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 81
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 81
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WILLIAM A. DEAN.
The visitor to Traverse City cannot fail to notice the many splendid business and office buildings which adorn the streets of the city. They are handsome, substantial and spacious, and the visitor may note all these things, but he very rarely stops to think what manner of man is he who designed, drew the plans for and superintended the construction of the structure which has taken his fancy and won his admiration. It is the purpose of this article to give some infor- mation regarding one of the geniuses who is responsible for some of the many fine build- ings of Traverse City. The subject of this review, William A. Dean, architect and builder, has had much to do with the erection of buildings in Traverse City during the past nine years.
William A. Dean was born March 25,
1857, in Ontario county, Canada. His father was Festus A. Dean, a native of Can- ada, born in 1812, and by trade a millwright. In 1873 he came to Michigan, locating in Sanilac county, where he continued to reside until the time of his death, which occurred in 1889. The mother of William A. Dean was Hannah (Price) Dean, also a native of Canada, born in 1816. In 1832 she was married to Festus A. Dean and they contin- ued to reside in Canada up to the time of their removal to Michigan. She died in 1892. They were the parents of a family of twelve children, of which William A., the subject, was the youngest child. Only seven of the family are now living. They are Philander and Abraham, who are both farmers and re- side in Sanilac county ; Grace Ann, wife of Thomas Short, farmer of Ontario, Canada ; George is farming near Grand Forks, North Dakota; Charles is a farmer in Waterloo, Iowa; Franklin is a merchant in Sanilac Center.
Until he reached the age of sixteen years William A. Dean resided in Ontario county, where he attended the public schools and where the major portion of his education was secured. He attended the public schools of Sanilac county one term only after coming to the United States. Under the instruction of his father he worked for five years as a millwright. May 5, 1888, at Minden City, Sanilac county, Michigan, William A. Dean was united in marriage to Miss Clara Gib- bard, a native of Ontario county, Canada, who had come with her parents to Michigan when a girl of eight years. Her education was received in the public schools of Sani- lac county. She was the daughter of Thomas Gibbard. Her mother died when Clara was a little girl. There were seven
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other children in the family, two of whom have since died.
Having qualified himself by securing a thorough knowledge of carpentering, Will- iam A. Dean, soon after his marriage, began taking contracts for the erection of build- ings. His work was appreciated, his busi- ness increased and he prospered. He fol- lowed this line of business for seventeen years, at different places, and during all of this time he drew his own plans for the work in hand. The knowledge thus ac- quired imbued him with the desire to be- come a professional architect. He went to Detroit and secured a position in the office of an architect of recognized ability and re- mained for some time, His practical knowl- edge, acquired during an experience of seventeen years, coupled with the theoretical information secured in Detroit, has splendid- ly equipped him for the discharge of the duties of his chosen profession. In Febru- ary, 1894, he opened an architectural office in Traverse City and since then has been actively engaged in the work. During the nine years of his residence here he has drawn the plans and superintended the construction of buildings, the cost of which will aggre- gate more than three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Among the buildings in Traverse City which disclose his skill and ability may be mentioned the hall of the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, and the new Wilhelm block, a five-story business and office building of brick and stone, which cost forty-five thousand dollars, and is the finest structure of its kind in Michigan north of Grand Rapids. He also drew the plans for the building of the People's Savings Bank, a three-story brick structure which cost twenty thousand dollars. There are
many other localities throughout the state, the plans of which he drew.
Mr. and Mrs. William A. Dean are the parents of four children, three of whom are boys. Edna was born September 15, 1882, and died in her seventh year. Lee was born October 1, 1884, and is employed in the heating and plumbing department of the Hannah & Lay Mercantile Company; Ray, born April 5, 1887, is still in school, as is also Don E., who was born October 2, 1895. In politics Mr. Dean is a Republican, but is too busy to give that subject much attention. He never aspired to or held a political po- sition of any kind. He espouses the cause of no religious denomination, but occasion- ally attends divine service at the Congre- gational church. He admires piety and re- ligious fervor in others, especially if he has reason to believe that they are actuated by motives of sincerity. He belongs to three fraternal orders, has passed the chair of Odd Fellowship and is a Pythian and a Mac- cabee. Mrs. Dean is prominent in lodge work. She is now and has been since the. organization of the lodge of Rathbone Sis- ters here most excellent chief of the lodge. She has also passed the chair in the lodge of Rebekahs. The social standing of the family is all that could be desired and in business circles Mr. Dean is highly respected for his strict integrity and conscientious adherence to truth and justice.
LUMEER VISKOCHIL.
Lumeer Viskochil, who resides on a farm on section 13, Cleveland township, Lee- lanaw county, is one of the native sons of Michigan, in fact was born in the township
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where he now resides, his natal day being October 22, 1855. His father was Charles Viskochil, who was born in Bohemia, Aus- tria, and the mother, who bore the maiden name of Barbara Sklaba, was also a native of that country. They came to America early in the 'fifties and for a time lived in Massachusetts, but believing they might have still better opportunities in the rapidly growing west they made their way to Chi- cago, where they spent about a year. About 1854 they came to Michigan, settling in Lee- lanaw county, their home being in Cleveland township, where the father followed farm- ing, devoting his entire life to that pursuit. He continued to engage in the tilling of the soil until March, 1887, when his life's labors were ended in death. Unto him and his wife were born five sons, of whom the subject of this review is the eldest.
Upon the home farm in Cleveland town- ship Lumeer Viskochil was reared. He was educated in the common schools and was early trained to the work of field and mead- ow, gaining broad and practical experience in the duties that fall to the lot of the agfi- culturist. Throughout his entire life he has followed farming and upon his place he has erected good buildings. He owns eighty acres of land, of which he has cultivated six- ty acres, and his energy and enterprise are manifest in the excellent appearance of the . place. Neatness is shown in every depart- ment and in all that he does the owner is progressive and energetic.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Viskochil chose Miss Barbara Kucera, the marriage ceremony being per- formed in Cleveland township, on the 2d of September, 1882. The lady was born in. this township and is a daughter of Anton
and Barbara Kucera. Seven children have been born unto the subject and his wife: Ivan, Charles, Frank, Albin, George, Hat- tie and Victor, and the sons ably assist their father in the management of the farm and its cultivation.
Mr. Viskochil keeps well informed on the questions and interests of the day, political and otherwise. He votes with the Republi- can party, but has never sought or desired office, preferring to give his undivided at- tention to his business affairs, in which he is meeting with signal success. Having al- ways lived in Cleveland township, he is well known to its citizens and his upright life has won him favor and friendship among those with whom he has been brought in contact. His friends entertain for him good will and high regard, and he is worthy of mention in this volume because of this and because he is numbered among the pioneer settlers of the region here, his residence in the county cov- ering forty-eight years. Thus he has been a witness of the advancement of the county as it has emerged from pioneer conditions and frontier environments to take its place among the leading counties of this great commonwealth.
WILLIAM CORE.
William Core is owner of one of the finest farms in Leelanaw county, situated on section 19, Bingham township, and his land- ed possessions comprise four hundred acres, of which one half is under cultivation. His attractive home and good buildings stand as monuments to his enterprise and his farm is the visible evidence of his life of industry and thrift. Many years ago it was thought
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MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM CORE.
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that anyone could be a farmer, that all that was necessary was to plant crops and it re- quired little else than physical labor for this ; but that idea has long been a thing of the past and farming is now largely a science and the agriculturist of today understands the relation of cause and effect. He knows why certain crops should be planted in cer- tain places, what they require from the soil and what they need in the way of nourish- ment. There have been no greater improve- ments made in mechanical devices than in farm machinery, and the progressive far- mer of today has splendid harvesters, culti- vators, plows and threshers, which greatly lessen and facilitate his labor, enabling him to do much more work in a given time. In all matters of progress concerning agricul- tural pursuits William Core has not merely been a follower, but a leader, and is today classed with the most prominent, active and prosperous agriculturists of this portion of Michigan.
A native of England, Mr. Core was born in Lincolnshire, on the 18th of November, 1841, a son of Thomas and Annie (Crooks) Core, who crossed the Atlantic to Canada about 1845, setling near Hamilton. Ten years later they removed to the county of Lambton, Ontario, where they spent their remaining days.
Of a family of five children, four sons and a daughter, William Core was the third. He was only about four years of age at the time of the emigration of his parents to the new world and he lived under the parental roof until he was eighteen years of age, when' he started out on his own account. He has since been dependent upon his own exer- tions and whatever success he has achieved
is the merited reward of his own labors. Leaving home, he came to Michigan and for about a year lived near Detroit, where he was engaged as a farm hand. In the fall of 1871 he came to Leelanaw county and for a few years he was again engaged at farm work in the service of others, spending his time in this way until 1865, with the ex- ception of about a year and a half which he spent in the army. In April, 1863, putting aside all business and personal relations, he responded to the call for aid from his adopted county, and joined Company H, First Michigan Light Artillery, with which he remained for about eighteen months, doing active duty in the south on several import- ant battlefields, where the engagements helped to bring about the splendid triumph which ultimately crowned the Union arms.
After his return from the army in 1865, Mr. Core purchased one hundred and sixty acres of government land, hitherto unim- proved. Not a furrow had been turned and to him remained the arduous task of de- veloping the virgin soil into productive fields. His land was situated on section 19, Bing- ham township, and here he has since made his home. He has erected excellent build- ings, and in the rear of the comfortable residence stand good barns, sheds and cribs. All are substantial and well adapted to the purpose for which they are used and in the granaries are seen good crops. As he has found opportunity, owing to the increased capital which has come to him through his own labor, Mr. Core has purchased nearly four hundred acres, and now he has two hundred acres of his farm improved. The soil is rich and when properly cared for be- comes very productive, so that he annually
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harvests good crops as a reward for his la- bor, unless the season is particularly inaus- picious.
To preside over his home and become his companion on the journey of life Mr. Core chose Miss Margaret McFarland, the wed- ding being celebrated in Bingham township, October 16, 1867. The lady is a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth ( Atwod) McFarland, the former a native of Scotland, and the lat- ter of London, England. Coming to the United States they spent their last days in Macomb county, Michigan. Unto them were born seven children, three sons and four daughters, and Mrs. Core was the fourth in order of birth. She was born in Erin, Macomb county, on the 9th of No- vember, 1848, and is an estimable lady, pos- sessing many excellent traits of heart and mind. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Core have been born ten children, of whom eight are now living : Perry, who is represented elsewhere in this volume; Arzina, the wife of Harri- son Johnson, a resident farmer of Bingham township, Leelanaw county ; Annie, the wife of John Ferguson, who is living in Solon township, Leelanaw county; Lucy, the wife of Russell Hinshaw, of Bingham township ; Julius, George, David and Oscar, who are still under the parental roof. They also lost two children in early life.
On becoming an American citizen, Mr. Core gave his support to the Republican party and has never wavered in his allegiance thereto, but has given to it his stalwart sup- port and has labored earnestly for its wel- fare. He has held the office of high- way commissioner for several years and for some time has been school assessor. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Masonic fraternity and is a worthy representative of
the craft, exemplifying in his life its be- neficent principles. His business success should serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration to others and an analyzation of his life work shows that it has been won through capable management and untiring industry. In private life he has gained that warm personal regard which arises from kindness and geniality, from true nobility of character and from deference for the opinion of others.
FRANK CLEVELAND.
Grant township and Grand Traverse county are indebted to Mr. Cleveland for the effort he has put forth in its behalf. Realiz- ing the possibilities of the county in the way of improvement and interested in the welfare of the community, he has directed his labors into channels through which flows the great- est good to the greatest number. Moreover, in his business career he has displayed ele- ments worthy of highest commendation and of emulation. He stands today strong in his honor and his good name, a valued citizen of the county in which he has made his home for almost a quarter of a century.
Mr. Cleveland is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Norwalk, Huron county, on the 21st of August, 1849. His parents were Philander and Isabella ( Sloan) Cleveland, both of whom were natives of New York. For some years they resided in Ohio, but the father spent his last days in Penfield, Calhoun county, Michi- gan, where he died in his eighty-fifth year- a venerable man whose upright life made him worthy of the highest regard of all
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with whom he had been brought in con- tact. In his family were six children and with one exception, Frank Cleveland was the youngest. He was a little lad of only three summers .when his parents removed from the Buckeye state to Michigan, tak- ing up their abode in Branch county. He continued in that county until he was twelve years of age and at that time he started out in life on his own account. He has since been dependent upon his own re- sources and as the architect of his fortunes he has builded wisely and well. He was em- ployed at different occupations for several years, earning an honest livelihood through untiring industry and perseverance. He was always true to the interests of those whom he represented and his labors were attended with a fair degree of success. After working for several years in this way he took charge of his father's farm in Penfield township and remained there for seven or eight years, dur- ing which time he acquired and developed a tract of land of eighty acres. This necessi- tated much arduous labor, but the duties were well performed and in course of time where once stood the native forest trees were soon fields of waving grain, giving promise of abundant harvests.
While residing in Penfield, Calhoun coun- ty, Michigan, Mr. Cleveland was united in marriage, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary E. Burrows. The wedding ceremony was performed on the 5th of November, 1876, and the young couple started out on life's journey very happily. The lady was born in Cambridgeshire, England, January 13, 1853, and was not yet two years of age when brought by her parents to the United States in 1854. Her father was Shadrock Burrows, also a native of the merrie isle, and
in that country he wedded Miss Elizabeth Brazebridge, who was likewise born in En- gland. For a year after their arrival in the United States Mr. and Mrs. Burrows were residents of Vermont and then came west- ward to Michigan, settling in Kalamazoo county, where they lived for three years, their home being in Richland township. On the expiration of that period they took up their abode in Calhoun county, Michigan, upon a farm in Penfield township, where Mrs. Cleveland lived until the time of her marriage. Her father died there at the age of seventy-two years and the mother after- ward departed this life in Grant township, Grand Traverse county, when seventy-seven years. Mrs. Cleveland was the fifth in their family of six children. At the time of their marriage the subject and his bride began their domestic life upon the farm in Penfield township, Calhoun county, and there lived until May, 1880, when they came to Grand Traverse county and took up their abode up- on the place which has been their home con- tinually since, covering a period of twenty- three consecutive years. Mr. Cleveland here owns ninety acres of good land, of which seventy acres is improved. He is a progres- sive agriculturist, adopting all advanced ideas of farming that will prove of practical utility. She is an estimable lady, deserving the high regard of her many friends, and her excellent traits of heart and mind have made her popular with those with whom she has come in contact. She belongs to the Metho- dist Episcopal church. Mr. Cleveland is a public spirited man, giving a loyal support to many measures for the general good. He has been found as a co-operant factor in movements which have for their object the substantial upbuilding of this section of the
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state and Grand Traverse county acknowl- edges his worth and feels grateful for his aid. Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland are hospitable peo- ple and the good cheer of their home is much enjoyed by those whom they entertain. In business affairs he is ever found to be thor- oughly reliable and his unfaltering energy combined with his integrity have made him a successful man who now possesses valuable property interests.
WENZEL KRAITZ.
Wenzel Kraitz, who resides on section 12, Cleveland township, where he is carrying on general farming, is numbered among the early settlers of Leelanaw county, his resi- dence here covering nearly a half century, during which time many changes have oc- curred and in the work of improvement and progress Mr. Kraitz has manifested a deep and abiding interest. He was born in Bo- hemia, Austria, on the 24th of August, 1851, and is son of Francis Kraitz, also a native of that country. After arriving at years of ma- turity he wedded Antonia Hlavin, who was also born in Bohemia. They were married in their native country and some of their children were born there, but in the year 1855 they bade adieu to native land and sailed for the new world, the father hoping that he might provide a better living for his family in this country, where labor and opportunity are not hampered by caste or class. Accordingly they crossed the Atlan- tic, landing at New York, and thence they made their way westward to Michigan, ar- riving in Leelanaw county on the Ist of No- vember, 1855. They settled in Cleveland
township and the father secured a tract of land on which he engaged in general farm- ing. Throughout his life here he carried on agricultural pursuits and as the years passed his efforts were crowned with a fair degree of success. In 1894 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 10th of August, of that year, passing away when sixty-nine years of age. He is still living and makes his home with his son Wenzel. This worthy couple were the par- ents of twelve children, six of whom reached years of maturity, while six died in infancy.
Wenzel Kraitz, whose name introduces this record, was the second child of the family and was a little lad of but four summers when he was brought to the United States by his parents. During the greater part of the time since his arrival in Leelanaw county he has lived within its borders. He was reared to manhood on the home place in Cleveland township and it has been his home contin- uously since with the exception of a brief period of three years which he spent in Chi- cago, Illinois. He had acquired a fair Eng- lish education in the public schools and had been trained to habits of industry, economy and honesty upon the old home farm. On going to Chicago he secured employment in a planing-mill and followed that pursuit for three years. On the expiration of that per- iod he returned to Leelanaw county and here he has always carried on farming. His life has been characterized by unremitting in- dustry and unabating energy and owing to these salient features in his career he has won creditable success in his business under- takings.
Mr. Kraitz was married in Traverse City, Michigan, on the Ist of March, 1878, at which time he led to the marriage altar
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Miss Mary Kucera, who was born in Cleve- land township, Leelanaw county, on the 12th of August, 1860, and was therefore not yet eighteen years of age at the time of her mar- riage. She is a daughter of Anton and Bar- bara (Zeneck) Kucera, and to her husband she has been a faithful companion and help- mate on life's journey. As the years have passed their home has been blessed with the presence of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, as follows: Frank J., John, Adolph A., Joseph, Elizabeth E., Charles H., Albin A., Mary J., Poulina A., Wenzel V., Florence R. and Barbara H.
In his political views Mr. Kraitz is a Democrat and, as every true American citi- zen should do, he has kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, which divide the country into political parties. He takes an active interest in township and county affairs, greatly desiring the success of principles in which he believes, and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability in public office, have frequently called him to positions of trust and responsibility. He has served as highway commissioner, has also been constable and overseer of highways and in the position of school director he has rendered effective service to the cause of ed- ucation, of which he is a warm and ardent friend. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church and he is a member of the church committee. Mr. Kraitz is widely recognized as a pro- gressive farmer and is a well-known gentle- man of Cleveland township, where he has a good home and excellent farm. His finan- cial prosperity has come as the direct return of his earnest and indefatigable labor and in this respect his example should serve as a source of inspiration to those who have to
begin life as he did-empty handed. Great changes have occurred in Leelanaw county during the years of his residence here. The traveler of today could not recognize in the improved district the same section of the country to which Mr. Kraitz came on land- ing in America. His boyhood days were spent amid pioneer surroundings and en- vironments, much of the land was still un- claimed and uncultivated and the forests were uncut, the streams unbridged and the entire work of improvement lay yet in the future. In all that has led to the substantial development of this section of the state Mr. Kraitz has been interested and as far as pos- sible he has aided in the improvement and general progress and today he well deserves honorable mention among the promient pio- neers of his adopted country.
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