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 79
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 79
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ing and farming. He has witnessed many changes here as the county has emerged from its pioneer conditions to take its place among the leading counties of the state. He today owns eighty acres of land, of which about forty-two acres are improved, and his farm work is well conducted, returning to him a fair degree of success.
On the 15th of September, 1883, in May- field township, Mr. Swainston was united in marriage to Miss Mary Saunders, who was born in Allegany county, New York, March 16, 1864, a daughter of Joseph and Hen- rietta (Gardner) Saunders. Three children have graced the marriage of the subject and his wife: Owen C., Orten T. and David. They also lost one son, Arthur L., who was their first born and died at the early age of eleven months.
Mr. Swainston has held the office of high- way commissioner and has also been a mem- ber of the board of review of Blair town- ship. In politics he is an earnest Republican, unfaltering in his allegiance to the party and he takes an active interest in political affairs and in all measures which he believes have a bearing upon the welfare and prog- ress of the community. Socially he is con- nected with Lodge No. 324, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Kingsley, and with Grawn Tent No. 809, Knights of the Mac- cabees.
DEE C. KING.
Dee C. King is a representative of educa- tional and agricultural interests in Leelanaw county, being thus connected with two inter- ests which have important bearing upon the welfare and stable development of any
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section or locality. His work in the school- room has been of value to those who have enjoyed the benefit of his services and he is justly regarded as a most intelligent man and representative citizen. He views life from a broad and humanitarian standpoint and the salient characteristics of his career have been such as have awakened the admiration, re- spect and confidence of all with whom busi- ness or social relations have brought them in contact.
Mr. King resides on section 16, Empire township, and is a western man by birth, training and preference. He was born in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, January 15, 1856, his parents being Nathaniel C. and Sarah Ann (McCartey) King. The father was a native of Ohio and the mother's birth occurred in New York. For sometime they resided in Fond du Lac county among its early settlers and amid pioneer environ- ments, but in 1865 they removed to Leela- naw county, Michigan, settling at Glen Ar- bor. In 1871 they took up their abode in what is now Empire township, living upon the farm which is the home of their son, Dee C. King, at the present time. The father was a farmer by occupation and throughout his business career carried on agricultural pur- suits, thus providing for the necessities and wants of his family. He died on the Ist of October, 1890, after having passed the psalmist's span of three score years and ten, and his wife died on the 23d of March, 1889, at the age of seventy-eight years. In their family were nine children, of whom Dee C. King is the sixth. Mr. King of this review spent the first nine years of his life in the county of his nativity and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Leelanaw county, being reared at Glen Arbor and in
Empire township. His residence in the county now covers a period of thirty-eight years. He has followed farming the greater part of the time and through twelve winter seasons he has engaged in teaching. His work in the schoolroom has been most satis- factory to the district in which he has been employed. He is a man of strong mentality, of keen discrimination and of marked capa- bility in imparting clearly and concisely to others the knowledge that he has acquired. He is also an excellent disciplinarian and his educational work has been of value to all the communities who have secured his services. Mr. King now owns one hundred and twen- ty acres of land and has improved sixty acres of his farm, which is equipped with modern accessories and is a fine property.
Mr. King has been twice married. In Empire township, on the Ist of October, 1892, he wedded Miss Sarah Patterson, a native of Point Colbourn, Canada, but she died in Empire township, Leelanaw county, June 23, 1901. She was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church and died in the faith of that denomination. Her womanly qualities, her charitable and kindly spirit and her ready sympathy had gained for her many friends who deeply regretted her loss. On the 15th of April, 1903, in Sa- vannah, Ohio, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. King and Miss Eva Martin. Mr. King votes with the Republican party and is an unfaltering supporter of its principles, but has never cared for political honors, preferring to give his time to his business affairs, in which he has been uniformly suc- cessful. However, he has always taken a great interest in the advancement and pros- perity of his adopted county and endorses every improvement which he believes will
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prove a benefit to humanity. He is especially active as an advocate of the temperance cause and of intellectual development and his influence has ever been cast on the side of the right, the true and the beautiful.
FRANK M. HAMLIN.
Prominent among the energetic, far- sighted and successful business men of north- western Michigan is the subject of this sketch. His life history most happily illus- trates what may be attained by faithful and continued effort in carrying out an honest purpose. Integrity, activity and energy have been the crowning points in his career and have led to desirable and creditable success. His connection with agricultural, political and fraternal interests has been of decided advantage to Grand Traverse county, pro- moting its welfare along these various lines in no uncertain manner.
Mr. Hamlin resides on section 31, Blair township. His parents, Timothy C. and Sarah (Miner) Hamlin, were natives of New York and in the fall of 1866 they came to Grand Traverse county, settling in May- field township, where they resided until Sep- tember, 1900, when they removed to Eugene, Oregon, where they now reside. They were the parents of nine children, of whom Frank M. is the fourth in order of birth. He was born in Steuben county, New York, April 1, 1863, and when only three years old was brought by his parents to Grand Traverse county. He then went to live with his uncle, Charles Miner, by whom he was reared, spending the days of his early boyhood and youth upon the farm which is yet his home.
It was then the property of his uncle, and is now in possession of Mr. Hamlin. The lat- ter acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of Traverse City, and after- ward matriculated in the University of Mich- igan, at Ann Arbor, where he spent a year .- For four years he engaged in teaching in Grand Traverse county, but with the excep- tion of this period he has always followed farming, and his energetic efforts and capa- ble management have resulted in the de- velopment of an excellent property which yields good financial returns. He now owns two hundred acres of land, of which one hundred and forty acres is under cultivation, and the farm is so well equipped that it equals any farm property in the community.
On the 3d of April, 1889, in Traverse City, Mr. Hamlin was united in marriage to a most estimable lady, Miss Rettie Wight- man, a daughter of the late George H. Wightman. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Marietta Norton, is still living. The father was a prominent and in- fluential citizen of his community and served as supervisor of Green Lake township from the time of its organization until the time of his death, which occurred in June, 1892. He located in that part of the county at an early epoch in its development and it was in Green Lake township that his daughter, Mrs. Ham- lin, was born and reared. She is now the mother of three living children, Joshua Dorr, Leah and Retta. Mr. and Mrs. Hamlin also lost a son, who died in infancy.
As every true American citizen should do, Mr. Hamlin keeps well informed on the questions which affect the welfare of the country and votes in support of measures which he believes will prove of general good. He is a stanch advocate of Republican prin-
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ciples and has been a close adherent of the party since attaining his majority, while in both township and county conventions of the party he is an active worker, his opinions carrying weight in local political circles. For several years he has been treasurer of Blair township and since 1889 he has served con- tinuously as justice of the peace, covering a period of fourteen years, during which his opinions, exemplifying "even-handed jus- tice," have gained him the trust and support of all law-abiding citizens. Mr. Hamlin is also active in fraternal circles and is a valued representative of Center Lodge No. 311, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has held office, being the present incum- bent in the position of vice grand. He is also a member of Fortney Tent No. 565, Knights of the Maccabees. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hamlin is a hospitable one and the subject and his wife have found friend- ship and favor in the social circles in which they move. Mr. Hamlin is numbered among the representative citizens of Grand Traverse county. He has made an untarnished rec- ord and unspotted reputation as a business man. In all places and under all circum- stances he is loyal to truth, honor and right, justly valuing his own self-respect as infin- itely more preferable than wealth, fame or position. In those finer traits of character which combine to term what we call friend- ship he is also royally endowed.
WILLIS WIGHTMAN.
Willis Wightman, who is serving as su- pervisor in Green Lake township and resides on section 25, of that township, represents
one of the old pioneer families of Grand Traverse county. His parents, Horace E. and Nancy Ann (Quick) Wightman, came to this section of the state May 25, 1864, settling in what is now Green Lake township, but at that time the township or- ganization had not been effected. The fa- ther was a native of the Empire state. Cast- ing in his lot with the early settlers of Mich- igan, he took an active and helpful part in reclaiming the wild land for the uses of the white race and in making improvements along lines of substantial progress and ma- terial development. He lived to a ripe old age, passing away on the eighty-fifth anni- versary of his birth, while his wife died when seventy-seven years of age. They were peo- ple of sterling worth, whose lives were up- right, and they reared a family of seven children, three sons and four daughters, who became a credit to their name.
Willis Wightman, the youngest of their family, was born in Dearborn, Wayne coun- ty, Michigan, January 14, 1850, and there lived until 1864, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Grand Traverse county. The common schools afforded him his educational privileges and during a period of his youth he worked in the fields when not engaged with the duties of the schoolroom. He acquired a good practical education and after putting aside his text books he turned his attention to merchandis- ing. For five or six years he was engaged in mercantile pursuits in Monroe Center, capably conducting a store which brought to him a creditable degree of success. He also served as postmaster of that place. Farm- ing has likewise been one of the callings to which he has devoted his energies and he is today the owner of a tract of eighty acres on
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section 25, Green Lake township, of which fifty-five acres is improved. This is the old family homestead, formerly having belonged to his father.
Mr. Wightman was married in Green Lake township on the 17th of November, 1872, to Miss Libbie Schell, who was born in New York, May 12, 1850, a daughter of Simeon and Elizabeth (Dygert) Schell. Her father is now deceased, having died in Grant township, while the mother, who sur- vived him for a time, passed away in Green Lake township. They became early resi- dents of Grand Traverse county, locating upon a farm here in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Wightman are the parents of five children, the eldest of whom is Edith L., the wife of Lincoln Jewell. The younger members of the household are Fred W., Frank E., Allan M. and Bertha D. K. Fred W., who lives in Olympia, Washington, wedded Miss Lena Cook and they have a daughter. Frank C. lives in Ballard, Washington. In matters pertaining to the welfare and up- building of the county Mr. Wightman has been active and influential. He has served as supervisor of Green Lake township since 1891, covering a period of twelve consecu- tive years. He was also township clerk of Green Lake township for twenty years. No higher testimonial of his capability and loy- alty could be given than the fact that by re- elections he has been so long continued in public office. Over the record of his official career and his private life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. Fra- ternally he is connected with Center Lodge No. 311, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, while Mrs. Wightman is a member of Rebekah Lodge No. 290, of which she was first noble grand and also first
delegate to the grand lodge at Lan- sing in 1897. Mr. Wightman is justly accorded a place among the prominent and representative citizens of Grand Traverse county and his course in public and private life has been above suspicion. In whatever relation of life we find him, in the public service, in political circles, in business or in social relations, he is always the same hon- orable and honored gentleman, whose worth well merits the high regard which is uni- formly given him.
JOSEPH KRUBNER.
One of the intelligent and highly re- spected farmers of Leelanaw county is Joseph Krubner, who resides on section 28, Cleveland township, and who is now serving as supervisor of the township. The ele- ments which insure success have been fos- tered by him with the result that his energy and strong purpose have enabled him to be- come the possessor of an excellent farming property. He was born in Bohemia, Feb- ruary 3, 1846, and when a little lad of seven years he came with his parents to America. He is a son of John and Anna (Figer) Krubner, who were also natives of Bohemia. Crossing the Atlantic to the United States in 1853, they settled in New York, where they remained for a year, and on the expira- tion of that period they removed to Chicago, where they lived until the fall of 1855. In November of that year they arrived in Lee- lanaw· county, Michigan, settling in Cleve- land township. They cast in their lot with the early settlers and amid pioneer surround- ings and environments they lived, sharing
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in the hardships incident to life on the fron- tier and also bearing a helpful part in the work of improvement and development which has wrought such a wonderful trans- formation here. The parents spent their re- maining days in Cleveland township.
Of the four children of the family Joseph Krubner of this review is the eldest. He accompanied his parents on their various re- movals and with them came to Leelanaw county when a youth of nine years. Here he was reared amid the wild scenes of pio- neer life. Most of the land was still un- claimed and Indians still lived in this local- ity. A few courageous and venturesome spirits had made way into the forests to claim its riches of lumber and some had be- gun the work of cultivating the lands, but the work of improvement largely lay in the future. The farming was done with imple- ments which were very crude in comparison with the modern farm machinery of today and the work which devolved upon the ag- riculturist was of much more arduous na- ture than that which he does now with the aid of his harvesters, binders, reapers and threshers. Mr. Krubner bore his full share in the work of developing his father's farm and through the winter months he attended the common school of the neighborhood. Throughout the greater part of his life he has been connected with farming interests and he now owns two hundred and fifty- seven acres of land, of which about seventy acres is improved, being placed under a high state of cultivation. In his farm methods he keeps thoroughly in touch with the prog- ress which characterizes the age and upon his farm are good improvements, making the property valuable and attractive in ap- pearance.
Mr. Krubner has been twice married. In Cleveland township, on the 7th of Janu- ary, 1868, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Katherine Stiger, a native of Bohemia, but she died the following year, leaving an in- fant daughter, Kate, who is now the wife of George W. Gilbert, a resident farmer of Kasson township who is represented on an- other page of this work. After the loss of his first wife Mr. Krubner was again mar- ried, his second union being with Miss Mary Stanke, also a native of Bohemia. The wedding was celebrated in October, 1870, and has been blessed with three children, Frank A., John and Pauline. The daugh- ter is now the wife of John Kolar.
In his political views Mr. Krubner is an earnest Republican and, as every true Amer- ican citizen should do, he keeps well informed on the issues of the day and is therefore able to support his political position by in- telligent argument. His fellow townsmen have given evidence of their appreciation of his loyal citizenship by electing him to of- fice and for nineteen years he has held the office of supervisor and is the present incum- bent. This long service is certainly an indi- cation of his fidelity to duty, for though un- worthy men may sometimes obtain office, the public is a discriminating factor and is not long in recognizing incompetency or in- fidelity, and the man who is not trustworthy is never retained in such positions. Mr. Krubner has also been township clerk, was justice of the peace for six years and has done effective service for the cause of educa- tion as school inspector. Mr. Krubner is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church and is deeply interested in everything pertaining to the moral, intellectual and material development of the community in
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which he has lived for nearly half a century. He has been an interested witness of its growth. He has seen the introduction of the railroads, the building of the telegraph and telephone lines, the establishment of commercial and industrial interests and the transformation of the wild lands into rich farms, which are the homes of a contented and prosperous people. As an honored pioneer settler he certainly deserves repre- sentation in this volume.
GEORGE H. HEIMFORTH.
The name of Heimforth has figured con- spicuously in connection with the agricul- tural interests of Leelanaw county from an early epoch in the development of this part of the state and he whose name introduces this review fully sustains the family reputa- tion for progressive farming. He is the owner of three hundred acres of land, of which two hundred acres is under cultiva- tion, and to this he gives his personal super- vision, with the result that his farm is one of the most productive and profitable of Lee- lanaw county.
Mr. Heimforth is yet a young man and undoubtedly will win greater success in the future. He was born June 25, 1871, on his father's farm in Elmwood township, Leela- naw county, and is the eighth in a family of ten children born unto Frederick and Eliza- beth ('Zimmerman) Heimforth, both of whom were natives of Gemany, the former born in Prussia and the latter in Bavaria. They were not married, however, until after their emigration to the new world. Fred- erick Heimforth, thinking to have better business opportunities in the United States,
sailed for America in 1850. He made his way to Michigan in the same year and spent two years on North Manitou island. He then returned to the Atlantic coast and in New Jersey he wedded Miss Zimmerman. With his bride he returned to the west and has since lived in Leelanaw county. They began their domestic life on North Manitou island and while the husband cul- tivated his fields and improved his farm, she gave careful attention to the duties of the household. In the latter part of the 'fifties he made his way to Colorado, which was then an unimproved region, and for several months he lived upon his claim, which forms the site for a part of the present city of Den- ver. Upon returning to Leelanaw county he again cultivated his farm on North Mani- tou island until September, 1864, when he removed with his family to section I, Elm- wood township, where he has since made his home.
Belonging to a numerous family, Mr. Heimforth, whose name introduces this rec- ord, found that there was no lack of life, fun and frolic upon the old homestead where he was born and reared. He attended the common schools and his parents instilled into his mind lessons concerning the value of industry and persistency of purpose in connection with a business career. He has always followed farming and lumbering, and his possessions are now extensive, his farm comprising three hundred acres of land in Elmwood township. Of this two hundred acres have been placed under the plow and are now cultivated with the result that golden harvests now reward his labors and the crops, finding a ready sale on the market, bring to him a good financial return.
On the 5th of April, 1893, at Sutton's
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Bay, Michigan, Mr. Heimforth was united in marriage to Miss Laverna S. Peck, who was then a young lady of twenty years, her birth having occurred on the 16th of Febru- ary, 1873, in Orwell, Ashtabula county, Ohio. She is a daughter of Edwin A. and Eurania ( Palmer) Peck, who resided in Lee- lanaw county for many years. Her father died in Sutton's Bay, May 25, 1901, and thus passed away a pioneer settler, who dated his residence here from an early epoch in the development of the county and bore his full share in the work of improvement. Of a family of seven children Mrs. Heim- forth is the fifth in order of birth. She has resided in Leelanaw county from the age of ten years and is well known here, her social- ity and genial manner winning her many friends. By her marriage she has become the mother of four interesting little daugh- ters, Alice B., Lola B., Laverna M. and M. Maude.
In his political views Mr. Heimforth is a Republican, giving evidence of his interest in the party and its success by always voting for its men and measures. He holds mem- bership with Tent No. 871, Knights of the Maccabees, and his wife is a member of Trav- erse Bay Hive No. 71, Ladies of the Macca- bees. While giving due attention to political and social interests, he yet gives his attention chiefly to agricultural pursuits, and he has informed himself thoroughly concerning the best methods of producing crops, of prepar- ing the soil and of handling the harvests. His work is characterized by system and his progressive ideas are practical as well. The name of Heimforth has long been regarded as an honorable one in Leelanaw county and the life record of George Heimforth fully sustains the family reputation.
JOHN S. HORTON.
One of the most straightforward, en- ergetic and successful business men who have ever lived in Grand Traverse county is John S. Horton and his residence here dates from the early pioneer epoch in the county's history, the year of his arrival be- ing 1864. In the years which have since come and gone he has exerted a quiet but strong influence in behalf of substantial de- velopment and healthful growth and his ef- forts have always been exerted for the good of the majority.
Mr. Horton now follows farming on section 1, Grant township, where his landed possessions aggregate two hundred and eighty-six acres. He was born in Raison township, Lenawee county, Michigan, Octo- ber 5, 1837, and is the youngest in a family of five sons and four daughters born of the marriage of Richard S. and Keziah (Val- entine) Horton. The parents spent many years in Lenawee county and died at their home in Raison township, where the father had long followed farming. That was his chosen occupation throughout life and by that means he provided his family with the necessities and some of the comforts of life.
Upon the old homestead farm John S. Horton was reared. The labors of field and meadow claimed his attention to a consider- able extent during his youth, and he also gave his time to the mastery of the branches of English learning usually taught in the public schools. He remained under the par- ental roof until the spring of 1864, although in the meantime he was married, but he took his bride to the old home and operated his father's farm until his removal to Grand Traverse county. For a year after his ar-
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