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 96
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 96
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ures for the general welfare. There is. hardly any one in the entire county so fa- miliar with its history, for he has been a witness of all the changes which have oc- curred through fifty-three years. He has seen the building of the railroads, the intro- duction of the telegraph and telephone, the institution of the present school system and has noted the growth along material, social, intellectual and moral lines. Events in the pioneer epoch of the county's development have left their impress on his mind and he can relate many interesting incidents of the early days. His long residence in the county has made him widely known and he has gained friendship and favor among those with whom he has been associated because of his exemplification of many sterling vir- tues which go to the making of honorable manhood.
EDWARD CARROLL.
Edward Carroll is a leading and influen- tial citizen of Peninsula township, Grand Traverse county. Like many of the residents of this portion of the state, he depends upon agriculture to yield him a living and through his capable control of his farming interests he has gained a comfortable competence. He owns considerable land, much of which is improved, and his farming interests class him among the leading representatives of that line of work in his community.
Mr. Carroll is a native of Vermont, his birth having occurred in Swanton, Franklin county, on the 8th of August, 1840. His father, Peter Carroll, was a native of Ire- land and in early life crossed the Atlantic to America, taking up his abode in Vermont, where he formed the acquaintance of Miss
MR. AND MRS. EDWARD CARROLL.
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Dorothy Stevens. Their friendship ripened into love and they were married. The lady was born in the Green Mountain state and her death occurred in Canada when she was more than forty years of age. Mr. Carroll afterward came to Michigan and spent his last days in Peninsula township, where he died in the summer of 1874, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. This worthy cou- ple were the parents of eleven children, of whom the subject of this review is the eld- est. When in his seventh year of age he went to Wellington county, Canada, which was the place of his residence until the fall of 1863 and during that time he was engaged in farming and he was married in Welling- ton county on the 27th of November, 1861, to Miss Jane Eliza Holman, who was born in Waterloo township, Waterloo county, On- tario, on the Ist of April, 1839. Her fa- ther was Henry Holman and her mother bore the maiden name of Catherine McCann. Mrs. Carroll comes of English and Irish an- cestry, her father having been born on the merrie isle, while the mother's birth oc- curred on the Emerald isle. Becoming resi- dents of Canada, they spent their remaining days in the Dominion, passing away in Wel- lington county. Of their five children Mrs. Wellington was the youngest. After their marriage the subject and his wife continued to make their home in Canada until the fall of 1863, when with their two children they came to Michigan and settled in Peninsula township, Grand Traverse county. They have since resided in this township and Mr. Carroll has given his attention in an undi- vided manner to agricultural interests. He has never turned aside into other channels of business activity nor sought in speculation a field for the rapid acquirement of wealth ..
He has placed his dependence upon the surer qualities of industry, indefatigable effort and keen sagacity and these have enabled him to rise from a humble financial position to one of affluence.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Carroll has been blessed with ten children, as follows: Lawrence; Catherine F., who is the wife of Albert Buerers; John J .; Stephen E .; Eliz- abeth, who is the widow of Peter Zoulek; Alexander ; Eliza J., who is the wife of Ar- thur McManus; Andrew P .; William H. and George. They lost two children who died in infancy. The parents and the fam- ily are communicants of the Catholic church and are true to its teachings, having firm be- lief in its tenets. Mr. Carroll has held the office of highway commissioner for several years and has also been a school director for a considerable period. The cause of edu- cation finds in him a warm friend and he does everything in his power to advance the interests of the schools. Broadminded and public spirited, his life has never been nar- rowed to his own private affairs to the ex- clusion of all else, for matters pertaining to the public welfare and the general good are to him of much interest and he has co- operated in many measures for the improve- ment and progress of his community. Po- litically he has always voted with the Dem- ocratic party and he is known as one of the leading men of Peninsula township. He stands today in his mature years-a strong man-strong in the consciousness of well spent years, strong to plan and perform, strong in his credit and good name and a worthy example for young men to pattern after, as showing what intelligence and prob- ity may accomplish in the way of success in life.
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SAMUEL H. SAYLER.
Samuel H. Sayler, an old and highly re- spected citizen of Acme township, Grand Traverse county, Michigan, was born in Hector, Schuyler county, New York, De- cember 13, 1829. He was one of a family of twelve children, five sons and seven daughters, born to John and Deborah ( Han- ley) Sayler. His father was a farmer and of the old-time Whig persuasion in politics, who was for twenty-five conscutive years justice of the peace, ending his official ca- reer with a four-years' term as county judge. It was as a farmer the subject spent his early years. He pursued his education at Colgate University, where he spent seven years, graduating in 1862, with a master's degree. In 1864 he became associated with the Christian commission at Vicksburg, Mis- sissippi. The following year he returned north, locating in Grand Traverse county, Michigan, where he purchased a farm upon which he has since made his home. Being in- dustrious and economical, he managed to add to his possessions until he has acquired three hundred and forty acres of land, about one hundred and sixty of which is under cultivation.
Mr. Sayler was married in Schuyler county, New York, September 8, 1863, to Miss Kate L. Reynolds, a native of that county and a daughter of Joel and Laura (Pease) Reynolds, Mrs. Sayler was a woman of most lovable character, a model housewife and the wise counsellor of her husband during the many years of a pleasant wedded life. She united with the Baptist church when quite young and her life was a most exemplary one, governed by the gold- en rule, which was the standard by which
she gauged all her actions. Her death, which occurred November 12, 1901, when she was in her fifty-ninth year, was felt to be a per- sonal loss to the many who had known and loved her, but the influence she exerted for the uplifting of those with whom she asso- ciated will long be felt and continue to be a power for good. Besides the husband, she left three children to mourn her loss, namely : Emma T., who is the wife of E. Wilhelm; Joel Reynolds and Everts. Mr. Sayler is. also a member of the Baptist church.
EUGENE S. WAIT.
A native son of Grand Traverse county, Eugene S. Wait was born upon his father's farm at Old Mission on the 21st of March, 1859. He represents one of the honored pioneer families of the county and the name of Wait is honorably inscribed on the pages of the county's history from an early period in its development. Enoch K. Wait, the father of the subject, was born in Vermont, and when he reached adult age he was united in marriage to Miss Olive Smith, also a native of the Green Mountain state. Their marriage was celebrated in Vermont and on leaving their old home they came westward to Michigan, taking up their abode at Old Mission in Grand Traverse county in 1855. Here Mr. Wait purchased a claim from the government. The land was wild and unim- proved, not a furrow had been turned upon it, but with characteristic energy he began its development and in the course of years he transformed the wild tract into highly cultivated fields. He won favor and friend- ship among his neighbors and business asso-
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ciates and his death, which occurred on the 29th of March, 1892, was deeply deplored by many who knew him. He had reached the age of sixty-five years when called to his final rest. His wife, who preceded him to the better land, died in November, 1881, when fifty-five years of age. By that mar- riage four children were born, three sons and a daughter, namely: George, Emma, Eugene S. and Jedidiah. The daughter is now the wife of Henry Maddocks. After the death of his first wife Mr. Wait was again married, his second union being with Alice Blaine, a native of Michigan, who died in Traverse City on the 6th of May, 1902.
Amid the scenes of pioneer life Eugene S. Wait was reared. The old home farm was his playground as well as the training school for his business career. His literary education was obtained in the public schools of the neighborhood and when it came time for him to make choice of an occupation which he wished to make his life work, he determined that that to which he had been reared should continue as his chief pursuit. He carried the mail for seven years between Old Mission and Traverse City, but agri- culture has been his principal life work and he yet resides upon the old homestead, own- ing one hundred acres of land, of which eighty acres has been placed under cultiva- tion. His orchard comprises thirty acres and his labors have been another proof of the fact that Michigan is one of the best fruit producing states in the union. He has made a close study of the needs of the kinds of fruit which he produces and his opinions in such matters are largely received as au- thority by his neighbors. He follows pro- gressive methods in all of his work and
whatever he undertakes he carries forward to completion.
On the 29th of December, 1887, in Hol- land, Michigan, Mr. Wait was united in marriage to Miss Jennie H. Pfanstiehl, who was born in Holland on the 29th of Decem- ber, 1862, her marriage thus being celebrated on her twenty-fifth birthday. She is a daugh- ter of Peter and Cornelia Dykema Pfans- tiehl, who were natives of the country of Holland and on coming to this country they settled in the Michigan city which was so called in honor of their native land.
Mr. Wait has held the office of super- visor of Peninsula township and he has also filled different school offices, the cause of education receiving his active co-operation . along lines which have proven very helpful. He takes quite an active part in township and county affairs and has always affiliated with the Democratic party. Fraternally he is connected with Old Mission Tent No. 788, Knights of the Maccabees. Among the prominent business men of this section of the county who have been closely identified with its interests and have assisted in its growth he is numbered and while advancing the general welfare he has also gained for him- self a reputation most enviable. By his activity and perseverance he has raised him- self to a position of affluence and his life history illustrates in a marked degree what may be accomplished by well directed efforts and a strict adherence to correct business principles.
Mrs. Wait was educated in the common schools and was also a student at Hope Col- lege at Holland, Michigan, and was a teacher in Ottawa county. She is a lady of pleasing personality. Her grandfather was among
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the first settlers in Michigan, purchasing land from the Indians. He was one of the promoters of colonizing the Hollanders at Holland. He was a strictly temperate man, and lived to the age of almost ninety-nine years, dying on his birthday. He had cele- brated his golden wedding anniversary. Mrs. Waits' grandmother had twenty-two chil- dren.
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FRANCIS E. BROWN.
"Success," said Napoleon, "depends upon three things-energy, persistence and industry." With a recognition of this truth, . Francis E. Brown has labored to advance from a humble position to one of affluence and has accomplished what he has under- taken, being now one of the substantial farm- ers of Grand Traverse county, his home be- ing in Peninsula township, where he has lived during the greater part of the time since the spring of 1872.
Mr. Brown is one of New England's na- tive sons, his birth having occurred in Charlemont, Franklin county, Massachu- setts, on the 9th of January, 1845. His parents, Dwight and Eliza (Harris) Brown, were also natives of the old Bay state and there spent their entire lives. By their mar- riage five children were born, Francis E. being the fourth in order of birth. In his parents' home he was reared, remaining in the county of his nativity until he had at- tained his majority, and the incidents of his childhood and youth were similar to those of other farmer lads of the period. He at- tended the public schools and doubtless en- joyed the pleasures of the playground more than the duties of the schoolroom, as do all
boys.' He was trained to the work of the farm by his father and found his knowledge of agricultural work of practical value to him when he started out upon an independ- ent business career.
In March, 1866, Mr. Brown bade adieu to his home in the east and started for the west to try his fortune. Locating in Lena- wee county, Michigan, he was there em- ployed as a farm hand for six months, and in the fall of the same year he went to Wexford county, taking up a homestead claim in Wex- ford township, where he lived for five years. He then traded his original farm for the one upon which he is now living and since the spring of 1872 he has made his home in Peninsula township, Grand Traverse county, where he owns forty acres of land. By care- ful management, by economy and industry, he has accumulated a comfortable compe- tence and is classed among the men of afflu- ence in the community.
In Peninsula township, Grand Traverse county, on the 3d of January, 1869, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Brown and Miss Elizabeth Stewart, a native of New York, and the second of the family of six children born to Peter R. and Joanna (Briggs) Stewart, the former a native of the Empire state and the latter of Massa- chusetts. They were married in the east and with their family they came to Grand Trav- erse county in 1854, settling in Peninsula township, where the father carried on agri- cultural pursuits for many years. The hard- ships and difficulties of pioneer life beset them in the early days, but they lived to see primitive conditions vanish before an ad- vancing civilization, and their own farm be- came a productive property, yielding to them a good living. The father died in October,
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MR. AND MRS. F. E. BROWN.
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1885, and the mother's death occurred near Petoskey, Michigan, when she was seventy- seven years of age. Mrs. Brown was born in Lysander, Onondaga county, New York, April 28, 1850, and therefore was only about four years of age when brought by her par- ents to Michigan. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born eight children, as follows: Elsie, who is the wife of Archie DeGraw; Edward A .; Elmer S .; Lucy M. and Delbert F., who are at home; and three who have passed away-Arthur W., who died in California, when about twenty-three years of age; Irving, who died at the age of thirteen years; and Harrison P., who de- parted this life when only two years old.
In his political views Mr. Brown is a Republican, who since attaining his majority has given an unfaltering support to the prin- ciples of the party. He is prominent in its councils in Grand Traverse county and in his township has been chosen for a number of official positions of trust and responsibility. For nine years he acted as supervisor of Peninsula township and for eight years was township clerk. Holding membership with the Baptist church, both Mr. and Mrs. Brown take an active and helpful part in its work, contributing generously to its support and otherwise aiding in. its advancement. They are also members of Grand Traverse Grange No. 379, Patrons of Husbandry, and they are widely and favorably known in this part of the state, having many warm friends in both Wexford and Grand Traverse coun- ties. Starting out in life for himself without capital Mr. Brown has depended upon his own resources and has been the architect of his own fortunes, building wisely and well. With the assistance of his estimable wife he
has gained all that he now possesses, and he is accounted one of the men of affluence of the community in which he lives.
WILLIAM R. STONE.
A venerable citizen of Grand Traverse county, honored and respected by reason of an upright life, William R. Stone well de- serves mention in this volume, which, in- deed, would be incomplete without the record of his life. Long since he has passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey and is rapidly aproaching the age of a nongen- arian, for he was born on the 12th of June, 1816. A life span of eighty-seven years- how much it covers! He has lived during the administrations of all but four of the presidents of this republic; has witnessed the introduction of the railroads, the tele- graph and the telephone and noted the mar- velous strides which the country has made in inventions, outdistancing every civilized na- tion on the face of the globe in giving to the world inventions of practical value. In the great department of agriculture, with which he has long been identified, he has also seen great changes, and he can relate many interesting incidents concerning the times when the mode of living was far dif- ferent from what it is to-day.
Mr. Stone resides in Peninsula town- ship, Grand Traverse county, and his birth- place was Pittsford, Monroe county, New York, his natal day being June 12, 1816. His parents, Isaac and Saloma (Patterson) Stone, were both natives of the Empire state and their last days were passed in Macomb
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county, Michigan. William R. Stone was but fourteen years of age at the time of his parents' arrival in this state. The mem- ory of but few living people in this section goes back to that early period in the state's development. In various districts in the for- ests lived the redmen, who found ample op- portunity to indulge in fishing and hunting. for the streams abounded in specimens of the finny tribe, while game-large and small -was to be found in the forests. He lived in Macomb county until thirty-five years of age and then came to Grand Traverse coun- ty, settling here in April, 1850. He was employed by the United States government in the Indian department as foreman for four years and afterward he engaged in trading with the red men on his own account, being located at Old Mission. He was thus en- gaged until 1861, since which time his at- tention has been given to various business pursuits, some of which have brought to him a very desirable financial return while others have not been as profitable. He now owns and conducts a farm of thirty-five acres, and upon the place he has erected good buildings. To the supervision of the place he yet gives his personal attention, al- though many others who are much younger consider that they have reached an age when business cares should be laid aside.
Mr. Stone was married in Northport, Leelanaw county, Michigan, October 16, 1856, to Miss Katie Corley, who was born in Winchester, Upper Canada, February 23, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Stone are the parents of four living children : F. W .; Wilmina, who is the wife of John Holmes; Lizzie L., who married E. O. Ladd, a representative farmer of Grand Traverse county ; and Nel- lie R. They also lost one son who died in
infancy. Mrs. Stone is a daughter of Francis and Jane (McSluskey) Corley, the former of Irish and German parentage, while the latter was of Scotch descent.
Since coming to Grand Traverse county Mr. Stone has been prominent in public af- fairs and has left the impress of his individu- ality upon the development and progress in many ways. He has also been honored with office and for three and a half years he served as county sheriff, during which time he took the first prisoner from Grand Trav- erse county to the state penitentiary at Jack- son. He was also one of the county com- missioners of the poor and has been treas- urer of Peninsula township. His mind bears the impress of the early annals of the county and of the state and there is no man more deserving of representation in this. history than the revered patriarch whose name introduces this record.
DAVID G. CHANDLER.
No people on earth are so versatile as the Americans. With other people training for almost any undertaking is an absolute necessity, whereas with the American it is a benefit, but not a requisite. Here the com- mon laborer, farmer or mechanic of to-day may be the successful merchant of tomor- row. In Europe it takes four years' train- ing to make a man a soldier-in America only a few days or weeks are required to fit him for a successful military career. This was clearly demonstrated during the years of the Rebellion and in the war with Spain. As good officials as this country has known have been transplanted from the farm to
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important places in public life. One of these is David G. Chandler, sheriff of Grand Trav- erse county and the subject of this sketch. His entire life, up to 1890, was spent upon the farm. He was well versed in all that is required to make a successful agriculturist. When elected sheriff he had little if any previous training, but that has not prevented him from making one of the best and most efficient peace officers in the state. So well did he discharge the duties of the office that in the Republican convention of 1902 he was nominated and in the succeeding election was elected by a majority only a little short of two thousand.
David G. Chandler was born in Flush- ing, Genesee county, Michigan, March 3, 1847. His father was William A. Chandler, born in Genesee county, New York, April 15, 1817. The father of William A. Chan- dler was a native of New England, who when a young man located and married in Genesee county, New York. He died when his son William was a small boy, so the latter knew very little of his New England rela- tives. It is known, however, that the family had much to do with the founding of Dart- mouth College. William A. Chandler was reared in his native county in New York and when a young man moved to Lenawee coun- ty, Michigan, where, in 1840, he met and married Miss Fannie Green. She was a na- tive of Michigan, born in 1820, and spent her entire life in the state. She died January . 17, 1849, when David G., the subject of this sketch, was less than two years old. To William A and Fanny (Green) Chandler four children were born; Carrie, widow of George Haney, resides on a farm in Garfield township, Grand Traverse county; Winfield S.,a farmer and lumberman, operated in and
near Traverse City, married and was the father of an interesting family, but died in 1887; David G., the subject of this review ; William A., Jr., went to California a num- ber of years ago, has traveled much and when last heard from he resided in the upper peninsula of Michigan. Bereft of his wife, William A. Chandler, Sr., again married, in 1850, his second wife being Miss Margaret Newman, a most worthy woman, who proved a kind, patient mother of the children of her husband. The family moved to Grand Traverse county in 1864, and settled on a farm in what is now East Bay town- ship, where the children were reared and grew to maturity. There the father died in 1889. His widow is still living, spending her declining years in comfort and contentment, as she well deserves, on the old homestead.
The early life of David G. Chandler was spent in Lenawee county, where he attended school, becoming proficient in all the com- mon school branches. He was seventeen years old when the family moved to Grand Traverse county. His father having settled on a homestead in the woods, David and his brothers devoted themselves assiduously to the clearing of the land. After five years of labor, and when the homestead had become a farm, David, at the age of twenty-two, went out into the world to labor for himself. He worked three years and was provident and saving, with the result that at the end of that time he had accumulated some money and considerable property.
On February 14, 1871, David G. Chan- dler was united in marriage to Miss De Etta Pierce, a native of New York, where she was reared to the age of thirteen, when the family moved to Wisconsin and later to Grand Traverse county. Her father was
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