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Milton
Thompson Milton
Thompson, an energetic farmer and efficient Supervisor of Holton Township,
Muskegon County, Mich., cultivating a fine homestead pleasantly located
upon section 15, is a native of the Wolverine State and, born in Ray, Macomb
County, in 1829, has for more than three-score years been a constant witness
of the wonderful growth and rapid development of Michigan. Our subject
is the son of Nathaniel and Susannah (Sautherland) Thompson., pioneer settler
of the West. The father, a native of Yates County, N. Y., was reared upon
a farm and engaged in the tilling of the soil his all his life. Remaining
with the paternal grandparents until he had attained to manhood, he enjoyed
a limited education in the primitive schools of that time. The father had
no capital with which to begin life, but self-reliantly won his own way
in the world. He was married in New York to the daughter of Davis Sautherland
and subsequent to this event engaged with courage in the War of 1812. Unto
the parents were born seven children: Joel, deceased; Maria, deceased;
wife of John Plunkett; Robert, deceased; Hannah, deceased, wife of Joseph
Sautherland' David, deceased; Rhoda, who died at the age of nineteen; and
Milton. Politically, the father was a life-long Democrat and an ardent
advocate of that party.
In 1824, the parents
emigrated to Macomb County, Mich., where the father bought three hundred
and twenty acres of Government land, and before he received much benefit
from his hard labor passed away, in the year 1831. His good wife, surviving
him many years, sometime after hs demise married Alexander Tackles. Our
subject remained at home with his mother until nearly twenty-one years
of age and worked at the trade of a carpenter to a limited extent. Mr.
Thompson owned at various times different farms in Macomb County, and for
nine years devoted himself to the manufacture of agricultural implements
in Romeo. Not being successful in that venture, in 1877 he located in Cedar
Creek Township, Muskegon County, where he remained for five years, then
settled upon his present farm. Of the one hundred and sixty acres, eighty
acres are cleared, cultivated and under excellent improvements, with a
good dwelling, substantial barns and outbuildings. Our subject was married
in his native county to Miss Martha M. Bernard, a daughter of Asahel and
Mary (Dean) Bernard. Of the eleven children who blessed the home of our
subject and his worthy wife two died young. Alice married Charles L. Stoddard.
Herbert N. was the second in order of birth. Mary S. became the wife of
A. J. Parker; Homer, Irwin, Nettie (wife of S. G. Fryover), Schuyler, John
and Gertrude complete the list of sons and daughters.
Mr. Thompson served
with fidelity during the late Civil War, enlisting in November, 1862, in
Company
G, Eighth Michigan Cavalry, and fought under Gen. Burnside in the Army
of Ohio. Our subject actively participated in the siege of Knoxville, and
was present when Morgan was captured after a long pursuit. Mr. Thompson
took an active part in the engagements of Campbell Station, Lenore Station,
Strawberry Plains, and Blaine's Cross Roads. He was then placed on detached
duty at Jackson, Mich., and in May, 1865, received his honorable discharge,
and as a member of Dahlgren Post No. 149 now finds much enjoyment in the
reunions of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Thompson is fraternally
connected with the Ancient Free Accepted Masons and joined Romeo
Lodge No. 41. He is also a member of the Grange of Holton. Politically
a Republican, he discharged the duties of treasurer for one year and for
eight years served to the satisfaction of the entire community as Justice
of the Peace. Although Supervisor but a short time, he has ably demonstrated
his fitness for the responsible position and thoroughly commands the esteem
and confidence of a host of friends.
Hon. George
C. Rice
Hon. George
C. Rice, for many years the bale and enterprising editor and proprietor
of the Muskegon Chronicle, and well known throughout the State of Michigan
as a man of sterling worth and broad intelligence, entered into rest May
31, 1874. Throughout his career of busy usefulness our subject had occupied
with honor many official positions of trust, and although at his demise
but forty-three years of age, was numbered among the leading citizens of
the Wolverine State. Mr. Rice was born in Rochester, N. Y., February 18,
1836, and , educated in the home of his childhood, attained to mature age
a self-made man of ambitious and resolute purpose. While a youth he determined
to familiarize himself with newspaper work, and to that end entered a printing-office
and served a faithful apprenticeship at the case, working his upward way
under adverse circumstances and opposed by a variety of forces, which only
stimulated him to renewed exertion. When twenty-four years of age and thoroughly
versed in the practical details of printing and publishing, our subject
purchased the Chenango Telegraph, issued at Norwich, N. Y. During the twelve
succeeding years, in which he edited this paper with marked efficiency,
he was called to various important positions in the State of New York.
At one time elected County
Treasurer and at another period chosen a member of the Assembly of Lower
House of the State Legislature, he discharged the responsibilities entrusted
to his care to the great benefit of the general public and the entire satisfaction
of his friends and constituents. Throughout his career the private and
public trusts reposed in him were ever carefully handled with a fidelity
and conscientiousness apparent to all who knew him. In 1869 he permanently
located in Muskegon, where he purchased and became the editor and proprietor
of the News and Reporter, the name of which was afterward changed to the
Muskegon Chronicle. The Chronicle, presenting a fine typographical appearance
and brilliantly edited, enjoyed a large circulation and was successfully
conducted by our subject up to the time of his death. Politically a stanch
Republican, Mr. Rice was with word and pen devoted to the interests of
the party, and did excellent public service in behalf of the principles
which he so ardently advocated. His course, ever consistent, was guided
by honor and integrity, and in his death right and justice lost a stanch
friend. He was fraternally a valued member of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, and had among the order a host of sincere friends. Mr. Rice
was twice married, his first wife, who died in 1862, being Maria L. Russell,
to whom he was married in 1857 and by whom he had two children, namely:
Clinto, in the newspaper business in Salt Lake City, and Lulu, wife of
Robert K. Mann, of Muskegon.
December 27, 1864, were united
in marriage George C. Rice and Miss Jennie A. Russell (a sister of his
first wife), a native of Broome County, N. Y., and the daughter of Calvin
Russell, born in the Empire State, but the descendant of a long line of
honored French and English ancestry. The mother of Mrs. Rice, in maidenhood
Miss Luanna Page, was likewise a native of New York, and a daughter of
Jared Page, and early and highly esteemed settler of Chenango County. the
estimable wife of our subject spent the days of girlhood in New York
and was educated in the excellent schools of Binghamton. She has proved
to be a kind and affectionate mother to the children of her deceased sister.
After the death of her husband, Mrs. Rice, who possesses superior business
ability, assumed the management od affairs, then much involved, and for
three years prosperously publishing the Chronicle, later sold out, having
liquidated the debts and placed herself upon a sound financial basis. Since,
she has built a fine brick block, two stories high, 70x63 feet, and derives
a handsome income from the rents of this valuable property. A refined lady
of culture, Mrs. Rice has demonstrated her ability to meet and cope with
difficulties, and, respected for her business qualifications, is highly
esteemed for her worth of character and social accomplishments. She is
a member of the Congregational Church and is an efficient worker. The attractive
home, No. 18 Jefferson Street, Muskegon, Mich., is visited by a wide circle
of friends and long-time acquaintances. Nineteen years have passed since
the untimely demise of of George C. Rice, but in the hearts of those who
knew him, as he was a loving husband and father, a true and loyal citizen,
his memory will long endure green and fragrant.
William F. Wiselogel William F. Wiselogel, the able proprietor of the
Wiselogel Planing Mill, Muskegon, Mich., and in 1892 the efficient City
Treasurer, was born in Stark County, Ohio, May 28, 1843. His father, Michael
W., a native of Strasburg, Germany, emigrated to America in 1824 and became
a pioneer settler of the Buckeye State. The paternal grandfather, George
Wiselogel, also a native of Germany and a man of worth and upright character,
spent his entire life in the Old Country. The mother, Elizabeth (Snyder)
Wiselogel, was born in Cologne, Germany. Until twelve years of age our
subject resided in Massillon, Ohio, and then removed with his parents to
Michigan, locating in Albion in 1855, and there completing his studies
in the common schools of his home neighborhood. As he grew to manhood Mr.
Wiselogel became thoroughly versed in the daily round of agricultural duties
upon his father's farm. In 1860 he journeyed to Muskegon, Mich., and for
a twelvemonth worked in a sawmill. Desirous of learning a trade, our subject
was at eighteen years apprenticed to a carpenter, and ere long had acquired
the details of planing and joining and partially fitted himself to become
a carpenter and builder.
In September, 1862, answering to the call of the
Government, William Wiselogel enlisted in Company D, Third Michigan Cavalry,
commanded by Col. John K. Mizner, and, assigned to the Army of the Gulf,
actively participated in the decisive battles of Corinth, Iuka, Jackson
(Tenn.), Holly Springs, Coffeeville (Miss.), and Mobile, Ala. In 1865,
after a long and courageous service, our subject was mustered out at San
Antonio, Tex. He then returned to Albion, Mich., and not long after took
a commercial course in Ira Mahner's Business College in Albion. He next
more satisfactorily finished his apprenticeship as a carpenter, and engaged
in building until 1869, when he settled permanently in Muskegon and engaged
in millwrighting and contracting until 1877. At this latter date the Wiselogel
Planing Mill was established, but it was burned to the ground the succeeding
year. Mr. Wiselogel immediately rebuilt the mill, which continued a most
profitable investment until he sold out in 1886, when he at once built
his present mill, standing near the tracks of the Grand Rapids & Indiana
Railroad. The Wiselogel Planing Mill has a capacity of one hundred thousand
feet of lumber per day, and, equipped with the best improved machinery,
employs the year round about forty men, and manufactures sash, doors, and
hard and soft wood interior finishings. Mr. Wiselogel has secured the contract
for the interior finishings of the new court house of Muskegon County,
the handsome building being now in course of construction.
October 12, 1867, were untied in marriage William
F. Wiselogel and Miss Alsameda Dyer, of Albion, Mich., and daughter of
Francis J. Dyer, a native of Vermont. The beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs.
Wiselogel is pleasantly located at No. 27 Hamilton Street, Muskegon. Politically
a Republican and local leader of the party, our subject was in 1882 elected
Alderman from the Second Ward, and for a period of two years efficiently
discharged the duties intrusted to him by his constituents. In 1892 elected
City Treasurer, Mr. Wiselogel for a twelvemonth faithfully cared for the
public interests of the department of finance, and through his wise service
won the approval of the general public. Fraternally, our subject is connected
with Lovell Moore Lodge No. 182, A. F. & A. M., and is Present Commander
of Phil Kearney Post No. 7, G. A. R. He is also a member of Muskegon Lodge
No. 133, A. O. U. W., and is likewise connected with Muskegon Lodge N.
92, I. O. O. F. Our subject is Grand Conductor of the Grand Lodge of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Michigan, and is connected with Davis
Encampment No. 47, I. O. O. F., and belongs to Muskegon Encampment No.
6, I. O. O. F. His wife affiliates with the Daughters of Rebecca N. 124,
I. O. O. F., and is a member of the Eastern Star, Nezbeth. Mr. Wiselogel
is a a valued member of these various orders and possesses a host of friends.
Taking a deep interest in the promotion of public welfare and business
enterprise, our subject early became a member of the Chamber of Commerce,
and occupies a high place among the substantial and liberal-spirited citizens
of his home city and the State.
Hon. William Carpenter
Hon. William Carpenter,
the able City Attorney and eloquent advocate at the Bar of Muskegon, Mich.,
is junior partner of the successful legal firm of Bunker & Carpenter,
and is widely known as a man of excellent judicial ability and high attainments.
Our subject, a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y, was born July 6, 1853,
and was the son of William A. and Laura (Smith) Carpenter. The father was
a native of Massachusetts and a descendant of intelligent New England ancestors.
The mother, who was a native of New York, and the daughter of Cyrus Smith,
a highly respected citizen of that State, received an excellent education
in the home of her childhood. The father, energetic and enterprising, embarked
in the mercantile business and was variously employed for a time, but in
1857 determined to locate in the West, and with his family journeyed in
an early day to Michigan and made his home in Saginaw. He remained there
until 1872, when he removed with his wife and children to Farwell, Mich.,
and there engaged in handling merchandise. William Carpenter was the second
of the three children who blessed the home of the parents. He spent the
days of boyhood in attending the common schools of his home neighborhood,
and later received a course of instruction in the High School, completing
his studies with honors.
Mr. Carpenter later taught school, engaging
in the vocation of an instructor for about one year. In the mean time he
improved every available opportunity to increase his stock of knowledge
by reading and observation, also by studying and reading law, and spent
one year in Farwell. In the fall of 1870 he entered the State University
and took a thorough course in the literary and scientific department, graduating
with honor in the year 1877. Immediately upon the completion of his course
in the University, Mr. Carpenter entered upon his duties as Principal of
the High School of Alpena, Mich. During the following year our subject
kept books, and also pursued his studies, and was more of less engaged
in reading law until the year 1879, when he was admitted to practice at
the Bar of the State. Later, entering the law department of the State University,
Mr. Carpenter made still more extended preparation for his professional
career and graduated from the law department in 1880, receiving his
degree. Locating permanently in Muskegon, in the year 1887 he formed a
partnership with Robert E. Bunker, and the firm entered upon a prosperous
career, attaining to an enviable reputation and enjoying a large practice
in all the courts of the State.
In the mean time, in 1881, William Carpenter
was honored by an appointment to the Bench of the Probate Court to fill
the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Wylie. Occupying the office with
efficiency, our subject gave faithful service to the people of the county.
For two years Mr. Carpenter discharged with ability the duties of City
Attorney, and in the year 1892 re-appointed, is now serving the general
public in that capacity. In politics he is a Republican, and is prominent
in the local councils of his party, and takes a high place in city and
State conventions, being recognized as a citizen of executive ability and
clear judgment. December 26, 1883, were united in marriage William Carpenter
and Miss Harriet Woodruff, of Farwell, and daughter of Henry Woodruff.
Two daughters have brightened the pleasant home at No. 55 Peck Street.
Our subject, financially prospered in the duties of his profession, is
also engaged in outside interests and is Secretary and Treasurer of the
Weighing-Truck Company. A self-made man, winning his own way upward, Judge
Carpenter commands the confidence and high esteem of his fellow-townsmen
and the general community of Muskegon County.
Albert Mears Albert Mears, , a leading
merchant, extensive property-owner and oldest pioneer settler of Whitehall,
was born near Boston, Mass., September 13, 1821, and was the youngest of
the six children of Nathan and Lucy (Livingston) Mears. The Mearses were
well known in New England long before the War of Independence, and the
father was a direct descendant of an old Portuguese family. Nathan Mears
was a manufacturer and hotel-keeper of the old Bay State, and, living within
easy distance of Boston, was one of the wealthy men of his locality. Lucy
Livingston, the mother, was of remote English ancestry, her forefathers
having landed upon the shores of New England with other passengers of the
"Mayflower." The parents of our subject both died while he was very young,
and the family soon after scattered, the four brothers and one sister now
living in Chicago. Albert went to live with the man appointed as his guardian
and who looked after his interest in his father's large estate. Our subject,
constantly in school, had at sixteen years received a liberal education,
and in 1837 came to Michigan, to which State his elder brothers had preceded
him. Edwin Mears, an enterprising man, early journeyed to the West, and,
thoroughly patriotic, enlisted during the late Civil War, dying in the
hospital at Quincy, Ill., during his term of service. Charles Mears came
to Michigan in the early '30s and located large tracts of land on White
Lake and in different parts of the lake regions, in time becoming one of
the most extensive lumbermen and prominent merchants in the Wolverine State.
He located and laid out the town of Whitehall, then names Mears in his
honor. He made a fortune in his business, and is now and has been for many
years a resident of No. 345 Ohio Street, Chicago.
Nathan Mears was also one
of the leading lumbermen of Michigan and still controls large interests
in the State, also being a prominent Chicago capitalist, residing at No.
87 Cass Street. He is yet in active business, but his son mainly manages
his extended interests. Lucy Mears married John Baldwin, a prosperous lumberman
and heavy real-estate dealer, as well as a capitalist and money-loaner,
of Chicago, where he died some years ago, leaving a large fortune. His
widow makes her home at No. 3852 Lake Avenue. From 1837 to 1852, our subject
continued in business in Whitehall, then called Mears, and in Paw Paw,
being thoroughly successful in both places. In 18443, Albert Mears and
Miss Helen Turner were untied in marriage. Mrs. Mears was born in Mexico,
Oswego County, N. Y., May 6, 1824. Her father, Samuel Turner, born in the
Empire State January 9, 1798, passed away in DeWitt, Mich., October 23,
1848. The Turners date their history in this country back to the landing
of the Pilgrim Fathers. Grandfather John Turner was a soldier in the Revolutionary
War, and an uncle, Joseph Turner, was a soldier in the War of 1812. The
father, Samuel Turner, was a wheelwright by trade and emigrated to Michigan
in 1836, locating in Paw Paw. Mrs. Mears' mother, in maidenhood Miss Ann
Griswold, was born in New York State February 17, 1798, and died in Sacramento,
Cal., May 20, 1859. The Griswolds also date the arrival of their ancestors
in this country from the landing of the "Mayflower."
Mrs. Mears, who was the
eldest of the family, had four brothers and one sister. Edward A. Turner
was born July 16, 1827. He journeyed to California in 1852, and died there
July 15, 1860. Henry H. Turner, born August 14, 1829, died in infancy.
Charles R., born April 8, 1831, went to California in 1852, and there was
lost sight of. Ann Eliza, the sister, born February 5, 1835, died March
10, 1844. Samuel F., born June 25, 1837, was a well-known miner of Nevada,
and was killed by the caving in of his mine, July 17, 1878. Mr. and Mrs.
Mears, in company with a large party, consisting of a number of families,
among whom were the brother and mother of our subject, crossed the plains
to California. After a three-months trip they arrived at what is now Placerville.
Mr. Mears, possessing a modest fortune left him by his father's estate,
engaged in mining and invested in other ventures on the Pacific Coast with
unprofitable results, and after leaving the larger part of his money in
the Golden State, returned to Michigan, via the Isthmus, and engaged in
the mercantile business in Whitehall. Since that time our subject has been
continuously prospered and during the palmy days of the lumber business
in Whitehall rapidly amassed a competence. After a time he gave the most
of his attention to his mercantile interests, but has also continued in
lumbering and various other enterprises. When Mr. Mears returned to Michigan
in 1861, he began the handling of merchandise in the store at the foot
of the street, and has remained in that landmark ever since.
A public-spirited and energetic
man, our subject was an important factor in building up and extending the
interests of Whitehall. Including the Mears Hotel and other valuable property,
he owns a large amount of real estate in Whitehall and the near vicinity
of the village. Mr. Mears possesses one of the finest farms in the locality
and has expended over $20,000 upon its improvements. He finds much enjoyment
in his beautiful twenty-acre lake, well-stocked with fish. Our subject
was one of the founders of the bank in Whitehall and was President and
Vice-President of the bank, but for the last few years has simply been
a stockholder and Director. Politically, Mr. Mears has been a Republican
from the first day of that party's organization. He was the first Postmaster
of Whitehall and has served with efficiency as Supervisor of the township,
and as President of the Village Board faithfully aided in local progress
and needed improvements. Fraternally, our subject has for forty years been
connected with the Independent Order of Odd fellows, and has been a representative
in the Grand Lodge. He is admitted to be one of the best-posted Odd Fellows
in the State, but is now demited. He is also prominently connected with
the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, being one of the most highly valued
members of the ancient order.
Mr. and Mrs. Mears were
blessed by the birth of two children, both now deceased. George Albert,
born January 27, 1849, died March 24, 1850. Helen C., born October 4, 1852,
attained to adult age an accomplished and attractive young lady. She married
Davis R. Hopkins, and bore him one child, Albert Mears Hopkins, who was
born October 16, 1876, and died May 4, 1880. bereaved of their children
and grandchildren, our subject and his devoted wife received the sympathy
of many true friends. Mr. and Mrs. Mears upon January 26, 1892, celebrated
their golden wedding, the magnificent entertainment being given at the
Mears Hotel. This social occasion was a notable event in Whitehall, and
among the beautiful souvenirs presented to our subject was a solid gold
banded case, handsomely and fittingly engraved, and a valuable memento
of the brilliant occasion. The host and hostess, who had for fifty years
walked together side by side, received the hearty good wishes of a host
of friends endeared by the association of many pleasant years.
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