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 85
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 85
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103
in a sailing vessel, and they were seven weeks on the water, it being the 5th of October before they arrived in Quebec. They came direct to Traverse City, where the subject's sister Susan and her husband, William Hop- kins, had preceded them some years. On the peninsula, a few miles north of the city, William Holdsworth purchased some land, prepared a home and after seeing his family comfortably domiciled therein came to Trav- erse City and secured employment with Hannah, Lay & Company, scaling logs and doing carpenter work in the lumber camp. In 1863 the family moved to town and here they have resided since, but the old farm, originally purchased in 1858, is still one of the family possessions. For twenty-five years immediately preceding his retirement from active labor William Holdsworth was employed in the store and in the bank as bookkeeper for the Hannah & Lay Mercan- tile Company.
At her home in Traverse City, in March, 1864, Mrs. Mary (Saunders) Holdsworth departed this life. To her and her husband ten children had been born, only three of whom are living at this time. Clementia re- sides at home, dutifully caring for her father now in his declining years ; Fanny is the wife of J. J. Sherman and they reside in Traverse City; William is professor of art in the Michigan State Agricultural College at Lansing. He is a graduate of that institu- tion and also a graduate from Cornell Uni- versity, taking also the degree of Master of Arts from the Michigan Agricultural Col- lege.
January 27, 1866, William Holdsworth was united in marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth Hastings, mother of Hon. E. W. Hastings, a sketch of whose career will be found in
667
GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
another part of this volume. The ceremony took place in Traverse City. For twenty- four years and up to the time of her death, which occurred in 1890, they lived most hap- pily together.
In politics William Holdsworth is usu- ally classed with the Democratic party. He is not and never has been a bitter partisan. On becoming a citizen of the United States he first espoused the cause of the Republican party and voted with that political organiza- tion until 1872. He voted twice for Abra- ham Lincoln and once for Ulysses S. Grant, but when it came to the Greeley campaign he found it impossible to go back on that re- doubtable citizen and ever since has been looked upon as a Democrat. He, however, has always acted in politics from a strictly independent standpoint. He served as high- way commissioner on the Newago and Northport state road, was city marshal of Traverse City, served as school inspector for years, and in 1862, when only four years in the country, was a delegate to the Republi- can state and congressional conventions. He was reared in the Protestant Episcopal church, but makes no professions of religion. In his younger days he was a Forester, it being the only fraternal society he ever joined. The intellectual strength displayed by him at his time of life is truly remarkable. He is at present engaged in writing an auto- biography for the use and information of his descendants, and it displays much literary talent.
JOHN PORTER.
For many years John Porter has filled the position of county surveyor of Leelanaw county, being well qualified for the position, 42
and in the discharge of its duties he is found prompt and reliable. His continuation. in the position is an indication of the confidence reposed in him by the public and it is safe to say that no man in the community enjoys in higher degree the good will of those with whom he is associated or more justly merits this expression of regard. His home is in Leland township, where through a long pe- riod he has followed farming.
Mr. Porter was born on a farm in But- ler county, Pennsylvania, December 29, 1826, and is a son of William and Mary (Glenn) Porter, who are also natives of the Keystone state. In their family were seven children, of whom the subject of this review was the first born. He was reared in Butler county and there lived until 1854, covering the entire period of his boyhood and youth. His education was obtained in the public schools and there was no remarkable inci- dent to vary the routine of his life during his boyhood days. After reaching years of ma- turity he worked earnestly and persistently in order to gain a start in the business world. In October, 1854, he came to Leelanaw coun- ty, Michigan, accompanied by his wife and one child, and at that date he settled in Omena, and for some time was connected with the Presbyterian board of foreign mis- sions .. He had been engaged to act as a teacher among the Indians and followed that pursuit for six and a half years, putting forth every effort in his power to bring to the red race the advantages and improve- ments of civilization. In 1861 he settled in Leland township upon the farm where he now lives, and it has been his home for forty- three consecutive years. He has made good improvements upon the property and the farm shows all modern equipments, such as
668
GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
the latest improved machinery, good fences, cominodious and substantial buildings and all the facilities for the care of the crops. He owns one hundred and ninety-one acres and of this he has improved one hundred and twenty acres, much of which is divided into fields of convenient size by well-kept fences.
Mr. Porter was married first in Butler county, Pennsylvania, the lady of his choice being Miss Annie McElvain, a native of that county, who died in Leland township in 1889, when fifty years of age. Their mar- riage had been blessed with seven children, namely : William; Harriet, who is the wife of Frank Severance; Carrie; Agnes; Frank ; and two who died in youth. After the death of his first wife Mr. Porter was again mar- ried, in Oberlin, Ohio, his second union be- ing with Miss Harriet McClellan, with whom he is now living upon his farm in Leland township.
Mr. Porter votes with the Republican party and measures of deep interest in the political questions of the day receive his en- dorsement, realizing that upon their accept- ance or rejection depends the welfare of the nation. He has been county surveyor of Leelanaw county for many years, and other official positions of honor and trust have been conferred upon him. For one term he served as county treasurer and he has acted in minor positions, including those of town- ship supervisor and justice of the peace. Over the record of his public career and his private life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He has through an extended period been an active member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church and his life has been in consistent harmony with his professions
in this regard. In his private and public relations his influence is given for progress and for the elevation and welfare of man- kind. His life has largely been actuated by unselfish motives, prompted by patriotism and guided by truth and justice.
CHARLES H. MONROE.
From an early epoch in the development and upbuilding of Grand Traverse county Charles H. Monroe has resided within its border and has taken an active and helpful part in advancing its interests along many lines. He was one of the organizers of Blair township and one of its first officers, and al- most continuously he has been in one or an- other position of public trust and responsi- bility. He has likewise contributed to the social, fraternal and material improvement of the community and his influence has been marked in molding public thought and opin- ion. A man of worth, Grand Traverse county willingly acknowledges her indebted- ness to him for his efforts in her behalf and accords him a foremost position in the ranks of leading citizens here.
Charles H. Monroe is a native of the Em- pire state, his birth having occurred in Steu- ben county April 5, 1844. In his father's family were many children-eleven in num- ber-and he was the youngest. The parents were Henry and Mercy (Wilson) Monroe, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of New York. For many years the father resided in Steuben county, and there died when about forty-eight years of age, while the mother died at the home of her son Charles in Blair township, Grand Traverse county, at the age of seventy-five years.
669
GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
Having spent the first fourteen years of his life in the county of his nativity, Charles H. Monroe began his education there, and the knowledge which he gained in the school- room has been largely supplemented by read- ing, observation and experience since he put aside his text books. About 1859 he became a resident of Michigan, and for a time lived in Calhoun county. He also spent six months in Grand Rapids and then came to Grand Traverse county, in June, 1859. Al- most forty-five years have since come and gone. He has lived continuously here and is today one of the honored pioneers, his residence antedated by few, while his knowl- edge of pioneer events shows an intimate ac- quaintance with all that goes to make up the pioneer history of the community. For near- ly two years he was employed in the Herald office by the late Morgan Bates, and learned the printer's trade, after which he entered a claim from the government. The land was in the condition in which it came from the hand of nature-a tract of one hundred and sixty acres on section 30, Blair township. Mr. Monroe had to clear it for the plow, and in due course of time the work of cultivation resulted in the production of fine crops, which have annually added to the income of the owner. The boundaries of his farm have been extended until he has two hundred acres in Blair township, of which one hun- dred acres is improved. The increasing value of the property, owing to the rise in the price of land because of the increasing settlement and the cultivation which has been carried on in the fields, has made Mr. Monroe one of the substantial farmers of the county.
While his agricultural interests have made heavy demands upon the energies and
attention of Mr. Monroe, he has also found time to devote to measures for the general good, and from pioneer times he has been an active factor in shaping the public policy of his community. He assisted in the organ- ization of Blair township, in 1868, and was chosen its first treasurer, occupying the po- sition for three years. He was also one of the county superintendents of the poor for six years, and for fifteen years occupied the position of highway commissioner of the township. In 1890 he was elected super- visor of the township and has held the of- fice continuously since. No higher testi- monial of faithful service could be given than the fact that he has so long been continued in public office by the vote of his fellow townsmen. His ability and fidelity are widely recognized. He is not the choice of any one party or faction, for since 1880 he has been independent in politics, and his sup- port comes from his fellowmen who recog- nize his worth and his loyalty to every trust reposed in him. Mr. Monroe has also been a liberal supporter of the Methodist Episco- pal church and a co-operant factor in many other measures for the general good.
In Blair township, on the IIth of Feb- ruary, 1867, was performed the marriage ceremony which united the destinies of Mr. Monroe and Miss Mary S. Wightman, who was born in Canada, of American parentage, a daughter of Horace E. and Nancy Ann (Quick) Wightman. Mr. and Mrs. Monroe now have three living children, Harvey S., Clara B. and Vida C. The elder daughter is the wife of Clint Copeland. There was also a daughter who died in infancy. Fra- ternally Mr. Monroe is connected with Cen- ter Lodge No. 311, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with which he has been identi-
670
GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
fied since its organization, in 1878, and in his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the order, which is based upon the brother- hood of man and has as its foundation prin- ciple, truth. During the long years of his residence in Grand Traverse county Mr. Monroe has not only acted for its welfare and promoted many of its valuable measures, but he has so lived as to command uniform regard. He aided in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present progress of the county, and as a representative of pio- neer times he deserves mention in this vol- ume. His memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the present, with its modern improvements, and in spirit and interest he has kept abreast with the times, rejoicing in what has been accom- plished for the general good.
ROBERT BARNEY.
Robert Barney, who is serving as treas- urer of Garfield township, Grand Traverse county, and is living on section 6, is a west- ern man by birth, training and preference, and the enterprise which is so characteristic of this section of the country has been mani- fested throughout his career. He was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, March 29, 1867. His father, Joseph B. Barney, was a native of New England, his birth having occurred in Vermont in 1830. Having arrived at years of maturity, he. wedded Miss Sarah C. Perkins, who was also born in the Green Mountain state, her natal year being 1829. On leaving New England they emigrated to Wisconsin, where they lived for a number of years, and in 1874 they came to Michigan,
settling in what is now Peninsula town- ship, Grand Traverse county. Five years were there passed, at the end of which time they took up their abode in Garfield town- ship upon the farm where the subject is now living. This tract of land is on section 6 and to its development and improvement the father devoted his energies for some time. The mother passed away on the 20th of February, 1893, and many friends mourned her loss, for she so lived as to endear herself to all with whom she came in contact. The four children of the family are Mary, now the wife of Lewis Hodgson, Martha, Emma and Robert.
Robert Barney was only seven years of age when he came with his parents to Grand Traverse county and here he has since lived. He has, therefore, witnessed the many changes which time and man have wrought in this section of the state. It was largely an unimproved district at the time of his arrival and the work of development and cul- tivation fell to the lot of the Barney family and through enterprise and thought they per- formed this task and Garfield township to- day gives a splendid appearance. Mr. Bar- ney of this review attended the common schools for a time and afterward continued his studies in the high school at Traverse City. In early youth he became familiar with the labors of field and meadow, assist- ing in the cultivation of the crops and in the care of the stock from the time when he was old enough to perform such tasks. He has always followed agricultural pursuits and he is today the owner of one hundred acres of arable land.
As a companion and helpmate on life's journey Mr. Barney chose Miss Matilda E. Fuller, the wedding ceremony being per-
. .... .
....
MRS. ROBERT BARNEY AND SON.
ROBERT BARNEY.
671
GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
formed on the 22d of June, 1891, in the home of her father, Sanford Fuller, a well-known and representative farmer of Garfield town- ship, who is represented elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Barney was born in Almira township, Benzie county, Michigan, on the 3Ist of December, 1869, and by her mar- riage she has become the mother of one son, Robert Joseph Sanford.
His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called Mr. Barney to public office and at the present time he is serving as treasurer of Garfield township, having been elected to the posi- tion in the spring of 1902 on the Republican ticket. He is also a school inspector and justice of the peace and his decisions in the latter office have been characterized by strict fairness and impartiality. He takes consid- erable interest in public affairs and gives an unfaltering support to the principles of the Republican party, feeling that its platform contains the best elements of good govern- ment. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Traverse City and their labors in its behalf have been far-reaching and beneficial. Mr. Barney has held many of the offices in the church, in- cluding that of trustee and he is now secre- tary of the quarterly conference of the Sec- ond Methodist Episcopal church of Traverse City. He and his wife are also members of the Traverse City Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry. A progressive farmer, leading business man and influential citizen, he cer- tainly deserves mention in the history of his adopted county. Mr. Barney is widely and favorably known throughout the communi- ty, his abilities well fitting him for leader- ship in political, business and social life. The terms progress and patriotism might be con-
-
sidered the keynote of his character, for throughout his career he has labored for the improvement of every line of business or public interest with which he has been- as- sociated, and at all times has been actuated by a fidelity to his country and her welfare.
STEPHEN LAUTNER.
The sons of Austria who have sought homes in America find a worthy representa- tive in Stephen Lautner, who is now living in section 34, Solon township, Leelanaw county, where he follows the occupation of farming. He was born in Austria on the 27th of July, 1856, and is a son of the late Wenzel and Helena (Queiser) Lautner. It was in the fall of 1865 that the parents bade adieu to the place of their nativity and sailed for the new world. The opportunities of- fered in this country attracted the husband and father, who believed that he might se- cure a better home for his family in the United States. After landing on the American coast he made his way into the interior of the country and took up his abode in Solon township, Leelanaw county, where his re- maining days were passed. He reached an advanced age and was a venerable man, re- spected by all who knew him. It was in February, 1895, when in his eightieth year, that he was called to his final rest, and his wife died in October, 1885, when about six- ty-three years of age. Of their family of five children Stephen Lautner was the fourth in order of birth.
Although only nine years of age at the time of the emigration of the family to the new world, Mr. Lautner yet retains, some
672
GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
vivid recollections of the land of his birth and of the early environments of his early youth. He was reared upon the home farm where he now lives, and which has been his place of residence continuously since he ar- rived in America. He has always followed farming, and is now one of the most suc- cessful and prosperous agriculturists of Lee- lanaw county. He has never turned aside into other fields of labor nor engaged in speculation, but has placed his dependence upon the hard, persistent labor incident to the cultivation and improvement of the farm and he has kept in touch with the progress- ive spirit so characteristic of America, and which has been especially manifested in the departments of agricultural life. This progress is seen in the improved farm ma- chinery, in the better grade of homes and in the advanced methods of tilling the soil which are today utilized. Mr. Lautner has erected an excellent set of farm buildings upon his land. His career, although it has been prosperous, has not been entirely free from obstacles and hardships. In 1891 he lost a large barn and other outbuildings which were destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of several thousands of dollars. Not discouraged, however, he set to work to re- trieve his lost possessions, and he has re- garded every difficulty that has arisen in his path merely as an impetus for renewed ef- fort. He owns today five hundred acres of valuable land, of which about three hundred acres is improved and the fields annually re- turn golden harvests for the care and culti- vation he bestows upon the farm. He is ยท also engaged in stock raising and makes a specialty of Holstein cattle.
Mr. Lautner has been twice married. He first wedded Miss -Anna M. Ansorge, the
wedding being solemnized in Solon town- ship, Leelanaw county; in 1884, but their happy married life was of short duration, for in February, 1885, the young wife was called to her final rest. Mr. Lautner was again married, in Solon township, on the 3d of May, 1887, his second union being with Miss Anna Amtsbuchler, a daughter of the late Franz Amtsbuchler, who is mentioned in connection with the sketches of his sons, Frank, Joseph and John Amtsbuchler, on other pages of this volume. In a family of five children Mrs. Lautner is the fourth, and her birth occurred in Solon township, Leelanaw county, on the 27th of September, 1868. By her marriage she has become the mother of three interesting children, Ernest S., Robert W. and Elsie A.
Well fitted for leadership in public af- fairs, Mr. Lautner has been called upon to serve in several official positions. He has held the office of township clerk for a num- ber of years, has been supervisor of Solon township for some time and has also been school director. He votes independently, considering himself unbound by party ties. His support is given to the men and meas- ures best qualified to promote the welfare of town, county, state and nation. He and his wife are active church workers and are interested in all that pertains to the moral development of the community. Fraternally Mr. Lautner is connected with Traverse City Tent, Knights of the Maccabees. He is widely recognized as an alert, enterprising and progressive business man and his career has ever been such as to warrant the trust and confidence of the business world, for he has ever conducted all transactions in ac- cordance with the strictest principles of honor and integrity. His devotion to the
678
GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
public good is unquestioned and arises from a sincere interest in his fellow men. In his character there is something he obtained in the primitive schools where he was educated, and in his early experiences, something that might be termed solidity of purpose, and which is a characteristic worthy of emula- tion. His school privileges were meager, yet in the school of experience he has learned lessons that have made him a well informed man, broad minded and liberal in his views and with a charity that reaches out to all humanity.
GEORGE M. D. CLEMENT, SR.
Since the fall of 1896 George M. D. Clement has engaged in the hardware busi- ness in Maple City, Leelanaw county, and is a merchant prominent in commercial cir- cles, his activity being a potent element in the improvement and upbuilding of the town in which he makes his home. This is a utilitarian age. Never in the world's history has there been such marked advance in busi- ness enterprises and in the extent and scope of business affairs. Mr. Clement is num- bered among the typical American men, be- cause of his untiring activity, his keen in- sight into business propositions and his sound judgment concerning business trans- actions.
It is also a noticeable fact that the great majority of the most successful men in com- mercial and professional life have spent their boyhood days upon farms. They seem to have gained from the rural life the physical strength and stability of manhood which form an excellent foundation for prosperity in other lines of labor. Mr. Clement was
born upon a farm in the township of Brady, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, on the 27th of September, 1844, and is a son of Harmon . T. and Margaret (Adams) Clement. His father was a native of New York, while the mother's birth occurred in Pennsylvania. Coming to the west, Harmon Clement was identified with agricultural interests in Mich- igan for a number of years. Unto him and his wife was born but one child, the subject of this review, and under the parental roof George M. D. Clement spent his boyhood days, continuing to live with his parents un- til he was about twenty-nine years of age. When a youth of six summers he entered the public schools and therein continued his studies until he had largely mastered the branches of learning taught in such institu- tions and thereby prepared himself to cope with the problems which confront one in en- tering a business career. He gained prac- tical knowledge of farming methods under the direction of his father. Almost as soon as he was old enough to handle the plow he began work in the fields and the sun shone down on many a harvest which ripened from grain that he had planted. When twenty- nine years of age he left the old homestead and went to Cass county, Michigan, where he embarked in mercantille life, establishing a store in Marcellus. There he remained : for about four years, when, on account of the death of his father, he disposed of his business interests in Cass county and re- turned to the old home farm in Kalamazoo county, giving to its further development and operation his time and energies until after the death of his mother. Both parents hav- ing passed away, he then removed to Vicks- burg, Michigan, where he remained for about two years. Subsequently to that time
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.