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 90
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 90
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on the market, owing to the excellence of the products which he sends to the cities. He has a fourteen-horse-power water-mill upon his farm and by that means he irrigates about eight acres of his land. He was the first man to put in a plant for irrigation purposes and this is indicative of the prog- ressive methods which he has ever followed. He was also the first man to raise celery in Grand Traverse county and the first to make a specialty of the production of Bur- muda onions. He also has a mill operated by the water power which saws all his fire wood and grinds all the feed which is used upon his place, in fact, it is patronized by many of his neighbors who thus have their feed ground. A cider-mill is now in process of construction upon his place and Mr. Franke has emery wheels of all descriptions and sizes, which he uses in the manufact- ure of butcher knives and cross-cut saws. He has made and sold several thousand knives. He possesses not only keen fore- sight, but excellent mechanical ability and industrial skill and this enables him to keep everything about his place in excellent con- dition. He can do his own repair work and there is no farm in all Grand Traverse coun- ty on which everything is kept in a better state of improvement and shows more care- ful supervision than the property which be- longs to Gottfried Franke.
Mr. Franke was first married in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Miss Augusta Seten, who was born in Germany. She died in Garfield township, June 21, 1897, and is survived by five of her six children, namely : Charles, Oscar, Julia, Louise and Alfred. Matilda, the second child, has passed away. After the death of his first wife Mr. Franke was again married, on the 22d of November,
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1898, the lady of his choice being Miss Anna Brager, daughter of August and Wilhelmina (Kapka) Brager. Her father is now dead, but her mother is living, at . the age of sixty-eight years. Mrs. Franke was born in the fatherland and was educated in both English and German. She is the mother of one daughter, Maude.
Mr. Franke holds membership with the German Benevolent Association, which is located at Grand Rapids. In the county where he now makes his home he has a wide acquaintance and the many excellent traits of his character have gained him the good will, confidence and friendship of many with whom he has come in contact. His home is an attractive one, situated in the midst of an excellent farm and commands a fine view of the city and bay. His place is well sup- plied with all modern equipments and con- stitutes one of the model farms of the twen- tieth century. Mr. Franke has every reason to be proud of his achievements. He came to America a young man without capital and that he has prospered is due entirely to his own efforts. His business interests have been quite extensive and he has planned his own advancement and accomplished it in spite of many obstacles. A man of much natural ability, his success in business from the beginning of his residence in Grand Traverse county has been uniform and rap- id. His close application to his work and his excellent management have won for him a high degree of the prosperity which many might envy. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans read- ily and is determined in their execution. Sus- cess with him is not the result of genius, but the outcome of clear judgment, experience and unfaltering industry.
JAMES D. SHANE.
Michigan has many citizens who have came across the border from Canada in order to take advantage of the greater opportuni- ties in the United States, where is to be found livelier competition and more marked enter- prise. Mr. Shane is a native of Canada, his birth having occurred in Huntington county on the 26th of August. 1866, his parents being John W. and Ellen (Smith) Shane, both of whom are natives of Canada. In the year 1868 they came from that country to Leelanaw county, Michigan, and settled upon a farm in Elmwood township, where they lived for many years, after which they took up their abode in Traverse City, where they are now residing, the father enjoying a well-earned rest from further business cares. They were the parents of four children, of whom our subject is the second.
James D. Shane was only about two years of age when brought by his parents to Michigan, and upon his father's farm in Lee- lanaw county the days of his boyhood and youth were passed. In the winter months he attended the district schools, and in the summer seasons, as soon as old enough to follow the plow, he bore his share in the work of the fields, this practical training well fitting him for the occupation which he has chosen as a life work.
Mr. Shane was married in Traverse City, Michigan, April 25, 1886, the lady of his choice being Miss Rose Oliver, a native of Ohio. They now have six children-Mary E., John W., Ellen G., Annie M., James H. and Ruth H. Mr. and Mrs. Shane began their domestic life in Leelanaw county, and there resided until 1894, when they came to Grand Traverse county, and now for nine
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years they have lived upon the farm in Gar- field township, which is yet his home. Mr. Shane has here a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, almost all of which is under cul- tivation. Within the place are comprised one hundred and forty acres of well-improved land, and he has an excellent farm, improved with modern equipments and supplied with the best farming machines in order to facili- tate the work. There has been no exciting chapter in his life history, but his career is that of a man who in the quiet pursuits of life has been found true to duty, honorable in business transactions and faithful to his family and friends.
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LOUIS RUTHARDT.
For forty years Louis Ruthardt has re- sided in Leelanaw county, upon the farm which is still his home, and is one of the extensive land-owners of this section of the state, his possessions aggregating six hun- dred and ten acres. That he engaged in agricultural pursuits on a large scale is shown by the fact that he has two hundred and ten acres under cultivation and is im- proving his property according to the most progressive ideas of the twentieth century. Farm work as carried on today has little resemblance to the labor which was re- quired in the cultivation of land forty years ago. The farm hand of today would hardly know how to use the cradle and scythe, the old-time plow and harrow. He rides to- day over the fields upon a plow which also drops the grain, and the binder and harvester and the thresher do the work which was once done by hand. With the improvement which has characterized agricultural work
Mr. Ruthardt has kept fully abreast and he is today accounted one of the leading and representative agriculturists of the county which has been his home through four dec- ades.
Mr. Ruthardt is a native of the father- land, his birth having occurred in Baden on the 30th of June, 1842. His parents, George M. and Rosina (Tonheimer) Rut- hardt, were also natives of the same country, and the mother died in Germany in 1846. Later in the same year the father crossed the briny deep to the United States and in 1848 he came to Michigan, establishing his home in Kent county, where he lived until his life's labors were ended in death, when he was sixty-seven years of age.
Of a family of four children Louis Ruthardt is the third in order of birth. He remained in his native land during the period of his early youth and obtained his education in the public schools in accordance with the laws of the country. He was sixteen years of age when he bade adieu to home and friends in Germany and sailed for America to join his father, arriving in Kent county, Michigan, in the early fall of 1858. In the meantime his father had married again, hav- ing wedded Christina Nagel, a native of Germany.
Louis Ruthardt remained in Kent coun- ty, Michigan, with his father until 1863, be- ing absent therefrom for only a brief period of six months, which he spent in the army. He had closely studied the question which had involved the country in civil war and, believing in the justice of the Union cause, he offered his services to the government, joining the boys in blue of Company C, Third Michigan Infantry, on the Ist of March, 1862. With his command he went
LOUIS RUTHARDT
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to the front, but on the Ist of September of the same year he was honorably dis- charged on account of physical disability. He then returned to Kent county, working with his father until 1863, when he arrived in Leelanaw county, settling in Solon town- ship on the farm where he still lives. Much of the land was wild and still in possession of the government, and the district was largely covered with the native growth of forest trees. Mr. Ruthardt entered a claim of one hundred and sixty acres and upon the homestead farm he has since remained, developing the property until today it is one of the finest farms to be found in this por- tion of the state. As he cleared the land he also placed it under the plow and in due course of time gathered golden harvests as a reward for his labor. His financial re- sources increasing as the years went by, he also extended the boundaries of his place and made judicious investments in real estate until his property holdings now include six hundred and ten acres, of which he has placed two hundred and ten acres under cultivation. On his place he has first-class buildings. His home is commodious and of modern style of architecture. He has also built substantial barns and sheds for the shelter of grain and stock and for the pro- tection of his improved farm machinery from the inclement weather. A glance at his place is sufficient to indicate to the passer-by his progressive spirit, which is indicated in every department of the farm, in the well- kept fences, the rich fields, substantial build- ings and in the fine grades of stock raised there.
Mr. Ruthardt was first married in Solon township, the wedding ceremony being per- formed on the 8th of December, 1867, when
Miss Emilie Ansorge became his wife. She was born in Austria, but was reared in Mich- igan from the early age of six years. Her father, Edward Ansorge, brought his fam- ily to the United States and became one of the pioneer settlers of Leelanaw county, where he took an active and helpful part in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present progress and prosperity of the county, and to such men a debt of gratitude is due which can never be repaid. He lived to reach a ripe old age and died in Trav- erse City, Michigan, when more than eighty years of age. His last years were spent in that place and he was one of the most hon- ored and venerated of its citizens. Unto the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Ruthardt were born eight children: Amelia, who is the wife of William Adams; Louis M., who died in Solon township, in September, 1900, when twenty-eight years of age; George E., who died when only a year old; Edward George, who was drowned in Long Lake, . July 7, 1895, when eighteen years of age; Frank P., who is living at home; George E., who was the second of that name and died at the age of three years; William H., at home; and Anna M., who completes the family. The wife and mother, Mrs. Emilie Ruthardt, died in Solon township Novem- ber 15, 1901. On the 25th of January, 1903, Mr. Ruthardt was again married, Miss Dorothea Eisenhardt becoming his wife and the wedding being celebrated in Solon township, Leelanaw county. The lady was born in Germany, February I, 1880.
On many occasions Mr. Ruthardt has been called to public office by his fellow townsmen, who recognize his worth and his fidelity to the general welfare. He filled the
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position of township treasurer for six years and was supervisor for fourteen years. He was also township clerk for four years, acted as justice of the peace for some time, and was highway commissioner. He votes with the Republican party and gives an unwaver- ing allegiance to its principles. In office he has made the general welfare his first con- sideration, placing this before partisanship and the public good before personal ag- grandizement. He is one of the most prom- inent and influential citizens of the county, where he came in the first year of his man- hood and where he has since lived. He be- longs to that class of representative, pro- gressive and chivalrous Americans, who, while promoting individual success, also ad- vance the general prosperity, and investiga- tion into his life history shows that the sali- ent features of his life are those which in every land and clime command respect and admiration.
JAMES K. GUNTON.
By the death of this honorable and up- right citizen the community in which he lived sustained a great loss and was deprived of the presence of him whom it had come to look upon as a guardian of its best interests as well as an honored pioneer. Death often removes from our midst those whom we can ill afford to spare and whose lives have been all that is exemplary of the true citizen. Such a citizen was Mr. Gunton, whose ca- reer endeared him to those with whom he came in contact because of the sterling in- tegrity of his character, his social nature and his cordial disposition. Through these qual- ities he created a memory whose perpetuation
does not depend upon brick or stone, but upon the spontaneous and freewill offering of a people who entertain for him the warm- est regard and had for him unfaltering friendship. Few, indeed, were the residents who located here before his arrival. He took up his abode in the county in 1851 and throughout the remaining years of his life he was deeply interested in what was ac- complished along lines of moral upbuilding and substantial progress.
Mr. Gunton was born in the county of Norfolk, England, September 5, 1830, and was reared in his native land. When a young man he came to the United States, believing that he might have better business opportunities in the new world. He was a carpenter by trade and on arriving in the United States he resumed work at his chosen occupation, being engaged in superintending the construction of buildings for two or three years. On the expiration of that per- iod he came to Traverse City, where he ar- rived in 1851. He then entered the employ of the well known pioneer firm of Hannah, Lay & Company, with whom he continued for several years. Being an excellent car- penter, his services were in continual de- mand and the work which he executed gave entire satisfaction to those who employed him. After a time he turned his attention to the hotel business and was a popular host in Traverse City for more than twenty years. He called his place the Gunton House and it was one of the first hostelries in this part of the state, being a landmark of Traverse City. Additions have since been made to it and it is still standing at the corner of Grant and Franklin streets, being today known as Cot- tage Home. For several years Mr. and Mrs. Gunton made this one of the scenes of hos-
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pitality of Traverse City and the old settlers can recall many happy hours spent under its roof. Mr. Gunton did everything in his power for the comfort and convenience of his guests and was a popular landlord, win- ning the good will and oftentimes the friend- ships of many who were entertained in the Gunton House. At length retiring from the hotel business he removed to his farm in Garfield township and there he engaged in agricultural and horticultural pursuits, also in the raising of vegetables for the market and in the conduct of a greenhouse. They found this a profitable source of income and he made his place very valuable by reason of the many improvements he put upon it.
At Old Mission, in Grand Traverse coun- ty, on the 24th of June, 1852, Mr. Gunton was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Baxter, who was born in the district of Johnstown, Canada West, August 27, 1834, a daughter of Hiram and Laney (Thomas) Baxter, both of whom were natives of Can- ada. Her father died in that country, after which the mother came to the United States, spending her last days in Alpena, Michi- gan. This worthy couple were the parents of five children, of whom Mrs. Gunton was the fourth. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gunton were born ten children, as follows: Henrietta, who died in infancy; Caroline M., the wife of B. J. Morgan ; William, a resident of Gar- rett, Indiana; Livetta, who is the wife of W. H. White, of Elgin, Illinois; Minerva, who was the wife of a Mr. Dill and died in California; Martha, who died when three years of age; Jessie, who was the widow of Allen McDonald and resides in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and is now the wife of Jay G. Phillips, a marine engineer; Thomas, also of Traverse City; James, who is living in
the same place; Charles R., who is in the west; Isabella, now the wife of Frank Meads, of Traverse City; Jane, who died in infancy; and Walter, who completes the family and is living in Eugene, Oregon.
Mr. Gunton erected good buildings upon his farm and made excellent improvements upon his property. At the time of his death he was the owner of eighty acres of rich land, of which sixty acres was improved. Through an active business career he had acquired a comfortable competence so that his widow was left in very good financial circumstances. Mr. Gunton was a member of the Presbyte- rian church, to which his wife also belongs, and he belonged to the old settlers associa- tion, taking great delight in its annual meet- ings, where his hearty laugh always made him the center of a merry crowd of "old tim- ers." He and his wife traveled life's journey together for a half century, their mutual love and confidence increasing as the years went by, and for fifty-five years he resided in Grand Traverse county, taking an active part in its pioneer development as well as its later- day improvement. He came here when this district was almost entirely covered with a native growth of forest trees, but lumber in- dustries were established and soon the mon- archs of the forest fell before the sturdy strokes of the woodsman and were converted into marketable products. Then came the farmer to plow and cultivate the land or to devote it to fruit-raising purposes and men whose talent lay along commercial lines es- tablished mercantile houses and built up good business industries in what are now thriving towns and cities. Mr. Gunton was always an advocate of progress and improve- ment and he co-operated in many movements for the general good. In his political affili-
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ations he was a Democrat, having taken faith in the principles of the party resulting from his earnest study of the questions of the day, yet he was never an active politician in the sense of office-seeking, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs. While he won a creditable degree of success in business, it was his genial, kindly nature that won him friends. In manner he was hearty, cordial and sincere, entirely free from ostentation and yet possessing many strong and admirable traits of character, which won him the high regard and warm friendship of those with whom he came in contact. He passed away on his farm on the 16th of July, 1902, after having passed the psalmist's span of three-score years and ten, and the county mourned the loss of one of its prominent and respected pioneer settlers.
JAMES N. HOWARD.
Whether in public office, in business life or in social circles, James N. Howard is ever found as one whose integrity is above question and whose sterling worth stands as a strong element in his career. He resides on section 22, Grant township, where he is carrying on general farming with good suc- cess. A native of the Empire state, he was born on the 15th of June, 1845. His father, Nelson Howard, was a native of New York and after arriving at years of maturity he was there married to Miss Harriet Pratt, whose birth likewise occurred in New York and who was reared and educated there. Believing that he might have better business opportunities in a more western district, Mr. Howard left New York for Wisconsin, taking up his abode in Waukesha county,
where he spent his remaining days. Unto him and his wife were born eight children, six sons and two daughters, and James N. of this review was the youngest of the fam- ily.
James N. Howard was only two years old when his parents went to Wisconsin and upon the home farm in Waukesha county he was reared, the work of the farm becom- ing familiar to him in his early youth, for as soon as old enough he assisted in cultivat- ing the fields and caring for the stock. His education was obtained in the public schools and he remained in Waukesha county until twenty years of age, when, in December, 1865, he came to Michigan and settled in Grand Traverse county. Here he purchased a claim and he afterward secured a home- stead of one hundred and sixty acres, lying in Grant township. Upon this he settled and it has since been his place of residence. He today owns one hundred and ten acres, of which fifty acres is improved. He has erected good buildings upon his farm and supplied it with modern equipments which facilitate farm work and make his labors of value in the acquirement of a comfortable competence.
Mr. Howard was a young man of only nineteen years when he offered his service to the government in defense of the Union, enlisting in March, 1865, as a member of Company I, Fifty-second Wisconsin Infan- try. He was afterward transferred to the Fifty-first Wisconsin Regiment of Volun- teers, with which he remained for about two months, but the command did not leave the state.
Mr. Howard was married in Sherman, Wexford county, Michigan, on the 31st of January, 1878, the lady of his choice being
JAMES N. HOWARD GROUP.
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Miss Emma Burrows, who was born in Cambridgeshire, on the 5th of July, 1850, her parents being Shadrock and Elizabeth (Brazebridge) Burrows. Coming to Amer- ica during their early married life, they took up their abode in Calhoun county, Michigan, Mr. Burrows dying in Penfield when sev- enty-two years of age and his wife being called to her final rest while living in Grant township, Grand Traverse county, at the age of seventy-seven years. Mrs. Howard was the fourth of their six children and by her marriage she has become the mother of two sons, Frederick G. and Horace F.
Mr. Howard was elected and served as one of the first constables of Grant town- ship. He was also overseer of highways and school moderator and in public office he was most loyal to his duties, but he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, pre- ferring to devote his time and energies to his business affairs. He votes with the Repub- lican party and, as every true American citi- zen should do, he keeps informed on the issues and questions of the day. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and, like her husband, she shares in the high regard of many with whom she has come in contact. Realizing that there is no excellence without labor, Mr. Howard has labored earnestly and energetically and with an enthusiastic interest in his work. He has never turned aside into speculation with the hope of rapidly acquiring a fortune, but has persevered in the pursuit of a given purpose. Agriculture has been his life work and it has been through his close attention to the details of his business and his unfaltering energy that he has won for himself a place among the substantial citizens of the com- munity.
J. WILBUR GREEN.
J. Wilbur Green was born in Yates coun- ty, New York, December 13, 1846, his par- ents being Henry and Hannah (Hawley) Green, both of whom died when he was quite young. When about fourteen years old he went to Ontario county, New York, where he remained three years, and then returned to Yates county. He managed to obtain a good, practical education, and divided his time between school-teaching and farming, his winters being employed in the school room and the spring and summer in the field. In 1881 he came to Michigan, and for three years resided in Branch county. In Decem- ber, 1884, he moved to Grand Traverse coun- ty and rented land in Whitewater township for the first year until he had time to look up a suitable tract of land that he could buy and make his home. He purchased eighty acres in Acme township, and this he has improved with good buildings and careful cultivation, until he has one of the most desirable homes in the section, with all the conveniences usually found on a first-class farm.
Mr. Green was married December 20, 1877, to Miss Emma A. Rogers, of Yates county, New York. She was born March 13, 1856, and is a daughter of William and Ce- leste (Loomis) Rogers. Mr. and Mrs. Green are the parents of five children, but four of whom survive. They are Lena M., C. Martin, F. Carlton and L. Eva. Hazel I. died in infancy. Mr. Green and his wife are earnest members of the United Brethren church at Bates, and take an active part in the work of the church. They are ardent Prohibitionists, although they are independ- ent in politics, believing in putting the best man in office regardless of his party views.
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