History of Michigan, / by Charles Moore. [Vol. 3]

1642

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN

gracious wife this hotel became widely known and exceptionally popular. Mr. Gunton continued his operations as a contractor and builder
and many of the best buildings erected in Grand Traverse county in the
early days attested his skill both as an architect and builder. He also
planned and constructed a number of the pioneer saw mills in this section of Michigan. He was born on the 5th of September, I830, and his
name merits a high place on the enduring roll of the honored pioneers
of Grand Traverse county. His widow, who was born August 27, 1834,
still resides in Traverse City, and is one of the venerable and loved
pioneer women of the county that has been her home since girlhood.
Mr. and Mrs. Gunton became the parents of twelve children, of whom
four are deceased. Caroline M. is the widow of James B. Morgan, to
whom this memoir is dedicated, and she still resides in Traverse City;
Luette is the wife of Nathan White and they reside at Alma, Michigan;
Mrs. Jessie Philipps likewise is a resident of Alma, Michigan; James
R. is a representative citizen of Newberry, Luce county, Michigan;
Thomas G. is identified with business activities in the city of Detroit;
Isabelle is the wife of Frank Meads, of Los Angeles, California; Charles
is a resident of Traverse City and Walter maintains his home at Turlock, California.
Mr. and Mrs. Morgan became the parents of four children, all of
whom were born and reared in Traverse City: Evaline is the wife of
Robert J. McDonald, of Atlanta, Georgia, and she was graduated in Forest Glen College, in the District of Columbia, with the degree of Bachelor
of Arts; Harry died at the age of four years; Grace remains with her
widowed mother in the beautiful family homestead in Traverse City: and
Theron B. is the youngest of the children, following paragraphs giving
further data concerning him, for, as the only surving son, he is well upholding the honors and prestige of the family name.
Theron Birnie Morgan was born in Traverse City on the 2Ist of May,
I882, and after completing the curriculum of the Traverse City high
school he attended Detroit University until he had attained to the age
of seventeen years. He then went to the State of Oregon and settled
on a timber claim in Klamath county, his claim having been seventy
miles distant from a railroad. There he remained two years, working
arduously in cutting timber and making other improvements op his land,
and he then sold the property to advantage. Upon his return to Traverse
City he became associated with the various business activities of his
father, who died two years later, and he was then appointed administrator of the family estate, a position in which he has shown marked ability and discrimination and the important duties of which still demand the
greater part of his time and attention. Mr. Morgan has a wide circle of
friends in his native State, is a Republican in politics, holds membership
in the Wequetong Club, and both he and his wife are popular figures in
the leading social activities of Traverse.City, where also he is affiliated
with the lodge and chapter of the Masonic fraternity and the lodge of
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Associated with fine horses
from his boyhood days, he has a special fondness for equestrian exercise
and keeps most excellent saddle horses, besides which he indulges himself in hunting and fishing as a means of recreation.
On the 25th of October, 1913, was solemnized the marriage of Mr.
Morgan to Miss Della M. Gillette, daughter of James M. Gillette, a
pioneer lumberman of the Grand Traverse region, and he and his wife
reside with his widowed mother.
HENRY SAMUEL COLE, M. D. President of the village of Whitehall,
Dr. Cole's position in the community is exactly measured by his present