that of the Portsmouth Savings Bank vs. the Village of Ashley (91 Mich. 670). The question involved was whether the president and clerk of a village had the legal right to deliver waterworks bonds, without the authority of the council, and whether the innocent purchasers of such bonds could hold the village for their payment. Mr. Searl was attorney for the defendant, and his contention was sustained by the State Supreme Court, which decided that the village was not liable and that the bonds were void. ately interested himself in the canvass, having the gratification of assisting to make the nomination of that gentleman unanimous, at the convention subsequently held at Traverse City. In April, 1905, the Republicans of Gratiot county again united upon Judge Searl as the candidate for the Circuit Bench, his opponent being Judge Stone, the incumbent of the previous six years. The result was a complete victory for the former, who was elected by a majority of 550, nearly twenty per cent of which was given by the voters of Clinton county. Judge Searl has had little opportunity or inclination to devote to interests outside of his profession, although he is a Knight Templar and has a membership in the I. O. O. F., K. of P., Maccabees and Modern Woodmen. In his religious belief he is a Methodist, and his domestic relations are those calculated to round out the life of a Christian, honorable man. On September 30, 1885, he was united in marriage to Miss Maggie A. Smith, daughter of William W. Smith, of Mason, Michigan. Their children are Ethel Maud, Hazel Belle and Willie Chauncey. One of the foremost Republicans of his section of the State, Judge Searl was so absorbed in the practice of his profession that upon several occasions he refused to be a candidate for political offices. But when the people of Gratiot county insisted, in the spring of 1899, that he should allow his name. to be used for the Circuit judgeship, he gave his consent. The judicial convention was held at St. Johns, Clinton county, the Re-able man. publicans of that county presenting as their candidate Judge S. B. Daboll, who had already occupied the position for about ten years. The twelve delegates of each county refused to desert their respective candidates, and, after remaining in deadlock for two weeks, the convention was obliged to adjourn sine die without making a choice. This remarkable state of affairs was the means of placing upon the Circuit Bench the candidate of the Silver ticket, Hon. George P. Stone, of Ithaca, who was elected without opposition. In the summer of 1900 Mr. Searl was urgently requested to allow the presentation of his name as a candidate for Congress in the Eleventh District. He de- | clined on the ground that Hon. A. B. Dar- Levi Stone moved to Bowne, Kent ragh was entitled to the honor, and immedi- | county, Michigan, in 1855, and the sub EORGE P. STONE. This sketch of GE George P. Stone is written by himself at the request of the publishers hereof. He resides at Ithaca, Michigan, and is a lawyer of modest attainments. He was born at Wheatland, Monroe county, New York, August 18, 1848. His father was Levi Stone, son of Elias Stone, Jr., of Colerain, Franklin county, Massachussets. His mother was Phila Preston, daughter of Capt. Salmon Preston, of Oneida county, New York. 50 ject of this sketch had the benefit of a pioneer life. He honestly thinks he had the best father and mother that ever lived, and he knows he could not be half as good as they were if he tried, and he learned long since that it was a mistake to try a hopeless case if the trial can be avoided. He was never educated anywhere. He attended the district schools and afterward taught them; has seen and noticed a few things, and remembered some of them. He read a few law books while teaching, afterward sat in a law office at Lowell and studied some, and was admitted to the Bar in 1873 by Judge Lovell, who was too kind to refuse anything requested of him. He opened an office in Carson City, Michigan, in 1873, and in 1874 was married to Isabella Colton, daughter of Dr. T. B. Colton, of Carson City, Michigan. He was nominated in 1884 on the Republican ticket in Montcalm county for Judge of Probate, but on account of a singular spasm of the voters to lay aside politics, and vote for the best man, he was defeated. In 1885 he moved to Ithaca, Michigan, and followed his profession at this place until 1899, when by reason of his nomination for Circuit Judge on the Democratic ticket, and the inability of the Republicans to agree on a candidate, he was elected. In 1905 he was again nominated for Circuit Judge on the Democratic ticket, but by reason that on this occasion the Republicans did agree on a candidate he was defeated. As a Circuit Judge his rulings and decisions were invariably pronounced fair, impartial and singularly wise by those litigants in whose favor he ruled and decided. He lives on a small farm on the outskirts of town, and has a whole host of the best friends on earth. ON. WILLIAM S. TURCK, the vice HON. president of the First State Bank of Alma, Michigan, formerly conducted by the firm of W. S. Turck & Co., is one of the foremost citizens not only of that place but of the State. He is a pioneer of Gratiot county, has a record for splendid service and bravery in the Civil War, and has won general recognition for his ability in the field of industry and finance. He has also the honor of being a Mason of the longest continuous standing in the county, joining the order in 1861. William S. Turck was born in Port Hope, Canada, August 7, 1839, the son of Zachariah and Rebecca (Decker) Turck. His father, a tanner and currier, was a native of the State of New York, as was his mother, who was born in Schoharie county. The boy's education was only elementary, but at the age of sixteen he was apprenticed as a tanner to his brother Henry, who operated an establishment in Clark township, Durham county, Canada. county, Canada. After four years of that employment he removed to Shelby, Orleans county, New York, where he remained until 1860, when he obtained employment as foreman of the gristmill at Indian Mills, Isabella county, Michigan, which was owned by the United States government. In the fall of 1861 he rented a saw and grist mill standing upon the present site of Alma, the incipient settlement then consisting of three log houses in the midst of a dense forest. He thus continued until the fall of 1862, when his patriotic spirit forced him from the channels of industry into the military field. Mr. Turck was mustered into the Union service as second lieutenant of Company D, Twenty-sixth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Capt. Lafayette Church, and was fortunate in being thus attached to one of the most famous bodies of skirmishers in the Federal armies. It went into rendezvous at Jackson, and in December was assigned to provost duty at Alexandria, Virginia, and in the spring following was ordered to Suffolk, then threatened by General Longstreet. The regiment was highly commended for its discipline, intelligence and soldier-like work displayed at New York City during the progress of the draft riots in 1863, and for the balance of the war it was attached to the Army of the Potomac, First Brigade (General Miles), First Division, Second Army Corps. The regiment was mustered out June 4, 1865. In following Captain Turck's private fortunes the records show that he was promoted to the first lieutenancy April 15, 1863, and to the captaincy of Company D August 12, 1864. He participated in twenty-eight engagements, and at the battle of Spottsylvania was wounded in the head by a minie ball, which necessitated a retirement from duty for ten days. Upon the occasion of Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House Captain Turck was in charge of the brigade skirmishers. Captain Turck returned to Alma and engaged in lumbering during the winter of 1865-66. From 1866 to 1872 he held the position of county treasurer, but his army experience had so impaired his health that he found it necessary to buy a farm and en, gage in outdoor occupations. He passed the succeeding eight years in its improvement, then returning to Alma, where, in association with A. W. Wright and others, he founded the banking house of W. S. Turck & Co. He was one of the stockholders and held the positions of cashier and manager. In 1883 the bank was reorganized, and upon the formation of the establishment of Steel, Turck & Co., at Ithaca, he became a stockholder therein. In 1901 the bank at Alma was merged into the institution known as the First State Bank of Alma, of which, as stated Mr. Turck is vice-president. In 1881 Mr. Turck built a flouring-mill at Alma, the business being conducted under the name of the Alma Milling Company. He sold his interest in the enterprise in 1885. William S. Turck has always been a Republican, his career as a State leader and a member of the House of Representatives of the Legislature commencing with his nomi| nation to that position in the fall of 1876. He was chosen by a handsome majority and his service on the committees on Local Taxation and Drainage, as well as in the general chamber, was of so high a standard that he was re-elected in 1878, again running in advance of his ticket. At that session he was appointed chairman of the Railroad committee and member of the board of managers of the State school at Coldwater. For four years he has also served as a member of the board of management of the Michigan Soldiers Home. Brief reference has been made to Mr. Turck's Masonic career. It may be added that since 1861 he has taken twelve degrees, acted as high priest of Chapter No. 70, of | Ithaca, and finally reached the office of grand high priest of the grand chapter of Michigan. On September 15, 1864, Mr. Turck was married to Miss Louisa R. Ely, a native of New York State, born July 18, 1845, the daughter of Gen. Ralph and Mary E. Ely. General Ely was acknowledged to be the founder of Alma, was immortalized for his bravery in connection with the famous. Eighth Michigan Regiment during the Civil |