Bay County, Michigan - Chapter 16, 1905 (part 12 of 12)

In 1 87 1 Mr. Wagner was married to Louisa Shilling, who was born in Huron County, Michigan, August 22, 1853. '^"c' is a daughter of Frederick and Katherine Shilling, farming: people, natives of Germany. Wx. and Mrs. Wagner have had seven children, namely:

William, who resides in his father's tenant house and works for his father; Carl, who lives at home; Mrs. Ida Klopf, of Merritt township; Mrs. Elizabeth Plesternith, of Bay City ; Frederick, employed in Bay City; and Bertha and Ellen, who live at home. Mr. Wagner and family belong to the Bethel German Lutheran Church, on Madison and McKinley avenues. Bay City.

Politically a Democrat, j\Ir. Wagner has filled many responsible public offices in Hampton township. For nine years he was township treasurer, for 18 years he was on the School Board and was president of School District No. 5, and for four years was township grain commissioner. His reputation has always been that of a man of strict integrity and the duties of public office have been performed with the same care and thoroughness as those pertaining to his own affairs.

OHN McGUINNES. who with his twin brother Edward is operating the splendidly improved farm in section 2. Monitor township, that was left by their father, was lx>rn July 13, 1872. He is a son of Edward and Anna (Brisbois) McGuinnes.

Edward McGuinnes was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1842. He attended the common schools of his native place and when 22 years old came to Kawkawlin. Bay County, Michigan, where he worked at lumbering several years for Ballon & Company. He was engaged in summer in dri\-ing logs, and in cutting timber in the winter. Between seasons, he worked on the farm which he had bought in Monitor township, consisting of 380 acres. For a number of years he applied himself to clearing the wood from this land and to seed- ing the new ground. When lie could not get hired men. his sons helped him in this work. He lumhered on shares with others, and later undertook a lumber deal on his own account, leaving the operation of the farm to his twin sons, then 15 years old.

Mr. iMcGuinnes had the reputation of knowing a good horse and took much interest in raising cattle. He built a modern brick house, and erected three fine barns, provided with every convenience for stock. Two years before his death he bought an interest in a hardware concern, which was then conducted under the firm name of Lambert, Staudacher & IMcGuinnes, but the business not proving profitable, he soon disposed of his interest. He also owned several pieces of city property. In politics he was a Democrat, and served on the School Board for several years.

The union of Edward McGuinnes with Anna Brisbois resulted in five children, as follows: Margaret, who became Mrs. George Staudacher, of AVest Bay City: .\nna, who married Gilbert Archambeau, of Monitor township; Mary, who is at home: and Edward and John (twins), who operate the farm.

John McQuinnes received his early mental training in the common schools of Kawkawlin, and also took a course of study in St. Bede College. On finishing this he returned to the farm, and continued working it with his brother Edward. They have turned their attention to grain and stock-raising, in which they were well drilled by their father.

John McGuinnes was married June 29, 1904. to Lottie Abare. a daughter of Morris and Josephine (Larges) .-\bare, of West Bay City. Her parents formerly lived in Detroit, where the father was a fisherman. About i860 they moved to Bay City, where the father followed his vocation. He was a government surveyor for 14 years. He and his wife had i :; children, eight of whom are living. Millie (Mrs. Eugene La Flame) and our subject's wife were the only daughters. The sons are all fishermen except ont, who keeps the lighthouse at Detour, Michigan. In politics, Mr. McGuinnes is a stanch Democrat. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of the Modern Maccabees, and holds a position on the auditing committee of his tent. The members of the family are Catholics and attend the Church of the Sacred Heart.

HOMAS MOLYXEAUX, one of the good farmers and respected citizens of Williams township, who owns a fine farm of 79 acres in section 4, was born in County Down,, Ireland, May 10, 1852, and is a son of Alexander and Sarah (Hanna) Molyneaux.

The father of our subject was a shoemaker and also farmed five acres of rented land, this being considered a quite large farm there. He died in Ireland shortly after the rebellion. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. The mother of Mr. Molyneaux still lives in the old home in County Down. The children of the family were: James, who died in Ireland in 1901 : William, who died in Ireland in 1885; Thomas, of this sketch : Ellen, a resident of Loverpool, England: Alexander, of Bay City; and Catherine, who resides with the mother in Ireland.

Our subject came to America in March, 1 87 1, and secured work in the Silas Merchant iron-pipe factory, at Cleveland. Ohio, where he remained two years and then came to Bav City. He worked in a lumber camp for Sage & Company during the first winter and then came to Bay City and secured a position with the street railway company, with which he continued for

In 1880 Mr. Molyneaux bought his farm, which was then far out from civihzed tracks. There were no roads except the ones he made himself and his nearest neighbor hved in a log house off in the next section. His first purchase was 40 acres, which he managed to clear while still liA'ing at Bay City. The timber he burned as there was absolutely no market for it, the same timber which now commands $17 a thousand feet. Later he built a comfortable house and two substantial barns.

On September 4, 1878, at Bay City, Mr. Molyneaux was married to Jennie Patterson, who was a daughter of Aritus and Amelia Patterson, natives of Canada. Mrs. Molyneaux died April 22, 1890, the mother of three children, of whom the only survivor is Thomas, who was born July 5, 1880 and lives on a farm adjoining his father. On May 11, 1891, Mr. Molyneaux was married to Marion Maitland, who is a daughter of John and Sarah (Jobes) Maitland, and five children have been born to this union : Lola. Iiorn July 28, 1892 : Margaret E., born October 21, 1894; Naomi T., born June 3, 1897; Dorothy J., bom June 11, 1899; and Wallace M., born December 29, 1903.

Mrs. Molyneaux's parents lived in Canada prior to their marriage. Her father came first to Bay City and built a home on 33d street and Jennison avenue and then went back for his wife. For 25 years he was an employee of the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad. Mrs. Molyneaux has one sister, JNIargaret I., who is an instructor in the Fremont School in Bay City.

Our subject and Mr. Maitland are both identified with the Republican party. Both are prominent in the Methodist Episcopal Church, our subject being a class leader, church trustee and treasurer. Both he and his father-in-law are members of Valley Lodge, No. 189, I. O.

OHN A. VOGTMANN, sole owner and proprietor of the Frankenlust Flouring Mill, one of the oldest industrial plants in its section of Bay County, was born April 17, 1863, in Mittel Franken, Bavaria, Germany, and is a son of Leonard and Elizabeth (Dankmayer) Vogtmann.

The parents of our subject passed their entire lives in Bavaria, where the father followed the trade of weaving. The family consisted of seven children, - five sons and two daughters. The only members to come to America were our subject and his brother Adam, who is a farmer in Beaver township.

Mr. Vogtmann attended school until he was 16 years old and then spent four years learning the milling business. In 1883, wishing to improve his worldly chances, he came to America and settled in Bay County, Michigan. Through the first year he worked as a laborer and for the next three years was engaged as a farmer for one employer, and then he went into lumbering. During the two years he was thus engaged he studied the workings of the various mills that came under his observation, his object being the purchase of a mill so that he could continue work at the trade he had learned. After laboring one year more, this time in a brick-yard, he rented a mill in Saginaw, but this venture did not prove a success as he lacked the capital to get himself well established. He was then employed by the owner of a mill in Freeland township and operated that mill successfully for three years.

over 50 years ago. When Mr. Vogtmann took cliarge, the capacity of the mill was 35 barrels, which he has increased to an output of 175 barrels. He rebuilt the mill and installed modern machinery and now has cxxry equipment necessary to make all kinds of flour. His trade covers all this territory and for many years lie has been looked on as the most reliable miller in this section. In addition to rebuilding antl refitting the mill, he purchased a farm of four acres in section 2, on which he has built a comfortable residence and large warehouses. He does a very large business, amounting to $70,000 annually.

In 1892 Mr. Vogtmann was married to Katie Burk, who was born in Bavaria, and came to Saginaw County, Michigan, with her parents, when a child of eight years. They have two children, John antl Mary.

Mr. Vogtmann is one of the leading members of St. John's German Lutheran Church at Amelith. He is a man who has made his own way in the world and has reached his independent condition through his own industry. He is well known and very highly respected.

HARLES P. McDonald,* a highly respected citizen and well-known farmer of Hampton township, owning a well-cultivated farm of 23 acres, situated in section 13, was born at Montreal, Canada, February 17, 1853, and is a son of Terrence and Sarah (Woods) McDonald.

The father of our subject was born in Belfast, County Down, Ireland, and came to Montreal, Canada, in 1848. The mother was born in Dublin and came to Montreal at a later date than Mr. McDonald. The father died at Bay City in 1894. aged 76 years, but the mother still resides there in the city. They reared a large family as follows : Charles P. ; James, of Montreal; John; Thomas, who is on the Pacific Coast; Peter, of Bay City; Andrew, of Wisconsin; Terrence, of Canada; Edward, of Bay City; and Sarah, who married a Mr. McDonald in Clinton County, New York.

For fi\e years after settling in Montreal, Terrence McDonald carried on a butchering business and then accompanied his brother to Clinton County, New York, where he worked at railroad construction. He subsequently joined our subject in Michigan.

Charles P. McDonald was three weeks old when his parents removed to Clinton County, New York, where he remained until he was 17 years old. In 1865 he came to Bay City and has been a resident of the county and ever since, working in sawmills from 1865 until 1871, when he began to farm. Mr. McDonald obtained his land when it was still unbroken prairie and has made all the improvements upon it. He has a comfortable home with substantial out-buildings, barns and fences, and devotes his land to gardening principally. He also rents land on which he cultivates sugar beets.

On August 15, 1875, Mr. McDonald was married to Mary Van Someson, who was born March 4, 1859, at Detroit and came to Bay County with her parents when one year old. She was a daughter of Henry and Barbara (Lincoln) Van Someson, early pioneers here, of Holland and Belgian ancestry. Mr. Van Someson, who was a carpenter, built many of the residences still standing in Bay City. Mrs. McDonald died in March, 1899, the beloved mother of these children : Mabel, a teacher in a religious order, who is located at St. James, Beaver Island ; Clara, who died aged 20 years ; Sadie, who is her father's capable housekeeper; Emma ; Terrence J. ; Nellie ; Mary, who died

EORGE A. ALLEN,* who has the distinction of being the oldest insurance agent at West Bay City, Michigan, his business dating from 1877, is also an honored surviving officer of the Civil War. Mr. Allen was born in Macomb County, Michigan, March 4, 1835, and is a son of Dr. Samuel C. and Julia Ann (Bickson) Allen.

Dr. Samuel C. Allen was born in New Jersey. When he came to Michigan, he had a wife and several children. He settled at Utica. Macomb County, taking up a farm on the Clinton River, and it was here that our subject was born, in an old log house. Dr. Allen also owned and operated a sawmill on the banks of this river, and continued to practice his profession, riding over the untilled prairies for miles and miles in every direction and undergoing many hardships, such as fell to the pioneer physicians of Michigan. About 1841 he moved to Clarkson, Oakland County, where he devoted all his time to the practice of his profession, frequently driving the whole distance to Flint. In 1857 he located at Byron, where he continued in practice until his death in 1866, aged 70 years. His wife died in 1861, aged 65 years. Early in life Dr. Allen was a Whig; later he identified himself with the Republican party. He was a man far above the average, well read both in literature and in his profession and a man of influence wherever he lived. He was a Mason.

George A. Allen was well educated, for the days of his youth, at Clarkson Academy, Oakland County, and then entered into a mercantile business at Byron, whither his parents had removed. In i860 he accepted a position as bookkeeper for Stewart & Pratt, at Hazelhurst, Mississippi, but the outbreak of the Civil War changed his plans and probably the whole course of his life. Manly and outspoken, he soon found that the only way to secure his liberty was to leave at once for the North, and several of his associates had the same experience. In the fall of 1S61 Mr. Allen enlisted as a private in Company A, loth Reg., Michigan Vol., Inf., and before leaving the State he was made quartermaster sergeant and filled this position until he was promoted to a lieutenantcy and transferred to Company C. He continued with this company through all its subsequent campaigns, including Sherman's "March to the Sea," and returned practically unharmed, although on numerous occasions he had holes shot through his uniform and had his horse shot from under him. He was a soldier who displayed courage in face of danger and fidelity to the cause he had espoused.

After his return from the war, Mr. Allen clerked for one year in Detroit, was married in 1867 and then came to West Bay City. Here he conducted a general retail store, on the corner of Midland and Henry streets, for 10 years, it being one of the first stores on the West Side and his energy and faculty soon built up a lucrative business. In 1877 he entered into the insurance business and again he was a business pioneer. He has continued in the insurance line ever since, dealing also in real estate and has owned and developed a large amount of property.

In 1867 he married Emma Hicks, who is a daughter of W. F. Hicks, then of West Bay City, now of Southfield, Michigan, and they had five children, the three survivors being: Alena, wife of Harry J. Walsh, of West Bay City; Hicks, of Dayton, Ohio; and George, of

Mr. Allen has been a life-long Republican. He was township clerk of Wenona until it was included in West Bay City, and is now a member of the Common Council. He is publicspirited and progressive and takes a good citizen's interest in promoting the city's welfare.

Mr. Allen was a charter member of Wenona Lodge, No. 296, F. & A. M. of which he is past master; he is also a member of Blanchard Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M. ; and Bay City Council, No. 53, R. & S. M. He assisted in the organization of Henry S. Burnett Post, No. 278, G. A. R., and gave the organization its name. He has always taken a great interest in this noble jjody and has been its commander. He is also a member of the National League of Veterans and Sons.

RKDERICK D. PAIGE,* one of the highly respected citizens and good farmers of Kawkawlin township, who owns a well-cultivateil farm of 80 acres, situated in section 7, was born in 1864 in Bangor township, Bay County, Michigan, and is a son of Daniel W. and Carrie (Shcpard) Paige.

Daniel Webster Paige, the father of our subject, was born at Lockport, New York. His first wife, our subject's mother, was born in Ohio. In 1866 they removed from Bangor to Kawkawlin township, where Mrs. Paige died in 1883, leaving four children: Frederick D. ; Ralpli, a farmer of Kawkawlin township; Alice, widow of James Calvert ; and Harry, a farmer of Kawkawlin township. The father's second marriage was to Minerva Hilderbrandt, who was born in New York. The two children of this union are: Jessie ancj Hattie. Our

Frederick D. Paige obtained his education in the common schools of Kawkawlin township and prepared himself for the life of a farmer. His first farm, Ixiught in 1887, was a part of the family homestead ; later he bought more land in section 29, in the same township, both farms being sold at a later date and the present one bought. He has excellent land here and it would take a large of¥er to induce him to part with it. He has made excellent improvements.

In 1889 Mr. Paige married Mary Bedell, who is a daughter of Calvin Bedell, a farmer of Kawkawlin township. They have had six children, as follows: Jacob, a sturdy youth of 12 years; Elmer, aged 10 years; Florence, aged eight years; Max, deceased at the age of two years; Bessie, deceased at the age of three years; and Benjamin, a child of 11 months.

Politically, Mr. Paige is a Democrat ; he has been school inspector and is now serving as township commissioner. He belongs to Lodge No. 148, I. O. O. F.. of Kawkawlin township.

GUIS ROSEBUSH,* a well-known citizen of Linwood, was formerly in the hotel business here for 14 years. His hotel was destroyed by fire in 1901, and he is now rebuilding it. He also owns a saloon in Arenac County. Michigan.

The subject of this sketch was born in Canada in 1852. He is a .son of Samuel and Sylvia (Merrian) Rosebush, the former of whom was born in Canada, and died in 1882. at the age of 71 3'ears. The mother pns.scd away in 1886. in her 75th year. They reared 12 children, of whom Louis was the sixth. Seven are still living;.

The parents of Samuel Rosebusli were natives of Canada, and their grandparents were born on De Rosa street, Paris, France. This street was named after the original name of the family, which was afterward changed to Rosebush.

The Merrians, grandparents of Sjdvia Merrian, came from Spain to this country in the early colonial days, settled on the Connecticut River and endured all the hardships of pioneer life. Some of them were ofticers in the Revolutionary War. In the possession of the family were formerly some of the relics of that conflict, such as silver buckles worn by their ancestors in military service.

Louis Rosebush went to New York State in 1868. There he remained six months and then came to Saginaw County, Michigan, where he at once went to work in the lumber camps, and continued thus for two and a half years. He then returned to Canada to visit his parents. He came back to Michigan where he remained for two years, after which he went West and spent four years among the Choctaws, Chickasaws and Cherokees, in the Red River region, engaged in lumbering for himself. About 1876, he returned to Canada and brought his father, mother, two brothers and two sisters to Michigan with him.

Mr. Rosebush was married in 1880 to Laurie Annie Roe, a daughter of Theodore and Theresa (Young) Roe. Theodore Roe died when Mrs. Rosebush was four years old. His widow now lives in Saginaw, Michigan.

Mr. and Mrs. Rosebush have had eight children, namely: Sylvia, Hiram, Samuel, Willie, Bertie, Laurie, Fred and Louis. Sylvia was born in 1883; she married Victor Turcott, who was 1)orn in Canada, and is an engineer. Hiram was born in 1886; Samuel died in infancy; Willie was born in 1889; Bertie, in 1891 ; Laurie, in 1892; Fred, in 1894; and Louis, in 1896.

In politics, Mr. Rosebush is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a member of Bedell Lodge, No. 248, I. O. O. F. His religious views are nonsectarian. Mrs. Rosebush is a member of the Catholic Church-