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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 116 - 117 |
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FREDERICK W. HECTOR
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Frederick W. Hector, who is supervisor of Clam Lake township and one of the leading, progressive and prosperous farmers of Wexford county, is a native of Sweden, born on the 12th of June, 1847. The first fifteen years of his life were passed in that country, and during the last fifteen years of that time he was engaged in gardening. On leaving that country he went to Denmark, where he followed gardening on his own account for three years or until 1865, when attracted by the possibilities of the new world in a business way he resolved to try his fortune in America and sailed for New York, taking passage on a westward-bound vessel that weighed anchor in the harbor of Copenhagen in May, 1865, and reached its destination in June. On reaching this country he made his way to Manistee and entered the employ of the late John Canfield, for whom he worked at scaling logs for seven years. At the end of that time he came to Wexford county, settling at what was then called Clam Lake, but is now the city of Cadillac. This was in June, 1872, and for about three years after his arrival he was employed at different occupations, but chiefly at scaling logs and at tallying. About 1875 Mr. Hector invested the money which he had earned in forty acres of land, forming the nucleus of his present landed possessions. This tract is on section 8, Clam Lake township, and upon it he has since resided. Since he made the purchase he has given his time and attention almost wholly to general farming and dairying, and as his financial resources have increased he has added to his land until he now has a valuable and extensive farm of two hundred and eighty acres, of which one hundred and twenty acres is cultivated, the green fields giving promise of rich harvests in the autumn. He has erected a fine set of farm buildings, including a modern residence, a large barn and sheds for the shelter of his stock and farm implements. None of the equipments of the model farm of the twentieth century are there lacking. On the 7th of April, 1870, in Manistee, Michigan, Mr. Hector
was married to Miss Otillie Corcart, a native of Germany, born on the 23d of
December, 1848. They now have five living children, as follows: Emil; Otto;
Theressa, the wife of Edward J. Smith, of Cherry Grove township; Albert and
Delphina. They have also lost four children, who died in early youth. Mr.
Hectors official connection with Wexford county has been of a character to make
him a valued citizen of his community, He has held the office of justice of the
peace and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial. He was also township
treasurer and township supervisor, and in matters of public moment he is deeply
interested, acting for the good of the community along many lines of progress
and substantial upbuilding here. When the village of Clam Lake, now Cadillac,
the county seat, was incorporated, he was elected one of its trustees. He has
witnessed almost the entire growth and development of the county and has taken
an active part in reclaiming its wild lands for the uses of agriculture. He has
seen great advance along other business lines and feels a justifiable pride in
what has been accomplished in the county. |