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 99
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 99
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Edward Greilick enjoyed in a marked de- gree the confidence of all with whom he had business relations, his dealings having always been fair and honorable and his character of that lofty kind that wins and retains public confidence. Few men of his county were as universally respected and none showed himself more worthy of respect, or demon- strated in his daily life and conduct more of the essential qualities of manhood or exhibit- ed in a greater degree the sterling attributes of public spirited citizenship.
Mr. Greilick was married in Leelanaw county, August 5, 1872, to Miss Caroline Ansarge, who, like himself, was a native of Austria, where her birth occurred March 8, 1854. She was brought by her parents di-
rect to Leelanaw county, Michigan, where she grew to womanhood, receiving the mean- while a good education in the public schools. She bore her husband four children, the old- est of whom, Louis, was born November 25, 1873, attended the high school of Traverse City and is now married and engaged in agricultural pursuits, owning a large and finely cultivated farm not far from the par- ental home; Julia, born November 2, 1876, is living with her mother, as is also Hattie, whose birth dates from January 29, 1879; Alfred, the youngest, who was born April 3, 1881, owns a boot and shoe store in Trav- erse City and commands a lucrative trade, be- ing one of the rising and highly respected young business men of the place.
Edward Greilick was a Republican in politics, but never took a very active interest in political affairs, having always been more of a business man than a partisan. Though not identified with any church, he was a be- liever in religion and contributed liberally of his means to its support, especially the Con- gregational church, of which his wife has long been a faithful and zealous member. He was the soul of honor and integrity in all of his dealings, lived honestly in the sight of God and man and made every other con- sideration subordinate to duty. His stand- ard of manhood was high and he always tried to live up to the same, and that he succeeded in this laudable endeavor is attested by the universal esteem with which he was regarded by his friends and the public. This enter- prising and excellent citizen lived to noble ends, and his death, which occurred on the 2d day of August, 1901, was deeply lament- ed, not only by the people of his community, but throughout the county of Leelanaw.
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ALBERT P. GRAY.
Albert Perry Gray is a very prominent and influential citizen of Grand Traverse county. Along several lines of activity has he put forth his efforts. Farming interests, sub- stantial progress and the moral development of the community haye all received his atten- tion and active co-operation and because of this he has become very widely and favorably known. He is a man of firm convictions, unfaltering in his allegiance to what he be- lieves to be right, and his name has become a synonym for integrity and fair dealing. Mr. Gray is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred upon a farm in Green Creek town- ship, Sandusky county, on the Ist of Sep- tember, 1842. His father, William Gray, was also a farmer by occupation, following that pursuit throughout his entire life in or- der to provide for the needs of his family. He wedded Miss Charlotte Osgood, a native of Steuben county, New York, while his birth occurred in Worcester county, Massachu- setts. Their son, Albert Perry, was their only child. The father died in Sandusky county, Ohio, when about seventy-five years of age, after a long residence in that portion of the state. The mother then came to make her home with her son, Albert, in Peninsula township, Grand Traverse county, and here she died when seventy-six years of age.
If one could turn back the horologe of time and look upon the Gray farm as it was about a half century ago, we would see Al- bert Perry Gray living the life of a farm boy of that period. The pleasures of the play- ground undoubtedly were of the greatest in- terest to him, but he also performed the du- ties of the schoolroom and assisted in the labors of the fields. He began his education
in the public schools and when he had mas- tered the branches of learning therein taught he continued his studies in Oberlin College, where he remained for a year. As time ad- vanced, his attention was more and more largely given to farming work, and he re- ceived practical training in all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, so that when he began farming on his own ac- count he was well equipped for the tasks which devolved upon him. In the county of his nativity he was married, on the 9th of June, 1863, to Miss Elizabeth S. Tower, who was born in Ohio, on the 16th of July, 1842, her parents being - and Fanny (Post) Tower.
The young couple began their domestic life in Sandusky county, and there he fol- lowed farming. He also engaged in teach- ing school and his wife taught both before and after her marriage. Their work was a potent force in the intellectual development of that section of the state. On leaving San- dusky county Mr. Gray removed with his family to Illinois, where he spent one season, and at the end of that time he came to Grand Traverse county, Michigan, arrived in Trav- erse City on the 23d of August, 1868. In the following October he settled upon the farm where he now lives, having purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, the greater part of which was covered with a dense growth of timber. In the midst of the green woods, however, he established his home and began the arduous task of develop- ing his farm. Acre by acre of the land was cleared and in course of time was trans- formed into productive fields or otherwise used in the farm work. He has also ex- tended the boundaries of his place until it now comprises a quarter section. Of this
MR. AND MRS. A. P. GRAY.
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one hundred acres is improved. He not only follows agricultural pursuits, but is a lead- ing horticulturist of his county and his or- chards comprise between forty and fifty acres. He has made a close study of the best methods of raising fruit and his trees bear good crops, which materially add to his an- nual income.
Mr. and Mrs. Gray are the parents of nine children : Ellen G., who is the wife of A. F. Montgomery ; William Baxter; Edith J .; Adalaide L., who is now the wife of Fred Davidson; Alice C .; Grace G., who is the wife of E. S. Nelson; Albert A .; Edwin P .; and Mabel G., who is the wife of Hubert Northrup. There is no man who has deeper sympathy or interest in the educational de- velopment of the country than has Mr. Gray. He realizes fully the importance of mental training as a preparation for life's responsi- ble duties and he has often lectured before county teachers' associations and also at normal teachers' institutes, his subject cov- ering a wide range. He taught for ten years in the schools of Grand Traverse county, and has held various school posi- tions, having put forth effective and far- reaching effort for the improvement of the schools and toward raising the standard of education. He has not only lectured in the teachers' institutes of Grand Traverse coun- ty, but has been heard upon questions of great importance in educational circles in teachers' institutes throughout Michigan. He has also for eight years lectured before farmers' institutes. The moral education of the young has also been a subject of deep interest and earnest thought as well as of active labor to Mr. Gray. He is widely known as a Sunday school worker, and in his religious faith he is a Universalist. Fra-
1 ternally Mr. Gray is connected with Grand Traverse Grange, No. 379, Patrons of Hus- bandry. He has served as one of its trus- tees and has also been secretary of the coun- ty grange and steward of the state grange. He has held these three different offices for eight consecutive years and his labors in this direction have been for the benefit of the agricultural class. Improvement and prog- ress may well be said to form the keynote of the character of our subject, and he has not only been a leader in the work of ad- vancement, but has gained many followers who have adopted his methods and ideas. A very prominent and influential citizen, he is a leader of public thought and action, and is one who will leave the impress of his in- dividuality upon public life. He is a man free from selfishness and his entire career has been permeated by a humanitarian inter- est in his fellow men and the labors which he has put forth have been far-reaching and beneficial.
EMMOR O. LADD.
The life history of such men as Emmor O. Ladd sets at naught the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country, for in the very community in which he was born and reared Mr. Ladd is held in the highest esteem, regard and friend- ship of his fellow men being extended him in recognition of the many sterling traits of his character. He is now acting as super- visor of Peninsula township and is also a wide-awake and progressive farmer.
Mr. Ladd was born in Peninsula town- ship January 5, 1853. His father was the late Elisha P. Ladd, who was for a number
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of years classed among the leading and rep- resentative citizens of Grand Traverse coun- ty. He was born in New York, as was also his wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Wilmarth. They were married in the east, and in 1852 they turned their faces toward the setting sun, attracted by the business op- portunities of the new but rapidly growing west. Arriving in Grand Traverse county, Mr. Ladd secured a tract of land in Penin- sula township, upon which he and his wife lived throughout their remaining days. She was the first to be called away, her death occurring on the 2d of January, 1892, when she was but sixty-eight years of age. Her husband survived her for some time and died November 22, 1898, when seventy-nine years of age.
Emmor O. Ladd, the eldest of their six children, was reared in Peninsula township and has always been a resident of Grand Traverse county, with the exception of a period of four years. This time was spent in the pursuance of his education. At the usual age he entered the public schools and therein mastered the elementary branches of learning. Desirous for further mental de- velopment, he then matriculated in the State Agricultural College of Michigan, in which he completed the full four years course and was graduated with the class of 1878. He then spent four years in Detroit, Michigan, in the employ of D. M. Ferry & Company. Mr. Ladd has been a successful teacher, hav- ing followed the profession in different places for about ten years. His attention, however, is now given to farm work, and he owns a tract of land of eighty acres, of which he cultivates sixty acres. This is well im- proved and his farm interests are returning to him a good annual income.
Mr. Ladd is recognized as one of the leading and influential citizens of his county and his opinions carry weight in public af- fairs. He is well fitted for leadership be- cause of his keen insight into public situa- tions and his loyal devotion to the general good. In the fall of 1894 he was elected register of deeds in Grand Traverse county and held the office for four years, retiring from the position as he had entered it, with the confidence and good will of all concerned. He has been a member of the county board of school examiners for four years, and the prerogatives of his office enabled him to put forth excellent effort in behalf of advancing the interests of the schools here. He has likewise been a leader in township affairs, having served as justice of the peace of Pe- ninsula township. He was elected supervis- or of the township in the spring of 1900 and is now the incumbent in that office. He ex- ercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and all of his study of the political issues of the day has but strengthened his belief in its principles in the ultimate tri- umph of the organization.
Mr. Ladd was first married in Detroit, Michigan, in the fall of 1881, the lady of his choice being Miss Agnes A. Davis, a native of New York. Prior to her marriage she was a successful and popular school teacher, and she died in Traverse City October 10, 1898. In their family were two children : Clarence W. and Zema C., both of whom are still living. After losing his first wife, Mr. Ladd was again married, on the 1 1th of June, 1901, this union being with Lizzie L. Stone, a native of Peninsula township. She, too, was a school teacher of ability, and she is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal
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church. Mr. Ladd belongs to the First Bap- tist church of Traverse City and has taken a most helpful part in its work. He is deep- ly interested in Sunday school work, realiz- ing the value of Christian education as a preparation for life and for character build- ing. For several years he has served as superintendent of the Sunday school, and under his guidance the school has grown in numerical and spiritual strength. Frater- nally he is connected with Peninsula Grange No. 663, and he belongs to Traverse City Tent No. 871, Knights of the Maccabees. His career clearly illustrates the possibilities that are open in this country to earnest, per- severing young men who have the courage of their convictions and are determined to be the architects of their own fortunes. When judged by what he has accomplished, his right to a first place among the representa- tive citizens of Peninsula cannot be ques- tioned.
WILLIAM A. MARSHALL.
Since 1864 William A. Marshall has re- sided in Peninsula township, Grand Traverse county, upon the farm which is still his home, and although almost forty years have since come and gone, he is to-day actively associ- ated with agricultural interests and is devot- ing his time and energies to the further de- velopment of what is already a fine farming property. His birth occurred in the city of Rochester, New York, November 11, 1830, while his parents were en route for the west, having left their home in Massachusetts in order to come to Michigan. His father, Augustus Marshall, was a native of the Old Bay state, and his mother, who bore the
maiden name of Mary Conant, was born in New York. After arriving in Michigan they took up their abode in Frenchtown township, in Monroe county, where they lived until their life's labors were ended in death. Unto them were born five children, of whom the subject of this review is the third.
Upon his father's farm in Monroe coun- ty William A. Marshall was reared. He spent his life in the ordinary manner of farm- er lads of the period, and when not engaged with the duties of the field he attended the public schools, thus acquiring a fair English education as a preparation for life's practical work. He continued with his parents until the time of his marriage, which important event in his life was celebrated in Detroit, Michigan, on the 14th of February, 1858, the lady of his choice being Miss Helen D. Drew, who was born in that city on the 12th of May, 1839, her parents being John and Mary (Lawson) Drew. Her father was a native of Scotland, and on leaving the land of the hills and heather crossed the Atlantic to Canada, where he met and married Miss Lawson, who was a native of St. Thomas, Ontario. She died in Windsor, Ontario, and Mr. Drew afterward came to Grand Traverse county to live with his daughter, his death occurring at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall when he had reached the ex- tremely old age of ninety-six years. His wife was eighty-four years of age at the time of her demise.' They were the parents of four children, of whom Mrs. Marshall was the eldest. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall has been blessed with three chil- dren: Mary L., who is now the wife of William R. Pratt; John D .; and Melian E.
At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Marshall began their domestic life in
,
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Frenchtown township, Monroe county, Mich- igan, and in order to provide for their wants he followed the occupation of farming. This has been his chief pursuit through life, al- though in his earlier manhood he followed the lakes for twelve years, acting as steward on different vessels. He continued to make his home in Monroe county until May, 1864, when he removed to Grand Traverse county and settled upon the farm where he now lives. It has been his home continuously since, covering a period of thirty-nine con- secutive years. At the time of his arrival here he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land and placed almost the entire amount under cultivation. He still owns eighty acres of this tract, of which twenty acres has been set out to fruit trees, and his orchard is now an excellent one, its fruits annually returning the owner a good income. Other departments of his farm work are also well conducted, and upon his place he has all modern improvements. In his business re- lations he is straightforward and trustworthy and his careful conduct of his business af- fairs has made him a prosperous citizen.
Mr. Marshall gives his political support to the Republican party, and he has held the office of highway commissioner, school di- rector and school assessor. His wife belongs to the church of England, and they are gen- erous supporters, not only of church work, but of all improvements for the general wel- fare. Socially he is deservedly popular, as he is affable and courteous in manner. He possesses the quality of making friends read- ily and of strengthening the ties of friend- ship as time passes. Grand Traverse county is glad to number him among its representa- tive citizens, and it is with pleasure that we present to our readers this record of his ca-
reer. His business history might be summed up in the terse expression that he is "above want and below envy."
GARDINER DANA.
At the age of fourteen years Gardiner Dana started out in life on his own account, and for a time was employed at driving a milk wagon in the city of New York. To- day he is a farmer in comfortable circum- stances in Peninsula township, Grand Trav- erse county, and all that he possesses has come to him as the direct reward of his own labors. Mr. Dana was born in the town of Seward, Schoharie county, New York, on the 18th of April, 1839, and of a family of eight children he was the second, his parents being Thomas and Mary (Judkins) Dana, with whom he lived until he reached the age of fourteen years, when he started out to earn his own livelihood. He entered upon an . independent career by going to New York city, where he secured a position as driver of a milk wagon. He was employed in that way for four years, and then followed vari- ous occupations for about a year. During that time his industry and energy enabled him to acquire capital sufficient to permit him to engage in business on his own account. He purchased a farm in Otsego county, New York, but lived upon it for only a short time. On selling that property he sought a home- in Michigan, making his way westward to Stanton, Montcalm county, where he was en- gaged in the lumbering business for two. winters. About 1867 he arrived in Grand Traverse county and for some time followed various occupations. He secured a home- stead claim in Antrim county, where he lived:
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GARDINER DANA.
MRS. GARDINER DANA.
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C. L. WHITNEY.
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for about two years, and with the exception of that period he has remained continuously in Peninsula township, Grand Traverse county, since 1867. He makes his home at Old Mission and he follows general farming, owning forty acres of land, which is supplied with modern equipments and is now a well improved property.
It was at Old Mission on the 23d of No- vember, 1871, that Mr. Dana was united in marriage to Miss Rose Swaney, a daughter of John and Rosanna ( McFadden) Swaney, who are mentioned in connection with the sketch of James Swaney on another page of this work. Their family numbered eleven children, Mrs. Dana being the eighth in or- der of birth and her natal day was August 20, 1845, while the place of her nativity is Stringtown, Crawford county, Pennsylvania. She was a little maiden of only five summers when she was brought by her parents to Grand Traverse county, where she has since made her home. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dana have been born six children, as follows : Charles A., Harold B., Mary L., Lester, Lillian and Emily. Lester and Lillian are twins. The daughter Mary is now the wife of William Leighton. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dana are members of Peninsula Grange, No. 663, Patrons of Husbandry. He has always taken a deep and helpful interest in public affairs, but has never been an aspirant for of- fice, preferring to devote his attention to his private business interests. He is independent in politics, and supports the man best fitted for the office, regardless of political senti- ment. It is worthy of note in the connection that the subject's paternal grandfather was a soldier during the war of the Revolution, holding a commission as major under Gen- eral Washington.
4g
CHANCEY L. WHITNEY.
An attempt to narrate even in epitome the leading facts and incidents which have characterized the career of the well known educator, lecturer and enterprising man of affairs, Chancey L. Whitney, would tran- scend the normal province of this work, yet it would be culpable neglect were there failure to advert to the more salient details, for he stands as one of the moulders of the present school system of Michigan, and in various relations he has sustained, since quitting the field of education, his record has been credita- ble to himself and an honor to the state. Mr. Whitney is a native of Richmond, Ontario county, New York, where his birth occurred on July 25, 1836. His father, Chancy Whit- ney, also a native of the same town, county and state, was born July 6, 1812, and died in Michigan on the 27th day of April, 1867. The maiden name of Mr. Whitney's mother was Phoebe Ann Leech; she, too, was born in York state, having first seen the light of day April 12, 1813, in the town of Bloom- field, Ontario county, and her death took place in the month of December, 1889. Of the nine children born of these parents the subject of this review is the oldest. He at- tended the public schools of his native state until thirteen years of age, when he accom- panied his parents to Michigan, locating with them at Utica, Macomb county, where he spent the fourteen years following. Mean- while he entered Dickinson Institute at Romeo, and after prosecuting his studies there for some time, became a student of the state normal at Ypsilanti, from which insti- tution he was graduated in due season, with an honorable record. His professional edu- cation finished, Mr. Whitney was appointed
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superintendent of the Dowagiac public schools, which position he held for a period of three years, and at the expiration of that time resigned to accept the superintendency of the public schools of Cass county. Dur- ing his incumbency of the latter office he thoroughly reorganized the educational sys- tem of the county, brought it to a high stand- ard of efficiency and achieved a state repu- tation as an educator and successful manager of schools. Resigning this superintendency Mr. Whitney accepted the chair of natural sciences in the state normal school, which position he held for one year, when he sev- ered his connection with that institution to become superintendent of the public schools of Muskegon. Mr. Whitney's labors at the latter place continued two years, during which time he perfected a systematic course of study, secured the services of teachers of recognized ability and made the schools of the city equal to any in the state.
After twenty-one years of close applica- tion to educational work, Mr. Whitney, at the close of his second official term in Mus- kegon, resigned the superintendency and turned his attention to horticulture and flori- culture, which fascinating pursuits occupied his time until 1872, when he was chosen lecturer of the state grange of Michigan. In the latter capacity he traveled extensively over the state, visiting nearly every county, lecturing at hundreds of points, establishing local granges, and greatly strengthening the organization and promoting its influence and usefulness. Mr. Whitney's success in build- ing up the order in Michigan led to his se- lection, at the end of nine years' faithful ser- vice, for the position of deputy of the nation- al grange, in which capacity he visited and organized societies in twenty-two states, lec-
tured in many of the leading cities of the Union and achieved a reputation second to that of no other man identified with this great farmers' movement. He came to Traverse City in 1894, having been appointed steward of the Northern Michigan Asylum for the Insane, which important and exacting post he still holds, his period of service covering thus far nine years, being characterized by duty ably and conscientiously performed.
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