Bay County, Michigan - Chapter 16, 1905 (part 3 of 12)

The father of our subject, who was a native of Ireland, came to America wdth his family in 1848, locating in the Province of Ontario. Canada. He cleared a piece of land and followed farming extensively, and in connection with this work conducted a hotel. Both he and his wife lived to an old age and died at Bothwell, Ontario, within two weeks of each other. They were parents of seven children - three daughters and four sons - all of whom grew to ma-

Thomas Atwill, our immediate subject, was the fifth child born to his parents, and was four }-ears old when he accompanied them from Ireland to Canada. He attended the public schools and lived on the farm of his father. In .1857, at the age of 13 years, he went with his parents to a farm near Bothwell, and while there learned the trade of a blacksmith, serving a full apprenticeship. He then worked as a journeyman at his trade and being a skilled workman commanded good wages. He was married in 1877, and two years later came with his wife to Bay City, Michigan, where he wtjrked as a journeyman for eight years. He established a shop of his own at Essexville, which he conducted a short time, then resumed journeyman's work. He later returned to Essexville and conducted his own shop until his death on January 4, 1899. His death was a sad loss to his wife and family, who also were called upon to mourn the death of Mrs. Atwill's mother just six days previous, a sad illustration of the fact that "misfortunes never come singly." Mr. Atwill was an intelligent, wellinformed man, and took an earnest and active interest in the progress and development of his community. He served one term as school inspector at Essexville.

Mr. Atwill was united in marriage, August 2, 1877, with Lomila Rikert, who was born in Tuscola County, Michigan, September I, 1859, and is a daughter of Philip and Amanda (O'Neil) Rikert, her father a native of Pennsylvania and her mother, of Canada. Philip Rikert was born in 181 4 and at the age of 13 years removed with his parents to New York State. He was one of six children left orphans and being thrown upon his own resources left home to go to sea. He later became a captain on the Great Lakes, and many were the exciting incidents of his career on the water. Later in life he worked at ship-building, but at the time of his death in 1890 he was living a retired life. He was a well-informed man on the current events of his day, was possessed of a pleasing personality and had many friends who never tired of hearing him recount the experiences of his travels. He was married in Marine City, Michigan, moved thence to Tuscola, and thence, in 1864, to Bay City, where his life ended. He and his wife were parents of nine children, seven of whom are now living. Religiously, they were members of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Atwill was four years old when she came with her parents to Bay City, and she well remembers the time when there were not more than si.x houses on the West Side around the bridge on Center street. Mr. and Airs. Atwill became the parents of five children, as follows : Margaret, wife of F. B. Hammond, who is identified with the Michigan Chemical Company; Mabel, cashier of Romer, Lovell & Company; Florence, deceased ; Evelyn ; and one who died in infancy. L^pon the death of her husband, Mrs. Atwill removed to Bay City and lives at No. 2002 Woodside avenue, the property having been purchased by her. Religiously, she is a member of the Methodist Church, and of the Ladies' Aid Society.

APT. CHARLES M. AVERELL. In recalling the well-known names and personalities of those whose lives were closely and honorably identified with Bay City, Michigan, from the time when a few scattered dwellings and indifferent business houses represented the present I)usy thoroughfares and wide boulevards to the present day, that of the late Capt. Charles M. Averell

Captain Averell, father of our subject, commanded ocean ships for some years and when only eight years old the child became as much at home on the water as on the land. When his father subsequently located at Buffalo, New York, and confined his voyages to the Great Lakes, Charles was afforded school advantages in that city. By the time he had reached manhood he was the owner of a vessel, the "Aurora Borealis," in which he sailed the lakes for some time, as master. In 1852 he visited Lower Saginaw (now Bay City) but did not settle at the growing village until 1857. Even then there were no roads into the timber beyond the village confines, no bridges had been constructed and all travel and transportation were necessarily done by water.

Our subject continued to sail the lakes for some years and for a long time his main interests were connected with the water. He operated a tug and was the agent for a number of large Chicago firms, in the chartering of vessels. He then became interested in a stone business, operated a lime kiln for some years and then, with business foresight, purchased a dock and engaged in the shipping of lumber and the various commodities, which the increasing business of the city produced. He invested largely in real estate and became one of the influential men of this section. Captain Averell was generally recognized as a man of the highest integrity as well as business capacity and he was frequently prevailed upon to assist in the administration of estates and to act as assignee, notably in the case of the Pipe Works and the old Lake Huron & South Western Railway Company. He built the Averell Block, on Center street, in 1867, and another block on Washington street a few years later,

In 1854, Captain Averell was united in marriage with Agnes L. Humphrey, a daughter of Judge T. J. Humphrey. She still survives, and has a very vivid recollection of the conditions existing when she and her husband came first to Bay City. Her beautiful home at No. 800 Center street was erected by Captain Averell about 1869.

In addition to being one of the city's most useful and vigorous business men. Captain Averell was deeply interested in the city's educational and religious advancement. He was a leading member of the First Baptist Church and a member of the board of trustees who were charged with the responsibility of erecting a new church structure. The corner-stone for this building was laid with imposing ceremonies in 1869 and the erection of this $75,000 building was under the immediate superintendence of our subject, its dedication taking place on February 9, 1873. In connection with the affairs of this house of worship, some incidents of local history, in which he bore a prominent part, are most interesting.

The history of almost every church will show that a few families are always more or less concerned in its final completion and equipment, and this was notably the case with the First Baptist Church of Bay City. The Averell and Fraser families were conspicuous in this congregation, and one member of the latter family, Mrs. William McMaster, formerly Mrs. James Fraser, at that time a resident of Toronto, Canada, paid a visit to her old home in Bay City. Noting the needs of the new church she decided to make it a valuable and unsuspected present, selecting as her assistant and almoner, her friend Captain Averell. Prior to her return to Toronto, in September, 1873, this good lady interviewed Captain Averell and made a compact, by the terms of which she agreed to donate a bell for the church, provided he would undertake the business of procuring the same and the placing of it on the church edifice in secrecy, her wish being that the first intimation the congregation should have of the gift should be when it should peal out in the tower to call them to worship. Altliough he realized the many difficulties in the way, Captain Averell accepted the commission, although he was bound to entire secrecy, even Mrs. Averell being one to be surprised.

The bell, one of considerable size and fine tone, was ordered from Troy, New York, and was shipped to Saginaw in a sealed car, where it was retained until Captain Averell had completed his plans for hoisting it. At the last moment he was obliged to take a few men into his confidence, and the car was sent on to Bay City. The night was dark, the Captain and his helpers almost felt like conspirators as they worked and hoisted the huge bell into its place in the tower. It was only successfully accomplished on account of the nautical knowledge of our subject, whose long experience on the water liad taught him the practical principles of hoisting. By six o'clock on the peaceful Sabbath morning the great bell hung in place, while a party of weary men compelled themselves to look placid and ready to be surprised. At clnu'ch time the sweet tones of the bell pealed out from the tower, to the gratified and pleased surprise of all.

\Mien it became advisable to place steam heat in the church, it was Captain Averell who went to Detroit and arranged for the apparatus, his work in this line including the firing of the boilers until some competent man could be found to undertake the job. These interesting incidents serve to show how quickly he grasped situations as well as how far he ignored personal comfort in order to insure the general

DWARD A. EICKEAIEYER, deceased, whose portrait accompaniesthis sketch, was one of the best known citizens of Bay City, Michigan, coming to it in its early days, casting in his fortunes with its pioneers, and devoting years of energy and activity to its growth and advancement. Mr. Eickemeyer was born February 26, 1826, at Westerhof, Hanover, Germany, and was a son of Frederick Eickemeyer. The grandfather of our subject was a millowner in Germany, and both he and his wife passed their entire lives in that country. Frederick Eickemeyer, our subject's father, was a carpenter by trade and he and his wife both died in Germany. Edward A., the eldest of the family of three children, was the only member to come to America. A brother and a sister are both deceased, the former, Karl Eickemeyer, dying in the West Indies, and the latter in Germany.

The late Edward A. Eickemeyer came to America in 1854, a young man equipped with an excellent education and skilled in a trade which made him immediately independent. He selected the little hamlet of Bay City, INIichigan, where a few pioneers had hardily built a few huts on the borders of the forest, recognizing the future possibilities of a village so wisely located as to natural advantages. One of the first contractors and builders here, he became one of the leaders, and the long lines of business buildings, the artistic homes and the stately structures for educational purposes and religious worship, which make this a notably beautiful modern citv, attest his mechanical skill and stand as enduring monuments to his memory. He erected all of the business blocks between Adams street and Washington avenue ; a number of the elegant mansions on Center avenue ; a preponderating number of the school buildings ; Bethel German Lutheran Church on the corner of RIcKinley and North Aladison avenues; the magnificent Pierce home and the residence of Hon. Theodore F. Shepard, in West Bay City ; his last piece of fine work being the beautiful mansion of George W. Ames, the prominent real estate and insurance man, of Bay City. Until 1886 Mr. Eickemeyer resided on the corner of Sixth street and \\'ashington avenue, and then removed to the handsome modern residence at No. 519 McLellan street, which has continued to be the family home.

Mr. Eickemeyer was married first, in 1854. to Frederika Keester, who died January 3, 1868, leaving four children, namely: Henry, a contractor of Bay City, who married Bertha Patenge and has four children; Sophia (Mrs. William Patenge), who is the mother of eight sons and one daughter ; Lizzie, who resides at home; and Dorothy, who died aged 15 years. On June 26, 1868, Mr. Eickemeyer was married to Sabine Deneke, who was born June 12, 1842, in Hanover, .Germany, and came to America to join her brother August in Frankenlust township. Bay County, in 1867. Five children were born to this union, viz : Ernestine (Mrs. McRae), of Portland, Oregon, who has two sons: Johanna lives at home; Edward C, of Bay City, who married Carrie Wagar and has two children ; Frederick, who married Grace Palmer and resides at L'nionville. IMichigan ; and Herbert,, who is a student in Columbia University, at Portland, Oregon. Mr. Eickemeyer died September 3, 1895. By the terms of his will he placed the management of his large interests in the hands of his widow,

Politically, Mr. Eickemeyer was a stanch Republican in national affairs, but in local matters he reserved the right to exercise his own judgment. He was no office-seeker, but took a deep interest in securing good men for the administration of city affairs. He served on the School Board, but held no other official position. He was a charter member of Bethel German Lutheran Church, and through life one of its most liberal supporters.

HARLES W. HITCHCOCK, attorney-at-law, at Bay City, occupying convenient offices in Shearer Brothers' office building, was born in Perry County, Ohio, in 1866, and is a son of Dr. S. A. Hitchcock.

Dr. S. A. Hitchcock is a practicing physician at Elida, Ohio. His wife died when our subject was a small boy. Besides Charles W., there \vere one son and two daughters in the family, namely: F. A., manager of an oil company at Muncie, Ohio ; ISIrs. A. C. Pfeifer, of West Bay City, Michigan; and ]\Irs. W. F. John, of Elida, Ohio.

Mr. Hitchcock was reared and secured his literary education in his native State. He took a law course at Valparaiso, Indiana, and was admitted to the bar of that State in 1895. In October, 1896, he was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Michigan, and then located in West Bay City, entering into a law partnership, under the firm name of Walton & Hitchcock. The partnership continued for two years, or until [Mr. Walton was elected city controller, when Mr. Hitchcock moved to Bay City and established himself in his present quarters. His business is a general law practice, including private interests and chancery cases and on numerous occasions he has appeared before the Supreme Court. For six years he was county commissioner of schools, his term of office expiring July i. 1902. As an educator he made many frienils for himself when he first came to Bay City, in 1886. For some years prior to taking up the study of the law, he taught in the county and also in the city. He has never lost his deep interest in educational matters and has been more or less officiall}- connected with the public school system for a number of years, until professional duties claimed his entire attention.

j\Ir. Hitchcock married Alice ]M. Foster, of Rollin, Michigan, and they have two interesting little children, - \\'right A., aged se\"en years, and Alice Dale, aged three years. The pleasant family home is located at No. 303 North Catherine street, ^^'est Bay City.

In politics, Mr. Hitchcock is identified with the Democratic party. Fraternally, he belongs to \\'enona Lodge, No. 296, F. & A. IM. ; Othello Lodge, No. 116, Knights of Pythias; the Sons of Veterans ; the I. O. F., and the Royal Arcanum. Mr. Hitchcock was reared in the Methodist Episcopal Church and attends that church.

EE E. JOSLYN, of Bay City, Michigan, has been so closely identified with the city's progress and well-being for the past decade, and has so worthily won his way to civic prominence and public esteem, that he stands forth as one of her truly representative men. Mr. Joslyn was born July 23, 1864, at Darien, Genesee County, New York, and is one of a family of eight children born to his parents, \\'illis B. and Amy R. <^ Foster) Joslyn.

The Joslyn family is an old one in New York, and one not unknown on the roster of the State's eminent men. Its branches have scattered and many of the more vigorous ones have included pioneers among their members, who have wrought and built along civilization's border. Going back to our subject's grandfather, in the branch in which we are particularly interested, we find Benjamin Joslyn taking an active part in the War of 1812 and, upon his return, settling down in his native village and becoming the genial host of the local inn. Subsequently he became one of the early settlers of Bay Count}', Michigan, and his life closed at West Bay City at the age of 85 years.

Willis B. Joslyn, father of our subject, was born and reared in Genesee County, New York, and there married into another old and notable family, one which has many representatives in public life in the present day. Mr. Joslj-n followed the business of contracting and building. His son Lee, who was the fifth member of the little family, was seven years of age, when the father was called to another State to pursue his avocation. The family spent two years at Alton, McKean County, Pennsylvania, and then settled in Dryden township. Lapeer County, Michigan, where Mr. Joslyn continued contracting un.til 1888. He then sougl't the more advantageous field offered for his business in West Bay City.

Our subject received his literary education in the Union School, at Dryden, Michigan, \\-here he was most creditably graduated in 1881. Although but 17 years of age, his mental alertness was already marked and he was willingly welcomed as a pupil in law by Judge William W. Stickney, of Lapeer, Michigan. His rapid progress under this distinguished jurist elicited flattering commendation from his preceptor. On account of the necessity of earning the means with whicii to continue liis law education,, Mr. Joslyn was not able to give his undivided attention to "Coke" and "Blackstone," and therefore at intervals taught school at various places. For two years he served acceptably as the principal of the Otisville School and one year as principal of the First Ward School of West Bay City. He continued for several years to teach through the winter seasons, mainly through Lapeer and Oakland counties, and to devote his energies assiduously to the study of the law during the summers. His instructors, among whom were Judge George H. Durand, of Flint, Michigan, and Thomas A. E. Weadock, then of Bay City, now of Detroit, were all men of the highest legal ability. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1886, and at once engaged in practice at West Bay City, where his family was located. ^Ir. Joslyn has always been versatile and, during the early days of his practice, when comparatively unknown, he was able to add materially to the rather uncertain income of a young lawyer by newspaper work. This caused his friends to wonder if journalism would not have proved as clear an avenue to success as the profession he had chosen. In March, 1888, he removed to Bay City and occupied an office in connection with United States Commissioner McMath. In the succeeding -fall election, he was elected Circuit Court Commissioner on the Democratic ticket, carrying the election by a majority of 1,320 votes. In 1890 he was reelected Circiut Court Commissioner and two years later was elected prosecuting attorney. He served with ability and energy as city attorney of West Bay City from April, 1897 to 1901.

In April, 1891, Mr. Joslyn opened an office of his own in Bay City and in 1898 located in his present quarters in the Shearer Brothers' Block. As an attorney his rise to prominence has lieen rapid but deserved. He handles probably as large a private practice as any attorney in the county, is local attorney for the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railway Company, and on April II, 1904, was appointed referee in bankruptcy by United States District Judge Swan, of Detroit, for the whole of Northern Michigan. ]Mr. Joslyn was the attorney for the plaintiff in the celebrated case of Oscar W. Baker against the Pere Marquette Railroad Company, to recover about $6,000 damages for the loss of a limb in 1887 at the nth street crossing in Bay City. Soon after the accident occurred, James H. Baker, father of Oscar W., brought suit as next friend against the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad to recover damages. The jury verdict in the Circuit Court was appealed and judgment was affirmed in the Supreme Court. Later the case in which our subject was more particularly interested was brought against the Pere Marquette Railroad Company by Oscar W. Baker, who claimed that he never received any part of the money secured on the original verdict, one-half having gone to attorneys for plaintiff as the fee agreed up^in in the case, and the other half having gone to the plaintiff's father without legal authority, for the reason that the latter had never been made a legal guardian of his son and therefore was not entitled to funds paid into his hands. This latter suit was intended to recover one-half of the total amount. The suit was lately won in the Circuit Court, the verdict being for something over $5,000. This suit is said to be practically without parallel and its progress was watched keenly by members of the legal profession.

In recalling his years of study and selfdenial, it must be gratifying to Mr. Joslyn, asto any other successful worker, to note the rewards of his industry. The bar of his State recognizes in him one of its leading advocates-

He is a man of well-disciplined intellect, clear conceptions, thorough knowledge and enthusiasm for his profession, one whose standards are high, and one whose personal ambitions are recognized as thoroughly honorable. Faithful to the Democratic party and loyal to his friends, he has- given whole-hearted service in the offices of trust to wdiich he has been elected. The future opens up many possibilities to this clear-headed, able man of mental strength and personal integrity. He is chairman of the Democratic County Committee.

While Mr. Joslyn has thus been pushing his way to the front in his profession, he has found time for outside interests. Social by nature, in 1887 he became identified with the fraternal order of Foresters and in this body he has been honored on many occasions. In 1892 at Bay City he was elected high counselor at the meeting of the High Court. In 1893 at the meeting of the same advanced body, which took place at Saginaw, he was elected vice chief ranger. In the succeeding fall, he ^vas appointed high chief ranger to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Frank Millis, who had filled the office, and he served in this high and responsible position until 1897. At the meeting at Port Huron, in this year, ISIr. Joslyn declined an election and succeeded to the honorary title of past high chief ranger. At the meeting at Detroit, in 1898, he was elected to the office of high secretary, a position he continued to fill until 1901, when he declined a reelection. When the Supreme Court of the organization had its notable meeting at Chicago, in 1893, he was the accredited Michigan delegate as he also was to the Supreme Court meeting which took place in 1895, in London, England. He was a member also of the committee on laws for the organization.

scarcely less prominent. Having passed all the lower degrees in Masonry, he is a member of the Michigan Sovereign Consistory of the Scottish Rite, at Detroit. For four years he was chancellor commander of the Bay City Lodge, No. 23, Knights of Pythias, of which he is still a member, and for four years was a member of the Grand Lodge of that order. His other associations are with the Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America, Elks and the Knigths of the Maccabees.

Mr. Joslyn has a pleasant home in Bay City and a delightful domestic circle. In 1893 he was married to Alice L. Wilson, who is a daughter of F. L. Wilson, and they have two sons, - Lee E., Jr., and x\llan W., - both of whom are being reared to take honorable places in life as American citizens.

During the whole period of his residence in Bay County, Mr. Joslyn has been noted for his championship of every movement designed to promote the public welfare and all his efforts have been directed to aid in the advancement of all social, educational and moral interests. In 1886 he was elected a member of the Bay County Board of School Examiners, and in 1887 he became the secretary of the board, a position he resigned September 26, 1887, on account of the press of other matters.

Mr. Joslyn was reared by pious parents in the faith of the Lhiiversalist Church and his whole religious life has been in consonance with the teachings of this faith. He has always taken an active part in church jvvork and has been particularly successful in reaching the young. He was one of the organizers of the Young People's Christian Union of the Universalist Church, a strong and vita! body and has served as its president. In 1889 he was a delegate from that initial body to the Lynn, Massachusetts, convention of the Young People's Christian L'nion, and was then elected president of the national organization, and was the one who drafted its constitution. This notable body of Christian workers has increased from 26 to more than 160 societies, with a membership of 10,000 and has a representation in 21 States.

ILUA^I L. HIXMAX, a general merchant of Bentley. Michigan, is one of the entrprising men of the northern section of Bay County. He was born at Ensley, Newaygo County, Michigan, February 21, 1869, and is a son of Charles and Susan (Dennison) Hinman.

Charles Hinman was born in Kent County, Michigan, where his father was a pioneer, coming from New York. In 18S0. Charles Hinman and wife moved to St. Louis, ^^lichigan, where our subject enjoyed the advantages of a high school training.

In 1889, William L. Hinman went to Thompson's Station, Ogemaw County, JMichigan, as a clerk in a general mercantile store, and remained there two years and then accompanied his employer when the business was removed to Pinconning, in the summer of 1891. In the fall of this year Mr. Hinman opened a branch store for his employer at Bentley, it being practically the only store at that time in the village. Ox-teams were almost the only means of conveyance in the section, as there was only one team of horses in the township. The surrounding country was settling up rapidly and }ilr. Hinman saw that the time was rapidly approaching when a first-class general store at this point would be a necessity, and in 1895 he purchased from the estate of his former employer the stock of the store he was managing, and embarked in business for himself. In 1 90 1 he had the misfortune to lose stock and store by a bad fire. He was partially insured and immediately went to work to rebuild and in a few months had larger quarters and a more complete stock ready. The business has continued to prosper until the present time, Mr. Hinman being an excellent manager and an accommodating merchant.

In 1893, i\Ir. Hinman was married to Abbie Harvey, who is a daughter of Enoch and Permelia (Shaw) Harvey, who came to Bay County from Canada in 1881. ]\Ir. Harvey is now the rural mail carrier out of Bentley and also owns a farm in the vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey have five children : Abbie, wife of Mr. Hinman; Maud, wife of Charles Ross ; Jennie, wife of Charles Buby ; Leander and Roy. Mr. and Mrs. Hinman have two interesting little ones : Charles H., born February 3. 1895; '^iic' Mildred B., born September 21, 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Hinman belong to the Methodist Church at Bentley.

Politically, our subject is identified with the Republican party. Fraternally, he is a Mason, a member of Standish Lodge; and a member of the Knights of the Modern !Maccabees and of the Knights of the ]\Iaccabees of the World.

ORACE D. BLODGETT. who is postmaster and proprietor of a general store at iSIunger, in Merritt township. Bay County. Michigan, was born in Orleans County, New York, April 2, 1835. He is a son of Stephen L. and Hulda (Munger) Blodgett.

The Blodgett family was established in America by three brothers, who came from England during the colonial days and located in ^lassachusetts. The paternal grandfather of our subject served in the Revolutionary War with Ethan Allen and was taken prisoner

Axd Representative Citizens

Stephen L. Blodgett. fatlier of our subject, was born in Middleliury, Vermont, August 20, 1800, and in Middlebury College was prepared for the ministry. He became a local preacher of the Methodist Church and followed farming throughout life. He remained in Vermont until he was 30 years old, then moved to Orleans County, New York, where he resided until he moved to Genesee County, Michigan. He died there in 1881. Politically, he was a Whig until the organization of the Repuljlican party, when he became one of its stanch supporters. He was united in marriage with Hulday Munger, who was born in Connecticut, near Long Island Sound, October 20, 1810. She had four brothers, namely : Lansing, Horace, Curtis and Algernon S. The town of Munger was named in honor of the two last named, who located in Bay City (then known as Lower Saginaw) in 1850, and resided here the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Blodgett died at the age of 85 years, after having given birth to five children, as follows : Horace D. ; Elvira (Molbey), deceased; Jerome, deceased, who served in the 23rd Regiment, Michigan Vol. Inf., under Captain Raymond, in the Civil War; Martha (Auton) deceased; and Laura (Smith) deceased.

Horace D. Blodgett lived in his native county until he was 10 years old, then accompanied his parents to Richfield, Genesee County, Michigan, where he lived for 15 years, attending school and working on the home farm until he was 20, then engaging at lumbering. In i860, he moved to Bay City with his wife, and for two years worked in a sawmill. He then sailed on the river and bay during the open seasons for two years, clerking in a store during the winter months. He next went to Chillicothe, Missouri, and for three and a half years worked in a flour mill there as engineer. Returning to Bay City, he was then for a time employed as engineer in a flour mill, after which he engaged in sailing one year on the river and bay. In the fall of 1875, ^^^ came to the town of Munger, in Alerritt township, and took up 40 acres of swamp and timber land, which he cleared with much difficulty and put under cultivation. On this place he has built three dwellings, barns, a store and post office building, and at the present time rents twodwellings. He conducts a general store which enjoys a liberal patronage and is postmaster at Munger, which is an office of the fourth class and has two rural routes. Mr. Blodgett sold lots for the township hall, a blacksmith shop and dwelling on the home farm, a dwelling, creamery and barn for D. Graham, also a dwelling for E. A. Howell. At the present time he is giving his entire attention to his store and his duties as postmaster.

In 1859, Mr. Blodgett was united in marriage with Lydia Mather, who was born in INIiddlebury, Vermont, in September, 1835, and was a daughter of Isaac Mather. She died in 1883. They became the parents of three children : Willoughby, who was killed at Bay City in 1883 ; aged 23 years ; Arthur J., of West Bay City; and Edward, who died in infancy. Our subject's second marriage was with Louisa E. Ward, who was born in Bay City and is a daughter of James and .\nn (Ritchey) Ward, the former a native of England and the latter, of Scotland. Her parents were married in England in 1849, ^^'^'-^ upon coming to the United States in 1859 located at Bay City, Michigan. Mr. Ward died here at the age of 82 years, and Mrs. Ward is now living with our subject and his wife, being strong and active at the age of 84 years. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Blodgett :

Mary W. ; Jessie ; and Clair. Mr. Blodgett cast his first vote for Gen. John C. Fremont for President, and lias heen unswerving in his support of the Repubhcan party ever since. In 1900 he was appointed by President Mc- Kinley as postmaster at Munger. He is one of the charter meml:)ers of the Presbyterian Church at Alunger, and is one of its trustees. He donated to the church a half-acre tract of ground and assisted in the construction of the cliurch edifice.

IHN A. STEWART, whose Hfe has been devoted to educational work, is superintendent of the city schools of Bay City, Michigan, and is wellknown in the educational circles of the State. He was born in Centerville, St. Joseph County, Michigan, and is a son of Alexander and Maria (Cummings) Stewart, both natives of New Y^ork State.

Mr. Stewart is of Scotch-English descent, his paternal grandparents coming to this country from Scotland. Maternally, he is descended of good old Puritan stock. His great-grandfather Allen was a private in the Continental Army during the Revolution and participated in the battle of Concord. Alexander Stewart was a lumberman during the greater part of his active life; both he and his wife have passed into the Unknown Beyond.

John A. Stewart was the fifth of eight children born to his parents, of which number four are now living. His early education was accjuired in the village school of Wyandotte and was supplemented by a course in the Ann Arbor High School, from which he was graduated in 1 87 1. He then attended the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated with the class of 1875. Immediately thereafter, his life work as an instructor began in the grammar grade in Saginaw. He taught in a private school in Lawrenceville. New Jersey, until 1881, in which year he became superintendent of schools at Monroe, Michigan. In 1888, he moved to Port Huron, where he served as superintendent of schools until 1894, in which year he came to Bay City, Michigan. He is now serving his i ith year as superintendent of the schools of Bay City, and the success attending his efforts has firmly established him in the confidence and good-will of the people. The duties of his office are onerous, there being 127 teachers, exclusive of supply teachers, under his direction, and an enrollment of 4.279 pupils. There are 21 teachers in the Bay City High School, with an enrollment of 540 pupils. There have been many changes for the better effected under his management, and it has been amply evidenced that he is "the right man in the right place." He has been a constant student during these years of labor, is a well-informed and broad-minded man, and has given his duties that conscientious application of his mind and energies, which never fails in the accomplishment of success. He is a member of the National Etlucational Association, the State Educational Association, the Superintendents of Schools' Association, and , the School Masters' Club, keeping in touch with CA'ery organization working along educational lines.

Mr. Stewart was united in marriage with Margaret MacDonald, a daughter of John N. and Mary (McDowell) MacDonald. Her father, now deceased, owned and operated a flouring mill many years and was a prominent man in Baj' County. To this union have been born two children, namely: John A., named after his father; and Mary Jeannette, who is named after her grandmother. Mr. Stweart resides in his pleasant home at No. 908 Van

Buren street. Fraternally, he is a 32nd degree Mason, being a member of the Port Huron Blue Lodge, F. & A. M. ; Bay City Command- No. 26, K. T. ; Bay City Council, No. 53, R. & S. M. ; Bay City Council, Princes of Jerusalem; Saginaw Valley Chapter of Rose Croix at Bay City; Michigan Sovereign Consistory, S. P. R. S., at Detroit; and Moslem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Detroit. He is a devout Christian and a faithful church worker, being an elder of the Presbyterian Church and superintendent of the Sunday-school

ERARDUS VEXNIX, one of the well-known farmers and fruitgrowers of Hampton township. Bay County, Michigan, owning 56 acres of rich land in section 13, township 14, range 5, was born in the city of Oostel Beers, Province of North Brabant, the Netherlands, April 14, 1830, and is a son of Adrian and Anna Katherine (Van Vuct) Vennix.

The parents of Mr. Vennix lived and died in their native land, and our subject and a brother were the only members of the family to come to America. The home farm of 15 acres in the Netherlands has been in the family for generations, now being owned by an aunt -of Mr. Vennix.

Bereft of his parents when very young, Gerardus \'ennix went to live with an uncle for a time. The home estate he and his brother Jacob inherited from their father. When 18 years old he was drafted into the army and in the infantry for five years, not taking part in war as the country was at peace. After liis discharge in 1855, he joined his brother Jacob who had come to the United States in the previous year, leaving his native land on the -day of his marriage. May 20, 1855. He and his wife came directly to Bay City, then known as Lower Saginaw, where ]\lr. \'ennix soun secured work at dock loading and lumbering, teaming and assisting in the making of the first turnpike roads in this section. It was all hard labor, but his rearing had been such as to make him strong and hardy, and by the time he was ready to take up a small tract of government land, he had learned enough English to enable him to successfully transact business.

This land, the same rich, mellow, productive land of his present farm, was then all swamp and he bought it for $1.25 an acre. It could not now l)e purchased for $100 an acre and is not on the market for that. ]\Ir. Vennix has a good, comfortable dwelling here, a substantial barn and all necessary outbuildings and improvements of all kinds and raises sugar beets, garden truck and small fruits, and formerly raised considerable grain.

Mr. Vennix was married first to Ida Rooze, who was born in the X'^etherlands three miles distant from her husband's birthplace, July 18, 1822, and died July 18. 1863, the mother of six children, three of whom survive, namely : Jacob, of Hampton township ; Mrs. Kate Gunn, of Chicago: and Mary, wife of Theodore Jacobs, of Hampton township. His second marriage was to Mary Slattery, a native of Ireland, who died February 14, 1868, leaving one daughter, - Mrs. Johanna Vanden Hurk. On May 20, 1873, Mr. Vennix was married to Jacoba Jacobs, who was born in the Province of Gelderland, the X'etherlands, October 21, 1850, and came to Michigan with her father in April, 1873. A family of eight children were born to this union, the four survivors being: Adrian, born in 1875, a resident of Hampton township; Ida, born November 28, 1882; Clara, born May 19, 1885, and Elizabeth, born August 24. 1887. ]\Ir. Vennix has 29 grandchildren, all of them residents of

Some 14 years ago, Mr. Vennix accompanied Father Rocht on a trip through Belgium and the Netherlands. His absence of 36 years had obliterated almost exevy trace of his old home and he found scarcely a familiar face. His brother Jacob never married and died at his home in 1858, a victim of typhoid fever.

Politically, [Mr. Vennix is a Democrat. He has held the office of highway commissioner, serving when he was the only member of the board and when it consisted of three members. He has also served as school inspector and three terms as township treasurer. A Catholic in religious faith, he has served on the Essexville Parochial School Board for the past 20 years. Portraits of 'Sir. and ]\Irs. Vennox accompany this sketch.

ILLIA^l NITSCHKA, who has been treasurer of the public schools of Kawkawlin township. Bay County, ^^lichigan, for the past seven years, is one of the township's representative farmers, owning a well-improved farm of 120 acres in sections 8 and 17, his handsome residence being situated in the latter section. Mr. Nitschka was born in Germany in 185 1, and is a son of Frederick and Anna (Adam) Nitschka.

The parents of ]Mr. Nitschka were also natives of Germany. In 1866 they moved to Canada with their seven sons, four of whom still reside in the Dominion. The father was born in 1802 and died in 1895. at the age of 93 years. His was a remarkable case in that he never experienced any serious illness until the day prior to his decease. The mother, b.orn in 181 6, still survives, making her home with her son Henrv, in Canada.

As our subject was 15 years of age when his parents settled in Canada, his education had alreafly been secured in his native land. In 1 87 1 he made his first visit to Michigan, asone of the construction gang of the first railroad which was Ijuilt from Detroit to Grand Haven, and called the Northern Railroad. This gave him his first opportunity to save money, wdiich he invested in farming land upon his return to Canada. He secured 100 acres and continued to farm his land there for the following 13 years. During this time he succeeded in saving the sum of $2,400, and in 1885, after selling his Canadian farm, he returned to ]\Iichigan and purchased 80 acres of heavily wooded land in section 8, Kawkawlin township. Bay County, paying $1,000 for this tract. In 1892 he added 40 acres located in section 17. where he subsequently erected one of the finest residences in the locality. Mr. Nitschka had much to contend with in clearing his land and in placing it under cultivation. Only 20 acres isstill in timber. He carries on general farming, raises considerable stock and grows fine fruit. His success is that which conies to those who persevere and lead industrious, temperate and upright lives.

Mr. Nitschka was married in Canada to Anna Bronka, who was a daughter of Gottlieb Bronka, who died aged 76 years. They had a family of 14 children, namely: ]\Iatilda, deceased; Ada, born Decemljer 3, 18 married John Hetz and has six children ; Oscar,, born in 1874: Henry, born in 1876; Anna, born in 1879: Emma, born in 1881, who married Michael Gerringer and has three children : August, born in 1883: Emil, born in 1885: Rudolph, born in 1888; Lena, deceased: Minnie, born in 1891 ; Mary, born in 1893, deceased; ]\Iax, deceased; and Ceolina, born in 1896. Mr. Nitschka and family belong to the Lutheran Church. Politically, he is a Republican- and has always taken a deep interest in puljlic matters in his township. He is universally respected and the confidence shown him by his fellow-citizens has been especially demonstrated in his reelection to one of the most responsible of the township offices.

AMES E. BROCKWAY, a popular attorney of Bay City, Michigan, with offices in the Shearer. Block, was born on a farm near Brockway, in St. Clair County, ^Michigan, in 1872. In early boyhood he was taken to Port Huron by his parents, who were pioneer settlers, of German derivation. He was a resolute and ambitious lad and, after enjoying the advantages of the public school at home until he was 13 years old, went forth into the world to earn his own living. He worked at lumber tallying during the summers, and in tlie winter intervals still pursued his school studies. For se\-eral seasons he was thus employed at Au Sable and Oscoda, until he earned a sufficient amount of money to take a course in the Northern Indiana Normal University. Here he applied himself to law and afterward acquired a knowledge of stenography, while clerking in various law offices. He was admitted to the Bay County bar, and became the law partner of Devere Hall. He served four years as Circuit Court commissioner, being elected to that office on the Republican ticket.

In 1897. ^Ir. Brockway became a member of Company C, of the "Peninsulars," and during the Spanish-American War he served as a corporal of that company in Cuba. He was also clerk, by appointment, to Brigadier-General Duffield until that officer succumbed to yellow fever and was sent to the hospital.

commissioner. 'Sir. Brockway manifested that degree of diligence, discretion and integrity, essential in a position of such responsibility,, and w'on the merited commendation of his fellow citizens. In the fall of 1904 he was elected Representative to the State Legislature on the Republican ticket. He is one of the most earnest advocates of a more comprehensive primary election law, and unless the promise of his early manhood fails of fulfillment, he will yet win recognition in higher fields of endeavor. Mr. Brockway is a 32nd degree Scottish- Rite Mason and a member of ^loslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Detroit ; also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the- Knights of the Modern Maccabees, the Knights of the Loyal Guard, the National League of Veterans and Sons and Spanish War Veterans.

A\'ID F. STONE, i\I. D., a leading physician of Bay City, Michigan, prominent in his profession and enjoying a reputation as a practitioner second to none all through Bay and neighboring counties, was born March 19, 1843, ^^ Parishville, St. Lawrence County, New York,, and is a son of James and Surviah (Elithorp) Stone.

James Stone was born in Queens County,. Ireland, and was a farmer by occupation. His wife was a native of Vermont, belonging tothe old colonial family of Elithorp, one wellknown in the annals of New England.

The boyhood of Dr. Stone was passed on his father's farm in St. Lawrence Couqty and he attended the country schools and then entered the grammar school at Milton, Halton District, Ontario, Canada, where he was graduated in 1864. Lender Dr. Freeman, a well-known medical practitioner at Milton, he read medicine- until he was prepared to accept the position of assistant surgeon to the Toronto General Hospital. There he remained for three years, gaining practical knowledge of his profession, and during this time he took lectures at Toronto University, where he was graduated in 1870. In the same year he received his medical diploma from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Kingston. Ontario. Very soon -thereafter, with his brother, George W. Stone, who had graduated in medicine in 1876 from the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, of New York City, he came to Michigan and located at Metamora, Lapeer County. Neither had much capital, but they possessed a thorough knowledge of their profession and our subject re- -mained in Lapeer County for 23 years ; during this time he and his brother answered calls coming from all over the county and from points which could only be reached by riding or driving horses, because of the lack of railroad facilities at that early day. To his readiness to respond to all calls for his services, no matter what hardships were involved, and to the painstaking care manifested in the treatment of every case, must be attributed the success he achieved. Some of the land he acquired during his residence in Lapeer County, he has disposed -of to good advantage, but is still cjuite a holder of farm property.

On June i, 1889. Dr. Stone settled permanently in Bay City, purchasing a fine residence and four lots on the corner of Center avenue and Johnson street. He established his office this property just west of his residence. He devoted his entire time to his well-established general practice. His skill as a surgeon and his knowledge as a physician have become as valued in Bay as in other counties and his professional services are always in demand, frequently as a consultant.

to Frances Elizabeth Griswold. who is a daughter of Harry Griswold, a pioneer of Bay City, whose biography and portrait appear elsewhere in this work. Dr. and Mrs. Stone have two children: Anna R., who is attending the New England Conservatory of Music at Boston, Massachusetts ; and Albert F., who is a student at Yale, where he has a fine standing.

Dr. Stone is identified with the Republican party, but has never taken a very active interest in politics, the engrossing demands of his profession always absorbing his time and attention. At the same time he is recognized as a very public-spirited citizen. He belongs to the leading associations pertaining to his profession, and is very highly considered in the American Medical Association, Michigan State Medical Society and Bay County Medical Society. Fraternallv, he is a ]\Iason.

LBERT McCLATCHEY, a wellknown member of the bar of Bay County, Michigan, and a very successful attorney at Bay City, with offices in the Phcenix Block, is a native of this State, born in Oakland County, July 31. 1869. He is a son of Robert and Nancy (Noyes) McClatchey.

The mother of Mr. McClatchey is deceased. She was born in Detroit and that city was the family home until 1881, the father being a merchant there for a number of years. He now lives retired, at Harrisville, Michigan.

Albert McClatchey was educated in the schools of Detroit and was educated in the law, under a well-known attorney's direction, through the Sprague Correspondence School, and was admitted to practice at Bay City, in 1895. He has had encouraging professional success and is well-known in all the courts of the city and county.

Politically, he has been very active in the Republican party but has never sought office for himself. For the past two years he has been secretary of the Republican County Committee and did much hard work in the campaign of 1904, which resulted in so great a Republican triumph.

]\Ir. McClatchey is prominent in the Masonic fraternity, being a 32nd degree Mason and a member of Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Detroit. He is past grand master of the ISIcCormick Grand Lodge of Perfection at Bay City, and has filled all the chairs in Bay City Lodge, No. 23, Knights of Pythias. He belongs also to social organizations and has served in many civic bodies.

ALTER W. WILLIAMS, M. D., and MARY A. W. WILLIAMS, M. D., are among the most successful practitioners of medicine of Bay City, ^Michigan. They have resided in this city several years and have come to stay. Both are scions of prominent and representative American families, their ancestors having come to tliis country in the early colonial period.

Dr. Walter W. Williams was born at Lima, Washtenaw County, Michigan, September 14, 1847, 3rid is a son of Gen. Asa and Hannah Harris (Bond) Williams. He is a descendant of Roger ^\'illiams, the founder of Rhode Island, who established the family in this country.

Gen. Asa Williams was born in New London, Connecticut, October 21, 1802, and was descended from a long line of sea captains His mother Cynthia (Pride) Williams, was born

July 27, 1771, and died Octoljer 6, 1855. Gen. Asa Williams came to Michigan in 1825, and" was one of the first settlers of Washtenaw County. He was a man of great industry and executive ability and steadily added to his possessions until he was owner of many hundred acres of valuable land. He took a very active interest in political affairs, being a stanch Democrat, and represented his county in the Legislature. He was a brigadier-general in the State Militia of Michigan, being appointed by Gen. Lewis Cass, then Governor of Michigan. On December 12, 1830, General Williams was joined in marriage with Hannah Harris Bond, who was born November 13, 1809, and of the 10 children born to them, five grew to maturity, namely: William Diah, born March 22, 1834, who died in 1894, at Marquette, Michigan, serving 18 years as circuit judge: Hannah Eliza, born January 11, 1839, who lives at Atlanta, Georgia, and is the widow of Bishop Milton Cravath, to whom she was married October 4, i860; George Rodney, born February 4, 1841, who died at jNIilan, Michigan, in 1903 ; Edwin King, born March 28. 1843. ^^'^'^o was killed at the battle of Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1862; and Walter \\'. General Williams died October 2, 1869, and was survived by his wife who died September 17, 1876.

\\'alter A\\ Williams was reared on the home farm in Washtenaw County, Michigan, and received his intellectual training in the public schools of Lima, the Ann Arbor High School and the University of Michigan. After leaving college he went West, living in the saddle among the cowboys. After the death of his father he settled on the old homestead in Washtenaw County. Some years later he sold it and removed to Eaton Rapids, Michigan, where he also engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a Republican and very active in politics. He was twice elected to the Legislature,

- - in 1887 and 1S89, - and was speaker pro tciii. in 1889. He took up the study of medicine and after securing his degree began practice in Eaton Rapids and then moved to Bay City in 1897. He spent two years in Cahfornia -on account of ill health but never gave up his residence in Bay City. He makes a specialty of electrical therapeutics and skin and chronic diseases. He is a Mason and has been a Knight Templar since 1872.

In 1872, Dr. Walter W. Williams was united in marriage with Mary Achsah Whitaker. Dr. Mary A. Williams is a daughter of Charles and Laura (Beach) Whitaker. The Whitaker coat-of-arms, with a white horse as the crest and bearing the motto "Faith conquers and truth retains," indicates connection with the Wiltshire branch of the family, whose parent stock was from Holmes, Lancashire, England, the family being one of the oldest of that country. The family was established in this couur try by Jonathan Whitaker, who came here from England, first settling in ]\Iassachusetts. He later moved to Long Island, and still later to New Jersey, where he died in 1763. He was the father of Jonathan Whitaker, who was born in 1723 and died June 17, 1786. The latter married Mary Muller, and among their children was Stephen Whitaker, great-grandfather of Dr. Mary Williams. He was born January 19, 1747, and died November 4, 1827. He was in the battle of Monmouth in the Revolutionary War. He married Susan White. Isaac Whitaker, a son of Stephen and Susan (White) Whitaker, was born January 16, 1792. He served his country in the War of 1812. He was joined in marriage with Achsah Cushman, a descendant of Robert Cushman, who served as agent for the "Mayflower." They were parents of Charles Whitaker, who born in Benton, New York, in 1818, and to Michigan in 1836, locating in Lima,

^^'ashtenaw County. He owned and conducted a large farm for many years and made a specialty of thoroughbred stock. He was a Democrat in politics and served many years as supervisor. He was a Royal Arch ]\Iason and a charter member of Chelsea Blue Lodge. He was united in marriage with Laura Beach, who was born in Plattsburgh. New York, in 1824, and was a daughter of William and Polly (Kellogg) Beach. Her grandfather, Capt. Joseph Beach, who spent the last years of his life at Otsego, New York, ser\'ed in the French and Indian \Var and later in the Re\'nlutionary War. He was probably born at Morristown. New Jersey, where he spent a large portion of his life and became the father of six children, the youngest of whom was William Beach, father of Mrs. Charles \\'hitaker. ^^'illiam Beach was born in 1782, and moved to Schenectady, New York, where in 181 1 he was married to Polly Kellogg, a direct descendant of Silas Kellogg, who was a member of the first Continental Congress from Berkshire County, Massachusetts.

Charles and Laura (Beach) Whitaker became the parents of the following children : Finley, of Sandwich, Illinois ; Caroline, of Ann Arbor, Michigan ; Mary Achsah, of Bay City : Ella, wife of William Tuomy, of Ann Arbor, Michigan ; Charles E., one of the most extensive breeders of Black Top sheep in Michigan, who owns and manages the old homestead near Chelsea; and ^^'illiam I., a physician of Durand, Michigan.

Dr. Mary A. W. Williams received lier early education in the public schools and then took the regular course in the medical department of the L^niversitv of Michigan. graduating' in 1 89 1. During the last year of her course she served as assistant to the professor in gynecolog3^ She commenced practice in 1891 at Eaton Rapids and continued until 1897, since

time she has practiced in Bay City, making a specialty of the diseases of women and chilch-en. She is a member of the Bay County IMedical Society, Michigan State Medical Society, and American Medical Association. In 1900 she went to New York City and pursued a course in the New York Post-Graduate School.

Dr. Mary A. W. Williams was brought up according to the old ideas, that is, - to build up an honoral)le character, which is l)etter than wealth to meet the emergencies of life; in this she has proved the sterling qualities of her inheritance. She organized the U. & I. Club, a literary society at Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Soon after coming to Bay City, she joined the Woman's Club. She is allied with church and society.

^'RUS HILLER. who is well-known to the citizens of Bay County, ]\Iichigan, has been engaged in various lines of business during his long residence here and has been highly successful. He is at the present time treasurer of the Bay City Cold Storage & Produce Company, Ltd., of which he was one of the organizers.

Mr. Hiller was born near Flint, in Genesee County, Michigan, December 26, 1841, and is a son of John and Mary (Sherman) Hiller. His grandafther, John Hiller, who. was of German parentage, was born in New York State, and there followed farming throughout his active career. He spent the last years of his life at the home of his son, Jacob, in West Bloomfield, Michigan, where he died in 1864, aged about 93 years. His wife was also of German descent, coming of the Frank family of that country.

in Rochester, New York, January 28, 1808, and died June 30, 1895. ^^ came to JNIichigan in 1836, shortly after his second marriage, taking up and buying land to the extent of 300 acres in Burton township, Genesee County. The house built by him in 1841 is still standing and is now occupied by his daughter, Mrs. Jane Warner. He was a very energetic man and continued actively engaged in farming until within a few years of his death. There was no issue by his first marriage. His second marriage was with Mary Sherman, a daughter of John Sherman, of Churchville. New York, and they had 12 children, 11 of whom grew to maturity, as follows: David W., of Flint, Michigan; Philena, deceased in 1898, aged 63 years, who was the wife of John Graves, of Flint, Michigan; Mary, widow of Theophilus Herrington, of Flint, Michigan; Cyrus; Levi, of Walla Walla, Washington; James P. and Frank, of Flint, Michigan; Henry, of Portland, Oregon ; Lewis, of Flint, Michigan : Jane, wife of Charles K. Warner who is on the homestead farm ; and Charles, of Flint, Michigan. Religously, Mr. and Mrs. Hiller were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being devout Christians and of charitable inclinations. He was a serious minded man, of happy disposition, and had the happy faculty of making friends. No worthy seeker of help was ever refused by him, and in the early days of the community he sheltered many a pioneer until a clearing could be made and a caljin built for him and his family. Such acts of kindness made him a man beloved by all who knew him. Cyrus Hiller continued on the home farm until he was within a few months of being of aije, buviup' of his father the remainder of the period of his minority. For two winters before leaving home, he engaged in teaching school, then in the summer of 1863 worked on a farm, in order that he might attend school the follow- ing winter and brush up for his duties as teacher. He then taught in Wheatland, Hillsdale County, Michigan, and while there met Emily M. Sweezey, to whom he was afterward married. He and his wife stayed on her father's farm until the fall of 1864, when our subject moved to Saginaw and taught school in that vicinity the following winter. In the spring of 1865 he purchased a farm near Fentonville and followed farming, then sold out and purchased a farm near Flint, where he continued for seven years. Selling that property to good advantage, he returned to Saginaw in 1873, and in the spring of the following year became proprietor of a grocery store, which he successfully conducted for four years. He ran a mill boarding house two years, and in 1880 purchased a planing mill in Bay City. He operated this plant successfully until 1899, when it was destroyed by fire a second time; he had immediately rebuilt it in 1889, when it wfts first burned. He decided not to rebuild after the second conflagration, and turned his attention to farming. He owns 328 acres in Wisner township, Tuscola County, which he now rents on shares. Mr. Hiller was one of the organizers of the Bay City Cold Storage & Produce Company, Ltd., and has served as treasurer from the first. This is a flourishing enterprise, having an extensive patronage in Bay City and the surrounding country. Our subject resides with his family at No. 922 North Monroe street. Bay City, where he is enjoying the fruits of a well-spent past in the happy companionship of his family. He is a progressive, public-spirited and well-informed man, taking an earnest interest in the affairs of the nation. State, county and his immediate community. He is a man of striking manner and strong personality, and to a marked degree enjoys the confidence and friendly feeling of his acquaintances. Mr. Hiller married Emily M. Sweezey, a daughter of Joseph yi. Sweezey, of Wheatland, Michigan, and they have an adopted daughter, ]\Iaude. Religiously, they are members of the Madison Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a trustee and a class leader. Fraternally, he is a member of Bay City Lodge, No. 129, F. & A. M. He is a Democrat in politics, and has served on the School Board of Bay City for some years.

EV. EUTROPE LANGLOIS, priest in charge of St. Ann's Church, at Linwood, Bay County, Michigan, and a beloved cleric of the diocese of Grand Rapids of the Roman Catholic Church, was born March 17, 1865, in the Province of Quebec, Canada, and is a son of Cyrille and Cesarie (Guimont) Langlois.

The parents of Father Langlois were both born in Canada, but the family is of French extraction. From his youth Father Langlois was designed for the church and his education was pursued with this end in view. After his graduation from the University of Quebec, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1892. At once he came to Michigan and was settled first at Au Sable, then at Muskegon, and still later at West Bay City. Since October 6, 1894, he has been located at Linwood, and notable are the changes he has brought about. He has accomplished the building of the beautiful St. Ann's Church and the adjoining parsonage and has also rebuilt the old Church of the Sacred Heart, on the stone road, in Kawkawlin township, and he has in contemplation the building of a commodious brick parsonage in connection with the latter church. When he came here at the call of duty, he found church affairs and church property in a bad condition. The present cheerful outlook, as to members and finan- ces, is the outcome of his well-directed energy, his pious zeal and executive ability. Both within and without his congregations, Father Langlois had many friends and admirers.

Father Langlois belongs to the same religious body as did Father Jacques Marquette, who, more than 200 years ago, also inspired by duty and religious zeal, came to what is now the State of Michigan on his mission of peace, helpfulness and good-will. This work has never failed and Father Langlois, in his sphere and generation, has nobly done his part.

EXRY B. LAXDOX. A. M., M. D., whose period of medical practice exceeds that of any other physician in Bay City, Bay County, Michigan, was born March 31, 1840, in Monroe, Michigan, where he received his early mental training. In 1857, Dr. Landon entered the University of Michigan, where he graduated in 1861, with the degree of A. B. He then enlisted in the army, being commissioned ist lieutenant of Company D, 7th Reg. ^lichigan Vol. Inf., of which regiment he was later appointed adjutant, and sen'ed in that capacity until the battle of Fair Oaks. In this engagement he was severely wounded, being shot tlu'ough the chest and left arm. He was compelled to return home and soon afterwards resigned his commission. In the fall of 1862, he entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, but his studies were interrupted in the fall of 1863 by his appointment as assistant surgeon of his old command, with which he remained until the spring of 1864. He then resigned his commission and resumed his medical studies in the University at Ann Arbor. He graduated from the medical department in 1865. The degree of A. M. was conferred upon the Doctor by his alma mater in 1866, in recognition of his ability and scholarly attainments in the line of his profession.

In the spring of 1865, Dr. Landon located in Bay City, where he remained until 1890. In the fall of the latter year, he went to Denver, Colorado, where he was engaed in the practice of medicine for three years, returning in January, 1894, to Bay City.

Of the pioneer physicians of Bay City in 1865, the only ones left are Dr. Landon, and Dr. Johnson, of St. John's. When the former settled here the number of medical practitioners was about 10. Of these Dr. Landon is the only survivor now living in Bay City, and the oldest of all in continuous active practice. Of late years he has been, to a considerable extent, on the retired list.

Dr. Landon has been twice married. On January 22, 1862, he wedded Martha J. Williams, of Ann Arlx>r, Michigan. She died in November, 1883, leaving a son, Dr. Herbert W. Landon, of Lansing, Michigan, who spent one year in the University of Michigan, and afterwards studied in the office of Dr. McGraw, in Detroit. He graduated from the Detroit Medical College in 1898, and was interne for a year at St. Mary's Hospital, being six months in the medical ward, and an equal period in the surgical ward. He was married in February, 1904, to Dorothy Sterling, of Monroe, Michigan, a member of a prominent family there. He is now in active practice at Lansing, being located near the State Agricultural College at that point.

On January 28, 1866, the subject of this sketch was married to Florence Fitzhugh, the youngest daughter of one of the pioneer families of this region, which has always been very prominent. One son resulted from this union,

Dr. Landon is a member of the G. A. R., and of the mihtary Order of the Loyal Legion <of the United States. He is one of the earliest members of the Bay County Medical Society, of which he was secretary when Dr. Horace Tupper was its president. He is the oldest member in Bay City. Next in length of membership is Dr. Isaac E. Randall, of West Bay City, after whom comes Dr. Robert W. Erwin. A portrait of Dr. Landon accompanies this article.

ETER LAROUCHE, one of the wellknown, industrious farmers of Garfield township. Bay County, Michigan, owns a valuable farm of 80 acres which is situated in section 13, in a locality well adapted to general farming and stock-raising. Mr. Larouche was born November 12, 1859, in the Province of Quebec, Canada, and is a son of Peter and Madeline (Claveau) Larouche.

The family is of French extraction. The father did not survive his 46th year, dying in 1865 and leaving his widow with a family of nine children, of whom our subject was the sixth in order of birth.

Mr. Larouche obtained his education in the schools of Quebec, and in 1879 came to Bav City. He spent the succeeding 10 years at work in sawmills and lumber camps. In 1885 he married and two years later bought 40 acres of his present farm. This he cleared and placed under cultivation, and in 1 902 he bought an adjoining 40 acres. He has clear^ed 50 acres from its wild state and has converted it into a valuable farm. In 1899 he built his barn and in 1902 he built his comfortable home; his property has all the necessary out

In 1885, Mr. Larouche married Eugenia St. Peter, who is a daughter of Buzzel St. Peter, of Canada. They have seven children : Peter, born May 12, 18S6: Eva, born August 12, 1889: Clara, born April 20, 1892: Arthur, born October 25, 1894: Alice, born May 30, 1897: Azilda, born October 3, 1901 : and Jennie, born May 5, 1904. The family belong to the Catholic Church.

Politically, [Mr. Larouche is a Republican. He belongs to the Maccabees. He is a very highly respected citizen of Garfield township, an honorable and upright man in business relations, and a careful father and a good neighbor.

RANK A. MILLER, a well-known and prosperous agriculturist, whose farm is located in section 35, Fraser township. Bay County, [Michigan, was born in [Macomb County, Michigan, February 17, i860. He is a son of Adam and Caroline (Wiles) Miller.

Adam Miller was biirn in Germany, February 24, 1829. There he received his schooling, and afterwards served in the German Army for two years. He came to America February 2, 1856, landing at New Orleans. He was the son of John and Fortunate (Stader) Miller, the former of whom died when about 90 years old, and the latter at the age of 63 years. Adam Miller proceeded from New Orleans to Cincinnati, where he remained two years, working in brick-yards, and also on the levee, up and down the [Mississippi River. He then went to Cleveland and from there to Buffalo, and thence into Canada, where he did

In April, 1859. Adam Miller married Caroline Wiles, a native of Lancaster, Ohio, whose father was a carpenter by trade, and spent most of his life in Detroit. To their union seven children were born, namely : Frank A. ; William Henry, who married a Miss Prendergast ; Joseph, who married Georgiana Rivet and has two children, - Gladys and Nelson ; Charles ; George, who first married Jessie Jackson, and afterwards Annie Jones, and has one daughter, - Etta ; and Jesse, deceased.

Frank A. Miller married Emma Benware, a daughter of Joseph Benware, of Wallaceburg, Canada. They have had the following children : John ; Frank ; Elizabeth ; Cora Belle, deceased; Frederick; Annie; Charles: Louis, de- -ceased ; Guy ; Emma : Hugh ; and Willie.

LARENCE H. SLOCUM, general manager of the Michigan Cedar Company and one of the prominent business men of Bay City, Michigan, was born at Providence, Rhode Island, and is a son of Henry W. and Sarah B. (Bonnell) Slocum.

The father of Mr. Slocum died when he was an infant. His mother was born y^ years ago, in New York City, and came to Bay City when her son was four years old. She still survives, a beloved member of his family.

Mr. Slocum obtained a good commonschool education and took a business course at what was then known as Devlin's Business College. It later was merged into the Bay City Business College. He was 16 years old when he entered into business, beginning as office Ixiy with Shearer Brothers^ a large real estate firm, with whom he continued for eight vears. He then accepted an opening in the lumber business with A. Maltby, who subsequentlv organized the Maltby Lumber Company, which failed some time later. Mr. Slocum was connected with one of the city's large manufacturing concerns for about a year and then accepted the position of general manager for the Michigan Cedar Company, one for which he is admirably fitted. He has a thorough knowledge of the business and possesses the traits which are absolutely necessary to success. His strict attention to the details as well as to the various outside complications and interests, and his thoughtful and intelligent management have resulted in the most satisfactory conditions.

The Michigan Cedar Company was organized January 20, 1903, and has associated with it the firm of W^ C. Sterling & Son, of Monroe, Michigan, the largest cedar dealers in the State. This company manufactures cedar poles, ties and posts, deals in timber lands, engages in logging and handles at wholesale all kinds of forest products from the Michigan woods. Their convenient offices are in the Shearer Brothers' Block in Bay City, where I'Mr. Slocum may be found ready to do business, with the assurance of satisfactory work as to quality and quantity.

In 1898, Mr. Slocum was married to Lulu Hulburt, who was a daughter of Dr. Hulburt, of Bay City, and a charming and accomplished lady. She died in June, 1903, lea\-ing a son, Harold Hulburt, who was born May 16, 1899. Mrs. Slocum was sadly missed in her home circle and in the city's social life, as well as in the First Baptist Church, being the leading spirit in many of the young people's benevolent societies. Mr. Slocum is also a church worker and has always shown an interest in the Sunday-school. In 1893 he erected a heautiful home on Green avenue, in the nth Ward, which is presided over by his aged mother.

Mr. Slocum is one of Bay City's representative men and has become so entirely through his own efforts, his success plainly indicating the results of close, persistent attention to the business in hand and the living of a clean, manly, moral life.

prominent and successful physician and surgeon of Bay City, Michigan, has been engaged in practice here throughout almost the whole of his professional career. He was born in Trenton, Michigan, March 19, 1877, and is a son of Frank and Mary (Slazinski) Radzinski, both of whom reside in Detroit.

Frank Radzinski was born in Posen, Germany, in 1846, and in his early days entered upon the study of medicine, but as his parents were wealthy land-owners he lacked the incentive to continue. Until he was 28 years of age, he spent his time looking after his father's interests. He was well educated in the schools of Germany, becoming a fluent speaker of the French, German, Polish and English langauages. He served in the Franco-Prussian War and was severely wounded a number of times, receiving injuries from which he will never fully recover, although his general health is good at the present. After the war, in which his parents lost all their property, he spent one and a half years in France, then came to America in 1874, locating in Detroit where he had a sister residing. He remained a short time, then returned to France, but he found that he liked America much better than Europe. He returned to this country and secured employment in a car works in Detroit. After three of four years he started for himself in the fruit business and during the following 10 years engaged in that business with great success. He next conducted a grocery store, butcher shop and saloon until alwut 1896, when he retired from business activity to enjoy the comforts of home life. He is one of the wealthiest Polish citizens of Detroit, and a man of high standing in that city. He is a member of the Polish Roman Catholic Church. He was united in marriage with Mary Slazinski, a daughter of Jacob Slazinski of Bay City, and they became parents of seven children, four of whom died of diphtheria in infancy. The three who grew to maturity are : Alfred J., Lottie and Paul. Mrs. Radzinski is also a member of the Polish Roman Catholic Church and is secretary of the Ladies' Catholic Benevolent Association of St. Francis' Church. Mr. Radzinski is vice-president of the church and one of its trustees.

Alfred J. Radzinski attended St. Casimer's Parochial School, from which he was graduated, then the pul^lic schools and the Jesuit College in Detroit. He next attended the Detroit College of Medicine, from which he was graduated in 1902. He pursued a course of study in German under a private tutor, and is also a fluent speaker of Polish and English. He worked his own way through college, being employed a portion of the time in the press and mailing departments of the Detroit Free Press. After graduation, he was sent by Professor Robbins to Michigamme as assistant to Dr. H. H. Loveland, with whom he remained 16 weeks. He then came to Bay City, where he has since practiced. He is lecturer on chemistry at Mercy Hospital, supreme examiner for the Bay City Polish National Association and examiner for the Chicago Benevolent Asso-

Dr. Radzinski was united in marriage with Angeline B. Dardas. a daughter of Jacob and Mar)' (Kath) Dardas, of Bay City. Jacob Dardas, one of the oldest Polish citizens of Bay City, was born in Posen, Germany, April 27, 1855, and is a son of Martin and Rosa (Cadon) Dardas. His father was born in Posen, Germany, in Noveml^er, 1816, and died in 1882, aged 66 years. He was a farmer all his life and lived most of the time in the ancestral home of his wife, which had been in the family for many years. Jacob Dardas remained on the home farm until he was 18, then worked for two years in \arious places through Germany, thus becoming familiar with the country and master of his home language. When a boy he attended a German school. At the age of 20 years he came to the United States, locating at Bay City, Michigan, whither his brother Lawrence had preceded him by two years. Bay City was then a very small town, and Mr. Dardas cut down timber within a block of his present place of business. During his first four years here he worked in a sawmill, then was employed three years in a salt-block. In 1882 he started a grocery at No. 701 South Farragut street and continued there until 1901, when he purchased his present fine frame building, which has two large store rooms on the first floor, and a large hall on the second, that is used for society meetings, dances and other gatherings. He conducts a large retail grocery in this building, and enjoys an extensive patronage throughout the ^-icinity. When Mr. Dardas first came to Bay City, there were but 48 Polish families located here, while at the present time there are in the neighborhood of 1,300. He is a Republican in politics, and served one year as supervisor from the Fifth Ward, two years as alderman and two vears as a member of the School Board from the Eighth Ward. In 1891, Mr. Dardas erected a fine residence at No. 705 South Farragut street. He was married in 1877 to Mary Kalh, of Bay City, and the following children blessed their home: Angeline, wife of our subject. Dr. Radzinski; John, of Bay City; Michael M., who is a meml>er of the class of 1906. in the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor; Jacob, of Bay City, who is in the class of 1906 in the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor: and Frank, Clara and Mary. Religiously, the family belong to St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church, of w-hich Mr. Dardas was trustee four years.

Dr. and Mrs. Radzinski are the parents of one daughter, - Lulu. They are consistent members of St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church, and move in the higher social circles of the city. The Doctor is a member of the Polish benevolent associations of Bay City, Chicago and Milwaukee; of the Bay County Medical Society; and of the American Medical Association. He is a thorough student of his profession, and takes high rank among his brother practitioners.

LARENCE E. WALKER, an enterprising citizen of Bay City. Michigan, who is secretary and manager of the Bay City Cold Storage & Produce Company, Ltd., was born in Lapeer County, Michigan, March 9, 1865. He is a son of Roger T. and Harriet (Banghart) Walker.

Thomas Walker, grandfather of Clarence E., was born in England and came to America just Ijefore the birth of Roger T., who was the eldest child. The family located temporarily at Detroit, and subsequently took up some land in Lapeer County. The farm still remains in their possession, Thomas Walker's youngest son, David, being its occupant.

Roger T. Walker was born in Detroit and grew up on the home farm. About 1S72 he started in the lumbering business at Lapeer, and continued operating there until about 1892, when he moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, and was engaged in the same business there until two months before his death. He then returned to Detroit, where he died in 1902, at the age of 62 years. Air. Walker married Harriet Banghart, who was born in 1840 in Almont, IMichigan, and is a daughter of Josiah and Caroline (McCracken) Banghart, of Almont, Michigan, the former a native of New Jersey. Their union resulted in three children, namely : Clarence E. : Frank B.. who is a physician in Detroit ; and Blanche, wife of Henry H. Brewer, of Toronto, Canada. Mr. Walker was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he w^as very active. He was a class leader and held nearly every position in the church. His widow, who lives in Detroit, is also a member of the same religious denomination. In politics, he was a Republican, but never sought office. Fraternally, he was a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of Honor.

Clarence E. Walker received his early mental training in the public schools of Lapeer and in the Detroit Business University and was afterward employed by his father in the lumber business. He became his father's manager and continued until 1892, when he came to Bay City and purchased an interest in the grocery house of Kelley & Company, remaining in that line 10 years. In 1902 he went on the road as a salesman for the wholesale grocery firm of Reid, Murdock & Company, of Chicago. He still handles their business in the Saginaw Valley.

Mr. W^alker organized the Bay City Cold Storage & Produce Company, Ltd., in March, 1903. In the following April the coiupany began the erection of its present fine plant. It is equipped with the "Linde" type of ammonia machine, erected by The Fred W. Wolf Company, of Chicago. The machine has a capacity to cool the same space as would 12 tons of ice in 24 hours. Each room is controlled separately, the temperature ranging from 90 degrees Fahrenheit to zero. The plant has been a success from the start, and the company purchases from the farmers of this section large quantities of produce, eggs, butter, cheese and fruits.

Mr. Walker married Maude Elliott, a daughter of Melvin and Emily (Jones) Elliott,, of Jackson, Michigan. They have three children, - Frank Elliott, Ruth Emily and Harry Edward. The parents are members of the Madison Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, of which JMr. Walker is a trustee. The subject of this sketch is a Republican in politics, but has never sought office.

VWRENCE RUHSTOFER, a representative farmer of Kawkawlin township. Bay County, ]Michigan, who owns a fine farm of 120 acres situated in section 17, was born in 1861 in the town of Amherst, Erie County. New York, and is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Rentier) Ruhstofer.

The father of our subject, who was a small farmer and highly respected citizen of Erie County, New York, died in 1877, in his 6ist year. His wife died in vears.

Lawrence Ruhstofer was the youngest of the six children born to his parents, four of whom are now Hving. He was mainly educated in Niagara County, New York. In the spring of 1879 he removed to Bay County, Michigan, as an employee in a sawmill, subsequently working through the summer seasons as head sawyer in different mills and during the winter seasons at lumbering in the woods. As sawyer he worked at Ashland, Wisconsin, and at Duluth, Minnesota, and spent some time in Georgia, sawing for the Altamaha Cypress Lumber Company. He was also employed for 12 years as head sawyer at Menominee, Michigan, for the Kirby-Carpenter Company.

In 1886 he purchased the first 40 acres of his present farm, on which his home is situated; in January, 1896. he added another 40 acres, and in 1898 still another 40-acre tract, all of it, at the time of purchase, being covered with valuable timber. This has been cleared off to a considerable degree and much of the land is under a fine state of cultivation. Mr. Ruhstofer is one of Kawkawlin township's substantial men, and his prosperity is the direct result of his own enterprise and inustry.

On December 25, 1885, our subject was united in marriage with Mary J. Shaw, of Bay City, who is a daughter of Sidney Shaw, a well-known millwright and cabinet-maker of that city; Sidney Shaw and wife are now residents of Kawkawlin township, having a farm in section 18. Mr. and Mrs. Ruhstofer have had seven children, namely: Sidney Lawrence, born June 17, 1887; Ithamar Roy, born June 23, 1889; Walter John, born February 18, 1891 ; Charles Raymond, born August 17, 1892; Margaret Esther, born July 3, 1894; Byron Wesley, bom December 7, 1895; and Isabella Eleanor, born December 11, 1899.

HARLES A. BIGELOW, who throughout his business career has been identified with lumbering interests, is secretary, treasurer and general manager of The Kneeland-Bigelow Company, engaged in the manufacture of lumber, one of the most important business enterprises of Bay City. Mr. Bigelow was born in Wayne County, Michigan, near the city of Detroit, July 18, 1866, and is a son of Albert E. and Jennie (Ashcroft) Bigelow, and grandson of William C. and Sally Ann (Prindle) Bigelow. His great-grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and the War of 181 2. He lived in Champlain County, New York, many years and was buried there.

William C. Bigelow, the grandfather, was born in Champlain County, New York, and died in 1895, aged 78 years. He settled in iWayne County the year Michigan was admitted to the L^nion, and for two years conducted a stage between Detroit and Redford. He then married and settled upon a farm of 80 acres, fwliich he purchased in Redford. To this tract he constantly added until at one time he was the owner of 640 acres. He soon began operating a sawmill, the lumber produced being hauled on sleighs and wagons to Detroit. He furnished much of the lumber used in the construction of the Michigan Central Railroad and continued lumbering in that vicinity until 1868, when he sold out and moved to Detroit. There, in partnership with his son, Albert E., under the firm name of W. C. & A. E. Bigelow, he established a lumber business, which they continued to conduct for six years. His marriage to Sally Ann Prindle resulted in the following offspring : Albert E. ; Marian, wife of George Reed, of Detroit; George, who died in early manhood ; Louis, who married Ida Norton, of Detroit; and Altha, who died in the bloom of young womanhood.

Albert E. Bigelow was born in Radford township, Wayne County, Michigan, July 14, 1840, and grew up on the home farm. He attended the Normal School at Ypsilanti, and Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Detroit, and while in college was employed as clerk in a shoe store. After his marriage he conducted a farm in Redford township until 1868, when he went to Detroit and formed a partnership with his father in the lumber business. After the retirement of the latter in 1874, our subject continued the business under the firm name of A. E. Bigelow until 1889, when his son, Charles A., became a partner, the firm name being changed to that of A. E. Bigelow & Company. They continued together until 1893, when his son retired from the firm on account of poor health, and he then conducted it alone until 1895, when he sold out to W. A. C. Miller. He has since lived in retirement from active business duties. Fraternally, he is a member of Detroit Commandery, No. i. Knights Templar. During the early part of the Civil War he enlisted in Company J, 24th Reg., Michigan Vol. Inf., and saw much hard fighting. On the first day of the battle of Gettysburg, he was badly wounded and lay in a stone barn unattended until July 4th, when he was sent to the hospital, and then home to recuperate. He rejoined his regiment in the fall of 1863, and in the battle of the Wilderness had the misfortune to be again wounded, the ball passing within an inch of his first wound. He was incapacitated for further service and returned home. He was married to Jennie Ashcroft of Redford, bv whom he had four children, of whom Charles A. is the only one now living. Mrs. Bigelow was a member of the Baptist Church. She died January i, 1875, and in 1876 he formed a second union with Lucia Pierce, of Redford, who died in 1878, without issue. He formed a third marital union at Marquette, Michigan, in 1881, with Lydia A. Houk, of Detroit., and they have two children : Fred and Ruby. He is a Republican in politics, as was his father. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church.

Charles A. Bigelow received his early eduiCational training in the public schools and in the Detroit High School, from which he was graduated. While still in high school, his connection with his father's lumber business began, and he continued as employe until 1889, when he became a partner in the business, the firm becoming A. E. Bigelow S: Company. He continued with the firm until 1892, when he withdrew and went to California because of poor health. He remained there a year and upon his return took care of the business until February, 1894, his father being absent on a trip to California. He then became traveling salesman for The Michelson & Hanson Lumber Company, of Lewiston, Michigan, and continued in that capacity until the organization of The Kneeland-Bigelow Company, which was incorporated under the laws of the State of Michigan on May 30, 1901. Its officers were David M. Kneeland, of Lewiston, president ; George H. Cross, of Lewiston. vice-president ; and Charles A. Bigelow, secretary, treasurer and general manager. The officers remain the same with the exception that Herman Lundene became vice-president in January, 1902, in place of George H. Cross, who retired in 1901. The company first purchased 7.000 acres of hemlock and hardwood timberland in Montmorency County, and now hold something like 10,000 acres. They have their own equipment and do their own logging. On October i, 1 90 1, they took possession of their present sawmill on South Water street^ Bay City, where they own a tract of land between 19th and 21st streets, extending from South Water street to the river. Between September ist and March 15th, they employ nearly 200 men in logging, and between June ist and September ist the force is reduced to about 100 men. Their mill is in operation night and day and gives employment to about 80 men the year around. The lumber is shipped in car-load lots by rail, most of it going to the southern part of the State. It is a concern of great magnitude and has added materially to the prosperity of the city. IMr. Bigelow is a man of recognized ability, farsighted, of keen intellect and of superior executive ability, and his personal efforts have made possible the success of this undertaking.

On October 11, 1887, Charles A. Bigelow was united in the bonds of wedlock with Minnie A. Durkee, a daughter of Philip and Mary. (German) Durkee, both natives of Franklin township, Oakland County, Michigan. Our subject and his wife are consistent followers in the Christian Science faith. Politically, he is a Republican, but has never filled any office.

APT. BENJAMIN BOUTELL, of Bay City, Michigan, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, has filled a commanding position in the business world of the Saginaw Valley for a very long period, and no one has been more closely identified than he with the agencies which have to the extending of education, the encouragement of religion and the cementing of those ties of abounding good-will wdiich have strengthened Bay City's prosperity. This prominent citizen is a native of Michigan, and