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 98

Author: Sprague, Elvin Lyons, 1830-; Smith, Seddie Powers
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: [Indianapolis] : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1088

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 98
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 98

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ered and which his careful guidance has en- abled his ship to ride the waves and ulti- mately reach the harbor in safety.

In 1858 Captain Johnson had invested his earnings in a tract of land in Grand Traverse county, Michigan, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres in Peninsula town- ship, to which he added from time to time until he owned about six hundred and forty acres, thus making judicious investments of the money . which he saved. He is today the owner of about four hundred acres in Peninsula township, of which two hundred and fifty acres is im- proved, and his property now constitutes a very valuable and productive farm. The Captain has erected good buildings, in- cluding a comfortable home and substan- tial barns. He has also made other im- provements which are excellent in nature of practical utility and all of the equipments upon his place are modern and add to the convenience of farm work. He has an orchard covering twenty-five acres and the annual fruit crop adds not a little to his in- come. His business affairs are capably man- aged and he is to-day classed among the rep- resentative and leading farmers of his com- munity.

Captain Johnson was married, in Chi- cago, Illinois, to Miss Susanna Lother, who was born in Ireland on the 24th of Decem- ber, 1835. They have become the parents of ten children : Frank H., Charles S., Ella K., Fred L., Jr., Lethea Belle, William R., George E., Harry H., Lizzie N. and Lulu M. Of this number Frank H., the eldest, died in Traverse City when thirty-six years of age; Ella K. is now the wife of A. E. Porter, who is proprietor of a hotel at Old

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Mission ; Lethea Belle is the wife of W. E. DeGrow; Lizzie N. married Daniel Rounds and their home is in Traverse City.

Since the organization of the party Cap- tain Johnson has been a stalwart Repub- lican. He had sympathized with its prin- ciples in the early days of its formation and he has always believed that its platform has embodied the best elements of good govern- ment and puts forth the issues of the day in a practical manner, tending to the welfare of the nation. He has held the office of township treasurer and has served in school offices, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to give his time and energies to his business interests rather than to political labor. He is a very genial man of kindly spirit, hearty manner and cordial disposition. His friends are as numerous as his acquaintances and where- ever he goes he wins the good will of those with whom he is brought in contact. He is a venerable gentleman, respected and hon- ored, and no history of Grand Traverse county would be complete without his rec- ord. Since the days that he entered the American naval service down to the present time Captain Johnson has been most loyal to the United States. There is no native son of the country who is more true to the republic and local advancement and national progress are causes both dear to his heart.

JOSEPH B. EIMAN.

To the heroes who fought and suffered, giving severai of the best years of their early manhood for the preservation of the country under whose flag they were born, universal

tribute of gratitude is given, and it is fitting that their patriotic service should find men- tion in the annals of their county, state and nation. Those who are enjoying the peace and prosperity which have come as the direct result of that long, dreadful struggle between the North and the South, cannot have im- pressed upon their minds too often the great price which it cost. Mr. Eiman was among those who, when the tocsin of war sounded, offered his aid to the Union and gallantly and bravely fought in its defense for three years, and in the days of peace he is equally loyal -- a citizen of worth, held in the highest esteem by his fellow men.

Joseph B. Eiman was born in Marion county, Ohio, January 15, 1830, and was one of the younger members of a large family. His parents, Abraham and Polly (Dunbar) Eiman, both died in LaGrange county, Indi- ana, where they located when the subject of this review was only three years old. He was then reared upon the home farm, attend- ing the public schools after marriage and as- sisting in the labors of the fields during the summer seasons. He was about seventeen years of age when he left home and started out in life on his own account, first in La- Grange county, Indiana, for four years, and then in Will county, Illinois, where he was employed at different occupations for two or three years. On the expiration of that period he made his way to Wisconsin and worked at different places in that state until seven years had passed. He then returned to LaGrange county, Indiana, and when the war broke out he put aside all business and personal considerations.

It was early in the summer of 1861 that Mr. Eiman responded to the call of his coun- try, enlisting in Company G, Thirtieth Indi-

.... ...

JOSEPH B. EIMAN.

MRS. JOSEPH B. EIMAN.

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GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.

ana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years, participating in many important engagements and following the old flag wherever duty called. Often he was in the thickest of the fight, and again upon the lonely picket line. In the battle of Shiloh he was badly wounded in the right foot, and in the engagement at Chickamauga he was seriously wounded in the right side and right arm, but his injuries did not keep him from active service any longer than was absolutely necessary, as he was anxious to rejoin his comrades on the field. He never wavered in the performance of any duty through the three long years of his connec- tion with the army, and was mustered out with a most honorable and creditable mili- tary record.

Mr. Eiman then returned to his home in LaGrange county and was employed at dif- ferent occupations, following various pur- suits which would yield him an honest living. He remained in that county until 1876 and in the meantime he was married. On the Ist of March, 1866, in LaGrange county, he wed- ded Mrs. Elenor (Young) Kitchen, who was born in Chautauqua county, New York, Feb- ruary 16, 1834, a daughter of William and Mary (Uron) Young, who were the parents of six children, Mrs. Eiman being the fourth. Their last days were passed in Indiana, both dying in LaGrange county. By her first marriage Mrs. Eiman had three children : Willis R., Rachel and Viola, the last named now deceased. Unto the subject and his wife have been born two children: Della V., who is now the wife of John D. Marshall, and David B., who married Miss Nora Beach.

The year 1876 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Eiman in Grand Traverse county, and

since that time he has resided here, his home being in Peninsula township, where he owns fifty-nine acres of land, all of which is im- proved. He has a good farm, productive and desirable, and upon it are substantial and modern farm buildings. Although not mem- bers of the Congregational church, both Mr. and Mrs. Eiman take an active and helpful interest in its work and contribute to its sup- port. Fraternally Mr. Eiman is connected with McPherson Post, No. 18, Grand Army of the Republic, and delights to recall with his old army comrades events which oc- curred around the camp fires of the south and during the long campaigns which led to the ultimate victory of the Union arms. He is to-day as true and loyal in citizenship as when he wore the country's uniform and fol- lowed the starry banner of the nation.

JOHN A. DOHM.

John A. Dohm, who during his residence in Grand Traverse county has so lived as to win the respect of all with whom he has been brought in contact through business or social relations, owns and occupies a farm in Peninsula township. Farming has been his life work and it is probably due to the fact that he has persistently followed this calling and never turned aside for speculation or into other channels of business activity, that he has prospered and is now classed among the men of affluence of the community. .

A native of Michigan, Mr. Dohm was born in Kent county, on the 10th of May, 1853, and comes of a family of German de- scent noted for longevity. His father, Jo- seph Dohm, was born in Germany and the

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GRAND TRAVERSE AND

LEELANAW COUNTIES.

mother, who bore the maiden name of Eva R. Hatel, was also born in that country. Their marriage was blessed with eight chil- dren, of whom John A. was the seventh, and when he was but a little lad they removed from Kent county to Ottawa county, Mich- igan, where they resided for a time, coming thence to Grand Traverse county. The mother died at their home in Blair township, on Christmas day of 1889, at the age of seventy-seven years. She was an estimable lady, of kindly nature, and had gained many friends here. The father, Joseph Dohm, still survives and has now reached the ven- erable age of ninety-four years, being one of the revered patriarchs of the community.

For a brief period in his early youth John A. Dohm lived in Kent and Ottawa coun- ties, but the greater part of his minority was spent in Grand Traverse county, and he has never seen occasion to change his place of residence `for the natural resources of the state and the advantages which the county offers to its residents make this place a satis- factory residence to our subject. He has al- ways followed farming. When a youth he began to follow the plow and when crops were ready to be cut he took his place in the harvest fields. He has kept in touch with the advancement which has been continu- ally made in farming methods and the im- proved farm implements are utilized by him in the planting and care of his crops. His farm is eighty acres in extent and of this forty-five acres has been cultivated, its prod- ucts finding a ready sale on the market and thus adding annually to his income. His buildings are modern, substantial and com- modious and stand as monuments to the thrift, care and enterprise of the owner.

In Peninsula township, Mr. Dohm cele-

brated Christmas day of 1882 by his mar- riage to Miss Ida E. Hawkins, who was born in that township, January 26, 1861, and was a daughter of Cornelius and Mary (Warren) Hawkins, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of New York. The mother died July 10, 1897, leaving two chil- dren of whom Mrs. Dohm is the eldest. The marriage of the subject and his wife has been blessed with four children, but they lost their first born, Bert C., who died September 6, 1901, in his seventeenth year, his death coming as a severe blow to his family and many friends. The others of the family are John K., Jennie E. and Ray V.

The family home is a comfortable resi- dence situated in the midst of the farm and its hospitality is so cordial and gracious that many partake of it. Mr. Dohm is a member of Traverse City Tent, No. 136, Knights of the Maccabees, and in his political views he is a Republican. He has been constable and overseer of high- ways, and in office. he is very faith- ful to the trust reposed in him and the responsibility devolving upon him. Both he and his wife have made many warm friends during their residence in Grand Traverse county and are held in the highest esteem.

ROBERT M. EDGECOMB.

One of the finest farms of Grand Trav- erse county lies in Peninsula township and is the property of Robert M. Edgecomb. A beautiful residence stands in the midst of richly cultivated fields, giving promise of abundant harvest. A large barn and other substantial outbuildings have been erected

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and there is a fine orchard of eight acres. All the features of a model farm are there found and an air of neatness and thrift per- vades the place and is indicative of the en- ergy and enterprise of the owner. The farm comprises one hundred and twenty acres, of which eight acres is under cultivation. His possessions have been acquired by Mr. Edgecomb through his own efforts. He has labored earnestly and persistently, realizing the truth of the old Greek adage: "Earn thy reward : the gods give naught to sloth."

In Rochester, New Hampshire, occurred the birth of Mr. Edgecomb, his natal day be- ing November 25, 1837. His father was Humphrey Edgecomb, a native of Maine, and the mother, who bore the maiden name of Lovey W. Drew, was born in the old Granite state. They had two children, Rob- ert M. being the younger. About 1847 they · removed with their little family to Richland county, Ohio, and the father spent his last days in Putnam county, that state, where he died at the age of fifty-seven years. His widow, surviving him for some time, de- parted this life in Lake county, Michigan, at the age of seventy-six years.

Robert M. Edgecomb was a lad of ten summers when he removed from his home among the mountains of New Hampshire to Ohio, being reared in Richland county, of the latter state. After attaining his ma- jority he learned and followed the wagon- maker's trade and for twenty years lived in Ohio. During that time he was married in Richland county, on the 4th of July, 1866, to Miss Martha M. Bigbee, a native of Ohio and a daughter of William and Maria (Ewers) Bigbee, and a native of Richland county, born October 21, 1844. On leaving Ohio Mr. and Mrs. Edgecomb removed to

Richardson county, Nebraska, where they remained for a year and then went to Re- public county, Kansas, remaining for four and a half years, during which time Mr. Edgecomb engaged in farming. On the ex- piration of that period he brought his fam- ily to Michigan, settling in Lake county, where he was engaged in the operation of a sawmill for five years or until his removal to Grand Traverse county in the spring of 1879. He then took up his abode upon the farm upon which he now lives, it being his home for twenty-four consecutive years. He has erected excellent buildings, has made substantial improvements, has secured the best farm machinery and has otherwise de- veloped his property until his farm is very valuable, desirable and attractive in appear- ance. About eighty acres are cultivated, and eight acres is planted in fruit trees, his orchard stocking his cellar with fine fruit, while his sales from the orchard return a good sum annually.

Mr. and Mrs. Edgecomb are the parents of six children : Aden, who died in infancy : Herbert L., who was drowned in the mil) pond in Lake county, Michigan, when only five years old; Lewis M., who died in Pen- insula township, Grand Traverse county, when twenty-six years of age; Frank, at home; and Nellie, the wife of William Strohm. Mr. and Mrs. Edgecomb also reared a girl, Mary B., who was bound out to them when thirteen months old. She grew to womanhood and was married in Peninsula township to William Johnson, a son of Richard Johnson, of that township. They began their domestic life in Penin- sula township, but after three years removed to the state of Washington, where Mr. John- son died. They were the parents of eight

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children. After the death of her husband Mrs. Johnson settled in Clallam county, Washington, upon a ranch, which she made her home until her death, which occurred September 6, 1902. Mr. Edgecomb is ably assisted in his work by his son Frank, who is an energetic, enterprising young man, held in high regard in the community.

In his political views Mr. Edgecomb is a Republican and is a public-spirited citizen. deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and its prog- ress along material, social, intellectual and moral lines. His actions are honorable, his manner sincere and unaffected, and in the community where he makes his home he has gained the good will and regard of all with whom he has been associated.

WILLIAM H. RUSHMORE.

It has been said that men's lives are prac- tically alike, that "born, married and died" is the summing up of the majority of careers, and, superficially considered, this often ap- pears to be the truth, but after all the filling in of this meager skeleton of mountain peak events in the life of the average man is what constitutes his individuality, and the one thing which truly counts both in this life and in the one to come, his character. Often has it been pointed out to us by the preacher, poet and philosopher, aye, by the lessons and experiences of our own lives, that strong, rugged characters are formed only in the storm-that "flowery beds of ease" are not conducive to the nobility of soul and the

strength of character which we admire and covet. In the life history of Mr. Rushmore we find qualities worthy of admiration. He has depended upon his own exertions for ad- vancement, and in the pursuit of his business career has displayed unfaltering devotion to honorable principles. He is a man whom to know is to respect and honor, and Grand Traverse county numbers him among its representative citizens.

In Farmington, Wayne county, New York, William H. Rushmore was born, his natal day being December 7, 1842. His par- ents, Duranty and Ann Eliza (Culver) Rushmore, were both natives of the Empire state, and the mother died in Wayne county. The father afterward married again, his sec- ond union being with Catherine Vosburg, who was also a native of New York. About 1874 they came to Grand Traverse county and settled at Old Mission, where their re- maining days were passed, Mr. Rushmore departing this life on the 12th of October, 1894, when seventy-nine years of age. His second wife survived him for a few years, and died on the 30th of April, 1900, when eighty-five years of age.

William H. Rushmore was the second in the family of three children. He lived with his father until eighteen years of age, spend- ing that time in the Empire state. He then started out in life on his own account, and has since depended entirely upon his own re- sources. Leaving home, he went to Cali- fornia and followed different occupations in that state. He also worked for a time in Ne- vada and in Oregon, his chief occupation be- ing that of farming. In the fall of 1885, however, he left the Pacific coast and re- traced his steps as far as Michigan. Through

MRS. W. H. RUSHMORE AND SON.

.......

.. ... ... .............

WILLIAM H. RUSHMORE.

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GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.

the intervening years he has been a resident of Grand Traverse county, his home being in Old Mission. Here he has carried on agri- cultural pursuits and has also engaged in con- ducting a hotel known as the Old Mission House. He is a popular host because of his efforts to promote the comfort and entertain- ment of his guests, his honorable methods and his genial, courteous and obliging man- ner. His farm also adds to his income, his careful supervision and earnest labor being crowned by a fair measure of success.

Mr. Rushmore has been twice married. In Ingram county, Michigan, he wedded Miss Etta Brown, a native of New York, who died in California when about twenty- three years of age. On the 13th of March, 1890, Mr. Rushmore was again married, this time leading to the marriage altar Miss Min- nie M. Lane, whose birth occurred in Mon- roe, Michigan, on the 5th of October, 1861. She is the only child of John and Sarah E. (Noyes) Lane. Her father has been keeper of the lighthouse at Mission Point since 1881 and is a well known and prominent citizen of that locality. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Rushmore has been blessed with one son, Maurice C. Mrs. Rushmore is an active member of the Congregational church of Old Mission and is a most estimable lady, her many excellent traits of character winning for her the friendship and warm regard of those with whom she has come in contact. During his residence in Grand Traverse county Mr. Rushmore has gained a wide ac- quaintance. From his early years he has been industrious and persevering in whatever enterprise he has undertaken, and by dili- gence and thrift has accumulated a com- petence for his declining years.

JOHN N. SMITH.

Throughout his business career John N. Smith has carried on agricultural pursuits and well deserves the success which has crowned his efforts, for he has labored untir- ingly and energetically in his attempt to win a comfortable competence and provide a good home for his family. He is now en- gaged in general agricultural pursuits, and also in bee culture, having a large apiary, which is to him a profitable source of income.

Mr. Smith resides in Peninsula town- ship, Grand Traverse county, but was born in Kincardin, Bruce county, Ontario, on the 9th of May, 1860. His parents, Benjamin and Hannah (Wilson) Smith, removed from the Dominion to Grand Rapids, Mich- igan, and there Mrs. Smith died at the age of forty-two years. The father and his chil- dren afterward took up their abode in Wex- ford county, Michigan, where he remained for twenty years and then came to Grand Traverse county, spending the last years of his life in Peninsula township. He died at the home of his son John N. when nearly ninety years of age, respected and honored by all who knew him.

John N. Smith was the ninth in the fam- ily of thirteen children. After he was thir- teen years of age he spent much time in the homes of different farmers of Michigan and was employed at various occupations that would yield him an honest living. At length he attained man's estate and sought a com- panion and helpmate for life's journey. In Peninsula township, Grand Traverse county, on the 15th of March, 1883, he wedded Miss Clara I. Johnson, who was born in this township, November 16, 1862, a daughter

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GRAND TRAVERSE AND LEELANAW COUNTIES.

of Nicholas and Wilhelmina (Beitner) Johnson. Her father was born in Chris- tiania, Norway, and her mother in Berlin, Germany, and they were married .in the United States. The father died in Seattle, Washington, when sixty-eight years of age, and the mother departed this life in Trav- erse City, Michigan, when in her fifty- seventh year. Mrs. Smith is the elder of their two children.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born six children, Stella I., Julius I., Cora B., Colin B., Donald L. and Stephen L., and the family circle still remains unbroken by the hand of death. The members of the household occupy an enviable position in the social circles in which they move and the Smith household is noted for its generous hospitality and good cheer.

Since their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Smith have resided upon the farm in Peninsula township which is still their place of resi- dence. He here owns seventy-seven and a half acres of arable land, and almost the en- tire amount is under cultivation. There are well tilled fields, verdant meadows, good pasture lands and a good orchard, and in ad- dition to general farming Mr. Smith is mak- ing a specialty of bee culture. In this he is ably assisted by his wife, who has had much experience in this department of labor, her mother having once been engaged in such work, while Mrs. Smith assisted her and thus gained practical knowledge of the best methods of caring for bees and preparing the honey for the market. The apiary upon the Smith farm comprises about one hun- dred hives and much time is devoted to bee culture, in which they are meeting with splendid success. Mr. Smith has very good buildings upon his place and everything is

kept in excellent repair. His methods are progressive and he is quick to adopt new ideas which he believes will prove of practical value in his work. Industry and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature and owing to his close application to his work and his honorable business methods he has won pros- perity that is richly merited.

EDWARD GREILICK.

This gentleman, for many years identified with the lumber industry of Michigan and a business man of high repute, was born in Austria on the 27th of June, 1845, being one of a family of seven children, all of whom came to America when young and grew to maturity in this country. Edward was four years old when his parents emigrated to the United States, and he spent the ensuing six years in New York City, removing at the end of that time to Chicago, Illinois. After two years at the latter place he accompanied the family to Leelanaw county, Michigan, where he grew to manhood's estate and engaged in the line of business to which all the years of his subsequent life were actively and success- fully devoted, to-wit, the manufacture and sale of lumber in which, as above indicated, he achieved a wide and honorable reputa- tion.

When a boy Mr. Greilick attended the public schools of Grand Traverse county and Traverse City, and made substantial advance- ment in his studies, but the greater part of his education was of the practical kind, ob- tained by coming in contact with business men and with all classes and conditions of people. He assisted in establishing and or-

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ganizing the firm of Greilick Brothers, for the manufacture of lumber, and continued an influential factor in the same until his death, taking a prominent part in building up the business to the large proportions it finally reached, and contributing not a little to its remarkable success. For some years he was head sawyer in one of the largest mills op- erated by the company, later turned this work over to other hands and devoted his atten- tion largely to the management of the rap- idly growing interests of the enterprise, in which capacity his name became prominent in industrial circles throughout the state. The firm, composed of himself and his brothers, Anthony and John, was one of the largest and most successfully conducted concerns of the kind, not only in the county of Lee- lanaw, but in northwestern Michigan, the different members standing high as judicious, far-seeing business men, whose judgment was seldom at fault and whose personal hon- or and integrity were always above reproach.

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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 98

Author: Sprague, Elvin Lyons, 1830-; Smith, Seddie Powers Publication date: 1903 Publisher: [Indianapolis] : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1088

Author: Sprague, Elvin Lyons, 1830-; Smith, Seddie Powers
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: [Indianapolis] : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1088