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 77
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 77
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CYRENUS M. POTTER.
On the roll of early settlers of Grand Traverse county appears the name of Cyrenus M. Potter, who, through more than four dec- ades, has lived in this section of the state.
Discharged from the army on account of physical disability, he soon afterward came to Michigan, and as the years have come and gone he has thrown the weight of his influ- ence on the side of improvement, progress and upbuilding, with the result that he has been an active factor in promoting the public welfare. At the same time he has so con- ducted his private interests that he has pros- pered in his undertakings and is now one of the substantial farmers of East Bay town- ship.
A native of New York, Mr. Potter was born in Madison county, December 31, 1832, and when a little lad of six years was taken by his parents to Erie county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared to manhood and made his home until 1858. While living in that state he followed the painter's trade for sev- eral years, but, hoping to improve his finan- cial condition, he left the Keystone state and crossed the border into northeastern Ohio, settling at Andover, Ashtabula county, where he was living at the time of the in- auguration of the Civil war. Soon after the Southern states declared secession and the President issued his call for troops to pre- serve the Union, Mr. Potter donned the blue uniform, joining Company B, Twenty-third Ohio Infantry, in May, 1861. This was one of the most noted regiments that went to the front from the Buckeye state, doing valiant service in the South. It was commanded by by Colonel R. B. Hayes, and Major McKin- ley was also one of its members. Perhaps no other regiment of the country can claim the distinction of furnishing two Presidents to the United States.
Mr. Potter was at the front for nearly two years, and was then honorably discharged on account of physical disability. He re-
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CYRENUS M. POTTER AND FAMILY
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turned to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he remained for about four months, or until the fall of 1862, when he came to Grand Traverse county, arriving in the month of. October, accompanied by his wife and child. While living in Ashtabula county Mr. Potter had been married, on the 24th of February, 1859, to Miss Elizabeth Fisher, who was born in Clinton county, New York, August 9, 1842, and ere their removal to Michigan a daughter had been born to them.
For forty-one years they have resided upon their farm in section 6, East Bay town- ship, having taken up their abode here at the time of their arrival in the county. To the work of development and improvement Mr. Potter has given his attention, and that his life has been one of industry and earnest toil is shown by the fine appearance of the prop- erty, its well-tilled fields and modern equip- ments.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Potter has been blessed with six children-Estella A., who is now the wife of A. H. Jackson; Er- nest, who died at the age of six years; Irene, who died at the age of three years; Edith, who is the wife of C. Milbert; James, who died at the age of seventeen years; and Emma, the wife of Fred Milbert. The fam- ily home stands in the midst of the farm of sixty-two acres, of which fifty-two acres has been improved. Here all of the children were reared, and, with the exception of the eldest, all were born here. They are a credit and honor to their parents, and Mr. Potter has found in his wife a most faithful com- panion and helpmate for life's journey. Her careful management of the household affairs has been of marked assistance to him, and her genial, social nature has made the house- hold an attractive one to husband, children
and friends. For twelve years, in East Bay township, Mr. Potter has filled the office of justice of the peace and has discharged his duties with marked fairness, neither fear nor favor causing him to render any but a just and impartial decision. He became one of the charter members of McPherson Post No. 18, Grand Army of the Republic, of Traverse City, and like the other veterans of the Civil war he deserves the gratitude of the country for what he did in her behalf.
HERMON POPST.
Forty-one years have passed since Her- mon Popst came to Michigan. This section of the state was then a wild district, its lands unclaimed, its resources undeveloped ; a very courageous band of frontiersmen had dared to locate without its borders, but the work of the progress and improvement re- mained in the future and there was little promise of the early development. In the years which have since passed Mr. Popst has not only witnessed a most wonderful. transformation, but has largely aided in the labors which have wrought the change, making the wild tract a splendid common- wealth. He is now engaged in farming and a comfortable competence and good prop- erty are the merited reward of his honorable and useful business career. His home. is on section 12, Long Lake township.
Mr. Popst was born in Caledonia, in the province of Ontario and near the city of Toronto, January 10, 1853, and is the only child of Daniel and Eliza (Settell) Popst. His parents arrived in Grand Traverse county in 1862, at which time there were only thirteen houses in Traverse City. Front
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street was then covered with pine logs and stumps, among which grew huckleberries in abundance. The family resided in the em- bryo city for thirteen months, at the end of which time the father secured a farm in what is now Long Lake township and at once began the cultivation of the soil, per- forming the arduous task of developing a new place until his farm became rich and productive. He there continued to make his home until his death, which occurred in March, 1883, when he was seventy-two years of age. His wife passed away the following year, dying in the month of October, when sixty-eight years of age.
.Hermon Popst was only nine years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Michigan and since that time he has resided in Grand Traverse coun- ty, covering a period of forty-one consecu- tive years. He attended the public schools and when not engaged with his text books he worked in the fields or enjoyed the pleas- ures common to the youth of that period. He still resides upon the old family home- stead which his father located and has here a tract of land of eighty acres, of which forty acres are now comprised within well- tilled fields. Seeking a companion and help- mate for life's journey, he married Miss Mary Rokos, the wedding being celebrated in Long Lake township on the 6th of Sep- tember, 1892. The lady was born in Bo- hemia, July 3, 1872, and is a daughter of Joseph and Lucy Rokos, residents of Long Lake township. Mr. and Mrs. Popst are the parents of five children, Lucy, Lynn, Alice, George and Clarence. Mr. Popst also had one son by a former marriage, Arthur. The family have always occupied the home farm in Long Lake township and the mem-
bers of the household are well known in the community, where they have gained the high regard of those with whom they have come in contact. Mr. Popst exercises his right of franchise in the support of the men and measures of the Republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. For five years he held the office of justice of the peace and for one term he was township superintendent of schools. He is a public-spirited man and his co-opera- tion is never sought in vain in behalf of any measures for the general good. While not a church member, he believes in supporting the churches and does what he can in this direction. His record as an official and as a business man has been so honorable that he has gained the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been associated. He is justly accorded a place among the prominent and representative citizens of Long Lake township, for he belongs to that class of men whose enterprising spirit is used not alone for their own benefit ; he also advances the general good and promotes public prosperity by his ably managed indi- vidual interests, thus placing this section of the country on a par with the older east. He has excellent ability as an organizer, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution. This enables him to conquer ob- stacles which deter many a man, and it has been one of the salient features in his success.
JOSEPH W. DICKERMAN.
In studying the life records of the ma- jority of successful men in this country we learn that the majority of them belong to
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the class known as "self-made." This term implies but common advantages in youth and an entrance into the business world with- out inheritance or influential friends to as- sist one in gaining a start. It also implies persistent labor, honorable business meth- ods and energy which ultimately wins po- sition in trade circles. To this class of men belongs Joseph W. Dickerman, now a rep- resentative and highly respected citizen of Leelanaw county, where for thirty-seven years he has followed the occupation of farming.
In the old Granite state Joseph W. Dick- erman was born, the place of his nativity being Loudon, Merrimack county, New Hampshire, while his natal day is Febru- ary 12, 1837. His father, Moses Dickerman, was a native of Massachusetts and after ar- riving at years of maturity he wedded Miss Lydia T. Wales, who was born in Loudon, New Hampshire, where they lived through- out the period of their married lives, and there at length passed away. They were the parents of ten children, of whom the sub- ject of this review is the ninth in order of birth. Eight of the number reached years of maturity.
Under the parental roof in the place of his nativity Joseph W. Dickerman was reared and there attended the common schools. His initiation into the business world was as an apprentice to the shoe- maker's trade, which he learned and fol- lowed during the greater part of the time for ten years. He lived in Loudon until twenty-five years of age and then went south. The country became involved in civil war and believing in the righteousness of the Un- ion cause he offered his services to the gov- ernment and became one of the boys in blue
of Company C, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteers. The command went to the front soon afterward and he served for nearly three years, or until the war closed. On many a southern battlefield he showed himself a brave soldier, following the starry banner of the nation into the thickest of the fight.
When hostilities had ceased and the coun- try no longer needed his military aid he re- turned to his old home in New Hampshire and after spending a few months in Concord, he moved to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, where he remained for four months. In June, 1866, he arrived in Leelanaw county, Michi- gan, and has since been identified with its in- terests. He took up a homestead claim of one hundred and twenty acres on section 18, Solon township, and forty acres in Kasson township and with characteristic energy be- gan the development of his property which in course of time he transferred into a very productive tract, the well-tilled fields yield- ing golden harvests in return for the care and labor he bestowed upon them. That he ' has prospered in his work is shown by the fact that he is today the owner of three hundred and forty-four acres of land. He has erected good buildings upon his farm and his home is one of the most modern and attractive residences in this locality. It is built in pleasing style of architecture, is heated by furnace and has a gas plant. Other modern accessories render it a most desirable residence and all the conveniences and comforts of a modern home are there found.
Mr. Dickerman was happily married on the 27th of July, 1873, in Solon township, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Euphemia" Jaye Quincy, who was born in Canada. Her'
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father was Isaac B. Winegarden and her mother bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Richmond. She died at Old Mission, Grand Traverse county, and he subsequently also passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Dickerman are the parents of one son, Warren O.
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In a number of local offices Mr. Dick- erman has rendered capable service to his fellow townsmen. He has served as town- ship clerk and treasurer and has given prac- tical and helpful support to many measures for the general good. He maintains pleas- ant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Murray Post No. 168, Grand Army of the Republic, and he has served as its adjutant and commander. Many pleasant hours have been passed by him in recalling incidents which occurred around the campfires or on the battlefield of the south, and this interchange of war rec- ollections has been the means of fostering a most fraternal spirit among those who wore the blue in defense of the Union. There is much that is commendable in the life record of Mr. Dickerman and naught that is dis- honorable. He has been true to manly prin- ciples and both he and his estimable wife are held in the highest esteem by the many people with whom they have been brought in contact during their long residence in Lee- lanaw county.
IRA D. LINTEN.
Ira D. Linten, supervisor of Paradise township and a prominent citizen of Kings- ley, has been a resident of Grand Traverse county, Michigan, since his boyhood, having
been born in DeKalb county, Illinois, Octo- ber 19, 1858, and brought to this county in 1866. His parents were William and Maria (Ellsworth) Linten, highly respected resi- dents of Paradise township, where the moth- er died April 6, 1897, in her sixty-seventh year, and the father July 18, 1903, at the age of seventy-two years. The latter was a na- tive of Canada, a farmer, and in politics a Republican. Young Linten attended the dis- trict schools of Mayfield and Paradise town- ships, receiving the rudiments of a good, practical education, which has been supple- mented by a systematic course of reading and the habit of close observation, and he has be- come one of the brightest and most capable business men of the county. He followed the occupation of a farmer for many years, and then embarked in the mercantile business in Kingsley. In this venture he was reasonably successful and continued it for six years. He was also in the livery business for four years, and was regarded as one of the most energetic and successful of Kingsley's mer- chants. He is extensively engaged in farm- ing, owning two hundred and forty acres, which yield him a neat income. He has re- cently entered into the furniture and under- taking business, in partnership with J. S. Brown, at Kingsley, and they are carrying a splendid line of goods.
Mr. Linten was married, October 3, 1893, to Miss Mattie Hamilton, who was born in Canada. They have three bright children, Inez, Wilma and Glen. Mr. Linten takes an intelligent interest in politics and is an adherent of the Republican policy. He has been township treasurer for two years and supervisor since 1900, his record being such as to elicit the highest expressions of com- mendation.
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IRA D. LINTEN.
MRS. IRA D. LINTEN.
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LEELANAW COUNTIES.
GRAND TRAVERSE AND
FRANK B. CHATSEY.
The subject of this review is one whose history touches the pioneer epoch in the an- nals of the state of Michigan and whose days have been an integral part of that in- dissoluble age which links the early forma- tive period with that of the latter-day prog- ress and prosperity. Not alone is there par- ticular interest attached to his career as one of the early settlers of Michigan, but in re- viewing his genealogical record we find his lineage traces back to the colonial epoch in our nation's history. He was born in De- troit, Michigan, on the 13th of December, 1837. His father was Benjamin Chatsey, his mother Mrs. Clarissa (Coats) Chatsey and both were natives of New England. They were residents of Michigan for a time, but during the early boyhood of the subject they returned to the Empire state and spent their last days in Westfield, Chautauqua county, New York. They became the par- ents of nine children, of whom Frank B. Chatsey is the eighth in order of birth.
When only four months old the subject of this review was taken by his parents to Chautauqua county and was there reared to manhood, attending the public schools dur- ing the period of his youth and thus acquired a fair English education as a preparation for life's practical and responsible duties. He continued to make his home in the Empire state until the spring of 1861, when he re- moved to Sandusky, Ohio, and there he en- gaged in fishing until August, 1862. At that (late he offered his services to the govern- ment, enlisting as a member of Company K. Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Believ- ing in the righteousness of the Union cause, he resolved to aid in the preservation of the
country as established by our forefathers and, donning the blue uniform, became a member of Company K, Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for nearly three years or until the close of the war. At Corinth, Mississippi, on the 4th of October, 1862, he was severely wounded in the right foot, but as soon as possible he rejoined his regiment for active service. On the 22d of July, 1864, in front of Atlanta, Georgia, he was again wounded in the side by a piece of shell. Often in the thickest of the fight he was ever valorous and loyal in defense of the old flag and the cause it represented and dur- ing the most of the time of his connection with the army he held the rank of second ser- geant of his company, to which position he was promoted after his enlistment, for he joined the army as a private. The hardships and rigors of war became familiar to him and he was often in the thickest of the fight, but he never wavered in his allegiance to duty.
After the cessation of hostilities Mr. Chatsey returned to Ohio, this time locating at New London, where he remained for one year and was engaged in farming during that period, but at the end of about twelve months he sold out and removed to Leelanaw county, Michigan, arriving in the month of March, 1867. At that date he settled upon the farm where he now lives and he is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, of which about thirty acres are improved.
Mr. Chatsey was married in Westfield, New York, in January, 1864, while home on a furlough, the lady of his choice being Miss Amelia Townsend, who was born in Ogdens- burg, New York, and her father was Baxter Townsend, who spent his last days in Og- densburg. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Chatsey have been born four children : William A .; Clara,
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who is the wife of Joseph Secor ; Estella, who is the wife of William Bickle; and Nellie, who completes the family. Mr. Chatsey has served as highway commissioner and has been school director for a number of years, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend. He exercises his official prerogatives in support of the schools and in the advance- ment of the standard of education. Deeds of valor have been the theme of song and story throughout the ages. The story of the suf- ferings and privations of those who wore the blue and fought nobly for the preserva- tion of the Union, now so great and pros- perous as a direct result of their heroism and devotion to the country, cannot be told too often. It is especially well that those of the younger generations should have impressed upon their minds that the liberty and hap- piness which they enjoy freely was purchased for them at an awful price. Mr. Chatsey well deserves the gratitude which the coun- try owes to the preservers of the Union and this alone would entitle him to representation among the respected residents of Leelanaw county, but he is also deserving of mention because of his loyalty to the best interests of the community in times of peace and there- fore we are pleased to present his record to our readers.
JOHN MORRISON.
John Morrison, a practical and highly influential farmer residing in Grand Trav- erse county, Michigan, was born in Elgin county, Ontario, September 13, 1852, and is a son of Duncan and Margaret (Leitch) Morrison. Both parents were natives of
Scotland, the father of Argyllshire. They were married in that country and a few years later set sail for America, landing in Can- ada in 1843 and locating in Elgin county where they lived many years and where the mother died in September, 1862, aged about forty-five years. The father survived her thirty-eight years and was in his ninetieth year when he passed away, in September, 1900, while visiting his son, William Morri- son, of Elk Rapids township.
When John Morrison was seventeen years old he came with his father to Antrim county, Michigan, and worked at different employments, but principally as a farm hand, until his marriage, when he settled in White- water township, purchased forty acres of land and gave his entire attention to its cul- tivation and improvement. He spent seven years in Elk Rapids township, where he em- barked in the grocery business, but at the ex- piration of that time he returned to his farm and has since been engaged in agriculture, alone. He was married in Elk Rapids, Mich- igan, to Miss Mary E. Gay, the ceremony being solemnized February 21, 1877. The parents of Mrs. Morrison were of Canadian birth, but came to this state at an early day and settled in Grand Traverse county where Mrs. Morrison was born November 18, 1859. Her parents were Michael and Eliza- beth (Shane) Gay. Mr. Morrison is the father of five children, viz : Margaret E., who is the wife of Frank Beer ; Sinclair; M. Gay, who died at the age of eleven years; Harry A. and Donald L.
Mr. and Mrs. Morrison are devout mem- bers of the Presbyterian church and take a prominent part in the workings of that or- ganization. He has been elected to a number of local offices, school director, justice of
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the peace, etc., and giving his best efforts to the enactment of the duties imposed upon him. He is conscientious and honest, an up- right citizen and a model man.
JAMES M. ELLIOTT.
James M. Elliott is the owner of a farm of seventy acres on section 15, Long Lake township, and of this fifty acres has been placed under the plow. The farm work has claimed the attention of Mr. Elliott through- out his entire business career and his labors have been so directed and his work so capa- bly managed that he has gained creditable prosperity. He is one of the citizens of Grand Traverse county that Ohio has fur- nished to Michigan, his birth having oc- curred upon a farm in Columbiana county of the Buckeye state, on the 19th of September, 1835. His parents were John and Mary (Stanley) Elliott, both of whom died in Logan county, Ohio. They had three chil- dren, of whom Mr. Elliott of this review was the second born. The first seven years of his life were spent in the county of his nativity and he then accompanied his par- ents on their removal to Logan county, where he was reared to manhood. When he had at- tained his majority, however, he determined to seek his home beyond the borders of his native state, believing that in the grow- ing west he would find better opportunities. It was in the month of October, 1854, that he arrived in Cass county, Michigan, there living most of the time until 1888, when he came to Grand Traverse county, settling in Long Lake township, where he has since resided. He has followed agricultural pur-
suits throughout his entire life and his farm of seventy acres constitutes one of the good properties in this locality. His broad fields cover fifty acres of his place and in early spring may be seen the growing cereals which promise good harvests for the au- tumn.
In Cass county, Michigan, Mr. Elliott was married in September, 1857, to Miss Caroline East, who was born in that county on the 29th of August, 1841, a daughter of Joel and Sarah (Bulla) East. Her parents both died in Cass county and they had ten children, of whom Mrs. Elliott was the eighth, and upon the home farm in her na- tive county she was reared, spending her girlhood days under the parental roof and acquiring her education in the public schools. She is an estimable lady, possessed of many excellent traits of heart and mind, and her kindly spirit and consideration for others have won her the love of all with whom she has come in contact. Unto the subject and his wife have been born three children, of whom two are now living, one having died in infancy. The daughter, Sarah M., is now the widow of Kossuth Richardson. The son, Chester J., is still at home.
Mr. Elliott has served as justice of the peace in Long Lake township, his incumben- cy covering six years. His fidelity in office and his capability are manifested by his con- tinued service. He bases his decisions upon the law and the equity of the case and his official service has won him "golden opin- ions" from his constituents. Both he and his wife belong to the Friends church and Mrs. Elliott has been one of its elders for thirty-six years, while he has filled a similar position for thirty-five years. They are ear-
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