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 95
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 95
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MR AND MRS PHILIP DOHM.
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seen that his fields are broad and the produc- tive soil of Michigan returns to him golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields.
On the 15th of July, 1866, in Ravenna township, Muskegon county, Michigan, Mr. Dohm was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Sullivan, who was born in Lowell, Massa- chusetts, August 3, 1848. Her father, John Sullivan, was a native of Ireland and died in Muskegon county, this state, when thirty- three years of age. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Bridget H. Crothy, was born in England of Irish parentage and still survives her husband, having now reached an advanced age. Of their eight children Mrs. Dohm is the eldest and when she was six years of age she was taken by her par- ents to Muskegon county, Michigan, where she was reared to womanhood, being well trained in the duties of the household, so that she was capable of taking care of her own home at the time of her marriage. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dohm belong to St. Francis' Catholic church in Traverse City. He has served as school assessor of his district and takes a deep interest in township affairs, be- ing interested in the welfare and progress of his community. He maintains pleasant rela- tions with his old army comrades through his membership in McPherson Post No. 18, Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Dohm is a man of kindly temperament and is a pleasant companion. His life record fur- nishes an excellent illustration of a self- made man and his career should serve as a lesson to the young. He started out for himself under rather adverse circumstances, being compelled to make his own way in the world, and his success shows most forcibly the power of patient and persistent effort and
self-reliance. He has so conducted all af- fairs, whether of a private interest or of a public trust, as to merit the esteem of every class of citizens.
WILLIAM R. PRATT.
Success comes not to the man who idly waits, but to the faithful toiler whose work is characterized by intelligence and force and who has the foresight and keenness of men- tal vision to know when and where and how to exert his energies, and thus it happens. that but a small proportion of those who enter the "world's broad field of battle" come off victors in the struggle for wealth and position. Some lack perseverance, others. business sagacity and still others are dilatory or negligent, but Mr. Pratt possesses the un- daunted spirit and business enterprise which has been the means of developing this great state of Michigan. He is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Grand Traverse coun- ty and is also one of its native sons, his birth having occurred in Old Mission, on the 25th of September, 1857. He has here since re- sided and as he neared manhood he entered upon a business career that has been alike honorable and prosperous.
Mr. Pratt is a son of Jerome M. Pratt, who was born in Licking county, Ohio, and after arriving at years of maturity wedded Miss Araminta Rosecrants, a native of New York. The father became one of the earli- est settlers of Old Mission. He was sent to this place by the government as an In- dian agent and continued to live at Old Mis- sion until his death, which occurred Septem- ber II, 1891, when he was nearly seventy- three years of age. He left the impress of
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his individuality upon the development of the county, taking an active part in all its work and progress. His wife survived him for about five years and died on the 4th of June, · 1896, when seventy-three years of age, her birth having occurred on the 9th of Septem- ber, 1823. Unto this worthy couple were born seven children, William R. being the sixth in order of birth.
Amid the wild scenes of frontier life at Old Mission William R. Pratt was reared and here he has made his home almost con- tinuously since, having spent but a short period at different times in other parts of the country. Farming has been his chief occupation. He was educated in the schools of Old Mission and after putting aside his text books he began agricultural work, which owing to his capability and en- terprise has proved to him an excellent source of income. He now owns one hundred and twenty acres of land, of which one-half is improved, and the farm products annually bring to him a good income as he finds a ready sale for his crops upon the market. In connection with general farming he is also extensively and successfully engaged in buy- ing, selling and shipping fruit.
On the 3d of May, 1891, at Old Mission, William R. Pratt was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Marshall, a daughter of W. A. Marshall, who is represented on another page of this volume. She was born in Frenchtown, Monroe county, Michigan, on the 5th of February, 1861, and by her mar- riage has become the mother of four children : Louise N., Marshall, Carl and Helen. Mr. Pratt and his family are widely and favorably known in this portion of the state, the members of the household occu- pying an enviable position in the social cir-
cles in which they move. Mr. Pratt is like- wise prominent in public affairs. He has served as deputy sheriff for many years, has been township treasurer and for several years he has also been deputy township clerk. In matters of citizenship he has been public-spirited and he is always prompt and faithful in the execution of the official duties which devolve upon him. He has a com- prehensive understanding of the leading questions that divide parties and in whose decisions lie the destinies of the Republic. His study of the issues of the day has led him to give an unfaltering support to the Republican party. The name of Pratt has always been connected with the moral de- velopment of Grand Traverse county. The parents of our subject became charter mem- bers of the Congregational church at Old Mission and William R. Pratt has long been one of the members of the church and at the present time is serving as one of its trustees. No one in the community enjoys a better reputation for integrity of word and deed than William R. Pratt and from pio- neer days his influence has been given in the study of progress, reform and improvement. No greater testimonial of his worth can be given than the fact that the position accorded him by public opinion is one of marked prominence.
GEORGE LARDIE.
George Lardie has now passed the psalmist's span of three score years and ten, but is still engaged in merchandising in Old Mission, where for many years he has car- ried on business interests, his labors proving of value to the commercial activity of the
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town. His long identification with the county entitles him to more than passing mention in this regard and his influence has been a potent factor along many lines of progress and improvement. Great changes have occurred during his residence here, for he found the country largely unimproved. The land was still in possession of the govern- ment and remained as it came from the hand of nature. Here and there a few brave frontiersmen had ventured into the wilds of western Michigan and had secured squat- ters' claims, but the work of development largely lay in the future. A log cabin here and there was surrounded by a little clearing and the work of farming had in a slight de- gree been begun and to some extent the lum- bering interests of this section of the state were being utilized when Mr. Lardie came to Grand Traverse county. Now this portion of the state is rich in its farms, well im- proved, while in the thriving towns and cities are all of the industrial and commer- cial enterprises and the conveniences known to the older east. Old Mission is indebted to Mr. Lardie for much that he has done in its behalf and there is no citizen of this por- tion of the county who is more widely known or is held in higher esteem than he whose name introduces this record.
A native of Canada, he was born in the city of Montreal on the 24th of May, 1829, his parents being George and Mary (Char- tran) Lardie, both of whom were natives of Montreal and in that city the mother died. The father afterwards came to Grand Trav- erse county, Michigan, and passed away in Peninsula township when seventy-nine years of age. George Lardie was the eld- est in their family of nine children and he lived in Montreal until seventeen years of
age, during which time he acquired his edu- cation there. On leaving home he removed to Watertown, near Hamilton, Ontario, where he resided for two years, after which he spent twelve years in Milton, Ontario. During that time he engaged in coopering and his good workmanship secured for him profitable employment. On leaving Milton he came to Grand Traverse county, arriving here in July, 1859. He "squatted" upon a tract of land about four miles from Old Mis- sion, at what is now the village of Mapleton. There he lived for twenty-two years, devot- ing his energies to agricultural pursuits and on the expiration of that period he took up his abode at Old Mission, where he has since engaged in merchandising, conducting a general store. He carries a well selected stock of goods and by his earnest desire to please his patrons, his fair and honorable dealings, and his enterprise, he has secured good business which is a source of desirable profit.
Mr. Lardie was married in Dundas, On- tario, to Miss Harriet Coutu, a native of Canada, and unto them have been born twelve children, namely: Harriet, George W., Peter, Matilda, Frederick, Odila, Mar- guerite, Henry M., Rosalie, Lilly, Stephen and Clara E. The mother was called to her final rest on the 9th of April, 1901, depart- ing this life at her home at Old Mission when she was in her seventieth year, her birth having occurred on the 7th of October, 1831.
Mr. Lardie casts his vote in support of the Republican party and is most loyal to its interests. He has held the office of post- master at Old Mission for many years and has been chosen to elective offices, being township treasurer of Peninsula township
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for eight years, while for three years he was justice of the peace. He is a communicant of the Catholic church and has been loyal to its teachings. The life of Mr. Lardie has been busily passed and devoid of so called great events. He has endeavored to live in peace and harmony with all mankind and has quietly and unassumingly pursued the even tenor of his way. He has found that per- sistency of purpose and unfaltering energy are a good basis .upon which to rear the su- perstructure of success and to these elements may be attributed his present creditable posi- tion in the commercial world. From his life record many lessons may be gleaned, lessons of independence and self-reliance and a re- gard for the rights and feelings of others.
GEORGE W. McWETHY.
George W. McWethy is identified with farming interests in Grand Traverse county, but has not confined his attention and efforts alone to this one line,-leading to his indi- vidual success,-but has directed his labors into other channels through which flow great good to the general public. Especially has the educational system of his locality profited by his labors and at one time he served as superintendent of the county schools.
The life history of Mr. McWethy began on the 6th of May, 1851, his birth occurring in Pavilion, Genesee county, New York. His father, Levi V. McWethy, was also a na- tive of the Empire state and as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life he chose Miss Rhoda T. Noble. Unto them were born seven children, the subject being the youngest. Both parents remained residents
of New York until called to the home be- yond. The father was a farmer by occupa- tion and upon the old homestead farm: George W. McWethy was reared, remaining: under the parental roof until twenty-eight years of age. His preliminary education, acquired in the public schools of Genesee county, was supplemented by study in Mid- dlebury Academy, of Wyoming, New York, and his liberal culture along educational lines prepared him for teaching, which profession he followed in New York for ten years, part of the time in his native county and during the remainder of the decade in Wyoming county. When not engaged with the duties of the school room he assisted in the opera- tion of his father's farm and thus gained practical experience concerning the best methods of producing crops. He remained at home until the fall of 1879 and in 1882 he removed to Monmouth, Illinois, where he had previously been married.
It was on the 21st of October, 1879, that Mr. McWethy wedded Miss Hattie N. Barnes, who was born in Mount Morris, New York, November 5, 1853, a daughter of E. V. A. and Harriet (Baldwin) Barnes, who were also natives of the Empire state. For a year Mr. McWethy engaged in farm- ing in Warren county, Illinois, and in that locality he remained until the fall of 1883, when he came to Grand Traverse county, Michigan, taking up his abode in Blair town- ship. The farm upon which he now lives has been his home since his arrival here. He purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, which was then wild and destitute of all improvement. He at once began the arduous labors of making a good farm and great is the transformation which has since been wrought in the appearance of the place ..
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE W. McWETHY.
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GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.
Fully one-half of the land has been cleared and where once stood the forests trees in their primeval strength are now seen plowed fields, the green tints of early spring giving . place as the year advances to autumn's gold- en color, indicating the harvests which re- ward him for his toil. Excellent buildings have been erected by Mr. McWethy. His barns are ample for the shelter of grain and stock, the mows are well filled with hay, and in the sheds are the latest improved agricult- ural implements for facilitating the work of the farm. The home which has been builded by Mr. McWethy is unsurpassed in the township and has few equals in the entire county. Of modern style of architecture, commodious and pleasing in appearance, it is also tastefully furnished and moreover an air of good cheer and hospitality pervades the place, making it a favorite resort with their many friends.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. McWethy has been blessed with three children, Leslie B., G. Edna and Lee A. The parents take an active part in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which they hold mem- bership, and at the present time Mr. Mc- Wethy is serving as superintendent of the Sunday school of that denomination in Grawn, realizing how important is the early religious training of the young in order that a sure foundation may be laid for the build- ing of character. He has always acted with the Republican party on political questions and as every true American citizen should do feels an interest in the political issues of the day. He has been especially active in be- half of the schools and for eight years after coming to Grand Traverse county he en- gaged in teaching in . Blair and Garfield townships. He was appointed secretary of 47
the school of Grand Traverse county for one year and was then elected county superin- tendent of schools, which position he filled for six years, during which time the educa- tional system of the county was greatly im- proved and marked advance made in many of the schools and in the methods of instruction. He has also held the . offices of township clerk and school inspector and he has been a leader in many matters pertaining to public progress. His efforts have been discerningly directed into channels through which flow the great- est good to the greatest number and in po- litical work he has always placed the general good before partisanship and the welfare of the community before personal aggrandize- inent. For the past ten years he has been secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Fire In- surance Company of Grand Traverse, An- trim and Leelanaw counties. In action straightforward, in manner unostentatious, he has won for himself an enviable position in public regard and in business life he has found that success is ambition's answer.
ALFRED E. PORTER.
Alfred E. Porter well deserves repre- sentation in this volume, for he has been quite prominent in public affairs and he is proprietor of the hotel at Old Mission. His business and public interests have made him widely known and the sterling traits of his character have made him a valued citizen in Peninsula township and Grand Traverse county. His father was the late Alexander Porter, a native of New York, and after ar- riving at years of maturity was united in
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GRAND TRAVERSE AND
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marriage to Miss Elizabeth Patterson. Her birth occurred in the Green Mountain state and for a time they resided in Canada, com- ing thence to Grand Traverse county in the year 1853. In August of that year they set- tled at Old Mission in Peninsula township, where they continued to live until their life's labors were ended in death. Mrs. Porter, who was born October 11, 1817, passed away February 4, 1885; and Mr. Porter, whose birth occurred January 1, 1814, died on the 15th of May, 1899, having reached the ad- vanced age of eighty-five years. Both de- parted this life upon the old home farm on which they had settled on coming to Michi- gan and which had been their home for a long period. They were well-known repre- sentatives of the agricultural interests of this section of the state and were people of the highest respectability, honored wherever known. They had a family of eight chil- dren, of whom Alfred E. Porter was the seventh in order of birth.
It was upon the old homestead farm at Old Mission in Peninsula township that Alfred E. Porter was born, his natal day be- ing November 4, 1857. Here he was reared, spending his youth in the ordinary manner of the farmer lads of the period and until the spring of 1902 he continuously resided upon the farm where his birth occurred. As he grew in years and strength various duties of the farm were assigned to him un- til he was familiar with the work in its every department and after he had attained his majority he took charge of the home place and continued its cultivation and further im- provement until he took charge of the hotel at Old Mission in the spring of 1902. He is now conducting this hostelry and he has the
patronage of the traveling public, because he has made the hotel one that furnishes excel- lent entertainment to its guests. He does everything in his power to promote the com- fort and convenience of those whom he en- . tertains and the rooms are neat and attrac- tive in appearance and the table furnishes all that the market affords.
In Peninsula township Mr. Porter was united in marriage to Miss Ella K. Johnson, a daughter of Captain F. L. Johnson of the same township and an honored veteran of the Mexican war, who is represented else- where in this volume. Mrs. Porter was born in Peninsula township, August 16, 1860, and by her marriage has become the mother of three children, Charles S. and Minnie A. being the surviving members of the family. The daughter Lovisa A., who was the second of the family, died when a beautiful young lady of twenty-two years of age, her loss being deeply regretted by all who knew her. She had many friends, was an active church worker and was the light and joy of the household. After a severe ill- ness of two months, in which she bore much suffering, she passed away at nine o'clock on Monday morning, October 27, 1902. To her family her loss was extremely great. She was a devoted daughter, kind and af- fectionate sister and her beautiful character endeared her to all who knew her. Her memory will long be enshrined in the hearts of her friends and her influence remains as a blessed benediction to those who knew her.
Mr. Porter gives his political support to the Republican party, having firm faith in its principles. He has been honored with several local offices, having served as town- ship clerk for eight years and as school as-
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sessor and highway commissioner. Frater- nally he is connected with Traverse City Lodge No. 323, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In political thought and ac- tion he has always been independent, carry- ing out his honest views without fear or favor. He is today numbered among the honored pioneer settlers of Grand Traverse county, his residence here dating from an early period in its development. His mem- ory goes back to the time when this portion of the state was sparsely settled, when little of the land had been reclaimed for purpose of civilization, but remained in the primitive condition in which it came from the hand of nature. Mr. Porter has ever been deeply interested in what has pertained to public progress and his influence has ever been on the side of advancement and improvement.
JAMES SWANEY.
A half century seems a long period in which to reside on one farm and yet for more than that-for fifty-three years-James Swaney has lived upon the farm which is now his home. It was a wild tract of land when his parents took up their abode here, and around them stretched the green woods, sheltering wild game of various kinds. Only here and there had a clearing been made to indicate the advance of civilization into the western wilderness, but occasionally the blue smoke could be seen curling upward from a pioneer cabin. Frontier conditions existed. The farmers cultivated their land with implements which seem quite primitive compared to those now in use, and then af- ter harvesting their crops had to transport
them by team to market. As the years passed, however, the cleared and cultivated areas of the county became greater and greater and the county is now the abiding place of a contented and prosperous people whose richly cultivated farms surround thriving towns and cities and all of the com- forts and conveniences of the older east have been introduced.
James Swaney has kept abreast with the progress of the times in his work and is to- day accounted one of the leading agricultur- ists of the community in which he has so long made his home. He still lives upon a part of the original farm entered by his father, and to which he was brought when only about a year old. He was born in Spring township, Crawford county, Penn- sylvania, August 10, 1849, a son of John and Rosanna (McFadden) Swaney, the for- mer born September 13, 1806, the latter on the 10th of July, 1810. They were mar- ried in Pennsylvania and unto them were born eleven children, of whom James was the tenth. With their family they came to the west in the fall of 1850, their destina- tion being Grand Traverse county. They settled upon the farm now owned and oc- cupied by our subject and there they re- mained until called to their final home, the father devoting his attention to the cultiva- tion of his land, assisted by his sons. In the early days the family experienced many of the hardships and trials of pioneer life, but as time passed the united efforts of the children and parents made it possible to gain more of the comforts known to the older east. The mother died September 2, 1868, and Mr. Swaney, surviving her for two years, passed away on the 4th of October, 1870.
Upon the home farm in Peninsula town-
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ship, Grand Traverse county, James Swaney was reared and here he has always lived, working in the fields from the time of his youth to the present, when he owns and operates fifty acres of land, constituting one of the good farms of the community. There are good buildings upon the place and mod- ern equipments, which facilitate the farm work, and in the supervision of his property Mr. Swaney shows a thorough and practi- cal understanding of the best methods of carrying on agricultural pursuits.
In Peninsula township, July 2, 1871, Mr. Swaney was married to Miss Harriet Lardie, who was born in Milton, Holten county, Ontario, March 30, 1851, a daughter of George and Harriet (Courtu) Lardie, both natives of Canada and well known farming people of Grand Traverse county. They arrived in this county in 1859 and es- tablished their home in Peninsula township, where Mr. Lardie is still living, but his wife passed away April 9, 1901, when about seventy years of age. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom Mrs. Swaney is the eldest. Unto the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Swaney seven children have been born : John E., George F., Lewis H., Clara B., who died in infancy ; Rose E., Sylvia I. and Hat- tie M.
Mr. Swaney and his family are members of the Catholic church, and in his political views he is a Democrat, having always given his support to the principles of that party. He has been elected on its ticket to the of- fice of township treasurer, has served as highway commissioner and has also been officially connected with the schools. Ad- vancement along lines of public good and im- provement is sure to elicit his attention and as far as possible he has given aid to meas-
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