. DAVIS.
Mrs. Ruth Langworthy Davis well de- serves prominent mention in this volume, for she was one of the first school teachers of the county, and for twelve years was actively connected with the educational development of this part of the state, leaving the impress of her character upon the intellectual ad- vancement in a marked way. Her labor was of such a practical and beneficial nature that her services were eagerly sought, and she be- came widely known to the citizens of Grand Traverse county through her efforts in the schoolroom.
Mrs. Davis now resides upon her good farm on section 26, Green Lake township. Her parents, William and Martha (Welton) Langworthy, were both natives of the Em- pire state, and became pioneer settlers of this portion of Michigan, establishing their home in Grand Traverse county in October, 1855, when the work of improvement had scarcely been inaugurated. They settled in what is now Williamsburg, Whitewater township, and Mr. Langworthy began farming, which occupation he followed continuously until his life's labors were ended in death. He was a potent factor in developing this portion of the state, and is numbered among the hon- ored pioneer settlers, who bravely faced the hardships and trials incident to pioneer life in order to make a home for his family. He aided in laying broad and deep the founda- tion for the present progress and advanced
condition of the county, and no history of this portion of Michigan would be complete without mention of his career. His wife died in 1892, when seventy-six years of age, and he departed this life in 1898, at the age of eighty-six years. They were the parents of seven children, of whom Mrs. Davis was the second.
In Chautauqua county, New York, on the 3d of December, 1842, Mrs. Davis was born, and was a maiden of nearly thirteen years when she came with her parents to Grand Traverse county. Here she grew to woman- hood amid the wild scenes of a pioneer re- gion, and her mind bears the impress of the early annals of this district. She acquired her education in the public schools and mani- fested special aptitude in her studies, so that at the age of eighteen years she was compe- tent to teach, and entered upon the important work of training young minds in a manner that shall fit them for the arduous duties of life that come when school books are laid aside and the lessons of experience are to be learned. She was the teacher of the first school that convened in the Williams- burg district, and also taught the first school in Monroe Center. For six years prior to her first marriage she followed her chosen profession, and six years afterward, so that her entire connection with the work covers. twelve years. She had the ability to impart clearly, concisely and readily to others the' knowledge that she had acquired, and was also a good disciplinarian.
Ruth Langworthy was first married in Williamsburg in March 1867, becoming the wife of William Dunn, who was a native of Ireland and died in Green Lake township, Grand Traverse county, on the 22d of De- cember, 1894, when about sixty-five years of
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MRS. RUTH L. DAVIS.
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age. She was again married in September, 1897, her second husband being Henry E. Davis, a native of Grand Traverse county, and a son of William Davis.
When Mr. Dunn died he left his widow one hundred and twenty acres of land, which she still owns, this being the farm upon which she now resides. He had erected a good residence and had placed sixty acres of the land under cultivation. Mrs. Davis displays excellent business ability in the man- agement of her property, and has made it a paying investment. From the age of twenty- three years she has been a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, has taken an active and helpful part in its work, and many lines of church activity have profited by her labors. She is a lady of broad education, of superior culture and of natural refinement, and is a valued addition to social circles. She has a very wide acquaintance in Grand Trav- erse county, and the highest esteem is enter- tained for her by all with whom she has been brought in contact.
Mrs. Davis has borne no children of her own, but in the kindness of her heart she has taken and reared seven children, giving to them the same care and attention that she would have paid children of her own flesh and blood. She is a Rebekah, being a mem- ber of Monroe Center Lodge No. 290. She has at three different times served her lodge as noble grand, and in 1899 was honored by selection as delegate to the state lodge, which convened at Bay City.
WILLIAM L. WILSON.
William L. Wilson, a retired farmer of Kingsley, Grand Traverse county, Michigan, is one of the pioneers of this state who has 37
seen the hand of progress convert the wilder- ness into a thriving community. Mr. Wil- son was born September 12, 1846, in Jeffer- son county, New York, and was one of eight children born to Benjamin and Mahala (Wadsworth) Wilson, both of whom were natives of York state. They were farmers by occupation and it was about the middle of the past century that they moved west and took up their residence in Sheboygan coun- ty, Wisconsin, and it was in the village of Sheboygan that they passed their last days. The father lived to the age of sixty-two years and the mother to the ripe age of eighty-five.
Mr. Wilson was but a lad when his par- ents moved to Wisconsin and settled on a. farm in that state, but at an early age he began doing for himself, working for neigh- boring farmers and laying the foundation for a life of usefulness and honor. He was yet in his teens when he enlisted in Company H, Fourteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served until peace was declared. Re- turning to Wisconsin, he remained there un- til June, 1867, when he went to Michigan, where he entered eighty acres for a home- stead in section 12, Paradise township, Grand Traverse county. That fall he brought his family to their new home and from this modest beginning his present com- petence has accrued. Industry and perse- verance were the keynotes of his success. He has added to his holdings until he ac- quired two hundred and eighty acres of fer- tile land, most of which is in a fine state of cultivation. His improvements have been' in keeping with his means and few farmers . have more attractive or comfortable homes than the farm residence of the subject.
Mr. Wilson has been twice married, his
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first wife being Miss Clarissa Chapel, of near Gibbsville, Wisconsin, to whom he was married January 27, 1866. She died July 9, 1871, leaving three children, Albertis A., Benjamin E., and Ella M., who is the wife of David Johnson. On September 16, 1872, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage with his present wife, who was formerly Miss Orilla H. Taylor, of Mayfield town- ship, this county. She was born in De Kalb county, Illinois, June 15, 1851, and is the daughter of Franklin and Polly (Bonney) Taylor, both of whom were natives of New York. They settled in Mayfield township in 1866 and made their home there until their death, the father at the age of sixty- five and the mother at the age of seventy- two years. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Wil- son has resulted in the birth of five children, as follows : Frank W., William L., Jr., Reu- ben A., Jesse. L., who died at the age of fif- teen years, and Addie O. Frank, who re- sides in Paradise township, wedded Miss Mattie Nickerson and they have three chil- dren, Russell, Beatrice and Willma. He is now register of deeds of Grand Traverse county, having been elected on the Repub- lican ticket. William L., of Paradise town- ship, wedded Miss Olive Bancroft and they have two children, Harold and Bullock. Reuben A., who finished his education at the agricultural college at Lansing, has charge of his father's farm. Addie O. is at home.
The following obituary notice of the sub- ject's deceased son is here appended and will prove of interest to the reader :
Lee Wilson, son of William L. Wilson, of Para- dise, was born the 27th day of March, 1883, and died at his father's home on the 9th day of Febru- ary, 1899, at the age of fifteen years, ten months and twelve days. He was always a kind, energetic and most loving child. Always loving his school and
always very forward in his classes, he graduated from his school, the eighth grade, at the age of four- teen years. His teacher and schoolmates miss him as few pupils could be missed, as he was one who was always trying to make others happy. He was a most loving and lovable boy. He dispised what was low and ungentlemanly. Words cannot ex- press the vacancy he has left in the home circle, but there is the most comforting thought, "He is now one in the home circle in the better home above." For about two years he had been a pro- fessor of Christianity, looking every evening for guidance from his Heavenly Father while kneeling at his bedside, and ever ready to acknowledge his Master in public.
The family are among the most prom- inent and respected in the county and are active workers of the Baptist church in Kingsley, of which they are members. Mr. Wilson has always been a leading spirit in all public enterprises looking to the advance- ment of the community and has held a num- ber of offices of trust, serving as highway commissioner and treasurer of Paradise township, as justice of the peace and as school trustee. He has always been a man of unflinching integrity and has held the con- fidence and esteem of the public to an envia- ble degree. Early in the winter of 1902 Mr. Wilson removed to the village of Kings- ley, where he is now residing in retirement from the actual labors of life, the many years spent in toil enabling him to take a well earned rest during the evening of an honored and useful life.
CHARLES L. BILLMAN.
Among the busiest, most energetic and progressive business men of Leelanaw coun- ty is Charles L. Billman, of Cedar, and the town in which he resides is a monument to
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his labors and activity. He was its founder and has been so closely connected with its upbuilding that no mention of the place would be complete without reference to Mr. Billman. His efforts have been so discern- ingly directed along well defined lines of la- bor that they have not only promoted his in- dividual success but have conserved the pub- lic prosperity and advanced the general prog- ress. For some years he was actively con- nected with mercantile interests and now he is the owner and proprietor of the grain and potato warehouse at Cedar.
Mr. Billman is a native of Berrien coun- ty, Michigan, his birth having there occurred on the 14th of June, 1854. His parents were Conrad and Margaret Ann (Wiseman) Bill- man, who were married in Fostoria, Ohio, whence they came to Michigan, settling at Hickory Corners, in Berrien county. Their happy married life, however, was of short duration, for when only twenty-two years of age Mr. Billman died, leaving two children, Charles and Irene. With her little ones the mother afterward returned to her old home in Fostoria, Ohio, and there she gave her hand in marriage to David Egbert, who be- came a soldier of the Civil war. He re- sponded to the call of the President for aid to preserve the Union, and donning the blue went to the front. He died while in the service, thus laying down his life on the altar of his country. After the death of Mr. Eg- bert the mother of the subject removed to Kendallville, Indiana, and there was married again, becoming the wife of Andrew Zebill, with whom she afterward went to Wisner, Nebraska. In that place she spent her re- maining days, her death occurring there in September, 1900, when she was seventy- three years of age.
Charles Billman was only about a year and a half old when his father died and his mother returned to Fostoria, Ohio, where he was reared until he was fourteen years of age, when he accompanied his mother to Kendallville, Indiana. He continued a resi- dent of that city until his return to his native state, in November, 1885, at which time he located in Leelanaw county. He had en- gaged in various occupations in Indiana, and after coming to this locality he settled in Solon township upon the present site of the city of Cedar. Here he has since lived and his connection with its business interests has been continuous and important. He first en- gaged in merchandising and followed that pursuit until 1901, when he sold out and be- came the proprietor of the warehouse which he now owns and conducts. About nine years after his arrival here he went into part- nership with M. A. Culver, under the firm style of Billman & Culver, and the firm en- joyed a good patronage, building up a busi- ness which proved profitable and which grew to considerable proportions. Mr. Billman is a man of keen discrimination and marked enterprise and whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion. In his warehouse business he is now meeting with prosperity. He has a very commodious building for the storage of potatoes and grain awaiting shipment, and his enterprise is of marked convenience to the producers of this section of the state as well as a source of profit to himself.
At Brimfield, Noble county, Indiana, in ' August, 1878, Mr. Billman was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Owen, who was born in August, 1862, and is a daughter of Owen and Angeline (Isenberg.). Owen. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Billman have been born
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two children, Walter Ellsworth and Wallace Elmer. The subject and his wife are widely known in Leelanaw county and enjoy the friendship of the great majority with whom they have come in contact.
Mr. Billman is a member of Cedar Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a popular and valued representative of the fraternity. In addition to his home and business.property in Cedar he has other realty here and he also owns one hundred and forty acres of valuable land near the village. Realizing the opportunity for the establishment of a good town here, he platted the village of Cedar and not only through his business interests but in many other ways he has also labored for its advancement and general improvement along substantial lines. In laboring for its welfare he looks beyond the exigencies of the moment to the possibili- ties of the future and works not alone for what will benefit the town today, but also for what will be of advantage at a later time. He is a man of distinct and forceful individ- uality, as is evidenced by the fact that he started out in life on his own account, with- out money or influential friends to aid him. He looked at life, however, from a practical standpoint and placed his dependence upon elements that are sure winners in the race of life-persistent purpose, indefatigable indus- try and unabating energy.
ADAM E. BELLINGER.
Starting out upon his business career when only thirteen years of age, with limited advantages, educational or otherwise, Adam E. Bellinger has steadily advanced until he
now occupies a creditable and honorable po- sition in connection with the lumber industry of Michigan, which is perhaps the chief source of wealth of the state. Faithfulness to duty and a strict adherence to a fixed pur- pose in life will do more to advance a man's interests than wealth or advantageous cir- cumstances. The successful men of the day are they who have planned their own ad- vancement and have accomplished it in spite of many obstacles and with a certainty that could only have been attained through their own efforts. This class of men has a worthy representative in Mr. Bellinger, who is today proprietor of a saw mill in Maple City, Lee- lanaw county, where he is carrying on an ex- tensive and profitable business as a lumber manufacturer.
Mr. Bellinger was born on a farm in St. Lawrence county, New York, September 29, 1860, and on the maternal side is of Irish lineage. His father, Alonzo Bellinger, was also a native of St. Lawrence county, and he wedded Isabella Hughes, who was born in county Tyrone, Ireland, but in her girlhood days she was brought from the Emerald isle to America and took up her abode in the Empire state. For several years after their marriage they resided in St. Lawrence coun- ty, and then came to Leelanaw county, Michi- gan, the year 1867 witnessing their arrival. They took up their abode in Kasson town- ship, where for more than a quarter of a cen- tury the father followed farming, thus pro- viding for the wants of his family. He died November 9, 1894, at the age of fifty-six years, and the mother is now living in Maple City.
Adam E. Bellinger is the eldest of their three children, and was a little lad of seven summers when he came with his parents to
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MRS. A. E. BELLINGER
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Leelanaw county, being reared to manhood upon the home farm in Kasson township. When he was but thirteen years of age he was apprenticed to an engineer, and learned the mill business in its various departments. He became familiar with the working of both a saw-mill and planing-mill, thus gain- ing broad, practical experience, which has been the foundation of his success in later life. For twelve years he was employed as a stationary engineer, and afterward pur- chased the saw and planing mill at Maple City, which he has since operated. He has a good plant, well equipped with modern machinery of excellent make and he is, therefore, prepared to turn out high-grade work. He has become well known as a man- ufacturer of lumber, and his annual ship- ments reach a large figure. His thorough and practical knowledge of the business en- ables him to capably direct the labors of the men whom he employs, so that the best re- sults are secured on terms satisfactory to employer and workmen.
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