Michigan

Biographical Sketch of Edward A. Merritt

Edward A. Merritt, born on February 12, 1862, in Marquette, Michigan, was the son of Daniel H. and Harriett L. Merritt. He received his education in public schools and Racine College before studying at Bryant Stratton and Smith Business College in Cleveland. Merritt worked initially in business with his father, then joined the Cleveland Stone Company in 1888, where he served as assistant treasurer, auditor, stockholder, and director for over twenty-four years. He married Matildia Huntington in 1886 and had one deceased daughter.

Biographical Sketch of Ralph D. Mitchell

Ralph D. Mitchell was born on December 5, 1878, in Marine City, Michigan. He was educated at the University School and Yale University. Married in 1907 to Helen Boyd, he had one son and two daughters. Since 1902, he worked in lake transportation alongside his father, holding leadership positions as vice president of the Cleveland Steamship Company and president of the Gathwick Steamship Company. Additionally, he served as secretary for the Miller Ore Company and was a director for various organizations, engaging actively in local clubs and commerce.

Biography of Dunham O. Munson, M. D.

Dunham O. Munson, M. D., a prominent specialist in Southeastern Kansas, has dedicated over two decades to practice in Pittsburg, focusing exclusively on otolaryngology in recent years. Born in New York in 1859, he pursued medicine at St. Louis’s Marion-Sims College, graduating in 1896. His extensive career includes roles as county health officer and city physician. Munson descends from a distinguished lineage, with roots dating back to 17th-century colonial America. He married Magdalene Begert in 1889 and has one son, Herbert Edwin.

Biography of Judge Glenn Alcorn

Judge Glenn Alcorn, born on June 10, 1886, in Kansas, moved to Oklahoma during his childhood and was educated in Perry and the University of Iowa. He graduated from the University of Michigan’s law school in 1912, establishing a successful legal practice in Muskogee. Alcorn served as an assistant county attorney and later as county judge, earning a reputation for fairness. Married to Lucille Milford in 1915, he served in the U.S. Army during WWI and is active in several fraternal organizations.

Biography of David Adam Kline

David Adam Kline, born June 4, 1874, in Marion County, Iowa, was a prominent attorney in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He studied law at the University of Michigan and the Chicago Law School, later serving as a librarian for the U.S. Circuit Court. Arriving in Muskogee in 1907, Kline specialized in land titles, becoming an authority in the field. He was actively involved in the Muskogee and Oklahoma Bar Associations. Kline married Lucy Leila Wood in 1910 and they had three children, earning a reputable position in his community.

Biography of George Warren Barnes

George Warren Barnes, born on October 29, 1880, in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, has led the Barnes Oil Company since 1901, except for his service during World War I as state director of National War Savings. A pioneer in the oil industry, he helped develop significant oil fields in Oklahoma, including the Glenpool field. Married in 1908 to Madge Mitchell, they have two children. A respected figure in the oil community, he was also involved in numerous civic organizations and contributed to various local initiatives.

Biography of Carl E. Seastrand

Carl E. Seastrand, born on April 12, 1877, in Sweden, immigrated to America in 1907 and entered the tire business. He initially worked in Michigan before moving to Oklahoma, where he joined the Lumbard Severin Tire Company and later co-founded the John Lumbard Tire Supply Company in Muskogee. Following John Lumbard’s death, Seastrand and Lumbard’s widow managed the business, which flourished under their leadership. Seastrand also owned farmland and was active in community organizations, reflecting strong personal values and commitment to his work. He married Polly Farmer and had two daughters.

Biography of John Lumbard

John Lumbard, born in Sweden on May 21, 1862, played a vital role in the development of Muskogee until his death on October 5, 1918. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1891, working initially in the tire industry and eventually establishing the John Lumbard Tire Supply Company in Muskogee. A progressive businessman and community supporter, Lumbard envisioned a major tire factory for the city. His commitment to the community earned him widespread respect, and his legacy continues through his family and business ventures in the region.

Biography of Frank William Boss

Frank William Boss, born on January 4, 1874, in Plymouth, Indiana, established a commendable career in public service after graduating from the University of Michigan Law School in 1897. He practiced law in Plymouth and served as an immigration inspector before becoming the county attorney for Cherokee County in 1912. Known for his integrity and diligence, Boss earned respect for enforcing the law effectively. Married to Alice Lehr, they had two children. He was also active in various fraternal organizations throughout his life.

Biography of Ezra Brainerd, Jr.

Ezra Brainerd, Jr., born on August 26, 1878, in Middlebury, Vermont, has been a prominent lawyer in Muskogee for seventeen years. After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1904, he began his legal career in Muskogee, establishing a successful practice. Brainerd has also been involved in commercial ventures as president of the Muskogee Crystal Ice Company. He married Edith Hubbard and has five daughters. Active in community organizations, he is a member of several fraternal societies, including the Knights Templar and Elks.

Brink, Adala M. – Obituary

Adala M. Brink, 96, died on February 14, 2000, at the Wallowa County Care Center in Enterprise, Oregon. Born on March 23, 1903, in Michigan, she married Peter D. Brink in 1926. The couple moved to Pomeroy, Washington, where she engaged in community activities while he practiced medicine. Later, she worked as a tax accountant in Walla Walla, Washington. Adala is survived by her son, daughter, six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. She requested cremation without services, managed by Bollman Funeral Home.

Biography of J. Homer McCall, M. D.

Dr. J. Homer McCall, born April 2, 1859, in Illinois, was a respected physician and surgeon in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. He was educated at the Osage mission and later studied medicine at Ann Arbor, graduating in 1889. McCall practiced in Kansas City before serving as a surgeon for the Eighth Cavalry in Fort Gibson from 1897. He was active in public affairs as mayor and sought various political offices. McCall managed local farms and was involved in community health and education, earning considerable respect throughout his career.

Biography of Judge Charles Wheeler

Judge Charles Wheeler, born on November 11, 1856, in Three Rivers, Michigan, graduated from Hillsdale College and the University of Michigan with law degrees. He practiced law in Texas for sixteen years before moving to Muskogee in 1898. Elected justice of the peace in 1910, he later became a city court judge and was known for his fairness and competence. He married Martha Mellette in 1887 and has ten living children. An active member of the Episcopal Church, he also enjoys managing his fruit farm.

Erskine, Margaret F. – Obituary

Margaret F. Erskine, born July 2, 1918, in Saginaw County, Michigan, passed away on August 9, 1978, at Wallowa Memorial Hospital after five years of declining health. She married Ray Erskine on May 1, 1953, in Indiana and had recently moved to Wallowa County. Services were conducted at Riverside Cemetery in St. Charles, Michigan. Survived by her husband, a son, two daughters, and several siblings, her arrangements were managed by Bollman Funeral Home.

Biographical Sketch of Ray Edward Munn

Ray Edward Munn, born on October 11, 1881, in Schoolcraft, Michigan, was the son of Edward P. and Martha Heck Munn. He married Martha Broer in Toledo in 1908 and had two children. Munn began his career in dental supplies with Ransom Randolph Co. in 1896, serving as a traveling salesman until 1908. He then managed the Grand Rapids branch and subsequently the Cleveland branch, eventually rising to the position of vice president and manager of the company.

Biographical Sketch of Ernest P. Lenihan

Ernest P. Lenihan, born in Saginaw, Michigan, on October 5, 1873, was an underwriter with a background in marine insurance. He worked in New York and Chicago before relocating to Cleveland in 1901. Lenihan held director positions in several insurance and shipbuilding companies and was affiliated with various professional and social organizations. Politically independent, he was active in the Association of Average Adjusters of the United States and local clubs. He had a particular fondness for the Gulf region.

Biographical Sketch of S. Lewandowski

S. Lewandowski, born in Poland on November 16, 1864, was the son of Joseph and Miss Koszucka Lewandowski. He was educated in Bay City, Michigan, and married Anna Kahinowska in 1885. Lewandowski worked for over 21 years at the Cleveland post office, eventually becoming the superintendent of second class matter. He founded a steamship and foreign exchange office in 1901 and was instrumental in establishing the Polish newspaper Poloniaow Ameryce. A member of the Polish National Alliance, he organized the Polish St. Casimir Parish and contributed significantly to his community.

Biography of Fred M. Watkins, M. D.

Dr. Fred M. Watkins, born on November 22, 1868, in Michigan, embodies a remarkable blend of success across professions, including medicine, business, and politics. After establishing himself as a skilled physician in Wetmore, Kansas, he joined his family’s Cherryvale Ice and Cold Storage Company, now a crucial local enterprise. Active in politics, he serves as a legislator in Montgomery County and is dedicated to education and community service. A member of several fraternal organizations and the Presbyterian Church, he balances his professional commitments with family life, including three children.

Biography of Rufus Joel Hill

Rufus Joel Hill, born February 16, 1838, in St. Lawrence County, New York, comes from a distinguished colonial lineage. A prominent Kansas pioneer attorney, he played a significant role in the development of Independence, where he settled in 1872. With a law career spanning decades, he notably served the legal interests of the Osage Indians until 1911. A staunch Republican and community leader, Hill is recognized for his contributions to both law and civic affairs throughout Kansas. He married Annie Hargrave, and they have several children who also reside in Independence.

Biography of Bert Edward Nussbaum

Bert Edward Nussbaum, born on February 16, 1875, in La Porte, Indiana, is a distinguished lawyer in Muskogee, Oklahoma. After studying at the University of Notre Dame and the University of Michigan, he began his legal career in 1896. Nussbaum moved to Muskogee in 1907, where he achieved a solid reputation for his legal expertise and dedication to high professional standards. He is active in the Muskogee Law Library and various social organizations, and he enjoys golf in his leisure time.