i.--^^^ '^v ^^''X "* -^ "^oV^ ..-jv"^ t .°-n.^ 'bV ■^^0^ ' -o^*^^%o^ V^^\/ %*^^\°' V'^\^^'' V^^%°' • • » V ^5, *'T;t' a a"* *i •■ - -I r 'V • o . o ■' A ■( ,**\" . ^,-^,T'' A • • • \ "«*. '-<,>' '.To' .4^ 'o "'.-.,'• .0 -^ *,;„o o,> „^^'"-^_ "-..^'^ 4 O 4 O ^.- .h^ "^o '.^4^^*^ ' ,0^ - - ' •^■ V « ' ■ °' c .0' \ ■ ■'^ -.0^ s> ''.To'" V^' V • ' * °- cv "*bv V^^ .0 . > • • • "> . ' * O' V . ' • •- C ";-. °- . •* r\^ . o • • • r-. c<>" • . O .,V ■ ■► I I ^*- ^•►HI-4* -^.r-^S^ -H>H- 1«5<^« UK greiitost of Kiiglisli liisturians, IMacaui.kv, and one of tlio nio.st biilliunt wiitt-rs of the past century, has said : '-Tlie history of a country is best told in a record of the lives of its people." In conformity with this idea the Poktkait and Bioouaphical Ai.iii'.M of this county has been prepared. Instead of going to rausty records, and taking therefrom dry statistical matter that can be appreciated by "but few, our corps of writers have gone to the people, the men and women who have, by their enterprise and industry, brought the; county to a rank second to none among those comprising this great and noble Stjite, and from their lips have the story of their life struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelli- gent public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by industry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women, with an ll^"^ influence extending througliout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have ^^W'\S^ become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and "^ ^ records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of many, very man\', who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued "the even tenor of their way," content to have it said of them as Christ said of the woman perfonning a deed of mercy — "the}' have done what tiiey could." It tells how that many in the pride and strength of j'oung manhood left the jilow anil the anvil, llie lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's call went forth valiantlj' ''to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored and peace once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of ever}' woman is a lesson that should not be lost upon those who follow after. Coming generations will api)rcciate this volume and i)rcscrve it as a sacred treasure, from the fact that it contains so much that would never find its way into public records, and which would otherwise be inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work and every opportunity possible given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and the publishers llattcr them- selves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In a<)dilion to the biograph- ical sketches, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given. The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this the puljlishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused to give the information necessar}' to compile a sketch, while othei-s were indifferent. Occasionally «omc member of the famil}- would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such opposition the support of the interested one would be withheld. In a few instances men could never be found, tliongh repeated calls were made at their residence or place of business. ( II.M'.M.V.N IlKOS. Chujaco, September, 1888. ••► t i^ ^^.f.-,*-.^^* + r '^t '^ s^fe ^^^Cx^V^ ^ I iMi J u -•► FIJiST PRESWExVT. 4^ HE F'ather of our Country was M :^ SECOND PBESJDENT. 23 \ la ,^** .tMy'^.W;.*.****^^^;^^ ^7^)1 OHN ADAMS, the second , President and the first Vice- ' President of the United States, was born in Braintree { now Quincy),Mass., and about ten miles from Boston, Oct. 19, 1735. His great-grandfather, Henry Adams, emigrated from England about 1640, with a family of eight . sons, and settled at Braintree. The parents of John were John and Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His father was a farmer of limited means, to whicli he added the bus- iness of shoemaking. He gave his eldest son, John, a classical educa- tion at Harvard College. John graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a "school of affliction," from which he endeavored to gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the study of law. For this purpose he placed himself under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He had thought seriously of the clerical profession but seems to have been turned from this Ijy what he termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun- cils, of diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,'' of the operations of which he had been a witness in his native town. He was well fitted for the legal profession, jx)ssessing a clear, sonorous voice, being ready and fluent of speech, and having quick percep- tive jKjwers. He gradually gained [jractice, and in 1764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his marriage, (i7'')5), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa- tion turned liim from law to jwlitics. He took initial gte|)s toward holding a town meeting, and the resoiu- ' ■'«"*WjJ( tions he offered on the subject became very jwpulat throughout the Provmce, and were adopted word for word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos- ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous and prominent advocatesof the popular cause, and was chosen a member of the General Court (the I.eg- lislature) in 1770. Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress, which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himself by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad- vocated the movement for independence against the majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies should assume the duties of self-government. He was a prominent member of the committee of five appointed June it, to prepare a declaration of inde- pendence. This article was drawn by JeflTerson, but on Adams devolved the task of battling it through Congress in a three days debate. On the day after the Declaration of Independence was passed, while his soul was yet warm with the glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wife, which, as we read it now, seems to have beendictated liy the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "the greatest question was decided that ever was debated in America; and greater, jierhaps, never was or will be decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, ' that these United States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde- pendent states.' The day is passed. The fourth of July, 1776, will be a memorable ejioch in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to .Mmighty Cod, It ought to be solemnized with ]>omp, shows. r i. 24 JOHN ADAMS. games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward for ever. You will think me transix)rted with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these States; yet, through all the gloom, 1 can see the rays of light and glory. 1 can see that the end is worth more than all the means; and that posterity will triumph, although you and I may rue, which 1 hope we shall not." In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a delegate to France and to co-operate with Bemjamin Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money from the French Government. This was a severe trial to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home, compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex- posed him to great peril of capture by the British cruis- ers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17, 1779. In September of the same year he was again chosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readi- ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet might be found willing to listen to such proposels. He sailed for France in November, from there he went to Holland, where he negotiated important loans and formed important commercial treaties. Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed Jan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement, toil and an.xiety through which Mr. Adams had passed threw him into a fever. After suffering from a con- tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he was advised to goto England to drink the waters of Bath. While in England, still drooping anddesjwnd- ing, he received dispatches from his own government urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through storm, on sea, on horseback and foot,he made the trip. February 24, 1785, Congress appointed Mr. Adams envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face to face the King of England, who had so long re- garded him as a traitor. As England did not condescend to appoint a minister to the United States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accom- plishing but little, he sought permission to return to his own country, where he arrived in June, 1788. When Washington was first chosen President, John Adams, rendered "illustiious liy his signal services at home and abroad, was chosen Vice President. Again at the second election of Washington as President, Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash- ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was elected President, though not without muchoi)])osition. Serving in this office four years,he was succeeded liy Mr. Jefferson, hisoppcment in politics. While Mr. Adams was Vice President the great French Revolution shook the continent of Europe, and it was upon this point which he was at issue wiih the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson. Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their ixjwer of self-government, and he utterly abhored the classof atheist pliilosophers who he claimed caused it. On the otiier hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence or- iginated the alienation between these distinguished men, and two powerful parties were thus soon organ- ized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies were with England and Jefferso)i led the other in sympathy with France. The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feeling had died away, and he had begun to receive that just appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till after death. No one could look upon his venerable form, and think of what he had done and suffered, and how he had given up all the prime and strength of his life to the public good, without the deepest emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar good fortune to witness the complete success of the institution which he had been so active in creating and supporting. In r824, his cup of happiness was filled to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest station in the gift of the people. The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde- pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the signers of that immortal instrument left upon the earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is well known, on that day two of these finished their earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. Adams had lieen rapidly failing, and on the morning of the fourth he found himself too weak to rise from his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In- dependence FOREVER." When the day was ushered in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew what day it was? He replied, "O yes; it js the glor- ious fourth of July — God bless it — God bless you all." In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and glorious day." The last words he uttered were, "Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, re- signed his spiiit into the hands of his God. The personal appearance and manners of Mr. Adams were not particularly prepossessing. His face, as his portrait manifests,was intellectual ard exj^res- sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and his manners were frequently abrupt and uncourteous. He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor the engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked the manners and address of Jefferson. J! ^J I <* ,t •;%?7^ •► i r^ < - THIRD PRESIDENT. ,t 27 %r HOMAS JEFFERSON was burn April 2, 1743, at Sliad- »>*ucll, All>erinarlc < ounty, Va. His parents were Peter and jane ( Randolph) Jefferson, the former a native of Wales, and the latter born in Lon- don. To them were born six daughters and two sons, of whom Thomas was the elder. When 14 years of age his father died. He received a most liberal education, hav- ing been kept diligently at school from the time he was five years of age. In 1760 he entered William and Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat of tlie Colonial Court, and it was the obodeof fashion a.id splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17 years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine horses, and much caressed by gay society, yet he was earnestly devoted to his studies, and irreproacha- able in his morals. It is strange, however, under such influences.that he was not ruined. In the sec- ond year of his college course, moved by some un- explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses, society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had previously given much time. He often devoted fifteen hours a day to hard study, allowing himself for ex- ercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out of the city and back again. He thus attained very high intellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso- phy and the languages. The most difticult Latin and Oreek authors he read with facility. A more finished scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls: and there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a more pureminded, ujjright, gentlemanly young man. Immediately uixjn leaving college he began the study of law. For the short time he continued in the practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin- guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a lawyer. But the times called for greater action. The policy of England had awakened the spirit of resistance of the American Colonies, and the enlarged views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led him into active iwlitical life. In 1769 he was chosen a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. In 1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beauti- ful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow. UiX)n Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, there was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, which commanded a prospect of wonderful extent and beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected for his new home; and here he reared a mansion of modest yet elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon, became the most distinguished resort in our land. In 1775 he was sent to the Colonial Congress, where, though a silent member, his aiiilities as a writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he was placed uix)n a number of imjwrtant committees, and was chairman of the one appointed for the draw- ing up of a declaration of indeiiendence. This com- mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was apiKjinted to draw up the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con- gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July 4, 1776. What must have been the feelii-gs of that I *» 4 28 THOMAS JEFFERSON. K- man — what the emotions that swelled his breast — who was charged with the preparation of that Dec- laration, which, while it made known the wrongs of America, was also to publish her to the world, free, soverign and independent. It is one of the most re- markable papers ever written ; and did no other effort of the mind of its author exist, that alone would be sufficient to stamp his name with immortality. In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to Patrick Henry, as Governor of Virginia. At one time the British officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to Monticello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five minutes elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jef- ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses- sion of the British troops. His wife's health, never very good, was much injured by this excitement, and in the summer of 1782 she died. Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783. Two years later he was appointed Minister Plenipo- tentiary to France. Returning to the United States in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned Jan. T, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi- dent, and four years later was elected President over Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In 1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity, and George Clinton, Vice President. The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra- tion was disturbed by an event which threatened the tranquility and peace of the Union ; this was the con- spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a military expedition into the Spanish territories on our southwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there a new republic. This has been generally supposed was a mere pretext ; and althougji it has not been generally known what his real plans were, there is no doubt that they were of a far more dangerous character. In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for which Mr. Jefferson had lieen elected, he determined to retire from political life. For a period of nearly forty years, he had been continually before the pub- lic, and all that time had been employed in offices of the greatest trust and resix)nsibility. Having thus de- voted the best part of his life to the service of his country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his declining years required, and upon the organization of the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid fare- well forever to public life, and retired to Monticello. Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole families came in their coaches with their horses, — fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and nurses, — and remained three and even six months. Life at Monticello, for years, resembled that at a fashionable watering-place. The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver- sary of the Declaration of American Independence, great preparations were made in every part of the Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer. and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara- tion, to participate in their testivities. But an ill- ness, which had been of several weeks duration, and had been continually increasing, compelled him to decline the invitation. On the second of July, the disease under which he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced state that his medical attendants, entertained no hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the next day, which was Monday, he asked of those around him, the day of the month, and on being told it was the third of July, he expressed the earnest wish that he might be permitted to breathe the airof the fiftieth anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, whose dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land, burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for- ever. And what a noble consummation of a noble life! To die on that day, — the birthday of a nation,- - the day which his own name and his own act had rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him, as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings, was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life. Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin- dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear him company, left the scene of his earthly honors. Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of freedom ; hand in hand, during the dark and desper- ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and animated their desponding countrymen; for half a century they had labored together for the good of the country; and now hand in hand they depart. In their lives they had been united in the same great cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not divided. In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes were light, his hair originally red, in after life became white and silvery; his complexion was fair, his fore- head broad, and his whole countenance intelligent and thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as well as personal courage; and his command of tem- per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends never recollected to have seen him in a passion. His manners, though dignified, were simple and un- affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver- sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic ; and his language was remarkably pure and correct. He was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is discernable the care with which he formed his style upon the best models of antiquity. *t ■'it ''!lxu^^-^ j(^C{ ec^oCcf (TK, -4^ FOURTH PRESIDENT. 3' n^EQES npDISOI). AMES MADISON, "Father of the Constitution," and fourth [^'President of the United States, was born March i6, 1757, and died at his home in Virginia, ""'i^ June 28, 1836. The name of o James Madison is inseparably con- nected with most of tlie imiwrtant events in that heroic period of our \ country during which tlie founda- tions of this great reijubhc were laid. He was the last of the fomiders of the Constitution of the United States to be called to his eternal reward. The Madison family were among the early emigrants to the New World, landing uixin the shores of the Chesa- peake but 15 years after the settle- ment of Jamestown. The father of James Madison was an opulent planter, residing uix)n a very fine es- tate called "Montpelier," Orange Co., Va. The mansion was situated in the midst of scenery highly pictur- esque and romantic, on the west side of South-west Mo\intain, at the foot of Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of Jefferson at Monticello. The closest personal and ixjlitical attachment existed between these illustrious men, from their early youth until death. The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of 18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey. Here he applied himself to study with the most im- prudent zeal ; allowing himself, for months, but three hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor of constitution. He graduated in 177 i, with a feeble body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning which embellished and gave proficiency to his subsf quent career. Returning to Virginia, he conunenced the study of law and a course of extensive and systematic reading. This educational course, the spirit of the times in which he lived, and the society with which he asso- ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work of a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of mind, and his frail health leading him to think that his life was not to be long, he directed es|5ecial atten- tion to theological studies. Endowed with a mind singularly free from i)assion and prejudice, and with almost unequalled ix)wers of reasoning, he weighed all the arguments for and against revealed religion, until his faith became so established as never to be shaken. In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to frame the constitution of the State. The next year (1777), he was a candidate for the General Assembly. He refused to treat the whisky-lovir.g voters, and consequently lost his election ; but those who had witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, and he was apjxjinted to the Executive Council. Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were Governors of V'irginia while Mr. Madison remained member of the Council ; and their ai)preciation of his ■■ n 32 JAMES MADISON. intellectual, social and moral worth, contributed not a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year 1780, he was elected a member of the Continental Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of the most conspicuous positions among them. For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con- gress, one of its most active and influential members. In the year 1784, his term having expired, he was elected a member of the Virginia Legislature. No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the utter inetficiency of the old confederacy, with no na- tional government, with no power to form treaties which would be binding, or to enforce law. There was not any -State more prominent than Virginia in the declaration, that an efficient national government must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison carried a resolution through the Ceneral Assembly of Virginia, inviting the other States to appoint commis- sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss this subject. Five States only were represented. The convention, however, issued another call, drawn up by Mr. Madison, urging all the States to send their delegates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to draft a Constitution for the United States, to take the place of that Confederate League. The delegates met at the time appointed. Every State but Rhode Island was represented. George Washington was chosen president of the convention; and the present Consti- tution of the United States was then and there formed. There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac- tive in framing this immortal document than the mind and the pen of James Madison. The Constitution, adopted by a vote 8r to 79, was to be presented to the several States for acceptance. But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected we should be left but a conglomeration of independent States, with but little jKDwer at home and little respect abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the conven- tion to draw up an address to the people of the United States, expounding the principles of the Constitution, and urging its adoption. There was great opposition to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and went into effect in 1789. Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre- sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the avowed leader of the Republican party. While in New York attending Congress, he met Mrs. Todd, a young widow of remarkable power of fascination, whom he married. Slie was in person and character queenly, and probably no lady has thus far occupied so prominent a position in the very peculiar society which has constituted our republican court as Mrs. Madison. Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State under Jefferson, and at the close of his administration was chosen President. At this time the encroach- ments of England had brought us to the verge of war. British orders in council destioyed our commerce, and our flag was exposed to constant insult. Mr. Madison was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiring in his disposition, war had no charms for him. But the meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood boil, even now, to think of an American ship brought to, upon the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser. A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal- ance he selects any number whom he may please to designate as British subjects ; orders them down the ship's side into his boat ; and places them on the gun- deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the battles of England. This right of search and im- pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce the British cabinet to relinquish. On the 1 8th of June, 1812, President Madison gave his approval to an act of Congress declaring war against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4th of March, 1813, was re-elected by a large majority, and entered upon his second term of office. This is not the place to describe the various adventures of this war on the land and on the water. Our infant navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap- pling with the most formidable power which ever swept the seas. Tlie contest commenced in earnest by the appearance of a British fleet, early in February, 18 13, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole coast of tlie United States under blockade. The Emperor of Russia offered his services as me ditator. America accepted ; England refused. A Brit- ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks ofthePatuxet River, near its entrance into Chesa- peake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladens- burg, upon Washington. The straggling little city of Washington was thrown into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of the metropolis. The whole population fled from the city. The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the White House, with her carriage drawn up at the door to await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers in a council of war. He met our troops utterly routed, and he could not go back without danger of being captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Presidential Mansion, the Capitol, and all the public buildings in Washington were in flames. The war closed after two years of fighting, and on Feb. 13, 1815, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent. On the 4th of Marcli, 1817, his second term of office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beau- tiful home at Montpelier, and there passed the re- mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi- son died July 12, 1849. M. It FIFTH PRESIDENT. 35 priQES Il]OI]ItOE. ^spr ^p.^ AMES. MONROE, the fifth Presidentof The United States, was liorn in Westmoreland Co., Va., April 28, 1758. His early life was passed at the place of nativity. His ancestors had for S many years resided in the prov- ince in which he was born. \\'heii, at 17 years of age, in the process ^^ of completing his education at William and Mary College, the Co- lonial Congress assembled at Phila- delphia to deliberate ujwn the un- just and manifold oppressions of Great Britian, declared the separa- tion of the Colonies, and promul- gated the Declaration of Indepen- dence. Had he been born ten years before it is highly probable that he would have been one of the signers of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left school and enlisted among the patriots. He joined the army when everything looked hope- less and gloomy. The number of deserters increased from day to day. The invading armies came [xjuring in ; and the tories not only favored the cause of the mother country, but disheartened the new recruits, who were sufficiently terrified at the prospect of con- tending with an enemy whom they had been taught to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through difficulty and danger, the United States owe their lX)litical emancipation. The young cadet joined the ranks, and espoused the cause of his injured country, with a firm determination to live or die with her strife -^ ■- for liberty. Firmly yet sadly lie shared in the mel- ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and White Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled before its foes through New Jersey. In four nmnths after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg- ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the left shoulder. As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was pro- moted a captain of infantry; and, having recovered from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however, receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an officer in the staff of Ix)rd Sterling. During the cam- paigns of 1777 and 1778, in the actions of Brandy wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued aid-de-canip ; but becoming desirous to regain his position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a regiment for tlie Virginia line. This scheme failed owing to the exhausted condition of the State. l^ixDn this failure he entered the otiice of Mr. Jefferson, at that period Governor, and pursued, with considerable ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however, entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag; but on the invasions of the enemy, se^^'ed as a volun- teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits. In 1782, he was elected from King George county, a member of the Leglislature of Virginia, and by that body he was elevated to a seat in the Executive Council. He was thus honored with the confidence of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having at this early period displayed some of tliat ability and aptitude for legislation, which were afterwards employed with unremitting energy for the public good, — , ■» f 36 JAMES MONROE. he was in the succeeding year chosen a member of the Congress of the United States. Deeply as Mr. Monroe felt the imperfections of the old Confederacy, he was opiX)sed to the new Constitution, ihinking, with many others of the Republican party, that it gave too much power to the Central Government, and not enough to the individual States. Still he re- tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition secured its adoption. In 1789, lie became a member of the United States Senate; which office he held for four years. Every month the line of distinction be- tween the two great parties which divided the nation, the Federal and the Republican, was growing more distinct. The two prominent ideas which now sep- arated them were, that the Republican party was in sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a strict construction of the Constitution as to give the Central Government as little power, and the State Governments as much power, as the Constitution would warrant. The Federalists sympathized with England, and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- stitution, which would give as much jiower to the Central Government as that document could ix)ssibly authorize. The leading Federalists and Republicans were alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the good of the nation. Two more honest men or more pure patriots than John Adams tlie Federalist, and James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In building up this majestic nation, which is destined to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com- bination of their antagonism was needed to create the light equilibrium. And yet each in his day was de- nounced as almost a demon. Washington was then President. England had es- poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi- ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn into the conflict. We were feeble and far away. Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be- tween these contending powers. France had helped us in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotisms of Europe were now combined to prevent the French from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse than that which we had endured Col. Monroe, more magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous and noble nature. He violently opposed the Pres- ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in magnanimity. Washington, who could appreciate such a character, developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness, by appointing that very James Monroe, who was de- nouncing the ix)licy of the Government, as the minister of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr. Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention in France with the most enthusiastic demonstrations. Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. Mon- roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the office for three years. He was again sent to France to co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining the vast territory then known as the Province of Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob- tained from Spain. Their united efforts were suc- cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and district of Louisiana were added to the United States. This was probably tlie largest transfer of real estate which was ever made in all the history of the world^ From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob- tain from that country some recognition of our rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those odious impressments of our seamen. But Eng- land was unrelenting. He again returned to Eng- land on the same mission, but could receive no redress. He returned to his home and was again chosen Governor of Virginia. Tliis he soon resigned to accept the position of Secretary of State imder Madison. Wiiile in this office war with England was declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during these trying times, the duties of the War Department were also put upon him. He was truly the armor- bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient business man in his cabinet. Upon the return ol peace he resigned the Department of War, but con- tinued in the office of Secretary of State until the ex- piration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. At the elec- tion held the previous autumn Mr. Monroe himself had been chosen President with but little opposition, and upon March 4, 1817, was inaugurated. Four years later he was elected for a second term. Among the important measures of his Presidency were the cession of Florida to the United States; the Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine.'' This famous doctrine, since known as the " Monroe doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. At that time the United States had recognized the independ- ence of the .South American states, and did not wish to have European jxjwers longer attempting to sub- due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine is as follows". "That we should consider any attempt on the part of European powers to extend their sys- tem to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety," and "that we could not view any interfxisition for the purpose of oppressing or controlling American governments or provinces in any other light than as a manifestation by European powers of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States." This doctrine immediately affected the course of foreign governments, and has become the approved sentiment of the United States. At the end of his second term Mr. Monroe retired to his home in Virginia, where he lived until 1830, when he went to New York to live with his son-in- law. In that city he died, on the 4th of July, 1831. ^ •► J, ^ . lAi aAn-,/^ «► ■ ^ - SIXTIf PRESIDENT. 30 \r 'X*^ V^i-.-^ V . TP^ylc^ TPt> V^TVS V^>iV- T^/^--. V -Vrt>. V -ik^TP^i*^^ V^Iv- V -, .^^f ^i= OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the sixth President of the United States, was born in the rural iiome of his honored fatlier, John Adams, in Quincy, Mass., on the I ith cf July, 1767. His mother, a woman of exalted worth, watched over liis childhood during the almost constant ab- sence of liis father. When but eight years of age, he stood with his mother on an eminence, listen- ing to the booming of the great bat- tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on upon the smoke and flames billow- ing up from the conflagration of Charlestown. When but eleven years old he took a tearful adieu of his mother, to sail with his father for Europe, through a fleet of hostile British cruisers. The bright, animated boy sjient a year and a half in I'aris, where his father was associated with Franklin and Lee as minister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attracted the notice of these distinguished men, and he received from them flattering marks of attention. Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this country, in 1779, ere he was again sent aliroad. Again John Quincy accompanied his father. At Paris he apjilied himself with great diligence, for six months, to study; then accompained his father to Holland, where he entered, first a school in .Amsterdam, then the Ihiiversity at Leyden. About a year from this time, in 1781, when the manly boy was but fourteen years of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our min- ister to the Russian court, as his private secretar)-. In this school of incessant lalx)r .and of enobling culture he spent fourteen months, and then returned to Holland through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and Bremen. This long journey he took alone, in the winter, when in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed his studies, under a priv.nte tutor, at Hague. Thence, 4« — in the spring of r782, he accompanied his father to Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintance with the most distinguisheil men on the Continent; examining architectural remains, galleries of paintings, and all renowned works of art. At Paris he again became associated with the most illustrious men of all lands in the contemj)lations of the loftiest temiwral themes which can engross the human mind. After a short visit to England he returned to Paris, and consecrated all his energies to study until May, 17S5, when he returned to .America. 'I'o a Ijrilliant young man of eighteen, who had seen much of llie world, and who was familiar with the etiquette of courts, a residence with his father in London, under such cir- cmnstances, must have been extremely attractive; but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he pre- ferred to return to .\merica to com[)lete his education in an American college. He wished then to study law, that with an honorable profession, he might be able to obtain an independent supiwrt. LTlwn leaving Harvard College, at the age of twenty, he studied law for three years. In June, 1794, be- ing then but twenty-seven years of age, he was ap- ixiinted by Washington, resident minister at the Netherlands. .Sailing from Boston in July, he reached London in October, where he was immediately admit- ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney, assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with Great Brilian. After thus spending a fortnight in London, he proceeded to the Hague. In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as minister plenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal, upon arriving in Ixsndon, he met with despatches directing him to the court of Berlin, but requesting him to remain in London until he should receive his instructions. ^\ hile waiting he was mairicd to an American lady to whom he had been jirevionsly en- gaged, — Miss Ix)uisa Catherine Johnson, daughter of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in London ; a lady endownd with that beauty and those arroin- plishment which eminently fitted her to move in the elevated sphere for which she was destined. i 40 /OJIJV QUINCY ADAMS. He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ; where he remained until July, 1799, when, having ful- filled all the purposes of his mission, he solicited his recall. Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to the Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then was elected Senator of the United States for six years, from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, his ability and his experience, placed him immediately among the most prominent and influential members of that body. Especially did he sustain the tiovern- ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach- ments of England, destroying our commerce and in- sulting our flag. There was no man in America more familiar with the arrogance of the British court upon these points, and no one more resolved to present a firm resistance. In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres- idential chair, and he immediately nominated John Quincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resign- ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked at Boston, in August, 1809. While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu- dent. He devoted his attention to the language and history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the European system of weights, measures, and coins ; to the climate and astronomical observations ; while he Kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and Latin classics. In all the universities of Europe, a more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found. All through life the Bible constituted an imjx)rtant part of his studies. It was his rule to read five chapters every day. On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe took the Presidential chair, and immediately apjxjinted Mr. Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num- erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he sailed in June, 1819, forthe United States. On the i8th of August, he again crossed the threshold of his home in Quincy. During the eight yearsof Mr. Mon- roe's administration, Mr. Adams continued Secretary of State. Some time before the close of Mr. Monroe's second term of office, new candidates began to be presented for the Presidency. The friends of Mr. Adams brought forward his name. It was an exciting campaign. Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re- ceived ninety-nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four; William H. Crawford, forty-one; Henry Clay, thirty- seven. As there was no choice by the people, the question went to the House of Representatives. Mr. Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and he was elected. The friends of all the disappointed candidates now combined in a venomous and persistent assault upon Mr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in the past history of our country than the abuse which was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was an administration more pure in principles, more con- scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun- try, than that of John Quincy Adams; and never, per- haps, was there an administration more unscrupu- lously and outrageously assailed. Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab- stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising early, and taking much exercise. \Vhen at his homein Quincy, he has been known to walk, before breakfast, seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his own fire and applying himself to work in his library often long before dawn. On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired from the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew- Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice Presi- dent. The slavery (piestion now began to assume }X)rtentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to Quincy and to his studies, which he jHirsued with un- abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re- main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was elected representative to Congress. For seventeen years, until his death, he occupied the post as repre- sentative, towering above all his peers, ever ready to do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of "the old man eloquent." Uix>n taking his seat in the House, he announced that he should hold him- self bound to no party. Probably there never was a member more devoted to his duties. He was usually the first in his place in the morning, and the last to leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. The battle which Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, against the proslavery party in the Government, was sublime in Its moral daring and heroism. For persisting in presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he was threatened with indictment by the grand jury, with expulsion from the House, with assassination ; but no threats could intimidate him, and his final triumph was complete. It has been said of President Adams, that when his body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of fourscore years, yielding to the simple faith of a little child, he was accustomed to repeat every night, liefore he slept, the prajer which his mother taught him in his infant years. On the 2 Tst of February, T848, he rose on tlie floor of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by paraly- sis, and was caught in the arms of those around him. For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious- ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and said " This is //if end of earth .-"then after a moment's pause he added, "' I am con fen/." These were the last words of the grand " Old Man Eloquent." •►• I .^^■fj^'^i^-' J^^ ; <^ SEVENTH PRESIDENT. 43 i^iSa !^s^ ij^j!jm,M,.9-.®fSW7aTT»>~ I -^o^J^£/5^§S^?~^^*«'■ NDRKW JACKSON, the seventh President of tlie United States, was born in Waxhaw settlement, N. (;., March 15, 1767, a few days after his father's death. His parents were poor emigrants from Ireland, and took up their abode in Waxhaw set- tlement, where they lived in eleepest [Xjverty. Andrew, or Andy, as he was universally called, grew up a very rough, rude, turbulent boy. His features were coarse, his form un- gainly; and there was but very little in his character, made visible, which was at- tractive. When only thirteen years old he joined the volun- teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In 1781, he and his brother Robert were captured and imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " 1 am a [irisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of the dauntless boy. The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate blow at the head of the helpless young prisoner. Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear- ful gashes, — one on the hand and the otiier u]x)n the head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert with the same demand. He also refused, and re- ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which ([uite disabled him, and which probably soon after caused his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and were finally stricken with the small-jxix. Their ^ ' mother was successful in obtaining their exchange. and look iicr sick boys home. Alter a long illness .\ndrew recovered, and the death of his mother soon left him entirely friendless. Andrew supiwrted himself in various ways, sucii as working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and clerking in a general store, until 1784, when he entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however, gave more attention to the wild amusements of the times than to his studies, in 1788, he was apiX)inted solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of which Tennessee was then a part. This involved many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear, and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmish with the Sharp Knife. In 1791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who supjxjsed herself divorced from her former husband, (jreat was tlie surprise of l>otli parties, two years later, to find that the conditions of the divorce had just been definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur- rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr. Jackson into disfavor. During these years he worked hard at his profes- sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand, one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec- ially disgraceful. In January, 179'i, the Territory of Tennessee then containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con- stitution. Five were sent from each of the eleven counties. .Andrew Jackson was one of the delegates. The new Stale was entitled to but one member in the National House of Representatives. Andrew Jack- son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held iis > ► l l ^ ^> 44 ANDRE W JACKSON. sessions, — a. distance of about eight hundred miles. Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo- cratic party. Jefferson was his idol. He admired Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr. Jackson took liis seat, Gjn. Washington, whose second term of office was then expiring, delivered his last speech to Congress. .'\ committee drew up a complimentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson did not approve of the address, and was one of the twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to say that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been '" wise, firm and patriotic." Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home. Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Supreme Court of his State, which position he held fjr si.x years. When tiie war of 1812 with (ireat Britian com- menced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair. Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there was an unknown man in tlie West, Andrew [ackson, who would do credit to a commission if one were con- ferred u[X3n him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson offered his services and those of twenty-five hundred volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troops were assembled at Nashville. As the British were hourly expected to make an at- tack upon New Orleans, where tien. Wilkinson was in command, he was ordered to descend the river with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson. The expedition reached Natchez; and afteradelay of sev- eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything, the men were ordered l)ack to their homes. But the energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him golden opinions ; and he became tlie most popular man in the State. It was in this expedition that his toughness gave him the nickname of "()ld Hickory." Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col. Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman made about his taking a [lart as second in a duel, in which a younger brotlier of Benton's was engaged, he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was lingering uixm a bed of suffering news came that the Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from Flonda to the Lakes, to exterminate the white set- tlers, were committing the most awful ravages. De- cisive action became necessary. Gen. Jackson, with his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis- tance, gave his amazing energies to tlie raising of an army to rendezvous at Fayeltesville, .\labama. The Creek Indians had established a strong fort on one of the bends of theTallauoosa River, near the cen- ter of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort .Strother. With an army of two thoiisand men. Gen. Jackson traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven days. He reached their fort, called Tohopeka or Horse-shoe, on the 27th of March. 1814. The bend of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres of tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow- neck the Indians liad constructed a formidable breast- work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, witli an ample suplyof arms were assembled. The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des- perate. Not an Indian would accept of fiuarter. When bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en- deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn- ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was awful and revolting. .Some threw themselves into the river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war- rios were killed A few probably, in the night, swam the river and escaped. This ended the war. The power of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold plunge into the wilderness, with its terriffic slaughter, so appalled the savages, that the haggard remnants of the bands came to the camp, begging for peace. This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con- centrate all our militia uixjn the British, who were the allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will than Gen. Jackson could have conducted this Indian campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he was appointed major-general. Late in .\ugust, with an army of two thousa)id men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson came to Mobile. ,\ British fleet came from Pensacola, landed a force upon the beach, anchored near the little fort, and from both ship and shore commenced a furious assault. The Ijattle was long and doubtful. At length one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired. Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, And the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued, was in reality a very arduous campaign. This won for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name. Here his troops, which numbered about four thousand men, won a signal victory over the British army of about nine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the loss of the British was two thousand six liundred. The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men- tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824, he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however, successful in the election of 1828, and was re-elected for a second term in 1832. In 1829, just before he assumed the reins of the government, he met with the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has perhaps never l)een surpassed. From the shock of her death he never recovered. His administration was one of the most memorable in the annals of our country; applauded by one party, condemned by the other. No man had more bitter enemies or warmer friends. At the expiration of his two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where he died )une 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jack- son's life were that of a devoted Christian man. 1^ t 7 ? y^^ ^-^^i^u<^, I -4^ EIGHTH PRESIDENT. -•»- 47 5@>>aJ^^7%^€^fe^^V®)^<®><5)(c)^5 \m^m "^T^ mmi' % ARTIN VAN BUREN, the eighth President of the United States, was born at Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5, 1782. He died at the same [)lace, July 24, 1862. His body rests in the cemetery at Kinderhook, Above it is a plain granite shaft fifteen feet high, bearing a simple inscription about half way up on one face. The lot is unfenced, unliordered or unbounded by shrub or flower. There is but little in the life of Martin Van Buren of romantic interest. He fought no battles, engaged in no wild adventures. Though his life was stormy in political and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those incidents which give zest to biography. His an- cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland to tlie banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer, residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel- ligence and e.xemplary piety. He was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un- usual activity, vigor and strengtli of mind. At the age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies in his native village, and commenced the study of law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven years of study in a law-oftice were required of him before he could be adujitted to the bar. Ins|)ired witli a lofty ambition, and conscious of liis powers, he pur- sued his studies witli indefatigable industry. After ^pending six years in an office in his native village. he went to the city of N'ew York, and prosecuted his studies for the seventii year. In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years of age, commenced the practice of law in his native vil- lage. The great conflict between the Federal and Rei)ublican party was then at its height. Mr. Van Buren was from the beginning a ixslitician. He had, perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the many discussions which had been carried on in his father's liotel. He was in cordial sympathy with Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently esiwused the cause of State Riglits ; though at that time the Fed- eral party held the supremacy lx)th in his town and State. His success and increasing ruputation led him after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, th.; county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years , constantly gaining strength by contending in the courts with some of the ablest men who have .idorned the bar of his State. Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mi. Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for beauty and accomplishments. After twelve short years she sank into the grave, the victim of consump- tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep over her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren was an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The record of those years is barren in items of public interest. In 181 2, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to the State Senate, and gave his strenuous su|)ix)rt to Mr. Madison's adminstration. In 1815, he was ap- pointed .Attorney-Cieneral, and the next year moved to Albany, the capital of the State. While he was .ncknowledged as one of the most piouiincnt Icadeis of the Democratic party, he had MARTIN VAN BUREN. i the moral courage to avow that true democracy did not require that " universal suffrage" which admits the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of governing tlie State. In true consistency with his democratic ])iincii)les, lio contended tliat, while the [lath leading to tlie privilege of voting sliould be open to every man without distinction, no one should be invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue and some ])roperty interests in the welfare of the State. In 182 1 he was elected a member of the United States Senate; and in the same year, lie took a seat in the convention to revise the constitution of his native State. His course in this convention secured the approval of men of all parties. No one could doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the interests of all classes in the community. In the Senate of the United .States, he rose at once to a consiiicuous position as an active and useful legislator. In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in the Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to the Senate. He had been from the beginning a de- termined opposer of the .\dministration, ado|)ting the "State Rights" view in opposition to what was deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams. Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen (jovernorof the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United States contributed so much towards ejecting John Q. Adams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was re- garded throughout the United States as one of the most skillful, sagacious and cunning of jxjliticians. It was supix)sed that no one knew so well as he how to touch the secret spiings of action; how to pull all the wires to put his machinery in motion; and how to organize a political army which would, secretly and stealthily accomplish the most gigantic results. By these powers it is said that he outv.'itted Mr. Adams, Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which few thought then could be accomplished. When Andrew Jackson was elected President he apix/inted Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This |X)sition he resigned in 1831, and was immediately appointed Minister to England, where he went the same autumn. The Senate, however, when it met, refused to ratify the nomination, and he returned home, apparently untroubled; was nominated Vice President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election of President Jackson ; and with smiles for all and fiowns for none, he took his place at the head of that Senate which h.id refused to confirm his nomination as ambassador. His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favor- ite; and this, probably mure than any other cause, secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief Execu- tive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren re- ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen. Jackson as President of the United States. He was elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the canvass," says Mr. Partoii, "the election of Mr. Van Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen. Jackson as though the Constitution had conferred upon him the power to appoint a successor. ' His administration was filled with exciting events. 'l"he insurrection in Canada, which threatened to in- volve this country in war with England, the agitation of the slavery question, and finally the great commer- cial ])anic which sisread over the country, all were trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at- tributed to the management of the Democratic party, and brought the President into such disfavor that he failed of re election. With the e.\ception of being nominated for the Presidency by the "Free Soil " Democrats, in 1848, Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate until his death. He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits, and living within his income, had now fortunately a competence for his declining years. His unblemished character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned patriotism, and the distinguished positions which he had occupied in the government of our country, se- cured to him not only the homage of his party, but the respect ot the whole community. It was on the 4th of March, 1841, that Mr. Van Buren retired from the presidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald^ he still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics of the country. From this time until his death, on the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of culture and of wealth ; enjoying in a healthy old age, probably far more happiness than he had before experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life, y -•► t -^ //; //a^zyi^y^^— -U NINTH PRESIDENT. S' WlSsSsMM B-K^'Kl lAWRts.Qlll, ^% I f ILLIAM HENRY HARRI- SON, the ninth President of the United States, was born at Berkeley, Va., Feb. g, 1773. His father, Benjamin Harri- son, was in comparatively op- ulent circumstances, and was one of the most distinguished men of his day. He was an intimate friend of George Washington, was early elected a member of the Continental Congress, and was conspicuous among the patriots of Virginia in resisting the encroachments of the British crown. In the celebrated Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har- rison and John Hancock were both candidates for the office of speaker. Mr Harrison was subsequently chosen Governor of Virginia, and was twice re-elected. His son, William Henry, of course enjoyed in childhood all the advantages which wealth and intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- ing received a thorough common-school education, he entered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated with honor soon after tlie death of his father. He then repaired to Philadelphia to study medicine under the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of Robert Morris, both of whom were, with hi» father, signers of the Declaration of Independence. IJlwn the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not- withstanding the remonstrances of his friends, he abandoned his medical studies and entered the army, having obtained a commission of Ensign from Presi- -^« ' dent Washington. He was then but 19 years old. From that time he passed gradually upward in rank until he became aid to General Wayne, after whose death he resigned his commission. He was then ajv pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This Territory was then entitled to but one member in Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that position. In the spring of 1800 the North-western Territory was divided by Congress into two jwrtions. The eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced in the State of Ohio, was called " The Territory north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, which included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil- liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was ajv pointed by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as extensive a realm as any sovereign uixjn the globe. He was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in- vested with jKjwers nearly dictatorial over the now rapidly increasing white jxipulation. The ability and fidelity with which he discharged these res|X}nsible duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four times apix)inted to this office — first by John .Xdams, twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi- dent Madison. When he began his adminstration there were but three white settlements in that almost boundless region, now crowded with cities and resounding with all the tumult of wealth and traffic. Oneof these settlements was on the Ohio, nearly opposite Ix)uisville; one at Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the third a French settlement. The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrison reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. About -ti^M- 52 WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. :i^h^ the year 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers, of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One of these was called Tecumseh, or " Tlie Crouching Panther;" the other, OUiwacheca, or "The Prophet." Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit- able perseverance in any enterprise in which he might engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm, and had long regarded with dread and with hatred the encroachment of the whites upon the hunting- grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was anorator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath which they dwelt. But the Prophet was not merely an orator : he was, in the superstitious minds of tlie Indians, invested with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a magician. \Vith an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went from trilie to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent by the Great .Spirit. Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippe- canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter. October 28, 18 12, his army began its march. When near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made their appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was approacliing them in so hostile an attitude. After a short conference, arrangements were made for a meet- ing the next day, to agree upon terms of peace. But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with the Indian character to be deceived by such protes- tations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en- campment, he took every precaution against surprise. His troops were posted in a hollow square, and slept upon their arms. The troops threw themselves upon the ground for rest; but every man had his accourtrements on, his loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa- tion with his aids by tlie eml)ers of a waning fire. It was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi- ble, and just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all the desperation which superstition and passion most highly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the little army. The savages had been amply provided with guns and ammunition by the English. Their war-whoop was accompained by a shower of bullets. The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide- Dus yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a speedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's troops stood as immovable as the rocks around them until day dawned : they then made a simultaneous charge with the bayonet, and swept every thing be- fore them, and completely routing i^c foe, Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked to the utmost. The British descending from the Can - adas, were of themselves a very formidable force ; but with their savage allies, rushing like wolves from the ^ forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn- ing, plundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier was plunged into a state of consternation which even the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive. The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra- tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. Under these despairing circumstances. Gov. Harrison was appointed by President Madison commander-in- chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake Detroit, and to protect the frontiers. It would be difficult to place a man in a situation demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but (jeneral Harrison was found equal to the position, and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re> sponsibilities. He won the love of his soldiers by always sharing, with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket lashed over his saddle. Thirty-five Britisii officers, his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle. The only fare he could give them was beef roasted before the fire, without bread or salt. In 1816, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member of the National House of Representatives, to represent the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved an active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested the attention of all the members. In i8ig, Harrison was elected to the Senate of Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential electors of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The same year he was chosen to the United States Senate. In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brought him forward as a candidate for the Presidency against Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the close of iMr. Van Buren's term, he was re -nominated by his party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated by the Whigs, with John Tyler forthe Vice Presidency. The contest was very animated. Gen. Jackson gave all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but his triumph was signal. The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster at its head as Secretary of State, was one of the most l)rilliant with which any President had ever been surrounded. Never were the prospects of an admin- istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and joyous prospects, Gen. Harrison was seized by a pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sick- ness, died on the 4th of April ; just one month after his inauguration as President of the United States. ^»» ^ H "» n u TENTH PRESIDENT. I'YLEM. ^l OHN TYLER, the ten ' '*' , Presidentof the United States. He was born in Charles-city Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He was the favored child of af- ;"^^ fluence and high social po- / citinn At the early age of sition. twelve, John entered William and Mary College and grad- uated with much honor when but seventeen years old. After graduating, he devoted him- self with great assiduity to the study of law, partly with his father and partly with Edmund Randolph, one of the most distin- guished lawyers of Virginia. At nineteen years of age, ne commenced the practice of law. His success was rapid and aston- ishing. It is said that three months had not elapsed ere there was scarcely a case on the dock- et of the court in which he was not retained. When but t\venty-one years of age, he was almost unanimously elected to a seat in the State Legislature. He connected himself witli the Demo- cratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of Jefferson and Madison. For five successive years he was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the unanimous vote or his county. When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and ably with the Democratic party, opposing a national bank, internal improvements by tlie General Govern- ment, a protective tariff, and advocating a strict con- struction of the Constitution, and the most careful vigilance over State rights. His labors in Congress were so arduous that before the close of his second term \\i found it necessary to resign and retire to his estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He, however, soon after consented to take his seat in the State Legislature, where his influence was powerful in promoting public works of great utility. With a reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen by a very large majority of votes. Governor of his native State. His administration was signally a suc- cessful one. His iwpularity secured his re-election. John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of the United States. K iX)rtion of the Democratic party was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, and brought forward John Tyler as his opixanenl, considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient IKjpularity to succeed against the renowned orator of Roanoke. Mr. Tyler was the victor. In accordance with his professions, ujxin taking his seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opiX)si- tion. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren- uously opjxDsed all restrictions upon slaverv-. resist- ing all projects of internal improvements by the Gen- eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Gen. Jackson, by his opposition to the nuliifiers, had abandoned the principles of the Democratic party. Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a record in perfect accordance with the principles which he had always avowed. Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of liis profession. There was a rplit in the Democratic V r I ;6 ■•► JOIfAT TYLER. party. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef- fersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli- ments upon him. He had now attained the age of forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con- sequence of his devotion to public business, his pri- vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; and it was not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice of law, and devoted himself to the culture of his plan- tation. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, for the better education of his children ; and he again took his seat in the Legislature of Virginia. By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in 1839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Har- rison, a genuine \Vhig, much to the disapix)intment of the .South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili- ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres- ident. It was well known that he was not in sympa- thy with the Whig party in the North: but the Vice President has but very little power in the Govern- ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre- side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap- pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a Democratic Vice President were chosen. In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi- dent of the United States. In one short month from that time. President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler thus found himself, to his own surprise and that of the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential chair. This was a new test of the stability of our institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler was at home in Williamsburg when he received the unexpected tidings of the death of President Harri- son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of April was inaugurated to the high and responsible office. He was placed in a position of exceeding delicacy and difficulty. All his long life he had been opposed to the main principles of the party which had brought him into power. He had ever been a con- sistent, hone it man, with an unblemished record. Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should he retain them, and thus surround himself with coun- sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own? or, on the other hand, should he turn against the party which had elected him and select a cabinet in har- mony with himself, and which would opix)se all those views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub- lic welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He in- vited the cabinet which President Harrison had selected to retain their seats. He reccommended a day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and bless us. The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States. The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with his veto. He suggested, however, that he ivould approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval. It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture. It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M. Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely touched the pride of the President. The opposition now exultingly received the Presi- dent into their arms. Tlie party which elected him denounced him bitterly. All the members of his cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a meeting and issued an address to the people of the United States, proclaiming that all political alliance between the Whigs and President Tyler were at an end. Still the President attempted to conciliate. He appointed a new cabmet of distinguished Whigs and Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign, forced out by the pressure of his Whig friends. Thus the four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administra- tion passed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The land was filled with murmurs and vituperation. Whigs and Democrats alike assailed him. More and more, however, he brought himself into sympathy with his old friends, the Democrats, until at the close of his term, he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr. Polk, the Democratic candidate for his successor. On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the harassments of office, to the regret of neither party, and probably to his own unspeakal.)le relief. His first wife, Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842; and in June, 1844, President Tyler was again married, at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of many personal and intellectual accomplishments. The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly in retirement at his beautiful home, — Sherwood For- est, Charles-city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in his manners, richly furnished with mformation from books and experience in the world, and possessing brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was the scene of unusual attractions. With sufficient moans for the exercise of a generous hos])itality, he might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few friends who gathered around him, were it not for the storms of civil war which his own principles and policy had helped to introduce. Vv'hen the great Rebellion rose, which the State- rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Cal- houn had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed- erates. He was chosen a member of their Congress; and while engaged in active measures to destroy, by force of arms, the Government over which he had once presided, he w^s taken sick and soon died ' ■► T ^i^ ELEVENTH PRESIDENT. t 59 ^ ^" / AMES K. POLK, the eleventh I ^';!f5&I'''esident of the United States, was born in Mecklenburg Co., M. C.,Nov. 2, 1795. His par- ents were Samuel and Jane (Knox) Polk, the toruicr a son of Col. Thomas Polk, who located at the above place, as one of the first pioneers, in 1735. In the year 1006, with his wife and children, and soon after fol- lowed by most of the members of the Polk famly, Samuel Polk emi- grated some two or three hundred miles farther west, to the rich valley of the l)u(k River. Here in the midst of the wilderness, in a region which was subsequently called Mau- ry Co., they reared their lou huls, and established their homes. In the hard toil of a new farm in the wil- derness, James K. I'olk spent the early years of his childhood and youth. His father, adding the pur- suit of a surveyor to that of a farmer, gradually increased in wealth until he became one of the leading men of the region. His mother was a superior woman, of strong common sense and earnest piety. Very early in life, James developed a taste for reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain a liberal education. His mother's training had made him methodical in his habits, had taught him punct- uality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty principles of morality. His health was frail ; and his father, fearing that he might not be able to endure a sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the counter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursuits. This was to James a bitter disapiJointment. He had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. With ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half years, in the autumn of 1S15, entered the sophomore class ill the University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious service. He graduated in 18 18, with the highest honors, be- ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty- three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this time much impaired by the assiduity with whicii he had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of relaxation he went to Nashville, and entered the office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk renewed his acquaintance with .Xndrew Jackson, who resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few miles from Nashville. They had probably been slightly acquainted before. Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican, and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same jwliti- cal faith. He was a iwpular public speaker, and was constantly called ujwn to address the meetings of his I)arty friends. His skill as a speaker was such that he was popularly called the Najxileon of the stump. He was a man of unblemished morals, genial and i ■^^ ^^► ^ 11 M * JAMES K. POLK. courteous in his bearing, and with that sympathetic nature in the joys and griefs of others which ever gave him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his strong influence towards the election of his friend, Mr. Jackson, to the Presidency of the United States. In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was altogether worthy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul- ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con- tinued in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew, only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair of Tennessee. In Congress he was a laborious member, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was always in his seat, always courteous ; and whenever he spoke it was always to the point, and without any ambitious rhetorical display. During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was Speaker of the House. Strong passions were roused, and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per- formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac- tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was passed by the House as he vk^ithdrew on the 4t]i of March, 1839. In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was elected by a large majority, and on the 1 4th of Octo- ber, 1839, took tlie oath of office at Nashville. In 1841, his term of office expired, and he was again the can- didate of the Democratic party, but was defeated. On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugur- ated President of the United States. The verdict of the country in favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted its influence upon Congress ; and the last act of the administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig- nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the 3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister, Almonte, immediately demanded his passports and left tlie country, declaring the act of the annexation to be an act hostile to Mexico. In his first message. President Polk urged that Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re- ceived into the Union on the same footing with the other States. In the meantime, Gen. Taylor was sent with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande, where he erected batteries which commanded the Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on the western banks. The anticipated collision soon took place, and war was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first' called one of "observation," then of "occupation," then of "invasion, "was sent forward to Monterey. The feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly and awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement alone can reveal tlie misery which this war caused. It v/as by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration that the war was brought on. 'To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico was prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands. We now consented to peace upon the condition that Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas, all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lxjwer Cal- ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen majestic States to be added to the Union. There were some Americans who thought it all right : there were others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico. On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from office, having served one term. The next day was Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to the Capitol in the same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even- ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age. He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits, and his health was good. With an ample fortune, a choice library, a cultivated mind, and- domestic ries of the dearest nature, it seemed as though long years of tranquility and happiness were before him. But the cholera — that fearful scourge — was then sweeping up the Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted, and died on the 15th of June, 1849, in the fifty-fourth year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen ^ 'a^- m t TWELFTH PRESIDENT. ■•► ssi^EsnsaBassEEa •■^ ACHARV lAYI.OR, twelfth President of the United States, '^was born on tlie 24th of Nov., 1784, in Orange Co., Va. His father. Colonel Taylor, was a Virginian of note, and a dis- tinguished patriot and soldier of the Revolution. When Zachary was an infant, his father witii his wife and two children, emigrated to Kentucky, where he settled in ^- the pathless wilderness, a few miles from Louisville. In thisfront- ?W ier liome, away from civilization and I all its refinements, young Zachary could enjoy hut few social and educational advan- tages. When six years of age he attended a common school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, rather remarkable for bUmtness and decision of char- acter He was strong, fearless and self-reliant, and aianifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight the Indians who were ravaging the frontiers. There is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his childhood on his father's large but lonely plantation. In 1808, his father succeeded in obtaining for him the commission of lieutenant in the United States army ; and he joined the troops which were stationed at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady from one of the first families of Maryland. Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng- land, in 1812, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been promoted to that rank) was jjut in command of Fort Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder- ness by Gen. Harrison, on his march to Tip[)ecanoe. It was one of tlie first jxiints of attack by the Indians, led by Tecumseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of whom were sick. Early in the autumn of 1812, the Indians, stealthily, and in large numbers, moved \\\yun the fort. Their approacli was first indicated by the murder of two soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor made every possible preparation to meet the antici- l)ated assault. On the 4th of Sei.tember, a band of forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort, waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that in the morning their chief would come to have a talk with him. It was evident that their object was merely to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept them at a distance. The sun went down; the savages disappeared , the garrison slept ii(X)n their arms. One hour before midnight the war-whoop burst from a thousand lips in the forest around, followed by the discharge of musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick and well, sprang to his jxjst. Every man knew that defeat was not merely death, but in the case of caj)- ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor- ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc- ceeded in setting fire to one of the block-houses- Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict continued. The savages tiien, baffled at every [wint, and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt. Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the rank of m.ijor by brevet. Until the close of the war. Major Taylor was placed in such situations that he saw but little more of active service. He was sent far away into the depths of the wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one best could. There were no lKX)ks, no society, no iii- i 64 ZACHARY TAYLOR. tellectual stimulus. Thus with iiim the uneventful years rolled on Gradually he rose to the rank of colonel. In the Black-Hawk war, which resulted in the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part. For twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in employments so obscure, that his name was unknown beyond the limits of his own immediate acquaintance. In the year 1836, he was sent to Florida to compel the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re- tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty, had promised they should do. The services rendered here secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of the Government; and as a reward, he was elevated to the rank of brigadier-general by brevet; and soon after, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief com- mand of the United States troops in Florida. After two years of such wearisome employment amidst the everglades of the peninsula. Gen. Taylor obtained, at his own request, a change of command, and was stationed over the Department of the South- west. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters at Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue. Here he remained for five years, buried, as it were, from tlie world, but faithfully discharging every duty imposed upon him. In 1846, Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the land between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter river being the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed by the United States. Soon the war with Mexico was brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the Me.xicans. The rank of major-general by brevet was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and Buena Vista in which he won signal victories over forces much larger than he commanded. His careless habits of dress and his unaffected simplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops, the sobriquet of " Old Rough and Ready.' The tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista spread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The name of Gen. Taylor was on every one's lips. The Whig party decided to take advantage of this wonder- ful popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un- lettered, honest soldier as their candidate for the Presidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an- nouncement, and for a time would not listen to it; de- claring that he was not at all qualified for such an office. So little interest had he taken in politics that, for forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen who had been long vears in the public service found their claims set aside in behalf of one whose name »< > = had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena Vista. It is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re- marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made." Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a fine writer His friends took possession of him, and pre- pared such few communications as it was needful should be presented to the public. The popularity of the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri- umphantly elected over two opposing candidates, — Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren. Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the good old man found himself in a very uncongenial position, and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed. His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably tended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery party was pushing its claims with tireless energy , expedi- tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; California was pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found the political conflicts in Washington to be far more trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or Indians. In the midst of all these troubles, Gen. Taylor, after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of but little over five days, died on the glh of July, 1850. His last words were, " I am not afraid to die. I am ready. I have endeavored todomy duty." Hedied universally respected and beloved. An honest, un- pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the affections of the people; and the Nation bitterly la- mented his death. Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful description of his character: — " With a good store of common sense, Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en- larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse- quence. The frontiers and small military posts had been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His sim- plicity was child-like, and with innumerable preju- dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable, chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat a little on one side of his head; or an officer to leave a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out- side pocket, — in any such case, this critic held the offender to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse), whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phrase, 'touch with a pair of tongs.' "Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dil- worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. In short, few men have ever had a more comfortable, labor- saving contempt for leamirg of every kind." ^ •> I t M 3?-- .^ ^m w^> '^^^ y&^^^^^^^^ -4«- THIRTEENTH PREStDENT. 67 *S!&Hs>^;s-«^:S*ss«'^:;s*s;s#i;;s-*^;s*^;s*«;s*s;s-*s:s*s;3-*s-s*-g:S"$#S!S'S*S;&«S^;;S-* FlLLMflRE.--^ I -^^ 4-Si. ILLARD FILLMORE, thir- teenth President of the United States, was born at Summer Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on the 7th of January, 1800. His father was a fiirnier, and ow- ing to misfortune, in humble cir- cumstances. Of his mother, the daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard, of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been said that she jxjssessed an intellect of very high order, united with much personal loveliness, sweetness of dis- position, graceful manners and ex- quisite sensibilities. She died in 1 83 1 ; having lived to see her son a young man of distinguished prom- ise, though she was not permitted to witness the high dignity which he finally attained. In consequence of the secluded home and limited means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender ad- vantages for education in his early years. The com- mon schools, which he occasionally attended were very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce and expensive. There was nothing then in his char- acter to indicate the brilliant career ujx)n which he was about to enter. He was a plain farmer's boy ; intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible, and had laid the foundations of an upright character. When fourteen years of age, his father sent him some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of Livingston ("ounty, to learn the trade of a clothier. Near the mill there was a small villiage, where some -^ — enterprising man had commenced the collection of a village librar)-. This i)roved an inestimable blessing to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read- ing. Soon every leisure moment was occupied with books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate: and the selections which he made were continually more elevating and instructive. He read historj', biography, oratory; and thus gradually there was en- kindled in his heart a desire to be something more than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be- coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed, educated man. The young clothier had now attained the age of nineteen years, and was of fine personal ap[)carance and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so hapi>ened that there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample pecuniary means and of benevolence,— Judge Walter Wood, — who was struck with the prepossessing ajv pearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaint- ance, and was so much impressed with his ability and attainments that he advised him to abandon his trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The young man replied, that he had no means of his own, r.o friends to help him and that his previous educa- tion had been very imperfect. Hut Judge Wood had so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to take him into his own office, and to loan him such money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous offer was accepted. There is in many minds a strange detusion about a collegiate education. \ young man is supposed to be liberally educated if he has graduated at some col- lege. But many a Ixay loiters through university halls ind then enters a law offi< e, who is by no means as »» ■ ^ 68 MILLARD FILLMORE. well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothing- mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during which every leisure moment had been devoted to in- tense mental culture. In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he v/as admitted to the Court of Common Fleas. He then went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region, his practice of course was limited, and there was no opportunity for a sudden rise in fortune or in fame. Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station she might be called to fill, — -Miss Abigail Powers. His elevation of character, his untiring industry, his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate, gradually attracted attention ; and he was invited to enter into partnership under highly advantageous circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in Buffalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829, he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the State of New York, as a representative from Erie County. Thougii he had never taken a very active part in jxjlitics, his vote and his sympathies were with the Whig party. The State was then Democratic, and he found himself in a helpless minority in the Legislature , still the testimony comes from all parties, that his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very unusual degrie the respect of his associates. In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in the United States Congress He entered that troubled irena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our national history. The great conflict respecting the national bank and the removal of the deposits, was then raging. His term of two years closed ; and he returned to his profession, which he pursued with increasing rep- utation and success. After a lapse of two years he again became a candidate for Congress ; was re- elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe- rience as a representative gave hmi strength and confidence. The first term of service in Congress to any man can be but little more than an introduction. He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener- gies were brought to bear upon the public good. Every measure received his impress. Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and his popularity filled the State, and in the year 1847, he was elected Comptroller of the State Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con- siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi- dent at the approaching election. Far away, on the waters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough old soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be proclaimed in tiumpet-tones all over the land. But it was necessary to associate with him on the same ticket some man of reputation as a statesman. Under the influence of these considerations, the names of Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was signally triumphant. On the 4th of March, 1849, Cen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard Fillmore Vice-President, of the United States. On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, but about one year and four months after his inaugura- tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By tiie Con- stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi- dent. He appointed a very able cabinet, of which the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. Mr. Fillniore had very serious difficulties to contend with, since the opixjsition had a majority in both Houses. He did everything in his power to conciliate the South ; but the pro-slavery party in the South felt the inadequacyof all measures of transient conciliation. The population of the free States was so rapidly in- creasing over that of the slave States that it was in- evitable that the power of the Government should soon pass into the hands of the free States. The famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr. Fillmcre's adminstration, and the Japan Expedition was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr. Fill- more, having served one term, retired. In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres- idency by the " Know Nothing " party, but was beaten by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war, he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed that his sympathies were rather with those who were en- deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any cordial words of cheer to the one [)arty or the other. He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a rijie old age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March 8, 1874. •► o^M^'^o'f-^^ a^2^-^' -^•- FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT. 7' fec-e^- . ^»jlAah^ ^■=: •.:,.,;-^.^ ^FHftNKLIN PIERCE. lit ■ ' & :■■ J i~ RANKLIN PIERCE, the fourteenth President of the ^'"United States, was born in Hillsborough, N. H., Nov. 23, 1804. His father was a Revolutionary soldier, who, with his own strong arm, hewed out a home in the wilderness. He was a man of inflexible integrity; of strong, though uncultivated mind, and an uncompromis- ing Democrat. The mother of Franklin Pierce was all that a son could desire, — an intelligent, pru- dent, affectionate. Christian wom- an. Franklin was the sixth of eight children. Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, gen- erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the love of old and young. The boys on the play ground loved him. His teachers loved him. The neighbors looked upon him with pride and affection. He was by instinct a gentleman; always speaking kind words, doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact which taught him what was agreeable. Without de- veloping any precocity of genius, or any unnatural devotion to books, he was a good scholar; in body, in mind, in affections, a rmely-develoi)ed boy. When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, he entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me. He was one of the most ]X)pular young men in the college. The purity of his moral character, the unvarying courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and A ! » genial nature, rendered him a universal f;ivorite. There was something very peculiarly winning in his address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de- gree studied : it was the simple outgushing of his own magnanimous and loving nature. Uixjn graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce commenced the study of law in the office of Judge Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of the State, and a man of great private worth. The eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, his father's prominence as a public man, and the brilliant IKilitical career into which Judge Woodbury was en- tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci- nating yet perilous path of ixjlitical life. With all the ardor of his nature he es|X3iised the cause of Gen. Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the practice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon elected to represent the town in the State Legislature. Here he served for four yeais. The last two years he was chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote. In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected a member of Congress. Without taking an active part in debates, he was faithful and laborious in duty, and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom he was associatad. In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age, he was elected to the Senate of the United States; taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren commenced his administration. He was the youngest member in the Senate. In the year 1834. he married Miss Jane Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom- plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every station with which her husband was honoied. Of the ■» ■ ■4* 72 PRANKLIN PIERCE. three sons who were born to them, all now sleep with their parents in the grave. In the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States; but the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous professional engagements at home, and the precariuos state of Mrs. Pierce's health. He also, about the same time declined the nomination for governor by the Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847. He took an important part in this war, proving him- self a brave and true soldier. When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo- cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo- nents. He resumed the practice of his profession, very frequently taking an active part in political ques- tions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery wing of the Democratic party. The compromise measures met cordially with his approval; and he strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa- mous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious sensibilities of tlie Nortli. He thus became distin- guished as a " Northern man with Southern principles.'' The strong partisans of slavery in the South conse- quently regarded him as a man whom they could safely trust in office to carry out their plans. On the 1 2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven- tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the Presidency. For four days they continued in session, and in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation brought forward his name. There were fourteen more ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constantly gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, Mas- sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their electoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pierce was therefore inaugurated President of the United States on the 4th of March, 1853. His administration proved one of the most stormy our country had ever experienced. The controversy be- tween slavery and freedom was then approaching its culminating point. It became evident that there was an " irrepressible conflict " between them, and that this Nation could not long exist " half slave and half free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad- ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate the South ; but it was all in vain. The conflict every year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution of the Union were borne to the North on every South- ern breeze. Such was the condition of affairs when President Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term of office. The North had become thoroughly alien- ated from him. The anti-slavery sentiment, goaded by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; all the intellectual ability and social worth of President Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad- ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also, unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo- cated those measures of Government which they ap- proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dropped him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him. On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re- tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two had died, and his only surviving child had been killed before his eyes by a railroad accident ; and his wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. The hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left alone in the world, without wife or child. When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di- vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr. Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to that pro-slavery party with which he had ever been allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov- ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until the time of his death, which occurred in October, 1869. He was one of the most genial and social of men, an honored communicant of the Episcopal Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Gen- erous to a fault, he contributed liberally for the al- leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns- people were often gladened by his material bounty. ^ I mM iff % -^ -^ ^" 5^ ^J^ *^. '^'^^ ^***-«.-^'' Ir':s3 1 ; -4^ I-IFTEENTH PRESIDENT 75 -^m^ .*V^^^^V^*5t^55^^:^^«^!«^^Ml^^^!^!^^^ML'<'^.'i' Vi^t^i^ig.'^ ««C ->-♦ AMES BUCHANAN, the fif- teenth President of the United States, was born in a small frontier town, at the foot of the eastern ridge of the Allegha- nies, in Franklin Co., I'enn.,on the 23d of April, 1791. The place where the humble cabin of his father stood was called Stony Batter. It was a wild and ro- mantic siK)t in a gorfjeof the moun- tains, with towering summits rising grandly all around. His father was a native of the north of Ireland ; a poor man, who had emigrated in 783, with little property save his own strong arms. Five years afterwards he married Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable farmer, and, with his young bride, pUmged into the wilder- ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per- form his obscure part in the drama of life. In this se- cluded home, where James was born, he remained for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual advantages. When James was eight years of age, his father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where his son was placed at school, and commenced a course of study in English, Latin and (Ireek. His progress was rapid, anil at the age of fourteen, he entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle. Here he de- veloped remarkable talent, and took his stand among the first scholars in the institution. His application to study was intense, and yet his native powers en- < • abled him to master the most abstruse subjects wuh facility. In the year 1809, he graduated witli the highest honors of his class. He was then eighteen yeari of age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with an e.\uberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster, and was admittedto the bar in 1812, when he was but twenty-one years of age. Very rapidly he rose in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand with the ablest lawyers of the State. When but twenty-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- cessfully defended before the State Senate 01 e of the judges of the State, who was tried ajKin articles of impeachment. .\t the age of thirty it was generally admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; and there was no lawyer in the State who harofession, having ac- quired an ample fortune. Gen. Jackson, uiton his elevation to the I'residency, appointed Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia. The duties of his mission he iierformed with ability, which gave satisfaction to all jiarties. rjwn his return, in 1833, he was elected to a seal in the United States Senate. He there met, as his associates, Webster, Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated the meas- ures projxisedby Tresidciii Jackson, of making repri- 76 a JAMES BUCHANAN. sals against France, to enforce the payment of our claims against that country ; and defended the course of the President in his unprecedented and wiiolesale removal from office of those wiio were not the sup- porters of his administration. Upon this question he was brought into direct collision with Henry Clay. He also, witli voice and vote, advocated expunging from the journal of the Senate the vote of censure against Clen. Jackson for removing the deposits. Earnestly he opposed the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, and urged the prohibition of the circulation of anti-slavery documents by the United States mails. As to Detitions on the subject of slavery, he advo- cated that they should l)e respectfully received; and that the reply should be returned, tliat Congress had no power to legislate upon the subject. " Congress," said he, " might as well undertake to interfere with slavery under a foreign government as in any of tlie States where it now e.xists." Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr. Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such, took his share of the responsiliility in the conduct of the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that crossing the Nueces by the American troops into the disputed territory was not wrong, but for the Mexicans to cross the Rio (irande into that territory was a declaration of war. No candid man can read with pleasure the account of the course our Government pursued in that movement. Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly with the party devoted to the perpetuation and extension of slavery, and brought all the energies of his mind to bear against the Wilmot Proviso. He gave his cordial approval to the compromise measures of 1S50, which included the fugitive-slave law. Mr. Pierce, upon his election to the Presidency, honored Mr. Buchanan with tlie mission to England. In the year I (S5 6, a national Democratic conven- tion nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The political conflict was one of the most severe in which our country has ever engaged. All the friends of slavery were on one side ; all the advocates of its re- striction and final abolition, on the other. Mr. Fre- mont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, re- reived 1 14 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received 174, and was elected. The popular vote stood 1,340,618, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for Buciianan. (3n March 4th, 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated. Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four years were wanting to fill up his threescore years and ten. His own friends, those with whom he had been allied in political ijrinciples and action for years, were seeking the destruction of the Government, that they might rear upon the ruins of our free institutions a nation whose corner-stone should be human slavery. In this emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly be- wldered He could not, with his long-avowed prin- ciples, consistently oppose the State-rights party in their assumptions. As President of the United States, bound by his oath faithfully to administer the laws, he could not, without perjury of the grossest kind, imite with those endeavoring to overthrow the repub- lic. He therefore did nothing. The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration nominated Abraham Lmcoln as their standard bearer in the next Presidential canvass. The pro-slaverv party declared, that if he were elected, and the con- trol of the Government were thus taken from their hands, they would secede from the Union, taking with them, as they retired, the National Capitol at Washington, and the lion's share of the territory of the United States. Mr. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slavery party was such, that he had been willing to offer them far more than they had ventured to claim. All the South had professed to ask of the North was non- intervention upon the subject of slavery. Mr. Bu- chanan had been ready to offer them the active co- operation of the ( jovernment to defend and extend the institution. As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholders claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avow- ing that Congress had no power to prevent it, one of the most pitiable exhibitions of governmental im- becility was exhibited the world has ever seen. He declared that Congress had no power to enforce its laws in any State which had withdrawn, or which was attempting to withdraw from the Union. This was not the doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with his hand upon his sword-hilt, he exclaimed. " The Union must and shall be preserved!" .South Carolina seceded in December, 1S60; nearly three months before the inauguration of President Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless despair. The rebel flag was raised in Charleston : Fort Sumpter was l>esieged ; our forts, navy-yards and arsenals were seized; our depots of military stores were plun- dered ; and our custom-houses and post-offices were appropriated by the rebels. The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of our Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looked on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide away, and close the administration, so terrible in its weak- ness At length the long-looked-for hour of deliver- ance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive the scepter. The administration of President Buchanan was certainly the most calamitous our country has ex- perienced. His best friends cannot recall it with pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his fame, that in that dreadful conflict which rolled its billows of flame and blood over our whole land, no word came from his lips to indicate his wish that our country's banner should triumph over the flag of the rebellion He died at his Wheatland retreat, June i, 1868. p^y/^^L^<-cri^ ■^ SIXTEENTH PRESIDENT. 79 <^ /ji.^ < ABRAHAM > #>f^ f 5 t» '^^^^^§M^iie^aiicsiL:<>':V rf IJRAHAM LINCOLN, the sixteenth President of the f^United States, was born in Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 1809. About the year 1 7S0, a V man by the name of Abraham Lincohi left Virginia with his family and moved into the then wilds of Kentucky. Only two years after this emigration, still a young man, while working one day in a field, was stealthily approached by an Indian and shot dead. His widow was left in extreme poverty with five little children, three boys and two girls. Tiiomas, the youngest of the boys, was four years of age at his father's death. This Thomas was the father of .\braham Lincoln, the President of the United States whose name must henceforth fcever be enrolled with the most prominent in the annals of our world. Of course no record has been kept of the life of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among the [xjorest of the jwor. His home was a wretched log -cabin; his food the coarsest and the meanest. Education he had none; he could never either read or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for himself, he was com|)elled to leave the cabin of his starving mother, and push out into the world, a friend- less, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him- self out, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a laborer in the fields of others. When twenty-eight years of age he buill a log- cabin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the daughter of another family of iK>or Kentucky emi- grants, who had also come from Virginia. Their second child was .Miraham Lincoln, the subject of this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble woman, gentle, loving, ])ensive, created to adorn a palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel. "All that I am, or hope to be," exclaims the grate- ful son "I owe to my angel-mother. " When he was eight years of age, his father sold his <• cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiana. Where two years later his mother died. Abraham soon became the scribe of tlie uneducated community around him. He could not have had a better school than this to teach him to put thouglits into words. He also became an eager reader. I'he books he could obtain were few ; b\it these he read and re-read until they were almost committed 10 memory. .•\s tiie years rolled on, the lot of tiiis lowly family was the usual lot of humanity. There were joys and griefs, weddings and funerals. .-\braham's sister Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mar- ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, and soon died. The family was gradually scattered. Mr. 'I'honias Lincoln sold out his siiuatter's claim in 1830, and emigrated to Macon Co., 111. .Abraham Lincobi was then twenty-one years of age. With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing another log-cabin. .Abraham worked diligently at this until he saw the family comfortably settled, and their small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, when he announced to his father his intention to leave home, and to go out into the world and seek his for- tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril- liant ;hat fortune was to be. He saw the value of education and was intensely earnest to improve his mind to tiie utmost of his ix)wer. He saw the ruin which ardent spirits were causing, and became strictly temperate; refusing to allow a drop of ii.ioxi- cating liquor to pass his lips. \\\i\ he had read in Ciod's word, " Thou shall not take the name of the Ix)rrO U W, VY A WkiM^^M. w^^^-m^'^'m^.'''^ w i NDREW JOHNSON, seven- teenth President of the United States. The early Hfe of Andrew Johnson contains but the record of poverty, destitu- '^4'/ tion and friendlessness. He W was born Uecember 29, 180S, in Raleigh, N. C. His parents, belonging to the class of the "poor whites " of the South, were in such circumstances, that they could not confer even the slight- est advantages of education ujwn their child. When Andrew was five years of age, his father accidentally lost his life while herorically endeavoring to save a friend from drowning. Until ten years of age, Andrew was a ragged boy about the streets, supjx)rted by the labor of his mother, who obtained her living with her own hands. He then, having never attended a school one day, and being unable either to read or write, was ap- prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion- ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often read from the speeches of distinguished British states- men. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more than ordinary native ability, became much interested in these speeches; his ambition was roused, and he was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read. He accordingly applied himself to the alphabet, and with the assistance of some of his fellow-workmen, learned his letters. He then called upon the gentle- man to borrow the book of speeches. The owner, pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the book, but assisted him in learning to combine the letters into words. Under such difficulties he pressed on- ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours at work in the shop, and then robbing himself of rest and recreation to devote such time as he could to reading. He went to Tennessee in 1S26, and located at Greenville, where he married a young lady who pos- sessed some education. Under her instructions he learned to write and cipher. He became prominent in the village debating society, and a favorite with the students of Oreenville College. In 1828, he or- ganized a working man's party, which elected him alderman, and in 1830 elected him mayor, which position he held three years. He now began to take a lively interest in political affairs ; identifying himself with the working-classes, to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elected a member of the House of Representatives of Tennes- see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age. He became a very active inember of the legislature, gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in 1840 " stumped the State," advocating Martin Van Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition to those of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased his reputation. In 1 84 1, he was elected Stale Senator; in 1843, he was elected a member of Congress, and by successive elections, held that important ix)st for ten years. In 1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and was re-elected in 1855. In all these re.s|)onsible posi- tions, he discharged his duties with distinguished abil- u 84 ANDREW JOHNSON. ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the work- ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected United States Senator. Years before, in 1845, ^^ ^ad warmly advocated the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his reason, that he thought this annexation would prob- ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable sons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom, and become merged in a population congenial to themselves." In 1850, he also supported the com- promise measures, the two essential features of which were, that the white people of the Territories should be permitted to decide for themselves whether they would enslave the colored people or not, and that the free States of the North should return to the South persons who attempted to escape from slavery. Mr. Johnson was never ashamed of his lowly origin: on the contrary, he often took pride in avowing that he owed his distinction to his own exertions. "Sir," said he on the floor of the Senate, " I do not forget that I am a mechanic ; neither do I forget that Adam was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Sav- ior was the son of a carpenter." In the Charleston- Baltimore convention of i8oj, ne was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the Presidency. In r86i, when the purpose of the South- irn Democracy became apparent, he took a decided stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap- pointed him Military Governor of the State, and he established the most stringent military rule. His numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In 1864, he was elected Vice-President of the United States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15, 1865, became President. In a speech two days later he said, " The American people must be taught, if they do not already feel, that treason is a crime and must be punished ; that the Government will not always bear with its enemies ; that it is strong not only to protect, but to punish. * * The people must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole administration, the history of which is so well known, was in utter iru-.onsistency with, and the most violent opposition to, the principles laid down in that speech. In his loose policy of reconstruction and general amnesty, he was opposed by Congress ; and he char- acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly defied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. In the beginning of 1868, on account of "high crimes and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten- ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre- ferred against him, and the trial began March 23. It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three months. A test article of the impeachment was at length submitted to the court for its action. It was certain that as the court voted upon that article so would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces- sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac- quitted, notwithstanding the great majority against him. The change of one vote from the not guilty side would have sustained the impeachment. The President, for the remainder of his term, was but little regarded. He continued, though impotently, his conflict with Congress. His own party did not think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi- dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar- alleled since the days of Washington, around the name of Gen. Grant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten. The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was there presented to a man a better opportunity to im- mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home in Greenville, Tenn., taking no very active part in politics until 1875. On Jan. 26, after an exciting struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten- nessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con- gress, and took his seat in that body, at the special session convened by President Grant, on the 5th of March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-President made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was apparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reach- ing the residence of his child the following day, was stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious. He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at 2 A.M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August, with every demonstration of respect. -^^r^h^ JU ^•►Hl-^ /i/GB TEENTH PRESIDENT. 87 ^m'm^ k i' LYSSES S. GRANT, the eighteenth President of the United States, was born on the 29th of April, 1822, of Christian parents, in a humble home, at Point Pleasant, on the banks of the Ohio. Shortly after his father moved to George- town, Brown Co., O. In this re- mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses received a common-school edu- cation. At the age of seven- teen, in the year 1839, he entered the Military .\cademy at West Point. Here he was regarded as a solid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank as a scholar. In June, T843, he graduated, about the middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in- fantry to one of the distant military jMsts in the Mis- souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating Indians. The war with Mexico came, Lieut. Grant was sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His first battle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here for the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at Resaca de la Palma, his second battle. .\t the battle of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that he performed a signal service of daring and skillful horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am- munition. .\ messenger must be sent for more, along a route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut, (irant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians, grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging upon one side of the aniro.al, ran the gauntlet in entire safety. From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry, to aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he .was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the battle of Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha- pultepec. At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re- turned with his regiment to New York, and was again sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The discovery of gold in California causing an immense tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt. Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im- migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt. Grant resigned his commission and returned to the States; and having married, entered u{X)n the cultiva- tion of a small fami near St. I>ouis, Mo. He had but little skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not re- munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into the leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga- lena, 111. This was in the year i860. .\s the tidings of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said, — "Uncle Sam has educated me for the anny ; though I have served him through one war, I do not feel that I have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready to discharge my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my sword and see Uncle Sam through this war too." He went into the streets, raised a company of vol- unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield, the capital of the Stale, where their services were offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt. Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the volunteer organization that was being formed in the State in behalf of the Government. On the isth of ■» A 88 •»¥ UL YSSKS S. GRA NT. f I June, 1 86 1, Capt. Grant received a commission as Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol- unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who had served for 15 years in the regular army, were such that he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier- General and was placed in command at Cairo. The rebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap- peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and stripes were unfurled in its stead. He entered the service with great determination and immediately began active duty. This was the be- ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond he was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur- prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was immediately made a Major-General, and the military district of Tennessee was assigned to him. Like all great captains, Gen. Grant knew well how to secure the results of victory. He immediately pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can- non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered, and opened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. Gen. Grant was next ordered to co-operate with Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he was laid up for months. He then rushed to the aid of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Chattanooga, and by a wonderful series of strategic and technical meas- ures put the Union Army in fighting' condition. Then followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels were routed with great loss. This won for him un- bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru- ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant- general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant. He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials and enter upon the duties of his new office. Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of the army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National troops for an attack upon Richmond, the nominal capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de- stroy the rebel armies which would be promptly as- sembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole continent seemed to tremble under the trampof these majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field. Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains were burdened with closely packed thousands. His plans were comprehensive and involved a series of campaigns, which were executed with remarkable en- ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur- render of Lee, April 9, 1865. The war was ended. The Union was saved. The almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen. Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its sal- vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered the country brought him conspicuously forward as the Republican candidate for the Presidential chair. At the Republican Convention held at Chicago, May 21, 1868, he was unanimously nominated for the Presidency, and at the autumn election received a majority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294 electoral votes. The National Convention of the Republican party which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, 1872, placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati- cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292 electoral votes being cast for him. Soon after the close of his second term. Gen. Grant started upon his famous trip around the world. He visited almost every country of the civilized world, and was everywhere received with such ovations and demonstrations of respect and honor, private as well as public and official, as were never before bestowed upon any citizen of the United States. He was the most prominent candidate before the Republican National Convention in 1880 for a re- nomination for President. He went to New York and embarked in the brokerage business under the firm nameof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain, wrecked Grant's fortune, and for larceny was sent to the penitentiary. The General was attacked with cancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-like manner, never complaining. He was re-instated as General of the Army and retired by Congress. The cancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, 1885, the nation went in mourning over the death of the illustrious General. t- • NINETEENTH ■PRESIDENT. 9« .tV^t^>^<^tjgt;sPt'^(^<^t^<^t^r^(^^t^';;^';v^ntJit^t:^tas,ro-;^ mTMWME^WB B* H^TSS. m \ J'^t^'i^'^'^t^'g?!'^'^'^'^'^'.; ■' :•'■. M .■'rVi'J^t^t^cJV'i •■'.'•■ 'r-..'(^'ta.Jt!S.v;.' UTHERFORD B. HAYES, the nineteenth President of the United States, was born in Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al- most three months after the death of his father, Rutherford Hayes. His ancestry on both the paternal and maternal sides, was of the most honorable char- acter. It can be traced, it is said, as far back as 1280, when Hayes and Rutherford were two Scottish chief- tains, fighting side by side with Baliol, William Wallace and Robert Bruce. Both families belonged to the nobility, owned extensive estates, and had a large following. Misfor- tune overtaking the family, George Hayes left Scot- land in 1 680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son George was born in Windsor, and remained there during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar- ried Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of his mar- riage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel, son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufac- turer of scythes at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, son of Ezekiel and grandfather of President Hayes, was born in New Haven, in August, 1756. He was a farmer, blacksmitjj and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to Vermont at an unknown date, settling in Brattleboro, where he established a hotel. Here his son Ruth- erford Hayes the father of President Hayes, was -*»■ born. He was married, in September, 18 13, to Sophia Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi- grated thither from Connecticut, they having been among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich. Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to 1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers in the Revolutionary War. The father of President Hayes was an industrious, frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me- chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a slock- ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to undertake. He was a member of the Church, active in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con- ducted his business on Christian principles. After the close of the war of 181 2, for reasons inexplicable to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio. The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day, when there were no canals, steamers, nor railways, was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayts deter- mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial fever, less than three months before the birth of the son.ofwhom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be- reavement, found the support she so much needed in her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the household from the day of its departure from Ver- mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted some time before as an act of charity. Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the ■> t ■^^ 92 ^ RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. subject of this sketch was so feeble at birth that he was not expected to live beyond a month or two at most. As the months went by he grew weaker and weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of in- quiring from time to time " if Mrs. Hayes' baby died last night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on familiar terms with the family, after alluding to the boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of him, said in a bantering way, " That's right ! Stick to him. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't wonder if he would really come to something yet." " You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. " You wait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him President of the United States yet." The boy lived, in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy death; and when, in 1825, his older brother was drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his mother. The boy was seven years old before he went to school. His education, however, was not neglected. He probably learned as much from his mother and sister as he would have done at school. His sports were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being his sister and her associates. These circumstances tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of dispo- sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings of others, which are marked traits of his character. His uncle Sardis Birchard took the deepest interest in his education ; and as the boy's health had im- proved, and he was making good progress in his studies, he proposed to send him to college. His pre- paration commenced with a tutor at home; but he was afterwards sent for one year to a professor in the Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en- tered Kenyon College in 1838,31 the age of sixteen, and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842. Immediately after his graduation he began the study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow, Esq., in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re- mained two years. In 1845, after graduatmg at the Law School, he was admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re- mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice, and apparently unambitious of distinction in his pro- fession. In 1849 he moved to Cincmnati, where his ambi- tion found a new stimulus. For several years, how- ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at this period, had a powerful influence upon his subse- quent life. One of these was his marrage with Miss Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of Chilicothe; the other was his introduction to the Cin- cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its members suck men as'^hief Justice Salmon P.Chase, Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many others hardly less distinguished in after life. The marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did more than she to reflect honor upon American woman- hood. The Literary Cluu brought Mr. Hayes into constant association with young men of high char- acter and noble aims, and lured him to display the qualities so long hidden by his bashfulness and modesty. In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ac- cept the nomination. Two years later, the office of city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Council elected him for the une.\pired term. In 1 86 1, when the Rebellion broke out, he was at the zenith of his professional life. His rank at the bar was among the the first. But the news of the attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take up arms for the defense of his country'. His military record was bright and illustrious. In October, 1861, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and in August, 1862, promoted Colonel of the 79th Ohio regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, he was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle of South Mountain he received a wound, and while faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude that won admiration from all. Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and placed in command of the celebrated Kanawha division, and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted Major-General, "forgallant and distinguished services during the campaigns of 1864, in West Virginia." In the course of his arduous services, four horses were shot from under him, and he was wounded four times. In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress, from the Second Ohio District, which had long been Dem- ocratic. He was not present during the campaign, and after his election was importuned to resign his commission in the army ; but he finally declared, " I shall never come to Washington until I can come by the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1866. In 1867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio, over Hon. Allen G. Thurman, a popular Democrat. In 1869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton. He was elected Governor for the third term in 1875. In 1876 he was the standard bearer of the Repub- lican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a hard long contest was chosen President, and was in augurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his full term, not, however, with satisfaction to his party, but his administration was an average ov:-. I -4^ f TiVEMTIETH PRESIDENT. •*¥^m^^ 95 ^:^f^\)7^. •£:s*s;;j*^:;HN?:s*T;;s*s;g««-gi;i«^:; 4.-; ;;.*.; ;;j,jj»;; ;;j^ iltPii i, iARFIELn. ffe^ '^»^^ AMES A. GARFIELD, twen- tieth President of the United States, was born Nov. 19, 183 1, in the woods of Orange, Cuyahoga Co., O His par- ents were Abram and Eliza (Ballou) Garfield, both of New England ancestry and from fami- lies well known in the early his- tory of that section of our coun- try, but had moved to the Western Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle- ment. The house in which James A. was born was not unlike the houses of poor Ohio farmers of that day. It ^as about 20x30 feet, built of logs, with the spaces be- tween the logs filled with clay. His father was a nard working fanner, and he soon had his fields cleared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built. The household comprised the father and mother and tiieir four children — Mehetabel, Tliomas, Mary and James. In May, 1823, the father, from a cold con- tracted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. At [his time James was about eighteen months old, and riiomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, can tell how much James was indeLted to his biother's toil and self sacrifice during the twenty years suc- ceeding his father's death, but undoulitedly very much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis- ters live in Solon, O., near their birthplace. The early educational advantages young Garfield enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of them. He labored at farm work for others, did car- penter work, chopped wood, or did anything that would bring in a few dollars to aid his widowed mother in he' struggles to keep the little family to- -^t- gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug- gling childhood, youth and manhood, neither did they ever forget him. When in the highest seats of honor, the humblest fiiend of his boyhood was as kindly greeted as ever. The jworest laborer was sure of the sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, plain, modest gentleman. The highest ambition of young Garfield until he was about sixteen years old was to be a captain of a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious to go aboard a vessel, which his mother strongly opposed. She finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with the understanding, however, that he should try to obtain some other kind of employment. He walked all the way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the city. Afier making many applications for work, and trying to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with success, he engagetl as a driver for his cousin, Amos Letcher, on tlie Oliio & Pennsylvania Canal. He re- mained at this work but a short time when he went home, and attended the seminary at Chester for about three years, when he entered Hiram and the Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in the meantime, and doing other work. This school was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850, of which church he was then a member. He became janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his way. He then became both teacher and pupil. He soon " exhausted Hiram " and needed more ; hence, in the fall of 1854, heentered Williams College, from which lie graduated in 1856, taking one of the highest hon- ors of his class. He afterwards relumed 10 Hir.nni College as its President. As above stated, he early united wiih the Christian or Diciples Church at Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous mem- ber, often jjreaching in its pulpit and places where he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President of Yale College, says of him in reference to his religion : i 96 JAMES A. GARFIELD. + " President Garfield was more than a man of strong moral and religious convictions. His whole history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and faith and spiritual commission were controlling springs of his being, and to a more than usual degree. In my judgment there is no more interesting feature of his character than his loyal allegiance to the body of Christians in which he was trained, and the fervent sympathy which he ever showed in their Christian communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty and noble who are called' show a similar loyalty to the less stately and cultured Christian comnmnions in which they have been reared. Too often it is true that as they step upward in social and political sig- nificance they step upward from one degree to another in some of the many types of fashionable Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the church of his mother, the church in which he was trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec- tarian charity for all 'who loveour Lord in sincerity.'" Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. 1 1, 1858, who proved herself worthy as the wife of one whom all the world loved and mourned. To them were born seven children, five of whom are still living, four boys and one girl. Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in 1856, in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three years later he began to speak at county mass-meet- ings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland, and in 1861 was admitted to the bar. The great Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year, and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had talked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He re- ceived his commission as Lieut. -Colonel of the Forty- second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 14, 1861. He was immediately put into active ser- vice, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in action, was placed in command of four regiments of infantry and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the work of driving out of his native State the officer (Humphrey Marshall) reputed to be the ablest of those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed- ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres- ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him Brigadier-General, Jan. 10, 1862; and as "he had been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years before, so now he was the youngest General in the army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh, in its operations around Corinth and its march through Alabama. He was then detailed as a member of the General Couit-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John Porter. He was then ordered to report to Gen. Rose- crans, and was assigned to the "Chief of Staff." The military history of Gen. Garfield closed with his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won the stars of the Major-General. Without an effort on his part Gen. Garfield was elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio had been represented in Congress for si.xty years mainly by two men — Elisha Whittlesey and Joshua R. Giddings. It was not without a struggle that he resigned his place in the army. At the time he en- tered Congress he was the youngest member in that body. There he remained by successive re- elections until he was elected President in 1880. Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Since the year 1864 you cannot think of a question which has been debated in Congress, or discussed before a tribunel of the American people, in regard to which you will not find, if you wish mstruction, the argu- ment on one side stated, in almost every instance belter than by anybody else, in some speech made in the House of Representatives or on the hustings by Mr. Garfield." Upon Jan. 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elected to the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the same year, was nominated as the candidate of his party for President at the great Chicago Convention. He was elected in the following November, and on March 4, 1881, was inaugurated. Probably no ad- ministration ever opened its existence under brighter auspices than that of President Garfield, and every day it grew in favor with the people, and by the first of July he had completed all the initiatory and pre- liminary work of his adniinistration and was prepar- ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams College. While on his way and at the depot, in com- pany with Secretary Blaine, a man stepped behind him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back. The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the left coat sleeve of his victim, but inflicting no further injury. It has been very truthfully said that this was " the shot that was heard round the world " Never before in the history of the Nation had anything oc- curred which so nearly froze the blood of the people for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit- ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and was at the summit of his power and hope. For eighty days, all during the hot months of July and August, he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent bearing was teaching the country and the world the noblest of human lessons — how to live grandly in the very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass- ingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept. 1 9, 1883, at Elberon, N. J., on the very bank of the ocean, where he had been taken shortly previous. The world wept at his death, as it never had done on the death of any other man who had ever lived upon it. Tlie murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe- cuted, in one year after he committed the foul deed. f -4^ T WEN T Y- FTRS T PRESIDENT. IF HESTER A. ARTHUR, twenty-first Presi-'.^iu of the United States was born in Franklin Cour ty, Vermont, on thefifthof Oc'ober, 1830, and is the oldest of a family of two sons and five daughters. His father was the Rev. Dr. William Arthur, a Baptist cJ',rgyman, who emigrated to tb'.s country from the county Ant.im, Ireland, in his 18th year, and died in 1875, in Newtonville, neai Albany, after a long and successful ministry. Young Arthur was educated at Union College, S( henectady, where he excelled in all his studies. Af- ter his graduation he taught school in Vermont for two years, and at the expiration cf that time came to New York, with $500 in his ixjcket, and entered the office of ex- Judge E. D. Culver as student. After being admitted to the bar he formed a i)artnership with his intimate friend and room-mate, Henry D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing in the West, and for three months they roamed about in the Western States in search of an eligible site, but in the end returned to New York, where they hung out their shingle, and entered ujxjn a success- ful career almost from the start. C.eneral Arthur soon afterward marrfd the daughter of Lieutenant Herndon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthur's nomination to the Vice Presidency, leaving two children. Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity in his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit, brought to recover possession of eight slaves who had been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superior Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that Jon. athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided that they could not be held by the owner under the Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from tlie South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the Attorney General of that State to assist in an appeal. Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed to represent the Peo])le, and they won their case, which then went to the Supreme Court of the United States. Charles O'Conor here esiwused the cause of the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by Messrs. Evarts and .\rthur, and a long step was taken toward the emancipation of the black race. Another great service was rendered by General Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare. General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a verdict of S500 damages. The next day the compa- ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride on their cars, and the other car companies quickly ■ > V CHESTER A. ARTHUR. \ followed their example. Before that the Sixth Ave- nue Company ran a few special cars for colored per- sons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all. General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention at Saratoga that founded the Republican party. Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of the Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Gov- ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed hmi Engineer- in-Chief of his staff. In 1861, he was made Inspec- tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas- ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered great service to the Government during the war. At the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr. Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney of New York, was added to the firm. The legal prac- tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra- tive, each of the gentlemen composing it were able lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if not indeed one of national extent. He always took a leading part in State and city politics. He was appointed Collector of the Port of New York by President Grant, Nov. 21, 1872, to suc- ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July, 20, 1878, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous National Republican Convention held at Chicago in June, 1880. This was perhaps the greatest political convention that ever assembled on the continent. It was composed of the leading politicians of the Re- publican party, all able men, and each stood firm and fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their respective candidates that were before the conven- tion for the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield re- ceived the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur for Vice-President. The campaign which followed was one of the most animated known in the history of our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of the Democratic [larty, was a popular man, and his party made a valiant fight for his election. Finally the election came and the country's choice was Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated March 4, 1881, as President and Vice-President. A few months only had passed ere the newly chosen President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then came terrible weeks of suffering, — those moments of anxious suspense, when the hearts of all civilized na- tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re- covery of the noble, the good President. The remark- able patience that he manifested during those hours and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf- fering man has often been called upon to endure, was seemingly more than human. It was certainly God- like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr. Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to his credit that his every action displayed only an earnest desire that the suffering Garfield might recover, to serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi- ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested in deed or look of this man, even though the most honored position in the world was at any moment likely to fall to him. At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar- field from further suffering, and the world, as never before in its history over the death of any other man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty of the Vice President to assume the responsibilities of the high office, and he took the oath in New York, Sept. 20, 1881. The jwsition was an embarrassing one to him, made doubly so from the facts that all eyes were on him, anxious to know what he would do, what policy he would pursue, and who he would se- lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been greatly neglected during the President's long illness, and many important measures were to be immediately decided by him ; and still farther to embarrass him he did not fail to realize under what circumstances he became President, and knew the feelings of many on this point. Under these trying circumstances President Arthur took the reins of the Government in his own hands ; and, as embarrassing as were the condition of affairs, he happily surprised the nation, acting so wisely that but few criticised his administration. He served the nation well and faithfully, until tlie close of his administration, March 4, 1885, and was a popular candidate before his party for a second term. His name was ably presented before the con- vention at Chicago, and was received with great favor, and doubtless but for the personal popularity of one of the opposing candidates, he would have been selected as the standard-bearer of his party for another campaign. He retired to private life car- rying with him the best wishes of the American peo- ple, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory to them and with credit to himself. y^-trU^r- -^•- TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT. 103 h- ^^^'^ - OOP - TEPHEN GROVER CLEVE- LAND, thetwenty-second Pres- ident of the United States, was born in 1837, in the obscure town of Caldwell, Essex Co., N. J., and in a little two-and-a- half-story white house whicli is still standing, characteristically to mark the humble birth-[)lace of one of America's great men in striking con- trast with the Old World, where all men high in office must be high in origin and born in the cradle of wealth. When the subject of this sketch was three years of age, his father, who was a Presbyterian min- ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved, by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most straggling of country villages, about five miles from Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born. At the last mentioned place young Grover com- menced going to school in the "good, old-fashioned way," and presumably distinguished himself after the manner of all village boys, in doing the things he ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the capacity of the village school and expressed a most emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To thi^ his father decidedly objected. Academies in those days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to become self-supiwrting by the quickest possible means, and this at that time in Fayetteville seemed to be a position in a country store, where his father and the large family on his hands had considerable influence. Grover was to be paid §50 for his services the first year, and if he |)rovcd trustworthy he was to receive $too the second year. Here the lad com- menced his career as salesman, and in two years he had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness tliat his employers desired to retain him for an in- definite length of time. Otherwise he did not ex- hibit as yet any particular " flashes of genius " or eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy. But instead of remaining with this firm in Fayette- ville, he went with the family in their removal to Clinton, where he had an opportunity of attending a high school. Here he industriously pursued his studies until the family removed with him to a point on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica, N. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching but three Sundays. This event broke up the family, and Grover set out for Mew York City to accept, at a small salary, the position of " under-teacher " in an asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two years, and althougti he obtained a good reputation in this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not his S. GROVER CLEVELAND. f calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order, ne left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as there was some charm in that name for him; but before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to »sk the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted stock- breeder of that place. The latter did not speak enthusiastically. "What is it you want to do, my boy ? " he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study law," was the reply. " Good gracious ! " remarked the old gentleman ; " do you, indeed ? What ever put that into your head? How much money have you got.?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got any. After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at $50 a year, wiiile he could "look around." One day soon afterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers, Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told them what he wanted. A number of young men were already en- gaged in the office, but Grover's persistency won, and he was finally permitted to come as an office boy and have the use of the law library, for the nominal sum of $3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for his board and washing. The walk to and from his uncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although the first winter was a memorably severe one, his shoes were out of repair and his overcoat — he had none — yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular. On the first day of his service here, his senior em- ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That's where they all begin." A titter ran around the little circle of clerks and students, as they thought that was enough to scare young Grover out of his plans ; but in due time he mastered that cumbersome volume. Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland exhibited a talent for executiveness rather than for chasing principles through all their metaphysical possibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do it," was practically his motto. The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was elected was that of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in which Buffalo is situated; and in such capacity it fell to his duty to inflict capital punishment upon two criminals. Li 1881 he was elected Mayor of the City of Buffalo, on the Democratic ticket, with es- pecial reference to the bringing about certain reforms in the administration of the municipal affairs of that city. In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, his performance of duty has generally been considered fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer- reted out and magnified during the last Presidential campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniqui- tous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time for plain speech, and my objection to your action shall be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of a mos bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme to betray the interests of the people and to worse than squander the people's money." The New York Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve- land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there- upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire State. To the latter office he was elected in 1882, and his administration of the affairs of State was generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if any, were made very public throughout the nation after he was nominated for President of the United States. For this high office he was nominated July II, 1884, by the National Democratic Convention at Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F. Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.: and he was elected by the people, by a majority of about a thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub- lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve- land resigned his office as Governor of New York in January, 1885, in order to prepare for his duties as the Chief Executive of the United States, in which capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th of March, 1885. For his Cabinet officers he selected the following gentlemen: For Secretary of State, Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware ; Secretary of the Treasury, Daniel Manning, of New York ; Secretary of War, William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts ; Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of New York ; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, of Mississippi; Postmaster-General, William F. Vilas, of Wisconsin ; Attorney-General, A. H. Garland, of Arkansas. The silver question precipitated a controversy be- tween those who were in favor of the continuance of silver coinage and those who were opposed, Mr. Cleveland answering for the latter, even before his inauguration. -^ I ■» ■ ^ ■«IMJI^ll-.S;^ f •►jll- GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. '05 tSJri|n-vcccc/iS^«'»aj^..«'! r^,as^3>f'&'^"y^ rior grant, or assignation of boundary'. Ohio, on the other hand, claimed that the ordinance had been superseded by the Constitution of the United States, and that Congress had a right to regu- late the boundary. It was also claimed that the Constitution of the State of Ohio having described a different line, and Congress having admitted the Stale under that Constitution, without mentioning the sub- ject of the line in dispute, Congress had thereby given its consent to the line as laid down by the Constitu- tion of Ohio. This claim was urged by Ohio at some periods of the controversy, but at others she ap- peared to regard the question unsettled, by the fact that she insisted upon Congress taking action in re- gard to the boundary. Accordingly, we find that, in 1812, Congress authorized the Survxyor-General to survey a line, agreeably to the act, to enable the i)eople of Ohio to form a Constitution and State government. Owing to Indian hostilities, however, the line was not run till 1818. In 1820, the question in dispute underwent a rigid examination by the Committee on Public Lands. The claim of Ohio was strenuously urged by her delegation, and as ably opiX)sed by Mr. Woodbridge, the then delegate from Michigan. The result was that the committee decided unanimously in favor of Michigan; but, in the hurry of business, no action was taken by Congress, and the question remained open till Michiijan organized her Stale gov- ernment. The Territory in dispute is al>oui five miles in width at the west end, and about eight miles in width at the east end, and extends along the whole north- ern tine of Ohio, west of Lake Erie. The line claimed by Micliigan was known as the " Fulton line," and that claimed l>y Ohio was known as the" H.irrisline," -i^ io6 STEPHEN T. MASON. ^i^h-4 from the names of the surveyors. The territory was vahiable for its rich agricultural lands; but the chief value consisted in the fact that the harbor on the Maumee River, where now stands the flourishing city ■of Toledo, was included within its limits The town originally bore the name of Swan Creek, afterwards Port Lawrence, then Vestula, and then Toledo. In February, 1835, the Legislature of Ohio passed an act e.xtending the jurisdiction of the State over the territory in question; erected townships and directed them to hold elections in April following. It also directed Governor Lucus to appoint three com- missioners to survey and re-mark the Harris line ; and named the first of April as the day to commence the survey. Acting Governor Mason, however, anticipated this action on the part of the Ohio Legislature, sent a special message to the Legislative Council, appris- ing it of Governor Lucas' message, and advised imme- diate action by that body to anticipate and counteract the proceedings of Ohio. Accordingly, on the 12th of February, the council passed an act making it a crimmal offence, punishable by a heavy fine, or im- prisonment, for any one to attempt to exercise any official functions, or accept any office within the juris- diction of Michigan, under or by virture of any au- thority not derived from the Territory, or the United States. On the 9th of March, Governor Mason wrote General Brown, then in command of the Michigan militia, directing him to hold himself in readiness to meet the enemy in the field in case any attempt was made on the part of Ohio to carry out the provisions of that act of the Legislature. On the 31st of March, Governor Lucus, with his commissioners, arrived at Perrysburgh, on their way to commence re-surveying the Harris line. He was accompanied by General Bell and staff, of the Ohio Militia, who proceeded to muster a volunteer force of about 600 men. This was soon accomplished, and the force fully armed and equipped. The force then went into camp at Fort Miami, to await the Governor's orders. In the meantime. Governor Mason, with General Brown and staff, had raised a force 800 to 1200 strong, and were in possession of Toledo. General Brown's Staff consisted of Captain Henry Smith, of Monroe, Inspector; Major J. J. Ullman, of Con- stantine, Quartermaster; William E. Broadman, of Detroit, and .Mpheus lelch, of Monroe, Aids-de- ( amp. When Governor Lucas observed the deter- mined bearing of the Michigan brave-;, and took note of their number, he found it convenient to content himself for a time with " watching over the border.' Several days were passed in this exhilarating employ- ment, and just as Governor Lucas had made up his mind to do something rash, two commissioners ar- rived from Washington on a mission of peace. They remonstrated with Gov. Lucus, and reminded him of the consequences to himself and his State if he per- sisted in his attempt to gain possessionof the disputed territory by force. After several conferences with both governors, the connnissioners submitted proposi- tions for their consideration. Governor Lucas at once accepted the propositions, and disbanded his forces. Governor Mason, on the other hand, refused to accede to the arrangement, and declined to compromise the rights of his people by a surrender of possession and jurisdiction. When Gov- ernor Lucus disbanded his forces, however. Governor Mason partially followed suit, but still held himself in readiness to meet any emergency that might arise. Governor Lucus now supposed that his way was clear, and that he could re-mark the Harris line with- out being molested, and ordered the commissioners to proceed with their work. In the meantime, Governor Mason kept a watch- ful eye upon the proceedings. General Brown sent scouts through the woods to watch their movements, and report when operations were commenced. When the surveying party got within the county of Lena- wee, the under-sheriff of that county, armed with a warrant, and accompanied by a posse, suddenly made his appearance, and succeeded m arresting a portion of the party. The rest, including the commissioners, took to their heels, and were soon beyond the dis- puted territory. They reached Perrysburgh the fol- lowing day in a highly demoralized condition, and reported they had been attacked by an overwhelm- ing force of Michigan malitia, under command of General Brown. This summary breaking up of the surveying party produced the most tremendous excitement throughout Ohio. Governor Lucas called an extra session of the Legislature. But little remains to be said in reference to the "war." The question continued for some time to agitate the minds of the opposing parties; and the action of Congress was impatiently awaited. Michigan was admitted into the Union on the condition that she give to Ohio the disputed territon,', and accept ni return the Northern Peninsula, which she did. •> 11 ^ <• JL SECOND GOVERyOR OF .\[ ICING AN. 109 iia».^rt»^-Sa^Jjra»v. >J!£&= %.. .;5^ ^^ fTTT . '^ .T" T " -. n '•■• ■■ ^w- I ILLIAM WOODBRIDGE, 'Lsecond (iovernor of Michigan, fV was born at Norwich, Conn., Aug. 20, 1780, and died at Detroit Oct. 20, 1S61. lie r^A was of a family of three brothers and two sisters. His father, Dudley Woodbridge, removed to Marietta, Ohio, aiiout 1790. The life of Wm. Woodbridge, by Chas. Lauman, from which this sketch JiJ is largely compiled, mentions noth- ing concerning his early education beyond the fact that it was such as r»( was afforded by the average school *,( of the time, e.xcept a year with the French colonists at Oallii)olis, , , where he acquired a knowledge of I jQ the French language. It should be borne in mind, however, that home education at that time was an indispensable feature in the training of the young. To this and and to a few studies well mastered, is due that strong mental discipline which has served as a basis for many of the grand intellects that have adorned and lielped to make our National history. Mr. Woodbridge studied law at Marietta, having as a fellow student an intimate personal friend, a young man subsequently distinguished, but known at that time simply as Lewis Cass. He graduated at the l.iw school in Connecticut, after a course there of nearly three years, and began to practice at Marietta in 1806. In June, 1806, he married, at Hartford, Con- necticut, luleanna, daughter of John Trumbell, a distinguished author and judge; and author of the i peom McFingal, which, during a dark period of the Revolution, wrought such a magic change ujwn the spirits of the colonists. He was happy in his domes- tic relations until the death of Mrs. W., Feb. 2,19, i860. Our written biographi';s necessarily speak more fully of men, because of their active jiarticipation in public affairs, but human actions are stamped ujxjn the page of time and when the scroll shall be unrolled the influence of good women uixjn the history of the world will be read side by side with the deeds of men. How much success and renown in life many men owe to their wives is probably little known. Mrs. W. en- joyed the best means of early education that the country afforded, and her intellectual genius enabled her to improve her advantages. During her life, side by side with the highest tyi)e of domestic and social graces, she manifested a keen intellectuality that formed the crown of a faultless character. She was a natural jwet, and wrote quite a large number of fine verses, some of wliich are preserved in a i)rinted memorial essay written ujxjn the occasion of her death. In this essay, it is said of her "to contribute even in matters of minor imixjrtance, to elevate the reputation and add to the well being of her husband in the various stations he was called \\\)k>\\ to fill, gave her the highest satisfaction " She was an invalid during the latter (wrtion of her life, but was patient and cheerful to the end. In 1807, Mr. W. was chosen a representative to the (ieneral .Assembly of Ohio, and in f 809 was elected to the Senate, continuing a member l>y re-election until his removal from the State. He also held, by ap- pointment, during the time the office of Prosecuting Attorney for his county. He took a leading part in the Legislature, and in 1S12 drew upadeclar.ationand resolutions, which passed the twohousesunaminously J, -•► WILLIAM WOODBRIDGE. aiid attracted great attention, endorsing, in strongest a.id most emphatic terms, the war measures of Presi- dent Madison. During the period from 1804 to 1814 the two law students, Woodbridge and Cass, liad be- come widely separated. The latter was Governor of the Territory of Micliigan under the historic "Governor and Judges" plan, with tlie indispensable requisite of a Secretary of the Territorry. This latter position was, in 1814, without solicitation on his part, tendered to Mr. W. He accepted the position with some hesita- tion, and entered upon its duties as soon as he could make the necessary arrangements for leaving Ohio. The office of Secretary involved also the duties of collectorof customsat the port of Detroit, and during the frequent absences of the Governor, the dischargeof of his duties, also including those of Superintendent of Indian Affairs. Mr. \S . officiated as Governor for about two years out of the eight years that he held the office of Secretary Under the administration of "Gov- ernor and Judges," which the people of the Territory preferred for economical reasons, to continue some time after their numbers entitled them to a more popular representative system, they were allowed no delegate in Congress. Mr. W., as a sort of informal agent of the people, by correspondence and also by a visit to the National capital, so clearly set forth the demand for representation by a delegate, that an act was passed in Congress in 1 8 1 9 authorizing one tobe chosen. Under this act Mr. W. was elected by the concurrence of all parties. His first action in Congress was to secure the ]jassage of a bill recognizing and confirming the old French land titles in the Territory according to the terms of the treaty of peace with Great Britain at the close of the Revolution ; and another for the construction of a Government road through the "blacl< swamps" from the Miami River to Detroit, thus oi)en- ing a means of land transit between Ohio and Mich- igan. He was influential in securing the passage of bills for the construction of Government roads from Detroit to Chicago, and Detroit to Fort Gratiot, and for the improvement of La Plaisance Bay. The ex- pedition for the exploration of the country around Lake Superior and in the valley of the Upper Mis- sissippi, projected by Governor Cass, was set on foot by means of representations made to the head of the department by Mr. W. While in Congress he stren- uously maintained the right of Michigan to the strip of territory now forming the northern boundary of Ohio, which formed the subject of sucli grave dispute between Ohio and Michigan at the time of the ad- mission of the latter into the Union. He served but one term as delegate to Congress, de- clining further service on account of personal and family considerations. Mr. VV. continued to discharge the duties of Secretary of the Territory up to the time its Government passed into the "second grade." In 1824, he was appointed one of a board of commissioners for adjusting private land claims in the Territory, and was engaged also in the practice of his profession, having the best law library in the Ter- ritory. In 1828, upon the recommendation of the Governor, Judges and others, lie was appointed by the President, J. Q. Adams, to succeed Hon. James With- erell, wlio liad resigned as a Judgeof wliat is conven- tionally called the "Supreme Court" of the Territory. This court was apparently a continuation of the Terri- torial Court, under the "first grade" or "Governor and Judges" system, .\lthough it was supreme in its ju- dicial functions within the Territory, its powers ind duties were of a very general character. In 1832, the term of his appointment as Judge ex- piring. President Jackson appointed a successor, it is supposed on political grounds, much to the disappoint- ment of the public and the bar of the Territory. The partisan feehngof the time extended into the Terri- tory, and its people began to think of assuming the dignity of a State government. Party lines becom- ing very sharply drawn, he identified himself with the Whigs and was elected a member of the Conven- tion of 1835, which formed the first State Constitution. In 1837 he was elected a member of tie St ate Senate. This sketch has purposely dealt somewhat in detail with what may be called Judge W's. earlier career, because it is closely identified with the early his- tory of the State, and the develojiment of its politi- cal system. Since the organization of the State Gov- ernment the history of Michigan is more familiar, and hence no review of Judge W's career as Governor and Senator will be attempted. He was elected Gov- ernor in 1839, under a popular impression that the affairs of the State had not been ])rudently adminis- tered by the Democrats. He served as Governor but little more than a year, when he was elected to the Senate of the United States. His term in the Senate practically closed his polit- ical life, although he was strongly urged by many prominent men for the Whig nomination for Vice President in 1848. Soon after his appointment as Judge in 1828, Gov- ernor W. took up his residence on a tract of land which he owned in the township of Spring Wells, a short distance below what was then the corporate lim- its of Detroit, where he resided during the remainder of his life. Both in his public papers and private communications. Governor W. shows himself a mas- ter of language; he is fruitful in simile and illustra- tion, logical in arrangement, happy in the choice and treatment of topics, and terse and vigorous in expres- sion. Judge W. was a ("ongregationalist. His opinions on all subjects were decided ; he was earnest and energetic, courteous and dignified, and at times ex- hibited a vein of fine humor that was the more at- tractive because not too often allowed to come to the surface. His letters and addresses show a deep and earnest affection not only for his ancestral home, but the home of his adoption and for friends and family. :?^r#^ / / JU t GOl'EJiA'-ORS OF M/CII/G.UY. ■•► 1 1 xJOHN S. BARRY om^ ►— ■V' 4 OHN STEWARD BARRY, Governor of Michigan from Jan. 3, 1842, to Jan. 5, 1846, and from Jan. 7, 1850, to Jan. 1852, was born at Amherst, N. H., Jan. 29, 1802. His par- ents, John and Ellen (Steward) Barry, early removed to Rocking- liam, Vt., where he remained until lie became of age, working on his father's farm, and pursuing his studies at the same time. He mar- ried Mary Kidder, of Grafton, Vt., and in 1824 went to (ieorgia, Vt., where he had charge of an academy for two years, meanwhile studying law. He afterward practiced law in that State. While he was in Georgia he was for some time a member of the Governor's staff, with the title of Governor's Aid, and at a somewhat earlier period was Captain of a company of State militia. In 1831 he removed to Michigan, and settled at White Pigeon, where he engaged in mercantile business with I. W. WiUard. Four years after, 1834, Mr. Barry removed to Con- stantine and continued his mercantile pursuits. He became Justice of the Peace at White Pigeon, Mich.i in 1831, and held the office until the year 1835. Mr. Barry's first public office was that of a member of the first constitutional convention, which assembled and framed the constitution upon which Michigan was admitted into the Union. He took an important and prominent part in the proceedings of that body, and showed himself to be a man of far more than ordinary ability. Upon Michigan being admitted into the Union, Mr. Barrv was chosen State Senator, and so favorably were his associates impressed with his abilities at the first session of the Legislature that they looked to him as a party leader, and that he should head the State ticket at the following election. Accordingly he re- ceived the nomination for Governor at the hands of his party assembled in convention. He was elected, and so (wpular was his administration that, in 1842, he was again elected. During these years Michigan was enil)arrassed l>y great financial diffi- culties, and it was through his wisdom and sound judg- ment that the State was finally placed upon a solid financial basis. During the first year of Gov. Barry's first term, the University at .■Vnn .\rbor was o|)ened for the reception -4^ 114 JOHN STEWARD BARRY. of students. The Michigan Central and Michigan Southern railroads were being rapidly constructed, and general progress was everywhere noticeable. In 1842, the number of pupils reported as attending the public schools was nearly fifty -eight thousand. In 1843, a State land office was established at Marshall, which was invested with the charge and disposition of all the lands belonging to the State In 1844, the tax- able property of the State was found to be over twenty-eight millions of dollars, the tax being at the rate of two mills on the dollar. The expenses of the State were only seventy thousand dollars, while the income from the railroads was nearly three hundred thousand dollars. At this time the University of Michigan had become so prosperous that its income was ample to pay the interest on the University debt ; and the amount of money which the State was able to loan the several progressing railroads was one hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Efforts were made to increase the efficiency of the common schools with good results In 1845, when Gov. Barry's sec- ond term expired, the population of the State was more than three hundred thousand. The constitution of the State forbade more than two consecutive terms, but he was called upon to fill the position again in 1850 — the only instance of the kind in the history of the State. He was a member of the Territorial Legislature, of the Constitutional Conven- tion, and afterward of the State House of Represent- atives. During Mr. Barry's third term as Governor the Nor- mal School was established at Ypsilanti, which was endowed with lands and placed in charge of a board of education consisting of six persons. A new con- stitution for the government of the State was also adopted and the ''(rreat Railway Conspiracy Case" was tried. This grew out of a series of lawless acts which had been committed upon the property of the Michigan Central Railroad Comi)any, along the line of their road, and finally the burning of the depot at Detroit, in 1850. At a setting of the grand jury of Wayne County, April 24, 185 T, 37 men of the 50 under arrest for this crime were indicted. May 20, following, the accused parties appeared at the Circuit Court of Wayne, of which Warner Wing was resident judge. The Rail- road Company employed ten eminent lawyers, in- cluding David Stuart, John Van Arman, James A. Van Dyke, Jacob M. Howard, Alex. D. Fraser, Dan- iel Goodwin and William Gray. The defendants were represented by six members of the State bar, led by William H. Seward, of New York. The trial occupied four months, during which time the plaintiffs exam- ined 246 witnesses in 27 days, and the defendants 249 in 40 days. Mr. Van Dyke addressed the jury for the prosecution ; William H. Seward for the defense. The great lawyer was convinced of the innocence ■^« ^ " of his clients, nor did the verdict of that jury and the sentence of that judge remove his firm belief that his clients were the victims of purchased treachery, rather than so many sacrifices to justice. The verdict of " guilty " was rendered at 9 o'clock p. M., Sept. 25, 185 1. On the 26th the prisoners were put forward to receive sentence, when many of them protested their entire innocence, after which the pre- siding judge condemned 12 of the number to the fol- lowing terms of imprisonment, with hard labor, within the State's prison, situate in their county : Ammi Filley, ten years ; Orlando L. Williams, ten years ; Aaron Mount, eight years ; Andrew J. Freeland, eight years; Eben Fariiham, eight years; William Corvin, eight years ; Richard Price, eight years ; Evan Price, eight years; Lyman Champlin, five years; Willard W. Champlin, five years; Erastus Champlin, five years; Erastus Smith, five years. In 1840, Gov. Barry became deeply interested in the cultivation of the sugar beet, and visited Europe to obtain information in reference to its culture. He was twice Presidential Elector, and his last public service was that of a delegate to the National Democratic Convention held in Chicago in 1864. He was a man who, throughout life, maintained a high character for integrity and fidelitv to the trusts bestowed upon him, whether of a public or a private nature, and he is acknowledged by all to have been one of the most efficient and {xjpular Governors the State has ever had. Gov. Barry was a man of incorruptible integrity. His opinions, which he reached by the most thorough investigation, he held tenaciously. His strong con- victions and outspoken honesty made it impossible for him to take an undefined jxisition wlien a principle was involved. His attachments and prejudices were strong, yet lie was never accused of favoritism in his administration of public affairs. As a speaker he was not remarkable. Solidity, rather than brilliancy, char- acterized his oratory, which is described as argument- ative and instructive, but cold, hard, and entirely wanting in rhetorical ornament. He was never elo- quent, seldom humorous or sarcastic, and in manner rather awkward. Although Mr. Barry's educational advantages were so limited, he was a life-long student. He mastered both ancient and modern languages, and acquired a thorough knowledge of history. No man owed less to political intrigue as a means of gaining posi- tion. He was a true statesman, and gained pul)lic es- teem by his solid worth. His political connections were always with the Democratic party, and his opin- ions were usually extreme. Mr. Barry retired to private life after the beginning of the ascendency of the Republican party, and car- ried on his mercantile !)usiness at Constantine. He died Jan. 14, 1870, his wife's death having occurred a year previous, March 30, 1869. They left no children. 2,^ J -4«- t GOl'F.RXORS OF MICHIGAN. 117 ')7^^^ =;i^^ "imi A LPHEUS FELCH, the third (iovernor of Michigan, was )orn ill l.inicrick, Maine, Sep- tember 28, 1806. His grand- father, Abijah Felch, was a sol- V'', " '/""^ dier ill the Revolution; and ""■' i-=) when a young man, having with others obtained a grant of land be- tween the Great and Little Ossipee Rivers, in Maine, moved to that re- gion when it was yet a wilderness. The father of Mr. Felch embarked in mercantile life at Limerick. He was the first to engage in that business in that section, and continued it until his death. The death of the father, followed within a year by the death of the mother, left the subject of this sketch, then three years old, to the care of relatives, and he found a home with his paternal grandfather, where he re- mained until his death. Mr Felch received his early education in the district school and a neighboring academy, in 1821 he became a student at Phillips E.xter Academy, and, subseiiuently, entered Kowdoin College, graduated with the class of 1827. He at once began the study of law and was admitted to practice at Bangor, Me., in 1830. He began the practice of his profession at Houlton, Me., where he remained until 1833. The severity of the climate impaired his health, never very good, and he found it necessary to seek a change of climate. He disposed of his librar)- and started to seek a new home. His intention was to join his friend, ^<->-..j Sargent S. Prentiss, at Vicksburg, Miss., but on his arrival at Cincinnati, Mr. Felch was attacked by cholera, and when he had lecovered suflicientiy to permit of his traveling, found that the danger of the disease was too great to permit a journey down the river. He therefore determined to come to Michi- gan. He first began to practice in this State at Mon- roe, where he continued uiitil 1843, when he removed to Ann Arbor, He was elected to the State Legisla- ture in 1835, and continued a member of that body during the years 1836 and 1837. While he held this- office, the general banking law of the State was enact- ed, and went into operation. After mature delibera- tion, he became convinced that the proposed system of banking could not i)rove beneficial to the public interests ; and that, instead of relieving the people from the pecuniary difficulties under which they were laboring, it would result in still further embarrass- ment. He, therefore, opjxjsed the bill, and pointed out to the House the disasters which, in his opinion, were sure to follow its passage. The i)ublic mind, however, was so favorably impressed by the measure that no other member, in either branch of the Legisla- ture, raised a dissenting voice, and but two voted with him in opixDsition to the bill. Early in 183S, he was appointed one of the Bank Commissioners of the State, and held that office for mote than a year. I )ur- ing this time, the new banking law had given birth to that numerous progeny known as "wild-cat" banks. Almost every village had its bank. The country was flooded with depressed "wild-cat" money. The ex- aminations of the Bank Commissioners brought to lii^ht frauds at every jioint, which were fearlessly re- 4 ii8 ALPHEUS FELCH. ported to the Legislature, and were followed by crim- inal prosecutions of the guilty parties, and the closing of many of their institutions. The duties of the of- fice were most laborious, and in 1839 Mr. Felch re- signed. The chartered right of almost every bank had, in the meantime, been declared forfeited and the law repealed. It was subsequently decided to be constitutional by the Supreme Court of the State. In the year 1842 Governor Felch was appointed to the office of Auditor General of the State; but after holding the office only a few weeks, was com- missioned by the Governor as one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, to fill a vacancy caused by the resig- nation of Judge Fletcher. In January, 1843, he was elected to the United States Senate for an unexpired term. In 1845 he was elected Governor of Michigan, and entered upon his duties at the commencement of the ne.xl year. In 1847 he was elected a Senator in Congress for six years ; and at once retired from the office of Governor, by resignation, which took effect March 4, 1847, when his Senatorial term com- menced. While a member of the Senate he acted on the Committee on Public Lands, and for four years was its Chairman. He filled the honorable position of Senator with becoming dignity, and with great credit to the State of Michigan. During Governor Felch 's administration the two railroads belonging to the State were sold to private corporations, — the Central for $2,000,000, and the Southern for $500,000. The e.xports of the State amounted in 1846 to $4,647,608. The total capacity of vessels enrolled in the collection district at Detroit was 26,928 tons, the steam vessels having 8,400 and the sailmg vessels t8,528 tons, the whole giving em- ployment to 18,000 seamen. In 1847, there were 39 counties in the State, containing 435 townships ; and 275 of these townships were supplied with good libra- ries, containing an aggregate of 37,000 volumes. At the close of his Senatorial term, in March, 1853, Mr. Felch was apixiinted, by President Pierce, one of the Commissioners to adjust and settle the Spanish and Mexican land claims in California, under the treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo, and an act of Congress passed for that purpose. He went to California in May, 1853, and was made President of the Commis- sion. The duties of this office were of the most im- portant and delicate character. The interest of the new State, and the fortunes of many of its citizens, both the native Mexican [wpulation and the recent American immigration ; the right of the Pueblos to their common lands, and of the Catholic Church to the lands of the Missions, — the most valuable of the State, — wereinvolved in the adjudicationsof this Com- mission. In March, 1856, their labors were brought to a close by the final disposition of all the claims which were presented. The record of their proceed- ings, — the testimony which was given in each case, and the decision of the Commissioners thereon, — consisting of some forty large volumes, was deposited in the Department of the Interior at Washington. In June of that year, Governor Felch returned to Ann Arbor, where he has since been engaged piinci- pally in legal business. Since his return he has been nominated for Governor and also for U. S. Sen- ator, and twice for Judge of the Supreme Court. But the Democratic party, to which he has always been attached, being in the minority, he failed of an elec- tion. In 1 87 3 he withdrew from the active practice of law, and, with the exception of a tour in Europe, in 1875 has since led a life of retirement at his home in Ann Arbor. In 1877 the University of Michigan conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. For many years he was one of the Regents of Michigan University, and in the spring of 1879 was appointed Tappan Professor of Law in the same. Mr. Felch is the oldest surviving member of the Legislature from Monroe Co., the oldest and only surviving Bank Com- missioner of the State, the oldest surviving Auditor General of the State, the oldest surviving Governor of the State, the oldest surviving Judge of the Supreme Court of Michigan, and the oldest surviving United States Senator from the State of Michigan. 4^ GO VERNORS. Mi -r'-r-f 1 WIIUAM lo©BEEiNLT. • •*'-g-g'*S!S-«^is^^;;s*^"iS"t^;:g<»^is*^;iS'!^;;cH(^5;.,;-^^ ^n-'o ILLIAM L. GREENLY (lovernor of Michigan for the year 1847, was born at Hamil- ton, Madison Co., N. Y., Sept. I'r'v .tj^p 18,1813. He graduated at Un- ^.' 1 '^^^ fi ion College, Schenectady, in 1831, studied law and was ad- mitted to the liar in 1834. In 1836, having removed to Michi- gan, he settled in Adrian, where he has since resided. The year following his arrival in Michigan he was elected State Senator and served in that capacity until 1S39. In 1845 he was elected Lieut. Gov- ernor and became acting Governor by the resignation of Gov. Felch, who was elected to the United States Senate. The war with Mexico was brought to a successful termination during Gov. Greenly s administration. \Ve regret to say that there are only few records e.xtant of the action of Michigan troops in the Mexican war. That many went there and fought well are points conceded ; but their names and nativity are hidden away in United States archives 4* and where it is almost impossible to find them. The soldiers of this State deserve much of the credit of the memorable achievements of Co. K, 3d Dragoons, and Cos. A, E, and G of the U. S. Inf.' The two former of these companies, recruited in this State, were reduced to one-third their original num- ber. In May, 1846, the Governor of Michigan was noti- fied by the War Department of the United States to enroll a regiment of volunteers, to be held in readi- ness for service whenever demanded. At his sum- mons 13 independent volunteer companies, 1 1 of infantry and two of cavalry, at once fell into line. Of tho mfantry four companies were from Detroit, bear- ing the honored names of Montgomery, Lafayette, Scott and Brady uiwn their banners. Of the re- mainder Monroe tendered two, Lenawee County three, St. Clair, Berrien and Hillsdale each one, and Wayne County an additional company. Of these alone the veteran Bradys were accepted and ordered into ser- vice. In addition to them ten companies, making the First Regiment of Michigan Volunteers, springing from various parts of the State, but embodying 10 a great degree the material of which the first volunteers was formed, were not called for until October follow- ing. This regiment was soon in readiness and pro- ceeded by orders from Government to the seat of war. ■» T /i- C56*-2,-i»« i "^•- GOVERyORS OF MJCIUGAN. 129 ste'fiiP.j.K,^ . ■-*;=: *^^ » ^II^mBIw •#^^6^i#- i^iiKu Mg^j^Ei^^aji^ -ia '^4^^'^A.t..t.A.t.>.t>.t«.fet»V;ivA.A.t^.t..^^^ -^1 b ;x-»- '^"''^SB^i OBERT McClelland, ®^Ciovernor of Michigan from Jan. I, 1852, to March 8,1853, wasbornatGrcencastle.Frank- _ lin Co., Penn., Aug. i, 1807. Among his ancestors were several 'tficers of rank in tlic Revolution- ar)' war, and some of his family con- nections were distinguished in the war of 1812, and that with Mexico. His father was an eminent physician and surgeon who studied under Dr. Benj. Rush, of Philadelphia, and practiced his profession successfully until six months before his death, at the age of 84 years. Although Mr. McClelland's family had been in good circum- stances, when he was 17 years old he was thrown uiwn hisown resources, .\fter taking the usual pre- liminary studies, and teaching school to obtain the means, he entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle, Penn., from which he graduated among the first in his class, in 1 829. He then resumed teaching, and having completed the course of study for the legal profession, was admitted 10 the bar at Chambersburg, Penn., in 1831. Soon afterward he removed to the city of Pittsburgh, where he practiced for almost a year. In 1833, Mr. McClelland rcmov<-d lo .Monroe, in <• ' — -"! ^^ the 'Icrritory of Michigan, where, after a severe ex- amination, he became a member of the bar of Michi- gan, and engaged in practice with bright prospect of success. In 1835, a convention was called to frame a constitution for the proj^sed State of Michigan, of which Mr. McClelland was elected a member. He took a prominent part in its deliberations and ranked among its ablest debaters. He was apjwinted the first Bank Commissioner of the State, by Cov. Mason, and received an offer of the .\ttorney Generalship, but declined both of these offices in order to attend to his professional duties. In 1838, Mr. .McClelland was elected to the State Legislature, in which he soon became distinguished as the head of several imixirtant committees. Speaker pro lemfort, and as an active, zealous and efficient member. In 1840, Gen. Harrison, as a candidate for the Presidency, swci)t the country with an overwhelm- ing majority, and at the same time the State of Michi- gan was carried by the Whigs under the (wpular cr>' of " Woodbridge and reform " against the Democratic party. .At this time Mr. McClelland stood among the acknowledged leaders of the latter organization ; was elected a member of the St.ite House of Representa- tives, and with others adopted a ])lan to regain a lost authority and jirestige. This party soon came again into (wwcr in the State, and having been returned to the Stale Legislature Mr. McClelland's leadership was acknowledged by his election as S|>eaker of the House of Representatives 1 -<•- ,t ROBERT McCLELI.AXD -h in 1843. Down to this time Michigan had consti- tuted one congressional district. The kite Hon. Jacob M. Howard had been elected against Hon. Alpheus Felch by a strong majority; but, in 1843, so tlioroiighly had the Democratic party recovered from its defeat of 1840 that Mr. McClellandj as a candidate forCon- gress, carried Detroit district by a majority ot about 2,500. Mr. McClelland soon tocV a prominent posi lion in Congress among the veteians of that body. During his first term he was placed on Committee on Commerce, and organized and carried through what were known as the " Harljor bills." The continued confidence of his constituency was manifested in his election to the 29th Congress. At the opening of this session he had acquired a National reputation, and so favorably was he known as a parlimentarian that his name was mentioned for Speaker of the House of Rep- resentatives. He declined the offer in favor of J. W. Davis, of Indiana, who was elected. During this term he became Chairman of Committee on Commerce, in which positipn his reports and advocacy of important measures at once attracted public attention. The members of this committee, as an evidence of the es- teem in which they held his services and of their personal regard for him, presented him with a cane which he retains as a souvenir of the donors, and of his labors in Congress. In 1847, Mr. McClelland was re-elected to Con- gress, and at the opening of the 3oih Congress be- came a member of the Committee on Foreign Rela- tions. \Vhile acting in this capacity, what was known as the " French Spoliation Bill" came under his spe- cial charge, and his management of the same was such as to command universal approbation. While in Congress, Mr. McClelland was an advocate of the right of petition as maintained by John Q. Adams, when the petition, was clothed in decorous language and presented in the proper manner. This he re- garded as the citizensconstitutional right wjiich should not be impaired by any doctrines of temporary expe- diency. He also voted for the adoption of Mr. Gid- dings's bill for the abolishing of slavery in the District of Columbia, Mr. McClelland was one of the few Democrats associated with David Wilmot, of Penn- sylvania, in bringing forward the celebrated "Wilmot Proviso," with a view to prevent further extension of slavery in new territory which might be acquired by the United States. He and Mr. Wilmot were to- gether at the time in Washington, and on intimate and confidential terms, Mr. McClelland was in sev- eral National conventions and in the Baltimore con- vention, which nominated Gen. Cass for President, in 1848, doing valiant service that year for t>e elec- tion of that distinguished statesman. On leaving Congress, in 1848, Mr. McClelland returned to the practice of his profession at Monroe. In 1850 a convention of the State of Michigan was called to revise the State constitution. He was elected a .^a : . member and was regarded therein as among the ablest and most experienced leaders. His clear judgment and wise moderation were conspicuous, both in the committee room and on the floor, in debate. In 1850, he was President of the Democratic State convention which adopted resolutions in support of Henry Clay's famous compromise measures,, of which Mr,, McClel- land was a strong advocate He was a member of tlie Democratic National convention in 1852, and in that year, in company with Gen Cass and Governor Felch,, he made a thorough canvass of the State. He continued earnestly to advocate the Clay com- promise measures, and took an active part in the canvass which resulted in the election of Gen Pierce to the Presidency, In 185 r, the new Stat; constitution took effect and it was necessary that a Governor should be elected for one year in order to prevent an interregnum, and to bring the State Government mto operat.r 1 jnder the new constitution Mr, McClelland was elected Governor, and in the fall of 1S52 was re-elected for a term of two years, from Jan. r, 1853. His admin- istration was regarded as wise, prudent and concilia- tory, and was as popular as could be expected at a time when party spirit ran high. There was really no opposition, and when he resigned, in March, 1853, the State Treasury was well filled, and the State otherwise prosperous. So widely and favorably had Mr. McClelland become known as a statesman that on tlie organization of the cabinet by President Pierce, in March, 1853, he was made Secretary of the Interior,in which capacity he served most creditably during four years of the Pierce administration. He thoroughly re-organized his department and reduced the expend- itures. He adopted a course with the Indians which relieved them from the impositions and annoyances of the traders, and produced harmony and civilization among them. During his administration there was neither complaint from the tribes nor corruption among agents, and he left the department in perfect order and system In 1867, Michigan again called a con- vention to revise the State constitution. Mr. McClel- land was a member and here again his long experi- ence made him conspicuous as a prudent adviser, a sagacious parliamentary leader. As a lawyer he was terse and pointed in argument, clear, candid and im- pressive in his addresses to the jury His sincerity and earnestness, with which was occasionally mingled a pleasant humor, made him an able and effective advocate. In speaking before the people on political subjects he was especially forcible and ha])py. In 1870 he made the tour of Europe, which, through his extensive personal acquaintance with European dip- lomates, he was enabled to enjoy much more than most travelers Mr. McClelland married, in 1837, Miss Sarah E. Sabin,of Williamstown, Mass. They have had six children two of whom now survive. •►- 1 -m <• GOlEA'.yORS OF MICHIGAN. ^17, i ANDREW P4RS)()NS. iT-. •^"■' ^^<^''-' ^.^^''-f ^•^'•' A.'<'''-' ■^■'t'''-* ^•.•■>'''-* J^'^'*-' ^^-^^'^ .-r.--'-'''-' ^^-^V'^ .^t^-<:^'rj j^-^'-tt^ A ^../^ ^ -...- ^ »>.., NDRKW I'ARSONS, Gover- nor of Michiiian from March 8, 1853 to Jan. 3, 1855, was born in the town of Hoosick, County of Rensselaer, and State of New N'ork, on the 2 2d day of July, 1817, and died June 6, 1855, at the early age of 38 years. lie was tlie son of John Parsons, born at Newburyixirt, jMass., Oct. 2, 1782, and who was the sonof Andrew Parsons, a Revohitionary soldier, who was the son of Phineas Parsons, the son of Samuel Parsons, a descendant of Walter l\-irsons, born in Ireland in 1290. (Jf this name and family, some one hundred and lliirty years ago. Bishop (litson remarked in his edi- tion of Camden's Britannia : "The lionorable family of Parsons have been advanced to the dignity of Viscounts and more lately Earls of Ross." The following are descendants of these families: Sir John Parsons, born 1 481, was Mayor of Hereford; Robert Parsons, born in 1546, lived near Piridgewater, HIngland. He was educated at Ballial College, Ox- ford, and was a noted writer and defender of the Romish faith. He established an English College at Rome and another at Valladolia. Frances Parsons, born in 1556, was Vicar of Rothwell, in N'otingham; Bartholomew Parsons, born in 1618, was another noted member of the family. I n 1 634, Thomas Parsons was knighted by Charles i. Joseph and Benjamin, bmthers, were born in Great Torringtoii, Engl.ind, *■ and acconiiKinieii their father and others to New England about 1630. Samuel Parsons, born at Salis- bury, Mass., in 1707, graduated at Harvard College in 1730, ordained at Rye, .N. H., Nov. 3, 1736. married Mary Jones, daughter of Samuel Jones, of Bosloi , Oct. g, 1739, died Jan. 4, 1789, at the age of 82, in the 53rd year of his ministry. The grandfatherof Maty Jones was Capt. John Adams, of Boston, grandson of Henry, of Braintree, who was among the first set- tlers of Massachusetts, and from whom a numerous race of the name are descended, including two Presi- dents of the United States. The Parsons have be- come very numerous and are found throughout New England, and many of the descedants are scattered in all parts of the United States, and especially in the Middle and Western States. Governor Andrew Parsons came to Michigan in 1835, at the ape of 17 years, and spent the first summer at Ixjwer Ann Arbor, where for a lew months he taught school which he was compelled to abandon from ill health He was one of the large number of men of sterling worth, who came from the East to Michigan when it was an infant State, or, even prior to its assuming the dignity of a State, and who, by their wisdom, enterprise and energy, have developed its wonderful natural resources, until to-day it ranks with the proud- est States of the L'nion. These brave men came to Michigan with nothing to aid them in the contpiest of the wilderness save courageous hearts and slmng and willing hands. They gloriously conrpiered, how- ever, and to them is cine all honor for the lalx-iis so nobly i)erforined, for the solid and sure foundation which they laid of a great Commonwealth. ^^1 r 134 A ANDREW PARSONS In the fall of 1835, he explored the Grand River Valley in a frail canoe, the whole length of the river, from Jackson to Lake Michigan, and spent the following winter as clerk in a store at Prairie Creek, in Ionia, County, and in the spring went to Marshall, where he resided with his brother, the Hon. Luke H. Parsons, also now deceased, until fall, when he went to Shia- wasse County, then with Clinton County, and an almost unbroken wilderness and constituting one organized township. In 1837 this territory was organized into a county and, at the age of only 19 years, he (An- drew) was elected County Clerk. In 1840, he was elected Register of Deeds, re-elected in 1842, and also in 1844. In 1846, he was elected to the State Senate, was appointed Prosecuting Attorney in 1848, and elected Regent of the University in 185 i, and Lieutenant Governor, and became acting Governor, in 1853, elected again to the Legislature in 1854, and, overcome by debilitated health, hard labor and the responsibilities of his office and cares of his business, retired to his farm, where he died soon after. He was a fluent and persuasive speaker and well calculated to make friends of his acquantances. He was always true to his trust, and the whole world could not ijersuade nor drive him to do what he con- ceived to be wrong. When Governor, a most power- ful railroad influence was brought to bear upon him, to induce liim to call an extra session of the Legisla- ture. Meetings were lield in all parts of the State for that purpose. In some sections the resolutions were of a laudatory nature, intending to make him do their bidding by resort to friendly and flattering words. In other places the resolutions were of a demanding nature, while in others they were threatening beyond measure. Fearing that all these influences might fail to induce him to call the extra session, a large sum of money was sent him, and liberal offers ten- dered him if he would gratify the railroad interest of the State and call the extra session, but, immovable, he returned the money and refused to receive any fa vol s, whether from any party who would ;it- 1 ' tempt to corrupt him by laudations, liberal offers, or by threats, and in a short letter to the people, after giving overwhelming reasons that no sensible man could dispute, showing the circumstances were not "extraordinary," he refused to call the extra session. This brought down the wrath of various parties upon his head, but they were soon forced to acknowledge the wisdom and the justice of his course. One of his greatest enemies said, after a long acquaintance : "tliough not always coinciding with his views I never doubted his honesty of purpose. He at all times sought to perform his duties in strict accordance, with the dictates of his conscience, and the behests ofhisoath." The following eulogium from a politcal op- ponent is just in its conception and creditable to its author: "Gov. Parsons was a politician of the Dem- ocratic school, a man of pure moral character, fixed and exemplary hnbits, and entirely blameless in every public and private relation of life. As a politician he was candid, frank and free from bitterness, as an ex- ecutive officer firm, constant and reliable." The highest commendations we can pay the deceased is to give his just record, — that of being an honest man. In the spring of 1854, during the administration of Governor Parsons, the Republican party, at least as a State organization, was first formed in the United States " under the oaks " at Jackson, by anti-slavery men of both the old parties. Great excitement pre- vailed at this time, occasioned by the settling of Kansas, and the issue thereby brought up, whether slavery should exist there. For the purpose of permit- ting slavery there, the " Missouri compromise " (which limited slavery to the south of 36° 30") was re- repealed, under the leadership of Stephen A, Douglas. This was repealed by a bill admitting Kansas and Nebraska into the Union, as Territories, and those who were opposed to this repeal measure were in short called "anti-Nebraska" men. The epithets, "Ne- braska" and "anti-Nebraska," were temporally em- ployed to designate the slavery and anti-slavery parties, pending the desolution of the old Democratic and Whig parties rind the organization of the nevyf Democratic and Republican parties of the present. I GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. .fc Mi ^. \ y^ J>x^*-, !'*S>^r^<^<^^^^-^^:^t^^>-^^^n.V-j^t5^^^(^5g«^^'^::^l';^^;>^^^|f: . I. 1. I r • I ' ,1 • I ■ I fU m KiNSLxRY ©. BiNQHAM. .w, INSLEY S. BliVGHAM, fe^^ Governor of Michigan from 1855 to 1859, and United States Senator, was born in Camillus, Onondaga County, N. Y., Dec. 16, 1808. His father was a farmer, and his own early life was consequently de- voted to agricultural pursuits, but notwithstanding the disadvan- tages related to the acquisition of knowledge in the life of a farmer he managed to secure a good aca- demic education in his native State and studied law in the office of Gen. James R. Lawrence, now of Syracuse, N. Y. In the spring of 1833, he married an estimable lady who had recently arrived from Scot- land, and obeying the impulse of a naturally enterprising dis]X)sition, he emigrated to Michigan and lurchased a new farm in company witli his lirother-in-law, Mr. Robert \Vorden, in Green Oak, Livingston County. Here, on the border of civilization, buried in the primeval for- est, our late student commenced the arduous task of preparing a future home, clearing and fencing, put- ting u|) buildings, etc., at such a rate that the land chosen was soon reduced to a high state of cultivation. Becoming deservedly prominent, Mr. Bingham was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace and Post- master under tlie Territorial governmenf, and was the first Probate Judge in the county. In the year 1836, when Michigan became a State, he was elected to the first Legislature. He was four times re-elected, and Speaker of the House of Representatives three years. In 1846 he was elected on the Democratic ticket, Rei>- resentative to Congress, and was the only practical farmer in that body. He was never forgetful of the interest of agriculture, and was in particular opposed to the introduction of " Wood's Patent Cast Iron Plow " which he completely \)revented. He was re- elected to Congress in 1S48, during which time he strongly opposed the extension of slavery in the territory of the United States and w.as committed to and voted for the Wilmot Proviso. In 1S54, at the first organization of the Republican party, in consecjuence of his record in Congress as a Free Soil Democrat, Mr. Bingham was nominated and elected Governor of the State, and re-elected in 1856. Still faithful to the memory of his own former occupation, he did not forget the farmers during his administration, and among other profits of his zeal in their l)ehalf, he became mainly instrumental in the establishment of the Agricultural College at Lansing. In 1859, Governor Bingham was elected Senator in Congress and took an active part in the stormy cam- paign in the election of Abraham Lincoln. He wit- t^ :* 4^ 138 A'/NSLEY S. BINGHAM. nessed the commencement of the civil war while a member of the United States Senate. After a com- paratively short life of remarkable promise and pub- lic activity he was attacked with appoplexy and died suddenly at his residence, in Green Oak, Oct. 5, 1861. The most noticable event in Governor Bingham's first term was the completion of the ship canal, at the Falls of St. Mary. In 1852, Angust 26, an act of Congress was approved, granting to the State of Mich- igan seven hundred and fifty thousand acres of land for the purpose of constructing a ship canal between Lakes Huron and Superior. In 1853, the Legislature accepted the grant, and provided tor the appointment of commissioners to select the donated lands, and to arrange for building the canal. A company of enter- prising men was formed, and a contract was entered into by which it was arranged that the canal should be finished in two years, and the work was pushed rapidly forward. Every article of consumption, ma- chinery, working implements and materials, timber for the gates, stones for the locks, as well as men and supplies, had to be transported to the site of the canal from Detroit, Cleveland, and other lake ports. The rapids which had to be surmounted have a fall of seventeen feet and are about one mile long. The length of the canal is less than one mile, its width one hundred feet, depth twelve feet and it has two locks of solid masonary. In May, 1855, the work was com- pleted, accepted by the commissioners, and formally delivered to the State authorities. The disbursements on account of the construction of the canal and selecting the lands amounted to one million of dollars ; while the lands which were as- signed to the company, and selected through the agency at the Sault, as well as certain lands in the Upper and Lower Peninsulas, filled to an acre the Government grant. The opening of the canal was an important event in the history of the improvement of the State. It was a valuable link in the chain of lake commerce, and particularly important to the interests of the Upper Peninsula. There were several educational, charitable and re- formatory institutions inaugurated and opened during Gov. Bingham's administrations. The Michigan Ag- ricultural College owes its establishment to a provision of the State Constitution of 1850. Article 13 says, " The Legislature shall, as soon as practicable, pro- vide for the establishment of an agricultural school." For the purpose of caryinginto practice this provision, legislation was commenced in 1855, and the act re- quired that the school should be within ten miles of Lansing, and that not more than $15 an acre should be paid for the farm and college grounds. The col- lege was opened to students in May, 1857, the first of existing argricultural colleges in the United States Until the spring of 186 i, it was under the control of the State Board of Education; since that time it has been under the management of the State Board of Agriculture, which was created for that purpose. In its essential features, of combining study and labor, and of uniting general and professional studies in its course, the college has remained virtually un- changed from the first. It has a steady growth in number of students, in means of illustration and efficiency of instruction. The Agricultural College is three miles east of Lansing, comprising several fine buildings ; and there are also very beautiful, substantial residences for the professors. There are also an extensive, well-filled green-house, a very large and well-equipped chemical laboratory, one of the most scientific apiaries in the United States, a general museum, a meseum of me- chanical inventions, another of vegetable products, extensive barns, piggeries, etc., etc., in fine trim for the purposes designed. The farm consists of 676 acres, of which about 300 are under cultivation in a systematic rotation of crops, Adrian College was established by the Wesleyan Methodists in 1859, now under the control of the Methodist Church. The grounds contain about 20 acres. There are four buildings, capable of accom- modating about 225 students. Attendance in 1875 was 179; total number of graduates for previous year, 121 ; ten professors and teachers are employed. Ex- clusive of the endowment fund ($80,000), the assets of the institution, including grounds, buildings, furni- ture, apparatus, musical instruments, outlying lands, etc., amount to more than $137,000. Hillsdale College was established in 1855 by the Free Baptists. The Michigan Central College, at Spring Arbor, was incorporated in 1845 It was kept in operation until it was merged into the present Hillsdale College. The site comprses 25 acres, beautifully situated on an eminence in the western part of the city of Hillsdale. The large and impos- ing building first erected was nearly destroyed by fire in 1874, and in its place five buildings of a more modern style have been erected. They are of brick, three stories with basement, arranged on three sides of a quadrangle. The size is, respectively, 80 by 80, 48 by 72, 48 by 72, 80 by 60, 52 by 72, and they con- tain one-half more room than the original buildmg. The State Reform School. This was established at Lansing in 1855, in the northeastern jwrtion of the city, as the House of Correction for Juvenile Of- fenders, having about it many of the features of a prison. In 1859 the name was changed to the State Reform School. The government and dicipline, have undergone many and radical changes, until all the prison features have been removed except those that remain in the walls of the original structure, and which remain only as monuments of instructive his- tory. No bolts, bars or guards are employed. The inmates are necessaiily kept under the surveillance of officers, luit the attempts at escape are much fewer than under the more rigid regime of former days. 4 ■4•■ GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN. '65 .. t -^«i4._ c^^fe^*^ A/^ M^ t GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. •4'; HENRY H. CRAPO. ENRY ROWLAND CRAPO, Governor of Michigan from ll^iSes to 1869, was born May 24, 1804, at Dartmoutli, Bris- tol Co., Mass., and died at .,/ "^ Flint, Mich., July 22, 1869. ^ He was the eldest son of Jesse and Phoebe (Rowland) Crajx). His father was of French descent and was very poor, sustaining his ^family liy the cultivation of a farm in Dartmouth township, which yielded I nothing beyond a mere livelihood. His early life was consequently one of toil and devoid of advantages for intellectual culture, but his desire for an education seemed to know no bounds. The in- cessant toil for a mere subsistence upon a compara- tively sterile farm, had no charm for him ; and, longing for greater usefulness and better things, he looked for them in an education. His struggles to secure this end necessitated sacrifices and hardships that would have discouraged any but the most courageous and persevering. He became an ardent student and worker from his boyhood, though the means of carry- ing on his studies were exceedingly limited. He sorely felt the need of a dictionary; and, neither having money wherewith to purchase it, nor being able to procure one in his neighborhood, he set out to compile one for himself In order to acipiire a knowledge of the English language, he copied into a book every word whose meaning he did not comprehend, and uiK>n meeting the same word again in the newsi)apers and books, which came into his hands, from the T^ context, would then record the definition. Whenever unable otherwise to obtain the signification of a word in which he liad become interested he would walk from Dartmouth to New Bedford for that purixjse alone, and after referring to the books at the library and satisfynig himself thoroughly as to itsdeunition, would walk back, a distance of about seven miles, the same night. This was no unusual circumstance. Under such difficulties and in this manner he com- piled quite an extensive dictionary in manuscript which is believed to be still in existence. Ever \\\ pursuit of knowledge, he obtained posses- sion of a book upon surveying, and applying himself diligently to its study became familiar with this art, which he soon had an opixjrtunity to practice. The services of a land surveyor were wanted, and he was called uix)n, but had no compass and no money with which to purchase one. \ compass, however, he must and would have, and going to a blacksmith shop near at hand, \.\\x>n the forge, with such tools as he could find in the shop, while the smith was at dinner, he constructed the compass and commenced life as a surveyor. Still continuing his studies, he fitted him- self for teaching, and took charge of the village school at Dartmouth. When, in the course of time and un- der the pressure of law, a high school was to be 0|)encd, he jjassed a successful examination for its principalship and received the apjwintment. To do this was no small task. The law required a rigid examination in various subjects, which necessitated days and nights of study. One evening, after con- cluding his day's labor of teaching, he traveled on foot to New Bedford, some seven or eight miles, called upon the preceptor of Friend's .Academy and passed 4 15° HENRY HOWLAND CRAPO. •^^^f^^ a severe examination. Receiving a certificate that he was qualified, he walked back to his home the same night, highly elated in being possessed of the acquirements and. requirements of a master of the high school. In 1832, at the age of 28 years, he left his native town and went to reside at New Bedford, where he followed the occupation of land surveyor, and oc- casionally acted as an auctioneer. Soon after becom- ing a citizen of this place, he was elected Town Clerk, Treasurer, and Collector of ta.xes, which office he held until the municipal government was changed, — about fifteen years, — when, upon the inauguration of the city government, he was elected Treasurer and Collector of taxes, a position which he held two or three years. He was also Justice of the Peace for many years. He was elected Alderman of New Bedford ; was Chairman of Council Committee on Education, and as such prepared a report upon which was based the order for the establishment of the free Public Library of New Bedford. On its organization, Mr. Crapo was chosen a member of the Board of Trustees. This was the first free public library in Massachusetts, if not in the world. The Boston Free Library was es- tablished, however, soon afterwards. While a resident in New Bedford, he was much interested in horticul- ture, and to obtain the land necessary for carrying out his ideas he drained and reclaimed several acres of rocky and swampy land adjoining his garden. Here he started a nursery, which he filled with almost every description of fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs, flowers, etc. In this he was very successful and took great pride. He was a regular contributorto the New England Horticultural Journal, a position he filled as long as he lived in Massachusetts. As an indica- tion of the wide reputation he acquired in that field of labor, it may be mentioned that after his death an affecting eulogy to his memory was pronounced by the President of the National Horticultural Society at its meeting in Philadelphia, in 1869. During his resi- dence in New Bedford, Mr. Crapo was also engaged in the whaling business. A fine barque built at Dart- mouth, of which he was part owner, was named the "H. H. Crapo" in compliment to him. Mr. C. also took part in the State Militia, and for several years held a commission as Colonel of one of the regiments. He was President of the Bristol County Mutual Fire Insurance Co., and Secretary of the Bedford Connnercial Insurance Company in New Bedford; and while an officer of the municipal gov- ernment hecompiled and published, Vietween the years 1836 and 1845, five numbers of the New Bedford Directory, the first work of the kind ever published there. Mr. C. removed to Michigan in 1856, having been induced to do so by investments made principally in pine lands, first in 1837 and subsequently in 1856. He took up his residence in the city of Flint, and en- gaged largely in the manufacture and sale of lumber at Flint, Feutonville, Holly and Detroit, becoming one of the largest and most successful business men of the State. He was mainly instrumental in the construction of the Flint & Holly R. R., and was President of that corporation until its consolidation with the Flint & Pere Marquette R. R. Company. He was elected Mayor of that city after he had been a resident of the place only five or six years. In 1862 he was elected State Senator. In the fall of 1864 he received the nomination on the Republican ticket for Governor of the State, and was elected by a large majority. He was re-elected in 1866, holding the office two terms, and retiring in January, 1869, having given the greatest satisfaction to all parties. While serving his last term he was attacked with a disease which terminated his life within one year afterwards. During much of this time he was an in- tense sufferer, yet often while in great pain gave his attention to public matters. A few weeks previous to his death a successful surgical operation was i)er- formed which seemed rapidly to restore him, but he overestimated his strength, and by too much exertion in business matters and State affairs suffered arelapse from which there was no rebound, and he died July 2,7>^ 1869. In the early part of his life. Gov. Crapo affiliated with the Whig party in politics, but became an active member of the Republican party after its organization. He was a member of the Christian (sometimes called the Disciples') Church, and took great interest in its welfare and prosperity. Mr. C. married, June 9, 1825, Mary A. Slocum, of Dartmouth. His marriage took place soon after he had attained his majority, and before his struggles with fortune had been rewarded with any great meas- ure of success. But his wife was a woman of great strength of character and possessed of courage, hope- fulness and devotion, qualities which sustained and encouraged her husband in the various pursuits of his early years. For several years after his marriage he was engaged in teaching school, his wife living with her parents at the time, at whose home his two older children were born. While thus situated he was accustomed to walk home on Saturday to see his family, returning on Sunday in order to be ready for school Monday morning. As the walk for a good part of the time was 20 miles each way, it is evident that at that period of his life no common obstacles deterred him from performing what he regarded as a duty. His wife was none the less consci- entious in her sphere, and with added responsibilities and increasing requirements she labored faithfully in the ]3erfonirance of all her duties. They had ten children, one son and nine daughters. His son, Hon. Wm. W. Crapo, of New Bedford, is now an honored Representative to Congress from the First Congressional District of Massachusetts. f .^l ■1^^ Jt^>i^€^ ^ ^<.,^^<:;^.o^ -4•- CO VERNORS OF AfrCff/GAiY. »bi ■x'SB -vtaaZT®^"** -*^'>o * ■'*««J2a''5'^-'^jj/«»»L<«»43»:^ udCeAskj »jt»».c»*$fNS03r>- fl|j Su'- IB;\lDTyjrj, sa» "♦* I ENRY P. BALDWIN, Gov- ernor of Michigan from Jan. 4, 1869, to Jan. I, 1873, is a lineal descendant of Nathan- -^--^=— — j^Jj iel Baldwin, a Puritan, of Buck- *'^^^T':^^ ingluunshire, England, who set- tled at Milford, Conn., in 1639. His father was John Baldwin, a graduate of Dartmouth Col- lege. He died at North Provi- dence, R. I., in 1826. His paternal grandfather was Rev. Moses Baldwin, a graduate of Princeton College, in 1757, and the first who received collegiate hon- ors at that ancient and honored institution. He died at Parma, Mass., in 1813, where for more than 50 years he had been pastor of the Presbyterian Church. On his mother's side Covernor B. is descended from Robert Williams, also a Puritan, who settled in Rox- bury, Mass., about 1638. His mother was a daughter of. Rev. Nehemiah Williams, a graduate of Harvard College, who died at Brimfield, Mass., in 1796, where tor 21 years lie was pastor of the Congregationalist Church. The subject of this sketch was born at Coventry, R. I., Feb. 22, 1S14. He received a New England common-school education until the age of 12 years, when, both his parents having died, he be- came a clerk in a mercantile estalilishment. He re- mained there, employing his leisure hours in study, until 20 years of age. At this early period Mr. 15. engaged in business on his own account, lie made a visit to the West, in ■'*^37i which resulted in his removal to Detroit in tiie spring of 18^8. Here he established a mercantile house which has been successfully conducted until the present time. Although he successfully conducted a large business, he has ever taken a deep interest in all things affecting the prosperity of the city and State of his adoption. He was for several years a Director and President of the Detroit Young Men's Society, an institution with a large library designed for the benefit of young men and citizens generally An Episcojialian in religious belief, he has been prominent in home matters connected with that de- nomination. The large and flourishing parish of St. John, Detroit, originated with Governor Baldwin, who gave the lot on which the parish edifice stands, and also contributed the larger share of the cost of their erection. Governor B. was one of the foremost in the establishment of St. Luke's Hospital, and has always been a liberal contributor to moral and relig- ious enterprises whether connected with his own Church or not. There have been, in fact, but few public and social improvements of Detroit during the past 40 years with which Governor B.'s name is not in some way connected. He was a director in the Michigan State Hank until the expiration of its char- ter, and has been President of the Second National Bank since its organization. In i860, Mr. Baldwin was elected to the State .Senate, of Michigan ; during the years of i86i-'2 he was made Chairman of the Finance Committee, a member of Committee on Banks and Incor|X)rations, Chairman of the Select Joint Committee of the two Houses for the investigation of the Treasury Dejiart- ment and the official acts of the Treasurer, and of the letting of the contract for the improvement of Sault St. Marie Ship Canal. He was first elected Governor in 1868 and was re-elected in 1870, serving from 1S69 to 1 87 2, inclusive. It is no undeserved eulogy to say that (Jovernor H.'s hapi)y faculty of es- timating the necessary means loan end — the knowing of how much effort or attention to bestow uixjn the thing in hand, has been the secret of the uniform *>> ■ 4* i ^^ fJi HENR Y P. BALD WIN. success that has attended his efforts in all relations of life. The same industry and accuracy that dis- tinguished him prior to this term as Governor was manifest in his career as the chief magistrate of the State, and while his influence appears in all things with which he has had to do, it is more noticeable in the most prominent position to which he was called. With rare exceptions the important commendations of Governor B. received the sanction of the Legislat- ure. During his administration marked improve- ments were made in the charitable, penal and reforma- tory institutions of the State. The State Public School for dependent children was founded and a permanent commission for the supervision of the several State institutions. The initiatory steps toward building the Eastern Asylum for the Insane, the State House of Correction, and the establishment of the State Board of Health were recommended by Governor B. in his message of 1873. The new State Capitol also owes its origen to him. The appropriation for its erection was made upon his recommendation, and the contract for the entire work let under this administration. Governor B. also appointed the commissioners under whose faithful supervision the building was erected in a manner most satisfactory to the people of the State. He advised and earnestly urged at different times such amendments of the constitution as would jier- mit a more equitable compensation to State officers and judges, Thelawof 1869, and prior also, permitting municipalities to vote aid toward the construc- tion of railro.ads was, in 1870, declared unconstitu- tional by the Supreme Court. Many of the munici- palities having in the meantime issued and sold their bonds in good faith. Governor B. felt that the honor and credit of the State were in jeopardy. His sense of justice impelled him to call an extra session of the Legislature to propose the submission to the people a constitutional amendment, authorizing the payment of such bonds as were already in the hands of bona- yf(/c holders. In his special message he says : "The credit of no State stands liighcr than that of Michigan, and the people can not afford, and I trust will not consent, to have her good name tarnislied by the repu- diation of either legal or moral obligations." A spe- cial session was called in March, 1872, principally for the division of the State into congressional districts. A number of other important suggestions were made, however, ai d as an evidence of the Governor's la- borious and thouglitful care for the financial condition -^ ■' ' of the State, a series of tables was prepared and sub- mitted by him showing, in detail, estimates of receipts, expenditures and appropriations for the years 1872 to 1878, inclusive. Memorable of Governor B.'s admin- istration were the devastating fires which swept over many portions of the Northwest in the fall of 1871. -A. large part of the city of Chicago having been re- duced to ashes. Governor B. promptly issued a proc- lamation calling upon the people of Michigan for liberal aid in behalf of the afflicted city. Scarcely had this been issued when several counties in his State were laid waste by the same destroying element. K second call was made asking assistance for the suf- fering people of Michigan. The contributions for these objects were prompt and most liberal, more than $700,000 having been received in money and supplies for the relief of Michigan alone. So ample were these contributions during the short period of about 3 months, that the Governor issued a proclamation expressing in behalf of the people of the State grate- ful acknowldgment, and announcing that further aid was unnecessary. Governor B. has traveled extensively in his own country and has also made several visits to Europe and other portions of the Old World. He was a pas- senger on the Steamer Arill, which was captured and bonded in the Carribean Sea, in December, 1862, by Capt. Semmes, and wrote a full and interesting ac- count of the transaction. The following estimate of Governor B. on his retirement from office, by a leading newspaper, is not overdrawn: "The retiring message of Governor B., will be read with interest. It is a characteristic document and possesses the lucid statement, strong, and clear practical sense, which have been marked features of all preceding documents from the same source. Governor B. retired to private life after four years of unusually successful adminis- tration amid plaudits that are universal throughout the State. For many years eminent and capable men have filled the executive chair of this State, but in painstaking vigilance, in stern good sense, in genuine public spirit, in thorough integrity and in practical capacitv, Henry P. Baldwin has shown himself to be the peer of any or all of them. The State has been un- usually prosperous during his two terms, and the State administration has fully kept pace with the needs of the times. The retiring Governor has fully earned the public gratitude and confidence which he to-day possesses to such remarkable degree. ' *t i^ GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. K J, IBAeiT^T, ^ OHN JUDSON BAGLEY, ILGovernor of Michigan from 1873 to 1877, was born in Mt'dina, Orleans Co., N. Y., July 24, 1832. His father, John Bagley, was a native of New Hampshire, his mother, Mary M. Bagley, of Connecticut. He at- tended the district school of Lock- IX)rt, N. Y., until he was eight years old, at which time his father moved to Constantine, Mich., and he at- tended the common schools of that village. His early experience was like that of many country boys whose parents removed from Eastern States to the newer portion of the West. His father being in very poor circum- |il!f[] stances, Mr. B. was obliged to work as soon as he was able to do so. Leaving school when 13 years of age he entered acountr)' storein Constan- tine as clerk. His father then re- moved toOwosso, Mich., and he again engaged as clerk in a store. From early youth Mr. B. was extravagantly fond of reading and devoted every leisure moment to the perusal of such books, papers and periodicals as came within his reach. In 1847, he removed to Detroit, where he secured employment in a tobacco manufactory and remained in this position for about five years. In 1853, he began business for himself in the man- ufacturing of tobacco. His establishment has become one of the largest of the kind in the West. Mr. B. has also been greatly interested in other manufactur- ing enterprises, as well as in mining, banking and in- surance corporations. He was President of the Detroit Safe Company for several years. He was one of the organizers of the Michigan Mutual Life Insur- ance Company of Detroit, and was its President from 1867 to 1872. He was a director of the Amer- ican National Bank for many years, and a stock- holder and director in various other corporations. Mr. B. was a member of the Board of Education two years, and of the Detroit Common Council the same length of time. In 1865 he was ai)ix)intcd by Gover- nor Crapo one of the first commissioners of the Metropolitian police force of the city of Detroit, serv- ing six years. In November, 1872, he was elected Governor of Michigan, and two years later was re- elected to the same office, retiring in January, 1877. He was an active worker in the Republican party, and for many years was Chairman of the Republican State Central committee. Governor Bagley was quite liberal in his religious views and was an attendant of the Unitarian Church. He aimed to be able to hear and consider any new thought, from whatever source it may come, but was not bound by any religious creed or formula. He held in respect all religious opinions, believing that no one can be injured by a firm adherence to a faith or de- nomination. He was married at Dubuque, Iowa, Jan. r6, 1855, to Frances E. Newberry, daughter of Rev. Samuel Newberry, a pioneer missionar)- of Michigan, who took an active part in the eariy educational mat- ters of the State and in the establishment uf its ex- cellent system of education. It was principally >» ■ ^ «► ir^ ^^►HII- •S8 JOHN J. BAGLEY. t^.rough his exertions that the State University was founded. Mr. B.'s family consists of seven children. As Governor his administration was charac- terized by several important features, chief among which were his efforts to improve and make popular the educational agencies of the State by increasing the faculty of the University for more thorough in- struction in technical studies,by strengthening the hold of the Agricultural College uixjn the public good will and making the general change which has manifested itself in many scattered primary districts. Among others were an almost complete revolution in the management of the penal and charitable institutions of the State; the passage of the liquor-tax law, taking the place of the dead letter of prohibition; the estab- lishing of the system of dealing with juvenile offend- ers through county agents, which has proved of great good in turning the young back from crime and plac- ing the State in the attitude of a moral agent ; in se- curing for the militia the first time in tlie history of Michigan a systematized organization \\\)0\\ a service- able footing. It was uixsn the suggestion of Gov. B. in the earlier part of his administration that the law creating the State Board of Health, and also the law creating a fish commission in the inland waters of the State, were passed, both of which have proved of great benefit to the Slate. The successful representation of Michigan at the Centennial Exhibition is also an honorable part of the record of Gov. B.'s adminis- tration. As Governor, he felt that he represented the State — not in a narrow, egotistical way, but in the same sense that a faithful, trusted, confidential agent rep- resents his employer, and as the Executive of the State he was her " attorney in fact." And his intelli- gent, thoughtful care will long continue the pride of the people he so much loved. He was ambitious — ambitious for place and power, as every noble mind is ambitious, because these give opportunity. How- ever strong the mind and powerful the will, if there be no ambition, life is a failure. He was not blind to the fact that the more we have the more is required of us. He accepted it in its fullest meaning. He had great hopes for his State and his country. He had his ideas of what they should be. With a heart as broad as humanity itself; with an intelligent, able and cultured brain, the will and the power to do, he asked his fellow citizen to give him the opportunity to labor for tliem. Self entered not into the calculation. His whole life was a battle for others ; and he entered the conflict eagerly and hopefully. His State papers were models of compact, busi- ness-like statements, bold, original, and brimful of practical suggestions, and hi;? administrations will long be considered as among the ablest in this or any other State. His noble, generous nature made his innumerable benefactions a source of continuous pleasure. Liter- ally, to him it was " more blessed to give than to receive." His greatest enjoyment was in witnessing the com- fort and happiness of others. Not a tithe of his char- ities were known to his most intimate friends, or even to his family. Many a needy one has been the recipi- ent of aid at an opportune moment, who never knew the hand that gave. At one time a friend had witnessed his ready re- sponse to some charitable request, and said to him : "Governor, you give away a large sum of money ; about how much does your charities amount to in a year?" He turned at once and said: "I do not know, sir; I do not allow myself to know. I hope I gave more this year than I did last, and hope I shall give more next year than I have this." This expressed his idea of charity, that the giving should at all times be free and spontaneous. During his leasure hours from early life, and espe- cially during the last few years, he devoted much time to becoming acquainted with the best authors. Biog- raphy was his delight; the last he read was the "Life and Woik of John Adams," in ten volumes. \\\ all questions of business or public affairs he seemed to have the power of getting at the kernel of the nut in the least possible time. In reading he would spend scarcely more time with a volume than most persons would devote to a chapter. After what seemed a cursory glance, he would have all of value the book contained. Rarely do we see a business man so familiar with the best English authors. He was a generous and intelligent patron of the arts, and his elegant home w.as a study and a pleasure to his many friends, who always found there a hearty welcome. At Christmas time he would spend days doing the work of Santa Claus. Every Christmas eve he gathered his children about him and, taking the youngest on his lap, told some Christmas story, closing the entertainment with "The Night Before Christmas," or Dickens's "Christmas Carol." n GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. i6i 1 CROSWELL i-\i2jL£j^'oj^' \ T HARLES M. CROSWELL, Governor of Michigan from Jan. 3, 1S77 to Jan. i, 1881, was born at Newburg, Orange County, N. Y., Oct. 31, 1825. He is the only son of John and Sallie (Hicks) Croswell. His father, who was of Scotch-Irish e.xtraction, was a paper-maker, and carried on business in New York Cily. His ancestors on his mother's side were of Knicker- bocker descent. The Croswell family may be found connected with prominent events, in New York and Connecticut, in the early exis- tence of the Republic. Harry Cros- well, during the administration of President Jefferson, published a pa- per called the Balance, and was prosecuted for libeling the President under the obnoxious Sedition Law. He was defended by the celebrated .\lexander Hamilton, and the decis- Kyi. A the case establiscd the important ruling that the truth might be shown in cases of libel, .\nother member of the family was Edwin Croswell, the fam- ous editor of the .\lbany A/i^iis ; also, Rev. William Croswell, noted as a divine and poet. When Charles M. Croswell was seven years of age, liis father was accidentally drowned in the Hudson River, at Xewburg ; and, within three months preced- ing that event, his mother and only sister had died, — thus leaving him the sole surviving member of the familv, without fortune or means. Upon the death of his father he went to live with an uncle, who, in 1837, emigrated with him to .'\drain, Michigan. .Vt sixteen years of age, he commenced to learn the car- penter's trade, and worked at it very diligently for four years, maintaining himself, and devoting his spare time to reading and the accpiiremcnt of knowledge. In 1S46, he began the study of law, and was ap- pointed Deputy Clerk of Lenawee County. The du- ties of this office he performed four years, when he was elected Register of Deeds, anrd was re-elected in 1852. In 1854, he took part in the first movements for the formation of the Republican party, and was a member and Secretary of the convetion held at Jack- son in that year, which put in the field the first Re- publican State ticket in Michigan. In 1855, he fonned a law partnership with the present Chief-Jus- tice Cooley, which continued until tlie removal of Judge Cooley to .\nn .\rbor. In 1862, Mr. Croswell was apix)inted City Attorney of -Adrian. He was also elected Mayor of the city in the spring of tlie same year; and in the fall was chosen to represent Lenawee County in the State Senate. He was re-elected to the Senate in 1864, and again in 1866, during each term filling the jtosi- tions above mentioned. Among various rei»rts made by him, one adverse to the re-establishment of the death penalty, and another against a pro|>osition lo pay the salaries of State officers and judges in coin, which then commanded a very large premium, may be mentioned. He also drafted the act ratifying the Thirteenth .Amendment to the ?'ederal Constitution, for the abolishment of slavery, it being the first amendment to the instrument ratified by Michigan. In 1863, from his seat in the State Senate, he de- livered an elaborate sjHiech in favor of the Proclama- - ■» f I 62 a CHARLES M. CRO SWELL A tion of Emancipation issued by President Lincoln, and of his general policy in the prosecution of the war. This, at the request of his Republican associ- ates, was afterwards published. In 1867, he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention, and chosen its presiding officer. This convention was composed of an able body of men ; and though, in the general distrust of constitutional changes which for some years had been taking possession of the people, their labors were not accepted by the pop- ular vote, it was always conceded that the constitu- tion they proposed had been prepared with great care and skill. In i86S, Mr. Croswell was chosen an Elector on the Republican Presidential ticket; in 1872, was elected a Representative to the State Legislature from Lenawee County, and was chosen Speaker of the House of Representatives. At the close of the session of that body his abilities as a parliamentarian, and the fairness of his rulings were freely and form- ally acknowledged by his associates ; and he was pre- sented with a superb collection of their portraits handsomely framed. He was, also, for several years. Secretary of the State Board for the general supervis- ion of the charitable and penal institutions of Michi- gan ; in which position, his propositions for the amel- ioration of the condition of the unfortunate, and the reformation of the criminal classes, signalize the be- nevolence of his nature, and the practical character of his mind. In 1876, the general voice of the Republicans of the State indicted Mr. Croswell as their choice for Governor; and, at the State Convention of the party in August of the same year, he was put in nomination by acclamation, without the formality of a ballot, .^t the election in November following, he was chosen to the high position for which he had been nominated, by a very large majority over all opposing candidates. His inaugural message was received with general favor; and his career as Governor was marked with the same qualitirs of head and heart that have ever distinguished him, both as a citizen and statesman. Governor Groswell has always prepared his ad- dresses with care ; and, as his diction is terse, clear, and strong, without excess of ornament, and his de- livery impressive, he is a popular speaker; and many of his speeches have attracted favorable comment in the public prints, and have a permanent value. He has always manifested a deep interest in educational matters, and was foryears a member and Secretary of the Board of Education of Adrain. At the formal opening of the Central School building in that city, on the 24th day of April, 1869, he gave, in a public address, an " Historical Sketch of the Adrian Public Schools." In his private life. Governor Croswell has been as exemplary as in his public career he has been suc- cessful and useful. In February, 1852, he was mar- ried to a daughter of Morton Eddy, Lucy M. Eddy, a lady of many amiable and sunny qualities. She suddenly died, March 19, 1868, leaving two daugh- ters and a son. Governor Croswell is not a member of any religious body, but generally attends the Pres- byterian Church. He pursues the profession of law, but of late has been occupied mainly in the care of his own interests, and the quiet duties of advice in business difficulties, for which his unfailing pru- dence and sound judgment eminently fit him. Gov- ernor Croswell is truly popular, not only with those of like political faith with himself, but with those who differ from him in this regard. During Gov. Croswell's administration the public debt was greatly reduced ; a policy adopted requiring the State institutions to keep within the limit of ap- propriations; laws enacted to provide more effectually for the punishment of corruption and bribrery in elec- tions; the State House of Correction at Ionia and the Eastern Asylum for the Insane at Pontiac were opened, and the new capital at Lansing was completed and occupied. The first act of his second term was to pre- side at the dedication of this building Tlie great riot at Jackson occured during his administration, and it was only bv his promptness that great distruction of both life and property was prevented at that time. ^ ' n 1 — ■ M» GOVERXORS OF MJCIIIGAX -•► 169 r^'^^^^^:^^^^^^^'^ "^.^ •^•^^^ 1 OSIAH W. BEGOLE, the present (1883), Governor of Michigan was born in Living- ston, County, N. Y., Jan. 20, 18 1 5. His ancestors were of French descent, and settled at • t' an early period in the State of Maryland. Hisgrandfather,Capt. BoUes, of tliat State, was an offi- cer in the American army during ^ tlie war of the Revolution. About the beginning of the present cent- ury both his grandparents, having become dissatisfied with the insti- ll tution of slavery, although slave- \j[ holders themselves, emigrated to Livingston County, N. Y., then a new country, taking with them a P number of their former slaves, who volunteered to accompany them. His father was an officer in the American army, and served during the war of 1812. Mr. B. received his early education in a log school- house, and subsequently attended the Temple Hill Academy, at Geneseo, N. Y. Being the eldest of a family of ten children, whose parents were in moder- ate though comfortable circumstances, he was early taught habits of industry, and when 21 years of age, being ambitious to better his condition in life, he re- solved to seek his fortune in the far West, as it was then called. In August, 1S36, he left the parental roof to seek a home in the Territory of Michigan tlien an almost unbroken wilderness. He settled in Genesee County, and aided with his own hands in building some of the early residences in what is now known as the city of Flint. There were but four or five houses where this flourishing city now stands when he selected it as his home. In the spring of 1839 he married .Miss Harriet .\. Miles. The marriage proved a most fortunate one, and to the faithful wife of his youth, who lives to en- joy with him the comforts of an honestly earned com- petence, Mr. Begole ascribes largely his success in life. Immediately after his marriage he commenced work on an unimproved farm, where, by his perse- verance and energy, he soon established a good home, and at the end of eighteen years was the owner of a well improved farm of five hundred acres. Mr. Begole being an anti-slavery man, became a member of the Reiiublican party at its organization. He served his townsmen in various offices, and was^ in 1856, elected County Treasurer, which office he held for eight years. ,\t the breaking out of the Rebellion he did not carry a musket to the front, but his many friends will bear witness that he took an active part in recruiting and furnishing supplies for the army, and in looking after the interests of soldiers' families at home. The death ofhis eldest son near Atlanta, Ga., by a Confed- rate bullet, in 1 864, was the greatest sorrow of his life. >Vhen a few years later he was a member in Congress I -•► 170 JOSIAH W. BEGOLE. ..1 Gov. Begole voted and worked for the soldiers' bounty equalization bill, an act doing justice to the soldier who bore the burden and heat of the day, and who should fare equally with him who came in at the eleventh hour. That bill was defeated in the House on account of the large appropriation that would be required to pay the same. In 1870, Gov. Begole was nominated by acclama- tion for the office of State Senator, and elected by a large majority. In that body he served on the Com- mittees of Finance and Railroads, and was Chairman of the Committee on the Institute for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind. He took a liberal and public- spirited view of the importance of a new capitol building worthy of the State, and was an active mem- ber of the Committee that drafted the bill for the same He was a delegate to the National Republi- can Convention held at Philadelphia in 1872, and was the chosen member of that delegation to go to Washington and inform Gen. Grant and Senator Wilson of their nominations. It was while at that convention that, by the express wish of his many friends, he was induced to offer himself a can- didate for the nomination of member to tlic 43d Con- gress, in which he was successful, aftercomiietingfor the nomination with several of the most worthy, able and experienced men in the Sixth Congressional Dis- trict, and was elected by a very large jnajority. In Congress, he was a member of the Committee on Agricultural and Public Expenditures. Being one of the 17 farmers in that Congress, he took an active part in the Committee of Agriculture, and was ap- pointed by that committee to draft the most impor- tant report made by that committee, and upon the only subject recommended by the President in his message, which he did and the rejXjrt was printed in records of Congress ; he took an efficient though an unobtrusive part in all its proceedings. He voted for the currency bill, remonetization uf silver, and other financial measures, many of which, though defeated then, have since become the settled policy of the country. Owing to the position which Mr. Begole occupied on these questions, he became a "Greenbacker." In the Gubernatorial election of 1882, Mr. Begole was the candidate of both the Greenback and Dem- ocratic parties, and was elected by a vote of 154,269, the Republican candidate, Hon. David H. Jerome, •►-llr^- receiving 149,697 votes. Mr. Begole, in entering upon his duties as Governor, has manifested a spirit that has already won him many friends, and bids fair to make his administration both successful and pop- ular. The very best indications of what a man is, is what his own townsmen think of him. We give the fol- lowing extract from the Flint Globe^ the leading Re- publican paper \\\ Gov. Begole's own county, and it, too, written during the heat of a political campaign, which certainly is a flattering testimonial of his ster- ling worth : " So far, however, as Mr. Begole, the head of the ticket, is concerned, there is nothing detrimental to his character that can be alleged against, him. He has sometimes changed his mind in politics, but for sincerity of his beliefs and tlie earnestness of his pur- pose nobody who knows him entertains a doubt. He is incapable of Ijearing malice, even against his bit- terest political enemies. He has a warm, generous nature, and a larger, kinder heart does not lieat in the l)Osom of any man in Michigan. He is not much given to making speeches, but deeds are more signif- icant of a man's character than words. There are many scores of men in all parts of the State where Mr. Begole is acquainted, who have had practical demonstrations of these facts, and who are liable to step outside of party lines to show that they do not forget his kindness, and who, no doubt, wish that he was a leader in what would not necessarily prove a forlorn hope. But the Republican party in Michigan is too strong to be beaten by a combination of Demo- crats and Greenbackers, even if it is marshaled by so good a man as Mr. Begole." This sketch would be imperfect without referring to the action of Mr. B. at the time of the great calamity that in 1881 overtook the people of Northeastern Michigan, in a few hours desolating whole counties by fire and destroying the results and accumulations of such hard work as only falls to the lot of pioneers. While the Port Huron and Detroit committees were ■quarreling over the distribution of funds, Mr. Begole wrote to an agent in the "[burnt district" a letter, from which we make an extract of but a single sentence: " Until the differences between the two committees are adjusted and you receive your regular supplies from them, draw on me. Let no man suffer while 1 have money." This displays his true character. r t-wtu^^ tVj^ 0UxJLA-e/^<^'^4Lf'^^^i^ji^ aOVEllXORS OF. MK'IllGAS. I 17.! ik i;^'«»^:^'« ITSSELL A. ALGER,r.ovein()r of Michigan for the term com- mencing Jan. 1, 1885, was born in Lafiiyette Township, Medina Co., Ohio, Feb. 27, 183G. Having livcil a tem- perate life, he is a comparative mg man in api)earance, and pos- sesses those mental faculties that arc distinguishing characteristics of ust, mature and educated man- liood. Wiieii 11 years of age both lus (larents died, leaving him witha younger brother and sister to sup- port and without any of the substan- tial means of existence. Lacking tlie opportunity of better employmcut, he worked on a farm in Kiclifield, Ohio, for the greater part of each of the succeeding seven years, saving money enough to defray hises- I)enses at Richfield Academy during the winter terms. He obtained a very good Englisii cdiic.ition, and was enabled to te.ach school for several subse- quent winters. In 1 8.)7 he commenced the study of law in the offices of Wolcott <& Upson at Akron, re- maining until March, 18')9, when he was admitted to the bar by the Ohio Supreme Court. He then removed to Cleveland, and entered the law office of Otis (t Coffinbury, where he remained several months. Here he continued his studies with in- creased zeal, and did much general reading. Hard study and close confinement to office work, however, iiegan to tell on his constitution, and failing health warned him that he must seek other occupation. He therefore reluctantly abandoned the law and re- moved to Granromoted to the rank of Major. On the same occasion his Colonel, the gallant Phil. Sheridan, was advanced to the rank of Brigadier General. A few months later, on the 1 0th of October, Major Alger became Lieutenant- Colonel of the Sixth Mich. Cav., and was ordered with his regiment to the Army of the Potomac. After marked service in the early campaign of 1 8ri3, he was again advanced, and on June 2 received his commission as Colonel of the Fifth Mich. Cav. His regiment at this time was in Custer's famous Michi- gan cavalry brig.ade. On the Gth of July occurred the battle of Boonesboro, Md. In this conflict he was again wt>unded. His health received a more than temporary impairment, and in October, 1864, he was obliged to retire from the service. His career .as a soldier included many of the most cele- brated contests of the war. He was an active charac- tcr in all the battles fought by the Army of the n -4^ 174 RUSSELL A. ALGER. Potomac, from the time of the invasion of Mary- land by Gen. Lee in 1863, up to the date of his retirement, with the exception of those engagements whicli occiH'red while he was absent from duty on account of wounds. In all he took part in CO bat- tles and skirmishes. At the close he was breveted Brigadier General and Major General for "gallant and meritorious services in the field." Aside from regular dut}', Gen. Alger was on private service during the winter of 1863-4, receiv- ing orders personally from President Lincoln and visiting nearly all the armies in the field. Gen. Alger came to Detroit in 1865, and since that time has been extensively engaged in the pine timber business and in dealing in pine lands. He was a member of the well-known firm of Moore & Alger until its dissolution, when he became head of the firm of R. A. Alger & Co., the most extensive pine timber operators in the West. Gen. Alger is now president of the corporation of Alger, Smith & Co., which succeeded R. A. Alger & Co. He is also president of the Manistique Lumbering Company and president of the Detroit, Bay City & Alpena Railroad Company, besides being a stockholder and director of the Detroit National Bank, the Peninsu- lar Car Company and several other large corpor- ations. While always an active and influential Republi- can, Gen. Alger has never sought nor held a sal- aried office. He was a delegate from the First Dis- trict to the last Republican National Convention, but aside from this his connection with politics has not extended bej'oud the duties of every good cit- izen to his party and iiis country. Gen. Alger is now forty-nine years of age, an active, handsome gentleman six feet tall, living the life of a busj- man of affairs. His military bearing at once indicates his army life, and although slenderly built, his square shoulders and erect carriage give the casual observer the impression that his weight is fully 180 pounds. He is a firm, yet a most decidedly pleasant-appearing man, with a fine forehead, rather a prominent nose, an iron- gray moustache and chin whiskers and a full head of black hair sprinkled with gray. He is usually attired in the prevailing st3de of business suits. His favorite dress lias been a high buttoned cutawa}' frock coat, witli the predominating cut of vest and trousers, made of firm gray suiting. A high collar, small cravat, easy slioes and white plug liat com- plete his personal apparel. He is very particular as to his appearance, and always wears neat clothes of the best goods, but sliuns any display of jewelry or extravagant eml)ellishnient. He is one of the most approachable men imaginable. No matter how busy he may be, he always leaves his desk to extend a cordial welcome to every visitor, be he of Iiigh or low situation. His affable manners delight his guests, while his pleasing face and bright, dark eyes always animate liis hearers. Gen. Alger is a hard worker. He is always at his office promptly in the morning and stays as long as anything remains tliat demands his attention. In business matters he is alwa3'S decided, and is never shaken or disturbed by any reverses. He h.as the confidence of his associates to a high degree, and all liis business relations are tempered with those little kindnesses that relieve the tedium of routine office life. Although deeply engrossed in various busi- ness pursuits, Gen. Alger has yet found time for general culture. He owns a large library and his stock of general information is as complete as it is reliable. His collection of paintings has been se- lected with rare good taste, and contains some of the finest productions of modern artists. His team of bays are perhaps the handsomest tliat grace the roads of Detroit, and usually lead the other outfits when their owner holds the reins. Gen. Alger has an interesting family. His wife was Annette II. Henry, the daughter of W. G. Henry, of Grand Rapids, to whom he was married April 2, 1861. She is a slender wom.an of fair com- plexion, bright and attractive, and a charming host- ess. She is gifted with many accumplishments and appears quite young. There are six children. Fay, a lively brunette, and Caroline A., who is rather tall and resembles her mother, have completed a course at an Eastern seminary, and during the past year traveled in Europe. The remaining members of the family are Frances, aged 13; Russell A., Jr., aged 11 ; Fred, aged 9, and Allan, aged 3. All are bright and promising children. Gen. Alger makes Ins home at his handsome and large new residence on Fort street, at tiie corner of First street, Detroit. ■» T OOVEHNOliS OF MICHIGAN. 177 i \- YRUS GRAY LFCE, the present Governor of Miclii- gan, combines in his charac- ter the substantial traits of the Now England ancestry of his father, and the chival- rous antl hospitable elements '&^'K P'^'C'iliar to the fSoutherners, which came to him fnmi his mother's side of the Iiouse. Tiie New Englanders, act- ive in the cause of American libertj', after tiiis desired result was accom- plished, turned tiieir attention to the growth and development of the country which their noble daring had constitutea independent of foreign rule. The pri- vations they endured and the struggles from which the}' had achieved victory liuilt up in them those qualities which in the ver}' nature of events could not be otherwise than transmitted to thoir posteritj', and this iiosterity comprises a large number of the men who to-day, like the sultject of this history, are making a record of which their descendants will be erpiall}' proud. Gov. Luce was born in Windsor, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, July 2, 1824. His father was a native of Tolland, Comi., served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and soon after its close emigrated from New England and settled on the Western Reserve in Northem Ohio. Ilis mother, who in her girlhood was Miss Mary Gra3', w.as born in Winchester, V.a. Her father, tinctured with Abolitionism, found his liome in tiie Old Dominion becoming uncomfortii- ble as an abiding-place at that time, and accord- ingly, with his wife and family of young cliildrcn. ho also migrated, in 181;"), to the wilds of Northern Ohio. Thoro the i)arents of our subject, in isr.t. were united in marriage, and continued residents of Ashtabula County until 18:i(;. There also were born to them six sons, Cyrus G. of this sketch being the second. The incidents in the early life of Gov. Luce were not materially different from those of other l)oys living on the farms in that new country. lie was taught to work at anything necessary for him to do and to make himself useful around the pioneer homestead. When twelve years of age his parents removed further West, this time locating in .Steu- ben County, Ind. This section of country w.as still newer and more thinly settled, ami without recount- ing the particular hardships and piivations wlileh tlie family experienced, it is sullicient to say that but few enjoyed or suffered a greater variety. Markets were distant and diflicult c)f access, the conifort.s of life scarce, and sickness universal. Young Luce, in com- mon with other boys, attended school winters in the stereotyped log school-house, and in summer as- sisted in clearing away the forests, fencing the fields and raising crops after the lan)econie interested in local politics, in which he displayed rare judgment and sound connnon sense, and on account of wliicli, in 1848, he was nominateil by the Whigs in a district composed of the counties of DcKalb and .Steuben for Representative in the State Legislature. He m.ade a vigorous canv:».ss but was defeated by eleven majority." This incident w:is but a transient bub- ble on the stream of his life, and that sjune year ■^•" 178 GYRUS GRAY LUCE. Mr. Luce purchased eighty acres of wild land near Gilead, Branch Co., Midi., the improvement of which he at once entered upon, clearing away the trees and otherwise making arrangements for the establishment of a homestead. In August, 1849, he was united in marriage witii Miss Julia A. Dickinson, of Gilead, and the j'oung people immediately com- menced housekeeping in a modest dwelling on the new farm. Here they resided until the death of the wife, which took place in August, 1882. Mrs. Luce was the daughter of Obed and Experience Dickinson, well-to-do and highly respected residents of Gilead. Of her union with our subject there were born five children, one now deceased. In Novcmbei-, 1883, Gov. Luce contracted a sec- ond marriage, with IMrs. Maiy Thompson, of Eron- son, this State. He continued on the same farm, which, however, by subsequent purchase had been considerably extended, until after his election to the ofllce of which he is now the incumbent. In the meantime he has ha-( • 1 1. LSI) A I. E C0LI>K(;K was the fiisl one cslahlislicd by tlie Free-Will Bap- tist ilenoiuiiiatiuii, and was the first college, after the nnivei-sity, chartered by the State oi Michigan. Denomi- national action with reference to the establishment of an educational inslilntion was first taken r.t the INIichigan Yearly Meeting, held at Franklin, Lenawee Connty, in .June, 1844, when Koscvclt Davis made a motion to raise §10,000 for the establishment of a denominational school, to be located at such a point within the terri- tory of the Y'early Meeting as would give the most liberal inducements. After a thorough canvass, Si)ring Arbor, in .Jackson County, having raised the largest subscription, secured the school, called at lirst Spring Arbor Seminary, but afterward known as Micliigan Central College. Hev. Daniel M. Graham was its first President, and Gen. Clinton B. Fiske, of New Jersey, was one of the five students who were present at the opening of the school, Dee. 4. 1844. In 1848 President Graham resigned, and Rev. Kdmund B. Fairfield was elected his successor. Later ou, Charles II. Churchill, Ransom Dunn and Henry E. Whipple -^« _i_ : were elected Professors, and were connected with the institution in 18o;i, when the Faculty and Trn-s- tees deemed a change of locat,io" desirable, in order to secure better buildings, greater facilities and a larger support. A committee was appointed to visit other localities, and ascertain which was the most desirable, all things considered. After their return this committee rccommemled a choice from live, viz: Jackson, .\drian, Hillsdale, Cold- water and Marshall, the choice to dei)end largely upon the aid offered for building pur|)Oses. Hillsdale and Coldwater were the only places which seemed intcresteil in securing the educational l)lant, and the choice was therefore soon narrowed down to one of these two. Coldwater offered 810,000, but Hillsdale, headed by such men as Will- iam Waldron, G. W. Indcrwood. Daniel Beebc and others, offered to raise *1 .i.OOO for building pur- poses in the township in which Hillsbon Blackmar donated the site of twenty-five acres, making c.m- ditions that an institution of learning sbouhl for- ever be maintained thereon, and that a majority of its Board of Tru.-tecs should be residents of Hillsdale f i 182 •«► HILLSDALE COUNTY. County. He also gave §1,000. Six olhers, .ill citi- zens of llillsd.ile, pledged ^l.OiiO each, viz: C. W. Fcnis, C. T. Mitchell, O. W. Underwood, Henry Waldron, William Waldron and John P. Cook, and more than the qnota was pledged by the townsliij) and county. The college authorities deteiiiiincd to endow the college in the sum of §100,000, which was done mainly by the sale of scholarsiiips. On .account of the panics of 18."i7 and 187.'], the war of the Rebellion, and the (iioof 1.S74, the invested funds did not reach that amount till 1880, but now the various funded endowments amount to nearly $150,000. It was found impossible to remove the property of the college at Spring Arbor, on account of legal impediments, and so it was onl3^ the soul of the col- lege, and the living, active men who wisiicd to give to their work of molding minds and hearts greater eHiciency, that were removed to Hillsdale. About 700 students, it is said, had been in attendance up to this time, and thirteen had been graduated. Since its location at Hillsdale about 7,000 different students have been in .attendance, varying from a single terra to seven years each, and over GOO have been graduated. Of these graduates more than one-third have been residents of Hillsdale Count}', and the catalogue shows that of the whole number who have attended nearly two-fifths have resided in the county. When the college was organized under the gen- eral law, the first meeting was held March 22, 1855, in the basement of the Presbyterian Church, at Hillsdale, and there has ever been a fraternal feel- ing between the church on College Hill and those of the city and surrounding country. On educa- tional, social, moral and political questions, the college has always taken advanced ground, and has had a potent influence in qualifj'ing young men and women for holding high positions in society, the State and nation. Thousands of teachers have gone forth from this center of educational influence to impress the force and energy of their lives upon scores of thousands of pupils throughout the land in all grades of schools, from the kindergarten to llie university. The enthusiastic, impressive force of a Fairfield, the classical culture of a McMillan, the theological talent of a Dunn, the scientific re- 4* searches of a Collier, the astronomical acquirements of a Payne, the rare mathematical genius and pro- ficiency of a Downey, the musical .accomplishments of a Rice and a Chase, the artistic ability of a Gard- ner, the expert chirography of a Drake, the womanly dignity and tiie lare refinement of a Julia Moore and Laura Rowe, not to mention the skill and ex- cellence, in these same and other departments, of scores of other teachers, heretofore and now em- ployed in giving instruction in the college, have been reproduced in others, and have helped to make the masses more scholarly, more devout and more noble than as if the college had not been planted. Names might be mentioned of those prominent in the professions of the law, medicine and theology', as well as teaching. Several have visited foreign lands for travel and further study, some have trav- ersed the globe, some have served in Legislative balls, not a few have been deemed worthy of seats upon the bench, and one is now in Congress. In point of eelebrit}', however, none has acquired so world-wide a fame as our own poet, reared in Hills- dale County, the gifted AViU M. Carletou, a gradu- ate in the class of '69. The literary societies of the college have had few peers, and perhaps no superiors, in all the laud. These have given students a rare jKiwer in the knowledge of parliamentarj- usage which they have acquired, which, added to the oratorical excellence, skill in debate, and gener.al literary culture devel- oped in them, has made them leaders in the circles they have entered after going forth from college halls. Hillsdale College has always thrown open its doors equally to all classes, '-irrespective of nation- ality, color or sex," and was one of the pioneers in the movement for the co-education of the sexes in collegiate institutions. Michigan University was nearly a quarter of a century behind Hillsdale Col- lege in according such rights and privileges to women. About thirty-nine per cent of the stu- dents of the latter have been ladies, and in application to study and thoroughness of scholarship they have taken rank beside their sturdy brothers, and in competitive examinations have, perhaps, as often borne o2 the laurels. The effect of their presence 1 ' ■h HILLSDALK COUNTY. 183 lias also been visible in the more refined culture given to all organizations, and pervading all assem- blies and ranks in tlie college and coniniunit^'. Tliirt3'-six per cent of those completing the full course to graduation have been ladies, nearly as large as the percentage of general attendance, show- ing their power ti> endure a long continued course of study. The wonder is, after such lirilliant and general successes in the field of co-edncation, that the avenues to knowledge w'crc so long closed to one- half the race. Two events in the history of Hillsdale College have especially retarded its growth for a time, but they have onlj' shown the splendid material of its students, and the ability of its sujjportcrs to turn disaster into fortune. When the war broke out in 18G1, more than 200 who were and had been students donned the soldier's garb to do battle for their country. Manj' of these came not back, but left their bodies on the field of strife; others, wounded, bear the "glory marks" whicii are their proudest monument. Some re- turned after their term of service, and took np again the books they had laid aside, but during the two years after the departure of so many in 1861, the average attendance at college was nearly 100 less than in the two jirevious j'ears. The other event was the fire which occurred March (!, 1S74, and by which three-fifths of the college building was destroyed, besides the museum, cabinetand laboratory', which had been accumulated during the first twenlj' years of the existence of the college, and which were entirely dcstroj'ed. A gri>u|) of l)uiMings un very nearly the same ground was resolved upon, and four of the five, in accordance with the |)lan then adupled, have already been constructed. Three of these four, viz: the Center IJuilding. '-Knowlton Hall'" and the East Building, having cost about x^O.OOO more than the money (130,000) received for the insurance upon the |)roperty burned in 1 874, the citizens of the city an!G0,000 in round nund)ers. besides the subscriptions made for the erection of Griflln Hall, amounting to about ?il.'».000 more. This cerUiinly shows an appreciation which is com- mendable, and the cosmopolitan character of the attendance as well as of the contributions, conclu- sively proves that although the college is denomi- national it is not oflfensively sectarian. In its earlier days the labors of the faculty were especially arduous, the attendance being large, the number of teachei-s smaller than now, and the com- pensation for the work performed pitifully low. Only bv the course of the Trustees in acting always upon the principle of not going into debt, of divid iu"^ among the f.nculty what there wa~ to divide 184 HILLSDALE COUNTY. has the institution kept upon its feet, and shown a continuous growth from its location here to the present time. The average attendance for the thiity-threc _years has been about 300, and the out- looic for tlie future is full of encouragement. Tlie Presidents of the college have so far been as follows: 18,5.1 to 1869, Rev. Edmund B. Fairfield, D. D., LL. D.; I8G9 to 1871, Eev. James Calder, D. 1).: 1871 to 1874, Rev. Daniel M.* Graham, D. D. ; 1874 to Jan. 1, 1885, Rev. DeWitt C. Durgin, D. D. ; Jan. 1, 1885, to 188(5, Rev. Ransom Dunn, D. D.; 1880 to date, Hon. George F. IMosher, A. M. The following have tilled llie olilce of Secretary and Treasurer: 1855 to 1862, Henry J. King; 1862 to 1877, Lorenzo P. Reynolds; 1877 to 1884, Charles B. Mills; 1884 to date, Oscar A. Janes. The Faculty at present is constituted as follows: Hon. George F. Mosher, A. M., President; Rev. Ransom Dunn, D. D.; Rev. John S. Copp, A. W. ; Arthur E. Haynes, M. Ph.; Kingsbury Bachelder, A. M.; Rev. Ashniun T. Salley, A. M.; Frank Smith, B. Ph.; Clarence O. Williams, A. M.; Mrs. Marie M. Pierce; Miss Harriet A. Deering; Mel- ville W. Chase, Mus. Doc. ; George B. Gardner, Alexandci' C. Ridcout. PJJ^ Jl^: 4 ► 11 ^^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. ^i 185 .-*S:* ..-' j?.^<^«^(^(^ti^.i^t^'tgi'»^t^ .'. ". •. ': ;■ .■ >' :y : I'l^i'.-.' .•■';■' .-■tgat ^'^'^ '^^i'^" ' ' Hi^^F ai i'^vtita^'^'ggi«^t^'^tgSjt^'^'^>t^'^AtJ^ti^t^'ti^ia&'t&pt^i^i^i%'>^tg^l ♦ o-S ^ ^ tlS xi ■» t <» 4 [)N. p:bj:nezer Oliver GROSVENOR, banker and merchant, of Jones- ville, lias been for man}- — I'^ years proniinenlly idenli- -"^h" fied Willi tlie cotninercia!, c5\(b^oyt> social and political life of Michi- ^^^^ o^i'i- -I'ltl is numbered among her - ~ ' ■' most eminent citizens. He was born in Stillwater, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Jan. 2ti, 1820, and was the third of the nine children, four of whom are living, born to his father, E. O. Grosvenor. Sr. The latter was a son of the Rev. Daniel Grosve- nor, a man of sound learning and ability, who gave his children all the advantages of a liberal education, and many of them were graduates of Eastern colleges, and occupied prominent positions in the professional world. The father of our sub- ject was boi'n and reared in Worcester County, Mass., and there married Mary Ann Livermore, a native of Massachusetts, and an accomplished lady of true culture, who was educated at Leicester Academy, near Worcester, Mass. After marriage Mr. Grosvenor continued to live in his native county for several years, but having met with some business reverses, he removed with his family to ■♦■ Stillwater, N. Y'., where he was engaged for a num- ber of years on the public works of the State. In 1S2.T he removed with his family to Schenectady, and in 1820 from thereto Chittenango. N. Y. For further parental history see sketch of Ebenezer O. Grosvenor, Sr., in this volume. The subject of this sketch received a sound edu- cation in his native Stale, that amply qualifled him to contend with the intricacies of the business life tiiat he afterward entered upon. He Wiis a student in the Lancixsterian Academy, at .Schenectady, sub- sequently attended a public school at Chittenango, and tinally, at the age of thirteen, entered the Polytechnic Academy at that place, where, during a two-years course of earnest study, he gained a brilliant rank for fine scholarship. Having decided to adopt a business career, at the age of sixteen he left school to take a position as clerk in a store in Chittenango, where he w.is employed the following year. In June, 1837. our subject, who had not then attained manhood, being but seventeen years of age, left his native .Slate and came to the young commonwealth of .Michigan, which had been ad- mitted into the Union but a few months before, and of which, in future years, he was to become a lead- \na citizen and take an impoi-tant part in the ad- ministration of some of its highest olHces. On his arrival here he entered into the employ of an elder ^- A 186 HILLSDALE COUNTY. brother in Albion, in one of the first stores of the town. He remained there until the winter of 1839, when he went to Monroe and served as a clerk for one 3'e.ir in the State Commissioner's offlce, during the construction of the Michigan Southern Railwaj', which was then in the hands of the State. He first became a citizen of Jonesville in the summer of 1840, when he came here to take a position as clerk in a dry-goods store, where he was employed until in April, 1844. By his faithfulness to the interests of his employers and cflieient work while in the serv- ice of others, and bj' his rare energy and extraor- din.ary business tact, he has worked himself up to his present high jtosition among the men of wealth and high standing in this State, and it is his pride that in all of his business connections, and in what- ever he has attempted to do, he has always been successful, and everything h.is turned out in the most satisfactory manner. In April, 1844, Mr. Grosvenor established him- self in a general mercantile business, with Mr. E. S. Varnum as partner, and they conducted it together until 1847, when Mr. Varnum sold out his share to Mr. Champlin, the f.ather-in-law of our subject. They carried on the business together verj' success- fully until 1851, when Mr. Grosvenor bought out his father-in-law's interest, and conducted the busi- ness alone until 1864. He then admitted some young men who had been in his emploj' for a num- ber of years. The business grew and flourished in a marked degree under the new order of tilings, and in 1875 a further change was made, and the firm name was changed to Sibbald, Spalding & Co., Mr. Grosvenor still remaining a partner, although out- side interests absorbed much of his attention, and at the present time he is two-thirds owner of the stock of J. A. Sibbald & Co. Outside of the mer- cantile trade he has been engaged in buying and selling the general produce of this section of the country', making it a feature of the business always to pay cash. Our subject established his present banking business, under the firm name of the Ex- change Bank of Grosvenor & Co., in April, 1854, of which he has since been the principal owner and manager. Our subject has taken a distinguished part in all the public enterprises th.at would in any way pro- mote the growth and prosperity of his adopted county and Slate. He has been identified with the railw.iy interests of Michigan for many years, and in the latter part of 1868, when the Ft. Wa3'nc, Jackson & Saginaw Railway was being located, he was largely instrumental in directing its route, is now a stockholder in the company, and was Vice President of the railway before it was leased to the Michigan Southern. He has been connected with the following life insurance companies in vari- ous capacities : He w.as one of the organizers of the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company, of Detroit; an early stockholder and Director of the Detroit Fire and Marine Insurance Company; also of the Michigan State Fire Insurance Company, at Adrian (this latter corapan}- has now gone into liquidalion) ; he is still connected with the insurance companies as stockholder and Director. He has donated liber.ally to the industrial enterprises of Hillsdale County, noticeably to the cotton .and woolen mills of this place, and was the first Treas- urer of the Jonesville Cotton Manufacturing Com- pany, and was for some time its President. Our subject has been engaged in the mercantile business from our best information a greater length of time than any other man in this State. Commencing life poor, he laid the foundations of his present fortune when a clerk bj' wisely laying up iu's earnings. Mr. Grosvenor w.as married, Feb. 22, 1844, to Miss Sally Ann Champlin, daughter of the Hon. Elisha P. Champlin, wlio was one of the first settlers of Lenawee County. She has ever been a devoted .and affectionate companion to her hnsband, making their home a pleasant and inviting retreat frf m the cares of business or public life. She is a valued member of the Presbyterian Church, of which her husband is also a regular attendant. One child, a daughter, has been born to them, who was married in 1873 to Mr. Charles E. AVhite; they are also resi- dents of this city, and to them have been born two sons — Charles Grosvenor and Oliver S. Since first settling in Jonesville, Mr. Grosve- nor has taken a very active .and conspicuous part in public affairs; a man of his superior mental cali- ber, well-known executive ability and integrity, could not long be allowed to remain in the obscurity of private life, and he has been repeatedly and often ■ r — r ^ — — r •► -^*- f HILLSDALE COUNTY 187 callcd upon to fill some of the liigbest offices within the gift of his admiring fellow-countrymen. lie has !i brilliant and clean record as a statesman, and his name is to be found on the annals of his adopted State as a firm supporter of many of the measures which have best contributed to its advanei'nient. In his twenty-nine years of pul)lic life, he never sougiit but one nomination, no odium has ever been at- tached to his name, or selfish motives ini|)uled to liis acts, and he may well look back upon his political life with giatification that he was ever true to the trusts imposed u|)on him by his fellow-citizens. The limitations of this liiogra|)ii3' forbid more than a brief mention of the offices that he lias held. He was at an early da3' elected to all of the important ofiices of this township, held the oHice of Supervisor before the township was divided, and was the first Supervisor of PXyclte Townshii) after liie division was made. In 18.')8 he was chosen a member of the State Senate. When the late Civil War brnke out in April, 1801, he was commissioned Colonel on the staff of Gov. Blair, and received an ai)iioint- ment on the Military Contract Board, of which he became President, and he afterward held the posi- tion of President of the Military State Boaid. In 1862 he again liccame State Senator, and took an imi)ortnnt part in the legislation of that year as Chairman of the Committee on Finance. In 18()4 his constituents elected him to the office of Lieuten- ant Governor of the State of Michigan, on the ticket with Gov. Crapo. By virtue of this ollice he was President of the State Board of Piqualization in 1800, and in the same year he was elected State Treasurer, his wide exi)erience in business peculi- arly fitting him for that important position, and he so ably managed the financial affairs of the State that he was again and again called upon to occupy the office, being re-elected in 1868, and remaining Treasiner until 1871. In A|)ril of that year he received an appointment on the Board of State Building Commissioners, for the purpose of erecting a new capitol, his appointment being confirmed by the Senate and House in joint session without a dissenting vote. He became the Vice President and presiding officer in tlie ab.sence of the Governor of the commission. The work on the capital was full and complete, and no fault was ever found; the *-HI-^ building stands to-daj' a proud monument to the efliciencj', zeal and faithfulness of the presiding officer of that Board of Commissioners and his fel- low-associat<^s. The State of Michigan is also indebted to our sul)ject for his work in the interests of her famous University at Ami Arbor. In the spring of 1879 he was elected Regent of that institution of learn- ing, and in January-, 1880, took his seat, retained the position until in January, 1888, and during the entire eight years he served without compensation. While he was a member of the Board of Regents he was Chairman of the Financial Committee, was one of the Executive Committee of the University for four j'cars, and was Chairman of the Medical Committee for six years. Socially, our subject is a Master Mason, having joined that order in 18.i.5, andhe is also an Odil Fellow, being a charter member of the lodge formed in Jonesvillc in 1840, and he h.as passed all the chairs in that order. Mr. Grosvenor h:i.s been a stanch member of the Republica'n party since the days of its organization in 1854, having previously been a Whig. The portrait of this eminent citizen occupies its appropriate place at the beginning of the local pan of this volume. An esteemed, valued and worthy citizen, to him is due the distinction of having the most honored place in the Ai.i'.im of his county. #^ -v EXRY VANDKRVOLGAN resides on sec- tion 8, Pitlsford Township, where he has built up a plciisant home, and is actively engaged in the occui)ation of farming. For the^past two years he has been principally en- gaged in buying and shipping stock. The parents of our subject, and also of his wife, were early settlers of Hillsdale County, and their children were reared amid the scenes of a pioneer life, and experienced its jiriv.ations and trials in eommon with those about them. Since the d.ays of their child- hood the face of the country has entirely clianged, and their jiresent comfortable, cosy home, situated amid broad, well-tilled fields, forms a great con- trast between the humble phmeer homes in which 4 -4*- 188 HILLSDALE COUNTY. they were reared, with wild surroundings, lofty trees of the primeval forest stretching for miles and miles on either hand with scarcely a break, ex- cepting here and there the small clearings of some settler, and haunted by wolves, bears, deer, wild turkeys, and other wild animals, and even the aboriginal settlers of this country still lurked in their forest haunts when the parents of our subject first moved here. The conditions of such a life developed in the people a hardihood, vigor of mind, self-reliance and mutual helpfulness, that were a great power in the making of this noble com- monwealth of Michigan, and have left their unmis- takable impress upon the generation of to-day. Mr. Vandervolgan was born in the town of Root, Montgomery Co., N. Y., Dec. 15, 1834. His father. Freeman S. Vandervolgan, was born in the same town, where his father, Lawrence Vander- volgan, a native of Holland, or of Dutch parentage, spent Ills last years, engaged at his trade of shoe- maker. The father of our subject was rear'id and married there to Mary Clement, a native, and daugh- ter of Aaron and Elizabeth (Ottman) Clement, pioneers of Pittsford Township (for history of them see sketch of Christopher Clement). After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Vandervolgan continued to live in their native town until 1838, and then started with their five children to build for them- selves a home in Michigan, taking the most con- venient and expeditious route, via Ph'ie Canal and lake to Toledo. They then proceeded on the rail- way to Adrian, which was then the western ter- minus of the railway, the cars being drawn by horses. They made their way from there through the wilderness across Bean Creek Valley to Pitts- ford Township, where Mr. Vandervolgan bought a tract of land on section 4, it being at the time the settlement furthest west on the town line. He soon erected a comfortable log house for the shelter of his family, with the usual mud and stick chimney, and an elm bark covered roof. Mrs. Vandervolgan was a notable housewife, and used to cook de- licious meals before the huge fireplace, and for some years spun and wove all the flax and wool, and made the clothes for the famil3^ The indus- trious and useful life of that good woman closed on the scenes of earth June 2, 1847. After her death Mr. Vandervolgan moved to Wheatland and made his home there until his death, Oct. 11, 1873. He was a trustworthj-, upright man, and was respected bj' all in the community. The subject of this sketch was in his fourth j'ear when he came to Hillsdale County with his parents, and he has since been a witness of its development and growth, and has borne an honorable part in pro- moling its agricultural interests. After his mar- riage he bought forty acres of land on section 4, and resided on it for a few years, and then sold that place and purchased a tract on section 15. A few months later he also disposed of that in order to buy a part of the old homestead on section 4. After living there eleven j-eais he bought the place where .he now resides. His present farm contains sixty-six acres of land under an excellent state of culture, and with good modern improvements, noticeable among which are a substantial dwelling and ample out-buildiugs. Li these years of persistent and courageous labor Mr. Vandervolgan's efforts in the upbuilding of a home have been ably seconded by the devoted co- operation of his excellent wife, to whom he was united in marriage Sept. 13, 1860. Her maiden name was Susan M. Rush, and her birth took place in Macedon, Wayne Co., N. Y., Aug. 27, 1836. Two children have blessed their union — Laura A. and Mary E. Their happy married life has been saddened by the death of their eldest daughter, Laura, who was born Sept. 21, 1861, and died Jan. 6, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Vandervolgan are highly respected for genuine kindly hearts and true worth of character; they are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church, and zealously uphold its good works. lu politics Mr. Vandervolgan is a firm sup- porter of the Republicans. Mrs. Vandervolgan's parents were pioneers of Pittsford Township, and as such we are pleased to incorporate a brief record of their lives in this sketch. Her father, Jehial M. Rush, was born in Ontario County, N. Y., March 13, 1808, and was a son of Samuel F. Rush, a native of Connecticut, whose father, it is thought, came to America from Scotland with his mother when quite young, and settled iu that New England State. The grand- father of Mrs. V. grew to manhood in his tiative •^ t ► ■ ^> HILLSDALE COUNTY. ISO State, and when a young man went to New York and settled in Ontario County, and was a pioneer of the town of Farmington. He bought timbered land, improved a good form, and lived there many ycin\-!. He subsequently removed to Wayne County, resided there until 1840. and then came to this county and made his home in I'ittsford Township. where he improved a farm from its wild state, and eontinued to liv(,' here until his death. The maiden nanie of his wife was Catherine Dellezenne, and she was born in New York State. Her father. Michael Dellezenne. was a native of Fi'.ince, who emigrated to America some time during the last century, and settled in the Stale of New York. jNlrs. Ynndervolgan's father was reared on a farm in his native State until twenty years old. and then he learned to be a carpenter, and followed that trade in New York State for some years. He married, Aug. "iH, 1835, Miss Laura A. Wilber, who was lioni in Wicntlinm, near Boston, Mass., Feb. lo, lUl.i. Her father wasEpliraim Wilber; his father was a farmer, ami spent his last years in Norton, Mass.. whcic lie died about 1823. Mrs. Yandervolgan's malernal grandi)arents moved to New York, and settled near .Syracuse, Onondaga C'oinit}', where her grandfather died about one year later. Two 3'ears after that his widow married again, moved to Wayne County, and settled in Maeedon, where she spent her last years. Her niaiden nan)e was Susan Lcfinanl. and her father. Job Leonard, the great- grnndfather of Mrs. Y., was a native of Massa- chusetts, where he owned a foundry in Wrentham. In the year 1837 the parents of Mrs. V. catne to .Michigan, and located near Hillsdale, where Mr. Rush bought a tract of timbered land. He cleared some of his land, aTid continued to work at his trade a part of the time. He built a log house on Ills place, which the Indians, who still lingered in this vicinity, used to call -The Clean House" to distinguish it from the other log houses, as it w.as built of hewn logs. He resided there seven years, and then moved to Pittsford Township, where he bought a isartially improved farm on section 9, and continued to be .actively engaged in his trade. He erected a suitable set of frame buildings, and lived there until 18()4, when he sold that pLace and bought the one where he now resides, and has since devoted his entire time to farming. He owns a good farm of forty acres, well provided with good buildings, and he and his good wife are spending their declining years in comfort and in the enjoy- ment of the respect of the people about them. They are the parents of four children, of whom Mrs. Yandervolgan is the eldest: the record of the others is as follows: Eliza is the wife of Jonathan Stafford, of Wheatland Township: Alice is the wife of John A'andcrvolgan. and lives in Eaton Comity: Delora is at home with her parents. ^^^OODWIN HOWARD. The thrilling scenes III <^ through which the pioneer settlers passed ^^4 during the early period of development of this portion of the State of Michigan, must ever awaken enn)tious of warmest regard for them. To pave the way for those who should fy her brother, removed to Livingston County, N. Y., ami eng.iged in leaching. This section of country was then but thinly settled and money as well as people was scarce. Miss «» ■ ^» 14 190 HILLSDALE COUNTY. Barnard freqiieiilly, in payment for her services, was obliged to talce wlieat and dispose of it to the best advantage, sometimes at twenty-five cents per bushel. She first met her future husband in Livonia, that county, where their marriage tool< place, and wlience after sojourning there a biief time, they removed to Allegany County. Here the father purchased a tract of land, taking an article for a deed, but in- stead of farming engaged in the manufacture of potash. He met with many leverses, but being a man of unconquerable resolution, managed in spite of all to pay for his land, which was a rare occui'- rence in that section of country, as many were in debt and all were poor. Phineas Howard continued a resident of Allegany County, N. Y., nntil 1835, then disposing of his property made his way to Southern INIichigan and purchased 120 acres of land in Allen Township, this county. He had made this trip alone, and the pur- pose of his visit accomplished, he returned to the Empire State, and brought his family with him to Michigan in the s|)ring of 18;3G. They settled on the land in Allen Township, and here four of their children were born. Here also the parents spent the remainder of their lives, the mother dying March 7, 1868, and the father, Feb. 7, 187.3. In making the journey from New York State the parents of our subject started out from Allegany County with two yoke of oxen, expecting to com- plete the journey by this means. After reaching Buffalo, however, they changed their plans and em- barked on a lake vessel, bringing with them their cattle, and landing .at Toledo. Here they resumed their former method of travel by means of their oxen, which transported s.'iffl^' to their destin.ation the father, mother and four children. 'J'he latter all lived to m.ature years. The eldest daughter, Mar3% became the wife of Daniel Nichols, and died at her home in Allen Township, Feb. 18, 1851; Goodwin, our subject, was the second child; Bar- nard died in Allen Township when about fort}' years of age; Wealthy A. is the wife of Andrew Winchester, of Chicago. Goodwin Howard was born in Ossian, N. Y., Jan. 22, 1823, and w.as a lad of thirteen years when he came with his parents, in the spring of 183(3, to the Territory of Michigan. He has for a period of !1i fifty-two years made his home in Allen Township. As a man of more than ordinary capacities and intelligence, he has been closely identified with the interests i>f Hillsdale County, and large!}' instru- mental in the growth and prosperity of Allen Town- ship. Reared to farming pursuits, these have been his pleasure and his pride and in which he has aimed to excel. For many j'ears he has engaged exten- sively in Ijuying and shipping stock, and was famil- iarly known as a drover, making many trips from this count}' east as far as Massachusetts, driving his cattle before him, mostlj' on horseback and sometimes on foot. Later the construction of tiie railroads westward did away witii this tedious i)ro- ced u re, an d M r. Howard , w i th scores of others, glad 1}' availed himself of the modern innovation. Mw Howard was married early in life, Jan. 14, IS 10, at tiie home of the Iiride in Allen Township. to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Sarah (Chenry) Bra}'. John Bray was a native of New Jersey, and his wife, Sarah, was born in Carmi, N. Y. After marriage they settled in Ontario County, that State, near Richmond, where the mother died. Mr. Bray survived his wife, and died in Bristol, Ontario County. Their five children were named respect- ively: Maxwell, Fanny, Lucy A., Elizabeth and Jane. Elizabeth, Mrs. Howard, was born in Bristol, N. Y., March 27, 1822, and came to the West with her brother and sister in 1839. ISIr. and Mrs. Howard commenced life together upon a tract of land in Allen Township, which was owned by the Allen heirs. He jjurchased tiie first forty acres of his present farm in 1840, and h.as acquired his present beautiful and valuable prop- erty by the exercise of untiring industry and the good judgment with which nature bountifully en- dowed him. He has now 330 acres in Allen Town- ship, upon which is a fine residence, which with its surroundings forms all that the heart can reasonably desire in the shape of a modern country home. Besides this he owns the greater ])art of the land familiarly known as the Allen farm, which was the first land taken up from the Government in Allen Township, .and u[)on wiiich was built the Allen grist mill, an institution wiiich afterward became known far and wide by the people of this section, to whom it proved for many years .almost indispensable. ■^•- ■*► ■- 4- J^ HILLSDALE COUNTY 191 In close proximity to tiiis mill, which was run on the mortar plan, was a hollow in tliu grouiul, which ill tho fail of the year would fill up with water, and upon the ioo of which in the winter tiijic the neighliors round would Ihrasli their grain. Mr. Howard formerlj' owned llic land including this 1k)11ow. In 1881 our suhject, imoinpany with his estiniahle wife, made a trip to California, being gone three or four months, and feeling that the time and money thus employed were well spent, luthe winter of 1885 Mr. Howard again visited the P.i- ciflc Coast, journeying hj- way of Arizona and re- turning via tiie Denver \' Rio G ramie. The household of this gentleman and his excel- lent wife was completed b3- the birth of seven cliil- dren, of whom the eldest son. Chancy, died when two years of age; Harriet is the wife of Charles Winchester, of Elkhart. Ind.; Amoretdicd in Allen Township when twenty-one years old; Edwin C. married Miss Edna Diirand, and is a lesident of Allen Township; Mary A. died when four niontlis old: Wealthy became tiie wife of ICiigciic Dresser, and died in Allen Township, aged about twentj'-one years and six months; Ida, Mrs. Frank Avery, is a resident of Hillsdale. Mr. Howard, politically, is a solid Republican, and has held the various minor offices of his town- ship. He was one year President of the Hillsdale County Agricultural 8ociet}% but has usuallj- been disinclined to place himself very prominently be- fore the jiublic, preferring the unostentatious life of a private citizen. Mrs. Howard is a lady greatly esteemed by her neighbors and acquaintances, and has nobly fulfilled her duties in life, first as the companion and helpuLite of the struggling pioneer, and later as tlie wise and judicious mother of his children. lj=^OBERT M. COX is a gentleman in the prime \lL^ of life, and is held in high regard among ^\\\ the people of Scipio Township. Hehasbeena wg;resident of this county, with the exception of the years spent in the army, since a lad eight ye.irs of .age. He is of English descent, being the son of Charles and Diana (Denning) Cox, who were natives of England, and who emigrated to America in 1840, after their marriage and the birth of six children. Our subject, one sister and a brother were the only members of their father's family Americaii-ljorn, and the youngest children. He first opened his eyes to the light in Orleans County, iS'. Y., .June 30, 1844, in which county his parents settled when they Hist came to ,\meriea. The parents of our subject left the Empire Slate in 1852, and coming lo this county, the father pur- chased land in Scipio Township on section G, where he built up a comfortable home, and where the mother died Oct. 30, 1887. .Mr. Charles Cox is still living, and makes his home with his son Rt>b- ert M. Of the nine children comprising the i)ar- ental family, six are now living, and residents mostly of Michigan. Robert M. was a lad of eiglit j'ears when he came with his |)arcnts to this county, and remained upon the farm until the outbreak of the late Rebellion. In the fall of 1803. when a youth of nineteen years, he enlisted in Company A, 1 nil Michigan Cavalry, and marche^d with his com- rades to the seat of war. being assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. He shai-ed the common lot of the soldier, became familiar with his hardships, dangers and privations, met the enemy bravely, and fortunately escaped unhai'meil to return tohishome and friends. He received his honorable discharge in the fall of 1865, and w.as mustered out at Cin- cinnati. Mr. Cox during his army life had passed thi' period of his majority, but he continued a member of his father's household thereafter until 1M75. He had always loved the peaceful pursuits of farm life, anil now contentedly followed agriculture, aiming to gain a knowledge of the best methods of manip- ulating the soil to the best advantiige. lie was not married until rather late in life, his union with .Miss Eliza Teno^'ar taking place .at the home of the bride in .Scipio Township. Aug. 2. 1875. Mrs. Cox was born Nov. 22. 1857, in this township, and is the daughter of Reuben and Eliza (.Malcom) I'en- oyar, who were natives of New York, and are now liviii" in .Scipio Township. Mr. and Mrs. Cox couuncnced life together ujion the f:n-m which they now occupy, and are the parents of three interest- ing children: Verna M., Henry and Franklin, the eldest nine years of .age and the young<"st four. -»-* i i 192 HILLSDALE COUNTY. Mr. Cox has but little time to devote to political matters, but uniformly votes the Republican ticket, and socially, is a member f)f Stewart Post No. 2.59, G. A. R., at Litchfield. 0-~- APT. WILLIAM W. WADE, of Jonesville, is the son of John and Mary Wade, who were natives of Ireland, whence they emi- grated to America in 18(54, and settled first in New York State. A year later they came to Southern Michigan, settling in Litchfield Township, this county, where their decease took place. Of their seven children five are living. Our subject was born in Ireland, March 14, 1836, and was reared on a farm until a youth of fourteen years. About that time he changed his occupation to that of clerk in a dry-goods store at Hillsdale, but several months later went into a drug and gro- cery store at Jonesville, where he remained about three years. He then took up the tinner's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years, and at which he worked as a journeyman also three years in different places. At the expiration of these six years he resumed his old occupation as clerjf at Jonesville until the Pike's Peak excitement, when he crossed the plains to Colorado, but soon returned again and remained connected with the dry-goods trade until after the outbreak of the Rebellion. Mr. Wade, soon after the first call for troops, en- listed, June 19, 1861. anrl was commissioned Second Lieutenant of Company C, 7th Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war. His army ex- perience was similar to that of others, but greatly to his credit, he being promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant, and subsequently Captain, and having tendered him also a Colonel's commission, which he declined ; he was also Quartermaster of his regiment. Upon receiving his honorable discharge, in June, 1865, he returned to his old haunts in J(jnesville, and became interested in the hardware trade, in which he was engaged nearly eight years. In connection therewith he purcliased wheat, pork and wood for nineteen years, and then became in- terested in the boot and shoe trade, in which he was engaged until the winter of 1887-88. Then selling out he engaged in tlie manufacture of road- carts, with the business of vviiich he now occupies himself. Mr. Wade has held the office of Village Trustee for a period of fourteen years, w.is President of the board four years and Village Treasurer two 3'ears. Socially, he belongs to Henry Baxter Post, G. A. R. He was married, Dec. 19. 187.'), in the city of Rochester, N. Y., to Miss Lillian B. Dunham, and they are the parents of one child. Demon t W. -»-»* .o*o.-@JA><\^..o*o.. 1^-— ONATHAN WHITNEY, whose name is fa- miliar among the prominent men and honored pioneers of Allen Township, is the owner of a good farm on section 9, but has his present residence in the village. A man liberal minded and pi'ogressive in his ideas, he has formed no unimportant factor in the development of the west- ern part of Hillsdale County, and his own township especially. Here he has been prominent in local affairs, serving as Treasurer and School Inspector, represented the township in the County Board of Supervisors two years, and served as Justice of the Peace for twelve years. Politically, he is a con- scientious Republican, and with his excellent wife, a member in good standing of the Methodist Church. The parental history of our subject is essentially as follows: His father. Ami Whitney, was born in Massachusetts, Jan. 18, 1781. The latter when eleven years of age, vvith his parents, Jonathan and Esther (Parkhurst) Whitney, removed from the Bay State to Seneca, Ontario Co.. N. 1'., and settled on what was then known as the old •' Indian Castle farm." Jonathan Whitne}' died two years later, being cut down in the prime of life, and in the midst of a useful career. He was a man of great force of character, and served as Captain in the Revolutionary army, being prominent at the sur- render of the British General, Burgoyne. Grandmother Whitney was subsequently married to a man by the name of Parker, and died in the vicinity of Painted Post, as it was then called, but which is now known as Jefferson, N. Y''. Of her •Mh-i^ ■•► u HILLSDALE COUNTY. 193 ' marriage with Jonathan Whitney there had been born nine children, of whom Ami, the father of our subject, was next to the youngest. He grew to manhood in his native county, being reared upon a farm, and there spent his entire life, engaged in agricultural pursuits, his death occurring Dec. 14, 1867. He married ]Miss Anna Ainsdcn, who was also a native of Massachusetts, and buin Dec. 7, 1784. To the parents of our subject there were born fifteen children, nine of whom lived to become men and women. The eldest son, Theodore, died in New York, Nov. 30, 18.50; Isaac A. died in Michi- gan, in October, 1876; Jasper is a resident of Wood County, Ohio; William G. lives in Geauga Count}-, Ohio; Ami continues a resident of Seneca, N. Y. ; Jonathan, our subject, was the sixth child: Eliza- beth E. is the widow of John Lewis, of Hopewell, N. Y. ; Esther G. married Franklin Hooper, who is now deceased, and lives in Siskiyou County, Cal. ; Anna is the widow of James Wilson, and a resident of Geneva. N. Y. Jonathan Whitney, our subject, was liorn in Seneca, Ontario Co..N. Y'., Nov. 3, 181G. Like his father before him he was reared to farm pursuits, and as was the custom of most of the 3'oung men of those days, continued under the parental roof until reaching his majority. He then started out for himself, and for two years thereafter was em- ployed as a farm laborer in his native county. In the latter part of September, 1839, having resolved to see something of the farther West, he migrated to this county, arriving here on the 29th of October, 1839. In the meantime he had stojiped in Niagara County, N. Y'., and consummated a very important event, namely, his marriage, and with him brought his bride. They conimcnced housekeeping in Allen Township in a little l)uil(ling south of the tnrn|)ike, near .loiin R(c t r 194 hillsdalp: county. 4 lieved was born on the other side of the Atlantic. The latter spent his last years in the town of Will- iamson, Waj'ne Co., N. Y. In the spring of 1836, Edward Underwood, mak- ing his way to the undeveloped West, purchased land in Palmyra Township, Lenawee County, this State, for which he paid $11 per acre. Here he built up a comfortable homestead, where he spent the re- mainder of his life, passing away on the 20th of May, 1878. The father of our subject, who had been carefully reared to habits of industry and economy, assisted his father in clearing the new farm, and when ready to marry, with the assistance of the latter, purchased 131 acres in Palmyra Township. The maiden of his choice was aiiss Mary Comstock; a native of Niagara County, N. Y., and tlie daughter of .Tared and Catherine (Hall) Comstock, who removed from the Empire State to Lenawee County in 1835. They spent the last years of their lives in Raisin Township. The father passed away in 1865 and the mother in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Comstock were highly educated and taught school some years after their marriage. Their daughter Mar3\ the mother of our subject, was born Dec. 22, 1828, and of her union with Thomas Underwood there were born three sons and one daughter — Edward, Ella, Will- iam A. and Harley. Ella became the wife of Rev. Harvey S. AVidney, who was a graduate of Adrian College, later a minister of the Protestant Methodist Church, but linally left the ministry to assume charge ot Gideon Seminar}', at LaHarpe, 111., where he was Principal six years. In 1886 he assumed the same position in the Galpin Academy, at Excelsior, Minn., whicli he held at the time of his death, on the 25th of August, 1887. Thomas Underwood and his wife are still living on their fine farm in Palmyra Townshij), Lenawee County, where they are cLassed among its leading citizens, widely and favorably known by the people of that section, among whom they have lived for so many years, and have assisted in developing one of the richest sections of Southern Michigan. The subject of this biography was reared in his native township, and after leaving the district school took a course of instruction at Adrian Col- lege. So well had he improved his time and op- portunities that he commenced teaching at the age of eighteen years, which occupation he followed four winters in succession, while in the summer he assisted in the labors of the homstcad. He re- mained a member of the parental household until 1877, and tiien settled upon the farm which he now owns and occupies. This is a tine body of land, and is pleasantly located on section 10, in Pittsford Township. The buildings are substantial and con- venient, and the cultivation of the soil is carried on in a wise and judicious manner. The farm stock and maehinerj- are creditable to the proprietor and signalize him as one of the progressive men of the West. The wife of our subject, to whom he was married in this township, Sept. 13, 1876, was forniorly Miss Lozetta A. Holden, who was born on the farm where she now resides, Aug. 2, 1858. Her father, Lyman Holden, a native of Vermont, was born Aug. 29, 1821, and was the son of P^lisha Holden, whom it is supposed was also a native of the Green Mountain State, and where he spent his entire life. Lyman Holden came to Michigan with his mother and stepfather, .lames Anderson, in 1836. He married a lady of Hillsdale County and settled up- on the land now occupied by his daughter and son- in-law, where he spent his last years. Lyman Holden, upon reaching manhood, married Miss Roen Stark, who was born in Clermont County, Ohio, and was the daughter of Daniel Stark, a na- tive of New York State. The latter was the son of John Stark, who removed from New Yencer S., who since that time has followed his beloved art and made for himself an enviable rcputntion. His work adorns the walls of many of the dwellings of Hillsdale County, and his life-like copies o( the huniau countcuau<-e have seldc-ni been excelled. ■Spencer S., upon leaving his native Stiite, took f up his residence in Massachusetts, whore be made liis home until coming to the West. He was mar- ried in Athens, Ohio, April r>, 1847, to Miss Louisa T., daughter of I'rof. .Joseph Dana, who at that time occupied the chair of languages in the Ohio University at Athens, and was a near relative of the distinguished Dana family, of Massachusetts. .Mrs. Harding was born in Marblehe.ad, Mass., Dec. lo, 1816, and is a lady of great cidiure. evincing in her bearing and manner that she is the descendant of the family so well known in the history of New England as rejiresenting its l)est element. Mr. Harding upon becoming a voting citizen identified himself with the Whig party, but upon its abandonment cordially endorsed Republican principles, of which he still remains a warm sup- porter. 'I'he pleasant home of .Mi-, ami Mrs. Hard- ing is located in Jonesville, and during their resi- dence of nearly twenty years in this county they have fully established themselves in the frienilship and esteem of its best people. OMEU WARNER, who is prominent among the farmers and stock-raisers of Camden Township, .also operates largely as a ship- per, and is one of the men whose energy and industrj- have greatly contributed to the progress of this section of the countrj-. His home occupies 160 acres on section 2, of which he has been in possession since the spring of 1886. His stock op- erations have extended over a i)eriod of eighteen 3'ears, and have yielded him a handsome sum an- nually. Mr. Warner is a gentleman in the prime of life, having been born March 25, 1814, in Onondaga, N. Y. His father, Calvin, and his mother, Clarissa (Fitch) Warner, were also natives of the Emiiire State. His paternal grandfather, Amos Warner, served valiantly in the Revolutionary War, and as the result of a temperate life and correct habits, .-it- tained to the .-idvanced .age of ninety years, spend- ing his last d.ays in New York State. The parents of our subject spent their entire lives in their native Stiite, and there were born lo them two sons and one daughter : Homer and George, of lieadiug Tuwn- r ■» ■ M * 196 ^l HILLSDALE COUNTY. ship, this county, and Hannah, the wife of Adonis Fellows, of Steuben County, Ind. Homer was reared to manhood in his native State, wliere he ac- quired a cominon-school education, atsd became familiar with the various employments of farm life. While a resident of Kew York, he was married, March 1, 1S71, to Miss Melissa Roe, a native of his own State, and the daughter of .John T. and INLarion lioe, of Memphis, N. Y. This union resulted in the birth of two children : Adah, born Feb. 22, 1872, and Clarence, Aug. 14, 1879. Mr. Warner, in the fall of 1871, left his native State, and coming to this county, took up his abode in Cambria Township, wlience he removed later to Woodbridge Township, where he resided thirteen 3'ears. Me then returned to Cambria, and in the spring of 1887 settled on his present farm in Cam- den Township. He has been the architect of his own fortune, as he was thrown upon his own re- S(jurces at an early age without means or influential friends. He has viewed with satisfaction the growth and progress of his adopted county, and to the best of his ability has contributed his quota to bring about its pros|)erity. "Jt; AMES W. WINSOR, a retired business man I and dealer in real estate, was born in Rhode ] Island, twelve miles from Providence. Aug. J 30, 1813, and is the son of Welcome and Tabitha (Burlingame) Winsor, both natives of the same State, and born near Gloucester. Tlie grand- father, Elisha, and his father, Joshua, came of along line of ancestors, dating back to the j'ear 1344. Upon arriving in this country, the representatives of the Winsor family' first settled in New England, and some of them came over in the "Mayflower." From Massachusetts several of them subsequently mi- grated to Rhode Island. Welcome Winsor, the father of our subject, was a farmer by occupation, and followed his calling in the latter State. James W. began his attendance at school at six years of age, anri when eighteen years of age he entered the academy at Bolton, Mass., where he continued his studies. He then removed to Providence, and obtained employment in a store as clerk, in which he continued five years. He then purchased a general stock of goods, and embarked in the retail trade on his own account. Five years later he converted his business into a wholesale grocery trade, and did a large and successful busi- ness until 1863, when he removed with his family to this county. After his arrival here he was con- nected with the retail grocery and lumber business until 1887, when he sold out and retired from active life. He was also a successful dealer in real estate, and owns a number of houses which he rents, and receive therefrom a fair income. Mr. Winsor was united in marriage, Oct. 17, 1 837, with Miss Ann Chillson, who was born in Guil- ford, Chenango Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of James V. Chillson, Esq. This union resulted in the birth of seven children, five of whom lived to maturity; they are recorded as follows: James H. was born May 28, 183t), and died Nov. 30, 1884; Ann B. was born March 15, 1841, and died Feb. 18, 1842; Anna L. was born Jan. 11, 1843, married Mr. A. C. Stich, a banker of Independence, Kan., and died Jan. 30, 1882, leaving three children; Cassius C. was born April 1. 1844, and resides in Mexico, where he is engaged in putting in mining machin- ery ; Frank was born Dec. 19, 1846, and married Annie Johnson, June 3, 1880; he now resides in Petoskey, Mich., where he is engaged in the manu- facture of woodenvvare. Louis W. was born Feb. 11, 1852, and died March 9, 1856; Louis B. was born Jan. 24, 1858, and was married, Sept. 16, 1886, to Miss Emma Adams; he is an attorney at Reed City, Mich. While in Rhode Island, Mr. Winsor served four years .as Councilman, and five years in Hillsdale. He was elected one of the Trustees of Hillsdale Col- lege in June, 1863, and has held the office ever since; ho has also been a member of the Prudential Com- mittee most of the time. Mr. and Airs. Winsor are members of the Baptist Church, in which Mr. W. has served as Deacon for the last ten ye.ars, and was also Superintendent of the Sunday-school for a number of years. His beautiful residence is situ- ated on College Hill, while its handsome and beauti- ful grounds surrounding occupy nearly four lots. ■*► t OJ^^ I ■^- IIILLSDALE COUNTY. 199 Louis R., the son of our subject, is a graduate of Hillsdale College, and also of the law school of the Michigan State University, of Ann Arbor. In politics Mr. AVinsor affiliates with the Republican party. SARRY SARLKS. The subject of this liiog- rapliy, whose portrait is presented on the ^;;_^ opposite page, owns and occupies one of the finest farms in Southern Michigan. It com- prises 194 acres of land, the greater part under good cultivation, and is embellished with a tasteful and imposing dwelling, ample barns and other out- houses, fruit trees and shrubbery, and all the other appurtenances of a modern country estate. The land is well watered with living springs, and the whole presents one of the most attractive spots in the landscape of Hillsdale County. j\Ir. Sarles commenced for himself early in life, dependent upon his own resources, without any cap- ital whatever. His first purcliase of land in this county was eight}- acres, to whicii he gradually added as years passed by, and which was secured by the most untiring industry' and rigid economy. He knows all about the hardships and privations of life in a new country, and has borne no unimpor- tant part in the development of this section. He now gives much of his attention to the growing of fine stock, and in all his laljois has operated wilii that system and good order which unifoi-mly result in success. A native of Tioga County, N. V., uur .sulijoct was born Oct. 25, 1824, and is the son of Garry, Sr., and Nancy (Flddy) Sarles, who were also na- tives of the Empire State. The father, born in 1803, departed this life at his home in Hills- dale Township in 1840. He carried on farming during his entire life, and, with his estimable wife, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The mother was born in 1804, and after the death of her first husband was married to Will- iam Cleveland. She passed away at her home al the old homestead in Hillsdale Township in 18G6, and Mr. Cleveland is .also decea.-. jyi)))|' 1870, was liorn in Livingston County, N. , /^ Y.. March <>. l.S3fl. He was, c(»nsequently. at the time of his decea.se eompni-alively a young man, and in the milain becanu' the owner of agood farm. He turned his attention chiefly to the breeding of slieep and horses, and prosperit}' once more smiled upon him. After nine years lie returned to New York State, settling liiis time near the town of Lyons, in Wayne County, where his death occur.-'ed in 1835, when he was seveut3'-three years old. The faithful wife and mother had preceded her liuslian the river he landed at what •►-•-^•- i' ive bat k -•^ 202 HILLSDALE COUNTY. t is now Burlington. lona, whence lie proceeded ■nestwnrd to the present site of Iowa Citj', where lie purchased 480 acres of land, and took a large contract for the furnishing of rock and Ijrick for the State House, which was to be built tliere. Mr. Lovejoy made the first brick whicii was manufact- ured in Johnson County, Iowa. Tliis contract filled, he ventured back to Illinois, and at Joliet made the acquaintance of Joel A. Matteson, who subsequently became Governor of the Prairie State. Mr. M. being also a heavy contractor, the two united their forces in the construction of a section of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, which occupied the time of our subject until 1841. Having now been away from his home and friends for a period of five years, Mr. Lovejoy decided to revisit the scenes of his thildhood. In the spring of 1842 he was married there, to Miss Mary B. Morse, of Monroe Countj', N. Y., and returning to Jlichigan with his bride, our subject settled in Shiawassee C'ountj- and engaged in farming. From there, in 1847, he came to the embryo town of Litchfield, with whose interests he at once identi- fied himself, and was soon recognized as a very valued addition to the community. Since that time Litchfield has been, as it were, a child of his fostering care, for whfim he was willing to make .sacrifices and to labor in order tlmt she might pros- ' per. Here he has invested his capital and here given his best thoughts, and at the same time has been the means of bringing to this section a class of enterprising and intelligent people. Upon settling in Litchfield, Mr. Lovejoy occupied himself at first mostly in merchandising, and had his home in a modest dwelling on what is now St. Joseph street. In due time his household included four bright children, namely: Frank E., Ellen A., Albert J. and Aroline A. The eldest son at an earl3' age developed the same energj' and business capacities of his father, and enteriDg a wholesale establishment at Toledo, Ohio, occupied himself there until the outbreak of the war. Then, although but a youth of eighteen years, he entered the Union service, and soon, on account of his bright intelli- gence, was made the head clerk of Gen. Grant, and it fell to his lot to pen the stipulations of "uncon- ditional surrender" to Gen. Pemberton, at \'icks- 4* ^ burg. Later, while Gen. Grant was reviewing the troops at Cairo, he noticed the overworked and wearied expression of countenance of his favorite clerk, and clirectcd that he should return home on a furlough. Young Lovejoy while thus recuper- ating received a warm and cordial telegram from his great chief, who at the same time conferred upon him the appointment of cadet to West Point, for reasons then unknown to his father, our subject. Frank at once dispatched the General that he could not accept the position on account of the failure of his health, but that he would soon again return to the service in the field. Ui)on rejoining his regi- ment he was promoted to the rank of First Lieu- tenant of the 3d Colored Mississii)pi Cavalry, and from this worked his way up so that at the close of the war he was appointed Major on Gen. Wilson's staff. Upon returning to Litchfield he engaged in merchandising with his father and brother, and was thus occupied until his death, which occurred Dec. 23, 1870. He left a wife and one child, the latter a daughter. Lena, who is now with her mother at Angola, Ind. Miss Ellen Lovejoy, the second child of our subject, became the wife of B. F. Rand, who is now Postmaster at Morris, and a prosperous .and energetic business man ; they have five children — Earl, Morton, George, Belle and Theo. Albert J., one of Litchfield's leading business men, is writ- ten of elsewhere in this volume; Aroline is the wife of F. E. Church, the partner of his brother-in-law, Albert J. Lovejoy, in Litchfield. In the fall of 1853 Mr. Lovejoy s.ailed from New York for San Francisco, arriving there with but ^5 in his i)Ocket. He engaged in lumbering sixteen miles from Sonora City, and twentj'-eight miles from California's celebrated grove of mammoth trees. He there found a good outlook for his pe- culiar business qualifications, and in the course of time contracted for the erection tif three large saw- mills, and commanded a very extensive business, while his capital of $5 increa.sod to §5,000. .Since his return to Litchfield he has been the instigator of many projects which have not only benefited him- self, but been the means of benefiting those around him. He was instrumental in the organization of the Union Agricultural Association of the St. Joseph Valley, the grounds being laid out on land belong- -4^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 203 i ing to liiti), :i property which now, in the eighth year to which it has ijeeii devoted to tiiis purpose, is valued at $8,000. Tiirough his efforts also the Northern Branch of tlie Southern Michigan Raih'oad was directed through this town, and the freigiit house at Litchfield was made eighty -six feet long instead of fifty-six, as originally' intended. His experienced eye at once detected the inadequacy of a smaller structure, and tiiat it would be expedi- ent to build at once a depot large enough to meet tiie future demands of a country prolific in its re- sources and destined to great things. In the construction of this road Mr, Lovejoy was the contractor for from :ji;JO,000 to ^7o,000 wt>rth ot ties and building material. He was also a lieavj- contractor in furnishing material for bridges, fences and cattle-yards, Itclng the contractor for all the latter from Jonesville to Eaton Rapids. Li addition to this he instituted an extensive grain business at Litchfield, in which he was continuously engaged from 1868 to 1880, having purchased as high as 150,000 bushels of wheat per year, and being the leader in this respect throughout Litchfield and vicinity. Mr. Lovejoy, althougli now over seventy-six years old, has lost none of his old love for the equine race, in the training of which he distinguished himself during his early years, and still loves to ride at a 2:40 pace. Among his other fine horses he is the owner of Troy, Jr., whom he purchased from the Washington Park staliles at Chicago, and who is a valuable addition to this species of prop- erty in Hillsdale County. He also has ant)ther very valuable animal, Nestor, who has made a splendid record. Mrs. Mary B. Lovejoy, the first wife of our sub- ject, departed this life at her home in Litchfield, July 23, 1850. He was then married to Miss I'heba Weaver, by whom he became the father of a son and daugiiter — George E. and Myrtie B. The former married Miss Julia Caniff, and is one of the enterprising business men of Muskegon ; he has two ciiildren — Claude and Mabel. Myrtie is the wife of John H. Stoddard, a commercial man of Chicago, and the mother of oneciiild, a daughter, Nina. The mother of tiicse children is dead. Tlie present wife of our subject, to whom he was married Dec. 28, 1875, was formerly Miss Elitha V. Breckenridge, who was born Nov. 9, 1824, in Massacliusetts, and is the daughter of William and Violate (Fuller) Breckenridge. Mr. Lovejoj', true to the principles of freedom and patriotism which distinguished his ancestors, is Republican in politi- cal sentiment, and is now a member of tiie Prohi- bition party. The results of a long career, which has been filled in with arduous and useful labor, which has not only lienefited himself but his entire community, will live long after the spirit which inspired them is no longer apparent among men. His history is one of which his posterity will be proud, and one which they will preserve for future gen- erations. ^^JiHJi ' ti - — : J/ AMES BOONE, who is prominent among the thrifty farmers and stock-growers of Cain- I bria Township, owns a good home on section ;3G, where he has ninety7six acres of fertile land under an excellent state of cultivation. He came to this section of country' from Peini Yan, Yates Co., N. Y., in 1865, and during his residence in Cambria Township of over twenty-five years, has gained the good-will and respect of all who know him. Our subject is of English ancestry, and was born in Somersetshire, England, Feb. 14, 1817. His father, John Boone, a native of the same county, was also of English parentage, and a farmer by oc- cupation. He spent his entire life upon In's native soil and died when middle-aged, about 1819, and when bis son James was but two years of age. The mother of our subject, Maria (Trott) Boone, also a native of Somersetshire, was subsequently married to Robert Davies, and lived until after her son. our subject, had attained manhood, her death taking place about 1850, in England. The parental house- hold included two sons and twodaugliters, the latter deceased, and the remaining son, Henry, is a resi- dent of Somersetsiiire, England. Mr. Boone of our sketch was reared to manhood in his native shire, and married one of tiie maidens of his own neighborhood. Miss Louisa Loxstone, the wedding taking ])lace at tiie home of the bride, Dec. 2(5, 1840. Mrs. Boone is the daugiiter of • ^ ■ ^« 204 HILLSDALE COUNTY. \ AVilliam and Sarah (Fox) Loxstone, also natives of Somersetshire, where the father carried on his trade of carpenter and joiner, and where both parents spent tlieir entire lives. The mother, however, died when a young woman tvventj'-four jears old, leaving three children, all daughters, of whom Mrs. B. was the second born. They are all living. .Jane and Ann are residents of England. The father of Mrs. Boone, after the death of his first wife, married Miss Harriet Harrington, who is also deceased. Mrs. B. continued with her father until her marriage, and by her union with our sub- ject became the mother of twelve children, two of whom are deceased. The living are all married and comfortably settled in life. The eldest son, John took to wife Miss Almira Freer, and is farming in Saginaw County, this State; Sarah is the wife of Edward Easling, and is a resident of Hillsdale, her husband being sexton of the cemetery there ; Henry married Miss Sarah Rose, and is following his trade of carriage painter in Osage, Chemung Co., N. Y. ; George married Miss Nina Niver, and lives in Ed- wardsburg, Cass Countj', being employed by the Grand Trunk Railroad ; Ann, Mrs. Spencer Welch, is the wife of a well-to-do farmer near Eaton Rapids ; Edwin, who married Miss Elora Hammond; William, who married Miss Alice Inckle, and Alice, Mrs. Edward Hinkle, are resiilents of Woodbridge Town- ship; Flora married Milan Reynolds, who is now deceased, and she makes her home with her parents ; F^rank married Miss Irene Turner, and is living on a farm in Ransom Township; Louisa died when about three years old; Lincoln was drowned while bathing in Gr.ass Lake, when a prt)mising lad of fifteen j'ears. After fheir marriage Mr. and Mrs. Boone con- tinued residents of their native count}' until 1856. Our subject then determining to better his condi- tion if possible, gathered together his family and personal effects, and embarked at Liverpool on a sailing-vessel bound for the United States. After a rough V03'age of seven weeks and three days, they landed in New York City on the 1st of Januarj', whence they proceeded directly to Yates County, N. Y., where Mr. Boone began farming on rented land and lived nine j'ears. Southern Michigan then seeming to hold out better inducements than the Empire State, they accordingly pushed farther westward, and he feels that he has had no reason to regret the step. He has been very successful in his farmingand stock-raising, and by his straigiitforward methods of doing business has placed himself in a good position, socially and financially. He votes the straight Republican ticket, and with his wife and chil- dren, religiously, is still identified with the Church of F^ngland. The children have all grown up in- telligent and respectable citizens, and are an honor to their parents and their early training. ^-S-HOMAS W. BENEDICT, a gentleman of great intelligence, and "possessing an excel- lent education, forms a most desirable mem- ber of the farming community of Litchfield Town- ship. He is located on section 21, where he has a well-conducted farm and a comfortable home, which he has secured by his own industry and good man- agement. He was born in Seneca County, N. Y., at his father's home in the township of Galen, June 9, 1815, and was the eldest child of the first marriage of his father. The latter, Samuel P. Benedict, was born near Burlington Bay, Vt., and when a young man twenty-three years of age emigrated to Seneca Count}', N. Y., where he was married to Miss Deb- orah Willis, a native of that county. The parents of our subject lived three years after their marriage in Seneca County, N. Y., and then removed to Springwater Township, Living- ston Co., N. Y"., where the father carried on farm- ing, and where the mother died in middle life, Dec. 19, 1826, when about thirty-five or fort}' years of age. Mr. Benedict, after the death of his wife, came lo the Territory of Michigan, in Octo- ber, 1838, about the time of the organization of Litchfield Township. Our subject was then twenty- four years of age. The father had in the inean- time contracted a second marriage, and by each wife had six children. He succeeded in building up a comfortable home in his adopted county, and died in Litchfield Township, April 18, 1866, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. The subject of this sketch received only ordinary school advantages, but being fond of his books, be- ' HILLSDALE COUNTY'. 205 4 caiiio quite well educated, and for three years oc- cupied himself as a teacher in his native county. By this means he acquired suflicient funds to come West and purchase eighty acres of land in Litch- field Township, this county, at which time he was twenty-four years of age. He worked upon his land two years, then gave one-half of it to his father, and in the winter of 1840. h}' teaching school again, added to his fund of knowledge and his finances. That 3'ear he traded his forty acres, and in 1846 took possession of the farm whicli he now occupies. This at the time had received very little cultivation, and he labored after the pioneer fashion, amid many disadvantages. In 1841 he was married, and settled with his j'oung wife in a modest dwelling in Litchfield Township. Since a youth he had been interested in political affairs, and kept himself well posted upon the various questions pertaining thereto. In 1840 he took the stump for Harrison, and be- came quite noted as an orator, being very clear and forcible in his manner of presenting facts, and per- suasive in his arguments. It was while on this electioneering tour that he met his future wife. Mrs. Benedict was in her girlhood Miss Jane Par- dee, and was born Sept. 23, 1824, in Onondaga County, N. Y. She was the fourth child of Sheldon and Sarah (Wisner) Pardee, the father born near Hartford, Conn., and the mother in Pough- keepsie, N. Y. They were Quakers in religious faith, and after marriage settled in Skaneateles, Onondaga Co., N. Y., where the father held the otlice of salt inspector, and also engaged in general merchandising. On account of failing health, he was induced to visit the State of Ohio, in the hopes that a change of climate would prove beneficial. A j-ear later, however, he died there in Medina County, at the age of forty-three years. Mrs. Pardee, after the death of her husband, came to this State, and located with her children in Jaek- .son County, wliere she lived until they were mar- ricfl. She then divided up the property, and thereafter made her home with her son, our subject, until her decease, which look pl.ace Ai>ril 21, i8.5G, at the age of fift}- -seven years. She was the mother of six children, two of whom arc living, and resi- dents of Michigan. Jane was a girl nine 3'ears of age when her parents removed from New York to •«• — , Ohio, and she completed her studies at Akron, that State. She engaged in teaching at an early age. and was married to our subject when seventeen. Mr. and Mrs. Benedict began life together in Litchfield Township, where tiiey remained five years, and then moved upon their present farm in the same township. They became the parents of seven children, of whom their first-born, Francis, died in infancy: P>mily is the wife of Prof. E. G. Rey- nolds, of Hillsdale College, and a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this Ai.ium; the}' have one child, a son, Leon. Mrs. Reynolds is a graduate of Hillsdale College, and for a number of j-ears has occupied herself as a teacher, and stands high in the profession. Julia died in 1879; like her sister, she also completed her studies in Hillsdale College, and employed herself as a teacher before her mar- riage. She became the wife of Rev. D. D. Tibbits, who, as minister of the Congregational Church, now has charge of a congregation in Salcin, Henry Co., Iowa. George married Miss Mary Rainy, and is farming in Litchfield Township; Charles and Joel have charge of the homestead ; the latter married Miss Milly Lott. Francis (2d), next to the j'oung- est child, died at the age of fifteen years. Our subject was in early life thrown upon his own resources, notwithstanding the fact that he was suffering from a cold which settled in his hip, whicli crippled him physically, and from which he prob- ably suffered fidl}' as much mentally. The larger portion of his leisure hours in his 3'outh was spent in poring over his books, while his more fortunate companions were at play. He, however, h.as per- haps been in some respects more fortunate than they, as he was endowed by nature with the steady persistence which has been the means of fair suc- cess in life, and the building up of a comfortable home where he will be enabled to s|)end his later 3'ears in comparative case. His farm . comprises 180 acres of fertile land, with good buildings and all the appliances of a well-regulated country home. Mr. Benedict during the days of slavery was en- tirel3' opposed to the [)eciiliar institution, and brought the weight of his infiueuce to bear against it upon cver3' occasion. lJpoy, and as soon as large enough was required to make himself nseful about the farm. When a youth of seventeen he began learning the blacksmith's trade at East Ilanier, where he continued nine months, and after his emploj-er sold out worked elsewhere as a "jour," being fully competent. He was thus occupied si.x years, then puicliasing a sl)oi> in Ilamcr continued there two years, at the expiration of which time lie made his w.ay to this county, and invested his little capital in a lot in Waldron, wlierc he put up a shop, and presided at the anvil six years more. Failing hcaltli now coinpellcd him toal)audon mus- cular labor, and renting his shop, he purcliased a small stock of groceries, in which he began to build uji a good trade. The following spring he was obliged to seek more commodious qu.arters, and a year later purchased ground and erected his present buildings. His straightforward manner of tloing business has secured him a generous pat- ronage from the people of this section, and he now carries a large stock of clothing, dry-goods, boots and shoes, groceries (both fancy and staple), and has, in connection with these, a drug department. The marriage of Abraham F. McFarland and l\liss Sarah L. Seeley tocA place at the home of the bride, near Morenci, Mich.,on the .30tli of July, 1H72. INI rs. McFarland was born in Erie County, I'a., in August, 185.5, and is the daughter of Will- iam and Mary (Weed) Seeley, natives of Spring- field, Erie Co., Pa.; the father departed this life in 1872; the mother was born Jan. 30, 1831. Mr. Seeley was reared and married in his native county, where he purchased twenty acres of land, upon which he operated for two years, then sold out, and purchased fiftj'-six acres near the town of Spring- lield, where he continued with his family- until 18G7, then coming to Southern Michigan, he purchased a farm on section 2(j, in Wright Township, upon which he lived and labored until called hence. 'Ihe paternal grandfather of Mrs. McFarland, Austin Seeley b}' name, was a native of \'ermont, and the son of David Seele}', who removed from the Green Mountain State to Erie County, Pa., about 1818, and there spent his last days. Austin Seele}' took for his wife Miss Mary Hart, a native of New York State. He purcluised land in Eric 4*— County, improved a farm from the wilderness, and there spent the remainder of his life. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. McFarland, William Weed, Sr., was born in Luzerne, N. Y. His father was also named William Weed. lie was of Welsh ancestry, and one of the early settlers of Luzerne. He removed from there to Attica, and thence to Chautauqua Count}-, where his death took place. The great-grandmother in her girlhood was Miss Mary Selleck. a native of New York State. Their son William, tiie grandfatlier of Mrs. McF., was married, in Albion, N. Y., to Miss Martha Peckham, a native of that place, and the daughter of Allen and Martha (Mattison) Peckiiam. After marriage he purchased a tract of timber land in Springfield Township, Erie Co., Pa., where he cleared a farm, and subsequcnll}' added more land, upon which he operated until resting from his earthly labors. The mother of Mrs. McF. resided with her parent-s until her marriage, and became an expert at spinning wool and flax and weaving cloth. She is still living, and occupies the old homestead with her youngest son and daughter. Abraham F. McFarland is ranked among the self- made men of Uillsdidc County, and one who has contributed his full quota townr4r*c-« ylLLIAM R. MONTGOMERY, Ji:., Super- visor of Adams Township, is one of its most thorough and skillful farmers, and successful breeders of fine stock. Of this latter in- dustry he has for the last ten 3'ears m.-ide a s|)ec- ialty, and has now a herd of thoroughbred Jersey cattle, with .about forty head of Cotswold and Shropshire sheep. The head of e.ach is a registered animal. The homestead is noticeable for its well- kept fields and elegant buildings, which are second to none in the county, and the proprietor is one of its most esteemed men and citizens. William R. Montgomery, Sr., came to this county -t ^f 212 i HILLSDALE COUNTY. in the pioneer daj's, and after liis marriage with Miss Amanda Mills, wlio like himself was a native of New York State. They settled first in the south- western part of the county, in Camden Townsliip, where the family, in 1841), met witli its first great aftlietion in the death of the wife and mother, which occurred soon after tlie birth of her son, our subject, which took phice on the 12tli of February, that year. The two elder children were also boys. The elder, Harvey, is in the enii>Ioy of the Govern- ment in the Postal De])artnient in Texas; the younger, Thomas C, is Freight Agent for the Lake •Shore Railroad, and has his residence in Hillsdale. The father of our subject before coming to the AVest had studied law, and been admitted to the liar in the city of Rochester, N. Y. After the death of his first wife he contracted a second mar- riage, and William R., our snliject, continued a member of his father's houselKjld, to which there were subsequently added four more children. From the age of six years, they resided in the city of Hillsdale, and o.-@^irents, .loioph and Susiiuiah Stoops, were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio ; both are living. Of this union there was one child onl}^ a daughter, Fuschia Anna, who was born April i), 1885, and died Aj^ril 14, 1888. Mr. Weatherington votes the straight Democr.ntic ticket, and in tiie spring of 1 887 was elected .lustice of the Peace, which oflico he still holds. Both he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the United Baptist Church, at Waldron. MRS. HARRIET A. RICHARDS, who is pleasantly situated on sections 17 and 18 of Moscow Township, this count}', is the widow of Mark 15. Richards, formerly a most intluentiai citizen of this i)lace, who died in 1877 at the age of fifty-five years. Mrs. Richards is the daughter of Benjamin and Louisa (Curtiss) Russell, natives respectively of Vermont and New- York. After their marri.age tliey settled in Wyo- ming County, N. Y., where they remained until their removal to Michigan, when they located in Rich- mond, Macomb Coinitj'. The}' spent the closing years of their lives in that place, her father dying in October, 1866, at the age of fifty-two j'ears, and her mother in 1883, at the venerable age of seventy- six years. They were the parents of five children, .all girls, four of whom were born during their resi- dence in New York, .anied 1)}' his wife and six children started for \\'illiam?. County. He again found himself a pioneer, ami buying a tract of timber land in Jefferson Township, he reiieated his expe- rience of [jioneer life. On this farm, however, twenty acres of land were partially cleared and the ivgulalion log caljin w:us already built. He found anii)lc room for improvement, however, and lived to sec the desire of his heart accomplished, namely, a good farm with suitable buildings and ai)pliances to leave to his children, whom he had fitted not Old}' by giving them such education as the facilities i~ of the day afforded, but by imi)arting to them those |)ractical lessons whicli can Ije learned only in the school of experience. In 187G he was called to "t'lat land from whose bourne no traveler returns." The mother of our subject, who in her girlhood was Ilannali Keller, was boni iu Shenan- doah County, Va., of German ancestry, and sur- viving her husband several 3'ears, died at the iionie of our sul)ject in 1887, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. Andrew Bushong remained at home with his parents, spending his boyhood in the manner com- n)on to the sons of pioneers, until seventeen years of age, when he engaged to learn the potter's trade, and after his marriage he started a pottery on his father's farm, which he carried on five years. He then worked at the carpenter's trade for a period of live years, after which he i-ented land in Williams County, Ohio, whicli he operated until about 1863. In September of tliat year he enlisted in Company F, 182d Ohio Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He went with his regiment to Tennessee, and was on duty principally in that State. He was mustered out with his regiment in July, 1865, and receiving his honorable discharge returned to this count}' and located on his present farm in Amboy Township. The land was still in a state of nature, covered with a growth of heavy timber, and he put upon it a log house, and set to work with a will about its improvement and cultivation. His in- domitable industry and perseverance, coupled with his good judgment and frugality, have already borne their legitimate fruit, and he is now in pos- session of a property which compares favorably with the best in this township. Our subject was united in marriage, .Ian. 7, 1852, with Miss Mary Ilisey, »nd to them were born the following chihlren: Klizabcth F., Josei)h William, Jacob I)., George E., John II., Isabelle, Emma Isadore and Dalla May. Mrs. Bushong was born iu Columbiana County. Ohio, April 17, 1828, while her father, Joseph Ilisey, was born in Shenandoah County, Va., and removing to Columbiana County, Ohio, was among its pioneer settlers. In 1 837 he removed to Rich- land County, ami purchasing a farm, engaged in its improvement, and resided there until his death -•► 218 HILLSDALE COUNTY. h in 184G. His wife, whose maiden name was Eliza- beth Altaffer, was born in Virginia, and was the danghter of George Altaffer. After the death of her hnsband Mrs. Hisey removed to Williams County', Ohio, and settled in Jefferson Townshi|), upon a tract of land which he had purchased, and there she resided until her decease. Mr. Bushong is a public-spirited man, and is well informed on the topics of the day, though his devotion to his f.arm and family, and his unostenta- tious disposition, prevent him from taking an active part in public affairs. In politics his sympathies are with the Republican party. €C. CORTRIGirr has been for many years identifled with the farming and industrial ' interests of Soutlicrn Michigan, and at jjres- ent owns a large farm in Reading Township, wliorc he resides, and has an extensive interest in the Homer Full Roller Water Power Flouring Mills, which are conducted under the name of Cortright & Son. These mills were established in 1887, and are reputed as being among the best in the Slate, and have a capacity of live barrels of Hour an hour. Mr. Cortright's landed possessions arc all in Read- ing Township, and comprise 220 acres on sections 12 and 1. He owned this farm Ix'fore 18G0. It is under good management, a pait of it well im- proved, and is supplied with an excellent class of buildings, amply sufficient for all his purposes, and a very comfortable and cosy dwelling, everything about the place betokening the greatest thrift and care. Besides paying due attention to his agri- cultural [jursuits, Air. Cortright has been for many years successfully engaged as a miller, having owned and managed sawmills at various times since 1857. He built his first mill in Branch County, and after conducting it quite prolilalily for some time he sold it, and built a second mill at Bankers, which was afterward burned. Nothing daunted by that misfortune he immediately built another in the same place, which he subsequently sold. Later we hear of him as engaged for half-a-dozen years in the sawmill business in Cambria Township. Our subject was born in Wayne County, the 4* township of Wolcott, N. Y., Sept. 10, 1827, and is a son of the late Martin Cortright, who was for many years prosperously engaged in farming in the Empire State. In 18G() he left his old home in that State, and came with his family to Michigan. He purchased a place in Cambria, and died there a few years later, at the age of sixty-eight. lie was twice married. His first wife, to whom he was united in Eastern New Y'ork, was Miss Bran. She was a highly respected, amiable woman, and left three children, of whom only one is now living to mourn her untimely death. Mr. Cortright's second marriage, which took place in Wayne County, N. Y., was to Miss Sally Biglow, a native of Hoosick Falls, N. Y. This excellent woman lives with her daughter, Ann M. Phelps, of Hillsdale Township, and is more than eighty years old. Levi, the brother of our subject, was a soldier in the late war, and fell while skirmishing at Bailey's Cross Roads. Our subject was the lifth child born to his par- ents, and was reared and educated in his native county, anil was trained by his worth3' parents to good and useful habits. When quite a young man he started out in the world to see life for himself, and earn his own living, and in nearly ever^'thing that he has undertaken he has met with a good de- gree of success, as he was well endowed with ambi- tion, energy and persistence. lie came to ftlichigan in 1849, and first located in California Township, Branch County, where he i)urchased land, and im- proved a good farm, which he subsequently dis- posed of at an advanced price, 'and since then, as we have seen, has been engaged in milling and farming in different places. Mr. Cortright was married in Cambria to Miss Cornelia Webber, who was born in Ohio, and came to that township with her parents, David and Lucy (Conkling) AVebbcr. Her father is now dead ; her mother lives in Ohio at a very advanced .age. The marriage of our subject has been bles.sed by the l)irth of five children now living, namely: William H. married Lydia Mitchell, and is connected with the flouring-mills at Homer; Fred married Jennie Holmes, and assists in the management of the flour- ing-mills at Homer; David lives on the farm in Reading Township, assisting his father in the man- u HILLSDALE COUNTY. agenient of it; Lucj" is the wife of Steiihen Crano, who is a drug ciork at Hillsdale; Jonnic is the wife of Geoi'ge Hising, and they live in Kearney, Neli., where he is a Station Agent on the Northern Pacific Railway. Our subject and his estimable wife are people of high ciiaracter and good social standing. Mr. Cort- right is eminently practical and methodical in the conduct of his various interests, and his prompt anil u[iriglil dialings have won him a good position among the business men with whom he deals. In politics he alliliates with the Democrats, and is a stanch supporter of the party. E. MURRAY is a wide-awake, [iraetical farmer, who is performing his share in sus- taining the extensive agricultural interests of this, his native State, and by his energy anil industry has gained for himself an honorable position among the representative farmers of Read- ing Townshij), which was his place of birth. He has lived on his present farm, on section 12, for three years. It comprises eighty-two and one- half acres of as fine land ivv agricultural and stock purposes as is to be found in Hillsdale County, and 1)3' his careful culture he has greatly increased its value since it camt; into his possession, and is con- stantly making valuable improvements. Our subject was born on the old homestead of his parents, Daniel and Eliza (IJowen) Murray, .July 12, 184'J. His father was an honored pioneer of Reading Townshij), and fur many years held a leading place among the prominent citizens who had charge of its local affairs. He was born in Rensselaer Count}', N. Y., shortly after the arrival of his mother in this country. Her husband had bi'cn lost at sea while on the voyage to this country fritni their native Scotland. When quite young Mr. Murray was taken to AN'cstern New York, and there grew to manliood. lie was more than ordinarily capable, steady and si'lf-reliant, and after marriage, and the birth of one child, in l.H3(), he and his wife decided that they could better their fortunes and build up a more comfortable home for themselves anil their children in the Territory of Southern Michigan, whose rich and fertile soil, still mostly covered with forest trees of many centuries' growth, was not worn out by many years of tillage. On their arrival here they settled in Adrian Township, Lenawee County, where for four years I\lr. Murray worked on farms, and by his industry and prudence saved money enough to make him independent, so that in 1839 he was enabled to enter a tract of land from the Government. He was pleased with the location of the townshi[) of Reading, in Hillsdale County, and resolving to make his abiding-place here, he was soon in possession of a tract of eighty acres of lantl. and shortly after, in 1840, moved to this place with his small family. The years that followed their settlement here were records of unceasing labor, many sacrifices, and a patient endurance of the hardships of life in a new country, on the \nivi of both husband and wife, but they were rewarded by the uiibuildiiig of the comfortable home that they had sought in the primeval forests of Southern Michigan. Mr. Murray improved a line farm of 100 acres, having increased his original purchase by the ad- dition of twenty more acres, and remained a resi- dent here until his death, Dec. 20, 1884, at the advanced age of seventy-seven years. His faithful and loving companion, who unmurmuringly had left her old home and old friends, and followed him into the wilderness, to be his chief stay and help amid their new and strange surroundings, departed this life on tlu' old homesteatl in this township, April 13, 1881, at the age of sixty-five years. Mr. Murray always took an earnest interest in the wel- fare of his adopted township, and was prominently identified with the conduct of its government, hav- ing been an incumbent of all the responsible and important oflices within the gift of his fellow- townsmen. He was Supervisor for several terms, Town Clerk, Treasurer, and also held other local oflices. His stability of character, his honesty and liberality, rendered him a good citizen and a true man. In politics he was a firm Republican. Our subject is the fifth child and fourth son of six children, of whom one is now deceased, lie was reared and educated in this township, and lived at home until hi,- father's death, actively 219 1 ••► 220 HILLSDALE COUNTY. assisting in the management uf the old homestead. He tlicre took his bride, Miss Helen Whitehead, to whom he was married (Jet. G, 1875. She was a daughter of Henry and Lorandia (Bigelow) While- head, both now deceased, and was born on her uncle's farm in this township, Jan. 10, 1849. The mother of Mrs. Murray died when she was but four years old, and she was taken to rear by her aunt, Mrs. Ciates, and remained with her until her marriage. She was educated and always lived here. She is devoted to her husband's interests, and has been an import.ant aid to him in bringing about the pros- perity that they at present enjoy. Their pleasant household is made more cheerful by the i)resence of the live children born to them, whom they are care- fully educating and training to ways of usefulness, and whose names are as follows: John G., Otto E.. H. Laura, Daniel E. and IJion B. After the death of his father Mr. Murray pur- chased his present farm, and removing here with his family, has since made his home here, and has devx)ted his time and energies to the improvement of his land. He is eminently practical and sjstcm- atic in his methods of conducting his work, and has met with fine success in his calling. Our suliject has alw.ays shown himself to be worthy of the con- fidence and respect of his fellow-citizens, by whom he is well liked. In politics Mr. Murray is a true Republican, and uses his inlluunee to promote the interests of that party. wvW~4jlZfiJ2/®-|®* „^^^ymir>'^-./v\^ eAPT. LUCIEN MEIGS has for many years been a prominent citizen of Heading Town- ' ship, taking a Icailing part in public and political affairs, while at the same time actively and successfully prosecuting his business as a gen- eral farmer on section 1 tJ. He has been a resident here since Movember, 1847, purchasing at that time the sixty acres of land which forms his i)resenl farm, on which he immediately located with his young bride, to whom he had been married in Allen Town- ship on the 7th of that month. They commenced life together in the primitive little log house which he had previously erected, and which was, as he says, "provided with only a small sled-load of fur- niture." His land was at that time covered with a dense growth of the primeval forest trees, the growth of centuries, and, like the earlier |)i<)neers of Reading Township, he had to hew his \\:\y into the wildeiness for some distance, in order to get to it. With a good ax, and a courageous deter- mination to overcome all obstacles, aided by the cheerful and ever ready assistance of his good wife, he has, as it were, brought order out of chaos, has eliminated a fine farm from the forest-covered land, the humble log cabin has given place to a substan- tial and commodious residence, and the fifty-live acres of his land, which he improved himself, are now in a highly cultivated condition. Capt. Meigs is a native of the townshiii of N'an Bnren, Onondaga Co., N. Y., whoe his l)irth vc- currcd March 17, 1820. He is a descendant of an old New F^ngland family. Ilis grandfather and father, Phineas Meigs, Sr. and Jr., were natives of Connecticut. The former took an active and pat- riotic part in the Revolutionary Wa}-, serving for seven years and four months. He died in Van Buren Township, Onondaga Co., N. Y'., after an honorable and useful existence of seventy-seven j-ears. I'hineas Meigs, Jr., the father of our sub- ject, was an intelligent, hard-wurking farmer, and highly respected as a good citizen and as an iuinest man in the community where he made his home for many years. He was three times married, first to Waitstill Williams, who bore him four children, three daughters and a son; she died in 1831, while yet young. His second wife, whom he married in Onondaga County, N. Y., was Polly Ingoldsby, who was born in Jefferson County, N. Y'., of Massa- chusetts iiarentage. She became the mother of four sons an, when six of the companies were ordered to Ohio and Southern Indiana in pursuit of Morgan and his raiders. They were stationed for some lime in Jennings Conntv, Ind., and were instrumental, with others, in driving Morgan from that locality, and in the capture of some of his scouts. After the capture of the daring rebel, Morgan, the regiment returned to Ft. Di'arborn, where they remained until llio ITtli of the following August, when tiiey were ordered to Cam|) Douglas, Chicago, III., where they were on guard duty until March 17, 18(;i. The regiment was then dispatched to Annapolis, Md., where it was consolidated with the lM Ihigade, 3d Division, iUh Corps, and soon after joined the Army of the I'otomac. On liic Gtli and Till of May the whole regiment was brougiit into action in the battle of the Wilderness. Shortly after Capt. Meigs was disal)led on account of sickness, and was honorably discharged Aug. 11, 18(!|. having won a good reputation forlidelit}' and zeal in the dischaige of his duties .as an odiccr both in the eain[) and on the field of battle. Upon his return to the North lie made a visit to his old home in New York Slate, and llien settled ilown on his farm, and when his -*•■ health w.as sufficiently recovered, resumed his duties as a i)rivate citizen, and has ever sii»ce been actively identified with the local and political affairs of Reading Township. His well-known ability, integ- rity anil honorable character, have made him a safe an age of seventy-two. They were greatly esteemed in the community where they had lived so many years, and their life record was (^ne of honesty, .sobrietj' and industry. Mr. Thomas was in his younger days a Whig, but afterward becan)e .a strong Re- pul)lican. Of tlu^ mari-iage of himself and wife eleven children were born, four sons and seven daughters, and two sons and five ilaughters are jet living; all married and have families. IMrs. Meigs was thceldest Imt one of the family. She was given good educational advantages, both in Ohio and Michigan, and when a young lady Ijcgan to teach, and was engaged in that profession until her mar- riage. She is the mother of three children, namely: Ella A., Morris I. and I. May. lOlla is the wife of Frank M. Fr.azier, who is now eng.aged in farming ^_ i.^^ t •^f^ ^^ ^ m • » 222 HILLSDALE COUNTY. in Crawford County, Pa.; she was educated in Hillsdale County, and was for some time engaged in teaching. Morris was educated at Hillsdale College, and is now a druggist at Camden, Mich. : he married Miss Agnes C. Martin, of Dexter, Mich. May is the wife of Edgar B. Bailly, a farmer in the township of Reading. Our subject is a lady of high character and good mental endowments. She and her younger daughter are memliers of the P'irst Baptist Church, and gladly lend their influ- ence to all the good projects of the day. PREEMAN FULLER, who is widely and I favor.ably known in Wheatland Township, is, like many of his compeers, a native of the Empire State, and w.as born in Greece Township, Monroe County, Jan. 15, 182(1. His parents, Lewis and Rebecca (Williams) Fuller, were natives of Dutchess and Monroe Counties respectively, the father born April 18, 1798, and the mother Septem- ber 7 of the same year. The latter died in Monroe County, N. Y., Feb. 21, 1827. while a young wom.an. Lewis Fuller survived his wife manj' years, .and died at the home of his son, onr subject, in Whe.atland Township, on the 30th of June, 1887, at the adv.anced age of eiglit3'-ninc years. .John Williams, the matern.al grandfather of our subject, was a native of Monroe Countj% N. Y., and born Oct. 7, 1770. He died April 19, 184G, after .spend- ing his entire life in his native county. His wife, Rebecca (Clare) Williams, was born Sept. 28, 1775, and also died at the iiomestead in Monroe County, Feb. 23, 1851. Our subject was the onlj' child of his mother, but his father w.as a second time m.arried and there were l)orn five more children. The grandparents on botli sides of the house were the parents of seven children. Lewis Fuller continued a resident of New York State until 1835, then coming to the Territory of Michigan took up ICO acres of Gov- ernment land in Calhoun County, uj)on which he lived two years. Then selling out, he returned to his native State, where he spent one winter, but the sjiring following retraced his steps westward and settled .in Somerset Township, this county, where he conducted a hotel and operated a sawmill in different parts of the county for many years there- after. Freeman, when about twelve j'ears old, went to live with his grandp.arents in Greece, Monroe Co., N. Y., and learned the tr.ade of carpenter and joiner. This he followed principally during his early manhood, but subsequently turned his atten- tion to agriculture, purchasing liis first land, a wild, unbroken tract, in AVright Township, in 18G5. In the meantime, during the progress of the late war, our subject, on the 2d of Janu.ary, 18G4, en- listed in Company F, 1st Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, and was in the service until the close of the war, doing duty mostlj' in Tennessee and Alabama, and took part in Sherman's march to the sea. He finally became ill, and was confined to the hospital .at Philadelphia some time before his final disch.arge. One of the most important events in the life of our subject was his marriage, which took place on the 15th of March, 184!t, at tlie home of the bride, Miss .Tane E. Jennings, who was born in Wayne County, N. Y., Jan. 18, 1827. Mrs. Fuller is the daughter of Daniel and Polly (Clark) Jennings, natives respective!}' of New York and Massachu- setts. The father was born Aug. 18, 1702, in the town of Burlington, Otsego Count}', and his wife Polly, Nov. 9, 1792, in Coleraine, M.ass. Daniel Jennings removed from his native State when a young man, during the pioneer d.aj-s of Otsego County, N. Y., where he settled, but later removed to Ontario Countj', and died there Oct. 6, 1868. The wife had died at the same place some years previously, on the 23d of July, 1801. The three children of Mr. and Mrs. Fuller are recorded as follows: Charles M., who is working Ills father's farm, was born April IG, 1850, was married to Miss Sarah Mead, and is tiie father of two boys; Lewis E., a stationary engineer in the city of Chicago, was born April 15, 1852, and married Miss Nellie Dutton; Alice A., who con- tinues under the parental roof, was born Feb. 17, 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller, after their marriage, set- tled in Monroe County, N. Y., where our subject followed his trade of carpenter until coming to this State. Their first home in Hillsdale County was M^ I HILLSDALE COUNTY. 223 in Wright Township, where Mr. Fuller had secured eighty acres of land, and which, a j-ear later, he traded for his present farm. lie is considered one of the most worthy and capable men of the town- ship, is a strong Ropiiblican, politically, and a lively advocate of the temperance parly. lie was Secretary of the local Grange three or four j'ears, and iiis son Charles and daughter Alice are con- nected with the Congregational Church. ^)MHif ■ t ' i:=^ ^ lF_^ON. ARCIIKR II. CRANE first saw light |lv Jj in Onondaga, Onondaga Co., N. Y., March \^ 30, 1821, and is the son of Archer Crane, ((^ who was a native of Simsburj', Conn. Ilis grand fatliei', Samuel Crane, was born in Ma.ssachu- setts,as was also his great-grandfather, John Crane, who afterward removed to Connecticut and settled in Simsbury, wher(> he resided the remainder of his d:iys. The grandfather of our subject went to Connecticut with his parents, and made that State his home until 1810, when he removed to Onon- daga County, N. Y. Tiieir ienu)val was eft'ected by means of a laborious jouriuy with teams, and they located at Onondaga Hill, on a tract of linil)er land, upon which he labored with that eneigy char.'icteristic of the Crane family', and made it his home until his decease. lie was one of the earlj' settlers of that part of the countrj', and well did he l)('rf(irm his part in bringing about tlK)sc changes which the visitor to that section of country beholds with admiration. The father of our suliject sjient his e:uly years in Connecticut, receiving his education in the manner common to farmers' sons at that time, altcrnaliug between the labors of the farm .and the instruction to be acfiuircd at the public schools. He w.as eight- een 3ears of age when his |)arents leinoved to New York State, and he remained with his father on the farm until his marriage with Miss Vilitia Cornish, also a native of Comiecticut. Archer Crane con- tracted with the llollanil I'uichase Company for a tr.act of timber land, of which he took possession, and resided there three or four years. He then returned to Onondaga, Onondaga County, and in 1828 he Went to Wayne County, and bought a tract of timber land in Sodus Tf)wnship, from which he cleared a farm, and resided there until 1834, when he came to the Territory of Michigan. He followed the usual route for emigrants at that early d.ay, coming by the Erie Canal to Buffalo, thence by lake to Detroit, after which he came l)y team to Washtenaw County, where he was a pio- neer. He entered a tract of land of eighty acres in Freedom Township, built a log house, and at once commenced to clear a farm from the wilderness. His labors were attended with that success which well-directed effort usuall3' brings, and he lived to see himself the possessor of a finely improved farm, while the log house had given place to good farm buildings. Shortly before his death he sold that place and removed to Blisslield, Lenawee County, and died there at the home of his son, E. D. Crane, Dec. 17, 185;3. His estimable wife, who had been to him a helpmate in every sense of the word, was called to her reward two weeks |)rior to the death of her husband. The parental family of our s'ubjcct included five children, of whom Archer II. is the only one living. Young Crane was thirteen years old when he came to the Territory of Michigan. He had leceived the educational advantages of his native State, and was a bright and intelligent boy, fully able to ap- preciate the novelty of the join-ncy to this wild country, where the pioneei's ax was the oni^- sound of civilization that awoke the; echoes of the forests, in which deer, wild turkeys and a great variety of small game, roamed free and undisturbed. Arriv- ing in this State in October, they shared a log house with anollicr family until spiing, when they eri'Cted a rude cabin for themselves, into which I hey re- moved liefore it could boast of windows, doors or chimney, while his mother i)crformed her culinaiy duties arotuul the slump of a iree outside. She had no stove, which was a great liixiuy in this |»art of the eonntry at that tinu', and after the comple- tion of their elumney she worked over the large fireplace, which also served to illuminate their cabin after the shades of night had fallen. Oiu- subject continued his education in the pioneer schools, l.'uight in school-rooms as humble as the settler's cal)in. The furniture was of the most primitive nature, the seats merely consisting of slabs -^ i ^ 224 HILLSDALE COUNTY. with wooden pins for legs, which often projected through the slabs, and made the boy whose lot was oast in that particular section of the seat exceed- inglj' i]nconifortal)le. As soon as he grew strong enough Mr. Cr.ine was called upon to assist in the labors of the farm, and continned thus ably assisting liis parents until twenty-two years of age. 'Ihe education he had already acquired instead of satisfying him served only to increase his desire for more; his book knowledge had been supplemented by information gained from close observation and the perusal of the books to which he had access, and at this time he succeeded in entering the .academy at Grass Lake, Jackson Co., Mich., in which he spent one year, after whicii lie spent a year at Auburn Acad- emy, in Auburn, N. Y. He had taught one term of school previtius to entering the academy, and resuming the sclf-saeriflcing profession he taught school nine winters, spending his summers engaged in agricultural pursuits. He resided in Washtenaw County until 1851, and then removed to Blissfield, where he bought a farm, which he conducted in connection with the mercantile business, and con- tinued thus emploj'cd in ih.at place until 1877. He then removed to Hudson Township, Lenawee (Jounty, and purchased a farm, upon which he lived four years, when ho retiuiied to Hillsdale County, and took np his residence in Pittsford Township, where he now resides. On the 6th of March, 1840, our subject was united in marriage with INIiss Helen AVoods, a native of Vermont, but two years later she was re- moved from his side by death. Mr. Crane chose for his second wife Helen Rowe, a native of New York State, but he suffered another alUiction in her loss b}' death in 18.t2. He w.as a third time mar- ried, to Mrs. Sallie Barrett, also a native of New York State, but she died on the 20th of Januar}', 1874. Mr. Crane was again married, Sept. 2.'i, 1878, to Julia E. Robinson, who was born in Jefferson County, Ind., and is the daughter of Edward J. Robinson, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa. Her grand- father, George Robinson, settled in Ohio, and later removed to Indiana, where he died in Madison, Jefferson County. The father of Mrs. Crane learned the trade of a wagon-maker, and followed that oc- cupation a few years. He has since been engaged in mercantile business, and was for a time cashier and Paymaster of the Narrow Gauge Railroad in Lawrence County; he is now in the insurance busi- ness at Bedford, Lawrence County. His wife, the mother of Jlrs. Crane, whose maiden name was Mar}- L. Branham. was a native of the State of Indiana. Of Miss Robinson's union with our sub- ject there was born one child, a daughter, whom the}' named Helen M. By his third m.arriage there was .also one child, Clara A., who became the wife of Jacob Nachtrieb; he assists in carrying on the home f.arm. Mr. Crane was formerl}- a Democrat, but on the organization of tiie Republican party, which form- ulated more nearly his ideas in regard to politics, he joined its ranks and has since continued a strong supporter of that party. He represented Blissfield on the County Board of Supervisors ten years, and also represented this township two years, discharg- ing the duties of the office in such a manner .as to gain the approbation of his fellow-townsinen, re- gardless of their political proclivities. To show still further their appreciation of the business-like qualities and statesmanship of Mr. Crane, as well as to prove their personal respect and esteem for this gentleman, they elected him to the State Legis- lature from Lenawee County, and he served tliem faithfully and impartially during two terms. r^-^- ■if OSEPII B. HUBBELL is classed among the progressive farmers and stock -raisers of Hills- dale County, who are .actively maintaining ) the .agricultural interests of that part of it embraced in the fertile and exceedingly productive region wherein lies Camden Township. Our sub- ject is a native of Allegany County, N. Y., born Dec. 12, 1830. He is a son of Vernon and Lucy Hubbell, natives respectively of Connecticut and New York. His paternal ancestry is supposed to be of Scotch-Welsh origin, and on his mother's side he is supposed to be a descendant of Germ.an-Engli.sh ancestry, and some of his mother's relatives took an active jiart in the War of 1812. Sometime after 1' ,/i ■;, ,» iX.^., .lifei te-_ Res of C M Parker, Sec d. Moscow Township. Reg . or J. F.Taylor, _. ^ . t ■<^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 227 marriage and llif biitli of soriipof their chilrlren the parents of onr subjeet left their old home in New York antl migrated to Ohio with llieii- children, having decided to take np their abode in I^ueas ('<)unt._v. The father has sinee died. The niotiier is spending lier deelining years in Camden Town- ship. To lier and her hnsband were born eleven eliildren, of whom ei<)ht are living, nainelj-: Mer- ritt S., of Toledo, Ohio; Vernon, .also of that eitj': .loseph 15.: Harrison, of Camden Township; Adelia, wife of Andrew RleDongall, of Woodbridge Town- ship: Nancy A., wife of A. C. DeMott, of Stenben Connty, Ind.: Mary J., w'ife of Seott Rugg, of Woodbridge Township: Nettie, wife of E. R. Fitz- simmons, of Camden Township. Onr snbject was six years of age when his par- ents moved to Lncas County, Ohio, wlierc the remaining years of his boyhood and youth were passed. He inherited a fine constitution and excel- lent traits of character from his wortliy i>arents, and grew to be a vigorous and manly man. His edu- cational .advantages were exceedingly limited, but having a naturally quick mind, retentive memory, and keen i)owers of ob.servation, aided by instruc- tion at home and constant reading of good literature, he li.as become well informed, and can converse intelligently and interestingly on all topics of gen- eral interest. (Shortly after lie attained his majority he turned his attention to railroading and became a competent engineer, and was thus eng.aged for some twenty-eight ye.ars on the Lake Shore .and many other roads. Mr. IInbl)cll was married, Aug. 2S, 1859, to Miss Mary Lingle, daughter of .John and Sarah Lingle, natives of Pennsylvania. Jlrs. Ilubbell was born in Holmes County, Ohio, Feb. 11, l.S.'JO, being one f)f ten ehililren, of whom the following is the record of tho.se surviving: Catherine is the wife of Daniel Wise, of Fulton County, Ohio: J.ackson lives in Shiawassee County, Mich.: Sarah is the wife of William liarkman, of Fulton County. Ohio: I'aul lives in Midland City, RHch.; .Mary is the wife of our subjeet. The record of the four children l)orn to her and her husband is as follows: Cora D. was born M.ay 28, 18f.l : Ella, wife of C. W. Masters, of l'"reinont, Ind., was born Sept. 21, IStJ-J; Af the land he had purchased while a resident of Ohio. During the fifth year of his residence in Reading Township he was united in marriage lo Miss Laura Palmer, who was born in i'attaraugus County, N. Y., Aug. 1 •">, 182(;. The parents of Mrs. Stout, Enoch and Polly (l'>aily) Palmer, came to IMichigan in the latter i)art of the thiilies, joining their eldest son who had preceded them, and started a little home in the wilds of Peading Township and upon the present site of the village. Here the parents spent their last days, l)assing away when ripe in years. As the result of hlameless lives and good habits, they were strong physicallj' and nicntallj', and bequeathed to their children the w^ealth of good constitutions and high moral jninciples. Enoch Palmer, politically, also in eMrl3' life an old-line Whig, became a Republican upon the organization of that party, and was a man who defended his prineii)les with all the natural en- ergy of his character, Their family consisted of nine children, five of whom are still living. Our subject and his estimable wife began the journey of life together in a style suited to their means and surroundings, and in due time bc-gan to re.-dize the legitimate reward of frugalitv and indus- try. A few years found the wilderness around their little home transformed into a good farm and themselves surrounded by all the comforts of life. Of their union there were born two children only, oni' of whom died in infancy. 'I'heir only child living, a daULihtcr .liiiiiie, boiii Alay 28, 18;j4, is the wife of Thomas Stephens, of Reading, and the mother of two children: Lotta, and Laura, who died at the age of two years. Mr. Stephens is a prominent citizen and engaged as a stock dealer. Our sid)ject, politically, like his father before him, is .a solid Repidilicau, and although having no desire for the responsibilities of odicc, keci)s himself well posted upon current events, and takes a lively interest in the success of his part}'. lie has been no unimportant factor in building up and maintain- ing the reputation of this jiitrt of the county, and is numbered among its most useful citizens. ^^- --v W E\'I IIAWLKY, .lu., is a prominent farmer I (j^ and representative citizen of this county, j'^^ , pleasantly located in Wheatland Township, where, after a long and well-spent life, crowned with honor and success, he has practically retired from active life. Now, as the shadows lengthen, he is spending the remainder of hit; days in content- ment and the enjoyment of a competency, waiting patientl}' and trustingly for a pleasant sunset. The subject of this notice w.as Ixirn in Ontario County, N. Y., Aug. ."51, 181 G. and is the son of Levi and Olive (Paine) Ilawlc}", natives I'cspectivel}' of New York ami Providence, R. L 'l"he father w.as a farmer by occaipation, and followed his calling in his native State until his son Levi was nineteen j-ears of age, when he came to Michigan and located in Lenawee Count}'. He purch.ased a tract of land, and directing his efforts to the building up of a homestead, he met with success, and carved out for himself and his famil}' a comfortable lK)me sui)plied with the convenience and comforts of life, and died in this place at the age of eighty-two years. Olive, his wife, was reared by her grandfather, and died at the residence of her son in Rome Townshi|), Lenawee County, at about eighty -two years of age, her death occurring al)out eight months after that of her hus- band. The i>arenl:d family of our subject included eleven children, of whom only two at present survive — Mrs. David Smith and Levi. In is;?.') Levi accom- panied his |>arents to this State auil resiiled with them, assisting in the arduous duties of the farm. -4»- _ ■► ■ 4» 230 HILLSDALE COUNTY. uuLil Lis iiiairiage, Nov. 1, 1840, with Miss Polly R. Scott, who was born in Wayne County, N. Y., Sept. 21. 1820, and is the daughter of Cornelius and Sarah (Dixon) Scott. The Scott family came originally from Holland, and Mrs. Hawley's father died in Lenawee County, aged about sixt\'-six years, while his wife died sixteen years previously in New York State. Their family included nine children, of whom three are still living. One brother of Mrs. Hawley resides in Coldwater, Mich., and one sister resides in Paw Paw, this State. The union of Levi Hawley and Polly R. (Scott) Hawley was blessed b}' the birth of six children — Almon W., Elmira L., Winfield S., Lewis Do \'alois, Oscar M. and Alice M. Almon W. was born .lune 1.3, 1842, and lives at Ovid, Mich.; he married Susan Stafford and has four children. Elmira L. was born Feb. C, 1844, and was married three times; she had one child, and died Aug. 1.5, 1883. Winfield was born Feb. 11, 1847, and died Jan. 25, 184!); Lewis De Valois was born Jan. 20, 18.50, married Miss Frances Sabin, and lias two children living, while one daughter is deceased; Oscar M. was born July 27, 1852, married Miss Ida Haines, and has three children; Alice M. was born Sept. 25, 185G, and became the wife of W. J. Sloan, to whom she h.as borne two children. After his marri.age our subject rented a farm in Rome Township for two years, and then rented and sub.seqiientl}' bought forty acres of land twenty -one miles east of Hudson. Twenty-eight years ago he trailed that tr.act of forty .acres for sixty-eight acres of land in Wheatland Township, which he h.as since made his home, and erected thereon commodious and substantial out-bnildings suitable for the call- ing in which he is engaged. Mr. Hawley is what is know n as a general or mixed farmer, believing that the land is kept in better conilition by the sys- tem known as rotation of crops, and has met with good success in his work. Mr. and Mrs. Hawley are active and influential members of the Congregational Church, and Mrs. Hawley is a member of the Foreign Missionary So- ciety. Theirs is a fatnily who "ask for the old paths and walk therein," their |)rofession being no mere omi)ty show, but being exemplified in their daily walk and conversation. Politically, our sub- ject was foruicrly an old-line Whig, and therefore we find him as we might expect, in the ranks of the Republican party. Himself of temperate habits, Mr. Hawley is an advocate of temperance princi- ples, which he encour.ages by all feasible means. _,,.., NDREW HOARD is a representative far- ^( st of them arc noble, high-minded men and women, and are generally among the foremost to secure for their children a substantial education. 'I'hey received in the rugged school of experience those les.sons of discipline and self-denial which have given them strength of character winch aii- |)cars to be as hereditary as constitutional charac- teristics. The subject tif this notice was united in mar- riage, March 6, Ks7;j, with M i.-^s Magdalene Knecht, who was born in France, June 30, 1852, and is the daughter of Christian Knecht, who was also a native of that country, and .served several years in the French aiinv. He came to America in lS.")L',and at once ])ushed his way west to Amboy Township, in this county, where he purchased a tract of timber land on which was the regulation log cabin, and made this his residence until 1880. He then sold out, and going to Missouri, settled in Davis County, where he made his home until his decease, which took place March 6, 1884. His wife, whose maiden name was Solema Zimmerman, wasalsoa native of France; she still survives, and resides with her daughter in Kansas. Jlr. and INlrs. IU>ard have become the parents of two children — Justus H. and l''red. lveligiously\ they are members of the Free Methoilist Church. In |)olilics Mr. Hoard is found in the ranks of the Republican party. OHN >S. LEWIS, a leading hardware mer- chant of Jonesville, was born in Farming- ton, Conn., Sei)t. 28, 1825, where he lived until fourteen years of ;\'j;c. He then com- menced his ap|)reuticeship at the tinnei's trade, serving three years, at the expiration of which time he determined to leave New England and seek his fortunes in the West. Making his way to Detroit, he tarried there a comparatively brief time, and came to this county in the fall of 18l(i. He workiMl at his trade in Jonesville two and one- half years, and was then seized with an attack of the California gold fever, and journeyed overland to the I'.acilic Slo|)e. Two years later he returned to Jonesville and invested his capital in a stock of hardware, to which trade he has since given his time and attention. Seth Lewis, the father of our subject, was also a native of Farmington, Conn., and married Miss Julia A. Hart, who was born in New York City. The}' made their home lirst in Farmington, init a few years Later removed to Macon, Ga., of which they were residents two years, then returned to Farmington, where the father died. The mother was afterward married to Samuel Hull, with whom she removed to Candor, Tioga Co.. N. Y., where her death also took place. Oui' subject was the lirst child of his mother by her lirst marriage, and was eight years. of :igc at the -•► 232 IIILLSDALK COUNTY. 4 lime of his father's death. Of the years interven- ing, from tlie time he commenced his trade until the present, we have aheady written. He was married in Cold water, this State, in December, 1801, to Miss Harriet Alden, vviio was born in that city and is now tlie mother of five children, namely: Anna, Herbert A., Belle, Frederick, and John 8., ,Jr. The eldest son is engaged in business for himself in Detroit; Belle is the wife of D. M. Baker, and re- sifies in Jonesville; Frederick is connected with a newspaper office in Minnesota. Mr. Lewis has served as School Director in his district several years and has also been connected with the Village Board at different times. 'Sp^iA EV. AVILLl AM S. WARRKN. Tlie subject ill>'' of this biograph}', a gentleman of intelli- ^\V gence and excellent education, wiiu h.as wQ been occujjied much of his life as a teacher and preacher, is a .'on of one of tlie earl3' pioneers of Sduthern Michigan, and was born in the then in- fant city of Detroit on the 11th of January, 182G. His father, I'hilip Warren, a native of Norfolk County, Mass., was born M.ay 2.'), 1783, and departei] tliis life at his home in Oakland Count}', this .State, June 24, 1857. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, but fur a period of fifteen years officiated as "iiiine host" of the Warren's Temperance Hotel, .at Gieenficld, AV.-iyne County, this State. In his de- clining years he retired from active l.abur. The mother of our suliject, who in her girlhood was Miss Celiiida Dodamed, was born Nov. 17, 171)1, and departed this life on the 7tli of JMay, 1831, while still a young woman. The family included tvvo sons and two daughters, of whom William S. is the only one living. The latter con- tinued with his jiarents until fourteen 3'eais of age, tiicn became .a nieuilicr of the family of his brolhor- iii-law, and thereafter attended school duiiiig the winter season for about live years. ]ii the mean- time he pursued his studies in the academy at I'l^'- niouth two years, and had identified himself with llie Methodist Episcopal Cliurch, having in view his preparation for the ministry. He was a youth of a thoughtful and religious turn of mind, and commenced his pious labors at the early age of nineteen years. Upon leaving school he learned the trade of potter, which he carried on jointly with preaching for a period of five years. His la- bors were often attended with considerable diffi- culty and much weariness, he having often to travel long distances to reach his appointments. He rec- ollects one Sunday in particular where he com- passed thirty miles and jireached three times. On the 2d of February, 1847, Mr. AVanen, shortly after reaching the twent^'-first year of his .age, was united in marriage with Miss Ann Har- mon, who was born in Utica, N, Y., Oct. 12, 1828, and is the daughter of Asa and Hannah (Stevens) Harmon, who were natives of Vermont, whence they emigrated to Michigan and spent their last days in this county. After marriage our siil)ject and his young wife took up their residence in a modest dwelling at Northville, where Mr. Warren engaged in teaching and preaching alternately, and after a time was tendered many of the local offices, in which he served with credit to himself and sat- isfaction to all concerned. He came to Wheatland Township in May, 1886, and was joined by his family in June following. He has always been act- ive in Sunday-school work, and his estimable lady, who forms a most admirable heli)mate for one zeal- ous in all good work, is iironiinent in the Mission- ary Society and the W. C. T. U. Their three children are all sons. Their eldest, William, Jr., was born in Plymouth, this State, Oct. 28, 1847, and is employed ;is a traveling salesmen, operating at present in the vicinity of Fargo, Dak.; he mar- ried Miss Catherine Hamilton, and they are the parents of three children. Jerome W. w;is born Aug. 24, 1851, ill Dover, Fulton Co., Ohio; he mar- ried Miss Candia Sekell, who died, and he then mar- ried Jennie Day, and is now a resident of ( I rand Raiiids. engaged as a portrait painter, for which he has developed rare talent. George W. was born Feb. 22, 1859, in Bayfield, Wis., married Miss Emma Zimmerman, and is tlie father of two children, a daughter and son ; he is engaged in the grocery trade in Toledo. These boys received a thorough education and are lirsl-class business men. Jerome t u hillsdalp: county. 233 W. filtered in e.'iniesl upon liis work :is ;iii arList at the early age of twelve year;;, and very soon eelipsed his leaelier in the excellence of his drawings. The very lirst week he received *i2 i)er da^'. <*, WILLIAM NKLSON CASE. The lii.story of \/iJ/' '^'''■'' '"'"*'''<''' pioneer of Hillsdale County is \^^ of more than ordinal-}' interest, and we will begin it at about the time that he left his native State of New York with the intention in view of building up his permanent home in the AY est. A short time previously' he had traded personal prop- erty for 100 acres of land in Pittsford Township, this county, for which he was to pay ^i! 1,000. Un- fortunately he was not acquainted with the value of land here at this time, and found u|)on his arrival that he could have purchased .'is good a tract for one-half the money. He had already turned over ^300 worth of proi)erty, and upon his arrival here with his wife had a cash capital of ifi l.GO in his [MicUet. Consequently his lirst business was to seek employincnt. lie had Ijecn particularly fortunate iir his selection of a wife and helpmate, and Mrs. Case commenced leaching the first school in the Likely district. (Jur subject, with the assistance of his excellent wife, was so(ni enaliled to buy a yoke of oxen, and for several years thereafter did all his marketing and III 11 ling, besides the farm work with them. Letter postage in those days was twenty-flve cents, and Mr. Case stjites that at one time he walked to Lanesville, eight miles distant, carrying five dozen eggs, which he turned over for the postage on one letter. Deer, wild turkey ami other game were plentiful, not yet having learned to become afraid of the hunter's rille, so the family did not want for meat. Mrs. Case could use (he gun almost equally well with her husband, and one day in his absence shot a wild tiirke}' that was picking up corn near the door. At another time she killed a deer, which was grazing in a wheatlleld in sight of the house. Neither husband nor wife lacked in courage and cii- lUirance, and had their days of dilliculty as well as sunshine, living the lirst few years in the most eco- nomical manner, but in due lime beginning to reap their reward. They are now well-to-do, and amid the comforts of a modern home feel fully repaid for the toils and sacrifices of their younger years. The subject of this sketch was born in the vicinity of Johnstown, Montgomery Co., N. Y'., on May 5, 1814. His father, Ezekiel Case, a native of Massa- chusetts, was born in ^Vashillgton. lierkshire County, and was the son of a substantial Massachusetts farmer, who spent his last days in Berkshire County. There Ezekiel grew to manhood, then starling out for himself sought his fortunes in the Empire Sl.ite. He was accompanied in his journey by the wife whom he had recently married, and they lived in Montgomery County until 1820, when our subject was a lad six years of age. At the date mentioned Ezekiel Case with his family returned to the Old Granite State, and lived two years in Itockingham County, occupying him- self in burning charcoal, and at other employments as he could find. In 1828 he returned to New York, remaining, with his family, :i resident of Johnstown, until the winter of 1829-30. TlieiD accompanied by his son, William N., who was now a lad of about si.xtecn years, he started for the Territory of IMichigan, making the greater part of the distance on foot. They first stop|)ed in the vicinity of Sturgis, St. Joseph County, at the home of an uncle, and John Case bought land near White Pigeon. After several changes of residence he finally settled down on a farm about two and one- half miles from lirighton, in J^ivingston County, where with his family he spent his last years. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Elizabeth Scarls. She was a native of Cam- bridge, Washington Co., N. Y'., became the mother of nine children, and spent her last years in the cit}' of Albany, N. Y'., with her daughter. Four of the children are now living. \\'illiani Nelson Case remembers well the ledious journey which he made with his father from New Y'ork to Michigan. He crossed the IJear Creek Valley before it was tenanted by a single settler. He was taken ill a few months later, and his uncle conveying him with a team to Detroit, he made the b.'daiKc of the journey by lake and canal to Meads- port. Tlivie lie was met by another uncle who h -4•- 234 A HILLSDALE COUNTY. lived near by, and upon his recovery lie continued a resident of that section of country' two or three years, lie then returned U> his ciiildhood's lionie, and was employed as a farm laborer by the month for a period of three 3'cars. Thence lie went into Onondaga County. (Jur subject continued in the Empire State until 1840, and in llie meantime had taken unto iamself a wife and lielpinate. In tlie spring of that year with liis family he made iiis way once more to this State, this time locating in Pittsford Township, this count}'. They liad made tlie journey b}' canal and lake to Toledo, anil thence to Adrian by rail. Tliere tiiey iiired a man witli an ox-team to take tliem to Pittsford Tovvnsliip. Tiiis. although quite a primi- tive mode of traveling, was an improvement upon walking, in which manner lie liad made his first journiy to Michigan. He now purchased a tract of timber laud on section 31, at a time when the set- tlers were few and far between. Tlie}' arrived liere on the 7th of May, wlien tliere were but few log houses in the vicinity of Lanesvillc. I\lr. and Mrs. Case took possession of a part of one of these through the kindness of the original proprietors, and resided until a log house could be put up on their own land. The iirst purchase uf our subject had been se- cured before his arrival here, and later he bought eighty acres more. In due time he succeeded in clearing 100 acres, and niion tliis farm lived and labored until the close of the late war. Then rent- ing this farm he removed to Hudson Toiviiship, taking up a fine tract of land, upon which he erected a brick house and frame barn, and where he lived until 187G. He then traded this propert}' for a farm on section 21, adjoining liis present homestead, and in 1882 pun'liMsed the |)Iace where he now resides. His career, although similar to that of many of the early pioneers, is highly creditable to his persever- ance and industry, illustrating the results of a reso- lute will and a good constitution. He presents the picture of a hale and hearty old gentleman at peace with the world and himself, and who justl}' feels that his time has been reasonabi}' well spent. He is surrounded by hosts of friends who render him the tacit respect and affection naturally accorded to those who have lived so long and hibored so well. The wife of our subject, to whom he was married on the 20th of December, 1837, was Miss Fanny Losee, who was born near the town of Elbritlgc, Onondaga Co., N. Y., June 8, 1818. Her father, Joseph Losee, it is believed was a native of Saratoga County. It is known that he was reared there ■until reaching manhood, then took up his residence in Elbridge, where he was married and lived until about 1820. He then cast his lot with the pioneers of Southern Michigan, and in comi)any with some of his children, i)uichased a tract of timber land in Pittsford Township, on section 32. They cleared a farm, but later Mr. L. removed to Round Lake, Lenawee County, where he spent his last years, at the home of a daughter in Dover Township. The mother of Mrs. Case in her girlhood was Miss Lucy Bennett, a native of Balston Spa, Sara- toga Co., N. Y., the daughter of Miles and Lucina Bennett, natives of Reading, Conn. The father spent his last years in Dover, Mich. Mrs. Bennett died at the home of her daughter in Dover, in Ma^', 1885. To our subject and liis wife there have been born two children only, a son and daughter — Charles B. and Mary. The former mar- ried Miss Elizabeth AVindle, and lives on the old homestead ; they have three children — Ida, William N. and Lulu May. ISIary is the wife of G. L. Miner, of Roanoke, Huntington Co., Ind.; they have one child, a son, Karl L. ♦J-3S --K:^ :u, — >-^^j>^£t'<- <4\ I*;1LL1AM TERPEN UNO, a leading farm \/jJ/ '^"'^ stock-raiser of Reading Township, hi W^ for twenty years owned and successful ^;ILLIAM TERPENING, a leading farmer has i.y managed one of the most productive and best stocked farms in this part of Hillsdale County. It is beautifully located on the borders of Long Lake, and is abundantly supplied with water from a liv- ing stream. Its rich soil is especially well adapted to the growth of all the cereals common to this climate, and it also possesses superior advantages for rearing cattle, horses, sheep and swine. His cattle represent the Durham strain, and are thor- oughbred in part; his swine are of the celebrated Poland-China breed. He owns a fine, thorough- —^ I ■"^ f ^ HILLSDALK COUNTY. 237 I bred flial't .slallioii, called Gray Diiko, wliidi is the best t«u-yoar-uld in this |)art of the eoimli-y. Mr. Tei'pcniiig has erected a fine class of biiildiiigs, con- veniently arranged fur the .'icconimodation of his stock and for other [Hirposes, and a tasty and coni- niodioiis lesidence. He has nearly the whole of the 170 acres of laud comprising his farm under a high state of culture. By his energetic and [W'rsist- ent efforts, coinliincd with liis keen judguicut and good talent for business, he has })laeed himself in his iiresciit i)ros|)erous condition among the well- to-do and substantial citizens of Hillsdale County. Our subject was born in the township of Clifton Park, Saratoga Co., N. Y.,M.iy 81, 1818. Ilis par- ents, Lucas and Jane (Faliug) Terpening, were also natives of that county, whence, after the birth of their children, they removed to C.ayuga County, in the same State, and settled in the town- ship of Ira, where they built u|) a home in which they spent their remaining days, the father dying at the age of sixty-four years and the mother at the age of forty-four years. There were eleven children born to them, and of the nine yet living the oldest is eighty-six and the youngest sixty-five, the aver- age age being eighty years. All the children grew to maturity, married and reared families. The subject of this sketch was the seventh child born to his father and mother, and from his worthy parents he inherited high principles of rectitude and honesty, and in their household'was carefidly trained to good and useful habits. [lis education was couductcil in the old log school-house of the d.iy. lie si)ent his early manhood in his native State, but migrated from there to Michigan. Mr. Tei'pening has been twice married. Ilis first marriage, which look place in Cayuga County, was to Miss Kanette Hunt, who was reared in Saratoga County, but when a young woman moved with her l)arents to C:iyuga County. She died in the home where her wedded life had been sjicnt, in the latter County, leaving two (hiughters — Maldanett and Tamnicy. The former is the wife of James Ilotal- ing, and they at present live on a farm in Ira Town- ship, N. v.; the latter is the wife of O. P. Taber, and they live near Remington, Jasper Co., Ind. Mrs. Terpening was about forty years of agt> when -<• she died. She was a woman of excellent worth, a true wife and a devoted mother. Mr. Teri»ening met and married his second wife ne.arPainesville, Ohio, in 1804. She was formerly Miss Addie Rogers, and w.as born near that town in 1844. She is a daughter of Ceorgc and Eliza- beth (Ford) Rogers, the former now deceased, hav- ing died in Ohio before reaching middle age. The mother is the present wife of Stillnum Post, and they now live in Allen Township, Hillsdale County. Mrs. Terpening, of this notice, was re;ircd in Paines- ville, and received an excellent education in the academy of her native town. She is a woman of superior intelligence, is a capable housewife, and has ever been faithful in the varied relations of life. To her and her husband has been born one child, George W. M. He married Emma .Megs, of this township, and is engaged with his father in man- aging his extensive farming interests. Our subject is widely known, and is highly honored and esteemed for his genial and kindly manner, his prompt business habits, and his unim- peachable integrity. In politics he is a strong Re- publican, heartily sui)porting the measures of his part3' whenever occasion offers. ^ IjriLLAUI) F. DAY, a retired farmer and \^fl resident of Hudson Village, was born in W^ Chesterfield, Cheshire Co., N. H., Sept. 14, 1817. His father, Samuel Day, one of llie pioneer .settlers of Hillsdale County, this State, was born in the same town, June 2o, 1784. The latter's child- hood .and j'outh were spent in the agricultural dis- tricts, where he obtained a limited education in the district schools. In the meantime he was reared to habits of industrj-. mid u[)on reaching his major- itj' started (jut for himself, and w.as employed as a farm laborer for four years before his marria"e. After this most interesting and important event of his life Mr. Day rented a tract of land in Ches- hire County, where, after several years of liard labor, he found himself in but little better condition fin.ancially than when he started. He had now quite a family upon his hands and rcsolveil that he must make a change of location. He had but little -U. 238 HILLSDALE COUNTY. ,a i means, and having been in communication with friends near Dayton, Ohio, he prei)ared in the spring of 1834 to remove his family and their personal effects thither. They chose tlie cheapest route, hiring a team to convey the family and goods to the Erie Canal. They crossed the Connecticut River at Brattleboro, Vt., and from there proceeded over the Green Mountains to Schenectady, and at that point boarded a canal-boat which conve3'ed them, via Buffalo, to Fairport, Ohio. They visited with friends seven miles from the latter place, and there learned that laud in the vicinity of Dayton was held at high prices, and but little more desirable than the Government land which was being dis- posed of at a less figure in the Territory of Michi- gan. Mr. Da\', in view of these facts, early in the month of May, 1834, hired his friends to take him and his family to Lenawee County, and during the trip thither encountered the Worden family, and in their journey between Saudusky, Ohio, and Lena- wee County', in the Cottonwood swamps they en- countered the mud so deep that they could not get over three miles in a day some days, and later Mr. Treadwell and R. IL Whitehorne, who were boinid for the same locality. At Baker's Corners, in Madi- son Township, they found a vacant log cabin into which they removed their goods, and leaving their families there the men of the expedition proceeded to exploie the Bean Creek Valley. Mr. Day se- lected the west half of the southwest quarter of section 11, in what is now Pittsford Township Hillsdale County, and sent the money to Monroe to enter the land from the Government. He then re- turned to the spot where he had left his family. He hired a team to transfer the goods while the family trudged along on foot. When we take into consideration the fact that the greater part of their way lay through an unbroken wilderness in which a simple trail was the nearest approach 'to a road, and that in some places they were obliged to cut their way through with their axes, the tediousness of the journey can be better imagined than de- scribed. Our travelers arrived at Bean Creek about 1 1 o'clock one very dark night early in the month of June, and after some difficulty found that there was < » nothing but a foot log by which they could cross the stream. Mr. Worden waded in the water, and carried his wife across the creek on his back, and kindly offered to carrj- Mrs. Day, the mother of our subject, over the same way, but she preferred to crawl over the log on her hands and knees. They were made comfortable in the log house of a Mr. Kidder, and remained there until Mr. Day could remove to a building of similar description which he had found in the neighborhood. He had entered eighty acres near the Kidder settlement, but found, that there were 160 acres of land in the same town- ship on section 13, the east halt of the northwest quarter and the west half of the northeast quarter, which he could obtain, made a claim to it, and as soon as possible put up a comfortable log house which, although making no pretensions to elegance, served right well as a pioneer home. The roof was covered with bark, and the floor to the loft was made of the same material. In this unpretentious dwelling the Pittsford Township courts convened, and our subject, Willard F., acted as [(residing Justice of the Peace. Mr. Day after enleiing his land had money enough left to buy a 3'oke of oxen to assist in the farm work, and which were considered quite a lux- ury, as both horses and oxen were scarce and few men could afford them at first. The next question was to get something to eat. There was plenty of wild meat roaming around in the shape of deer, turkey and other game, and AVillard F. had already acquired a reputation as a good shot. He kept the family su])plied with the choicest of meats, but bread was not so plentiful. In order to increase the family income he secured a job of clearing and fencing five acres of land at lililO per acre, the first winter of their residence here, which was considered quite a bonanza, as the family were entireh' out of provisions and monej', and knew not where else they could procure any subsistence outside of wild n\eat, and were therefore compelled to burn green and frozen timber in the winter snows as fast as possible to obtain the wherewith to sustain and supply the family with provisions. Samuel Day, not long afterward, was stricken with fever and ague, which incapacitated him from hard labor. Fortunately in his younger j-ears he hail •►-11-^- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 239 learned t<> make b;iskets, and having plenty of niateiinl lie turned liis kuowledj^e of this art to good aeeount. While he sat at home and manufaetiiied baskets liis eldest son, Warren, operated as travel- ing salesman, journeying with his wares, by the aid of a yoke of oxen, to Monroe, wliere lie sold them for cash. His sons were energetic workers like himself, anil in due lime tiiere was a largo tract of land cleared around the cabin and the}' found their linancial condition assuming a firm basis. The Day liDmcstead finally came to be known as one of the most thoroughly cultivated and valuable in that section of eountiy. Samuel Day lived to see his children grow up around him, enterprising and [irosperous, and the wilderness transformed into pleasant fields and well-ordered homesteads. He rested from his eaitlih' labors on the "ith of June, 18j(), when about seventy-two years of age. Samuel Day in his early manhood was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Cutler, the mother of our subject, who was born in Chesterfield, N. II., Sept. "29, 1782. She came to the West witli her husband, and died on the llth of November, 1880, having nearly completed a century of years. She was a woman strong both jAysically and intellectually, and fulfillcfl her duties as a wife and mother in the most praiseworthy manner. She was very coura- geous, and met the hardships and dangers of pioneer life with that brave and fearless spirit which was so much needed in those times of dilliculty and dan- ger. When they came to Micliigan the settlers were often auno^'cd and frightened bj- wolves, but after the exteiinination of these they comnienccil keeping a Hock of sheep and also raising flax. The mother siiuii and wove b(jth woolen Mini linen cloth for the use of the household, and spent ver^' few idle hours while providing for the wants of her family. Hotli parents were members of the Con- gregational Church for many years, and tlu'ir kind- ness and lios|)itality, both to friend and stranger, were proverbial. The .seven children of Samuel and Lucy Day are recorded ;is follows: Warren, their eldest son, was \'- fession he engage, and returning his sword to its scabbard, he began life anew at his olil home, working land on shares until 1870, when he bought his present farm, upon which he has since .assiduously labored, achieving satis- factory residts. Mr. Blurton was united in marriage, Oct. .''), 1804, with Miss Josephine Tabor, who was born in On- t HILLSDALE COUNTY. •2 4;-) ^ t tario County, N. Y., and is the daughter of Benja- min F. Tabor, deceased. Mr. Tabor was born in Ilcrkinier County, iS'. Y., June 13, 1S24, while hi.s faliier, Henjaniin, wiio spelled the name Taber, was a native of Miissacliusetts, and was born March 12, 1775. Tlie great-grand fallmr of Mrs. lihirtoii, Abraham Tabor, was also a native c>f Massachu- setts, and his father was a native of England, and came to America in Colonial times, settling in the Ba^' State, which he made his home until his de- cease, spending his entire life, so far as known, in that State. The grandfather of Mi's. Blurton w.is reared in his native State, but when a young man lie removed to York State, and was united in mar- riage, in Colundiia County, with Miss Elizabetli Humphrey, wlio was born in that county, Dec. 21, 1781. After marriage tiiey removed to Herkimer County, and were among its pioneer settlers, but in 1837 they went to Manchester Townshii), Onta- rio County, and tliore engaged in farming until 18.52. The grandfather then came to Michigan, and lived with his son until hi.s death. May 7, 18.')S;his wife died in York St.ate, Se|)t. II, 18;J0. Their family included ten children, six of wliom grew to maturity. IJenjamin F. Tabor, the fatiier of Mrs. Blurton, w.as reared in his native Slate, and when a young man lie clerked in a store for eight- een months, nfter wliicii he learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, and followed that occupation until his marriage. After rn.arriage the youui; couple settled on the old homestead, and encjai^ed ill farming occupations until l.sf)2, when they sold out, and coming to Michigan bought a farm of 13(1 acres ill Wheat'aud Township. At tlie time of piirch.'i.se there was a small frame lioiisc on the pl:ice, but lie soou erected a large brick residence and fr.'iine b.iriis, and engaged in fanning under ad- vanl.Mgeous circiinistances. He subsequently' addeil to his landeil est:ite until he owned 210 acres, aiiil there resided, engaged in its snccessfid cultivation until 1877, when having been elected to the ollice of County Clerk he rented his f.nini .'uhI removed to Hillsdale, of which city he remained a resident until his death in March, I S78, before his term of odice had expireil. He wns ni;)iried, Nov. 5,1844, to S:irah A. I'rice, a native of Farmiiigloii, ()iit;irio Co., N. Y., where she was born Feb. 5, 182i). Their family included four children, of whom Mrs. B. was the first in order of birth ; the others are : Au- gustus I)., Sarah E., and Jessie E., the wife of Edgar Caijienter, who was born in Whe.atland. In politics Mr. Tabor was a Republican, and held vari- ous local ollices, including that of Supervisor in Wheatland Township, which he held eight years. Mrs. Tabor's fiither, Isaac Price, was born in New Jersey, Oct. 3, 1875, while his father, Daniel Price, was born in England, and coming to Amer- ica in Colonial times, did service as teamster in the Kevoluti(jnary War, d^ing in New Jersey while the struggle w.as in progress. The grandfather of Mrs. Blurton was reared in New Jersey and learned the trade of a carpenter. He married in that State and removed to Ontaricj County, N. Y., with his wife and children, and purchasing a tract of timber hiiiil, hired the clearing done while he followed his tiMile. After his farm was cleared and brought under cultivation he abandoned his trade and de- voted his entire .attention to lys land. He subse- quently removed to Niagara County, and spent his last 3'ears in Lock|)ort, his death occurring Nov. 7, 1848. His wife, wlio.sc maiden name was .Sarah Rice, was born in New Jersey, and her father, the great-gi;ui, and then went to On- tario County, N. Y., and settled in Seiie<'a Town- ship, where Mr. Rice purchased a partially im- proved farm. I le was a shoemaker by trade, and followed that occupation in connection with agri- cultural pursuits until his death, which took place in tli:it township: his wife died there also at the old hoiiu'stead. The grandmother of .Mrs. HIiTrton s|)ent her last days in Manchester Township, Onta- rio County. Tlie grandfather w:is twice married, ami by the lirsl marriage there were .seven chililren, while Mrs. T;ibor, the mother of Mrs. Blurton, was the only cliililren of the second in;iriiage. She lived willi her pareuLs until Ikm' marriage, and after her liusb.'Uid's death she exchanged her pro|)erty for the place she now occupies in Pittsford Town.ship, (iiie IimH' mile west of Hudson. .loiritlnui and Mrs. Ulurton have had born to i 246 HILLSDALE COUNTY. them two cliilflren: Irving T., who resides with his parents, and Franlv I., deceased. In politics Mr. Blurton is a Republican, giving that i)arty his sup- port on all iniportnnt occa.sions, though he refuses political preferment, choosing to devote his entire attention to tiie peaceful anil elevating pursuits of farm life. He has been selected and requested to accept the nomination for Supervisor, which in this section of countr}' would lie equivalent to an elec- tion, but he always declined. On one ocea.sion he was appointed to fill a vacancy, and accei)ted only on condition that he should not be |)resscd to be a candidate at the next election. Mr. Blurton is a member of Capt. Tarsney Post No. 3',t2, O. A. R., and he and his estimable wife are worthy mem- bers of the cultured and elevated society which is to be found in this section of country. \1I W. EIDKNIKR. While history is philoso- 'r''^'^ phy illustrated, biography is the lamp of ^ experience to guide and encourage us in the v^j P-'^ths of success, or to serve as a beacon to deter us from the road to ruin. '1 he preservation of the facts, therefore, making up the lives of (iromi- nent men, is not only a source of gratification to personal friends, but a foundation of information to all, serving as guide boards \)y the w.ayside, or a light to the wayfarer who would achieve fortune or distinction in simil.ir w.ilks of life. The gentle- man whose name heads this sketch is what is known as a self-made man in that he began humbly, and without any influenti.il frieuds or much opportu- nity for receiving an education. Now, while yet a young mau, he has carved out for hiuhself a home and a name among his fellows on which he can re- flect with just satisfaction. It is said that he who makes two blades of grass grow where but one was seen before is a benefactor of his race, and in this sense Mr. Eidenier may truly be said to he such, as although he came to this county only recentlv he h.as done a great deal toward the ilevelopment of the n.atnral resources which Nature has so boun- tifully lavished upon it, and has assisted in redeem- ing it from the wilderness. Hiram W. Eidenier was born in Hanover Town- ship, Columbiana Co., Ohio, beginning his life with the year 1 8.")0, being born on New Year's Day. His father, Benjamin Eidenier, was also a native of Col- umbiana County, while his grandfather, John Eiden- ier, w.ns born in Fiederick County, Md., and his great-grandfather, also John Eidenier, owned a farm and distillery in Frederick County. He removed from Maryland to I'ennsylvania and from there to Columbiana County, Ohici, where he was among the first settlers of Hanover Township. In order to get to his laud upon his arrival, he had to cut his wa3' through the woods, a distance of eight miles. He purcha.se, again eugaged in the inipnjve- ment of a farm. About one-half of this land w.as alrca5, and is the daughter of John and l';ii/.abeth (Hogg) McFate. Her union with our subject has been blessed by the bilth of five chil- dren — Lilian A.. Charles M., Dora ALay, Clara lllanche. and Hiram \V., deceased. Mrs. Eidenicr's 4*- father was born in Ireland, and came to America when a young man, settling in I'ennsylvania, where he was subsequently married. Coming from that country in which agriculture is carried on under many disadvantages, Mr. McFate did not have the means to purchase land upon his arrival in Penn- s^-lvania, and he therefore operated on rentecl land until he coidd save money to purchase a farm of his own. Success crowned his efforts, and he be- c.'inie the owner of a tract of land in Venango County, I'a., upon which he lived until about 18(17, when he sold out and removed t,o Columbiana County, Ohio, where he bought ;i farm in Center Township, n|)on which he resided eng.aged in its cultivation iintJI his death. The mothei' of Mrs. Kidencir, it is thought, was born in Pennsylvania, but her father was probably a native of the Emerald Isle. H(! removed from Pennsylvania t(j Iowa, and settled on a faim in Linn County, ui)on which he resided until his demise. The mother of Mrs. Eidenier died in Pennsylvania in l.sdl. In i>oli- tics Mr. I'^idenier stands identified with the Demo- cratic party, while in religion his estimable wife is a mend)er of the United Brethren Church. |/_^ ALEY M. THORP, l.ate of Fayette Town- ship, was born in Pc'riy, Wyoming Co., N. v., Feb. 14, 1.S2S, and departed this life on the (Jth of August, 1878. He came to this county in 1850 with his little f;imily, and settled in Fayette Township, of which he remained a resident until resting from his earthly labors. A man of industr}' and enterprise, he accumtdated a good property, making valuable imprt)vemenls on his fine farm of 240 acres, and in other respects dis- tinguishing himself .as a valualile member of the community. Our sid)ject was the son of David and Eliza (Mclntyre) Thorp, natives of New York, where the}' settled after their marriage, and wliere the mother died in middle life. Mr. Thorp subse- quently came to this county, and died in Faj'ette Township about 1882. Their son. Haley M,, was reared to f:irm pursuits, and continued a resident of his native county until his marriage with Miss •^ U ^« i -4^ 248 HILLSDAL?: COUNTY. Mary M. Bovven, which occurred on the 8th of November, 1849. He then settled with his bride in Wyoming Connty, where they lived until coming to this State. He also, in connection with farming', manufactured fanning-mills for a number of years. Their union was blessed b^' the birth of four children : Mary E., the eldest, became the wife of William Wickman, of Albion, Mich.; Charles died in Faj'- ette Township, Sept. 1, 1876, aged twenty-flve years; Elislia B. married Miss Rose Gaige, and is occupied as a clothier in Jonesville; Frank, the fourth, is a farmer by occupation, and resides on the homestead with his mother. Mrs. Thorp is the daughter of Jeremiah and Polly (Ames) Bowen, natives of Vermont, who after their marri.age settled in Wyoming County, N. Y., where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were permitted to reach a ripe old age, the mother dying in March, 1884, and the father on the 4tli of May, 1887. The eleven chil- dren born to them included six daughters and five sons, ten of whom survive. Of these Mrs. Thorj) was the second child, and was l)orii in Castile, Wyoming Co., N. Y., Nov. 1 7, 1 827, and continued a member of her father's household until her marri.age with our subject. She- proved a l.ady in every way worthy to be liis helpmate and com|)anion, and con- tinues at the homestead surrounded b}' all the com- forts t)f life, and enjoying the confidence and esteem of her neighbors. Socially, Mr. Tliorp was a M.ason and Odd Fellow. -•^^\r^-\tJUU2/S!^S^^ •®|~Sl/OT7»v» 'Wv JIJOIIN T. BEATTY, a representative fanner I .and stock-grower of Woodbridge Towuslii|i. I carries on general .agriculture on 180 acres J) of land, occupying the northeast portion of section 19. He is higlily successful in the raising of grain and stock, and as a member of the com- munity is held in great respect, being more tlian orilinarily intelligent, and t.aking a lively interest in educational affairs. Our subject was born in Greene Count\', Ohio, Jan. 20, 1820, and is the son of William and Eliza- beth (llaynes) Beatt3', natives respectively of Mary- land and New Jersey. The father was born in 1787, followed farming all his life, and was promi- nent in the Methodist Episcop.al Churcli .as an exhorter. Deacon and Stewai-d for many years. I'oliticall}-, he was an old-line Whig, and as a farmer and business man very successful; he eiatcd with the best re- sults, being the leading stock-grower of his town- ship, and numbered among its most thorough and progressive farmers. He was reared in the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he still faithfully adheres. To Mr. and Mrs. Beatty there have been born eight children, .as follows: Iliram was married to Miss Mary Alford, and lives in Cambridge Town- ship; Mary is the wife of Jerome Brown, of Cambridge; Zimri married Miss Ann O'lhinnon, now of Allen Township; John married Miss Fanny Smith, of Cambria Township: Cortilda is the wife I HILLSDALE COUNTY. 249 of George Proviiu'. of Woixlbridge; Paulina, Mrs. Charles .Iciinini^s, livi's in C'aniljiidgc: Anjfii^la, Mrs. .lacol) rarii. is a I'esidtMit of \Voo(ll)ri(iwever, was such as to commend him to the confidence of the people, anil notw itlistandini,^ the various drawb.Mcks to which all were subjected, his business steadily iucrca.sed until lie had alargeand lucrative practice. At the same time our subject was invited to va- rious other positions of trust and resi)onsibility, serving as member of the Town Council a period of eight years and as member of the School Hoard twenty-three years. He was also for the same length of lime Kxamining Surgeon of soldiers ap- ,t 250 HILLSDALK COUNTY. plying for pensions, to which he had been appointed by Lincoln in 1862. The year previous he was also appointed Superintendent of the Poor in Hills- dale County, and has held this office continuously for a period of twenty-six years, being still its in- cumbent. Not alone in his profession have his judgment and industry been conspicuous, but his general ada|itHtiun to business was manifest at an early period of his life. After the organization of the Farmer's Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Hillsdale County, he was appointed Secretary, in which position he continueys and mitigating its sorrows, died in September, 1873. Of their union six children had been born, whose record is as follows: Maiy A., now the wife of Byron Durthick, of Ransom Township; George W. li\es in Ransom Township; Matilda, now the wife of Sawj'er Chamberliii, of Texas; Jacob and Will- iam (twins), the former living in Ransom Town- ship, and the latter in KIkhart, Iiid.; Elizabeth is now Mrs. Andrew Cornell, of Ransom Township; n : -4^ HILLfSDALE COUNTY. 2.51 George, the eldest sun, scrvod for three years in the late war in the Ohio Infantry; he touk an active part in many important engagements, and at the battle of Mission Ridge was wounded in the right eye, the l)all coming out througli tiic clicek. Mr. Sawder Chanilicrliii, Matilda's hnsband. served in llie late war as a Captain, also in the Uind In- fantry, and was severely' wounded, a part of ills jaw being removed. Mr. Hile was a secon. to Miss Sarah, the handsome daughter of John and Sarah (Martin) Bartlett, who were people of wealth and influence, whose children were brought up in luxury, and their ilaughlcr. Mrs. Burl, was eulirely unaccus- tomed to work until she came to America with her husband and children. After that she bravely put her shoulder to the wheel and nobly assisted her hus- band in the arduous labors of building up a home. lOight children blessed their marriage: Sarah, Mrs. Hile; Kd ward, born June 30, 1832; Thomas, Oct. 12. 1833; James, March 25, 1837; Betsy and Nancy, Sei)t. I, 183!); Ceorge, Aug. 12, 1843; Matliew, April i), KSKi; all are living. James, Kd- waril and Mathew served in the Cnion ami}' dur- ing the late Civil War ; J.aines in the 2d Michigan Cavalry, over three years; Ivlward in an Ohio regiment, and Mathew in the oOlh Michigan In- fantry, running away from home to enlist. In 1833 Mr. Burt left his little family and otiier friends in old Kngland, and came to this country, where he hoped to be able to provide a belter home for his wife and children. He arrived here lu March, and in the following May bought a tract of wild land in Toledo, Ohio, two miles from the present site of the city, and commenced to im[)rove a farm. The limited space of' this biography for- bids mention of the many interesting incidents connected with his [)ioneer life in Ohio, but sulliee to say, he did so well that in May, 183(), he was enabled to return to Kngland for the ])ur|)ose of biinging his family across the waters to share his fortunes on American soil, and the following Octo- ber found him again in Toledo in company with his loved ones. SlK)rtly after he sold his farm in the vicinity of Toledo, and lived on a rented one until the fall of 1 838, w hen he sought the wilder- ness of Southern Michigan, and in that part of it now embraced in the township of Hansom, founded a home for himself and family, in which they still live. On Christmas Day he moved with his wife and four children into a shanty that he had erected for a temporary shelter. His first purchase of land upon which he then settled, and where he still resides, included the northeast (jiiarter of section 23, and was then in ;i ver^' swam|)3' condition. By his vigorous .and al)le management he has improved it into one of the finest farms in Ransom Township^ and has increased its acreage, by further purchase to 360 acres. It is well adapted to, and has every convenience for stock-raising, and his fine herd of cattle ranks aniuiigst the best in this vicinity. The 252 i HILLSDALE COUNTY. humble log cabin in which the first years of the family were passed, has long since given place to a siil)Stanlial modern residence, and the farm is amply sui)plied wilii l)ai ns and oilier oul-l)nildings. Mr. Burt lias not only taken a leading position among the farmers of Ransom Township, but he lias been very active and influential in public affairs, and has done nnieh to forward the interests of both township and county. He was one of the principal organizers of the County Agricultural .Society, has been an active promoter of local educational facili- ties, and as Township Supervisor, and in other im- portant ofliccs, has done much to secure good governmeiil for the community. In i)olitics he was in his early da\'s a Democrat, liut when the Kansas troubles arose, in his sympathy for the brave settlers of tliat State, wiio so nolily iilaiitcd the standard of freedom there, he severed his alle- giance to the Democratic parly, and became a Re- publican, and fiom that day to this has lieeii a steadfast advocate of the doctrines of that |)arty. YRON K. HILL, a re|)resenlalive farmer of Hillsdale County, is pleasantly situated in Wheatland Township, where in addition to general farming he makes a specialty of raising line swine, in which industry he has been very successful, having some line specimens tif the most a|ii>roved breeds, and receiving annually a handsome ineoine. Mr. Hill was born in this township on tlie !2th of April, 1843, and is a son of .lesse and Ruth A. (Tibbits) Hill, both of whom were born in Wa3iie County, N. Y., the former Aug. 20, 1811, and the latter .Jan. 12, 1824. Jesse Hill spent the early- years of his life in his native eounl_v, receiving his education in the district schools, and learning from his father those i)ractical lessons which liore such good results in later life. In 18o3 he started out f(.)r himself, and coming to Michigan, took up 100 acres of land from the Government, anil then returned to the Empire State. In the folh>wlng ^•ear he finally liade good-by to his native State, and coming to this county, located in Wheatland Township, erecting the first house in the to«r.shi[>. He labored energetically, and in the half century which he was spared on this farm he brought his land to a high state of cultivation, and lived to see the desire of his heart accomi)lished in a competency for his children, whom he had fitted to take their place as reputable members of society. His life work ended Dec. 31, 1886, while his wife had pre- ceded him to the silent laud ten years, dying in June, 1870. Of the union <_if Jesse and Eulli Hill there were born two children: M^'ron E. and Cynthia J., the latter of whom was born m October, 1850, and died March 12, 1873. Our subject grew to years of maturity, engaged in the duties of the farm and in attendance upon the schools of his district, and continued to reside on the land taken from the Government by his father. Mr. Hill was united in marriage, June 8, 1802, in this township, with Miss Elvira Wakefield, who was born in Otsego County, N. Y., Sept. 5, 1845, and is a daughter of Erastus D. and Betsey (Nutting) Wakefield. Her father was a native of Vermont, and came to Michigan in 1846, locating in this county, in Moscow Township, wliei'c he spent the last years of hislife, dying at the age of thii-ty-eight. The mother was born in Otsego County, and also died in this township. The Nuttings were [)ioncers of this county, and took u|) over 1,000 acres of land from the Government. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have lunl a family' of seven children, five of whom are still living. The}' are recorded as follows: Jessie was born June 2, 1803, and became the wife of Harvey McGee, of whom a sketch ap[)ears elsewhere in this Album; Delia was born Dec. 15, 1804, and married James Finch, to whom she Iwre one child, Jessie Pearl, born Oct. 1, 1883; Benjamin T. was born Sept. 3, 1800, and in October, 1886, was married to Miss Livina Baker, who was born in March, 1 870 ; they are living in Wheatland Towuslii|). Austin E. was born March 20, 1808, and died Sept. 30, 180'J; Jennie M. was born March 28, 1870, and died Aug. 14, 1871, while Hiram F. and Herbert M., twins, were born May 15, 1872. After marriage our subject spent some time near L.ansing, after which he returned to his farm, and has continued to reside upon it until the present lime. This farm consists of 100 acres of land under u HILLSDALE COUNTY. a good state of cultivation, aiul supplied with com- modious and substantial farm buiMini^s, and pro- vided witli modern a^riciiltui'al maclilneiy suilalile for tlie pioseculicjn of his calling'. Mr. Hill has man^' of the traits which distinguished his Knglish ancestors, including energy and intlexil)ilit_y of pur- pose. His grandfather, Elijah Hill, was born in England, and coming to this country, died in Wayne County', N. Y., aged al)out ninety years. Mrs. Hill is a member in good standing of the Baptist Church, with which she has been identifed in fellowship and good works for twelve years. She also belongs to the Ladies' Missionary Societ}'. Politically, Mr. Hill isa supporter of the licpubiican party, and is stanch in his adherence to its prin- ciple.s. ->|^^^@: <:» ON. JOHN M. 08B0RN was born in Per- )i>^ rinton, Monroe Co., N. Y., March 9, KSl'.), and is the scion of an excellent old familj' which came to this country from England during the Colonial days. His paternal great-grand- father was loyal to the Crown during the Revolu- tionary War and afterward returned to fingland. Tradition reports that his estate was confiscated as the result of Colonial success and the absence of claimants. The paternal grandfather of our subject was, it is supposed, a native of Connecticut, where he was married and where his son .John, the father of our subject, was born. The latter was quite young at the lime of his father's decease, and soon afterward became a member of the family of one Mr. Kellogg, of Eastern New York, with whom lie lived until able to support himself. .loliii Osborn, the father, learned the trade of cabinet-maker and subsequently that of carpenter and joiner. Upon the outbreak of the War of 1812, he enlisted, and was among those who crossed the river at the storming of (Jneenston Heights. After a severe engagement, for want of support and be- ing confronted by British reinforcements, the Fed- erals were ordered by the officer in command to la}' down their arms, which the}' did by throwing them with their utmost strength into the Niagara Uivcr. .John Osborn was soon afterward paroled, bill did service quietly in aiping black walnut lumber eastward. Inl8.J8 he opened up as a dry- goods dealer in company with Mr. S. A. Eaton, un- der the firm name of Osborn & Eaton, and thcj* con- ducted business successfully until I8G0; the}- then sold out, dissolving the copartnership. .Subsequently Mr. Oslioi-ji engaged in a like enterjjrise three years, during which time occurred the death of the mother, wife and father. All this tended to lessen tempo- rarily- his life of activity. Finally, being strongly importuned, Mr. Osborn lent his aid in organizing a private b.-ink. under the firm name of Osborn, Perkins & Co., and which for several years was conducted nndt'r the personal supervision of the senior (jartiier, and continued until his retirement from the firm. The institutiorn was a member of the company which purch.ased the Hudson Wooden ware Rlanu- factory, which up to this time had never been a suc- cess. He was chosen to conduct the business, and under his judicious management the enterprise be- came a paying institution. His business capabilities and his growing experience were now contributing to make of him one of the leading men in mercan- tile circles, and his cool and temperate judgment in all his dealings seldom led liim to do anything in h.aste or that which was unadvisable. Mr. Osborn w.as a Democrat, politically, in his early manhood, and until the Free-Soil movement, but as he was conscientiousl}' op|)osed to slavery, he identified himself with the Republican party at its organization. He has always taken a lively inter- est in National affairs, and in his township has l)een honored with the various oflticcs within the gift of his fellow-citizens. He was Clerk of Hudson Tow-n- ship in early years, and represented Pittsford Town- ship in the County Board of Supervisors three terms. In 1861) he was elected a member of the Michigan Legislature, and succeeded himself in 1871. In 187.5 he was selected to represent his ccjunty as State .Senator, ami thus has come honestly I)j- his title of Honoral)le. Among the social orders he is an affiliant with the INIasons, and has knowledge of the Blue Lodge, ChaiHer and Commandery de- grees; also of thirty-two degrees of Scottish Rite Masonry, and ninety-six degrees of Rite of Memphis. He claims to general Christian theology, and favors the Methodist l^i)iscopal Church. f u HILLSDALE COUNTY. — •► 257 Mr. Osborn has been twice married, being first woilded in 1S.")1, to .Miss Klizabetii Oanicls, a na- tive of WajMie Connt3', this State. This lady rc- niaiiiod his companion lifteen years, iier death tal<- injr phice in 1866. Our subject was subsequently married, April 5, 1870, to Mrs. Harriet A. W.Rob- inson, of .Jacksonville, Tompkins Co., N. Y., and who was born Maj' 28, 1S32. Her father, Rev. William White, was of Quaker parentage, and born in Ronsselaervillc. Albany Count}'. He. however, became connected witii the Haiitist Church when quite young, and was a lad fond of reading and study. He commenced teaching at an early age, and thus earned money which enabled him to secure a college education. His ministerial duties began in the Baptist Church at Trumansburg, N. Y., and ho afterward preached at Itiiaca. He left the Empire State for Ohio in the year 1842, and prcaciied in the cities of Monroeville, Chardon, Clarksficld and Fairfield. In 18o2, deciding upon another change of location, and also of occupation, lie came to this county and purchased a farm in Wright Township, which he occupied a few years, then sold out and purchased in Linden Township, Genesee County, where he spent the rest of his daj's. He had married, in early manhood. Miss Prudent AVickes, who was born at the head of Cayuga Lake, N. Y. Her father, Israel P. Wickes, was a carpenter by ti'ade, and owned a fine farm, which through his manipulation became one of the most beautiful homesteads of that section. His wife, the mother of Mrs. O., is still living, being now in her eightieth 3'ear, and makes her home with a son aii t HILLSDALE COUNTr. 259 have been baptized in tiie Catholic Church, as was Uii'lr iiioUuT ill hcr^'oiith. JMr. Wyll^'s, politicially, votes the .struij^iit Republican tiel, o*o.-@^>^s@-o*o •<<-- "S)OIIN McLOUTH, one of the pioneers of Michigan Territory, came to this section of . country in the earl}- part of June, 1835, with I his father's familv, when a young man nearly twenty-three years of^age. The journey, which at that da}' was quite tedious, was made from Ontario County, N. Y., where the l)irth of our subject took place on the 18tli of October, 1812. His parents were Oliver C. and Elizabeth (Uillon) McLouth, the former of whom was a native of Massachusetts, and spent his last d.'iys in Somerset Townshi]), this count}-, passing away in January, 1841, at the age of fifty-seven years. Elizabeth McLouth, the mother of our subject, was a n;itive of Orange County, N. Y.,and outlived her husband several years, her death also taking place at the homeste/id in Somerset, when she was seventy-four years of age. The parental family included eight children, all of whom, with the ex- cci)tion of John, our subject, and one brother, Augustus, and Emily, wife of Seaton Flint, are still living; the sister is a resident of Jackson County, this State, and the brother is engaged in mining in Colorado. Of the paternal grandparents but little is known by our subject, but his grandparents on his mother's side spent their last years in Ontario County, N. Y. Upon coming to Michigan, Oliver McLouth with his family landed in Washtenaw- County, on the 1st of June, IH.'JS, where they lived about three years, then sold out, and coming to this county took up 520 acres of Government iaml in Somerset Town- ship. Five years later .lohn, our subject, returned to his native State, and fulBlled his pledge of mar- riage with Miss Mary Mackey, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Iladley) Mackey, who were of English birth and parentage. Mrs. McLouth was also born on the other side of the Atlantic, in Northumber- landshire, Nov. 18, 1813, and was brought by her parents to America when a child four years of age. They settled iu Wayne County, Vt., whore the father engaged in agriculture. Tha wife and mother dicul when a young woman aged thirty-six years. Mr. Mackey survived Ids wife for a period of over forty years, living to the advanced age of eighty- four. His last days were spent in Galen, Wayne Co., N. Y. Mrs. John JMcLoutii was one of live children born to her parents, and of these but two survive, herself and her sister, Mrs. Mabel V'andcr- burg, a resident of Homer, this State. The wedding of our subject and his w-ife was celebrated on the 12th of Novi.'mber, 1838, and shortly afterward Mr. McL. returned with his bride to Washtenaw County, and they commenced house- keeping in a modest dwelling. Mr. McL. continued farming and operated a sawmill in that locality for a year, then came to this county and began culti- vating a part of his father's farm. The sprin.g following he located on a piece of wild land just across the line in Lenawee County, where he estab- lished a sawmill, which he conducted as long as soft wood held out in that locality — a period of twelve years. Then selling out his interest there he secured possession of his present farm, wiiere he has since lived. For the past thirty-six years, .and during the greater part of his residence in Michigan, Mr. Mc- Louth has held positions of honor and trust in his neighborhood. He has served as Justice of the Peace for over thirty ye.ars, and has represented his township on the County Board of Supervisors fully twelve years. In the minor offices, as well as those of more importance, he has discharged his duties conscientiously and to the best of his ability, with credit to himself and satisfaction to the community. When first becoming a voter, he was, like his father before him, an old-line Whig, but immediately upon the organization of the Republicans he iden- tified himself with the latter and has since been one of its most earnest supporters. The farming operations of our subject have been carried on with thoroughness and dispatch, and he is accredited with one of the best conducted farms in Southern Jlichigan. There is an air of comfort and plenty about the premises which is extremely pleasant for the eye to look upon. The household circle was completed I)y the birth of three children. ■•^ '^- •2G0 HILLSDALE COUNTY. (ill living: Thomas was born June 9, 1840, and is enijaged in farming at the old homestead; Jane E. was born Dec. 12, 1842, and is now a resident of Somerset; Oliver L. is written of in the work of Lenawee County, this State, published hy Chapman Bros. Mr. McLouth gave to his children the ad- vantages of a good education, and fitted them for their various stations in life. No man is more worthy of representation in a work of this kind, and his record as herewith given will years hence be looked upon with pleasure by his descendants. OHN L. SOUTHWORTH, a peaceable and law-abiding citizen of Reading Township, is 1 pursuing the even tenor of his way on a good ^1/ farm of 120 acres of finely improved land on section 19. A native of New York, he was born July 17, 183G, and was brought by his i)arents to Michigan when a little lad seven ye.irs of age, arriving here in the early jiart of 1843. His boj'- hood and youth were passed in the manner common to the sons of pioneer farmers, and when beginning to form his plans for tlie future, he decided to learn the trade of a carpenter. At this he commenced his apprenticeship when a youth of sixteen 3-ears, and worked at it until reaching his majorit}', then left home and took up his residence in Reading Township, and while working at his trade was also employed considerably at farming. Into the latter employment he finally drifted almost entirely, giv- ing to it most of his attention, and in 1857 in- vested his capital in the farm which he now owns and occupies. The father of our subject, John B. Southworth, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., in October, 1813, and the mother, who in her girlhood was Miss Tacj' M. Tallman, was a native of the same place, and was born two j^ears later, in 1815. They spent their last years in Reading Township, the father dying in 1873 and the mother in 1882. Our subject took possession of his present farm on the 25th of May, 1867, when it was mostly a timber tract. The labor of felling the trees and bring- ing the soil to a state of cultivation vvas no small task, and was accomplished solely bj' jiersevering •<*■ industry, and the courage that would never admit such a word as " fail." Gradually with the tilling of the soil, the building of fences, and the other work which came along in good season, there sprang up the necessary buildings required by the intelli- gent farmer, including the substantial residence, the barn and other outhouses, required for the shelter of stock and the storing of grain. Mr. Southworth in his labors for himself did not lose sight of the interests of the people around him, and assisted as he was able in the enterprises calculated to build up the community and attract toward it an intelli- gent class of citizens. Our subject took for his first wife Miss Adeline Valentine, to whom he was married in Algansee Township, in July, 1860, liut she died in 1807, leaving three children, of whom the record is as follows: Horace fclugene was born m 1862; the second son, Alexander D., was boin in 1864, and Mae died in infancy. His second wife was Miss Emily A. Sawyer, to whom he was married Feb. 22, 1870. Mr. Soutliworth has four children living, two by his first wife and two b}' his last. His eldest son, Horace E., is a promising 3'oung man twenty-six years of age. The others, A. D., J. B. and Bennie, are all at home with their fathei". Mr. Southworth, politically, votes the straight Republican ticket, and has served as School Di- rector in his district six years. He was twice elected Constable, but did not care enough about the office to be qualified. Religiouslj-, he is a man of broad and liberal views, and although not a member of any church, is what may be called an upright Christian gentleman, conducting himself in all respects according to the dictates of his con- science. Socially, he belongs to Lodge No, 287, I. O. O. F., at Reading. ILMAN B. SHAFFER, prominent among the merchant tailors of Hillsdale, is a native uf Licking County, Ohio, and was born in the town of Utica, Jan. 30, 1833. His father, Solomon Shaffer, a native of Pennsylvania, was a carpenter and architect, and emigrated to the Buck- eye State when a young man, in 1825. There he ^ -4*- I HILLSDALE COUNTY. 261 married Miss Rebecca, daughter of Ephraira Harris, anil spent the remainder of his life in that locality, passing away at tlie rijje old age of eighty -eiglit. The mother survived lier huslvind, and was also Will advanced in years at the time of lier death in 1882. Mr. Shaffer was the third ehihl in a family of six sons and four daughters, and spent his Ijo^hood in attendance at the village school. Later he studied in the schools of JNIt. V'ernon, and when sixteen 3'ears old commenced his apjirenticeship at the tailor's trade, serving two years. Then being amply proficient he worked as a journeyman, and upon leaving Utica was employed as a cutter in one of the shops of Bellefontaiue. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War he left the shop for the tented field, and was the fourth man who enlisted from Belle- fontaiue under the first call for 75,000 men. At the expiration of his first term of enlistment he veteranized in the 13th Ohio Infantry, and operated with his regiment around Farkersburg, W. Va. On the 11th of August, 1861, he was captured while carrying dispatches, and was held a prisoner for five months before he was released. He was taken prisoner a second time at Stone River, Tenn., and exchanged on the 3d of January, 1862. After a thirty-days furlough he rejoined his regiment at Bowling Green, Ky., which was then assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and our subject with his comrailes took part in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River and Missionary Ridge. After four days of fighting he was again taken prisoner but soon afterward released on parole. He spent one week in Libbj' Prison, which experience fully satis- fied him as to the character of that terril)le stock- ade, and joined his regiment in time to accompan}' it in the spring cam|)aign and when it moved upon Chattanooga, Chickamauga and Mission Ridge. Mr. Shaffer miraculously escaped, and received his hoii- oralile discharge in ,Iune, 1864. Our sul)ject now returned to J>icking County, Ohio, whence he not long aflerwaid repaiied to Peru. Ind., and engaging in business as a merchant tailor, continued four years. His ne.\t tramping ground was Rock Island, HI., where he spent six years, and then took up his residence in the city of Chicago, where he remained two years. In .lune. "•^ 1876, he came to this county, which at once im- pressed him favorably and where he has since re- mained. His skill in the matters pertaining to his calling and his straiglitforward methods of doing business have been the means of securing him a fine patronage, and he is now content to let well enough alone. While a resident of Hillsdale our subject was united in marriage, Aug. 'J, 1877, with Miss M. A. Morris, of Hillsdale, and of Irish ancestry. Her father still survives and resides in Ireland, but her mother is deceased. The two children born of this union are a son and daughter — Homer R. and Blanche L. Mr. Shaffer is a true blue Republican, politically, and a member in good standing of the G. A. R. His snug home is located in the south part of the city, and he is performing all the obli- gations of a good citizen and an honest man. •?5S^^5»*^ •^«t-»»^*^-« LEMUEL ALLEGER, a reputable and pro- gressive agriculturist, located on section 27, Ransom Township, owns and occupies a pleasantly situated, well-cultivated farm, furnished with commodious and convenient farm buildings, and supplied with modern appliances necessary to the successful prosecution of his calling. Mr. Alleger first saw the light near the Atlantic Coast, being born in Hunterdon Countj', N. J., April 7, 1841. His father, Hiram Alleger, was born in the same State, and it is believed in the same county, and was there rejircd to manhood, learning the trade of a carpenter when he was quite young. He was married in New Jersey and followed his trade in that State for a number of years, then in 1851 he migrated to Ohio, starting from his native State with a pair of horses, and a wagon which con- tained his family and his household effects. They journeyed ovc-rland, cooking by the wayside and sleeping in their wagons, until they arrived at Will- iams County, Ohio, where he traded his w.agon for forty acres of timber land, near West Unity. Upon this he erected a rude log house with an earth and stick cliimuey, which convoyed the smoke from a mammoth fireplace, occupying almost one end of the structure. In the same year, however, he sold ■► m "^ - 202 HILLSDALE COUNTY. out his interests in the Buckej'e State, and coming to Ilillsflale County, bought the property upon wiiieli our subject now resides. It was at that time heavily timbered, with the exception of five acres which had been chopi)ed but not cleared, and he at once set about its cultivation and improvement. Though at the outset subjected to all inconveniences and privations incident to life amid such environ- ments, he succeeded in transforming the wilderness into a good farm previous to his death, which oc- curred in 1805. The mother of our sul)ject, whose maiden name was pjlizabeth Schamj), was also a native of New Jersey, and bore to her husband six children, five of whom grew to maturity. E. Lemuel was thir- teen years old when he came to Hillsdale with Ids jjareuts, and well remembers the incidents of earl}' life in Ransom Township. This [jart of tiie counUy was .attiie time of tlicir settlement still a wilderness, in which deer, wild turkeys and other kinds of wild game wei'e plentiful, while wolves and bears were not unfrequently met, not only in the recesses of the forests, but in the vicinit}' of the farraj'ards. These have long since disappeared, and given place to the finest grades of domestic animals, which feed on pastures green in smiling fields in a section of countr\' second to none in this part of the United States. Mv. Alleger resided with his father until lyOl, that date memorable in histor}- for the upris- ing of father against son, and brother against brother. With all the ardor and [)atriotism that characterized in so marked a degree his ancestors, Mv. Alleger was not slow to respond to the cry of his country, and in April, 1801, he volunteered his services, enlisting among the three-months men in Company E, 14th Ohio Infantry. He received his honorable discharge at the expiration of his term of service, and returned to his home and to the fiiends of his youth, but he re-enlisted in Au- gust of the same year, in the 3d Ohio Cavalry, serv- ing his term of three years, when he veteranized and served with the same company until the close of the war. During his first three-months service he participated in the battles of Can-iek's Ford, Laurel Hill, and others, and he subsequently took part in the battles of Shiloh, Perry ville, Stone River, Chickamauga and Mission Ridge. He was with Sherman on the celebrated march to Atlanta, and participated in the important battles of that cam- paign. From Atlanta he went to Jonesboro, and took part in the battles of that vicinity; lie then followed Hood to Franklin and on to Nashville, Tenn., spending the winter of 1804-65 at Graves' Spring, Tenn. In the spring his regiment marched toSelma, Ala., then to Columbia, S. C., whence they removed to Macon, Ga., where they received orders to pursue the fugitive, Jeff Davis. They followed him to the southwestern part of the State, and were in the vicinity when he was captured. Mr. Alleger was mustered out of the service with his regiment at Nashville, Tenn., and received his honorable discharge at Columbus, Ohio, in August, 1865. Retuiminghis sword to its scabbard our subject soon found himself among old friends who gladly welcomed the return of the soldier, and he resumed farming operations on the old homestead He has met with that success which usually crowns well- directed effort, and has now the greater part of his land cleared and under tlic>rough cultivation, while he has erected good buildings and supplied new machinery necessary for successful competition with the modern agriculturist. j\lr. Alleger has been twice married, choosing for his first wife Miss Rebecca Pettit, who was born in Cumberland County, Ohio, and was the daughter of Jacob Pettit. The marri.age took place in 1866, but he suffered her loss bj' death in 1875. Our subject was a second time married, in 1876, to Ber- tha Lautermilch, and the}' have become the par- ents of two children — Willie and Ernest. Mrs. Alleger was born in the town of Shelby, Richland Co., Ohio, in October, 1855, while her father, Will- iam Lautermilch, was born in Baden. Germany. He received a militar\' education and was commis- sioned Lieutenant in the arm}-, but at the time of the Revolution in 1848, he took part against the (iovernment, and in consequence was obliged to flee from his country. He married, just before leaving his native land, Miss Louisa Herman, and brought his young bride with him across the ocean to the United States. All his property in his own country had been confiscated, but his wife had some, which furnished him capital to engage in the hardware business in Mansfield, Ohio. He cari'ied n -4»- HILLvSDALE COUNTY. 263 ^ oil )iis business there for some time, after wliich he removed to Moiiroeville, and subsequently to Shelby, where he was engaged in business until the time of his death, which occnrred in 1860; his wife, the niollior of Mrs. Alleger, still resides in Shelby. Their family consisted of five children, four of whom are still living. AVilliara, the eldest son, served in the 121st Ohio Infantry, and died in the service. Politically, our subject is found in the ranks of the Republican party, and religiously-, his wife is a member of the United Brethren Church. c-^^- -^ m \|) OHN CLARKE, Ji;., a reputable citizen and prosperous general farmer, of Wheatland Township, was born in Brewster, Barnstable Co., Mass., March 7, 1824, and is the son of .biliii and Reliecca (Lincoln) Clarke. John Clarke, Sr., was b(irii .luly 4, 17!)4, in Cape Cod, Barnstable County, and there si)ent the most of liis life. He was reared near the famous riyniouth Rock, and early in life went to sea, following the salt water all his life, first as cabin boy, and finally as Captain and owner of the vessel " Flora," in which he was lost in August, 1830. on a voyage from Boston to I'iiiiadeliihia. The mother of onr subject was born in the same cfiunly, in the town of Brewster, Oct. 14, 1798, and also died young, departing this life Dec. 28, 1828. The grandfather of our subject, Josiah Clarke, was a native of this countrj', of English descent, and spent tiic last years of his life engaged in some county office. John Chu'ke was one of two children, bolii sons, born to his parents. His brother, Robert M., was born at the old homestead, Oct. 9, 182.5, and subsequentlj' removed to .Southern California, where he died at the age of fifty-nine years, leaving a wife and three children. The subject of this biography' remained with his parents until he was six years of age, when the latter were removed by death, and he then went to live with his uncle, Josiah Wing, with whom he removed to Orleans County, N. Y., four years later, and remained assisting in the farm duties until he attained his majority. Mr. Clarke then set out for this State, bringing with him a stock of <• '• goods, and settled upon the farm where he now lives. He employed men to clear his land, paying them with goods from his store, but two or three years later he engaged on the Lakes as a sailor before the mast, and followed that occupation until 18.53. Abandoning a seafaring life, Mr. Clarke became one of a party of ten who secured ox-teams and started across the plains to California, where upon their arrival, he first engaged in mining, and subsequently' started a market. He continued thus employed for a period of tfro years, and then in 18.55 he returned to his home and was united in marriage, Dec. 31, 1856, with Miss Amanda Cluirch, who was born in Wayne County, N. Y., Dec. 20, 1828, and was the daughter of Lorenzo Church, of whom a sketch may be found elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke returned to California, and after another four years spent there, engaged in the business of a butcher, Mr. Clarke sold out, and returning to Hudson, Mich., engaged in mer- cantile pursuits.^ In 1863 he sold out his interests here, and for the third time went to California, where lie engaged in the same business for two years. Once more he returnetl to Hudson, and remained for some time, then in 1869 he removed on the farm wiiieli he now occupies. Not yet sat- isfied with his wanderings, Mr. Clarke once more crossed the Rockies, and engaged in his old busi- ness, which he pursued for one 3'ear, and finally returned to Miciiigan, taking up his permanent residence on the farm which he bought on coming to this county in 1845. The family of i\Ir. and Mrs. Clarke includes four children, who are recorded .as follows: John C. was bom in Solano County, Cal., Feb. 16, 1858, and married Lydia Evans, March 16, 1887 ; tiiey reside in Wheatland. Minnie A. was born in .Solano Count}', Cal., Oct. 2, 1859, and became the wife of Jerome B. Witlierall; Jennie R. was born in Hudson, Mich., Aug. 11, 1866, and is now residing at home, and is a teacher; Myrtle S. was born Feb. 18, 1869, in Hudson, and is a teacher. These two daughters have been well educated, and have taught school acceptably for several terms. In polities Mr. Clarke afliliates with the Repub- lican party, and his extensive travel and varied and intimate intercourse with all classes of men, to- ' -4•- 264 HILLSDALE LOU.NTV gether with his habits of close observation, fit him in an especial manner for the oftice of Justice qf the Peace, which he held, discharging its duties for some twelve years in succession. He also served as School Director for some time and is interested in all measures calculated to benefit the communitjs socially or financially. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke are attendants at the Baptist Church, and they and their children arc highly respected and worthy members of society. C^^EORGE P. STEVENS. The gentleman — , whose name stands at the head of this _ 51 sketch owns and occupies the farm which his father settled on forty-four years ago, and which comprises sixty acres eligibly located on section 7, in Woodbridge Township. Every acre has been made available, and is in a highly pro- ductive condition. The farm bniljlings are of first- class description, neat and substantial, the premises are kept in " shipshape " order, and with the well- kept fences, the choice assortment of live stock, the fruit and shade trees, constitute one of the pret- tiest pictures in the landscape of this section. Mr. Stevens is of English and High-Dutch parent- age, being the son of Warren and Jenette (Cam- burn) Stevens, the father born near Cheshire, in Berkshire County, Mass., May 22, 1809, and the mother at Palmyra, Wayne Co., N. Y. Warren Stevens was reared among the Shakers, at New Lebanon, Mass., until nineteen years old, and was employed on a farm, in the meantime attending tlie common schools. About this time he left his native Slate and migrated to New York, where he con- tinued working by the month, and whence, in 1829, he made his way to the Territory of Michigan, settling in Tecumseh, Lenawee County, in 1838. He lived there until 1840, and then took up his abode in this county, purchasing eighty acres of land in Woodbridge Township, upon which he operated successfull}' for many years, and where he resided until his death, which occurred Dec. 28, 1875. The father of our subject was a man of consider- able prominence in the county, a Dcmociat in ■♦- politics, and a member in good standing of the Free-Will Baptist Church, in which he officiated .as Trustee for many years. The mother, who was born April 22, 1809. died also at the old home- stead, in August, 1853. She was a most estimable Christian lady, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. Their children were: S.arah, who married Mr. Devine; Jacob H., who married Electa M. Niles; Charlie, who married Miss Jane Tubbs; Betsy, the wife of Stephen Fitz- simmous; John D., who married Miss Adelaide Bryan, and George P., our subject. Tecumseh, Lenawee County, was the early tramp- ing ground of the subject of this sketch, and where his birth took place July 9, 1844. He passed his boyhood and youth in the manner common to the sons of pioneer farmers, acquiring an education in the ]3rimary schools, and assisted in building up a homestead from the wilderness. He continued under the parental roof until past twenty-three years of age, and then being ready to establish a home of his own, was married. Sept. 18. 1867, to Miss Esther D. Delong, who was born in Franklin Township, Lenawee County, Nov. 30, 1844. After marriage the young people lived on his father's farm, and in 1876 our subject became owner of the old homestead, which, it is hardly necessary to say, possesses for liim a far more th.an moneyed value. Here his three children were born, but one only is living — V. D., who was born March 24, 1882. Lloyd D.,born April 30, 1875, died when two years of age; Georgia I., born Feb. 11, 1880, died when one year old. Mrs. Stevens is the daughter of Abram and Cor- nelia (Viele) Delong, who were natives respectively of Montgomery and Otsego Counties, N. Y., and the father was born July 26, 1821. The latter was educated in the common schools, and reared on a farm from his boyhood. He came to Michigan in September, 1844, and purchased sixty acres of land in Franklin Township, Lenawee County, where he still resides. He has been a prominent man in his community, one of the pill.ars of the IMethodist Flpiscopal Church, a Sunday-School teacher and a Class-Leader, besides being a licensed exhorter, and occupied the pulpit many years in this capacitj'. Mrs. Delong was burn Dec. 17, 1818, and her I HILLSDALE COUNTY. 265 i' ancestors came from Holland, while the Belongs were of French ancestry. The parents of Mrs. .Stevens were married Dec. 21, 1843. The mother for the last forty years has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is still living and in good health. Their three children were: Esther D., Mrs. Stevens; Manning V., who married Ida E. Packard; and Lillian B., the wife of Ambrose R. Crane. They all live upon farms. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are connected with the Free-Will Baptist Church, in Woodbridge Town- ship, in which our subject has been Deacon and Trustee, and one of its chief pillars. Upon becom- ing a voter lie identified himself with the Repub- lican part^', but is now a Prohibitionist. >i\ ICIIAEL GILBERT is one of lliose men so plentifully scattered over Michigan who i) undoubtedly form the best element of her society, having been reared under the be- neficent influences of the schools, religious institu- tions, and the culture and refinement of the society of the older settled States. Such men were well equipped to go forth and open up a new Empire. They could 1:13' its foun-^ England stock in which conscience seems to , ' — ^ have licen as hereditary as intelligence, and in which the fine accumulative results of the moral struggles and triumphs of many generations of honest lives appear to have been transmitted. Origi- nality of conception is combined with promptness of execution, and au ambitious and energetic sup- port of action. These qualities which have been noticed in iNIr. Davis' individuality are thus easily traced. Though a man still in the prime of life, he has already carved out for himself a niche in the best society of Hillsdale County, to which his ster- ling worth of character and business ability honestly entitle him. Mr. Davis was born in Wheatland Towusiiip, this county. Nov. 15, 1845, and is the son of Homer C. Davis, a native of Saratoga County, N. Y., where he was born Nov. 30, 1 802. The grandfather of our subject, Eliud Davis, was born in Danbury, Conn., and removed from there to Saratoga County-, N. Y., where he was among the early settlers. About 1813 he entered New York City, and en- gaging in the wholesale grocery business, continued in that occuiiation until IMl). He then removed to Monroe Count}-, in the same .State, and subse- quently to Orleans County, wiicre !ie spent the remaining j'cars of his life. His wife, whose maiden name was Rachel Hollister, was also a native of Connecticut, and died in Oilcans County, N. Y. The father of our subject was seventeen years of age when his parents removed to Western New York, and he assisted liis father for some years in his work of brickmaking. After the death of the latter. Homer C. learned the trade of a cooper, and followeil that occupation until after his marriage. He then entered into partnersliip with his brother. •^ k ■ » 270 i HILLSDALE COUNTY. and purchasing a sawmill in Ovleans County, N. Y., tliey engaged in tlie manufacture and sale of lumber, which they contiiuied about fmir years. He then sold his interest iu the mill, and purchas- ing a farm, engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1837, when his property was taken from him in liquidation of an obligation incurred by his endors- ing notes for other parties. Notwithstanding this reverse of fortune, Mr. Davis did not give up in despair. He removed in 1838 to Indiana, and after about a year migrated to Wheatland Town- ship, where he followed his trade until he had acquired some capital, and then i)urchased a tract of timber hind and engaged in the noble work of redeeming a farm from the wilderness. In 1854, however, he removed to Amboy Township, and settled on the farm where our subject now resides. He purchased 120 acres of land, forty of which are iu Ohio, but he did not locate on it immediately. Previous to his arrival here he had purchased a store on section G, Ambo3' Tovaiship, and was en- gaged iu mercantile business for three j-ears, during which time he was also engaged in the manufacture of pearlash and potash. In 185(3 lie removed to Kalamazoo County, but after one year's residence there he returned and settled on the land he had [jreviously bought, and continued to make this place his home until his death, which took jjlace April 9, 1881. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Minerva Smith, was born in the town of Avon, Livingston Co., N. Y., and w.as the daughter of Sylvester and Mary Smith ; she also died at the homestead in Amboy Township. Edmund C. Davis is the sixth in order of birth in a family of seven children included in the par- ental family. He was nine years of age when he came to Amboy Township with his parents, and remembers very well its wild condition at that time, when deer, wild turkeys and other game were plentiful, and the bear and wolf still lurked in the forest. He received his education in the pioneer schools of Amboy Township, and remained at home with his parents until his enlistment, Feb. 2y, 1864, in Company B, 25th Ohio Infantry, and served until the ISlli of June, 18(JG, principally in South Carolina, when he was mustered out of the service and honoralily disciiarged. Upon iiis diseliarge ho returned to his home and remained until 1871, when he went to Kalkaska County and took up a soldier's claim. He spent part of his time there during the next live j-cars, but in 1875 he returned and settled on the old homestead, of which he has since been a resident. Mr. Davis was united iu marriage, July 24, 1872, with Bettie Culver, a native of Quincy Township, Branch County, and the daughter of John and Rhoda Culver. Three children have been bora of this union to gladden the home of their parents — Homer J., Gertrude and Dolly May. Mr. Davis' business qualities and [jublic spirit have been recognized by the people of his com- munity, who have elected him to several of the offices within their gift. While in Kalkaska County he was elected vSupervisor, and served in that capacity two years, and in the spring of 1887 he was elected Supervisor of Amboy Township, and re-elected in 1888. He has also been Township Clerk three years, and has on all occasions of pub- lic trust discharged his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. In politics he is identitied with the Republican party, and is a gentleman of influence in his community. Mr. and IMrs. Davis are members in good standing of the Baptist Church, and are worthy and reputable members of society. WILSON E. BROWN, dealer in real estate, loans and [lersonal property, and prominent among the enterprising young businessmen of the city of Hillsdale, is a native of this county, having been born in Camden Township, June 10, 1802. He is the eldest son of Emanuel and Ellen (Judd) Brown, who were among the earliest settlers of Woodliridge Township, where they still live upon the homestead which they eliminated from the wil- derness. Our subject spent his boyhood and youth in a manner common to the sons of pioneer farmers, and made the most of his opportunities at school. Upon reaching manhood he entered the commercial de- paitment of Hillsdale College, where he took a full ■» f ^ '! i ^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 271 .t I course of instruction, and this in adrlition to his previous experience as a teaciier, contributed to make him master of a fund of general information. Upon leaving sdiool he commenced his business career in a store of general merchandise as clerk, and a year later became proprietor, and conducted the business until 1885. In the above-mentioned year Mr. Brown opened an office in the cit}' of Hillsdale, establishing the business in which he has since met with signal suc- cess. He also does a profitable abstract and collec- tion business, and by loaning money on personal property on short time, but more espeeiall}' long time loans on real estate, and the examination of titles, is building up a business which, conducted witli his usual abilit}' and good sense, will in time contribute to his complete ii\depcndencc. He is still fond of the emplo3-ments of country life, par- tieidarly of horses, and keeps of these animals about twenty head for the purpose of breeding and sale. He is still unmarried, and is usually found attend- ing strictly to his business affairs at his pleasantand convenient oflice in the Masonic Block. ^ ^-*-g USSELL E. CONVERSE, Under Sheriff of ir Hillsdale County, has spent his entire life in this localit}', having been born in Adams '^Township, Oct. 21.1 8.56. His father, Will- iam Converse, was born in Wayne Count}', N. Y., Oct. 30, 1831. and after coming to Micliigan mar- ried Miss Jane M. Thompson, who was the young- est daughter of Warren Thompson, een born in Genesee County, Aug. 29,1812. He was reared, however, in On- tario County, to which his parents soon afterward removed. The latter, Eleazer and Hannah (Reed) Gleason, were natives of New York and of English descent, and both the grandfathers of our subject did good service in the Revolutionary War. The mother of our subject died in New York, and }i.\eazer was reared to manhood in Ontario County, that State. On the 23d of April, 1834, he was united in marriage with Miss Betsy Berry, by whom he became the father of nine children, five sons and four daughters. William, Charles P., Alvaro, Eleazer H. and L. C. are all married and settled in comfortable homes of their own with their little children about them; Harriet died aged forty-nine years; Maude died in early childhood, and Jane at the age of forty years ; Mary is the wife of Frank Woodard ; Ida married Hugh Devine, and has one child named Gleason, after its maternal grandfather. Mrs. Gleason was born in Seneca Township, Ontario Co., N. Y., Jan. 25, 1816, and is the daughter of William and Rhoba (Colwell) Berry, vvlio were natives of England and Rhode Island respectively, and spent their last years, the father in Michigan and the mother in New York. The Berry family were widely and favorably known throughout that part of the Empire State. Mr. Gleason left New York State when twenty-two years old, and going directly to Maumee, Ohio, lived there until making his way to the Territory of Michigan, in 1835, the year after his marriage. He and his young wife began housekeeping in a log- dwelling in what is now Reading Village, but which was then a country with very few inhabitants. Our subject began clearing the land aronnd him, and in due time realized the reward of his labors in the possession Of a good farm. Mr. Gleason has not only been industrious as a tiller of the soil but has taken a warm interest in the growth and development of his township. He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Jackson upon the occasion of his second nomination and wlien, much to his surprise, his vote passed un- cliallcnged. and still continues a member of the Democratic party. He has lield the minor offices of his township, and infused the spirit of patriotism into his sons which impelled them during the late war to enlist as Union soldiers under the first call for troops. William was a member of an Illinois regiment, and Alvaio belonged to a Michigan bat- ter}', which started out from Detroit and later in the conflict joined with Sherman in his historical march to sea. Both the boys, although experiencing the hardshi|)sand privations incident to army life, lived to return home in safet}'. The Gleason family weie patriotic from the beginning, the father of our subject and his brothei'S doing good service in tlie War of 1812, during which the former received a ball in the leg which he carried through life. ARNEY REYNOLDS, deceased, was for ^ many years identified with the farming in- V terests of Reading Township, where be owned a good farm. He was a native of Albany County, N. Y., born Oct. 15. 1804. He was reared in the place of his birth, was a farmer's son, and when he became old enough gave his father assistance in clearing a farm in Albany County. He grew to be an active, stalwart and sturdy young man, and b}' his labors was early enabled to establish a comfortable home for himself, and married in his na- tive county Miss Maiia Damp. Their married life was of brief duration, for in a few years siie died, leaving two children — Calvin and Jane. The latter is the widow of Joseph Bedell, and lives in Cold- water ; Calvin lives in New York, where he is en- gaged as a street car conductor. After the death of his wife Mr. Reynolds came to Michigan, and in 1847 bought a tract of land on section 1, Reading Township, where he afterward made his home until his death. I}i the meantime he industriously cleared and improved a farm of eighty acres, which, under his capable management, became one of the best tilled and neatest farms in - HILLSDALE COUNTY. 273 that locality, and he erected a good set of farm buikliiigs. Mr. Reynolds' lung- and useful life was suddenly brought to an end by his accidental death, Oct. 2.'i, 1H7!), caused by iiis being thrown from a moving wagon which broke his neck, and he never afterward spoke. Mr. Reynolds was highly re- spected in the community where he had for so many years made his home. He was a hard-working man, honest to a degree, and led an upright life. Shortly after coming to Michigan our subject was a second time married, in Hillsdale Townshi|), hav- ing there met Miss Saniantha Searles, who became his second wife. , She was born in Schuyler Count3', N. Y., May 26. 183.5, and was a daughter of Gary and Nancy (Kddj') Searles, both n.atives of New York State. After marriage her |)arents set- tled in their native State, but when she was two years old they went to Wells, Bradford Co., Pa. Two years later they migrated with their family to Michigan, and settled in the woods of Hillsdale Township, Hillsdale County. Mr. Searles purch.ised a tract of land there and began its imiMovement, but shortly after died at the early age of thirty- three. He was a stanch Democrat in politics, and religiously, he and his wife were members of the Free-Will Baptist Church. After the death of Mr. Searles his widow married William Cleavland, who was a fanner and mechanic. By his second marriage Mr. Rej'nolds had five children, two of whom are now dead, Gary and Johnnie. 'J'he record of those living is .as follows: Margaret is the wife of Walter E. Way, and they live on a farm near Jonesville; Sarah is tlie wife of Henry L. Way, and they live on a farm near Pitts- ford ; Nancj' is the wife of George Worden, and they live in Reading. After the death of Mr. Reynolds, of this notice, his widow married, Dec. 7, 1 879, Charles Cleavland, son of her mother's second husband. He was born in New York Stale, Aug. 20, 1823, and when twelve years of age went to live in Ohio. He was three times married in that State, and his two first wives died there. His third wife accompanied him to Michi- gan, and she died in the city of Hillsdale. By his first marriage he had one child, and by his third marriage seven cliildren, and all his children are }r living, llct is an industrious man, is a carriage •►-■-4»- i trimmer, and is now in the employ of John Henan, of Hillsdale. In his political beliefs he is a strong Democrat. Mrs. Cleavland owns the eighty acres of land that formed her first husband's farm, and under her skillful management it has not in any wise deteri- orated in value. She is a shrewd, cai)able, ener- getic woman, and is much respected. '^ ALLETT H. EDDY. This gentleman is recognized as one of the most thorough and skillful agriculturists of Litchfield Township, (^) a cap.able business man and gentleman of fine i.astes, and of late ye.-irs has given much ;ittcn- tion to the lirecding of high-grade Merino .sheep. In this industry he takes i)riile, and has met with good success. His farm property lies on section 23, aiid everything about tlie premises, from the taste- fully constructed dwelling, to the barn and out- houses, indicates the exercise of sound conunon sense and ample means. Our subject and his estim- able wife have reared a finef.amily of children, most of whom are located in homes of their own, and are in comfortable circumstances. Madison County, N. Y., w.as the early tramping- ground of our subject, and where his birth took place Aug. 2, 1828. Eight 3'ears later his parents removed to Steuben County, where the boy ac- quired his education, and developed into manhood. He was married to Miss lluldy L. Fenton, Oct. 21, 18.")0, and settled first in that locality, but five years later came to Michigan, and taking up his aboilc in Litchfield Township, has since continued a resident here. He purchased his present farm of 138 acres in 1871. The p.arcnts of our subject, Jesse and Polly (Ovi- att) Eddy, were of New England birth and ances- try, the former born near Providence, R. I., and the latter near Little Iloosac, Conn. After mar- riage they settled in Madison County, N. Y., whence in 1836 they removed to Steuben County, where they spent the remainder of their lives on a farm, the father dying in 1850, at the age of sixty- three years, and the mother in 1872, when seventy- eight years old. There were born to them two chil- r u -•► 274 HILLSDALE COUNTY. dren only: The elder, a sister, Mrs. Harriet Penk, is now living on the old homestead in Steuben County. Mrs. Eddy is the danghter of Stephen and Mary (Marring) Fenton, who were natives of New Jer- sey, the father born in Orange Count}'. The pa- ternal grandfather served in the Revolutionary War, and on tiie mother's side Grandfather ]\Larring was a native of Germany. Grandfather Fenton was one of Gen. Washington's bodyguard, and with the Father of his Country', met the enemy at Stony Point, and was subsequently at the execution of the traitor Benedict Arnold. Ste|)hen Fenton sub- sequently gave some time to the service of his country in the War of 1812. From Steuben County, in April. 1853, he came with his famil}' to Michi- gan, settling in the spring of the year in Scipio Township, where his death took place three years later at the age of sixtj'-three. The mother, after the death of her husband, made her home with her son-in-law, our subject, and died at the advanced age of eighty-four years, in 1 882. The parents of Mrs. Eddy had a family of tea children, two sonS and eight daughters, of whom she was the seventh child. She was born Dec. 2, 1831, in Steuben County, N. Y., and acquired her education in the common school. Following the example of her excellent mother, she also became the mother of ten children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Mary E., died when two and one-half years old ; Jane A. is the wife of Eoswell West, of Eaton Rapids, and the mother of tvvosons — Arthur E. and Hallett E. ; Emily is a teacher of several years standing, and makes her home at Eaton Rapids ; Joseph F. is married, and occupied as a miller in Litchfield Township, and has tvvo children — liertha M. and Leo AV. ; Jesse E. was forinerh'a student in the Agricultural College at Lansing, Mich., and is occupied asa teacher in 'Litchfield ; he married Miss Mary Hutchins. Elmer E. mariied Miss Lillian Hutchins, and operates as a commercial man; they have one child, a daughter Mabel. Minnie A., Theron IT., Walter IL and Roswell W., continue under the parental roof, and assist in the labors of the faim. The property of our subject includes, with iiis valuable land, all the farm machinery necessary for its successful cultivation, and besides his fine siieep, a goodly assortment of other live stock. His flock of sheep numbers between seventy and eighty head, and the chief among them is the celebrated animal '•Monarch." wiiicli has made a fine record. Jlr. Eddy, politicall}-, is a stanch Prohibitionist, and was one of the first men of his township to take his stand strictly in favor of tiie abolition of the sale and manufacture of si)irituous liquors. Ho has been the incumbent of some one of the school offices for a period of twelve years. He and his estimable wife are both members in good standing of the F"irst Baptist Churcii, at Litchfield, to the support of which they have contributed liberally and cheerfully since their connection with it. ^^ RS. EUPHEMIA WAY, widow of the late Rodney Way, who departed this life at his home in Gratiot in March, 1886, was born il in Newburg Township, Orange Co., N. Y., Aug. 7, 1830, and is the daughter of Henry and Eliza (Hunt) Cypher, who were also natives of the Emi)ire State, where they spent their entire lives, both dying at an early age, the mother when thirty- two and the father when forty-six years old. After the ^•^iE4^•«•- \fJOHN A. CARNCIiOSS, Esq., a native of Cayuga County, N. Y., commenced life for himself when a young man on section 32, in Pittsford Township, this county, upon a tract of uncultivated land upon which there had been effected very little improvement and no buildings wortii mentioning. He had one cow, one yearling calf, five sheep, a pig and a pair of small horses. Bj' the practice of rigid economy and the exercise of untiring industry, he in due time found himself upon the high road to prosperity, and is now the owner of a good farm embracing eighty acres of land, the greater part of it under a good state of cultivation, a good frame barn, and a substantial and convenient brick residence. His land has been thoroughly diained with 1,500 rods of tile, and his live stock and farm machinery are highlj' credita- ble to his industry and good judgment. A quiet and unobtrusive man, he has endeavored to live honestly and uprightly, and enjoys in a marked degree the esteem of his neighbors. Our subject was born near the town of Ira, N. Y., Feb. 12, 1.S36. His father, William Carncross, w.as a native of Schoharie County, that State, and his grandfather, Lewis Carneross, it is supposed was born in Holland, whence he crossed the Atlantic in early manhood. He took up his residence among the pioneers of Caj'uga Couijly, N. Y., and tluMe spent the remainder of his days, his death taking place in the town of Cato about 16:>G. William Carneross, the faliier of our subject, was reared in his native county, where he continued until after his marriage. He then [nirchased a farm in Cayuga County, ncai- which the town of Ira grew up, and there lived and laliored the remainder of his dajs. The maiden name of tiic mother was Diana Albright, an. Mr. Clark subse- quenth' removed with part of his famil}- to Scott Township, Steuben Co., Ind., where he w.as a sec- ond time married, to Mrs. P0II3' (Garfield) Letcher, an aunt of the late lamented President. Her first husband, William Letcher, died leaving her with a large family. Horatio N. Clark died at his hontfe in Steuben Couut\', in 1864, at the age of sixty- one years; his wife had preceded him to the silent land in 1863. Both of his wives were active mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were consistent Christian women. In politics Mr. Clark was a Republican. Mrs. Huggette was the second daughter and fifth child in the parental family, and became the mother of nine children, thiee of whom — Susan, Rose E. and Emma J. — died young. The others are recorded as follows : Eliza D. became the wife of Leonard Pierce, of Montgomery, this county, where he is a prominent business man; Ida E. is the wife of William Cole, a farmer of Cambria Township; Ersa E. is a teacher in the public schools, as was also her sister Ida E. ;they were educated in Read- ing, and have made their mark !is successful teach- ers. Edna R. resides at home and is preparing herself for the profession of a teacher; Herbert and i' \k 280 HILLSDALE COUNTY. Herman E. reside at home. The children are all intelligent and form a pleasant family group, and they and their parents are attendants of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Mr. lluggette's political atBliations are with the Democratic party. -«.W>'>■- (jp^ AMUEL H. OAKS, proprietor of 200 acres ^^^^ of valuable land on section 22 in Wheat- |ll/_Jl) land Township, is a native of W.ayne County, N. Y., and was born at the modest homestead of his parents in Rose Township, Sept. 15, 1829. The latter were Charles G. and Sally S. (Hills) Oaks, natives respectively of Vermont and Rensselaer, New York State, the former born in Concord, Caledonia County, Jan. 12, 1802, and the latter in Rensselaer County, Aug. 26, 1804. Charles G. Oaks followed farming all his life, and died at his home in Rose Valley, Wayne Co., N. Y., in the eightj'-second year of his age. The mother is still living, making her home with a daughter there. The subject of our sketch w.as one of a family of seven children, four of whom are living, three sons and one daughter. One brother, .Seth A., is a resi 4 L. HILLSDALE COUNTY. 283 dent of AVaupaca County, Wis., engaged in mer- cli.'indising an;', farming. Cliarles G., Jr., the other hi-(itliei-, is in tlie lumber l)\isines.sin AV'ayne County, N. Y. Samuel II. left the farm when twenty-two j'ears of age and began working in tlie eooper-siiop of his father. On the 2Gth of December, 1M50, he was married to Miss Esther Humphrey, who was born in Dntelie.ss County, N. Y., Aug. 14, li^oO. Her parents, Henry and Tamar (Welch) Humphrey, were also natives of the Empire State, whence they removed westw'ard and died some years ago, the father in Wheatland, Hillsdale County, and the mother in Tecuniseh, Lenawee County, Feb. 27, l!S,s7. Mr. H. was a blacksmith by trade, and the l)arentnl houseiiold included seven children, five now living. The two deceased died young. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Oaks com- menced life tt)gether in Rose, Wajne Co., N. Y'., where our subject owned a small piece of ground, and where he folhjwed the coo|)er's trade two years. He then set out wiiii his wife and child for the State of Michigan, and purchased first forty acres of partlj' improved land in Wheatland Township. There was upon it a small log house of which they took possession, and made themselves as comforta- ble as possible. By the exercise of industry and economy, after a few years they found themselves witli good prospects for the future, and Mr. Oaks wisely invested his spare cajjital in additional land. 'J'his he brought to a good state of cultivation and erected good buildings, one after another, until the iiomestead bears fair comparison with those of the thrifty and enterprising men about him.. The little household in due time consisted of three children, who have all been spared to their parents. Eliza- beth L. was born in Wayne County, N. Y., Dec. 10, ISol, and is now the wife of Corvvin Cox, the sou of Robert Cox, of whom a sketch will be found elsewhere in this work; they have three children, two sons and one daughter. Charles H. was born Oct. 16, 18u3, also in Wayne County, and married Miss Ida M. Fowler, by whom he lias become the fatiier of a daughter and son ; George S. was born in Wheatland Township, this county, Dec. 10, 1856, married Miss Jennie Voorhees, of Wheatland, and is the father of a bright little girl, 'i'he l)oys are all engaged in agiicultural pursuits, and before starting out for themselves assisted their father greatly in building up the homestead. Like him, the3- are active and enterprising, and will bear his mantle worthily in the community when he shall have been gathered to his fathers. Mr. Oaks, politically, unifcjrmlj* votes the Re- publican ticket, and is a strong advocate of tem- Ijcrance. He and his estimable wife are regular at- tendantsof the Baptist Church, butare liberal in their religious views and not confined to any particular denomination. e HAULES D. SCllEliMERHORN is junior member of the welUknown fii-m of Schermer- horn & Bro., of Reading, who operate one of the leading manufactories of this part of the county and produce all varieties of building mater- ial obtained from hardwood and other fine vari- eties of lumber, 'ihey own and oecu|)y the well- known Colby Factory, which under its i)resent management has become one of the indispensable institutions of Reading Township, and conunands, besides the local trade, an extensive patronage outside. The subject of this sketch has been a lesiileut of Reading for the past three years, and occupies with his family a fine;, brick residence on the outskirts of the village. Formerly he had carried on general merchandising at Ransom for a period of eight years, and for five years had been engaged in farming. He came to this county in 1,h67, locat- ing with his parents in Ransom Townshii). Mr. Sehermerhorn was l)orn in London Tovvn- ship, Monroe Count}', this .SUvte, July 17, 1846, and remained under the j)arental roof until reaching his majority. When starting out on his own account he engaged as clerk in a store of general merchan- dise, anh ancestry, and emigr.ated to America V T _^ B ^ 4 284 i HILLSDALE COUNTY. in early manhood, before his marriage, coming upon the same vessel with his future bride, who was a native of his own county, but with whom he had not before been acquainted. While on the wide ocean tliere sprang up between them a mutual affec- tion, and after their arrival in Washtenaw County, this State, they were made one, the wedding taking place in Manchester Township. Their daughter Elizabeth was l)orn Feb. 2, 1851. Mrs. Schcrmerhorn was a young lady when her parents took up their residence in Brooklyn. Of her marriage with our subject there are two chil- dren, a'daughler and a son, Lizzie and George, who are now thirteen and two years of age respectively. Our subject, like his brother, is a man of energy and excellent business capacities, ^nd is numbered among the solid men of Reading. Politically, he ij a Proliil)itionist, and with his excellent wife, a niernljer in good standing of the Congregational Church.' (JUSTIN A. PATRICK. Lord Lindley has ^yfj|i said : "If the virtues of strangers be so at- H tractive to us, how infinitely' more so should be those of our own kindred, and with what additional energy should the precepts of our parents influence us, when we trace the trans- mission of those precepts from father to son, through successive generations, each bearing the testimony' of a useful and honorable life through their truth and excellence." This is forcibly pertinent in the case of Mr. Patrick, whose ancestors at an early day settled in the New England and the Northern At- lantic States, where they contributed their quota in bringing about those changes which are the delight of later generations. Austin A. Patrick himself is a native of the Em- pire State, where he was born in Otsego, June .3, 1828, and is the son of Stephen and Hulda (Wright) Patrick, natives of the same county. His parents were reared m their native county and remained there several years after marriage, whence they re- moved to Monroe County, in the same State, where they resided until the death of the father, at the age of eighty-eight years; the mother is still living ■» m '^- at the advanced age of eighty-seven. Their family included eight children, five of whom still survive. Austin Patrick remained with his parents until he was twenty-four years of age, assisting in the vari- ous occupations of the farm and attending the district school during the early years of his life. As soon as he became able his services were utilized on the farm, and his opportunities for receiving an education were very limited. At twent3'-four years of age he started out in life for himself, strong in hope and in the vigor of a robust manhood. He journeyed by lake and canal to Monroe County, and thence to this county on foot, the express train being too slow for the enthusiastic young traveler, arriving in Southern Michigan Nov. 3, I84l>. He at once secured a house, as it was part of his plan to begin the journey of life for himself with a maiden whom he had already chosen, and on the loth of December of the same year he was united in marriage with Miss Mary G.annett, who was born in Mercer County, N. Y., Nov. 9, 1824. She is the daughter of Alvah and Lydia (Gilbert) Gan- nett, natives of Wayne County, N. Y., and Massa- chusetts respectively. Mr. Gannett died in Monroe County, N. Y., aged thirty-eight years, and his wife coming to this county, died in Wheatland Town- shi)), aged sixty-eight years. The grandfather of Mrs. Patrick, Jacob Gannett, died in Wayne County. N. Y., a very old man, while his wife died in Macedon, in the same State. The grand- parents of Mrs. P., Charles and Lydia Gilbert, were natives of Massachusetts, and died in Sheboygan County, Wis., aged respectively eighty-five and ninety-two years. The wife of our suliject is one of three children, two of whom are yet liviiig, who were included in the parental family. After marriage our subject settled on his farm of fifty acres, to which he afterward added ten acres. At the time of his purchase it was stil! in a wild condition, and Mr. Patrick first cleared three or four acres and erected the regulation log house, though it was moi-e commodious and comfortably furnished than were those of the earlier pioneers. He continued to reside in this house until 1862, when he built a fine brick residence and made other improvements which form a marked contrast to his early environments. In addition to the fine resi- 9^ ! •►-ih-^^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 285 ¥ flence he has suitable out-builflings, conveniently located for the shelter of his slock anrl the storage of the products of his farm, and lie has the appar- atus necessary for successful com petition with the modern agriculturist. To Mr. and Mrs. I'atrick have been born eight children, only three of whom, however, survive at the present time, and are re- corded as follows: Hiram M. was born Se|)t. 10, 1855, and is a farmer by occupation; he married Miss ftLary, daughter of Zebulon Williams (see sketch of Mr. Williams), and has one child, a girl eighteen months old. George C.was born F'eb. 8, 1858, and owns a farm in Dakota; Charles G. was born Sept. 30, 1862, and resides at the homestead with his father. Mr. Patri('k, while engaged in general or mixed farming, makes a specialty of and is largely inter- ested in the raising of fine sheep, in which industry he has been quite successful, and as it is fairly re- munerative, will probably extend his business in that direction. In politics he is a straight Repub- lican, assisting his party by voice and vote on all fitting occasions. He and his wife attend the Bap- tist Church, and INIrs. Patrick is an active member of the Ladies' Missionary Socictj^ ^«-^H*^==^ ■ilLLlAM H. MYERS, prominent among the business and industrial interests of Hills- dale, has been engaged as a builder and contractor here for the last seven years. He was born near the town of Salem, Stark Co , Ohio, Jan. 27, 1834, and is the son of Christopher and Esther (Strong) Myers, natives respectivel}- of Pennsyl- vania and Ohio. His paternal grandfather was of German birth and parentage, and emigrated to the United States early in life, settling in the State of Pennsylvania, where he spent his last daj'S. The parents of our subject after their marriage settled in Ohio, where there were born to them three children, and where they passed away when their son William H. was but a uhild, the mother when he was ten years old and the father three or four years later. Thus thrown upon his own re- sources and forced to seek a home among stran- gers, young Myers became a member of one of the t families of the neighborhood for a time, after which he changed his residence to Hardin Count}', and acquired his education in the pioneer school- house in the woods, and which w.is completed with a three-months course. The building where he conned his lessons had been put together without a nail, that article being very ditficnlt to obtain in those daj's, and light w.as admitted through a place called a window and covered with oiled paper. His education completed, young Myers occupied himself at farm labor until eighteen years of age, and then became the ai)prentice of A. F. Swem, to learn the carpenter's trade, with whom he remained for a period of three years, and worked another year in th.at vicinity as a journeyman. He then changed his residence to Logan Count}', but a few months later migrated to Noble County, Ind., and engaged in setting up machinery at Ft. Wayne, opeiating as a millwright, putting in stationary en- gines and building mills. Thence Mr. Mj'ers went into Allen County, ami In the embryo village of Ft. Wayne engaged as trav- eling collector in the interests of four different business houses, at which he occupied himself un- til the outbreak of the Rebellion. During the first year of the war Mr. Mj'ers raisetl a company, with which he went as far as Indianapolis, and was then recalled home. The following year he was ap- pointed Assistant Provost Marshal of the Tenth District of Indiana, under Hiram Eddings, which position he held until the close of the war. Our subject now returned to Ft. Wayne, to which place he had removed his family, and began his operations as a contractor and builder in the States of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. During this time he completed the contracts for thirty-nine jails and five court-houses, besides vari- ous store buildings, county buildings and hotels. Among these, in the city of Hillsdale, were the jail and the Keafer House, which still si and as monu- ments of his thoroughness and skill. Mr. Myers has been three times married. His first wife, a native of Ohio, was Miss Nancy J. Gillespie. The second was Mrs. Annie B. Sutton, who died in 1S83 in Hillsdale, and the lady who now bears his name and to whom he was married in June, 1881, was Miss Delphine Park, of Elyria, -•► r 4 ,t 286 ■•^a^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. -t Ohio. They occiip}' a neat residence on the corner of Howell and Waldron streets, and in the building of his own home Mr. Mj^ers has exercised the taste and skill which have made him conspicuous in con- nection with his calling elsewhere. He takes an active part in politics, and while a resident of his native State often served as a delegate to the State Convention, uniformly upholding the principles of the Republican party. AMUEL A. OLDFIELD is a native of the Buckeye State, where he was born in Bloom- licld Township. Knox County, Nov. 3, 1 820 lie is now ;i resident of Ransom Township, where he has lived on one farm continuously' since his arrival in this State, and h.as most of his farm cleared and uniler the |)low. The father of our subject, also Samuel Oldfleld, was born in New Jer- sey, Sept. 28, 178:5, and was the son of William and Mary Oldtield, who removed from New Jersey to York State, and from there toOhioal)Out 1800, set- tling near Janesville. After some time they re- moved to Richland County, where they were among the pioneer settlers, and liought a tract of timber land three miles from Belleville, which he improved into a farm and there died. The father of our subject was very young when his parents removed to Ohio, and was reared under the parental roof. After marriage he lived for some time in Richland County, and then purchased a tract of wild land, and built a log iiouse in which our subject subsequently was born. His cradle was a sugar trough, which was made by splitting a sec- tion of a large tree and hollowing out one-half. Here his childhood was spent in the manner com- mon to pioneer's sons, .assisting as he was able on his father's farm, and attending the public schools in the neighborhood, learning meanwhile those practical lessons of life without a knowledge of which book-learning does very little for a man or woman. His father went security for another man and lost his propertj', and after that he lived in diffeient counties, finally settling in West Unity, where he spent the last ye.ars of his life. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy J. AVright, was born in England, and when a child came to Vermont. The father of our subject was by trade a brick- maker, and Samuel A. also engaged in Ih.Tt wt)rk when quite young, and followed his calling steadily for several years. He lived in Ohio until 1855, and then came to Hillsdale County and purchased the land on which he now resides. It was then in its wild condition, heavily timbered, without oven a road leading to it. but our subject at once erecteda log house, and set about the improvement of a farm. He experienced, in common with the pioneers of Southern Michigan, m.any trials and privations, calling for unlimited energy and self- denia], but his courage rose with the occasion, and he succeeded in making for himself and his large family a comfortable home, and fitting his children to take their places in life as reputable and useful citizens. Mr. Oldfleld seems to have inherited that p:itriot- ism which distinguished so eminently the settlers of the North Atlantic States, and when our country was engaged in civil warfare he enlisted in the cause of the Union, becoming a member of Com- pany F,l 1th Michigan Infantry, Sept. 11, 1861, and serving until the end of his term, when he was mustered out and honorably' discharged in Septem- ber, 1804. During his term of service he partici- l)ated in many of the most hotly contested engage- ments, among which were the battles of Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Bailey's Cross Roads, and others, while his regiment was with Sherman on his march from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and was engaged in the principal battles along the line and before Atlanta. We scarcely know which to admire the more, the man who takes his life in his hands and faces the cannon for the preservation of his Government, or the woman who, voluntarily surrendering her coun- selor and support, remains behind, and under the terrible anxiety, which is even greater than that ex- perienced on the battle-field, labors to support and train a large family. Such a lot was that of Mrs. Oldfleld, and for her self-abnegation and noble strug- gle in those dark daj's, she is well entitled to the name of a heroine. Upon his return to the peaceful vocations of life, our subject engaged in the manufacture of brick, and continued in the prosecution of this work sev- i ^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 2«9 ( i eral yc;u-s. In the meantime, liowover, ira|in)vo- ments were in proi^ress on his farm, to uiiicli he at lengtli devoted liis exclusive attention. He was united in marriage. May 22, 1H43, with Miss Mar- garet Oliver, wiio was l)(n'n in Oreene Township, Ashland Co.. Ohio, .Sept. 2.'5, 182G, and is the daughter of Daniel Oliver, who was horn in Little Beaver, Pa. Her grandfather. Lewis Oliver, was one of the early settlers of Greene Township, wlien the aborigines still lingered in the vicinity, and he erected a large block house in which the settlers might .assemble in times of danger. Deer, bears, wolves and other wild beasts were also plentiful, while small game w.as to be had in abundance; but Mr. Oliver lived to see the country settled up, and the wilderness transformed into smiling farms and beaiitifid villages, and to see his children settled on farms of their own in pleasant proximity to his. The father of Mrs. Oldfield removed with his par- ents to Ohio, and was there united in marriage with Miss Sarah Ciuick, also a native of the Keystone State. He purchased land in Greene County, and cleared and improved the farm. The father of our subject w.as twice married, and had twenty-one children, ten by the first marriage, and eleven by the second. Mr. and Mrs. Oldfield have been blessed with a family of five children, who are recorded as follows: Frances E. is the wife of .I(jseph Couth; William married Jane Wineland, and Oliver married Mary Alt.affer; while Jonathan married Mary llosor, and James married Hattie ]{owcrs. Mr. OldfleM is a member of Capt. Tarsney Post No. 3S)2, G. A. R., and in politics affiliates with the Democratic party. i>«i&i^||jg|^(^<;&^ ,|l the limits of Hillsdale Count}' may be found ^^^ many worthy and valuable citizens known for their enterprise and excellent busine.ss abilit}', an-«-4^ 4 f- ^ HILLSDALE CUUNTY. 291 Grange, where he fills the office of Master; he is likewise a mcinbcr of the Henry Baxter Post No. 2UI, G. A. II. In politics he is a Reiniblican, active and unconiproinisin"'. The portrait of the highly esteemed ijentlenian of whom the above is a l)rief sketch, will be gladly received by his many friends. ■ 1 ' ~?~7 (iHERON ANDREWS, an honored and sue. cessfnl farmer long a resident of Hillsdale County, is situated on section 6. Fa3'ette Township, where he follows his free and independ- ent calling. Mr. Andrews came to this section of country when farming was conducted under very different conditions, and cheerfully putting his shoulder to the wheel of progress, has materiall}' assisted in bringing about those changes which have placed Hillsdale County among the finest agricult- ural sections of the State of Michigan. The father of our subject, Abraham Andrews, was probably born in Greene County, N. Y., while the mother. Miss Harriet Carter, was also a native of that county. After their marriage they remained residents of that part of the Empire State until about 1830, when they removed to Walworth, Wayne County, whence they finally came to Jones- ville, this State, about the year 18.50. Mr. Andrews was a carpenter by trade, and for the remainder of liis life made his home in Fayette Township, with the exception of three years, during which they lived in Detroit, until his death, which occurred Feb. 16. 1S78. Mis estimable wife survived her husband only three years, departing this life Sept. 17, 1881. The parental family of our subject included four children, of whom Theron, the youngest, was born in Walworth, Wayne Co., N. Y., Nov. 27, 1831. When -.Onnit nineteen years of age he came to Jonesville with his parents, and has since been en- gaged in .agricultural pursuits. His education was obtained in the common schools of his native State, and was such as the f.acilities of that day afforded. Mr. Andrews has been a resident of Hillsdale County since his arrival here in 18.30, with the ex- ception of one year, and he is therefore well in- foi'med in the history of this county for a third of a century. An important event in the life of our subject occurred on the 14th of October. 1 8.')8, when he led to the altar the maiden of his choice. Miss Catherine A., daughter of Joseph and Keturah (•Tagger) Patterson, who were natives of Newburg, Orange Co., N. Y. Mrs. Andrews' parents settled in Wayne County, N. Y., but subsequently re- moved to Lenawee County, Mich., where they located in Woodstock Township, and resided until their decease. The father died April 18, 1871, and the mother Sept. 2, 1873. Their family consisted of eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom Mrs. Andrews was the fourth in order of birth. She was born in Orange County, N. Y., July 3, 1830, and removed with her parents to Woodstock Township, Lenawee County, where she resided until her marriage with Mr. Andrews. The household of Mr. and Mrs. Andrews con- sists of two children — Charles F. and Ilattie C. Charles F. is in Scranton, Osage Co., Kan. ; Hattie C. is at home with her parents. Mr. Andrews has held the office of Township Treasurer, and several of the minor offices within the gift of his townsmen, and is in politics a stanch Republican. Mr. and j\Irs. Andrews are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Jonesville, and by their ui)right course in life are entitled to and receive the confidence and esteem of their large circle of friends and acquaintances. R. WILLIAM SIDDALL, farmer and den- tist, residing on section 23, Woodbridge Township, takes an active part in the in- dustrial and educational interests of this comniunit}', and as one of the well-educated, pro- gressive men and representative citizens of Hillsdale County, it gives us pleasure to give him an honor- able recognition in this biographical volume. Dr. Siddall is a native of Ohio, born in Columbiana County, Aug. 14, 183.5. Mis paternal grandparents, William and .Sarah (Paxton) .Siddall, were natives of Loudoun County, Va., whence they removed t I 292 -•► HILLSDALE COUNTY. ■I to Ohio and settled in Columbinna County, where their son Aden, father of our siil^ject. was born Jan. 19. 1809. He was reared in his native county and brought up in the Quaker faith, liut according: to tiie laws of Ohio he was compilk d to attend the musters as a member of the State Militi.n. or to pay a fine of $2; he preferred the foinici- duty and was expelled from the Quaker society for so doing. By occupation he was a faimer and suc- cessful in a pecuniary point of view, accumulating- a competencj'. In 1831 he married Elizabeth Frazier. a native of the same county as himself, born in 1817. Her hajjpy married life terminated in 1847, she dying in Ohio in June of that year. She was a womiin of much strength of character and greatly beloved for her many noble Christian qual- ities, and was an esteemed member of the Unitarian Church. Of her union with ilr. Siildall four chil- dren were born, namely: James, William. John and j\lary E. The latter died in 1872, and John in 1884. The father of oui' subject was a second time married, taking for a wife an excellent woman, Miss Eliza McMillan, who bore him two children — Thomas T. and Joseph A. The former lives with his mother in Ohio, and the latter is a resident of Korthern Kansas. Mr. Siddall lost his life by an accident, having been killed by the falling of a tree in Amboy, Sept. 25, 18(12, and at the same time two sons of Mr. Jesse Crow were fatally injured. Dr. William Siddall of whom we write was leared on his father's faim. and attended the common schools of his native town, afterward taking a course of study at Mt. Union Seminary in Ohio. At the age of fifteen, becoming desirous of learning a trade, our subject chose that of a shoemaker, and worked at it three yeais. Then, in the fall of 18.53, he came to Michigan and worke l i M o HILLSDALE COUNTY. 297 and the surroiiiiflins: oountrj', and Mr. Stewart is contributing his full quota toward the develop- ment of tliose resources with which nature has so bountifully endowed Southern Michigan. The subject of this sketch is a native of the State of Ohio, where he was born in the town of New Haven, Huron County, Aug. 20, 18.52, and is the son of Albert G. Stewart, who is a n.ative of the State of New York. The parents of Albert G. removed to Ohio when he was but a boy, arriving in that State among the early settlers. Upon reaching manhood the father of our subject was united in marriage, in 1H47, with Miss Elizabeth Johnson, who was born in Huron County, Ohio. After marriage the young couple settled in that county' and remained there for several .years, after which they returned to Buffalo, N. \., where they spent the following ten years. Still favorably im- pressed with the West, and confident in its promise of futuie gre.itness, Mr. Stewart, in 18G8, removed with his fiimily to the city of Hillsdale, and was for a lime engaged in the produce business. He sni)si'quently returned to Lima, Ohio, where he still resides. Frank M. Stewart was about fifteen yeai-s of age when he arrived in Hillsdale with his parents. He had received the advantages of an education ob- tained at the public schools in Buffalo, and after coming to Hillsdale he eng.aged in pr;ictic.il busi- ness, assisting his father in his oflice for about twelve months. On the 5th of July, 1868, he en- tered the bank, which even at that time was a National Bank, .acting in the capacity of errand boy. The business qualities which have since dis- tinguished him were alre.idy noticeable, and at the end (jf two years he became Teller of the bank, discharging the duties of that office for a period of three years, after which he became Cashier. In 1881 he was appointed President of the same bank, which jiosition he holds at the present time. This institution w.as established in 1863, and is consequently one of the oldest in the county. On the 20th of September, 1877, the subject of this notice was united in marriage with Miss Eliza- beth M. Heiuy, of Hillsdale, daughter of Simon J. Henry, Esq. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart has been gladdened by the birth of two children, a son and a daughter: Mabel, who was born June 8, 1881, and Clifford A., Nov. 12, 1883. Mr. Stewart's connection with business men has brought him into contact with the public affairs of his community, and his fellow-townsmen have shown their appreciation of his ability by electing him to many of the most important offices within their gift. In an official capacity he first served as City Treasurer of Hillsdale, and he was next elected Mayor, serving one term to fill a vacancy caused by resignation, declining, on account of his pressing business relations, a second term which w.as offered him. He is now a member of the Board of Trus- tees of Hillsdiile College, and one of the Trustees of the First Baptist Church, of Hillsdale, of which he and Mrs. Stewart are worthy and consistent mem- bers, contributing of their time and means to .any measure inaugurated for the promotion of the causes of religion and morality, and the advancement of the interests of the community. Mr. Stewart is also one of the Trustees of the Michigan Mutual Benefit Association, which has, become one of the solid institutions of Hillsdale. In politics our sub- ject is identified with the Republican part}', and has strong convictions on the subject. He is modest in advancing his opinions, but fearless and able in maintaining them, and is ever ready to give a reason for the hope that is in him. -- ^.^^^^^^^ ON. JOHN HUFFMAN ARMSTRONG, a liT^ retired capitalist of the city of Hillsdale, was born in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Co., N. Y.i S) Aug. 30, 181.0, and is the son of Aaron and Catherine (Huffman) Armstrong, both natives of that county. The parental family of the subject of this sketch included seven children, four of whom attained their majority, though John IL, who is tlie third child in order of birth, is the only survivor of the family. In the spring of 1818 the family removed to Bethel, Ontario Co., N. Y., where they resided until 1821, when they went to the north- west corner of the township of Pr.attsburg, Steuben County. John Armstrong receive> ■•o*o.-tC)Jv>'V®-»*0' *«~ m ORENZO ABBOTT. Prominent among the I (^ respected citizens of Reading Township is JLAVs^ j|,g gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch. After a life of industry and perseverance which has been crowned by success, he is now living a retired life at the old homestead, on section 27, where he took up from the Government 320 acres, in 1835. By strict integrity and close attention to business, Mr. Abbott lias won for him- self the respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact in social or business relations, and now, in the enjoyment of a handsome competency, and a large measure of physical strength, he is pre- pared to spend the remainder of his days sur- rounded by those creature comforts which he has earned so well. In the spring of 1838 the subject of this biog- raphy left his home in York State, and accom- panied by his wife and one child, set out for the land of " great expectations.'" He first stopped in Ohio, where he remained for some time, and then came across the lake, landing at Toledo, Ohio, and thence across the country, which was almost an unbroken wilderness, to this State. The journey was made with the usual pioneer conveyance, con- sisting of an ox-team and a wagon, which conveyed his family and his personal effects. Passing through Adrian he came to Reading Township, and here found his purchase not touched by the hand of man. Winter had already set in and the snow was two feet in depth, while the country presented a very gloomy appearance to one who had spent so many years in the older States. His was not the heart to falter, however, and Mr. Abbott finding a hut near by, removed into it with his wife and child, while their only bed consisted of some straw which he found in the cabin. By keeping up a large fire day and night, they were enabled to pass the winter without much suffering. Mr. Abbott had to cut down trees on which his cattle browsed, as food for man and beast was very scarce. He at once en- gaged in the improvement of his large tract of land, and hopeless as the task at first must have appeared, from this unfavorable beginning he has built up his beautiful and well-improved farm. He is a man of wonderful physical strength and endur- ance, and has overcome obstacles which to tiie present generation appear, from their recital, unsur- mountable; but he kept the goal in view, and knowing that this section of country possessed great natural resources, which energy and skill could surely develop, he persevered until success crowned his efforts. In addition to general farming Mr. Abbott has also engaged in stock-raising, in which he has met with marked success. From time to time he has added to his land, until his possessions amount to almost 600 acres, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation as the result of thrift and good management. Real estate in this part of the country has now reached a value that makes the owner of a section of land an independent man, and while Mr. Abbott has achieved this success financially, he has not neglected social and charitable claims. He is a public-spirited and liberal-minded citizen, al- ways interested in every measure calculated to benefit his community. Lorenzo Abbott is a native of Connecticut, where he was born in Vernon Township, Tolland County, Dec. 4, 1806. (For parental historj' see sketch of ■•► i- -U HILLSDALE COUNTY. 301 H. K. Abliott.) Our subject was reared in his native count}' and learned the trade of a clotii- maker, which his father also followed. The latter met with misfortunes which caused the loss of all of his jjropevt}-. mid young Abbott at an early age was thrown ujiou his own resources. He followed his trade during his residence in York State until he came to Michigan. He was a man skillful in the use of tools, and of great inventive genius, and took great pleasure in spending his leisure time in the exercise of his skill. When a young man he drilled a hole perfectly straight through a cast-steel rifle barrel, three feet long, entirely without the assistance of the usual machines and appliances, the first feat of the kind ever accomi)lished, either in America or Europe. His right hand has not yet forgotten its cunning, and he can make almost any machine and also the tools that make it. Mr. Abbott chose for his wife Miss Clarissa Han- nah, who was born and reared in Bethlehem, Litch- field Co., Conn., and came of New England parents, who had settled in that county among the early pioneers. She was the daughter of David and Su- sanna (Kaiiford) Hannah, of New Haven, Conn., the latter of whom came of old Revolutionary stock. Her parents followed the occupation of agricult- urists, in which they were very successful, and spending the most of their years in Litchfield County, (lied there respected and honored. Many of tlieir tMUiil}' are }'et living in that old New En- gland State, and are among the most promising and prominent people of the community. Mrs. Clarissa Aliliolt was carefully reared, and received the lieiielils of a good education in her old home. She assisted liei- husband bravely in the work of redeem- ing from the wilderness a home for their children, and liveil to see the country much improved. She became the mother of seven children, and passed awny in l.s4;t. One of her children, Mrs. Mary A. \V light, died at the age of thirty-two years, and left one child; Eliza was formerly n school teacher, and is now the wife of Martin Heiry, a successful farmer of (.^uincy Township, Branch County; Delia A. became the wife of Silas Beckworth, and lives in Heading, this county ; Sylvester L. is a farmer of Reading Township, and married for his present wife KUa Haite; Amelia, .m fornicr school teacher, is ^t- the wife of Grove S. Bartholomew, an attorney-at- law, living in California; Mary C. resides at home with her parents and is unmarried. Mr. Abbott was a second time married, in 1852, to Miss Caroline E. Hannah, a sister of his first wife. Mrs. Abbott was born and reared in Litch- field County, Conn., where she first saw the light Feb. 14, 1812. She has borne to hci- husband two children : Arthur S., who took to wife Eva Hewes, and now lives on a farm in Reading, and Remus M., who remains at home and operates a gristmill. Mrs. Abbott has been the able and conscientious helpmate of her husband in all his labors, and is noted for her interest in the promotion and advance- ment of any good work. She and her husband have contributed many hundred dollars to every enter- prise calculated to build up their township in any "■ay. Mrs. Abbott is a member of the Presbyterian Church, while in politics, the sympathies of Mr. Abbott have gone out toward the Democratic party, to which be has given material support. His life furnishes an example to the rising generation of what may be accomplished by honesty and in- dustry, coupled with good judgment, while his ex- cellent habits have insured for him a green old age, with the promise of the enjoyment of many years lo come. i^^AYLOR M. AVERY. One of the neatest If^^^ homes in Hillsdale Township belongs to the ^^^ subject of this biogi-a])hy, and is pleasantly located on a |)art of section 2«. He has but forty acres, but it has been carefully cultivated, and is not excelled by any body of land in the county in fertility, and its adaptation to general farming and Stock-raising. To the latter industry Mr. Avery is giving especial attention, and in this has Imilt up an enviable reputation. Besides his little farm he is the owner of city i)roperty within the limits of Hillsdale, and is in the enjoyment of an nicome which provides him with all the comforts and man}' of the luxuries of life. .Ie£ferst>n Count}', N. Y., contained the early home of our subject, and his birth took place at the modest dwelling of his parents in Hrownville 302 HILLSDALE COUNTY. Township, May 29. 1815. The latter were Fred- erick and Persis (Brace) Avery, who were natives of Connecticut, whence they emigrated to Herlvimer County. N. Y.. before their marriage. Not long afterwaid they changed their residence to .leflferson County, where the fatiier litcame possessor of a good farm, upon which he lived and labored until his death, in about 1853, at the age of seventy-two or seventy-three j'ears. Maj. Avery, as he was called, was prominent in the township of his adoption, held the various local offices, and was a consistent mem- ber of tlie Baptist Church. The mother died while a young woman in Jefferson County, in 1824. Their daugliter Harriet, the eldest of their nine children, died when a maiden of seventeen years. The otliers were Charles B., Isaac, Pollj', Nancy, Rich ardson. Ta^ior M., Harlow and Fredericka. The subject of this history is the only surviving member of his family. His early education was extremely limited, but being bright and observant he made the best use of his opportunities, and kept iiis eyes open to what was going on around him in the world, thus securing a good fund of general information. He has followed agriculture all his life. He was married. May 30, 1843, to Miss Laura Loomis. a native of Herkimer County, N. Y., and who vvas l)orn April 5, 1821. Our subject and his wife after their marriage located in Jefferson County, wliere Mr. Avery farmed with fair success until the spring of 1857. Then deciding upon a change of location he came witii his family to this county, and purchased the laud whicli he still owns and occupies. No foot of this has l)een allowed to run to waste, and the success with which his labors have been crowned would seem to justify the opin- ion of the late Horace Greeley, that not only forty but even ten acres are enough. The buildings are neat and substantial, and finely adapted to the shelter of stock and the storing of grain. The resi- dence and its surroundings indicate the cultivated tastes and comfortable means of the proprietor. To Mr. and Mrs. Avery there were given two children only. Their son, Frank L.. married Miss Ic'a llowaril, and is living in Hillsdale; Minnie P. died at the .age of seventeen 3-ears. Mrs. Avery is the daughter of Stephen B. and Katie (Bort) Loomis, wlio were also natives of Herkimer County. N. Y., where the father carried on farming and merchandising, and died in 1870. The mother is still living at the old homestead in Brownville. N. Y. The ten children of the paren- tal family bore the names of Laura, Fayette, John. Stephen. Alvira, Delia, Charlotte. Warren. Frank and William. The latter ,ENJAMIN C. BRADLEY is Iionored and highly esteemed, not only as being the old- est living pioneer of Camden Township, but also as a noble t3'pe of those courageous, higli-minded, self-reliant, self-sacrificing, manly men, who, scarcely more than a half century ago, alone or with their families and friends, faced the untried dangers and privations of a lif(^ in the forest depths or by the malarial swamps of Southern Michigan, that tiicy niigiit redeem the land from its wild stale, and from its rich virgin soil gain sustenance for themselves tmd their children. They sought to fitund neiv liomes in the wilderness, where they li »A AA * A-i- ;. ~-t* -^ <«, IklLLIAM H. SMI' \jjjl well-known firm V7\? dealers in, and ii jr,ILLIAM H. SMITH, senior member of the of W. H. Smith & Bro., importers of, fine horses, is one of the leading horsemen of Southern Michigan, and by reason of his long experience ami close ob- servation of this noblest and most useful of animals, has brought about most wonderful results, following apon the close study of their intelligence, which nniny people maintain, with great show of reason, approaches nearly to that of mankind. The won- derfully trained animals at present under the super- vision of Prof. Crockei', who has exhibited them on both continents, are the property of Smith Bros. & Crocker, and are .accompanied b^' the latter during the cxlilbitidns given by the Professor, and which have l)een witnessed by tlious.-uids of pc<>|>le, and discoursed upon at length in the leading newspapers both in Kngland and America. William H. Smith was born in Tompkins Comity, N. Y.. Oct. 7, ISi'.K and is the son of Benjamin Sniilb. a native of Wilkinsburg, Pa. The mother, who in her girlhoorofitable manner. The chair frames are up- holsteied and finely finished by Mr. Palmer, and disjiosed of to furniture dealers throughout this and adjoining States, both east and west. They are got up in the highest style of art, and his trade commands the patronage of the best classes of so- ciety. Mr. Palmer in the pursuit of his vocation often goes out upon the road to introduce his goods and render them still more jxjpular. His business is now estalilislied on a firm basis, and gives employ- ment to a force of thirty men. In December, 1879, Mr. Palmer was united in marriage with Miss Ottie A. Armstrong, of Read- ing, who is the daughter of Rev. J. C. and Emma Armstrong, natives of Ohio, and now of Hillsdale. Our subject and his family, consisting of his wife and a little son. Arthur A., occupy a neat dwelling -•► i" -^•- HILLSDALE COUMV. 311 :1 on Manning street, and hold a good position among tlie ciillivatcd people of Hillsdale. Mr. Palmer, politically, is a llepiiblican, and his siicuess is largely owing to his upright business dealings and his promptness in meeting his obligations. J.'^ -^>> .o*o>(Sy^.uverting its wild land into broad and smil- ing fields, m oursubjcct occupies an honorable position. The home of himself and family is a l^articularly pleasant one, rendered so by the affable and courteous manners of its inmates, whose bounte- ous hospitality is well and widely known. Mr. Hanchett has lent material aid and influence toward all movements for advancing the welfare of his community, and placing it in the front ranks among its sister townships, and has well served its interests as Highway Commissioner. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party, and heartily endorses the principles promulgated by it. <<- • — l|f Hi vv lo n. o I ^ cated on se Jl^^ pursued th' ^7 EWIS H. STORER, who is comfortably lo- section 35, Camden Township, has the even tenf)r of his vvay as a peaceful and law-abiding citizen, and a skillful tiller of the soil, in this section of country fur the last thirty-five years. He began life in Wayne County. N. Y., over fifty years ago, Julj- 19, 1837, and is the son of George H. and Emily (Sedgwick) Storer, natives respectively' of New Jersey' and Connecticut. His paternal ancestors were of Ger- man-English descent, and the mother traced her forefathers back to the Pilgrims, who landed on Plym(juth Rock fr(jm the historic "M.ayflower." William D. Storer, a relative of our subject, was Collector of Customs in New York City, but finally returned to Hiurope, and passed the remainder of his days amid the scenes of his childhood. His maternal great-grandfather and seven sous did valiant service .is soldiers in the Revoluliuuary War, and Grandfather Storer carried a mnsket in the War of 1812. After the independence of Ihe Colonists hud been established the Storer family took up their residence in New Jersey, whence the}' subsequently removed to New York State. Our subject when a youth of sixteen years came with his parents to Southern Michigan. They set- tled at once in Camden Township, where the father engaged in farming pursuits, and rested from his earthly labors in June, 1871. The mother, who is still living, is now iu the eighty-fifth 3-ear of her age, and makes her home with her sou, our subject. The parental family consisted of seven childixn, but , •^ t I -^- HILL8DALE COUNTY. 321 t three of whom are living, namelj': John W. and Lewis II., of Camden Township, .nnd Nancy A., tlie wife of A. J. Longslreet, of tiie vilhige of Camden. The parents of our subject were among the ear- liest pioneers of this section, and settled in the woods of Camden Township, wiiere the\' battled bravely with the elements of a new country. The f.ather was a very industrious and energetic man, of unbounded perseverance, and labored to excellent advantage in subduing the forest and building up a homestead. The mother, who in all things was the suitable companion of a man like her husband, bore cheerfully with him the toils and privations of their early life, and now. in a comfortable home surrounded by relatives and friends, is enjoying in her declining years the comfort and quiet to which slie is so justly entitled. In religious views she is a Seventh-Day Adventist. Young Storer developed into manhood in Cam- den Township, and has himself cleared many an acre of timbered land. Few men have witnessed with greater interest the growth and prosperity of Southern Michigan, or rejoiced more at its present standing among the communities of the West. Al- though receiving only a limited education he has been a great reader all his life, and is thoroughly informed upon matters of general Interest. During the time of Mie country's struggle with treason and relx'ilion. he lai, he was taken ill with me.asles. and ciiiifiiicd in the hospital at Bardstown until in July following. He received his honorable discharge iccoiint of disability, and returned to his old haunts in this county. Taking up again his agricultural [jursnits. Mr. Storer occupied himself on land in Cauiden Town- ship imlil ready to establish a home of iiis own. On Christm.ns I).aj% 1872. he was united in mar- riage with iMiss Lettie Arnold, the wedding taking place in Camden Township. Mrs. Storer was born March 1.5. 18.51, in Ohio, ami by herunioii with our -4»- subject has become the mother of three children: Iva E., who died when one year oM ; Ina B. and Stcrry J. The homestead comprises fifty-eight acres of good land, which Mr. Storer acquired through his own industry, receiving no assistance from anyone when starting out in life. Our subject in politics is independent, and in voting aims to support honest men for the offices. He has served as Treasurer of Camden Township for two years, and occupied other positions of trust. Both he and his estimalile wife are Seventh-Daj' Adventists, and socially, Mr. Storer belongs to Rice Post No. 282, G. A. R., at Camden, and is also identified with the Masonic fraternity. "^OHN HERRINO, a prosperous miller and farmer, has been for many years identified with the industrial interests of Hillsdale ' County, and has been a resident of Allen Township since 184.5. He is the eldest son of Sam- uel and Deborah (Gridley) Herring, natives of Cortland County. N. Y., where the former was born in March, 179(), and the latter in August, 1795. After marriage they settled in the town of Virgil, in their native county, where they continued to live for several 3'ears. In 1838 they left their old home, and accompanied by their children, songiit another in Michigan. After spending two years in C;ilhoun County, they removed to Kaiaino, Eaton County, and are still living there at an advanced .age, having long passed the ninetieth milestone of life's journey, over sixty years of which they have traveled to- gether. Of their union eleven chililren have been born, eight sons and three daughti-rs. The subject of this sketch was born in Virgil, Cort- land Co., N. Y., Nov. 8, 1819. and there the years of his boj-hood .and youth were spent. In 1838 he accompanied his parents t'ancy J. Brown. Her parents, John and Hhoda (Crittenden) Brown, were natives of Connecticut and New York respect- ivelj\ After marriage they first settled in Ver- mont, but subsequently removed to Ontario Count}^ N. Y., and tliere the father of Mrs. Herring died in their pleasant home at the foot of Honeoye Lake, Sept. 3. 1825. The mother came to iSIichigan and died in Albion, in 1868. Of her marriage nine cliildreu were born, four sons and five daughters. Mrs. Herring was the eighth child of the family, anil was born Aug. 8, 1821, in Ontario County, the town of Richmond, N. Y. Of her union with our subject two children have been born — William A. and Samuel A. The former (of whom see sketch on another i)age of this Album) is Postmaster of S(juth Allen; Samuel died in 1801 at the home of his parents in Allen Township, when thirteen years old In 1845 our subject and his wife came to Allen Township to make their |)erniauent home. He bought the steam sawmill which was then owned by W. B. Couch, of Jonesville, and managed that mill very successfully for several years. Ten years later he erected a more modern sawmill, in which he conducted a flourishing l)usiness for some .years, and then disposed of it. He now owns and operates the roller mills at.South Allen, known as the South Allen Roller Mills, which have a capacity of sixty barrels daily, and he carries on quite an extensive and pay- ing business. Our subject is a man of unlimited energy and enterpiise. and does not b}' any means confine his attention exclusively to milling. He very profitably manages a general store at South Allen, and besides has charge of his farm, which is finely located on section 27, Allen Township. It contains 1G5 acres of highl}^ cultivated land, on wliich he has erected an ani|)le and commodious set of farm buildings, and a pleasant and comfortable dwelling. In the years of t(jil that have come to them since they entered upon their wedded life. Mrs. Herring has bravely bcjrne her share of the burden, and by her careful managetnent of the domestic duties pertaining to their household, she has contributed in no small degree to the uplniild- ing of their home. Mr. Herring is a man of cool head, strong will and steady purpose; he possesses marked talent for business, and is square in his dealings. In politics he is a Republican, and is a stand-by of the part}'. -fQ.-M'Ti^m: — s^^ V4_ ,^,if^/i'i/r. ^^EORGEDANA HARDING, editor of the i|| (=-, Jonesville Independent, came to Michigan ^^^41 about 1870, and three years later took up his residence in Jonesville, whore he has since re- sided. He was variously occupied until 18fSl, when he purch.ased the ofHce and material of the paper which he now controls, and has since given to it his entire attention, and with most excellent re- sults. The early home of Mr. Harding was in the city of Boston, Mass., where his birth took place Jan. 10, 1848. When he was a mere child his parents removed to Albion, Orleans Co., N. Y., where he passed his boj'hood days and resided for a period (>f ten years. During the late Rebellion he enlisted as a Union soldier, in 1864, in Company K, 54th New York Infantry, continuing in the service five months, and until near the close of the war. Al- though gaining a full realization of the hardships of life in the army, he was not called upon to meet the enemy in battle, and at tlie expiration of his term of enlistment received his discharge and le- turned to his home. After the close of the war Mr. Harding repaired to Vicksburg, Miss., where he became connected with a cotton supply house, and residei) in the vSoutli for three years following. From Vicksburg he migrated to St. Louis, INIo., where he spent one year in the employ of a wholesale drug house. At the expiration of that contract he returned to this county, where he has since resided. Besides his proprietorship of the Jonesville /«c?e- pendent. Mr. Harding also h.as an interest in the Litchflelil Gazette. He is a Republican in politics, and has been quite prominent in local, county and i w-^- ^^ (>y~7V^ -^•- HLLLSDALE COUNTY. 323 district affairs. For several years he has been a meiTil)er of the School Board, officiating as Director, and by otiier means encouraging the establishment and maintenance of the institutions for the instruc- tion and tiie highest good of the rising generation. He identified himself with the Masonic fraternity in 1886, and belongs to Lafayette Lodge No. 16, A. F. & A. M. He has been Adjutant of Baxter Post, G. A. R., at Jonesville, for some years. He is ill all respects a solid and reliable citizen, held in the highest esteem by his acquaintances and towns- men, and the paper which he is conducting has be- come quite indispensable to the people of this part of the county. — — .— r-ggr:^-: — ^ ORENZO P. REYNOLDS, of Hillsdale, was born June 19, 1830, in the township of Ply- mouth, "Wayne Co., Mich., and h.as been a continuous resident in this State since that time. His parents removed from Plymouth to the town- ship of Lyons, Ionia County, when he was six years old. He was the eldest of eleven children, all of whom lived to the age of manhood and woman- hood except two. His father and mother. Rev. Chauncej- and Mrs. Sarah Reynolds, were both born in Eastern New York, and are eighty-three and eighty years of age respectively, having lived during the administration of all the Presidents of the United States except the first two. The new home of our subject, now six years old, was in an entirely uncultivated and heavily timbered country, and during his boyhood he endured all the liardships incidental to pioneer life. He refers to running f)f errands l)efore a horse was owned in the neighborhood, to chopping timber, to burning fallows and logging, to hauling rail-cuts, to break- ing new land, to harrowing, to harvesting, to load- ing h:iy and grain, to threshing — early with cattle, later with machine — to washing and sliearing sheep, to milking cows, to butchering, to hauling grain to market — never less than five miles, sometimes twelve, sometimes fifty, anil occasionally 140 miles - — and to the unnumbered sieges of new country farm life, up to the .age of sixteen years. He chal- lenges .'uiy boy to slimv ninic constant hard service performed than was performed by him. The farm consisted of 300 acres of new land, and the meas- ure of hard work done by his father and all who were under his control, challenges a parallel. At the age of sixteen years, owing to the severe injury of a dislocated shoulder, which resulted in a crippled arm, young Reynolds was sent to school to Michigan Central College, at Spring Arbor, Jackson County, where he spent nearly four years. Owing to very severe illness here, he was taken home with his health so impaired that there was little hope of his recovery. R(!Stand skillful treatment, however, so far restoi'ed him that he engaged in teaching school, and continued until he had taught twenty-one terms, which altogether included an attendance of more than 1,000 different pupils. There arc doubtless many men and women in the Grand River Valley who grateful!^' remember Mr. Reynolds as their in- structor. By way of change he spent about a year as clerk for A. F. Carr, in Ionia, a few montiis in helping grade the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad, and the balance of his time at farming. On the '28th of June, 1852, our subject married IMiss Mary A. Rowe, of Portland, Ionia County, daughter of Joseph H. and Weltha Rowe, and a former student at Olivet College. He removed to Hillsdale in 1 SGO, arriving on tiie 18tii of March. For two and one-half years he w.as employed in making abstracts of all lands in Hillsdale County, and acted as Deputy County Clerk. In 1802 he was elected Secretary and Treasurer of Hillsdale College, entering upon his duties on tiie 18th of August. His near relation to this institution grow- ing out of the fact thatihis father was one of the founders of Michigan Central College, wliicii was re- moved to Hillsdale and became Hillsdale College; also the fact that in his boyhood he had consented to the giving of his f.-ir.'n of eighty acres to build up the school at Spring Arbor; and also the fact that he had himself been a student in its former lo- cation, at once incited him to do all in his power to buihl up tlie college in its new location. Us con- dition made Inavy and constant service necessary. The gatlii'viiig of its endowment and the erection of new buildings in his time, in addition. to the com- mon duties of the position, compelled service to the limit of his strength continu:dly. At the time I i . 324 HILLSDALE COUNTY. of rebuilding the college after the Are, he believed that wisdom lay in the direction of departing from the old plan, and in its stead of building a group of buildings, and though his views prevailed, and his plans were universally approved, so that it would seem that he ought to have been sustained, a nar- row party followed him until at the end of fifteen years' service he was disjjlaeed by a bare majority. In spite of all adverse insinuations, his work has I)orne every test, until he stands not only as an ac- curate bookkeeper, but as an honest man ; and we predict that liis faithful and competent service will l)e appreciated more and more as the years go on. After his separation from the college, Mr. Rey- nolds engaged in ins-ur.nncc vork. until it may be safelj' said that he has gathered a host of friends about him, and has built up the best agency in Hills- dale County, and in connection with his insurance, he has quite a real-estate business. For a period of nearly thirty-seven years he has been a convey- ancer, and has yet to learn of an error in description or stipulation. Of late, for his diversion, and witli a hope of finan- cial profit, Mr. Reynolds has entered upon a little of the finer breeding of horses, and already has ex- cellent promise in this direction. For the benefit of the study to himself, and for the good of others, we found him preparing for the local press, as time would permit, a most comprehensive and instruct- ive article on the subject of tlie "American Trot^ ting Horse." In 1876 Mr. Reynolds took his family, consist- ing of his wife and three daughters, to the Centen- nial Exposition at Philadelphia, visiting upon the tour Washington, Vt. Vernon, New York City and Niagara Fails. During the same year he Ijuilt op- posite, and in front of the Free Baptist Church on College Hill, a lieautiful and convenient brick resi- dence, of which he was himself the architect. In 1«79 Mr. Reynolds suffered a very severe personal injury. Upon the alarm of file in the night time, lie ran to town nearly a mile, and found the bkick in which his office was located being demol- islieil by the ruthless flames. Li his efforts to save his books, he was blown by a terrific explosion from the second story to the stone pavement on the street. He was taken up sccniinul\ riKirc dead than alive, and after ever}' effort to resuscitate him, was con- ve^-ed to his home. His recovery was hardly thought possible, but after a pivotal life of two weeks, he began to improve, and at the end of two months was in his office at work. The nervous shock, however, was so great that he has not fully recovered, and probably never will. There have been five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Rej'uolds. three of whom are deceased : The first-born, a daughter. Flora Ella, died at the age of three years, in 1856; his only son, Norman Howard, when a lad eight years of age, was killed by an accident in 1870; Lora June, another daugh- ter, graduated from Hillsdale College in 1882, and died in 18>s3, a short time before completing the twenty-third year of her age; Miss Delia ]\Liy was married, in 1884. to Adelbert D. Mclntyre, a classi- cal graduate of Hillsdale College, and formerly of (Silver Creek, N. Y.; he is now Superintendent of jjublie schools at Corunna, this State, which position he has occupied for the past three years. The fruit of this marriage is one child, a boy. The youngest daughter of our subject. Miss Julia Moore, is pur- suing lier studies in Hillsdale College. This brings the subject of our sketch down to fift^'-eight years of age, and we leave this Christian gentleman, hoping that a dozen years and more may be added, so that the desire of his heart to look over into the morning of the coming century may be realized. OSEPH SHAFER. Among the prosperous agricultuiists of Hillsdale County, who, liy their indomitable energy, perseverance and thrift, have made for themselves pleasant homes, and have become useful and worthy mem- bers of societj', no one is more deserving of honora- ble mention in this biographical volume than the subject of tliis sketch. He was born in Union County, Pa., Oct. 15, 1824. being the fifth son born to his parents, Phillip and Margaret (Carnliy ) Shafei-. The}' were both natives of Union County, Pa., and after their marriage settled there and made it their abiding-place until after the death of Mr. Sliafer, which occurreil ere lie had reached life's meridian. His good wife survived, and died at the home of our f -■— ^- IIILLSDALE COUNTY. 325 subject in Allen Township. To them had been born eleven children, seven sons .and four d.augh- ters. Joseph, of whom we write, was bereft of a father's care when five years old, and three years later was taken to Ohio to live with strangers. The subse- quent years of his early life were passed in that State, where he lived in different places, and worked at different occupations, remaining there until he came to Lenawee County. Stopping there but a few years he made his way to Hillsdale Count}' in tiie fall of 1853, and soon after bought his present farm of eighty acres, where he h.is since resided. The land w.as then heavily timbered, and it required good courage and many years of unremitting toil to clear and improve a farm and place it under cul- tivation. In this work Mr. Shafer has been very successful, it being now one of the richest and most productive farms in tlie township. '1 he fine resi- dence which he has erected and the ample barn and farm buildings are creditable to himself and an ornament to this section of the country. Our subject is largely indebted for liis success, however, to the good woman whom he so fortunately secured for a life partner, and to whom he wsis united in marringe in Lenawee County in 1848. Her maiden n.inie was Elinira Gallup, daughter of George and Khnira (Youngs) Gallup, both of whom were natives of Vermont. After their marri.ige they settled in Canada and remained there until their removal to Michigan, when they established a new lionie in Medina Township, Lenawee County, and lliciv spent their remaining years. Tliey were llie parents of eight children, of whom Mrs. Shafer was the second born to them, her birth having taken l)lace in Canada, in August, 1828. Mr. and Mrs. Shafer have four children of their own. and have adopted a son. the following being their record: Clara G., George W., Emma, Hattieand .Joseph D. Clara is the wife of Frank Ray, and they have one child. Lillian; George, who was boin in Allen Township, -June 15, 1856, was married in Hillsdale, Mich.,, Ian. 15, 1885. to Harriet M. Jewett. a native of Hillsdale, born Oct. 6, 18()6; they have one son, Orestes J., born in Allen Township, Oct. 5, 1887. Mr. Shafer, who was graduated from the civinnicrcin! dcparlnicnl nf lliilsdnlo Cf)llpg(', is a draughtsman and architect by profession. He is quite talented, having much natural mechanical ability, and takes great delight in architectural and craj'on drawings, in which he excels. Kiuma, an .accomplished young lady, was graduated from Hillsdale College; Hattie lives at home; Joseph, who was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Shafer when only four weeks old, is the son of Harvey and Amelia (Reed) Bi.xby, his mother dying May 6, 1873. The intelligence and culture of Mr. Shafer and the members of his family entitle them to a high social position in their township, and they are uni- versally respected and esteemed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. In his political views our subject is a strong Republican. ICHARD W. WILLIAMS, of Wheatland Township, owns one of the best farms, and \\ has an enviable reputation as a stock-raiser, ^'dealing largely in fipe horses and cattle, making a specialty of the former, his favorites be- ing the thoroughbred English draft, and at the head of his stables is one of the finest stallions in the Northwest. In his operations as a stock-raiser Mr. Williams has met with the success which only a man of good judgment, close observation and industry, can attain. The subject of this history is the son of Hon. Zebulon and Eliza (Lewis) Williams, a sketch of whom will be found in the biography of his brother, Zebulon Williams. Jr., on another page in this work. The parents were natives resi)ectively of New York and Maryland, and were married in Phelps. Ontario County, the former State, in ISID, and after the birth of six children came, in 1834. to the Territory of Michigan. They located first in the vicinity of the then unpretentious hamlet of Adrian, whence they removed, in 1838, to Wheat- land Township, this county, locating upon a tract of land to which there had .as 3'et not even a road been laid out. There Zebulon Williams, Sr., with his estiinMl)li' wife, passed the remainder of his d.'iys, and died amid the regrets of a cominunitj- of which he had lieen one of the most useful and active nioinbnrs. He wms iioteil for his strict integrity. ■*► I 326 HILLSDALE COUNTY. his unboundefi energy, the promptness with which he met his obligntions, and his contempt of a mean action. Richard W. Williams continued under the home roof until tweiit}' jears of age, working on the farm and attending the district school during the winter season. Now wishing to start out for him- self, he worked a year for the farmers of the neigh- borhood, spent the following year on a piece of rented land, and at the expiration of this time com- menced operations on a tract of land. 250 acres in extent, which had been deeded him by his father, on the 1st of November, lt<52. The next most important event of his life, namelj'. his marriage, occurred Oct. 19. 1S62. the maiden of his choice being Miss Helen Sawjtr. who was born in Orleans County. N. Y., Oct. 8, 1841. Mrs. Williams was the daughter of John F. and Mary (Gilbert) Saw- yer, natives of Vermont, whence they emigrated to the Empire State, and where they spent the remain- der of their lives. Her grandfather and grand- mother Sawyer had a family of seven boys, six of whom became ministers of the Baptist Church; her father was a carpenter. One of Mrs. Williams' brothers, John G., fitted himself for the profession of law, was a Judge for fifteen years, and is now serving his second term as a Member of Congress from the Orleans District, New York. The great- grandfather of Mrs. Williams was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. Of this first union of our subject there were no children, Mrs. Helen Williams departing this life at lier home in Wheatland Township on the 8th of December. 1868. Our subject was a second time married, Dec. 10, 1869, to Miss Mary Livermore. who was born in Canandaigua, Ontario Co., N. Y., April 19, 1841, and is the daughter of John and Mary (Martin) Livermore, who aie living in Wheat- land Township. Mrs. Marj' Williams became the mother of two sons, and died on the 4lh of April, 18JS4. The elder son. Henrj' L.. was born Oct. 19, 1873, and the younger, Arthur. Nov. 10. 1877. The}" continue at home with their father, and are pursuing their studies in the district school. The parents of Jlrs. AVilliams had a family of eleven children, of whom nine are living, and are residents of Wheatland. Our .subject proixises to give his boys the benefits of a good education. The}' are both bright and intelligent, and the pride of their father's heart. Richard Williams, like his father before him, is a stanch Republican, and has filled many positions of trust and responsibility. He is at present Drain Commissioner of this township. Active in church work, and in everything conducing to the moral and spiritual welfare of his community, he is one of the chief pillars of the Baptist Society, at Church Corners, giving liberally of his time and means toward its encouragement and support. He is Secretary of the Cemetery Association, and a warm advocate of temperance, although believing it un- wise at present to encourage the existence of another party. The homestead t>f our subject is finely located on section 15, and forms a most attractive feature of the landscape of Wheatland Township. The build- ings are tasteful and substantial, embracing a neat residence, with pleasant surroundings, good barns, and all the other structures required for the shelter of stock and the storing of grain. His herd of Short-horn cattle embraces about twelve head, and his stables number twelve of the finest horses in this section of the country. ALVIN SAWDEY located on his present farm in Wheatland Township in the spring ^' of 1866, and has lived there now for a pe- riod of over twenty-two j-ears. A well-educated and intelligent man, he has officiated both as min- ister of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and later of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is also a far- mer, following the latter calling mostly of late years on account of the precarious state of his health. He laliore, 1835, and died Aug. 24, 1851, in Rome Township, that county; Ransom C. was born in Lenawee County, Jan. 4. 1840, and married Miss Anna Whitehead; the}' make their home in Coldwater, and Mr. S. is occupied as a traveling salesman for the Dayton Hedge Company; they have one son, William S., now twenty-two years of age. Mary was born Dec. 9, 1845, and still lives witli her parents, together with her husband, Joseph R. Skutt, a ijiiinier by trade; William F. was born in Coldwater. Sept. l.S, 1853, and married Miss Lillie D. DeClute. of that place; he is occupied as a provision dealer and gen- eral merchant. The children of Mr. Sawdey have all received a good education, most of them com- pleting their studies in Raisin Valley Seminary, while Mary, however, took a course in Adrian Col- lege. Mr. and Mrs. Sawdey came to the Territory' of Michigan in 1833, soon after their marriage, and first located upon a tract of Government land in Lenawee County, but a few years later sold out their property in Adrian Township, and removed to Rome Tovvnship, wiiere Mr.'S. was a prjicher for a number of years. He subsequently traveled all through the State in pursuance of his pious labors, and was at length assigned, first to a change at Pittsford, next at North An the 21st of March, 1832, we were joined in holy matrimony, and these bands have never been sundered, but remain until this writing (June 29, 1888). And so we started out in pursuit of the de- sired object, namely, to get wealth. Little did we think that riches sometimes take to themselves wings and fly away; butalas for us! In twelve months our little pile had all fled, and then 1 felt when all was gone an inward whisper saying to my inmost soul, » 'Now get rich; why don't you gel rich?' O, how I felt that awful rebuke. Better obey God ; it is bet- ter than riches. I paused. 1 thought, 1 wejjt; I prayed to God to forgive me this time ami again set me in the light way ; and so He did. At this juncture I was solicited by a kind friend to pull up and come with him to Michigan, to which after a little meditation, I consented, and on the 6th of June. 1833, myself, wife and baby, were landed in the little village of Clinton, Lenawee Co.. Mich. I soon found business and became settled, and soon found something to do for the Lord. In a short time I was urged by kind Christian friends to take license topuach. which I consented to do as a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. I soon found plenty to do in this wild new country. Calls came from every quarter, and the Lord blessed everywhere I went. Calls on me to attend funerals were made for many miles around. I had no horse and had to do my traveling on foot, and so I went on, doing what 1 could to help the people to the precious word of life, free of charge. Thank the Lord! When I felt moved by the Spirit of God to preach the Gospel I did not stop to count the cost, or how many dollars I should receive as a sequence, but how mauy souls I might be the means of win- ning to Christ, and if souls were won I rejoiced. "In the years 1842 and 1843 the Abolition excitement ran very high in the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and a division and a new organization took place, and being a strong anti-slavery man, I went with the new party. In October of the year 1843 I was ordained an Elder, from which time I traveled and preached constantly for twenty-five years for a mere pittance, using my own hard earn- ings for the support and education of my family, until the battles for freedom were fought and the victory won, and the slaves were free; and the shouts of freedom went up to heaven from all over this slavery-cursed land: -Praise the Lord, O mj' soul!' After the battle over slavery was fought and the bone of contention dropped between the two bodies, I, with many others, felt it to be advisable to go back to the old church hive from which we had swarmed a few years before, where I expect to remain to the end of my short pilgrimage here. " In conclusion, I may be allowed to say that n -4^ -•^11 IlILLSDALK COUNTY. 329 quite a little of my ministerial labor has been cast among' the bereaved ami afflicted — to bind up the broken-hearted and to say words of comfort to the mourning ones. I have jireached about 300 fun- eral sermons in the course of my time. In a few short months I shall be eighty years old ; I have never asked or received a solitary cent for preach- ing a funeral sermon, nor will [ adil affliction to sorrow, or burden to bereavement." -w. - > — •■o*o..(5^ert Haines, of Reading, and they subse- quently niiHivid to Los Angeles, Cal., where they have one iliild. Arthur H. resides at the old home- stead. By his intelligence and grasp of pulilic questions. ■*► r I -4^ 1 ' a42 HILLSDALE COUNTY. i Mr. Hart lias won for himself the esteem and con- fidence of all who have the pleasure of his acquaint- ance, and while declining public preferment is a prominent and worthy citizen. Jn politics he is a solid Democrat. ~s ^^ ^ Ijy^ RS. MARCIA C. TKEADWELL, widow of C. L. Treadwell. late of Wheatland Town- ship, owns and occupies a fine homestead on section 33, which was built up by the united efforts of herself and her lamented husband. The latter was born in Monroe County, N. Y.,Nov. 22. 1IS20 or lb21, and departed this life at his home in Wheatland Township on the 7th of October. 1^82. In his death not only his family but the entire community lost one of its most highly es- teemed members. In the business world his record was unimpeachable, and in the home circle his place can never be tilled. On account of the family record of this branch of the Treadwell family not having been preserved with sufficient care, the exact year of the birth of Mr. Treadwell is not positively known, but it is certain that he was a sou of Levi and Olive (Eaton) Treadwell, who were natives of Connecticut, whence the}' emigrated to Michigan during the period of its early settlement. They lived and labored dur- ing the days of their youth and strength, and in later years, surrounded by the comforts to which they were so justly entitled, retired to the home of their son. Chancy L., where they both died, the fatlier wiien seventy-five years of age, and the mother two years younger. The Treadwell family is of Scottish extraction, and the paternal grand- father served as an officer in the Revolutionary War. Chancy L. Treadwell was reared mostly to farm- ing pursuits, and received a very limited education. When but a small boy he was employed as driver on the Erie Canal, and continued a resident of his native State until lb40. He then joined his par- ents who had already emigrated to Michigan, and thereafter remained with them until they no hjnger refpiired his filial offices. The honsiliold circle in- cluded seven children, five of wluuii grew ti) years ■^ of maturity, but only one of whom is now living, a sister, who continues a resident of the Empire State. Chancy L., on the 3d of February, 1848. was united in marriage with Miss Marcia C. Church. Mi's. Treadwell is the daughter of Lorenzo and Susan (Halleck) Church, who have long since passed to their final rest. She was born in Wayne County, N. v.. May 18, 1824. After marriage the young people commenced life together on the old Treadwell homestead, where Chanc}' L. effected great improvements, putting up neat and substantial buildings, and availing him- self of the best methods of modern agriculture. The house which now stands and many, if not all, of the barns and other out-buildings, were erected under the personal supervision of the husband of our subject. The first frame dwelling was destrojed by fire about 1868, and with it inanj' valuable [lapers and records. Mr. Treadwell always inter- ested himself in the progress and welfare of the people around him, and was a cheerful and liberal contributor to the enterprises having this end in view. He filled many offices of trust and respon- sibility, was President of the Agricultural and Hor- ticultural .Societies, and became highly successful as a stock-raiser, being in the habit of carrying off the blue ribbons at the various neighboring county and State fairs. The family have in their posses- sion several medals and diplomas awarded him as the result of his labors and excellent judgment. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Treadwell the chililren whose record is as follows: Mary E., born Sept. 21. 1850, is the wife of B. H. Bump, also a native of Hillsdale County, and boin Aug. 9. 1845; they were married at the homestead on the 4lh of March, 1875, and are the parents of two children: Harry T., born Dec. 18, 1875. and Marcia, June 24, 1880. Mr. Bump is the son of Albert II. and Fauii}' Bump, who were among the early pioneers of Michi- gan Territory, and are now residents of Lenawee County. He is carrying on the old Treadwell homestead and considered one of the best fanners in the trounty. He makes a specialty of fine horses, registered sheep and Poland-China swine, and his record in this industry is unsurpassed by any man in the i<.>unly. The second daughter, Susan B.. was born Aui;'. 21, 18G1. and is the wife of James - ^ if ' ^ u HILLSDALE COUM'Y. 343 H. RIoreland, a native of Adrian, Lenawee County, who w.as born Feb. 19, IS.OO, and is tiie son of Jiinies IL and Anna (Stepbson) Moveland; the elder Moreland is engaged in tlie tobacco and oil trade at Adrian, this State, and is a prominent and well-to- do citizen. It is claimed that Chancy L. Tread well owned the first Short-horn cattle ever brought into Wheat- land Town9hi[). In his labors and ambitions his estimable wife proved a most suitable helpmate, l)eing a lady of intelligence and education, and their children have been graduated from the best schools of the State. Mrs. Tread well was herself a teacher of several years standing, and her daugh- ter Susan followed this profession several terms among the districts of her native township. *jILBERT HOWLAND. Comparison being the criterion by which we dotermiue the I ^^ill excellence of anything, from a homestead to a valuable jewel, we ma}' perliaps in tiie most for- cible manner illustrate the position of the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch, and who is widely- and favorably known throughout llansom Township, by stating that bis Hrst dwelling in this vicinity over forty years ago consisted of a rudely budt log house, with split shingles for the roof and nothing but a stovei)ipe running through it for a chimney. Into this he moved with his wife and one child on' tlie iTthclayof December, 1842, before the structure hail been provided with a door (ir window sash and only two-thirds of the roof had been covered. Fortunately they were provided with plenty of blankets and quilts, which were hung up to keep out the cold ant. 12, h ■♦- til HILL^DALK CULMV. 345 1812. Her father, Joseph Johnson, a native of New Jersey, was born Se])t. II. 17.S2. and when a yoniiji; man made his wa}' to Massaehusells, wiiere he lived until the 1st of February, 180(). Tiience he raij^rated to Eastern New York, and from there in 1812 changed his resiilcnee to Ontario County, settling in Manciiester Village. After a year's resi- dence there he purchased land five miles away in the wilderness, put up a log house and commenced to clear a farm. This was long before the day of stoves and before they had been thought of, when the |)ioneer mothers ilid all their cooking b3' the fireplace. Like others, Mrs. Johnson spun and wove for many j-ears, manufacturing all the cloth for the use of the family. These arts she also taught her daughter Zipporah, together witii the other house- hold duties which go so far in affecting the happi- ness of the h, and came to this country in 1800. He afterward served as a drum major in the War of lis 1 2. He spent his last years in .Jackson County. Mich., dying in 1865, when seventy-five years of age. Our subject, before reaching the twentieth year of his age, and while a resident of Jackson County, Mich., was married, Jan. 1, 1862, to Miss Martha, daughter of Palmer and Paulina Barlow, who were natives respectively of New York and Connecticut. Mr. Barlow carried a gun in the Blackhawk War, and afterward settled in the town of Liberty, Jack- son Co., Mich., which had been named by the grand- mother of Mrs. Hesse, and where the parents of Mrs. Hesse still reside. They are now quite well advanced in years, the father being seventy-two years old and the mother seventy. They emigrated to that region of country in 1836, and in common with the people around them, experienced all the hardships and privations of pioneer life. Of the three children born to them Mrs. Hesse is the only one who lived to mature years. She wiis born in Liberty, Dec. 17, 1844, and her education was con- ducted in the district school. She continued under the parental roof until her marriage, and is now the mother of four children. The eldest son, Harley. has charge of the old homestead in Jackson County; Beatrice was graduated from the State Normal School, at Ypsilanti, and is engaged as a teacher in Liberty Township; Burney and Beulah are at home with their parents. The father of our subject is now living with his third wife, in Columbia Township, Jackson Co., Micb. Of this marriage there was also born one child — Bertha M. Elonzo R. is warmly interested in the temperance movement, and some time ago identified himself with the Prohibition party. He works for the cause whenever opportunity affords, and has filled many offices of trust and responsi- bility. Both he and his excellent wife are members •►^i-^: 1 ' t HILLSDALE COUNTY. 349 in srood stan<29 he again started westward with his wife and children, and we next hear of the family in the town of Lima, in Indiana. Mr. Root was an ambi- tious, hard-working man, and was steadily engaged in developing a good farm and Imilding up a com- fortable home, when his useful life was cut off in its prime bj- his death in December, 1831. By this sad event a wife and six children were bereft, and on the loth of August, 1834, the patient and devoted mother was also taken from her children. After her death the subject of this sketch came to Michi- gan to live with an uncle, whose home was in Me- dina Township, and there the remaining years of his boj-hood were p.-issed. In that town he met and made the acquaintance of Harriet Pixlcy, a daugh- ter of Calvin Pixley, one of the first settlers of Medina Township (for parental history see sketch of Hiram Pixley). On the 'id of April, 1843, our subject and his young friend joined hands to walk the path of life together. They continued to live in the town of her birth until 1844, when Mr. Root bought the place where the remaining years of his life were passed, and which in the busy years that 4* followed he developed into one of the best and most productive farms in the township. He first erected a log house, but later in life he replaced it by an ampler and more substantial dwelling, which is beautifull}' located a short distance from, and in full view of the lovely sheet of water called Lime Lake. Mr. Root was a practical, sagacious man, his life was characterized b}- straightforward and honorable dealings, and at his death. Nov. 24, 1866, an affectionate husband, kind father and good neigh- bor, was removed from this community. Ten children were born to our subject and his wife, of whom the following is a record: Hiram H. lives in Edon, Ohio; Lucj^ A., Mrs. Tnttle, lives in Wright Township; Eliza A., Mrs. Price, lives in Kalkaska County, Mich. ; Emily M., Mrs. Baker. lives in Reading; Wilber E.. Calvin E. and Jcnett live at home; Irwin A. lives in Wright Township; Ross H. lives in Platteville; John Ernest lives at home. V\^e cannot leave this sketch without a passing notice of the active assistance apcorded to our sub- ject by his wife, who occupies with her children the home that she helped him to buihl up. Mrs. Root was brought up amid the scenes of a pioneer life, and remembers well tiie incidents connected with it and tiie wild surroundings of her girlhood home in an early settlement. She remained under the parental roof until her marriage, and under the careful guidance of her mother she became a fine housewife and an excellent manager of household affairs, learning, among other things, to spin and weave with great skill, so that vvhen she took upon herself the duties of a wife she was amply able to perform her share in making their married life a success, and w.as indeed a true helpmate to her hus- band. -^»t?>*^5'si*;S^^«^;tf-««;«s^ 'SiHOM AS LAZENBY. who is numbered among the solid farmers of Allen Township, is a man whom nature has i)rovided with a good fund of sound common sense and strict integrity of character, and the other qualities which have caused him to be held in high esteem bj' his neigh- bors and the community in general. He is the owner of a good homestead on sections 6 and 7, HILLSDALE OUUMY. •' ^m ^ which comprises 120 acres of land, with creditable farm buildings, and supplied with the machinery necessary for carrying on agriculture in a profitable manner. There is an air of comfort and thrift about the premises which is exceedingly pleasant to contemplate. Our subject is a native of Yorkshire, England, his birth talking place under the modest roof of his parents on the 8th of January. IHIH. Tiie latter, Christopher and Elizabeth (Harding) Lazenbj', were natives of the same county as their son, and there the mother spent her entire life, her death taking place when comparatively a young woman, about 181H. The father subsequently emigrated to America in 1822, and settled first in Massachu- setts, where he lived until 1846. Then making his way to the young State of Michigan, he took up his residence on a farm in Quiney Township, Branch County, where his death took place in 1865. Thomas Lazenby was the only child of his par- ents who lived to mature years. He continued a resident of his native county until thirty years of age, engaged in farming pursuits, and in the mean- time was married about 1840, to one of the maidens of Yorkshire, Miss Hannah Smith, who was born Jan. 1, 1820. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. L. set- tled upon a small tract of land near their early home, where they lived until after the birth of three children. In 1852 our subject resolved to seek his fortunes in the New World, and accord- ingly gathering together his family and personal effects, boarded a sailing-vessel bound for Quebec, Canada. Upon reaching America they came di- rectly to this State, taking up their residence in Quiney Township. Branch County, where they lived al)<>nt two yeais, and then Mr. Lazenby rented land in Allen Township, this county, which he subsequently cultivated for a period of ten years. He had been fairly successful in his labors, and saved sufllcient to purchase land of his own, and selected the farm which he now occupies. This comprises 120 acres, the greater part of which is under good cultivation, and where he has made good improvements, putting up excellent farm Iniildings, including a neat residence. He has a fair assortment of live stock, kept in good condi- tion, and all through his career h.as been blessed with the happy faculty of taking care of what he has .acquired. To our subject and his excellent wife there have been horn fourteen children, but six of whom are living: Christopher first married Miss Orinda Cronk, who died in Allen Township, and he was then married to Miss Josephine Lenson; Jane E. is the wife of Ambrose Loekwood. of Allen Town- ship; Ellen, Mrs. D.avid Cowen, resides in Quiney, Mich.; Hannah married Charles Joiner, of Allen Township, and Margaret is the wife of his brother, Ralph C. Joiner; Betsey, Mrs. John Condra, has a home in Allen Village. Mary died when twelve years of age. The wife of our subject departed this life at her home in Allen Township, May 30, 1881, when sixty-one years of age, having been l)orn Jan. 1, 1820; she was a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her parents, Robert and Jane Smith, were both natives of Yorkshire, where they spent their entire lives. Mr. Lazenby identified himself with the Methodist Church about 1868. of which he has since been a consistent member. He deserves great ciedit for his industry and perseverance, and will leave a record to his descendants of which they will never be ashamed. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^-^ ^^ HARLES C. WELLS, who departed this life at his home in Allen Township, on the 9th of May. 1886, was born in Hopewell, Onta- rio Co., N. Y.. March 21, 1813. He spent his early years near the place of his birth, .and upon reaching manhood married, Dec. 30, 1835, Miss liachel Polhamus, who was a native of the same town as her husband, and was born .Tune 2. 1819. Mr. Wells and his wife, after a residence in .Steuben County of sever.al years, deciding upon a change of location, came to this county in May, 1849, and settled upon a farm in Allen Township, where they continued the remainder of their lives. The wife and mother survived her husband only a few months, her death taking place Oct. 1, 1886. They 'were the parents of five children, of whom the record is as follows : Charles H. was born in Hopewell, Ontario Co.. N. Y., Oct. 23, 1836, .and ■^^ •«► HILLSDALK COUNTY. 361 is now livinji on the old homestead ; Eleanor A. was horn in Stcnhen County. N. Y.. April 5, 1840, and is now the wife of John Pasco, of Muskegon, Mich. ; 'riiankful J. was born in Steuben County, May -24, 1847. and is now at Hillsdale; Ilattie E. •was born in Allen Township, this connty, Oct. 29, 1851. and is now with her brother on the home- stead ; Frances I. was born in Hillsdale Township, Oct. 21. 185(5, and is now the wife of Fred Swartz, of the latter township. Since the death of Mr. Wells his son Charles H. has had charge of the farm of eighty acres, which is pleasantly hicated on section 1.3. in Allen Township. The homestead is comfortahle and well appointed, the soil under a good state of cultiva- tion, and the buildings compare favorably with those around them. Mrs. Rachel Wells was a mem- ber of the Methodist Church. 'vr^j#3 ^;';?'t ^^t^i\Jr. W work 1= SON B. RICKERD. A biographical of the representatives of Hillsdale lii County that did not include a notice of the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch, M'ould be incomplete. He is a self-made man in the noblest meaning of the term. Remain- ing with his parents until one j'ear after his mar- riage, assisting in general farm work, and having little or no book learning, he has become an edu- cated man in the true definition of that term, and has acquired a handsome competency of the good things of this world, with which he has surrounded himself on tme of the finest farms of Wheatland Township. Such a history as his is worth preserv- ing, that it may be read by future generations, who may learn what may be .accomplished by honest in- dustry and well-directed effort, and may be stimu- lated to "go and do likewise." The subject of this notice was born in Washing- ton County, N. Y., July 28, 1824, and is the son of John and Sallie (Gyle) Rickerd, the former of whom was born in Herkimer County, in the Empire State, Sept. 23, 1789, and died in this township at the age of seventy-eight years. He migrated to this State in 1834, and located a tract of Government land in Lenawee County, from which he subsequently re- moved to Wheatland Townsliip, this county. The mother of our subject was born in Washington County, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1795, and died in this township at the advanced age of eighty -eight years. The grandparents of our subject were of German descent, but emigrating to this country, died in Chautauqua County, N. Y., the grandfather at the great age of ninety-seven years. He served in the Revolutionary War, while the father of our subject was engaged in the War of 1812. Grandmother Gyle lived to measure almost a century. The fam- ily of Rickerds were active Wiiigs, and subsequently Republicans. They were consistent Christians, and were preeminent and liberal in church affairs, and public-spirited citizens. Upon first coming to Wheatland Township, the parents of our subject erected a log cabin, in which they lived until the time of their decease. Mr. Rickerd and his eldest sons cleared fifteen acres of this land during the first year. In this log house they re.ared their family of thirteen children, seven of whom still survive. One son, John, is a farmer in Grand Traverse County". Mich., and another is a blacksmith in the same county; a third is engaged in mercantile business in Eau Claire Connty, Wis.; another son, a cooper by trade, served in the late war, and is in the receipt of a pension; one sister died in this township, one became the wife of Mr. Van Patten, and another resides in Gratiot County, Mich. Our subject was united in marriage on the 25th of Maj'. 1845, by E. Lumley, Justice of the Peace, with Miss Dersy A. Sales, who was born in New York, Monroe County, April 11, 1827, and is the daughter of John and Betsey (Putnam) Sales, na- tives of Farmington, N. Y. The}' came to Michi- gan in 1834, and located at Devil's Lake, Lenawee County, whence they subsequeutlj' removed to Cal- houn Count}-, and there the father died at the age of thirty-five years. His wife survived him some years, dying at the home of our subject in 1850, at the iige of forty-one years. Their famil}' included nine children, five of whom yet survive; one son, Chauncey, was killed in the army. To Alanson B. and Dersy A. Rickerd have been born seven children, all of whom survive, .'is follows: Albert D. was born Jnne 18. 1846, and niaiiiccl ^^►Hl-^ 352 HILL.SDALK COUXTV. Mary J. West, May 29, 1864; they have three chil- dren — Floyd C, James A. and Gertie M. AVillard E. was born March 12, 1848, married Mary Mc- Gregor, and has two children — Gaylord H. and Otis G. ; one son, Howard W., died at the age of three years and ten days; Emeline E. was born on the 7th of January, 1851, and became the wife of Willis Baker; they have four children — Alice A.. Frances E., Forrest W. and Lena E. (Kor family history see sketch of Willis Baker.) Harriet C. was born Oct. 30, 1857, and became the wife of Mr. George Cooper, a farmer in Iowa; Fred S. was born May 7, 1866; Lilie G., Nov. 23. 1870, and Frank W., April 11. 1872; these three still reside at home. During the first year after marriage our subject resided on the home farm, and then started out to establish a home for himself on a farm west of where he now lives, and there remained until 1853. He then went across the mountains and engaged in lumbering in California; he spent about three years in that State, part of which time he was employed in mining. Upon his return to this county, he set- tled on his present farm, upon which he has resided ever since, except three years, whieh he spent in California, again engaged in the lumbering busi- ness. In 1854 Mr. Rickerd bought the parental homestead of sixty acres, and after his return from California he added to it forty acres, thirty-five of which were improved, and he has since brought his farm to a high state of cultivation, and erected thereon comfortable and commodious farm build- ings, and made many valuable improvements. Mr. Rickerd learned the cooper's trade when a small boy from an older l.i'other, and has followed it at intervals for thirty -three years; his sons also are all first-class mechanics. The wife of our subject is a lady very highly es- teemed in the neighborhood, and belongs to the Ladies' Society. Like her husband, she is an active and respected member of the Methodist Episcojial Church, and has been for forty years. Mr. Rickerd has taken a prominent part in church work; he was Superintendent of the Sunday-school eight years, and has been Steward of the church, and also Class- Leader, for a number of years. In politics he is a Republican, and is prominent in township and county aflfairs. He is a public-spirited, liberal man, •^9 — — .^-__ and has been identified with almost every enter- prise for the public good, while he and his wife are earnest advocates of the cause of temperance. Mr Rickerd belongs to the I. O. O. F., Rural Lodge No.' 72, of North Adams, and has held every office in the lodge. \ j OIIN M. RAYMOND. The subject of this I sketch came to Michigan in 1 854, and located I on a part of the 120-acre farm which he now ^ owns and occupies. His first purchase was forty acres, upon which he made some improve- ments, and seeing a prospect of success in the future, added eighty acres more. His first dwelling was a log shanty, and his other surroundings in keepin« with his residence. The land was practically un"- cultivated. Mr. Raymond is fully entitled to be classed among the pioneers, as he has worked up from first principles to the ownership of one of the most comfortable homesteads in Jefferson Town- ship. In addition to general agriculture, Mr. Raymond devotes considerable time to the breeding of fine stock, in which, as in the other departments of his calling, he has met with success. He was bred to farm life from his boyhood, and his ambition has been to excel. The results of his industry and per- severance are shown in his surroundings, which will compare favorably with those of his neighbors, and in some respects exceed them. The log shanty was long ago replaced by a handsome modern residence with a cellar eight feet deep under the whole, and which is one of the finest in the State of Michigan, and serves almost as well for the preservation of provisions as an icehouse itself. In the rear of the residence is an orchard of choice apple trees and the smaller fruits, whose products supply the family the year around with the luxuries of the season. Our subject passed his j'outh and early manhood in 'lully Township, Onondaga Co., N. Y., where his birth took place Oct. 24, 1803. It will thus be seen that Mr. Raymond is quite advanced in years, notwithstanding his energy and ambition. His par- ents, John and Polly (Evans) Raymond, were na- tives of Saratoga, N. Y., and passed to their long home many years .ago. The father was a farmer by f -U ■» II » HILLSDALE COUNTY 353 occupation, and inclined to Democratic principles. The nine children of the parental family were named respectively: Nathan, John, Polly, Moses, Royal. Anna, Sally A., Louisa and Jessie. The e- \f)OHN L. RICE, who is a gentleman of excel- lent standing among the farmers and stock- raisers of Camden Township, came to his land on section 1 when a ^oung married man in the spring of 1854. He first purchased eighty acres, to which he grailnally added, until now lie is the possessor of 1!)() acres wliji-h. by tlie exercise of great industry and resoiiiliuii, hi' cIcmiciI t- from the timber, and has brought to a fine state of cultivation. He has a substantial set of frame buildings, the most modern and improved machin- erj', and everything in keeping with the cmplo\'- ments of the progressive and intelligent agricult- urist. A native of Butler County, Pa., our subject was born Sept. 13, 1831, and is the son of John and Rachel (Lambert) Rice, the father now deceased, and the mother continuing a resident of the Key- stone State. The paternal grandfather, Ilenr}' Rice, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and after the conflict was ended, located first in Berks County, Pa., whence he afterward removed to Butler County, where he spent his last days. He has now a numerous posterity scattered through- out Butler County and vicinity, and in other parts of the United States. John Rice, Sr., the father of our subject, de- parted this life at his home in Butler County, Pa., in March, 1 887. He was the head of a large fam- ily of children, of whom the following survive: Polly, William, Rebecca, Sarah, John L. (our sub- ject), Isaac, Jacob S., Alfred, Benjamin E., Lj'dia and Emma. These are residents mostly of Penn- sylvania. John L. was reared to manhood in his native county, receiving but a limited education, but early in life began laying his plans for the future suggested by his natural industry and en- ergy. When twenty years of age he was united in marriage with a maiden of his own county. Miss Jeiuiie Stewart, in October, 1851. Mrs. Rice was born July 2G, 1830, and is the daughter of William and Eliza (Trew) Stewart, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and passed away some years ago in lliat Stale. William Stewart was of Scotch an- cestry, while the forefathers of his estimable wife claimed their origin in Ireland. The Rice family settled in Butler County, Pa., during the period of its early history, and the Stewarts settled in Beaver County. The family of William and Eliza .Stewart consisted of eight cliildien, of whom six are living, namely: Alexander, John F., Archibald G., Mar- garet, Hiinnah and Jennie. Thej' are residents mostly of Pennsylvania. Mr. Mild Mis. Rice came to this county when young people, and all hut one of lluir seven cliil- f -4^ 354 HILLSDALE COUNTY. dren were born here. The six surviving are: Richard M., Hiram D., Theresa !S., Ka3', Minnie H. and Stewart. The latter is supposed to be in Mon- tana. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have had a full experi- ence of pioneer life, but in their later j'ears are enjoying the fruits of their labors as the^' deserve. They have always been hard-working people, and our subject, like Longfellow's Village Blacksmith, "can look the whole world in the face, for he owes not any man." Soon after the outbreak of the late Rebellion Mr. Rice, la3'ing aside his personal interests and plans, enlisted, in December, 18G1, in Company C, 7th IMichigan' Infantry', and soon after was pro- moted to Sergeant. His company was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and he participated in the battles of Fair Oaks, Antietam and Fredericks- burg, and followed the seven-days retreat under Gen. McClellan. and Gettysburg. After a faithful service of four years he received his honorable dis- charge at the close of the war, returning to his home in July, 1865. Then, taking up the thread of his life, he has since pursued the even tenor of his w.ay, each year seeing him make some headway in the improvement of his farm and the providing of that which should sustain him in his old age. Mr. Rice in 1882 identified himself with the L O. O. F., and is now a member of the lodge at Camden. w ILLIAM WILSON, a retired merchant of Hillsdale in comfortable circumstances, owns and occupies a fine home in the south- western part of the city, ami as one of the older resi- dents, aiding in establishing its business |)restige. is regarded with t!ie tacit i'esi)ect accorded those who have performed well their part in life, building up for themselves a good record and being of service to those around them. Our sul)ject was born in Greene County, Tenn., June 25, 1S17, where he lived untd a youth of fif- teen years, and then with his parents, Adam and Margaret (Maglll) Wilson, removed to Sullivan, Ind. The lownsliip which now bears that name was then in its enibi^o condition, and the Wilsons settled upon a tract of land where the father elimi- nated a good farm from the uncultivated soil, and with his estimable wife passed the remainder of his days. The children of the household, consist- ing of five sons and three daughters, all lived to mature years, William being the fourth son and child. His elder brother. John H., proved to be a man of more than ordinary capacity, and while still young in years was first elected Sheriff of Sul- livan County, aad subsequently chosen to represent the county in the Indiana Legislature. The second brother, John M., migrated to Missouri, where he can-led on farming until his death, which occurred about 188C, in the vicinity of Dixon; Henry K., also prominent in the affairs of Sullivan County, Ind., was Clerk of the Circuit Courtand also County Clerk until elected Senator in the district ci)uipris- ing Sullivan and Greene Counties. He died in Sullivan County about 1882. The sisters are in Sullivan County, Ind. The education of Mr. Wilson began in the district schools of his n.ative count}-, and the family being among the pioneers of Indiana where schools had not been generally established, his education was thus somewhat limited. He continued on the farm of his father until reaching his majority, and then entered upon his mercantile experience by engag- ing as clerk in a store of general merchandise in the town of Merom, and for the firm of Paul & Reed, with whom he remained for a period of ten years. He then went to Sullivan, the county seat, and es- tablished in business for himself, conducting a store of general merchandise successfully until his re- moval to this county in the spring of 1864. Mr. Wilson at once took up his residence in the city of Hillsdale, and inaugurated the trade which !ic successfully prosecuted for a peritxl of sixteen years, when advancing age admonished him that it would be wise to retire. While a resident of Sulli- van County, Ind., he was united in marriage with Miss ALartha Mann in 18411, and they became the parents of four children, two of whom died young. The two sons living are : Heiuy K., in Hillsdale, and John D.. who is running a tea store at LaCrosse, Wis. Mrs. Martha Wilson departed this life at her home in Hillsdale, in Fel)ruary. 1872. The present wife of our subject, to whom he was married in June, 1874, was formerly Mrs. Maria •^ I t ; ■^•- UILLSDALE COUNTY, 355 McDermirl, who wns born in Monroe County. Nov. 23. 1821, :uk1 is :i lady of njany .nmiable qualities. Her parents were Clark and Betsej' Hall. Her first husband, .John McDermid, was elected to the .State iSenate in 1861. He was engaged in the business of a miller and farmer, in addition to his political du- ties. They were married at Cambria in the year 1861, and Mr. McDermid died at his home there, May 16. 18G8. His son, Henry A. McDeimid, was a native of Michigan. He is now in Hartford, Conn., and excells in the trade of a draughtsman and machinist. Jolin McDermid was one of the first settlers of Hillsdale County. He was born in .Sara- toga Count}', N. Y., in August, 1 809, and lived there until 1835 or 1836. Politically, he was a stanch Hei)ublican. Mr. Wilson h.is been quite prominent in public affairs, serving as Alderman of the Third Ward one term, and following this w.as elected M.ayor of the city, which office he held two years. He was in earlj' life an adherent of the Democratic party, but identified himself with the Republicans at the time of their organization in 1856. Both he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Presityterian Church. - * > '- J>0^ - — ^EOROERIEHM. While traveling through Hillsdale County, the biographical writers of this Album met but few active business men who were natives of the county. The vast majority of those who to-dav are tilling the soil or engaged in business or commercial enterprises were born without the borders of the county. Many, indeed, were natives of another land who came to this country of "great expectations," where they hoped to enjoy better facilities for securing a com- petence for their families and a name among men. Of these fTcrmany has ctintributod a large share, and it is a remarkable fact that thuugh the}' came here unacquainted with our manners, unable even to speak or understand our language, they soon ac- conunodaled iheuiselves lo tlu'ir surroundings and took place among our most lions 356 ,t HILLSDALK COUNTY. solely in the sense of accumulating wealth, but in doing good to others, in serving tliein well, and in winning their respect and esteem. He has ever strictly observed th.at most important factor in the successful public or business life of any man — hon- esty. He is a careful, conscientious business man, ever adhering to the dictates of his conscience in matters bt)th of a public and private nature. Having a natural longing for the scenes of his childhood, and being now circumstanced so that he could afford some relaxation from his duties, in 1862 Mr. Riehm paid a visit to his old home in Germany, where he enjoyed himself among the scenes and friends of his childhood, reviving old associations and pleasant memories. In politics, Mr. Riehm upon becoming a citizen of this counlrj' identified himself with the Democratic party. eHARLES ROZELL. The subject of this biography came to Southern Michigan in its pioneer days, and is now numbered among its oldest and most highly respected residents. He took up his residence in Litchfield Township in 1854, purchasing the land upon which he now re- sides, and where he has for a period of forty-five 3-ears moved among the people of his community in tliat praiseworth}' manner which has secured for him tlieir unlimited confidence and esteem. The first purchase of our subject in Litciifield Townshij) was eighty acres on section 1 . the land being in an uncultivated condition, and upon wiiich the labor of jears vvas necessary for its transforraa- ti»u into a productive farm. Mr. Rozell went about his task with his cliaracteristic energy, and its present condition indicates the result of his labors. He is the offspring of an excellent family, his parents being Banell R. and Martha Ann (Burnett) Rozell, who were natives of New York, and settled near Lyons, Wayne County, where they spent tiie remainder of their lives. Tlie father performed good service in the War of Ifsii, and passed away at tlie ripe age of seventy-seven years. Tlie mother survived her husband some years, her death taking place about 1882. at the age of eighty-eight 3'ears. Tlieir ten children consisted of five sons and five •► m ^^ -_ daughters, among whom the estate, valued at from |!25,000 to 130,000, was divided. Of the ten children of the parental family four are living, three of whom are residents of New York State. Charles, the third child, was born Sept. 23, 1818, at Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y., where he spent his childhood and youth and acquired a common-school education. At the age of seven- teen years he made his way to Gilboa, where he learned the trade of tanner, and three years latei' was married, Sept. 23, 1838, to Miss Penelope Penoyar, a native of his own town, and who was born Jan. 30, 1818. Mrs. Rozell is the daughter of Reuben and Margery (Van Sickle) Penoyar, who were natives respectiveh' of Vermont and New Y'ork State, and who came to Michigan in 1837, settling near Pulaski, Jackson County, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The mother died at the age of seventy-eight years, and the father at eighty-seven. Their thirteen children consisted of six sons and seven daughters, Mrs. R. being the sixth child. After marriage our subject and his wife lived one year in their native State, then coming to Michi- gan in 1840, settled first in Concord, Jackson County, and three years later purchased the land which they now occupy. Here their eleven children were horn, of wiiom the record is as follows: Margery, tlie eldest, died when twent3'-eight years old; Daniel R., after the outbreak of tlie Civil War, enlisted in Coinpan3' A, 4th Michigan Infantry, serving until he was wounded and taken prisoner in the seven-da3's fight at Richmond; he was soon afterward paroled and returned home, not, however, to stay, for as soon as recuperating he re-enlisted, in Company A, lltli Michigan Cavalry. He served until the close of the war, in the meantime receiv- ing the commission of .Second Lieutenant, and was proffered a Captaincy, which he declined. He is now a resident of Los Angeles, Cal., and carrying on an extensive lumber business. Miss Ann Rozell be- came the wife of Frederick Schwabb, and is the mother of two children — Gertie and Charles; they live in Homer Township. W.alter enlisted in Com- pany A, 11th Michigan Cavalry, and Williani. his twin brother, vvas a member of another comi)an3' in the same le^imeiit; they both served until the tnd I t t M- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 357 of the will'. William in.'in'iei! Miss Mari^aret Racer, and is now faiiiiins^ in Xoliraska; he is the father of two children — Albert and Harriet. Walter mar- ried Miss Delia I'ierce, and they have one chihl, Albert; the third son of our subject, Albert, is in Los Angeles, Cal., with his brother Daniel; Charles remains at home with his parents; JLary is the wife of Frank Smith, of Homer Townsliip, and the mother of one child, Katie: Lucinda is tiie wife of Abraliam Smith, of HomerTownship. and the mother of a babe unnamed; Alice married Forest Winter- stein, of Litchfield Township; Elizabeth, of Homer Townshi]), is the wife of diaries Hatch. Mr. Rozell began life dependent upon his ovvn resources, and from the school of experience has learned valuable lessons. His farm of 120 acres is highl}' productive, and in addition to general agri- culture he makes a specialt3' of Short-horn cattle, which inilustry is the source of a handsome in- come. Politically, he is a Prohibitionist, and although no office-seeker, has served as Drain Com- missioner, and occupied other positi(jns of trust. In religious matters he is a Methodist, a member of the societj' at Mosherville. Mrs. Penelope Rozell departed this life at her home in Litchfield Town- shii), March 2, 188C. The present wife of our sub- ject, to whom he was married Maj' 14, 1887, was formerly Mrs. Sareiita Gurnnell, of Dimondale, this State, and who, by her marriage with Thomas Gurnnell, became the mother of three children — William C, Frank H. and Frederick T. The eldest son is a miller by trade and a resident of Grand Ledge, Eaton County; Frank H. is farming in Rice Creek, Calhoun County; Frederick T. is at home. Mr. Gurnnell was a tiative of England, and died May 13, 1873, at the age of twenty-nine years; they were married in 1 866. Mrs. Rozell is the daughter of Martin and Keziah Bromeling, and was born in York State, April 15, 1840. Her father was a native of New York State, and her mother, Keziah (Olds) Bromeling, was a native of Canada. They spent their last j'ears in Michigan, the father clying in 1857, at the ago of si.\ty-two }-ears, and the mother in 1867, at the same age. Mr. Rozell w.as a Democrat until the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency, when he idcniificd himself with the Republican party, which he supported until the agitation of the temperance question, and is now a lively Prohibitionist, totally opposed to either the manufacture or sale of intoxi- cating liquors. ^^^ROWBRHiGE WARD, who is a respected jfjf^^ citizen and representative farmer of Wright ^^^ Township, was born in the town of Worth- ington, Mass., June 16. 1810. His father, Nahum Ward, was a carpenter by trade, and died in Wash- ington, Berkshire Co., Mass., in July, 1829. His wife, whose maiden name was Priscilla Herrick, was left by the death of her husband a widow with seven children, and she was a second time united in marriage, with Israel Bissell, and lived in Hinesdale, Berkshire Countj', a few years, after which they removed to Ohio, and settled in Freedom, Portage Countj', where they resided until the death of her husband. She then removed to Hancock County, .and there spent her last 3-ears with her daughter, near Finley. The subject of this notice was a lad of thirteen years when his father died, and he was then thrown upon his own resources. He engaged in various kinds of job work, such as chopping wood, laying stone wall, and general farming, and in the spring of 1832 he went to New York, and engaged in laying st< ne wall in Dutchess County. After a short time he returned to Massachusetts, .and in 1833 he came west as far as Ohio, and settled in Portage County, where he was employed at various kinds of work. He was afterw.ard employed during the construc- tion of the Western Reserve College buildings, at Hudson. While in that count}- Mr. Ward was married, Sept. 19, 1844, and he purchased a bouse and lot at Twiiisbiirg, and was there employed as a carpenter until 1849, when he sold out his interests in the Buckeye State, and coming to Michigan, settled in Medina Township, Lenawee Count}', where he purchased a tract of ninety-two acres of land, on twenty .acres of which the trees had been girdled. He cut down some trees, and drawing them to the mill, had them sawed into planks, with which he built a plank house. He then engaged at I' " ► ii ^ ^i^ 358 iiillsdalp: county. •►-i-4 V cai'pentering, and as opjioilunitj' offered, proceeded with the clearing of his land. Money was scarce among the early settlers, and lie nsed to exchange work with the farmers, lie doing carpenter work fc)r them, which they wonld pay for liy working on his land. In 1864 he sold his proi)ert3' and came to Wi'iglit Township, where he ln^mght the farm npon which he now resides. At the time of purchase twenty acres of land were i)artially cleared, bnt tlicre were no buildings, and he first erected a small frame house in accordance with his means, into wiiich the family removed, and resided some j'ears. This lias now given place to a good frame residence, rtanked with convenient and commodious out-build- ings, suitable for the |iurp(_)scs for which thej' were intended. Mrs. Ward, wiiose maiden name was Nancy A. Calkins, was born at Butternuts, Otsego Co., N. Y., May 13, 1825. (She learned to spin both flax and wool, and when but a girl earned money to buy a spinning-wheel, wliich she lias used more or less every year since, and on which she taught every one of her daughters this useful and housewifely, aecoraplishment. Her paternal grandfather, Ezra Calkins, was among the early settlers of Otsego County, where he followed the occuiiation of a farmer, and improving a farm spent his last ^^ears in that count}'; his wife, the grandmother of Mrs. Ward, was in her girlhood Ann A. Bishop. Mrs. AVard's father, Charles Calkins, was born in Burling- ton, Mass., and was quite young when his parents removed to Y'ork State, where he grew to manhood, married, and resided until 1 838. lie then removed to Freedom, Portage Co., Oiiio, and purciiasing a tract of laud, resided there until 1845, when he again started west, settling in that part of Williams County now included in Fulton County, and was a pioneer there. He was quite well advanced in years at tiie lime of his removal, but his efforts were crowned with success, and he built up a nice home, redeeming a fine farm from the wilderness, and died there at the rii)e old age of eighty-two years. His wife, whose maiden name was Dianah Bump, was a native of Otsego County, N. Y'., of which county her parents, Asa and Lilly (Dauley) Bump, were pioneers, settling there when it was a wilderness, the home of savage beasts, and the more treacherous and savage red man. His family re- moved into the log cabin which he erected before it had any door, and wolves used to gather around the cabin and make night hideous with their howls, but would, however, disperse when a firebrand was tiirown among them. Thus the}' continued in their attempt to subdue nature, and to supplant the denizens of the forest with domestic animals, until 1828, when Mr. Bump sold his possessions there, and removing to Ohio, settled at Kirkland, where he |nirchased a large tract of land, a part of which he sulisequently distributed among his children. He accumulated quite a handsome property for those days, and spent his last j'ears there in retirement, aged eighty-five. The mother finished her earthi}' career at the present home of her daughter, Mrs. Ward. d3ing at the great :ige of eighty -eight years. She had been blind twenty-five 3'ears prior to her death, but shortly before the end came she had her eyes operated upon in the hope of having her sight restored. Oiu- subject and his estimable wife are the par- ents of five children, who are recorded as follows: p]lvira is the wife of George Uurfee, and resides in Adrian; Joseijhine is the wife of Jonas Sprague, and lives in Wright Township; Adelbert follows the profession of a school teacher, and resides a i>art of the time at home, the balance in Adrian; Eugene married Mar}' Horstman, and lives in Wright Town- shi[), while Billie is at home. Mr. Ward is independent in politics. His son Adelbert is a Republican, and is found at the post of duty on the occasion of important elections. ^- ■■^-f^^ '^ l»;ILl.lAi\l WHlTh.HEAU. Hillsdal \/jJ//' ty has a large class of citizens am JtW agriculturists who, starting in life )^ILLIAM WHITEHEAD. Hillsdale Coun- among its with no capital save stout hearts, willing hands, and in- domitable perseverance, have through laborious toil, good management, and honorable business trans- actions, made a success in life, and to-day are the possessors of fine farms and good bank accounts. Among the number referred to is the subject of this sketch, who is industriously engaged in his chosen occupation on section 21, Adams Township. -•► u HILLSDALE COUNTY. 359 , / He is now in the prime of life, having been bom Mareh 6, 1842, in Cambrifigeshire, England, which was also the birthplace of his parents, John and Mary Ann Whitehead. There thoy were reared and married, living together happilj' until the death of his father, which occurred in 1S77, when sixty-five j'cars old. His mother is still living in England, at the .age of threescore years and ten. They were the parents of eight children, four bo3's and four girls. William Whitehead, of wiiom we write, w.as the sixth child born to his parents. He remained at home, attending school and .assisting his father un- til eighteen ^ears of age, when, to satisfy his early ambitions, and to make himself a home, he came to America, sailing from Liverpool in M.ay, 1861, in the sailing-vessel ''Florence Nightingale." Disem- barking at New York, our subject at once made his way to Hillsdale, tliis county, arriving here the 2t)tli of June. He at once hired out to Mr. John Crisp, who had sent him his passage money, for one year. The next fifteen years Mr. Whitehead worked by the month, summer and winter, and being a man of industrious and frugal liabils, and free from the common vices of the day. he was enabled in a few 3'ears to accunuilate quite a sum of money. Dur- ing that time our sulgect had formed the acquaint- ance of an amiable young l.ady, Miss Iilizor- tunities for making and saving money, dis|)la3ing most excellent judgment and good financial abilit}' in all his dealings, having been very successful from the first. Before his marriage he had become the owner of eighty acres of land, for which he paid $4,000, and had $.3,300 loaned at ten per cent in- terest. His prosi)erity has continued, and he has since purchased ninet\'-five acres of land in Jeffer- son Townshii>, making the number of acres that he owns 175. On his homestead he has erected com- fortable buildings, and in addition to his farming, devotes much time to stock-raising, keeping a good supply of horses, cattle, and hogs, besiiles having a Hock of 100 sheep of Merino grade. Our subject takes a general interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his adopted country, and in politics affiliates with the Democratic party. ^- ANSOM GARDNER. Prominent .among the ,|--., pioneers of Hillsdale County stands the /4i'\\ name of Ransom Gardner, and although he ^^has passed aw.ay to the enjoyment of the re- ward due to Ills long and useful life, his memory still lives, and his honorable cai'cer stands forth as a fitting example of what can be done by earnest and conscientious effort. Mr. Gardner was born in Ft. Ann, Washington Co., N. Y., and came to Jouesville al)out 1835, among the earliest pioneers. He engaged in farming, and also erected a sawmill, which w.as a great accommodation to his fellow- pioneers. He subsequently became a contractor on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, and after some ^-ears he removed from Jonesvilleto De- troit. He linally removed to Kalamazoo, where he resided until his death, which occurred suddenly in 1870. The subject of this notice w.as united in marri.agc, in Jonesville, with Miss Olivia Smith, and they be- came the parents of five children — William, Eloise, Fannie, Emma and Morland. Rjinsom (lardner grew up witli this country, and was very well ac- quainte|>ted townshii), serving as Supervisor for a number of years, Treasurer for a long period, and occupying other positions of trust and responsi- bility. Originally an old-line Whig, he upon the abandonment of this party cordially endorsed Uei)ubliean i)rinciples, which he supi)orted with the firmness characteristic of the man until life for him was over. At length, ripe in j'cars and experience, and blessed with the esteem and confidence of the people among whom he had lived, he passed awa^' Dec. 19, 1884. The mother, who had accompanied him the greater part of his long journey, and who was born in 1817, died at the homestead two years before the decease of her husband, in 1882. William H. Murray, our subject, grew to man- hood under the parental rooftree, and early in life served an apprenticeship at the carpenter trade, which he followed for a |)eriod of four years. lie was first married in Allen Township, to Miss Ma- riette, daughter of Abner Baleom, now deceased, and a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Mariette Murray was Ikhii in New York, and came with her parents to Michigan when a young girl. Of her union with our subject there were born six children, and llic mother passed away at her home in Heading Townsiiip, Se|)t. 20, 1871t. The sons and daughters of this union were named respectively: Montford B., Eliza M., llattic .1., Ceorgc A., James A. and Edith C. They are all living; the three elder are married and settled in comfortable homes of their own. Mr. Murr.ay contracted a second marriage, in Novend)er, 1 .S82, in IJcading Township, with Miss Laura A. Northrop, who was born in Kendall, Orleans Co., N. V., Oct. G, 18;}'.). Mrs. Laura A. Murray is the daughter of Hiram O. and Laura (B.alcom) Northroj), who were natives of the same county as their daughter, and who, after their mar- riage, settled there, but in 180 1 came to fSontheru Michigan and i)urchased a farm in Reading Town- ship. Here Mr. Northrop died. March 11,1868. The wife and mother is yet living, being now nearly eighty-one years old, .-ind makes her home; with her daughter, Mrs. Murraj'. Our subject and his wife have no children, but their pleasant home is the frequent resort of their many friends in this .and Lenawee County. Roth are mend)ers of the Frec-Will Baptist Church, in which Mr. Murray has olliciated as Treasurer since 1885. Politically, he is, like his father before him, a solid Reind)lican, and h.as been the incumljcnt of the various local ollices. In his skillful manage- ment of the farm eliminated from the wilderness bj' his honored siie, he is perpetuating the labors of the latter b^' the best known methods. LI B. ROGERS, a farmer living in the cit.y of Hillsdale, is generally known among the people of this county .as one of its most solid and substantial men, and onv who has assisted in bringing it to its present condition. Naturally' in- dustrious and energetic, he has been enabled to make the most of his opiwrtunities in life, and fnun a modest beginning has arisen to a comfortable l)osition socially and financially. The birthplace f)f our suliject was Lyons, W.a^'ne Co., N. Y., where ho was born March 1.'), 1831. His parents, James W. and Catherine (\'an Inwa- gen) Rogers, were natives respectively of New York and New Jersej', the latter born in Deer Park, Orange Count_v, Oct. 7, 1807. The father was prob- ably of English descent, and the mother was the daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Patterson) \'an Inwagen. of German ancestry. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Rogers located in Wayne County, N. Y., where they lived until their son VAi B. was two years of age. Thence they removed to Ashtabula County, Ohio, and although homesick and dissatis- fied, managed to live there live years, then returned to their old honie in the Empire State. The parents of (.mr subject continued to reside this time in Wayne County, N. Y., until 184.5, then made their way to Southern Michigan, and settled on a farm in Wheatland Township, this county. There the father died in 1850, leaving his wife and ■» T »► t t^ M i - .t 364 HILLSDALE COUNTY. six childieii. Of tlie latter five are still living: ISarah A. is the widow of James H. Voorhees; Eli B., our subject, is the seeoiid eldest living; Eliza, deceased, was the wife of Abel Wolcott, of Hills- dale; Jacob Y. niarrieil Miss Hannah M. Carmichael, and lives in Plainwell, Mich. ; Daniel V. married Miss Emma Wilcox, and is carrying on farming near Osborn, Mo.; Phebe J., Mrs. Amos H. Morey, is a resident of Adams, this county. The sul)ject of this sketch accompanied his par- ents during their removals with the exception of the time they came to this county. He had in the meantime learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until reaching his majority, and joined his parents in Michigan in \fio2. .Soon afterward he built a house (jn the Emery farm, and continued as a buiUler and contractor until his marriage, in the twenty-fifth year of his age. The maiden of his choice was Miss M- Carrie Fowler, of Adams Town- ship, and they were wedded at the home of the bride, Dec. 2, 185G. Mrs. Rogers is the sister of Col. Fowler, well known in this vicinit}', and the daughter of Richard Fowler, Esq., one of the first settlers of Hillsdale County. The maiden name of her mother was Anna Hills. The parents are now dead. Their family consisted of nine children. After their mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. Rogers settled upon a farm in Adams 'J'ownship, where our subject carried on farming and carpentering jointly, and in due time hati a finely cultivated farm. Various buildings in this county are still standing as marks of his skill and taste, among them the Floral Hall on the fair grounds in the city. During the progress of the late war Mr. Rogers became connected with the Quartermaster's service, and in the performance of his duties traveled through the States of Tennessee, Kentuckj- and Ar- kansas, gaining much from his observations of the country and its people. Thereafter he returned to the farm, where he labored until 1!S70, and then leaving it moved into the city, where he has since resided. He still exercises his personal supervision of his country estate, and in the city occupies him- self in the insurance and loan business. Mr. Rogers pursued his e.arly studies in the com- mon school, and after coming to this county at- tended one term at Hillsdale College, which be declares proved of more value to him than all his other schooling put together. He has been quite prominent in local affairs, filling positions of trust and responsibility. He uniformly votes the straight Republican ticket. The mother of our subject is still living, and although now quite aged, is in full possession of her faculties, and retains much of her old-time energy. -Sso^i- 4i <;f;OHN M. WATKINS, a native of Allen Township, is now numbered among its lead- ing citizens, taking a prominent part in pub- y lie affairs, and is an impc>rtant factor in ad- vancing its agricultural and industrial interests. His])arents, Samuel and Jane Ann (Parry) Watkins, were jjioneers of this township. His father was born in Kent County, England, in 1805, and in early manhood married on the Island of St. Chris- topher, West Indies, his wife having been a native of that island, born March 22, 1810. The first four or six yenis of their wedded life were spent there, and then they migrated to Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, where they remained about five years. In the spring of 1837 the elder Watkins and wife decided to emigrate to the United States, and com- ing to Hillsdale County, Mich., settled in Allen Ti>wushi[), and for many years thereafter, and un- til their death, remained valuable members (jf this comnuinity, contributing by their industrious la- bors to the development of the township and county. Mr. AValkins died April 1, 1882, at a ripe old age, and his good wife did not long sur- vive his death, dying Sept. 22,1882. They were the parents of thirteen children, four of whom died quite young. The record of the surviving children is as follows: Margarets, is the wife of Thomas Frarey ; Samuel J. is a lesident of Allen Township; Jane Ann is the wife of Robert Morley, of Allen Township; Susanna is the wife of Henry D. Pessell, of Quincy, Mich. ; Joseph P. is a resident of Sherwood, Branch Co. ; Mich. ; Thomas W. is a resident of Boston, Mass.; John AL; Victoria is the -t ■^•- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 365 4- ■A wife of Nelson T. Brockwaj-, of Allen To«'ns!ii[); Henry O. is a resident of Allen Township. 'I'lie snbjec't of this sketch was horn on the old homestead in this township, March 1, 1843, and re- ceived a substantial education in the public schools of his native place. As he grew to manhood he received practical lessons in agriculture from his father, who was an able farmer, and gieatly assisted him in his work. He now owns a farm on section 19, which is one of the most valuable and best managei, been also quite extensively and successfully eug.Mged in the nnnufacture of brick, for which he finds a ready iiKuket. Mr. Watkiiis has l)een twice married. His first marri.age was to Miss Anna K. Whitney, daughter of Jonathan Whitney, of whom see sketch, and took place Nov. 19, 1868, at the residence of the bride's father in Allen Township. She was born in that townsiiip, Dec. 26, 1842, and l)y her mar- riage with our subject became the mother of two children — .1. Whitney and Mary E. Her ple.asant wedded life was brought to a close by her death, •Ian. 2, 1878, and the little household was deprived of her wise guidance and loving care. Mr. Wat- kins' second marriage, which took place in Quincy, Oct. 1;'), 1879, was to Miss Julia Strong, daughter of William and Martha H. (Badgley) Strong. Her parents were born in Morris County, N. J., and after marriage settled in Orleans County, N. Y., where the father had been a resident for some time previous. In the spring of 1875 they removed to Branch County, Mich., and settled in Butler Town- ship. Subsequently they went to live in t^uincy, and resided there for four years, liut at the expira- tion of that time they returned to I5utler, where the mother died Aug. 21, 1881. The father now makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Watkins, in Allen Township. To him and his wife were born four children, of whom the following is the record : An- nette is the wife of Harlan S. Howard; Emma M. was the wife of Ammi Whitnej', and died in Butler, June 26, 1887; Alice J. died in Orleans County, N. Y., P>b. 13. 1868, when twenty-one years old; Julia, Mrs. Watkins, was born in Barre, Orleans Co., N. Y., Jan. 10, 1848. To her and her husband has been born one daughter, Martha Alice, who died Feb. 26,1883. Mrs. Watkins is a sincere Christian, and an active woi'ker in the Presbyterian Church, of which she is a member. She has been true and faithful in all the relations of life, as an affectionate daughter, a tender mother, a devoted wife and a kind friend. Mr. Watkins is a man whose practical sagacity, strong and intelligent convictions, well informed mind and unswerving integrit}', have given him an honorabhi and influential position among his fel- low-citizens, who have honored him by electing him to the responsihle otiice of Supervisor of the township fSDALE COUNTY. 36? f \' Lawrence bought land, and there spent his last j-ears, dying in August, 1867; his wife died in 1804. Mrs. Maxson received a good education, and com- menced teaching at twent}' years of age, and taught for one j'ear; she remained with her parents until her marriage. She was a graduate of the Hudson River Institute, at Clavcrueic, t'olumliia Co., N. Y., and is a lady of refinement and culture. To her and her iiusband have been horn two children — Roy L. and Jessie E. The latter was horn June 9. 1865, and died Aug. 18, 1887. IMr. !\Iaxson is a man of good mentMl and physi- cal ability, his sterling integrity is ncknowledged by all, and lie is considered a kind neighbor and a good citizen. — ^€#^^— M. WARREN, M. D. As a highly educated Mud skillful phj'sician of Jonesville, and one of the leading medical practitioners of Hills- dale Count}', we take pleasure in giving a brief sketch of the life of the gentleman wiiose name appears at the head of this notice. His father, Joseph ATarren, a native of Bangor, Me., was a prominent journalist, and was engaged in that pro- fession through life. His mother was Anne E. Spear, a native of Columbia, Pa. After their marringe IMr. and Mrs. Warren settleil in Lancaster, Pa., where they remained a fcwj'ears. From there lliey removed to Auburn, N. V., and thence to Detroit, Mich., where tliej' lived several years. In I860 they went to Washington, D. C, where Jlr. War- ren's death occurred Dec. 1, 1880. He was a man of superior intellectual powers and excellent judg- ment, who gained success in his chosen profession. His wife s\irvives him. They were the jwrents of six children, four sons and two daughters. One of the sons, Robert S., was a member of the 1st Jlichi- gan Cavalry, and w.ns killed at Trevilian St.Tlion, battle of the AVilderness. M.ny 12. 1803. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant, and was in com- mand of his company when killed. II. .M. Warren, of whom we write, was born dur- ing llu' residence of liis parents in Columbia, April I'.l, 1840. He wns seven years of :ige when his par- ents removed to Auburn, N, Y., where his common- school education w.os begun, and which was after- ^ • ward continued in the public schools of Detroit, this State, whither he came with the famih'. Being a very diligent scholar, with good mental endow- ments, he was prepared at the age of twelve years to enter the Commeicial College of Detroit, from the literary department of which he was subse- quentl}' graduated. The ensuing four years our subject spent as a clerk in Detroit, and Pittsburgh. Pa., la1)oring assiduouslj' to procure the means nec- essarj' to defraj- his expenses while studying to fit himself for the profession which he had determined to follow. For this purpose he first attended the Hahnemann Medical College, at Chicago, III., and afterward he took a course at the Western Medical College, at Cleveland, Ohio, from which institution he was graduated in 1804. Immediately after re- ceiving his degree Dr. Warren located in Jonesville, this count}', where he has since practiced, with the exception of the two years from May. 1808, to May, 1870, when he was engaged in a water cure estab- lishment at Kalamazoo, Jlich., with a Dr. King. That venture not proving a' financial success, our subject returned to Jonesville, where he has met with flattering success, having an extensive and lucrative i)ractice. He stands high in the medical profession, and is considered the leading physician of the township. Dr. ANarrcn was married in Detroit, Mich., July 10, 180;^, to Miss Georgia S. Harris, the adopted daughter of Ransom Gardner, of Detroit. She was born in New York Cit}', Oct. "22, 1 841, and was left an orphan when six months old. Dr. and Mrs. Warrun have two childien — Henry Beach and Lil- lian Elvira. The latter is a graduate of the Jones- ville High School, and Henry is a student at that institution. Dr. Warren is an influential member of the State Homeopathic Society, of which he was President during 18s6. He is now the Medical Examiner of several insurance companies. He is :i man of great usefulness in his community, and has held various minor t)llices in the village and township. He takes an active interest in educational matters, and for three years has been Township .Superintendent of Schools, and has also hold the oflice of Chairman of the Board of School Insiiectors. Socially, the Doc- tor is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics 368 4. HILLSDALE COUNTY. he is a firm Republican. Botli he and his estimable wife are worthy members of the Presbyterian Church where he has held the position of Superintendent of the Sunday-school for fifteen years. -^ry/y^~\tJil!J2/&^^ i-H'^S/UTm^ ,HILLIP SHOOK. Among those who are busily engaged in agricultural pursuits in Camden Township, the subject of this bio- graphical uotice occupies a prominent place. He owns a beautiful farm on section 3, comprising ninety-four and nine-tenths acres of exceedingly fertile soil, admirabl}' adapted to the raising of cereals and other crops common to this clime, and also to the raising of stock, in which he is niucii in- terested, and from which he derives a good income. His intelligence, thrift, and careful management of his farming interests, are abundantly manifest in the good restdts that he has obtained, and in the gen- eral appearance of his farm, with its finely tilled fields, neat farm buildings, and the comfortable and commodious home in which he and his family dis- pense a kind and cordial hospitalitj^ to whomso- ever crosses its threshold. Mr. Shook was born in Medina County, Ohio, March 2, 1 839, and is a son of George and Cath- erine (Walker) Shook, natives of Pennsjdvania, the father having been born in Center County. His mother, when quite young, moved with her parents from their old Pennsylvanian home to Wayne County, Ohio, in the early days of its settlement. After her marriage she moved with her husband to Medina County, of which they were pioneers, and she died in the home that the3- built up there. The father of our subject is still living on his old home- stead there at an advanced age. He has been three times married, and is the parent of ten children, all of whom are living, namely: Hattie, William, Julia A., Edward, Adaline, Phillip, Alfred, Ella, Libbie and George. Our- subject grew to maturity in his native State, receiving his educ.ition in the district schools, and an excellent training from his wise parents, who early taught liim habits of industry, honesty and sobriety, which have greatlj' contributed to his suc- cess in life. He has nearly always followed farm- ing exclusively, with the exception of a short time, when he also engaged in the manufacture of lumber in connection with his agricultural pursuits. He has made his way almost unaided to his present position of independence and comjiarative wealth, and it may well be his pride to be classed among the self-made men who have so honored this State, and have contributed so much to its material and social welfare. In 18G2 Mr. Shook left his native State, and crossing the border into Michigan, came with his family to Camden Township to build up a new home here, and tliey have ever since been valued members of this community, winning their way to respect and esteem bj' their upright conduct and blameless lives. To his devoted companion, who has shared with him and lightened his labors, Mr. Shook was mar- ried in Ohio. She was formerly Mary Rigleman, daughter of John and Rebecca Rigleman. Their wedded life has been blessed to them by the birth of four children, namely : Perry M., Harvey C, Sher- man E. and Clara B. Mr. Shook is open-hearted and public-spirited, gladly using his influence to promote any scheme for the advancement of his adopted township or county. He is at present a member of the local School Board, and has done efficient work in the cause of education in the inter- ests of Camden Township. He is one of the most prominent members of the Masonic fraternity at Camden, and is at present serving as Treasurer of the lodge. He is also identified witii the Acme Grange, in this township. In politics he is a stanch member of the Republican party. f; OHN G. GARDNER was born in Ft. Ann, Washington Co., N. Y., April 21, 1803, while his wife, whose maiden name was Bet- sey Reed, was a native of Cayuga County, where she was born Jan. 26, 1805. After marriage they first settled in Elbridge, Onondaga Co., N. Y., where they resided two or three years, and then removed to Auburn in the same State. After a short time, however, they returned to Elbridge, where they resided until they started to seek their fortunes in the West. In 1837 Mr. and Mrl. Gardner came to Michi- »► m j^i *t u HILLSDALE COUNTY. 369 gan, ami settled in Joiicsvillo, wlierc Mr. Gardner was cngaofed principally in milling, which he fol- lowed, in connection with agricultin-al i)nrsuits. until liis decease. May 30, 1872. He was a puhlic- si)irited man of energy' and good judgment, and en- gaging activelj' in business in this State soon after its admission to the Union, was a prominent factor in its development. The family of John G. and ]Mrs. Gardner in- cluded eight children, four sons and four daughters, of whom Horace R. was the eldest, and was born in Klbridge, K. Y.. Jlarch 25, 1827. He accompanied his parents to Joncsville when he was a lad of ten years, and continued to make this city his home principally until 1880, when he finally removed to AVarsaw, HI., where he departed this life on tlie 1st of April, 1882. In company with the late Ransom Gardner, he was engaged in a woolen-mill at Jcmes- ville, which was destroyed by fire. They replaced it with another, and continued in the same business for some time afterward. ^7 AMES B. SAMPSON, formerly one of the prominent farmers of Hillsdale Township, ^,^ ; but now retired from active labor, occupies (^]j^ a snug home in the city of Hillsdale, where he is spending his later years in case and comfort in the enjoyment of a competency. A native of the Empire State, he was born in the town of Ly- ons, Wayne County, Aug. 2G, 1827, and is the son of Newland Sampson, who early in life learned the carpenter trade, but later entered the ministry of the Methodist Churdi, where he prosecuted his pious labors for a period of forty years. He was first a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but later identified himself with the Protestant Methodists. He was a A'ermonter by birth, and a man of varied capacities, with a remarkably busy and active mind, who could never rest without being emploj-ed either in mind or hands. While using the saw and plane he received the contract for building all the bridges over the Erie Canal, then under process of con- struction from L3'ons to Montezuni.i. Rev. Newland Sampson married Miss Catherine Hall, of Massachusetts, and they settled in the town t of Lyons, where they resided until their removal to Southern Michigan, in 1848. Here they took up their residence on a farm in Hillsdale Township, where they lived for a period of six years, and where the mother died in 1862, then removed to Porter County. Ind., where the father died also about 1852. Their family consisted of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters, nine of whom lived to mature years, and three still survive. The brothers and sisters of our subject are mostly resi- dents of Michigan and Kan.sas. James B. Sjimpson was the sixth child of his par- ents, and spent his boyhood and j-outh in his native town, acquiring his education in the common schools. He preceded the family to this Stiite three years, being then a youth of nineteen. He employed himself as a farm laborer by the month for a time, then took up the carpenter trade, which he pursued for a period of four years. He had lived economically, and with the snug little ca])ital which he had saved i)urchased eighty acres of land in Hillsdale Township, and from this time on for a period of ten years, gave to it his entire time and attention. Much of it was in timber, and he felled the trees and prepared the soil for cultivation, while at the same time carrying ou building im- provements, putting up a goixl house and barn, and the other structures necessary for his comfort and convenience. The companion of our subjectin his early lalwjrs and ambitions, and to whom lie was married Dec. 1, 1850, was formerly Miss Betsy J. Coon, who was born Feb. lo, 18^51, and was the daughterof James Coon, who removed with his fain il}' from Onondaga County, N. Y.. to Southern Michigan during its early settlement. He and his estimable wife have long since passed away. Of this marriage of our subject there were born four children, two of whom, James H. and Alice, arc deceased ; the others are Sarah A. and Mary A. Mrs. Betsy J. Sampson departed this life at her home in Hillsdale Townshi[). in Sep- tember. 1875. Mr. Sampson. Jan. 23, 1876, contracted a sec- ond mairiage, with Mrs. Miranda (Tr.acy) Green, daughter of Benjamin and Lydia (\Mielock) Tracy, and widow of the late W. P. (Jreen, of Hillsdale. This Lady was born Oct. 12, 1840, in Pennsylvania. f -4^ 370 HILLSDALE COUNTY, 1i Her parents came to this county in 1846; the father is now deceased; tlie mother resides in Grand 'J'raverse County, Mich. This marriage resulted in the birth of two children, Agnes and Jessie G., who are eleven and nine years of age respectively. Of the first mari-iage of Mrs. Sampson there were born three children — Nettie M.. Fred L. and William A. Mr. Sampson put up his present residence in Hillsdale in 1888. It is a handsome two-story frame structure, finely finished and furnished, and replete with all the conveniences of modern life. It not only forms an ornament to the city, but is the resort of hosts of friends whom Mr. and Mrs. Sampson by their genial hospitality have attracted to their doors. Our subject cast his first Presiden- tial vote for Cass, and has been a lifelong supporter of Democratic principles. -«=f=f ■7~T =E> ' NSON R. BROWN, M. D., has been a prac- ticing ph3'sician of Jonesville since the summer of 1883, and came into the State when it was a Territory. He was born in Richmond, Ontario Co., N. Y., Oct. 8, 1824, and was the youngest of nine children, the offspring of John and Rhoda (Crittenden) Brown, who were natives respectively of Connecticut and Vermont. John Brown, the father of our subject, was of -Scotch extraction, and the mother of English ances- try, who settled in Connecticut probably during the Colonial days, and whose descendants later were residents in and around Great Otter Creek, near A'crgennes. Zebulou Crittenden, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was married, and set- tled near that place, where he spent his last days. There his daughter Rhorla was born. She spent her last days at the residence of her son, our subject, at Albion, this Stiite, passing awa3' at tiie ripe old age of eighty-eight yeais. John Brown died in Rich- mond, Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1.S25, when Anson R. Brown was eleven months old. Dr. Brown, our subject, was earl3' in life thrown upon his own resources, and came to the .Territory of Michigan al)out 1833 or 1834. He lived in dif- fei'ent places in Michigan and Ohio, taking up the -♦- study of medicine in the little town of Defiance, the latter State, reading there and at other places until ready to enter the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, from which he w.as graduated in 1852. He began the practice of his professi(.)n in Medina, Lenawee County, this State, whence he removed to Jackson County, aiid three 3'ears later changed his residence to Cincinnati, Ohio. In the (^ueen Cit^' he was made Superintendent of the laboratory and wholesale drug-store of H. M. Merrill & Co., which position he held for a number of years. He re- turned to Michigan about 18i")6, and was a resident of Litchfield thereafter for a period of sixteen j-ears. He then removed to AUiion and eleven years later to Jonesville, this county', and most of this time has been continuously engaged as a physician and surgeon. Dr. Brown was married, Feb. 15, 1840, in Cin- cinnati, to Miss Adeline E. Lundy, who died in Jonesville in April, 1883. She was the mother of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, all of whom are living and residents of the United States. Dr. Brown contracted a second marriage, in Jonesville, May 7, 1884, with Mrs. Sarah A. (Ap- plegate) Sudborough, daughter of Joseph II. and Ann (Lac3') Applegate, of New Jerse3', and widow of the late Joseph Sudborough, of Adrian. They oceup3' a snug home in the central part of the cit3'. Dr. Brown has been President of the State Eclectic Medical Association two 3ears, and politically, is a solid Republican. Socially, he belongs to Lodge No. 40, A. F. & A. M. ^- ■*- G. WELLS. Adams Township has among (i37LJ|| its citizens many industrious and well-to- K do farmers; men who have attained their present prosperous condition 1)3' their own persevering efforts, having been the recipients of no legac3', but who have gained comfortable homes for themselves and families by their indomitable energy and ambition. Conspicuous among the number stands the subject of this sketch. He is a native of the Empire State, )»orn in Chautauqua Connt3', March 18, 181 G. His father, Roderick Wells, was a soldier of the War of 1812. He married Mary n -L. HILLSDALE COUNTY. 371 Grecnieaf, and the\' settled in Villanova. N. Y., remaining lliere niitil February, IS.'iS, wlieii, fol- lowing the march of civilization, they came to iMiehignn and took \\\> land in Adams Township, which had then but few iMhal)itMnts. The land was heavily timbered and lillcd with wild animals of all kinds. They at once commenced inijiroving the land, and bravely endured the toils and hardships of pioneer life, working earnestly the remainder of their lives, that of Mr. Wells ending in 1845, at the age of sixty-one j-ears. l\Irs. Wells survived him until 1 S5G, when she too i)assed away, being then sixty-three years of age. Of their fandly of chil- dren, eight grew to maturity. Their daughter Phebe, now Mrs. fSteele, of Ann Arbor, taught the first school in North Adams. The subject of this biographical notice was the second child born to his parents. His boyhood was passed in his native State, where he received his education in the public schools, attending during the entire school year until ten years old, when, being obliged to work in warm weather, he went to .school after that only in the winter seasons. He came to this State with his parents when twenty-two years of age, and for awhile remained at home work- ing for his father. He has made good use of his time ever since, and his perseveranci; has enabled him to conquer all ditliculties. When he coni- nienced life for himself, his onl}' possessions were an ax and the clothes that he had on, but bj- economical habits and steady ap[)lication to work, he was soon enabled to purchase forty acres of land, which, with the forty acres since acquired, con- stitute his present farm. Mr. Wells was married, in 1811, to Miss Lj'dia J., daughter of Johnand Susan (Avril) Greenleaf. Her father was a native of Oneida County, N. Y., and her mother was l)orn near Hartford, Conn. After marriage they settled in Volney Township, Oswego Co., N. Y., but after three or four j'ears' residence there, removed to I'aris, Oneida County', where they remained until March, 1836, when they came to Michigan. They became pioneers of Cambridge Townshi|), Lenawee County, where Mr. Crecnleaf engaged in his occn- l)ation of farming, remaining there until after the death of his wife, which occurred when she was fifty- eight years old. He subsequently moved to Branch \ County, where he spent his last days, dying in 1S72, at the age of sevent^^-eight years. To Mr. and Mrs. Greenleaf were born eight children, of whom Mrs. Wells was the eldest. She was born in \'olney Town- ship, Oswego Co., N. v., Oct. 12, IS20, but can re- member nothing of her life prior to the removal of her i)arents to Oneida County. She received her education in the schools of that county, coming to Michigan w ith her parents when sixteen years old. After coming here she taught school three years, and during that time formed the acquaintance of Mr. AVells, and soon after gave up her profession to become Ids wife. To her and her husband have been born five children, namely: Ella (deceased), Susan A., Jasper .1.. Harriet V., Lucy J. (deceased). Susan and Harriet are at home; J.'isper, who lives in Adams Township, married Alice Goud^'; they have ten children, as follows: Winfield A., William B., Grace L., Herbert (i., ]\Lary A., Howard D., Bertha A., Percy J., Susan M. and Arthur F. Mr. Wells is a man of decided views, and takes an active interest in current events; he is an un- compromising temperance man, and in politics casts his vote with the Prohibition party. Pie first voted with the Whig party, but during the slavery agita- tion was an Abolitionist. He became identified with the Republican party from its organization, supporting its first c:nidid:ite. Gen. J. C. Fremont. Both he and his wife arc devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; they are agreeable, hospitable people, whose pleasant home is attractive to a large circle of friends. R. ASA CLKMANS. The pioneers of this )) county still living continue to hold in kindly reniend)rancc the name of this well- known physician, who departed this life over twenty years ago, in Allen Township. He came to this section of country during its early set- tlement, and faithfully ministered to the ills which human flesh is heir to. and in connection with which the exercise of good judgment ;inil skill is so essen- ti:il. These qualities the subject of this sketch pos- sessed in a goodly' proportion, .■md enjoyed tlie con- fidence and esteeni of an extended patronage. > ► f ^ *_ 372 ■•► ,t HILLSDALK COUKTY. A native of Worcester, Mass., Dr. Cleinans was born Aug. 31. 1834, and pursuefi his early studies in the c(jmmon schools. There he improved iiis time to good advantage, and when deciding upon his future career, later began the study of medi- cine at Castleton, Vt., at which place he received his diploma. He began practice in Providence, R. I., and from there two or three years later changed his residence to Milford, Mass., where he remained un- til the spring of 1837. Then deciding upon seek- ing his fortunes in the young and rising West, be made his way to this county, and settling in Allen Township, followed his profession here continuously until his death, which occurred Nov. 5, 1865. The marriage of Dr. Asa Clemans and Miss Bethia Leonard was celeliratcd in Providence, R. I., Nov. 1.5, 1 832, and of this union there were born six children — Luthera, William, AVarren, Irene, George and Mary. The Doctor and his wife united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in Allen Township soon after coming here, of which he remained a consistent member until his death. He had held some of the minor offices, and was always interested In the progress and welfare of his adopted county, willing to labor and to make sacrifices for the good of the people, and to aid by his influence and likewise in a more sul)stantial manner the en- terprises tending to this result. -»-HH-i}f--KH- «»► WjILLIAM H. rick located upon his pres- ent farm on section 3, in Cambria Town- ship, over thirty years ago, and since that time he has given to it his best labors and atten- tion. He now has a snug homestead with substan- tial and convenient buildings, and the fertile fields yield each year far more than his present needs, thus enabling iiim to lay by something for a rainy day. Although perhaps not the hero of any very thrill- ing event, ho has labored faithfully and lived worth- ily, and it is entirely fitting that his history should go on record among those of the other early settlers of Southern Michigan. Our subject was born over seventy-six years ago in Lenox Township, Madison Co., N. Y., the exact date being Jan. 6, 1812. His father, Levi Rice, a native of Connecticut, emigrated early in life to the Empire State, settling with iiis family in the woods of Madison County, in 1808. He had mar- ried, in his native State, Miss Isabellc Ives, and there had been born to thera among the Connecticut hills three children, who accompanied them to what was then the West. From Madison County the parents subsequently removed to Orleans County, where they spent the remainder of their lives, dying eacii at the age of fifty-eight yeais. They were of New England ancestry, both tlie Rice and the Ives famil\' having been represented on this side of the Atlantic during the Colonial days. Levi Rice and his estimable wife were both de- vout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the father, politically, was an old-line Whig. After settlement in New York State seven more children were added to the household circle, which eventually embraced six sons and four daugiiters. Four sotis and two daughters are yet living, and the eldest, Almon, makes his home with our sub- ject, and has already rounded up his fourscore years. He was a farmer b}' occupation, but never married. For the last fifty years he has been a cripple, the result of a horse falling on him. The subject of this biography was the third son and fourth child of his parents, and when twenty years of age left the parental roof to begin life on his own account. In the summer of 183.5 he set out for Michigan, embarking at Buffalo on the sail- ing-vessel "Townsend,".ind spent the three following years in Rollin Township, Lenawee County, being here during the time when Michigan was trans- formed from a Territory into a State. At the ex- piration of this time, desiring a sight of the faces at the old homestead, he took passage at Detroit on the schooner "George AVashington," which, when within thirty miles of Buffalo and off Silver Creek, on the night of .June 16, 1838. took fire, and was burned to the water's edge. There were on board about 180 passengers, and it w.is estimated that half of these perished. Mr. Rice narrowl^^ escaped the same fate, being obliged to swim a distance of five miles before reaching shore, and was picked up by two men, who fortunately happed to be along at that time, nearly dead from exposure and exhaus- tion. Although it was summer the water was ex- "i^^ T Cj^rno-4^cyiH -U UlLLbDALE COUNTY. -•► 375 treniely cold, and probably" a half-liour later would have sealed his fate, lie had in tliis perilous jour- ney nothing on but his pantaloons and shirt. Mr. Rice, after spemliiii^ a few weeks with the "old folks at home," returned to Michigan, and on the 9th of February, 1842, was married to Miss Caroline C. Crittenden, a native of his own State, and who was born in Phelps, Ontario County, Oct. 8, 1812. Mrs. Rice was the fourth child of Orris and Lydia (Eaton) Crittenden, who came with their family to Michigan in 1834, and located in the woods of Wheatland Township. The father pur- chased a tract of Government land, and there with his family endured the h.ardsiiips and privations common to pioneer life. They continued tlieir resi- dence upon the land which they first took up, and the mother passed from earth in the spring of 1835. The father survived a few years, and died at the age of sixty-seven. The latter was a native of Massachusetts, while his wife was born in Oneida Lounty, N. Y. They were married in Ontario County, that State, and became the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters, who were all born before their removal to the West. Two daughters are now the sole survivors: Mrs. Rice and her sister, Mrs. Sa|)hrouia Metcalf, widow of ' Theodore Metcalf, and who is now living in Hills- dale. Mrs. Rice was a young woman when her parents came to Michigan, and continued under the home rcjof until licr marriage. Of lior union with our suliject theie was born one child only, a daughter, Harriet 1., who is now the wife of Aaron Blauvelt, and lives on a farm in F.ayette Township; they have one child, a son, William H., born Jan. 20, 1869. Mr. Rice in 1843 went into business in the city of Hillsdale as a wholesale manufacturer of soda water, but soon became hcjmesick for the farm, and is never so contented as when tilling the soil and watching the beauty of the growing crops. Although having little to do with politics, he is a stanch supporter of Republican principles, and re- joices when these prevail. His farm operations have been conducted with tiiat f.DALK COUM Y. 377 of May, 1886. To Mr. and Mrs. Burges there were born tliree children, one of whom, Tristain, died on the •2'2(\ of .Inly. 1883, ao;ed sixteen inontlis and twenty -two days; Bessie M. was born Sept. 14, 1877, and Gny, Nov. 23, 1880. The widow and her children occup3' a comfortable home, which was secured to them, together with a good income, l)j' the forethought of the husband and father who has now passed away. JOHN GREENHOE. Comparatively a few years ago the farm belonging to this gentle- man, which is now one of the best in Hills- dale County, was little more than a valueless piece of swamp land. After a service of two years in the late vvar. the subject of this sketch made his way to the Slate of Michigan, and purchased the land which he now owns and occupies, and has since given to it his attention, witii the results which we now behold, and with which any reasonable man should be satisfied. He has a tract of seventy acres under good cultivation, has erected good buildings, and is amply fitted for successful farming after the best known methods. Our subject is an Ohio man by birth and educa- tion, having been born in Waj'ne Count^^ that State, on the 1st of February, 1836, at the modest homestead of his parents, near the town of Chip- pewa. His father. .lohn Greenhoe, an J t <• -t^ 378 HILLSDALE COUNTY. f native of the Key&tone State, and was a carpenter and joiner lij' trade. He also was one of the early settlers of Wayne County. Oliio. where he .'pent his last days. The father of llrs. Grccnhoe also emigiated to Ohio when a young man, and was there mairied to Miss Barbara Breene. a native of Pennsylvania. He followed the trade of cabinet-maker for a time, but later operated a coal bank, and after that puieliased a farm near Litchfield. Medina Countj'. The mother died at her heme in Ohio, in 1881, at the age of seventy-six j^ears. Mr. Wicks is still living, and makes his home with his children in Ohio. Mr. Greenhoe is a member of the Free Methodist Church, while his estimable wife is identified with the United Brethien. They are people greatly re- spected among their neighbors, and have contrib- uted their full quota toward the progress and welfare of their township. OSCAR F. GUY. who is engaged in farming in Fayette Township, is the son of W. N. Guy, who was born in Aurelius, Cayuga Co., N. Y'.,Sept. JiO, 1796. Hismotlier, wliose maiden name was Eliza Erving, was born in Monmouth, N. J., in September, 1798. When quite young she removed to Caj'uga County, N. Y., where she remained until her marriage with Mr. Guy, after which they settled in Aurelius in that county, and engaged in the occupation of farming. The parents of our subject subsequently removed from Aurelius to Nunda, Allegany Co., N. Y.. where they lived some thirteen years, and then in June, 1836, they migrated to Michigan with their seven children, and located on section 5, Faj-ette Township, about one mile from .lonesville, on a tr.act of 192 acres of land which Mr. Gu}' bought upon his arrival in this State. Here they passed the remainder of their days, the death of the father occurring Dec. 4, 1 864, while the mother died April 1, 1872. Mr. Guy was a man respected in his com- munity, and held the offices of Supervisor and Jus- tice of the Peace; be also did quite an extensive business in farming. After their arrival in Michi- gan the parental family' of our subject was iu- 4» creased until there were eight children, seven of whom lived to grow up, and are recorded as fol- lows: George L. is a physician in Reading, Mich.; Cornelia M. is the wife of Albert J. Baker; Susan was the wife of Judge Justis H. Webb, of Hillsd.ile County, and died April 6, 1875; William H. re- sides in Jonesville; Oscar F. is the subject of our notice; Charles H. is a blacksmith by trade, and is at present Postmaster of Allen ; Addison W. is a farmer in Fayette Township; Clarissa died in in- fancy. Our subject was born in Nunda, Allegany Co., N. 1'., June 27, 1829, and was a lad seven years of age when his father removed to Hillsdale County. He spent his youth like the average farmer's boy, assisting as he could on ihe farm and attending the common schools of the district. He has spent his entire life in agricultural pursuits, and has been a I'esident of Fayette Township since 1836, where he owns 111 acres of good land, which yields him bountiful returns for the labor and money ex- pended in its cultivation. Finding that it is not good for man to be alone, our subject took to himself a wife and helpmate in the persi>n of Miss Hannah C, daughter of Aaron and Arilla (Baker) Thompson, with whom he was united in marriage Dec. 25, 1851, in Hillsdale County, Mich. Mrs. Guy's parents were born March 16, 1798. and June 19, 1805, respectively, the birth of the former occurring in Shaftsbury, Bennington Co., Vt. They removed from York State to Pennsylvania, where they resided for a period of two years, and in 1838 they came to Hillsdale County, in which two years later they settled in Reading Township, which continued to be their residence until their decease. The mother departed this life Jan. 19, 1879, followed by the father on the 19th of February, 1880. To them were born a family of five children, who are re- corded as follows : Polly, Darwin and Pamelia are deceased; Fidelia is the wife of Milon Arciier, of Reading; Celestia A. is deceased; Hannah C. is the wife of our subject, while Filetus A. was a member of Company 1, 11th Michigan Infantry, and died in the hospital in Nashville, Tenn., April 17, 1865. Mrs. Guy was born in Eagle, Wyoming Co., N. I- • ► 11 ^^ HILLSDALK COUNTY. ^1 379 iM Y., April 6, 1832. and her union with our subject has resulted in tiic birth of one daughter. Addle A., who is the wife of Ellsworth Lovell, of Fayette Township. Mrs. Guy Is a member of the Baptist Church, with which siie has been identified for many years, and, as well .as her husband, is ever ready to contribute of her time and means wherever her sympathies are enlisted. Mr. Guy has held the of- fice of Township Treasurer for several terms, and has discharired its duties faithfully', gaining the ap- probation of those who placed him in that position. -^V- #^ ^ ■\ ON. GEORGE C. WYLLLS, a prosperous farmer residing on section 11, Moscow Township, is a man who stands to-day a ^^i type of manly perfection, not only as an agriculturist and horticulturist, but also as a man whose influence will be felt for generations as an educator and legislator. He belongs to that class of cultured, intelligent and enterprising people, who came into Michigan from New York and the New England States during its pioneer period, and who have been such important factors in de- veloping in so high n degree the resources which nature has so generously lavished ni)on this section of countrj'. In those people conscience appears to have been as hereditary' as intelligence, and the fine accumulative results of the moral struggles and triumphs of many generations of honest lives appear to have been transmitted, in which original- ity of thought as well as practicability of conception are combined with an ambitious and energetic sup- port of action. These qualities which have been noticed in the gentleman whose name heads this sketch are thus easily traced. The father of our subject was a native of Tol- land, Conn., and his mother, Hannah Cobb, was a native of Windsor County. Vt., while both were of English ancestry. In 1833 they removed to Gen- esee County, N. Y.. where they resided for a period of five years. At that ])eriod the tiew State of Michigan, which had just been admitted into the Union, was being penetrated by tlie sturdy pioneer, and in 1838 Mr. Wyllls bade farewell to his home in New York, and with his family joined the pro- cession westward, bringing with him the second team of horses ever introduced into I'ulaski Town- ship, Jackson County. Here he settled upon 160 ■ acres of land on section 22. and was not long in establishing himself comfortably, for his characteris- tic qualities were thrift, energy and good judgment. It was not to be his lot, however, to reap the fruits of his labor in this new State, for In the autumn of the next year, November, 1839, he was called away to "that country from whose bourne no traveler returns." The mother with true womanly courage took up the work of operating the homestead and maintaining the family, but like many other true- hearted women of that time she fell carrying the standard of financial and social progress. Her death, which occurred in August, 1843, was sadly mourned and deeply realized by her seven children, who all grew to man and womanhood. George C. Wyllls was thus by the death of his mother left to cope with the world ali)ne, deprived of the counsel, assistance and companionship of his parents. Sad and unfortunate though it was, it tended to develop those reflective qualities and habits of self-reliance which we so often find in those who are thus thrown upon their own re."ources at an earlj' age. This in a measure accounts for the strong and marked individuality and force of character since displaj-ed in the life of Mr. Wyllls. The facilities for obtaining an education in a pio- neer country are always limited, and indeed in manj' sections for a time wholly wanting. It is evident th.at the training of the school-room was a privilege and discipline he enjoyed to a very lim- ited extent, although by studious application he acquired a large fund of knowledge, which, together with energy and a great deal of common sense and tact, enabled him to pursue the profession of a teacher with credit to himself and lasting benefit to the community at large, being identified with the educational profession of Southern Michigan for twen'y years. On the 10th of June, 1852, Mr. Wyllls was united in marriage with Miss Emily Huck, an amia- ble and accomplished lad}', who is also a native of the Empire State, where she was born in Dutchess County, in 1 832. Site is the eldest daughter of Israel and Jane Huck. (See sketches of E. I), and Albert •► T 380 u HILLSDALE CUL.N'IV. Buck). This union lins Ixen blti-sed l>y the biilli of seven children, all of wlion) were boin niion the homestead in Moscow Township, and are named as follows: Helen 8., Lucy J., James C. Florence. Arthur L., Maud C. and Carrie N. Helen e(inpleted the classical course in Hillsdale College, and was graduated with the class of '75 ; she engaotd as a teacher at Warsaw, hid., where she followed that profession for six const cutive yeais. and tin n took a post-graduate course at the University of Michi- gan, from which institution she was graduated in 1^84 with the degree of Master of Arts; since that time she has been Principal of the Union School at Austin, HI. Lucy J. is the wife of "\V. W. Arm- strong, a hardware nierehaiit of Jerome; James C. and Arthur L. have charge of the homestead ; Flor- ence is engaged in teaching at Oak Fai k, ill. ; Maud C. was also engaged in teaching, and is the wife of Will L. Bibbins. a hardwaie merchant at Moscow; Carrie N. is attending the High School at Moscow, where she will graduate with the class of '«8. Mr. Wyllis, prior to locating on his present farm and before his marriage, was engaged in the nursery business in Somerset Township. Jn 1848 he pur- chased forty acres of land in Somerset Townshiii, but in 1850 lie exchanged it for 120 acres where he now resides, wliich forms a beautiful homestead fitted with all modern conveniences. He now has a well- improved farm of 17 3 acres, well supplied with barns and other suitable out-buildings, and adorned with orchards. Mr. Wyllis has ever been a public-spirited man, and is specially active in all matters pertaining to the imiHoveuient of the educational facilities of his cominunity. He was elected Seliool Inspeetor of his township in 1855, and was a member of the board most of the time, either as Clerk or Lis|)ect(jr, until 18G8. During this time he did much to im- prove the eoudition of the schools, and especially successful and commendable were his labors in or- ganizing and carrying on the Union School of the village of Aloseow, in which he subsequently taught several terms. By tlius enlarging the district and increasing the school facilities, there is now no further necessity for the people of this section to send their children from home to procure a good coiumon-scln^ol education. Inthesprirg of 18()1 Mr. Wyllis was elected Justice of the Peace, and so satisfact(iril>' has he meted out justice that he was called upon to fill that jiositKin coutinuouslj', with the exccjiticn of two jeais from that date, un- til the fall of ]8h2. when he was nominated by the Keiiubliean Convention, which was held at Pitts- ford, Sept. 26. as a candidate to the State Legisla- ture. Asa gratifying testimonial of his popularity we need only say that although he was not actively engaged in the cami aign and did no '•stumping." yet he received a majority of 457 votes over his opponent, Mr. William Bryant. As a member of the State Legisl.ature Hon. George Wyllis was an active, earnest and efficient worker; he was Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Joint Rules, and member of the Com- mittee on the .State Agricultural College, at Lans- ing. He introduced bill No. 173. being a bill to amend Section 1. Chapter 153. of the compiled laws of 1871. being coniiiilers Section 4.309. relative to title to real estate by descent. Hon. Wyllis has been Republican in politics from the birth of that party to the present time, and has been a firm and devoted advocate of its principles. •;rg;wr IT" ^m^' TJffiiSJT ^., LKXANDER F. WILLIAMS is a highly ( ^/u\ \ respected resident of Pittsford Township, where he owns and occupies a good farm, .ffjj which he has developed from its orginal wild state. He is one of the noble army of so-called self-maile men. wht), while acquiring independence and comfortable lionies through their own unaided exertions, have contributed to the uiibuilding of a glorious commonwealth. Mr. Williams was born in the town of Hamburg. Frie Co.. N. Y . July 20. 1819. and is of Knglisli descent; his grandfather, John Williams, w.as born in England, and when a young man was pressed into the English army, and coming to America, fought against the Colonists in the Revolutionary War. At the time of Burgoyne's defeat he was captured by the Americans, and then and there foreswore allegiance to all foreign poweis. espec- ially the English, and from that time became a •► 11 ^^^ I HILLSDALE COUNTY. 381 faithful and loyal citizen of the United States. He settled in Ontario County as a pioneer, but spent his closing years in Erie County, N. Y., witii iiis children. To hiin and his worthy wife were born six cliildren. Their son Nathan, tlie father of our subject, vvas born in their pioneer home in Ontario County, and there grew to manhood and married Sarah Potter, a native of that count}', and a daugh- ter of Nathaniel Potter, one of its earliest settlers, and a member of the Society of Friends. Sometime previous to 1812 Mr. Williams settled in Erie County, where he bought a tract of timbered land of the Holland Purchase Conipau}-. He partly cleared four different farms, and continued his resi- dence in that county until 1851. In tliat j^ear he came to Michigan and bought a small tract of land in Piltsford Township, of which he and his wife remained residents until their death. Thej' had led blameless lives, characterized by honesty, sobriety and industry, and they well merited the trust and esteem of the people among whom they settled. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and lived in his native State until 1844. In the meantime, he took unto his home and heart the good wife who was to be his wise counselor and true friend through the sunshine and shadows of life for many years to come, their union taking place March 24, 1840. Her maiden name was Augusta Com- stock; she w.asbornon Long Island, N. Y., in March, 1822, and was the adopted daughter of Caleb and Esther Comstock. In 1844 Mr. Williams deter- mined to cast in his fortunes with a colony of thir- teen persons bound for Michigan; accordingly he made arrangements to leave his old home and begin life anew in another and more newly settled part of the country, and his family with the other colonists crossed Lake Erie to Monroe, where the company chartered two cars to conve}' them to their destin.a- tion. An engine drew the cars to Adrian, and there horses were attached to draw them to Hudson. Mr. Williams had a pair of horses that he had l)rought with him from New York, and he drove from Monroe to his future home in Hillsdale Count}'. He then set- tled on the farm that he has occupied ever since. It was then heavily covered with a growth of trees cen- turies old, and after erecting a board house for the shelter of his family, he commenced the task of clear- ing his land. He was then in the prime of young man- hood, endowed with strength, energy, and a resolute and steadfast purpose that well tittod him f(jr ihe severe labors and hardships that he was to encounter in his struggles witli the forces of nature before he could bring his farm to its present cultivated and highly productive condition, with neat and sub- stantial frame buildings. He was then a poor man, and w.as obliged to work out for others in order to obtain money enough to live, but by unceasing toil he soon had enough of his land cleared so that he could farm it profitably. For many years he did all of his farm work, marketing and milling, with oxen. Five children grew up to liless the union of our subject and his amiable wife: Juslina, who married Andrew Long, died May 2, 1883; Mary married James Turner, and lives in .Jefferson Township; William E. lives in Pittsford; Ortis E. married Harriet Saulsbury, and lives in Pittsford Village ; Frank P. lives on the home farm; he married Miss Nettie Wood, of Pittsford Township, daughter of John and Martha Wood (of whom see sketch in another part of this work), and tliey have three children — Josie, Aveita and William E. Mr. Williams .and his children sustained a s.ad loss by the death of the beloved wife and mother. Feb. 2, 1887, after a married life of nearl}- forty- seven years. She had bravel}' shared with her hus- band the adversities of life in a newly settled country, and had patiently helped him in building up a home. They were devoted to each other and their married life was exceedingly happy. She was a wise and tender mother, and her neighbors also feel that in her death they have lost a kind friend. Yet with her we have an abiding faith that it is well — For her work is comp:issed and done; All things are seemly and ready, And her summer is just begun. But we cannot think of her idle, She must be a home-mfiker still; God giveth that work to the angels Who fittest the t.ask fulfill. And somevvbere, yet, in the hilltops Of that conntr}' that hath no pain. She will watch in her beautiful doorw.aj' To bid us welcome again. I T -382 HILLSDALE COUNTY. jlr. William has nobly fulfilled his obligations as a man and a citizen. He has always been faithful and tvustworthj' in his relations with his neighbors, and genial and helpful toward those about him. ]n his own household he was n thoughtful and affection- ate husband, and lias ever been a loving father, and devoted to the interests of his children and grand- children, to whom he is greatly attached. Mr. W. has a birthright membersliiii in the Friends' Church. He takes a true interest in the welfare of his coun- try, and in former days was a member of the Whig ])arty, but later in life joined the Re])ul)lican partj', and is stanch in his support of its mcasines. HARLES A. SLOCUM, son of one of the honored ])ioneers of Wheatland Township, ^^ was born here on the 7th of .Inly, 18G0, and is living on the homestead which his father built np from an indifferently cultivated tract of land upon which he located in 1843. This piece of prop- erty is numbered among the most bi^autiful and val- uable farms of this section, and includes a handsome brick residence which the father built in J862, sub- stantiautial barns, and all the other structures re- quired by the modern agriculturist. The soil by a thorough process of cultivation jields the choicest crops of Southern Michigan, and the entire prem- ises indicate the supervision of an intelligent and enterprising propiietor. The main points in the history of Albert B. Slo- cum, the father of our subject, are in substance as fol- lows: He was born in AVayne County, N. i ., March 19, 1818, and was the son of Smith and Elizabeth (Bliss) Slocum, both natives of Berkshire County, JIass., who after their mairiage emigrated to the vicinity of what was afterward ]\Lacedon, N. Y., where the father engaged in farming pursuits. In 1834 they removed with their seven children to Monroe Countj^, where Smith Slocum died the year following. The latter was the son of Benjamin Slocum, Jr., who was born in Rhode Island in 1751, and was the son of Benjamin, Sr., born at New- port, that State, Nov. 11, 1714. The latter was the son of Giles Slocum, also a native of Rhode Island, and born some time in the sixteenth cent- ury. His father, Anthony Slcicum, a native of England, emigrated to America in 1650, and set- tled in Portsmouth. He was killed in King Phil- lip's War. The paternal grandmother of our sub- ject. Mrs. Elizabeth (Bliss) Slocum, spent her last years in Wayne County. N. Y. Albert Slocum, when a youth of seventeen years, was thus forced to resume the responsibilities of head of the family. He continued with his mother and her children six years thereafter and was then married, Aug. 30, 1843, to Miss Cordelia E., daughter of Col. Levi and Olive (Eaton) Tread- well. This lady was born Feb. 9, 1 821, and became the mother of four children — Llewellyn, Harmon, Helen, and Charles A., of our sketch. Grandfather Treadwell came to the West late in life and died in Wheatland Township, this cf)unty, when a very old man. Albert Slocum emigrated to Michigan in 1843, the j'ear of his first marriage, and ])urchased the west half of the southwest quarter of section 28 in Wheatland Township, from which not a stick of timber had been cut. The first winter he taught a district school and thus obtained means by which he paid for the clearing of the first ten acres. Soon afterward he began giving his entire attention to his farm, adding to his acreage as time passed on, but at the same time identified hmiself with the interests fif the people abt)ut him, and was largely instiumental in the growth and progress of the township. He was at an early g a practical education which has fitted him for the A ^ -^•■ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 383 i~ duties of life ns the offspring of a fine old family and whom it behooves to siistiiin the reputation of his aiieestors. Altiionj^h perhaps not the hero of any thrillin ILAS W. GLASGOW, son of one of the early pioneers of this county, and whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, is now numbered among the prominent and well-to do farmers of Allen Township, where he has resided for many years, and been closely identified with the aff.'iirs of this part of the county since a young man. Politically, he is a stanch Repub- lican, and has discharged the duties of many impor- tant offices, serving as Justice of the Peace several terms, ofliciating as School Director and Superin- tendent of Schools, and often chosen as a delegate to the Stale and County Conventions. Alw.-iys tak- ing a warm interest in religious and educational in- ■<• stitutions, he is. with his excellent wife, one of the ])lllars of the Presbyterian Church, and has been Superintendent of the Sabbath-school for many years. To put it briefly, he is simply one of the indispensable factors in the community, whose place, were he absent, it would be diflicult to fill. Our subject was born in Fayette Tow-nshlp. this count}', Oct. 2, 1843, and it is hardly necessary to say, considering the career of his honored father, was reared to farming pursuits. His first studies were conducted in the district and Union schools of Jonesville, and later he took a course in Hills- dale College. LTpon returning home he began op- erating, in company with his father, the large farm of 400 acres, the propert}' of the latter, and father and son, in the meantime, inaugurated considerable of a loan business, disposing in this manner of their surplus funds. The young man at an early age evinced the excellent business qualities which have l)roved his success in life, and b}- reason of which he has attained to his present position. One of the most important events in the life of our subject was his marriage With Miss Emma L. Mitchell, which was celebrated at the home of the bride in Jonesville, Sept. 7, 1870. Mrs. Glasgow w.as born in Aurora, Erie Co., N. Y.,June22, 18,51, and is the daughter of Jonas F. and Cordelia (Row- \ey) Mitchell, natives also of the Empire State, tlie father born in Erie County, and the mother in Castile, AVyoming County. After marriage they settled in Aurora, Erie County, where they lived until 1860, and thence removed to Delaware, Ohio. Some time later, in the latter part of the month of December, 1861, they came to this count}', tak- ing up their residence in Jonesville, but a few months later removed to a farm which the father had purchased, two and one-half miles west, in Fay- ette Township. The father, a few years later, on ac- count of ill-health, was obliged to abandon active labor, and returning to Jonesville, took up his resi- dence here an'■' '■ " •' " '•>' (^NDREW REYNOLDS, a thrifty farmer and i^Ol stock-raiser of Cambria Township, is pleas- |l\ antly located, with his land lying on sec- tions 25 and 36; besides general f.-irming, he gives a large share of his attention to the raising of Durham cattle and I'oiand-China swine. The most of his land, com])rising a good farm of 275 acres, is in a productive condition, and his resi- dence occupies a pleasant situation in the southern part of section 25. Mr. Reynolds, a gentleman in the prime of life, was born in the township of California, Branch County, this State, Oct. 30, 1840. His father. Chancy Reynolds, was born in L^ons, Wayne Co., N. Y., and was the son of Joseph Reynolds, one of the most thrifty farmers of the Empire .State. Grandfatliei- Reynolds left his native soil after reacliing middle life, and took up his abode in Branch Count}', three miles from any house, in ^ the township of California. There he spent his last years, continuing a tiller of the soil, and sur- rounded himself with many comforts before his death, which occurred in 1850 or 1851. .Joseph Reynolds, upon reaching manhood, took up, like his father before him, a tract of Govern- ment land sometime in the thirties, and continued a resident of Branch County the remainder of his life, he and his excellent wife passing away within a few days of each other, both at the age of sixty- five years. Chancy Reynolds was but a boy when he came with his parents to Branch County, this State, and upon reaching manhood sought his wife among the maidens of Bedford, Monroe County, being mar- ried, about 1841, to Miss Triphena Tuttle, who was also a native of New York State, and came to Michigan with her parents during its Territorial days. The young people after their marriage lo- cated upon a tr.act of land in California Township, Branch County, where the father labored indus- triously as a tiller of the soil, and was rewarded in due time by the possession of a fertile farm, sup- plied with good buildings, and all the other appur- tenances of a comfortable home. They endured hardships and privations, and practiced the most rigid economy. The first meal in their new home was cooked by the side of a stump, and eaten from the same dish. They worked together with one common purpose, and about 1848. having a chance to dispose of their property to good advantage, sold out in Branch County, and took up a tract of eighty acres of wild land in Camden Township, this county, which was then far from any neighbors, and where they nearly repeated the process through which they had gone in Branch County. Upon this, however, they resided but a few years, and sell- ing out once more, the father purchased 120 .acres in Camden Townshii), which he cultivated for a time, then sold out again, and pureh.ased eighty iicres in Reading Township. Upon this he made some imi)rovemenls. but removed from it in 1852 to the northeast quarter of section 3C, Cambria Townshi|), purcluising also at the same time twenty acres in .Jefferson Townshii) adjoining. This also wsis a wild and unbroken tract, but the father seemed to delight in subduing the wilderness, and here also =T- 390 ■•►■ ,t hillsdalp: county. effected a great change in the primitive condition of the soil. He also put np two houses, with the other needed buildings, and here continued to re- side until his death, which took place Aug. 18, 1865. The father of our subject, in addition to his farm- ing operations, dealt considerably in real estate, buying and selling extensivelj'. At the same time he took a lively interest in township affairs, and was a stanch supporter of Democratic principles. The mother survived her husband until 1880, dying February 21 of that year, at the home of our subject, in Cambria Township. .She had been a true hel[)- mate to her husband, who, without her ready co- oi)eration, would probably have fallen far short of that which he was enabled to accomplish. To Chancy RcA'nolds and his excellent wife there were born eleven children, six sons and five daugh- ters, seven of whom lived to mature years, and are all married and settled in tliis State. Andrew, our subject, is the third eldest living. He completed his education in the common schools of Cambria Township, and took for his new wife one of the most estimable young ladies of Woodbridge Towu- siiip. Miss Rhoda A. Fuller, to whom he was mar- ried Oct. 14, 1874. Mrs. Reynolds was born in Sodus Township, Wayne Co., N. Y., April 20, 1851, the daughter of Alcanzer and Amanda (Hopkins) Fuller, also na- tives of Wayne County, N. Y., where they were married, and whence they removed to Michigan, when their daughter Amanda was an infant four months old. The father, a carpenter by trade, fol- lowed his occupation until removing to Wood- bridge Township, this county, where he purchased a small tract of land, thirtj'-five acres in extent, which he improved and added to until he is now the owner of a good farm of 110 acres, with con- venient and substantial buildings. Mr. Fuller is fifty-eight years of age, and his estimable wife sixty-one. Their family included three daughters, who are now residing in Michigan. Mrs. Reynolds continued under the parental roof nntil her marriage, and is now the mother of two interesting children, a daughter and son, Eva A. and Chancy, who are pursuing their studies in the 1 t district school. Mr. Reynolds, politically, has afHli- ated with the Democratic party since becoming a voter. Their neat horaesteail invariably attracts the eye of the passing traveler, and in all its sur- roundings indicates the thrift and imhistry of the proprietor. -Mj^iZ;®^-^ ~^^^ -^-S/ZTj^Ji- Ip!) BENEZER O. GROSVENOR, Su.. deceased, f.ather of the Hon. K. O. Grosvenor, was a prominent citizen of Albion, Mich., and was born in Grafton, Worcester Co., Mass., Oct. 29, 1783, having been one of a family of ten children born to his father. Rev. Daniel Grosvenor. Of this large family nine grew to maturity, and became citizens whose influence for good was felt wherever they dwelt. Their father was a devout. God-fear- ing man, and his innate goodness, purity of heart, integrity of purpose, and true Christian character, so impressed itself on each of his offspring, that of the nine children who were permitted by God's providence to reach years of discretion, all made public profession of faith in Christ, and two of the sons, following in their father's footsteps, became earnest and conscientious laborers in the vineyard of the Master. Of the other sons, three, i.icluding him of whom we write, became Deacons in the church, and worked not only for the good of the denominations to which they belonged, but also for the moral and Christian elevation of society'. The subject of this sketch was reared in his na- tive State, where he received a good public-school education, and later in life, by his own persistent efforts, acquired such a knowledge of generallitera- ture and science, that he became well fitted to asso- ciate with men of the highest culture, and to fill with satisfaction the oflSces to which he was elected. That his attainments should have been so varied and so profound without the advantages of a col- legiate education, reflects great credit upon himself and lionor to the parents under whose wise guidance he was enabled to accomplish so much. He was a young man of exceptionally fine habits, and al- though not a professor of religion until thirty years of his life had licen passed, his youth and early manhood were noticeably free from the common vices of intemperance and profanity, and were ^ t ■^•- IIILLSDALE COUNTY. 3'Jl i' marked by storliiig integrity of ciinnn-ter and np- riglil bnsiness transactions. In llie ^ear 1 SI ;i Mr. Grosvenor. who was IIrm) engaged in niercaiitileand jneciianieal Imsiness in Worcester Connty, Mass.. was united in marriage to a most estimable lad}' of culture and refiiiement. Miss Mary Ann, daughter of Hiaddyl and Mary (Flint) Liverinore. Not long after his m.airiage Mr. Grosvenor met with sudden and severe losses, but he submitted with cheerfulness to God's will, and removing to .Stillwater, N. Y., he engaged in school teaching, an occupation he had previously pursued. There he remained several years, greatly esteemed and be- loved as an instructor of youth, and still more hon- ored as an active Christian worker. Under his benign influence a large number of his pui)ils, and nianj' of the adults of that place, were led to ac- knowledge Christ's supremacy, and became earnest advocates of Ilis cause. .Subsequently our subject taught m the High School of Cliittenango, N. Y., whicli was under the supervision of Dr. Yates. There he also did efficient service in the Master's cause, and his residence there was deemed a bless- ing to the place. But needing a home where he could attend to the industrial education of as well as sup|)ly the temporal needs of his large family, our subject removed to Calhoun County, Mich., where he purchased a farm in the township of Albion, and at once commenced its improvement. At that time but a small part of this important and flourishing State had been settled, and Mr. Grosve- nor deserves honorable mention as one of the brave pioneers of tlic central portion of Michigan, who b}' their energetic zeal and enter[)rise lent great a.ssist!»nce in liringing this part of the State to its present jirosperitj'. Mr. Grosvenor was especially interested in establishing good e^ couple of Somerset Township, Thomas and i^j Mary (Williams) Turney, who settled on sections in 1834 or 1835, taking up their resi- dence in a log house with their two children, and living there until after the birth of live more. The two j-ounger were born in the new frame dwelling into which the parents had proudi}' rinnoved after ,a residence of fifteen years in the first primitive dwelling. Their son Ilarve}', of our sketcli, first opened his eyes to the light on the 29th of June, 1846, in the humble dwelling spoken of, and has most of the time since been a resident of Somerset Township. Thomas Turney and his wife were natives of Countj" Fermanagh, Ireland, the former born July 12, 1812, and the latter Feb. 12, 1814. They were married in Rochester, N. Y., and settled near the town of Batavia. whore tliey lived until coming to the West. Thomas Turney had crossed the At- lantic when quite young, and became a thrifty and well-to-do citizen, respected alike f(jr his integrity of char.'ictcr and tlie imlustr}' which enabled him to build up a good honu'siead. Politically, he voted the Democratic ticket, ami his son, our sub- ■^•- -•► 392 HILLSDALE COUNTY. ject. follows the same line of polities, and is a strong advocate of temperance principles. The father spent his last years with Harvey M.. and died at his home on the 11th of June. 1H76. The mother survived her husband a period of over ten j-ears, her death taking place Dec. 25, 18K6. Seven of their children lived to mature years, and four still survive, being residents of Michigan. Our subject continued with his parents until his marriage, Nov. 23, 1875. his bride being Miss Mar- garetta, daughter of Edward and Alfreta (Peak) Aldrich, who was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., Ai)ril 8. 1844. Tlie Aldrich family for generations were of New England birth, solid and substantial people, who uniformly made lesponsible and steady- going citizens. The spring following his marriage Mr. Turney purchased 100 acres of the old home- stead, which he has since occupied, and where he has carried on general farming with excellent re- sults. His estimable wife is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Ciiurch, and is particularly interested in the Eoreign Missiou- aiy Society. -S^5!>« -NJ^ <«5 ^ m ■4* t HILLSUALK CUUMY. 393 Prison, whence he was taken to Anrlersonville, and after iintokl siifforiiii^s for a year there, finally died from starvation; his remains were laid away in the prison cemetery. The next child was a sister, Julia, who is now in New York State; John E.,aIso a soldier, served six months in Company I, 2d New York Mounted Rifles; Hannah J. is in New Y'ork State. Our suhject also, during the progress of the Re- bellion, enlisted the same time as his brother-in-law, John K., and also served six months. During this time his regiment was mostly at Petersburg, and he saw very little active service. Mr. Gould became identified with the Masonic fraternity in 1885, and belongs to Fidelity Lodge No. 32, of which he is Junior Deacon. Tiie five children of Mr. and Mrs. Gould bear the names of E!mnia M., James E., Mar3- A. C, Frank and Beulah B. The eldest is twenty-two years of age, and the j'onngest seven. : -^t - i M^^ (|l IfelLLIAM HECOX. This late lamented \aIII citizen of Hil \jsJ/' *''^'^^" *'*^ Hillsdale County was one of its ^^/yfl earliest settlers, locating on the homestead which is now in possession of his family as early as 1836, when Michigan was a Territory. A native of the Buckeye State, he was born in the city of Cleveland, Dec. 19, 1811, and departed this life at his home in Jefferson Township, April 6, 1876. He h.ad been prominent in his community, held the oflice of Supervisor several terms, voted the straight Republican ticket, and was a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which lie offici- ated as Class-Leader, Steward and Trustee, being one of its chief pillars and among its most liberal supporters. His record in all respects was one of which his family may well be proud, fulfilling all the qualities of an honest man and a good citizen. The parents of our subject, Ambrose and Chloe (Spafford) Hccox. were natives respectively of New York and Vermont; the former died when his son William was a child three years of age. The mother Wiis thus widowed a second time, she having been previously married, and had by that union two sons. She was also married after the death of Mr. Ilecox, but there were no children. Her third husband died when her son William was about eleven j'ears old. He continued to live with his mother until reaching his majority, receiving a fair education, a part of which was given him in his native cit3'. The mother of our subject removed to Mauniee City, about ten miles from Toledo, in the western part of Ohio, and her son William there made the acquaintance of Miss Sarah Marti ndale, with whom he went to school, and to whom he was married at her home, April 1."), 1833. The young people set- tled upon a farm in that region, and four years Later came to this State, our subject entering a half-sec- tion of land, a part of which is now comprised in the present homesteail, he afterward selling a part. The woods were then all around them, and Mrs. Hecox states that one might travel a whole day without finding two acres of cleared land. Indians were numerous, but they were friendly, and the woods abounded in wild game, so that whatever else the family larder lacked there was little trouble in keeping a supply of wild meats. Mrs. Sarah Hecox was born Jan. 2H. 1816, in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., arid is the daughter of Elisha and Clara (Conant) Martindale, the father a native of Lenox, Mass., and the mother of Ver- mont. They became residents of the Empire State before their marriage, and spent their last years near Maumee City, the father dying in 1801. and the mother a number of 3'ears before. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. II. there were born seven children, but three of whom are living. Three sons were in the army, Cyrus S. being killed on the battle-field of Chickamauga; Herbert Horatio lost his hearing by the mumps while in the service but lived to return home, and is now farming near Battle Creek, Mich. ; he receives a pension, is married and the father of two children. Mary E. died when an interesting young lady of twenty-two years, and Eliza died at the age of fourteen ; Caroline is the wife of Nelson Elliot, who has the management of the home farm, and is the mother of five children. Mrs. Hecox receives a pension of $12 per month as the mother of a son killed in the arrn^-. She is a lady who has experienced many of the vicissi- tudes of life, has performed well her part as a wife and mother, and stands high among the people of her community. Slie was the efficient assistant 4~ ■<^ 394 ■■» II ♦ HILLSDALE COUNTY. of her hiislmrrl in his enrl.y toils anf) strng^glcs, and now, suiTOiniclef] by all the comforts of life, is in possession simply of her just dues .is one -nho w.-is always willin": to rlo her share of labor, and suffer hardshipand sacrifice forthe sake of lier family and their future good. ^i^ DWAKD GAMBLE, who has formed a LU] praisewM-rlhy member of the communitj' of jL^ ' Wright T5 i H Seneca County. Thereafter for a time he took up his residence in Crawford County, hut suUsequently returned to Seneca. He served an a|)[)reiiticeshi|) at the hiacksmitli trade and carried ou husine.ss in Attica some years, but finally removed to Carlisle, where he lived twelve j'ears, swinging the sledge there as before. His last years were spent in Omar, Seneca Co., Ohio, where his death took place Nov. 14, 1887. ilis wife, the mother of Mrs. (xamble, is still living and a resident of Omar. In politics Mr. Gamble is a Democrat. «1 Ijp'lLLIAM GLAvSGOW, a prominent and \jsJ// ^^^^^^y I'esident of Allen Township, is the W^ owner of -100 broad acres of valuable land located on sections 1 2 and 1 . The fact that he ac- cumulated his present possessions l)y the exercise of his own industry and good judgment, and that lie has now attained to a high position socially and financially, is greatly to his credit, and in conse- quence of which his history comprises a narrative of more than ordinary interest. When first settling in Allen Township, in 1845, he commenced farming on eighty acres of land, and from this moderate beginning has built up one of the finest honu'steads in the western part of the county. He is also the owner of a valuable property in Jonesville. Our subject is of Scotch-Irish ancestry, his father, John Glasgow, the son of Scotch parents, having been born in the North of Ireland, in County Ty- rone. There, upon reaching manhood he was mar- ried to Miss Jane Glasgow, a native of the same county and of like ancestry; they settled down for a lime near the home of their childhood. In 1844 the father, not satisfied with his condition or his prospects, resolved upon seeking his fortune in the New World. Alter his arrival upon American soil with his family, he proceeded directly westward to Southern Michigan, and located in F.ayette Town- ship, this county, about one and one-half miles west of the present site of Jonesville. Mr. Gl.asgow there became the owner t>f a good farm, and the par- ents resided there until their death. The seven children comprising the household circle included four sons and three ilaughters, of whom the record is as follows: Robert, the eldest, was killed by the falling of a tree in IJarry County, this State, when about fifty-five years of age; Mary A. married, and died at her home in Moscow Township about 1850; William, of our sketch, was the third child of the family; of John, the next younger brother, and a resilient of Jonesville, a sketch will be found else- where in this Ai.iiusr; Bessie, the wife of William Henry, died in Barry County about 1853; James is engaged with his two sons in merchandising in Jackson ; Margaret became the wife of Samuel Glasgow, and died in Auburn, N. Y. The subject of our sketch was born, like his par- ents, in County Tyrone, the North of Ireland, Feb. 11, 1811. He became familiar with farm life dur- ing his boyhood, and continued a resident of his native county until reaching his majority. He had in the meantime Ijeen greatly interested in tlu; glow- ing accounts received from America of tiie induce- ments there offereil to the young and enterprising emigrant, and determined to repair thither. Embark- ing on a sailing-vessel, he rea>ched New York City after a voyage of six weeks, and after visiting friends for a time in the city of Auburn, N. Y., engaged in farming, and was there employed for a period of ten years, some of the time as overseer of a farm adjacent to the cily limits. In the mean- tinje, in 1837, he came to this county and purchased eighty acres of land in Fayette Township, which later he disposed of, and remained in the Empire State with his little family until 1842. Then, ac- companied by his wifeand onechildand his brother John, he journeyed once more westward, to ixmain permanently. Mr. Glasgow now settled in Fayette Township, where he began operations on the eighty acres of land already spoken of. He encountered the strug- gles and difficulties common with the pioneer set- tlers around him, but by the exercise of the closest economy, and making it a point always to live within his income, laid the foundation of his pres- ent property. In due time he added to his real estate by the purchase of more land and put up suitable farm buildings, having now of these some of the best in Allen Township. He has thus con- tributed his full quota toward the prosi)erity and development of this section of country, assisting in n A 396 HILLSDALE COUNTY. .'1 its transformation fiom comparatively a wilderness to a community which is now made up of a class of intelligent and enterprising people. The marriage of William Glasgow and Miss Eliza Glasgow was celebrated at the home of the bride in Auburn, N. Y., Aug. 4, 1836. The wife of our subject, also born in County Tyrone, Ireland, Aug. 28, 1814, came to America with her future husband and her two brothers when she was eighteen jearsof age. The household included six children, four of whom lived to mature years. Wesley C, the eldest son and child, died Oct. 26, 1881; Silas W. is a well- to-do farmer of Allen Township, this county; Julia A. is the wife of William Hewlett, of Trinidad, Col. : Cassius L. is carrying on general merchandising at Nashville, this State. Mrs. Glasgow died at her home in Allen Township, Feb. 4, 1887. She w.as a lady possessed of many lovable and amiable quali- ties, and a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. G. also identified himself with this church raan^- yeais ago, and still remains loyal to his early convictions. He cast his first Presidential vote for Harrison, and is one of the most ardent adheients of the Re|iublican party. The career of Wesley C. Glasgow, the eldest son of our subject, which was cut shoit in the prime of life, was th.at of a man of more tban ordinary' abil- ity. He chose for his vocation the profession of law, and being gifted with rare talents as an orator, became prominent in the county where he passed the later years of his life. He was born in Auburn, N. Y., April 28, 1842, and after completing his studies in the common schools became a student at Hillsdale College, whence he was graduated with honors and received the degree of A. M. Subse- quently he entered the law department of Michi- gan University, being here also graduated with honors, and soon afterward entered u|)on the prac- tice of his profession in the office of the late Hon. W. A. Baxter, of Jonesville. There being a desira- ble opening at Lagrange, Ind., he removed thither, and at once entered upon the career which was so greatljr to his cre► 11 ^^ f 402 HILLSDALE COUNTY. 3'ears after his marriage, and then, seized with an- other attacit of the Western fever, set out, in 1859, for Pike's Peak. On this expedition he was accom- panied by S. Purdy, his two brothers, John and AVilliam, John Gibson and Daniel Conger. They were equipped with horses and a wagon, and trav- eled overland, via the old California route, our sub- ject acting as guide. The ground which was vacant during his first trip to the West was now occu- pied by the enterprising young city of Omaha, and there were various other evidences of the march of civilization toward the Pacific Coast. They met, however, many discouraged emigrants return- ing East, and upon reaching Elm Creek our ad- venturers began to share tlie common spirit of homesickness, and accordingly followed suit and soon found themselves on tlieir old tramping ground. Mr. Wade now settled contentedly down on bis farm. He has the satisfaction, however, of having visited nearly' all the Western States and Terri- tories, including both Old and New Mexico, and is probably one of the most extensive travelers in his township. This, together with his broad observa- tion of men and things, has been a rich experience, with which no amount of money could tempt him to part. He has kept himself well posted upon matters of general interest, voted for John C. Fre- mont at the organization of the Republican party, and has since Io3'ally adhered to its principles. While in California he met Mr. Fremont, and had the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with the old hero during his stay there. By the citizens of his township he is regarded as one of its best men. * -»I< ■■^- ^ SAAC S. GATES is jnstl3' entitled to represent- I ation in this biographical work as one who has /ii faithfully fulfilled all the duties devolving upon him as a man and a citizen. He is classed among the intelligent and progressive farmers of Hillsdale County, representing the agricultural inter- ests of Pittsford Township, where he has a valuable farm, and he has done his share in clearing away the wilderness and in bringing this region into its present prosperous condition. He is a self-made man in the best acceptation of that term, as he has ■♦- acquired all of his property since starting out in the vigor of early manhood with the earnest de- termination to make a success of life, with no other means than a sound mind in a sound body. Mr. Gates was born in Ontario, Ontario Co., N. Y., Feb. 12, 1817. His father, Jeremiah Gates, a native of Hartford, Conn., when a young man left his native State to make his home in Vermont, and there married Sarah J. Sonthworth, who was born in Rutland County, that State. Her father, Isaac Sonthworth, a lifelong resident of the Green Mountain State, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gates continued to live in Vermont until the winter of 1815, when they started vvitli their six children for Western New Y''ork, the removal being made with horses and sleighs. Mr. Gates bought land in On- tario County and resided there until 1822, when he sold his property and moved to Orleans County. He bought land of the Holland Pui'chase Company, in Barre, and built a log house for the shelter of his family, and commenced to clear a farm. In 1836 he sold out there and moved with his family to the Territory of Miciiigan. and bought a tract of land in Plj'mouth, Wayne County, and made bis home there imtil his death in 1858. His farm contained 120 acres of fertile land, and there were a frame barn and log house on the place when he moved there. He was industrious, and by judicious man- agement became quite successful; his wife survived him many years, dying on the old homestead in 1871. To this worthy couple were born eleven children. Our subject was the seventh child born to his parents, and inherited in amarked degree those New England traits of honesty, thrift and enterprise, that had been their distinguishing characteristics. His boyhood was passed in his native State, where he re- ceived the usual educational advantages of thedaj-. He was nineteen years of age when he came with his parents to Michigan, and he remained with them until 1841. In the meantime, on the 19th of No- vember, 1840, be took unto himself a wife in the person of Harriet Howell, who has indeed proved a faithful and devoted helpmate. She was born in the beautiful town of Southampton on Long Island, near the sea coast, Jan. 26, 1820. Her father, 'i Benjamin Howell, was born in the same town, and -•► t 1 t >► ■ ^» HILLSDALE COUNTY. 403 marrierl Naiioj' Uishop, a native of the same place, and a daujjhter of John and Nancj- (White) Bisliop, hoth natives and lifelong residents of Long liilMiid. Ml'. Bishop's father, who was of Kn- glish birth, died on Long Island. After marriage the parents of Mrs. Gates continued to live in their native place, fSouthampton, until after the liirth of seven children. In 1833 they started with their family for Western New York, traveling via the Hudson River and Erie Canal to Perrinton, where they spent the two succeeding years, until July, 183;'). when they came to IMidiigan Territory and located in Canton, Wayne County, where Mr. Howell bought 160 acres of partly in)pri)ved land, on which stood a log house, into which the family moved. They resided there for man}' years, but after the death of his wife in 1871 Mr. Howell sold his farm and went to Missouri, where he died in the home of his son in Audrain County. In 1841 Mr. Gates, with his young wife, left the parental roof in Plymouth an(J came to Hillsdale County, where he bought 107 acrr's of he.ivily tim- bered land in Wheatland Township. He built a frame house which remained their home until 1871. In tlie meantime he was busily and actively en- sasred in felling the trees and improving his land, of which he cleared about seventy .acres, and he also erected a good set of frame buildings. In these years of weary labor he had the sympathy and aid of his good wife, who by her good man- agement of her household affairs contributed her share in the mutual upbuilding of a home. She cooked their meals liefore the rude firejilace, which .served them instead of a stove; and she used to spin and weave all the yarn used in the famil}-. When they first located in Wheatland Township Adrian was the nearest railway point, but after- ward the railway was extended to Hudson, which was for many years the nearest railway station. When Mr. Gates commenced farming in Wlieat- land he had one pair of oxen, one cow and two hogs, and he did his farm work and marketing for several years w-ith oxen. In 1 87 1 he sold his prop- erty in that place and liought liis present farm of 100 acres, wliich he has improved into one of the finest in the township, and has ample buildings and r all the necessary implements for carrying on his work. Mr. Gates is a man of rare sagacity, strength of purpose and stability of character, and is a great re.ader and is well informed. The life record of himself and wife is a noble one, and they have been quietly and unpretentiously a power in their united lives for much good. Having no children of their own they have taken to their home and hearts the following, who are as much beloved bj' them as if they were bound to them by the sacred ties of kinship: William Dinsmore lives in Hudson; Nellie W^ay married Albert Bradfield, is now a widow, and lives in Canton, Wayne County; Annie Ambrose married Cecil Carl, and lives in Wj-an- dotte, Kan.; Frederick A. Carrigan is in the mail service at Atlanta, Ga.; Jessie Johnson is making her home with them now. Mr. Gates was formerly a Whig, but has been a Republican from the for- mation of the party. a^.OBERT B. SUTTON. The name of this IL^ gentleman, now deceased, is recalled by the /L \\\ citizens of Hillsdale as that of one of its '*g most active business men and highl}' re- spected citizens. He was born near Trenton, N. J., March 29, 1792. W'hcn eight years of age, his parents moved to the town of L3'ons, Wayne Co., N. Y., where he grew to manhood .and learned the cooper's trade, which he fi>llowed some years during his residence in his native State. During the troubles of 1812 he served as a soldier, and was wounded at the battle of Lundy's Lane, on account of which the mother subsequently drew a pension from the Government after his de.ath. Mr. Sutton was a man of remarkable phj'sique, and nature placed within him an intellect and n will power commensurate with his noble stature. In his earlier life he was eng.iged as a boatman on the Mohawk River, and later became interested in the lumber business, going into Canada and becom- ing the head of the extensive operations carried on thereafter between the Dominion and the .States. Later, near his native place, he became the owner of a valuable farm, and after turning his attention to the Territory of Michigan, purch.a.sed largely of pine logs, wliich he converted into lumber and dis- i ■^•- *r -4^ ,t 404 HILLSDALE COUNTY. posed of at a high figure. He also became the owner of lai'ge tracts of land in Illinois and Iowa, which had fallen to hira as the security of large suras of money which lie had loaned, and which he could recover in no other way. Mr. Sutton during his early manhood was mar- ried in New York State, where he became the father of several children and where his first wife died. His family had reached mature years before the removal to Michigan, and were all married in their native State, where the survivors are still liv- ing. Mr. Sutton took up his residence in Hillsilale about 1859, and became identified with the lumber interests, with which he continued for a namber of years. He was particularly fortunate in the invest- ment of his capital, and was chiefly instrumental in the organization of the First National Bank, of which he remained a Director until the time of his death, which occurred in 1876. Enterprising, en- ergetic and ambitious, he was warmly interested in the development and progress of his adopted county, and here invested a generous share of his capital. He put up what is now known as the Sutton Opera House Block, which comprises a substantial build- ing, three stories in height, which gives ample accommodation to four stores and the large audi- torium from which it derives its name. Mr. Sutton contracted a second marriage, in 1 860, in Hillsdale, with Miss Anna B. Wragg. who became the mother of one son, John R. Sutton, who is now numbered among the active young business men of the city, and is in possession of a handsome prop- erty which requires the greater part of his time and attention. Mrs. Anna (Wragg) Sutton departed thie life at her home in Hillsdale in 1883. "^ EVI WOOD, who is widely and fa^vorably I (^ known throughout Reading Township as / l^vN one of its most thorough and successful farmers, has a snug homestead of eighty .icres on section 15. The place is supplied with good build- ings, a neat residence, barn and outhouses, a fair assortment of live stock, including horses, cattle and swine, and the land has been underdrained wher- ever needed with tiling, which has rendered it highly productive. Everything about the premises indi- cates thrift and prosperity', and it stands as a silent but forcible wituess of the industry and enterprise of the proprietor. Mr. Wood came to this farm in March, 1868, from Wheatland Township, to which he had mi- grated with his father in January, 1842. He was born in the town of Macedon, Wayne Co., N. Y., April 29, 1833, and is a son of Seth Wood, a native of the same place, and who was born in 1805, two years after his father, Levi Wood, Sr., had set- tled there. The latter was from Pelham, Mass., and had served in the Revolutionary War, at the close of which he witnessed the surrender of Bur- goyne to the victorious Continentals. The great- great-grandfather of our subject, Jedediah Wood, was also a native of the Bay State, whence he mi- grated late in life to Wayne County, N. Y.. and died at the home of his son. Levi Wood, Sr., one of the earliest settlers of Waj'ne -County, N. Y., felled the trees around his cabin, and in due time eliminated a good farm from the forest. The tract where be settled was after- ward named Macedon Township, and he resided there until his death, in 1835, at a ripe old age. He had married, in early manhood, Miss Bethany Fuller, a native of his own State and of New En- gland parentage and ancestry. She survived her husband, and coming to Michigan, died at the home of her son Freeman, in Wheatland Township, this county, when about eighty years of age. She was the mother of twelve children, the daughters being Hannah, Bethany, Electa, Phila, Permelia and Lois. These are all deceased. The sons were Levi and Freeman, who served in the War of 1812; Seth, the father of our subject; Zebina, and Asaph, the eldest, are deceased. Nearly all the children lived to mature years, were married and had fami- lies of their own. Seth Wood developed into manhood upon his native soil, and when his parents were no longer able to care for themselves he performed a son's whole duty by them until they had passed away. In 1833, after his marriage and the birth of two children — Esther, now Mrs. Pease, of Jonesville, and Levi, our subject — he sold out to his eldest brother, .^ f t \ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 405 and removing to Oliio located npon an nnimproved fnini of ICO acres ir. Columbia Township, Lorain County. He continued a resident of the Buckeye State until 1842. and in the meantime had improved his 1 GO acres of land. Later he trnded 100 acres of this for 105 acres in Wheatland Towns-hip, this county, to which he came in Januar}', 1842. Here he labored as before, reducing the soil to a state of cultivation, and bringing about the improvements naturally suggested to the thorough and skillful farmer and man of good business capacity. He added to his real estate by the purchase of eightj' acres more, and thus at the time of his death had 185 acres, most of it in a productive condition. He rested from his earthly labors on the 8th of Jan- uary, 1855. The father of our subject in early manhood identified himself with the old Whig party, which remained in existence until the year after his death. He was decided in his views and maintained his l)rinciples with all the strength of his character. He had neveT been an otiice-seeker. but officiated as Justice of the Peace many years before his death. The mother, whose maiden name was Lydia Gates, was born in Wayne Countj-. K. Y., and came of Massachusetts parentage. Her father, Jeremiah Gates, spent his last years in AVheatland Township, this county, passing awaj* when about seventy-five years old. The mother of our subject received careful home training and a fair common-school education, and she, with her husband, Seth Wood, was an act- ive mem])er of the Regular Baptist Church. In this church Seth Wood officiated as Deacon many years. They weie the parents of nine children, three sons and six daughters, two of whom, a son and a daughter, died in childhood. Levi, our sub- ject, was the eldest son and second child, and completed his education in the public schools of Wheatland Township, this county. There also he developed into manhood, and was married, Oct. 20, 1858. to Mi.ss Fanny llaynes. ]\Irs. Wood was born in Hamilton Township, Madison Co., N. Y., June 9, 1837, and was the only daughter of Iliram and Jerusha (Dibble) Haynes, who were natives respectively of Rensselaer and Madison Counties, , N. Y. They were married in Madison County, 4- -4•- where they lived a few years afterward, and where their two children, Orlando and Mrs. Wood, were born. The former is now a resident of Hillsdale, and retired. The parents of Mrs. Wood came to Michigan about 1840 and located in Jackson County, where Mr. Haynes established the first carding-machine, which he operated a number of years. Later he sold out, and in 1848 took up his residence in Wheatland Township, this county, here also establishing and carrj'ing on the manufacture of woolen cloth, and being the pioneer of the business also in this section. Heretofore, however, he had lived for a time in Rollin Township, Lenawee County, before coming to Wheatland, where he carried on the same business, operating it in connection with a fiouring-mill. His life was successful financially, and he was also a man who was highly e.steemed among his neighbors. His death occurred in Adams Township when he was seventy-two years old. His first wife had died in Jackson County, Mich., and he then married Mrs. Sarah Metcalf, who survived him about one j'ear. Both ladies belonged to the Methodist Church, and Mr. Haynes was, politically, during the last years of his life a strong Repulilican. Mrs. AVood was reared in Wheatland Township, where she acquired a good common-school educa- tion and commenced teaching soon after fifteen years of age, which she coiatinued for some time before her marriage. Of her union with our sub- ject there were born three children, one of whom, Lamoiit, died at the age of twenty -three j-Qjirs and seven months, in Jv'ewtou, Iowa. He had married Miss Mabel Basom, who is still living and is now the wife of Thomas Rowe, of Jackson. This son is a 3'oung man of great promise, well educated and highly intelligent, and acts as telegraph operator and agent at Auburn, Ind., and other places, for the Jackson & Ft. Wayne Railroad, which is now the Lake Shore & JMichigan Southern. Miss Jennie E. Wood completed her education in the State Nor- mal School at Ypsilanti, makes her home with her parents, and occupies herself as a teacher in the district schools of her township; Marion II. remains on the farm and assists his father. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are members in good standing of the Regular Baptist Church, and our subject, politically, uni- h M^ ,t 406 HILLSDALE COUNTY IX Ilia formly votes the Republican ticket. Tlie Wood homestead is the resort of a large number of cultivated and intelligent people, who find in their host and hostess the spirits with which they are happy to affiliate. EMAN D. BAILEY. Nearly a quarter of a centur}' marks the time which the suhject of this biography has called Hillsdale County his home. Reared to agricultural pursuits, he followed these tiirough his boyhood and youth, and in the fall of 1864 jjitehed his tent within the limits of Pittsford Township, taking up a tract of land upon which he operated five years. Then, seized with the California fever, he made his wav to the Pacific Slope, and occupied himself as before in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties four years. At the expiration of this time he returned to Michigan, and rented a farm in Wright Town- ship, this county, which he occupied nine years. In the meantime he purchased the land which he now owns, and which he located upon in 1884. To this he has given his entire attention since that time, erecting good buildings, and gradually bringing about the improvements which have made the home- stead noticeable among those of his neighbors. The subject of this sketch is a native of Livingston County, N. Y., born near the town of Graceland, Ma\' 11,1 847. His father, John Bailey, a native of the same place, was born Dec. 9. 1815, and his pa- ternal grandfather. Thomas Bailey, was one of the early settlers of that region. The latter purchased a tract of land, and farmed there a number of years, then removed to Cattaraugus County, where he spent his last days. John J. Bailey upon reaching manhood was married, and, like his father before him, followed agriculture, operating first on fifty -six acres not far from the place of his birth. Thence, in 1864, he came to this county, and purchasing land on section 27 in Pittsford Township, here spent the remainder of his days, passing away on the 22d of December, 188a. The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Sarah A. Arner, who was born in Pennsylva- nia, Feb. 24, 1817. Her father. John H. Arner. re- moved from the Keystone State to Livingston County. N. Y., in 1822, purchasing land adjacent to the town of Graceland, where he cultivated the soil, built up a comfortable homestead, and spent ttie remainder of his life. His wife is still living on the old homestead in Pittsford. The i)arental household included six children, namely: Eliza J., now the wife of Alonzo Webster, and Lyman II., of Pittsford; Charles L., of Oregon; Ilenian D., of our sketch ; Catherine M., Mrs. Maples, of Pittsford, and Edward L., of Nebraska. The boyhoo., Walter II., Byron M. and John B. Our subject and his wife are members in good standing of the Baptist Church, and enjoy in a marked de- gree the respect of their neighliors. Mr. B., polit- ically, afliliates with the Republican [)artj'. vil IfelLLIAM BliYAN, whose jiortrait is given \/jJl/ on the opposite page, was one of the fore- W^ most of the brave and resolute pioneers of the beautiful township of Woodbridgc over half a century ago, and from that day to this has occupied a leading position among its most influential citi- zens. When he first settled here in the fall of 1837 the generally rolling and elevated character of the surface of the township, rising into bluffs and knolls in the northern [lart, Wiis densely covered with trees of man}' centuries' growth, such as beech, maple, jioplar, oak, black walnut, hickor}', black and white ash. And a few acres of these magnifi- cent old trees of the primeval forest that are still scattered here and there throughout this region, and that were once so common in Michigan, give one an idea of what the early settlers had to contend with in those pioneer days, when such giants had to be hewn down and enormous stumps uprooted before the land could bo developed into farms, and they must, indeed, have been men of more than ordinary brawn and muscle, stoutness of heart and strength of character, who were enabled to accom- plish the vast work of opening this country. Our subject has been one of the instruments in devel- oping this township and count}' from their original wild state; he has cleared 100 acres or more of land by his incessant and active labors, and he now owns a fine farm of ninety acres, under the best tillage, and yielding the various cereals, vegetables and fruits, commonly grown in Southern Michigan in the greatest abundance and perfection. Mr. Bryan built the first frame house anil also the first school-house in the townshii). and he cut the first road to Woodbridge from Cambria. Mr. Bryan was born in Cheshire, Berkshire Co., Mass., Nov. 22, 181G, and is a descendant of an old English family, who are known to have been landed proprietors in England as far back even as the days of William the Conqueror. One branch of this family some centuries later migrated to Derry, in the northern part of Ireland, and the famous Irish patriot. Wolf Tone, who cut his throat rather' than to be gibbeted by the English Govern- ment, was collaterally descended from that branch. At some time in the eighteenth centur}' the grand- father of our subject left Ireland, embarking on board of an American-bound vessel, for this coun- try. The ship in whicii he sailed was either be- calmed or driven out of its course by storms, and he was delayed on the waters for several weeks, and came near sulTering starvation. He finally landed safely in Boston, and for some 3'ears m.ade his home in Massachusetts, marr^'ing, in Worcester County, a lady who was a native of Lancaslei', that count}'. Some years after marriage he removed with his family to Canada, wlu'ie he took up five concessions 4 410 -■► HILLSDALE COUNTY. of land ill the town of Cornwall, each concession, comprising 100 acres, making a mile long. His sons, the father of our subject being one, took some of this land, which was finally taken from them by tiie English Government. The grandfather of our sub- ject was in many wajs a superior man; ho was phy- sically and intellectually strong, possessed keen perceptive faculties and a large fund of general information. Richard Bryan, tlie father of our subject, was born in Massaciiusetts in 17H6, and there married Miss Sarah Sawyer, likewise a native of that State, born in 1784. After iiis land had been confiscated by the British Government, he removed from Canada and settled in Cheshire, Mass. He took part in the War of 1812, and served out the time of another man. For his gallant conduct he re- ceived a land warrant, settled on his land and farmed, and was also engaged in the shoe business. After living in Cheshire sixteen years he came to Michigan, and located in Woodbridge Township in September, 1838. He improved a good farm on section ."), and continued to reside here many years, honoreil and respected by all who knew him. until his death in 18GS, at the age of eight^'-two. He held the office of Justice of the Peace for a term of four years, and otherwise took an important part in the administration of local affairs. His estima' ble wife had preceded him in deatli in 1856. To them were born five children, namely: William, liichard, John, Sarah and Ezra. William Bryan was reared to manhood in the place of his nativity, and he there married Miss .Susan Brj-ant, in September, 1837. She was born Feb. 6, 1820, and was the daughter of Barton and Artemisia (Sayles) Bryant, natives of Rhode Island, where the father was born in 1793. IMr. Bryant was an intelligent, upright man, and a hard worker. He and his wife settled in Chesiiire, Mass., and there died, he in 1864, and she in 1867. They were the parents of eight children, as follows: Susan, Ste- phen, George, William, Lewis, James, Delvin and Eliza. When our subject and his wife thus started out in life together in youth's golden prime, they were poor indeed as far as woildl}- possessions are con- cerned, but they were rich in health and strength, and the high hopes and ambitions of the young. Four weeks after marriage they set out for the new State of Michigan to brave the unknown dangers of its forests, that they might build u[) for them- selves a comfortable home. At first, after locating on his land, Mr. Brjan had to go out as a day laborer at $1 a day to obtain means of subsistence until he could clear enough of his own land to be- come independent. His young wife staid at home to care for the stock, that no wild beasts might molest it, bears then being plenty, and our subject has at different times driven them away from the hogs. The first few j-ears of their life here must have been fraught with many a haidship and pri- vation to which they had been un.accustomed in their Massachusetts home. But they patiently en- dured their trials, worked without ce.asing, and their labors were nt length rewarded; a fine farm was developed from the f(jrest-covered land, the home for which the3' longed reared its sheltering walls, and they are now spending their declining years, over fifty of which the3' have passed together, sur- rounded by Its peace and comfort, and hold in lov- ing regard and the highest respect by the many friends who have become attached to them by their unvarying kindness and sympath}'. The record of the six sons born of their marriage is as follows : Jasper married Rhoda Sayles; Addis married Selinda Niles; B3-ron m.arried Ellen Benedict; Her- bert D. married Nanc^^ Cox; Adelbert married Sarah Wells, and Otto is unmarried. The long and honorable career of our subject has marked him as a man of sound principle, unblem- ished character, and vigorous and earnest thought; he is progressive and advanced in the stand that he has always taken in regard to the intellectual, political and moral questions that have long agi- tated, and are continuing to agitate, the public mind to-day. He has earnestly stiiven to enlarge the educational privileges of the j-outh of this township while filling the oIKce of School Inspector, and has assisted in building four school-houses. Politically, he is independent, with a leaning, however, toward Greenbackism ; in his religious views he is liberal. He has been one of the prime movers in the cause of temperance for the la it thirty j'ears, has taken the stand on many occasions throughout the county, -■ ^» HILLSDALE COUNTY. 411 Ims Itoeii a mcinbin- of various U'lnpcraiice orgaiii- zalioiis. beloiigeil to the 'IVMuplc of Honor for eight j'oai's, was a member of tlie (ioofi 'rem|)lars, and wiis. at one time, VVorthy C'hief of the order of Sons of Temperance. Mr. Bryan has ever taken a conspicuons part in the uonnciis of Woodbiidge Townshi|). and has held every ofHee of importance and responsibility, from tliat of Constable to Super- visor. He was elected to the hitter office in 1 850, was elected Treasurer in 1844, and also Highvvaj' Commissioner. ^^ -■^ -fe 'JOSEPH HESS, a prominent farmer of Am- I boj' Township, residing on section 5, was born in Monroe County, N. Y.. Dec. 2, 1830, and is tiie son of JL'ithias and Mary (Smith) Hess, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The Hess family had been represented in the Ke3-stone State for several generations. The maternal grandfather spent his last years in New York State, and it is believed that his brother served in the Revolution- ary War and later in the .War of 1812. To Mathias and Mary Hess there were born nine children, and of the survivors the record is .as fol- lows: William is a resident of Monroe County, N. Y. ; Joseph, our subject, was the second child; Lydia is the wife of Willis Case, of Branch County, this Slate; Caroline, Mrs. William Peck, lives in Henry County, 111. The deceased are: John, Maria, Mary, Abraham and Susannah. Joseph was reared in his native county, receiving a limited education, and l)eing taught to make himself useful around the homestead at an earlj' age. His inclination to read and study, however, |)r()vided him with a good fund of information, and upon reaching his major- ity he had a very good insight into business affairs. Our subject, soon after becoming his own man, left the Empire State and took up his abode in Huron Count}', Ohio, where he w.as married, July 3, 1 855. to Miss Abbie Hosmer, who was born in the village of Jerusalem, N. Y., Oct. 13, 1832, and is the daughter of John and Lucy (Earl) Hosmer, who were the parents of eleven children. Of these ten .arc still living, uiimely : Titus. Ceorge, Daniel; Mercy A., the wife (>( Alfred Frisbie; Lucy. Mrs. Alexander Boyd; Abbie; N'ancy, the wife of Orin Rice; Sydney, Frank; Ellen, Mrs. Smith, and Bar- rett. Our subject, in 18,') I, left the Buckeye State with his famil}', .and coming to this county em- ployed himself at fanning until the fall of 1800, when he settled on his present farm. This com- prises eighty acres of good land, which he cleared from the wilderness, and where he built up the comfortable home which he and his estimable wife, who has always been his able and cheerful assist- ant, are now enjo3ing in their declining years. Their union was blessed by the birth of five children, namely : iSIaria, the wife of Frank Frarej-; F'rank, Delia, F>lith and George. Mr. Hess, politically, votes the Republican ticket, and has served as School Director in his township, while alw.ays being the supporter of those prOjCcts calculated for its advancement and prosperity. He is duly imbued with patriotic principles and feels grati- fied over the reflection that two of his paternal great- uncles did good service in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Mr. Hess, in February, 1863, was drafted into the Union arm}', becoming a mem- ber of Company D, 16th Michigan Infantry', which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and he fought at the battles of Chancellorsvillc, Middle- burg and Gettysburg, besides meeting the enemy in various other engagements and skirmishes. He served in all nine months, and fortunately' escaped wounds and imprisonment, being permitted to return in safety to his family. -^^3- (| SALTER R. BRANCH, Register of Deeds \/sJi ^^ Hillsdale County, a gentleman still V^'^ young in years and of excellent capacities, spent the early years of his life in Huron County, Ohio, where he was born Nov. 1. 1«59. The only son of Augustus W. and Grace H. (Wier) Branch, he enjoyed good advantages during his boyhood and youth, pursuing his early studies in the Nor- vvalk school and Later attending the High School at Norwalk, one of tlic most bea\itifnl towns in the Buckeye State. Mr. Branch came to Southern Michigan with his parents, and was a student in the Union School at i~ j >¥ ^J f ■» ^ 412 HILLSDALE COUNTY. Hillsdale. Upon putting away his books he entered the {iffiee of the Regigtei- of Deeds in the capaeity of clerk, in the employ of bis uncle. Robert A. Wier. in which position he served until the death of this gentleman, which occuired Oct. IC). 1887. Mr. Branch then succeeded to the office of Regis- ter of Deeds, and is now also acting as Deputj' Clerk of the Circuit Court. He makes an efficient officer, serving with credit to him.'-fclf and satisfac- tion to all concerned. Our subject and his family reside on Howell sti'eet. Mr. Branch having been married. Dee 6, J 882. to Miss Minnie, only daughter of Jra B. Cord, Postmaster of Hillsdale. Mrs. Branch was born in Cambria Township, this county. By this union there is one daughter. Mabel G.. «ho was born Ajiril 27, 1887. Mr. Branch, politicallj'. is a zealous Repub- lican, and sociallj'. is a member of the IMasonic fiaternily, belonging to Hillsdale Lodge Ko. 176, and the K. of P., Lodge Ko. 49. -w\. -\«a£i2r©~^^ >»^,S,-jrzr?i»v.-i ff' OHN 8. KIRKWOOD. Among the honored and resjiected citizens of Hillsdale County, and prosperous agriculturists of Scipio Town- ship, no one is more deserving of mention in this biographical volume than he of whom we write. Mr. Kirkwood was born in York County, Pa., Nov. 21, 1822. His parents, Robert and Elizabeth (Thompson) Kirkwood, were born re- spectively in Harford County', Md.. July 27, 1797. and in York County, Pa., April 4, 1791. The}' were both of Scotch- Irish ancestry. They were married in York Count.y, Pa., in 1821, and lived there until 1 823. They then removed to Ontario County, N. Y., where they remained about five years. From there thej' went to Allegany County, in the same State, where they bought a tract of land and established a home. The death of Mrs. Kirkwood, the mothei' of our subject, occurred there Feb. 20. 1839. After her death her husband re- mained on his homestead initil the year 1843. when he exchanged that property for land in Lucas County, Ohio, whither he removed with his chil- dren. Two yeais laiir he came to this county and settled in Moscow Township, where he lemained until the fall of 1 847. when he came to Scipio Town- ship, and from that time made his home with our subject until his death, which occurred Sept. 30, 1800. Both he and his wife were worthy members of the Presbyterian Church, and esteemed members of society. They were the parents of four children, of whom the following is the record : John S., our subject; Eliza A. died in Allegany Count}', N. Y., Oct. 3, J 841 : Alexander T. is a miller in Washte- naw County, Mich.; Esther is the wife of Jesse Woolcott. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and educated in the district schools of New York. He chose farming as the occupation by which he should maintain himself, and after reaching man- hood came to Michigan, arriving in Hillsdale County in 1845. In the autumn of 1847 he bought 100 acres of wild land on section 16 of Scipio Town- ship, which by industry, energy and good manage- ment, he has now under an excellent state of cultivation. On it he has erected a suljslantial dwelling, good bai-ns and out-buildings, and made other valualile improvements. The neat and thrifty appearance of his homestead shows with what judg- ment and skill the time and labor expended on it have been used. Mr. Kirkwood was married, Oct. 26, 1853, to Miss Irene J. Woolcott, daughter of Jason and Lydia (Iloxie) Woolcott, both natives of New England. They were the parents of five children, two sons and three daughters, of whom Irene was the third child. She was born in Wayne Countj% N. Y., Feb. 4, 1826. Of her union with Mr. Kirkwood two children have been born — Lydia H. and Eliza A. The former is the wife of Rev. M. F. Loomis, a Methodist clergyman, of Calhoun County, Mich. Eliza is at home with her parents. Mrs. Kirkwood has been a most faithful wife and mother, being a womanly woman, in whom the heart of her husband doth safely trust. He has al- ways found in her a judicious counselor and a ready helper, and justly gives her due credit for the active part she has taken in establishing their pleasant home. Mr. Kirkwood has identified him- self with the interests of this township since coming to Scipio, and by his unswerving integrity has wou the esteem and confi these congregations in the spring of 1886, and by his conscientious and kindly bearing has fully established himself in the esteem and confi- dence of the people. A native of Columbiana County. Ohio, he was born March 26, 1840, and is consequently in the prime of life and amply fitted for its duties and responsibilities. The parents of our subject, Darling H. and Amy (Ingling) Borton, were natives of Burlington County, N. J., and descended from ancestry who were Quakers in religious faith. The maternal grandfather, however, allowed his patriotism to overcome his religious scruples, and during the War of 1812. carried his musket .against the foes of his countr3'. The ptirents of our subject, about 1826, left New England and settled in Columbiana County, Ohio, making the journey l)y wagon. In 1842 tiiey moved to Wood County, and settled among the pioneers. There the mother died on the 12th of May, 1845, at the .age of thirty-three years. The chihiren were scattered in various families, and the father was .■,ubsequently married to Miss Anna L. Thom[)S(>n, and seven more children were added to the iiousehold. Darling H. was a l>l.ack- smith bj' trade, and although a mechanic and laborer, was a man of deep pietj-, and his natural inclinations led iiini to tiie pulpit in the early his- tory of Oiiio. which he, in the absence of the rcularlj- ordained minister, graced to the satisf.ac- tion of attentive hearers on occasions of Sunday n -4^ 416 HILLSDALE COUNTY. services, fnnernls and the like. He Tvas a man whom the ghosts of the past never haunted, the fear of the future seldom troubled. ,ind ^\h(s(' de- mands on the jirfsmt ^ere casil}' satisfied. He was a friend to the unfoitunale. a boon of good to the sick, and a loving fatlirr to his children. He rested from his eailhly labois in Amboy Township, this count}', on the 19th of September, 1SG6. at the age of fifty-one years. Four of the six children of the first marriage are still living. Two sisters are residents of Nebraska, one biothcrof California, and the other is represented in the jierson of Jesse P., our subject. The early years of Mr. Bortc ii were spent in his native count}', whence he emigrated to Michigan in 1846. The year following he became an inmate of the familj' of Col. Henry Malton, but ran awa}' from him for fear of having to go into the well to get a pair of beetle wings, used to sink the bucket, Col. AValt(-n having jokingly told him he would have to go into the well, which he took foi' earnest. He was next taken to the h(!Die of his uncle, Wil- lerd Hill, nith whom he remained five years, and at the expiration of this time the children were gathered together by their father, and Jesse P. re- mained with the latter for ten jears following. His early education 'was extremely limited, but he had succeeded bj- a course of reading in becoming fairl}' well infoimed and began leaching when a 3'oMlh of seventeen. By this means he hoped to earn sufficient numey to complete a higher course in school, in which he succeeded to his great satis- faction, graduating in 1866, then resumed teaching until 1881. Upon experiencing a change of heart, he soon aftcrwaid felt drawn toward the pulpit and its duties, in which inclination he was seconded by his friends and the churches of that region. For five jears thereafter he officiated as minister for the churches at Ran.som and Prattville, in this county, and also followed his profession of teacher two years of the same time. The labors of these he resigned to accept the call to the churches over which he now presides. The marriage of the Rev. Jesse P. Borton and Miss Maggie McFaul was celebrated ai the home of the bride in Dowagiac on the 1 2th of September. 1867. The parents of Mrs. Borton were natives respectively of Ireland and Canada. Her father emi- grated to the United States •nhen but a child, with his parents, who became ownos of a part of the land now f)ccupied b}' the city of Detroit. Wayne County was but a wilderness when he first settled there, and the parents were married at Ann Arbor about 1 839. They si)ei]t their last years in St. Joseph, the mother dying in 18.S1, when about fifty-seven years of age. and the father in 1882, when about sixty. Their family included nine children, of whom Jlrs. Boi'ton was the filth in order of biilli. She was born Aug. 27, 1849, at Ann Arbor, and re- moved with her parents to Niles when nine }'ears of age. From there they went to St. Joseph and thence to Dowagiac, where she made the ac- quaintance of her future husband. The}' have two children: Call Darling, now a jeweler at Dowagi.ac, and Cora Jessie, who is a member of the class of '80, in the North Adams school. Mr. Borton. while a resident of New Berlin. Ohio, was afflicted with bone erysipelas, from the effects of which his right limb was disabled, leaving him a cripple for life. He has been prominent in town- shii) affairs, serving as Schot)! Inspector in Cass County, and in his township in Hillsdale County. A man fond of reading and study, and thoroughly acquainted with the duties of his position, he is fulfilling his mission in life in a creditable and worthy manner, and exerting a good influence upon the community around him. (<^?.IOS BARNKS, a painter of much skill, j^/Lir prompt, rel labile and trnstw*irthy, is well ^(1 known to a large proportion of the citizens of Hillsdale, of which he has been a resi- dent for the last thirty-one years. His early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, and he was born near the city of London, April 8, 1827. The parents of our subject, Joseph and Sophia Barnes, were also of English birth and parentage, and the father died upon his native soil when his son Amos was but a lad eight years of age. Amos acquired his education in the common schools of IMiddlesex County, which he attended quite regu- larly until fifteen years old. He then began his •^9- -4•- HILLSDALK COUNTY, »» I I 4» 417 .} ai)i)rcnticesliip at the painter's trade, at which he served for seven years, tlien hegan working as a journcyiiian. lie continued thereafter in his native county until September, 18,")4, and tiien not being satisfied witli liis prospects or his condition, em- barked lit London on a sailing-vessel bound for New York City. After a somewiint tedious voyage of six weeks the " Petrel " landed at her destination, and our subject soon afterward made his way di- rectly westward, stopping for a brief time in Toledo, Ohio, and then coming to this county, arriving in Hillsdale on the 2d of Apiil following. He soon secured emi>lovment at his trade, but uot long afterward changed his occupation and engaged as a clerk in the employ (jf Allen Hammond, with whom he continued three years. At the expiration of this time he engaged with Mr. Allison, the well-known dry -goods merchant of Hillsdale, and upon accutnu- laling sufficient capital, in 1868 he entered into partnership with Daniel Cliilds, still continuing in the dry -goods trade. A year later Mr. Barnes dis- posed of his interest in the business to AVilliam Childs, and now returned to his okl occupation of a painter. To this he has added all kinds of wall decoration, including pajjcr hanging, besides the finer arts of carriage painting and similar work. Mr Barnes sought for his wife among the maidens of his own county in England one of the most estimable of his acquaintance, Miss Susan Walker, of Middlesex, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Walker, who were of pure English stock, and spent their last diesentative citizen of this community, which he has served three years in the capacity of Road Commissioner, and in the various .school otiices of his district has done much to promote the cause of education. He is one of the leading mem- bers of the F. & A. I\L, at Camden, and has officiated as Treasurer of the lodge for two teims. In politics he is classed among the most influential members of the Deniociatic pai'ty in this locality. Mr. Muggett was united in marriage, March 19, 1H7-2, toMiss Estelle K. McWilliam, daughter of ,). (i. McWilliam, of whom a sketch appears in this work. She is an admirable housewife, is devoted to the interests of her husband, and makes their home comfortal)le and attractive, not only to him, but to their large circle of friends, whom they have gathered around them by their intelligent conversa- tion and pleasant manners. + J-##^- JONAS BROWN, a farmer and stock-grower j living on section 21, of Woodliridge Town- I ship, occupies a prominent position among ' the representative citizens of this township and the progressive fanners of Hillsdale County. He was born in Hancock County, Ohio, March 21, 1846, and is of Irish descent, his paternal grand- father having been a native of Ireland, while his maternal grandparents were natives of Pennsj-1- vania. Mis parents, Jonas and Nancy (Franks) Brown, were natives of the Buckeye Slate, born resijectively in the years 1800 and 1801. His father was finely educated, and a man of good busi- ness capacity. He learned the tailor's trade, but after marriage purchased a farm that he miglii have a permanent home for his family, and. in addition to tailoring, carried on farming. He was an influ- ential citizen of his county, and lirnd^' supported the principles of the Dcmociatii- party. In religion he was a member of the United Brethren Church, and when his death occurred, .July 25, 1849. while 3et in the prime of life, their loss was sadly mourned by hosts of friends. His wife, who remained faith- ful to his memory, died in Michigan, May 3, 1874. She was also a member of the United Brethren Church, and consistently followed its teachings in her daily life. To her and her husband had been born the following children: Arminda, Rachel, Elizabeth, Immanuel, Margaret, Nancy, Jonas. James, Mary A., and two who died in infancy. He of whom we write, having become familiar with the duties of a farmer, selected that occu- pation as the one which he desired to follow through life. Realizing the need of a home of his own, and the assistance and counsels of a good woman, he secured them b^' his marriage with Miss Mary C. Beatty, the ceremony which made them one being solemnized Feb. 11, 1875. She was also a native of Hancock County, Ohio, born May 1, 1849, being a daughter of John T. and Eme- line (Alford) Beatt^'. both natives of New England. Mr. Beatty's parents were of Puritan stock, and born in Vermont, while the mother of his wife, grandmother of Mrs. Brown, was a niece of John Q. Adams, formerly President of the United States. Mr. Beatty, who was a farmer by occupation, was born in 1820, In 1868 he moved with his family from Indiana, where he had lived a few years, to Michi- gan, and settled in Woodbridge Township, where he still resides. He is an influential citizen, hon- ored for his true manly characteristics, and is con- sidered one (jf the leading men of the place. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a ])rominent member, and where for fourteen \'ears he held the position of Class-Leader, Mrs. Beattj', whose birth took place in 1827, is also living, and shares equally with her husband the respect of the community. She is an earnest member of the United Brethren Church, and in her daily life exemplifies its teachings. To her and her husband have been born eight children, namely: Hiram B., Mary C. Zimri T., John M., Cortilda E., Paulina E., Melvin R. and August;* L. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are living on their ple.asant homestead, which contains 112 acres of rich and |iroduclive laud. ;dl of which is clcand and under l- -4«— 4-20 -•► HILLSDALE COUNTY. a good state of cultivation. Mr. Brown, who ranks as a model farmer of the county, has toiled unceas- ingly to bring his farm to its present fine condition, and now, with its neat and well-arranged dwelling and ample farm buildings, it presents a pleasing appearance to the passerby, and on every hand in- dicates the thrift and prosperity of its owner. In politics our subject is a sound Democrat, and works for the success of that party. He is, however, no office-seeker, and, though repeatedly called upon to fill some responsible position, lie has consistently declined all nominations, preferring the quiet of liis own liome to the tumult and unrest of public life. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Brown are members of any church organization, but they lead pure, up- right lives, and strictly follow the admonitions of James, of Biblical record. O'"" HARLES H. BRUKN, deceased, w.is actively identified with the agricultui-al interests of Pittsford Township, and held a prominent position among the farmers of this commuuit}'. Coming to Hillsdale County when scarcely fifteen years had elapsed since the first settlement had been made within its borders, he may well be classed with its early settlers. He was born in Newark, N. J., May 17, 1818. His father, Joseph Bruen, who was born in England, and was descended of good English ancestry, spent his last j'ears in New Jer- sey, where he was employed as a farmer. Our sub- ject grew to manhood in his native State, and when a young man went to New York City to learn tlie trade of tailor. He was endowed with an ambitious spirit, talents of a high order, and a resolute will, and, dissatisfied with that employment, he prepared himself for the profession of civil engineer, and afterward rose to eminence in that calling. In 1842 he came to Michigan in the emplo}' of the Michi- gan Southern Railway Company, which was then constructing its railway through this State, and he occupied the important position at the head of the civil engineer corps. He was afterward employed in the same capacity on different railways of Ohio. After Mr. Bruen had been here a few years he bought the farm which Mrs. Bruen now occupies, and in 1854 he abandoned the practice of his pro- fession, and settling on his farm, devoted his time entirely to agricultural pursuits. A small part of his land was partly cleared, and a log house stood on it. He soon built a small frame house, and sub- sequently erected a large frame barn. He was an energetic, hard-working man, throwing his whole heart into his work, and in the years of toil that succeeded his settlement here, he cleared quite a large tract of land and developed it into fine farms. Shortly after making his permanent residence here Mr. Bruen was married, Feb. 23, 1856, to Mary A. Rooke, who was born in Superior, Wash- tenaw Co.. Mich., Jan. 30, 1838. Her father, Rob- ert Rooke, was born in England, and resided there until he was twenty-one, wlien he came to Amer- ica and joined an elder brother in Lyons. Wayne Co.. N. Y, In 1833 he came to the Territory' of Michigan, via canal and lake to Detroit, and thence by team to Washtenaw County. He bought land in Superior Township, and built a log house in which his family lived for some time before it had either doors, windows or chimney, and in that humble abode Mrs. Bruen was born. Mr. Rooke bought other land, and at one time owned 320 acres. His widow now owns 160 acres of his es- tate and his son the remainder. The maiden name of Mrs. Bruen's mother was Cassie N. Arnal ; she was born in Georgetown, D. C, and is now living in Pittsford Township. Two children were born of the marri.ige of our subject and his wife, Robert Charles and Edith U. C. The latter is the wife of Samuel Topps, and thej'have one child, Mary E. Robert lives in Spink Count3', Dak.; he married Mary M. Walker, and they have three children — Winifred, Leon and Cl.aude. In the death of Mr. Bruen, July 14, 1883, Pitts- ford Township lost a loj'al and faithful citizen, one who was warmly interested in its welfare, and used his influence to promote its prosperity. He was a man of fine character, honorable purpose, an affec- tionate father, and a devoted husband. Mrs. Bruen has had the entire charge of the farm since her hus- band's death, and has shown herself to be a woman of rare abilit3', sound judgment, and quite as capa- ble of managing her interests as any of her neigh- •^ f L. HILLSDALE COUNTY. 421 bors of the opposite sex. She was reared to habits of industrv, and early learned all the aceoraplisli- nients of a jrood housewife, among which were numbered in iier girHuHid days the art of spinning, and she became a deft si)inncr. Her farm of 1"2G acres she has under the same good state of tillage that it was in her husband's lime, and in 188.5 she erected a commodious frame house. •..or/2;fii^@» ^^-§1— .— '>^^^^' eORNELlUS BROWN. Prominent among the early settlers of [lillsdale Count}' stands the name of Cornelius Brown, of section 15, Pittsford Township, and his successful career stands forth as a striking example of what can be done by earnest and well-directed effort. Mr. Brown was born in Root Township, Montgomery Co., N. Y., July 24, 1827. Joiin M. Brown, the father of our subject, was born in Connecticut, and had the misfortune to lose his father by death when he was but nine years old. He was soon after bound out and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, but at the age of seventeen j'ears he bought out his time and worked for him- self until his marriage, after which he settled in Montgoiner}' County, N. Y., in the early history of railroading, becoming a contractor and builder. He bought a farm in Root Township, Montgomerj' Co., N. Y., through which lan a stream known as Flat Creek, and erecting a grist and a saw mill, he utilized this water power, and operated tiie mills in connec- tion witli his farm until his death, in Ma}', 1857. Tlie locality in which he resided was known far and near as Brown's Hollow. The mother of our sub- ject, who in her girlhood was Elizabeth Lyker, was born in Root Township. Montgomery Co., N. Y., and was the daughter of Henry and Catherine Lyker, natives of York State, but of Holland ancestry. She acted well her part in life's struggle, .and at its close at the old homestead, was laid to rest by those whom she had loved so well, and who will long cherish and revere her memory. Our subject was the sixth cliild in order of birth of eight children included in the parental family. He was reared on a farm, and assisted his father in j the mill, in which he learned the trade, and was thus engaged until his marriage, after whicli he removed to Ohio, and settled in Williams County. His father had manj' years previously purchased 1,300 acres of timber land in that section, and the object of Mr. Brown was to imi)rove a part of it. He engaged courageously in the work, and during the eight years of his residence there he cleared 100 acres, which he brought to a fair state of improvement. He then returned to New York State, and resided on the old homestead until I8.i7, when he bade good-by to the scenes of his childhood, and came to try his fortune in the West. Upon reaching this count}' he settled on a farm in Pittsford Township, which he yet owns. This farm consists of il4 acres of land, ninety-five of which are cleared, and contains a commodious brick house with a frame barn, and all other necessary farm buildings. In connection with general farming, Mr. Brown de- votes special attention to stock-raising, and in this branch of industry, as well as in his entire opera- tions, he is very successful.. In politics he is a Democrat. On the 28tli of February, 1857, our subject was united in marriage with Helen Maria Hoag, who was born in Root Township, Montgomery Co., N. Y. Her parents, Francis and Mary (Gage) Hoag, were natives of New England, and were among the pioneer settlers of Root Township. Her union with our subject resulted in the birth of three chil- dren: Eriord C, who married Alice Fontaine, and resides in Manistee County ; Eugene, who died at the age of nine years, and Bertha, who resides at home with her father. Mrs. Brown died May 17, 1885, at the homestead, and is buried in Hudson. yaLLIAM E. TllO.MA.S, a farmer in comfort- able circumstances, having forty acres of ^J^^ land on section 2G, in Litchfiehl Township, has pursued the even tenor of his way among the people of this county for a period of thirty-eight years, during which time he has gained a firm place in their good opinion. Our subject is of substantial Welsh ancestry, his father, Evan, having been born in Cowbridge, Mor- ■*► '4 i-22 HILLSDALE COUNTY. ganshire, and his mother, Mary (Jones) Thoraas, in Monmoiithshii-e, which was formerly in Wales, but is now in Englanrl. The parents after their mar- riage settled in the latter county, where the father made a good living for his familj- as a laborer, and where his death took place, in 1 848, when he was sixty-six 3'ears of age. The mother survived her husband a period of seven years, dying in 1855, and being of the same age. Their four children consisted of three sons and one daughter, and one son died in England when about seventeen 3'ears old. Those surviving hesides our subject, who is the eldest, are Mary W. and John, who still con- tinue upon their native soil. The subject of this biography, a native of the same place as his mother, Monmouthshire, AVales, was born June 17, 1811, and acquired a common- school education, in the meantime also becoming familiar with farm pursuits. He followed agricult- ure in his native county until 1838, when twenty- seven years of age, and was then married to Miss Celia Watkins, a lady of English birth and parent- age. Eight years thereafter he continued a tiller of the soil in Monmouthshire with unsatisfactory results, and finally determined to seek his fortune upon another continent. Embarking with his fam- ily' and personal effects upon a sailing-vessel at New- port, he landed in the State of Maine, and after being a brief sojourner in the cities of Bangor, Bos- ton, Mass.. and Btiffalo, N. Y., he made his way to Sandusk^', Ohio, where he employed himself at whatever he could find to do, and was in the sum- mer season mostly a sheep-shearer. He cleared $100 the first summer, and in 1851, in consequence of his father's death, and the necessary settlement of the estate, he recrossed the Atlantic to his child- hood's home for this purpose. A few months later he returned to America, and with his share of the property converted into cash, made his way to this county and purchased the land which he now oc- cupies. In the meantime his wife, Mrs. Celia Thomas, had died, in when forty-five years old, leaving no children. Our subject contracted a second marriage, in Oc- tober, 1853, with Mrs. Mary Scribner, widow of George Scribner, who was a native of Lancester County, Pa., born Aug. 17, i819. Mrs. Thomas had removed with her parents to Ohio about 1826. She is the daughter of Thomas and Sally Kelley, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and are now dead. Their family consisted of ten children. The property of our subject includes forty acres of good land, which he has brought to a fine state of cultivation. He put up a good brick house, and has convenient barns and out-buildings. He has never been ambitious to make a stir among men, but pursued the even tenor of his way. distinguish- ing himself as an honest man and a good citizen. Since becoming a voter he has been a stanch ad- herent of the Republican party. 1^:^ OLOMON W. YEACxLEY is Clerk of the ^^^^ Circuit Court in Hillsdale, Mich., and in l^/\uj the discharge of the duties of his office has acquitted himself in such a manner as to secure the esteem of his constituents. Mr. Y''eagley was born in Columbiana Count}', Ohio, on the 22(1 of October, 1 842, and is the son of John G. and Jo- hanna F. (Bloom) Y''eagley, both of whom were born in Wurtemberg, Germany, the father Jan. 17. 1817, and the mother in 1816. When the}- were yet children, their parents emigrated to America, and settled in Columbiana County, Ohio, in which Mr. and Mrs. Y''eagley grew to maturity and were married. Here they resided until 1852, when they removed to Michigan, and settled in Wright Town- ship, Hillsdale County, which was their residence some thirteen years. They then removed to Hud- son, Mich., where the father died in October, 1885, while the mother died April 30, 1888. They be- came the parents of the following-named children: Jacob, Solomon W. ; Hannah C, the wife of Patrick Connor, and John D., a traveling salesman for a wholesale house at Ft. Wayne, Ind. The subject of this notice was ten years of age when he came with his parents to this county, where he received the advantages of the district schools, and subsequently of the college at Hillsdale, where he pursued his studies two j'ears. He then engaged in school teaching, and followed the profession two terms, after which he returned to Hillsdale College, where he remained for some time. At this time the •►HH^: ^- I -4•- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 423 nation was tlireatoneH with rlisiiiption, and Mr. Yeagley volunteered his services in (iefcnse of the Union. In 1863 he enlisted in the army, becoming a menilier of Compan3' G, 128th Indiana lnfantr3', nnd his regiment was plaeey fire. He had no insurance, and consequently lost everything. Various things besides this now conspired to lead our subject to abandon trade, and securing a tract of new land in Ransom Township, he resumed the pursuit of agricidture. While carrying on the improvement of his land, and putting up buildings, he devoted his spare time to reading law, and com- menced practice in the Justice Courts of the county. Being considerably encouraged by his success, he determined to make a trial of the legal profession in earnest, and in 1880 entered the law otHce of Judge Dickeiman & St. John, of Hillsdale, under whose instruction he completed his studies, and was admitted to the bar in 1881. He was thereafter connected with these gentlemen six months, and then opened an office of his own. since which time he has given his entire attention to the duties of his profession. In 1882 he was nominated on the Republican ticket for the office of Circuit Court Commissioner, and elected, enteiing upon the dis- • ^ m ■<» HILLSDALE COUNTY. 427 charge of liis duties on the 1st of .Jaiiuaiy follow- ing. In 1884 he was re-elected, and at the close of his term withdrew, but was soon called upon to again serve the public in the capacity of Alderman. The fact that he was given this latter otHce in a ward strongly Democratic, and that he was re- elected in 1886, is ample evidence of the estimation in which he is held by his fellow-citizens. Mr. Bailey has a pleasant home in the northeast- ern part of the city, which is presided over 1)3' an amiable and estimable wife, to whom he was mar- ried Nov. 29, 18G9. She was formerly Miss Sarah S., second daughter of L. J. Squire, of Ransom Township, and was born June 2, 1848, in Lenawee County, Mich. This union resulted iu the birth of three sons and three daughters, namely: Carl L., Cora IL, Roy R.. Elva E.. Jesse C. and Lena, the latter of whom died in infancy. Mr. Bailey identi- fied himself with the K. of P., in 1884. Li order to more thoroughly perfect himself in the knowl- edge of his profession, lie keeps himself well posted in regard to the various questions which are likely to arise iu the various courts to which the interests of ills clients will lead him. MBROSE M. BURROLGHS, of Wright Township, one of its thrifty farmers and //rifi most highly esteemed citizens, has been jgi/' familiarly known for the last twent}' -three years as the owner of the old Pixlej' homestead, one of the first farms opened np in this township. A native of Yates, Orleans Co., N. Y^, he was born Oct. 12, 1822, and is the son of John IL Burroughs, who is a native of the same St:ite. His paternal grandfather, the record of whose birthplace has not been preserved, is known to have spent the greater part of his life in New Y'ork State, where his re- mains were laid to rest. The father of our subject was reared and married in his native State, and was one of the earliest set- tlers of the town of Y'ates, Orleans County. About the time of his marriage he secured a tract of land of the Holland Purchase Conipan}, where he erected a log house, in which the subject of this sketch was born, and which remained the home of the parents until 1832. John H. Burroughs, in 1831, visited the Territory of Michigan and entered a tr.act of Government land near the hamlet of Napoleon, in Jackson County; thence returning to New York State, he remained there until Ma}', 1832, and then set out with his family for their future home. The joume}' was made via the Dominion of Canada, with two j'oke of oxen and a wagon. They arrived at their destination in the month of June, and settled in the wilderness without even a roof to shelter them, until a log cabin could be erected. This rude structure was covered with bark, and the chimney, composed of the primitive soil and small i)ieces of timber, was built outside. After the father of our subject had established his family as comfortably as he could under the circumstances, he set out with his ox-team for a load of goods which he had shipped bj- water to Detroit. Upon securing these and returning home he had but $2 in cash. There was a large family of children to provide for and onl}' one of them old enough to earn money. The father was obliged to work out in order to snppl}' his family with the necessaries of life. He was very industrious and energetic, secured friends readily, and besides work- ing for his neighbors, i>ut in all his spare time in the improvement of his own Land. About this time a neighbor, living five miles dis- tant, was iu possession of a quantity of wheat, an 1 Mr. Burroughs asked to buy some on time. The neighbor declared that he would not sell, but would lend him forty bushels until he could rei)ay him from his own ciops. This act of kindness was fully appreciated by the struggling pioneer, and assisted him gieatly in his emergency. It is hardly neces- sary- to say that he repaiil this kind neighbor just as soon as possible. He was prospered in his labors, and in due time had a large proportion of his land under cultivation, and was enabled to erect a good set of frame buildings. Upon this place he lived and labored until the last illness which resulted in his death. He passed away in May, 1803. mourned b}' his family-, and regretted b^- the entire com- niunity. John H. ]?urroughs was three times married. His first wife, the mother of our subject, was Miss IMelinda Moore, a native of New York State, who i~ ;f 428 -•»> HILLSDALE COUNTY. flied in Orle.iTis County, that State, when her son, Ambrose M., was a little larl ten years of age. His father remarried before coming to the AVest. Ambrose M. remembers well the incidents of prepa- ration, and the tedious overland journey through a seclion of country which in places, sometimes for miles, was unmarked even hy a wagon track. His stepmother used to spin wool and flax, which she wove into cloth for the use of the household, snp- pl^'ing them thus for several years. Ambrose M. continued under the home roof until reaching his m.ajority. and for a time afterward employed his summers in farming and his winters in teaching school, until the spring of 1852. On the 18th of March, that year, accompanied by three otiier men, he started overland for California. Their outfit consisted of seven horses and a wagon, and they arrived at the mouth of Nelson Creek. Cal., on the 22d of August following. Mr. Burroughs engaged in mining a short time, and then repaired to Cala- veras County, where he continued searching for the yellow ore until January, 1856. At this time, longing for a sight of the home faces. Mr. Burroughs boarded a steamer in the har- bor of San Francisco, and sailed down the Pacific until reaching the Isthmus, which they crossed, and then took steamer for New York Cit3'. Later our subject arrived in Jackson County, this State, in a few weeks being married in Medina, Lenawee County, and for four years following was engaged as clerk in a store of general merchandise. At the expiration of this time he settled with his famil3' on the old Pixley homestead, a part of which his wife had inherited from her father. Mr. Burroughs purchased the interest of the other heirs, and has since with his family made the old place his home. He has kept up the improvements, carefully culti- vated the soil, and each year exhibits some of the finest crops to be found in Southern Michigan. 1 he wife of our subject, whom he married on the 10th of March, 1856, was in her girlhood Miss Diana Pixley, born in Clarkson. Allegany Co., N. Y.. May 19, 1830. Her father, Joseph Pixley, was of New Kngland biilh and parentage, but removed with his i)arents to New York early in life, and was there married to Miss Tryphena Kellogg, a native of that State. In 1835 he and his eldestson came to ■^•- the Territory of Michigan, making the entire journey with a pair of oxen. Upon arriving at the hamlet of Adrian he left his team with his half-lirother, while he worked at the trade of hatter. The j'ear following he entered a tract of Government land in Medina Township, and a short time later was joined by his family. He had erected for their reception a log house, which they occupied until the spring of 1837, when Mr. Pixley sold out and removed to what is now Wright Township. There he entered the Land which is now included in the homestead of our subject. He was the first to turn a furrow upon it, and there made his home the remainder of his life, resting from his earthly labors in 1840. The mother also died at the old homestead. Oct. 15, 1864. Six of their children are still living, and three of them residents of Wright Township. Samp- son is farming on section !); Abigail is the wife of Rev. S. B. Downer. Mr. and Mrs. Burroughs had born to them seven children, five living: Milla is the wife of George Feaster; Tryphena P., Carrie A.. Charley H. and AValler A., are all living at home. The deceased died in infancy'. They have given their children the benefits of agood education. Mr. Burroughs belongs to the Ba])tist Church, and Mrs. B. to the Congre- gational. In politics Mr. B. is a Eepublican. LARK W. WELDEN. who. with his aged and ^^ excellent partner, is numbered among the most honored pioneers of Hillsdale County, followed agricultural pursuits until late in life, abandoning active labor in 1881, and is now living retired at a comfortable home in the village of Mosherville. A native of Columbia County, N. Y., he was born two miles from the town of Maiden, Jan. 12, 1812, and made his home there until seek- ing the newlj- admitted State of Michigan. Mr. Welden came to this county in the summer of 1842, and settled on eighty acres of land in Scipio Township, to which he subsequently added by the purchase of forty more. He made his home with Mr. Mosher until the fall of 1848, and then sought for his wife and helpmate Miss Annis Tripp, their marriage taking pl.ice at the home of the bride in ^ j^ if •4» •► II ■^« HILLSIJALE COUNTY. 429 Scipio Township, Sept. 2!S, 1848. Mrs. Welden was burn in Adams, .lefferson Co., N. Y.. Doc. 2, 18;50, and is the daughter of Ira and Lydia (Wicks) Tripp, natives of Rensselaer Count3\ N. Y., who spent most of tiieir lives in Jefferson County, where tlie mother died about 1836. The fatlier in 1831) came to Michigan, and made his home in Hanover, Jackson County, for a period of eight ^ears, then coming to the home of his daughter in Scipio Town- ship, he here spent his last days, his death taking l)lace in November, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Welden began the journey of life togetlieron afarm which they now occupy, and here their ten children were born. Two of these, Lu- cetta and Freddie, died early in life. Those sur- viving are: Lydia R., Charles M., John C, William 11., Ira P., Ida A.. Clark W. and George W. These are all residents (if Michigan. John C. married Miss Agnes Baker, and William became the hus- band of Miss Anna Deering. Mr. Welden cast his first Presidential vote for Van Buren, and since the organization of the Republican party has been a stanch supporter of its principles. He is a warm friend of temperance, and with his e.xcellent wife, a member in good standing of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. The parents of our subject, John and Rebecca (Ashley) Welden, were both natives of New York State, and the father died there in Columbia County, when middle .aged. The mother later joined her son. Clark W., in this count}', and died at his home in 1 865, aged eighty 3-ears. W I, I^ILLIAM IIIIGGE'IT. one of the honored pioneers of this county, and now comforta- bly located on section I I, in Camden Town- ship, was born in New 1 ork State, March 13, 183(). His parents, Richarii and Eleanor Huggett, were natives of England, whence they emigrated to America about sixty years ago, and settled in New York State. From the Empire State Rieliard Huggett a few years later emigrated to Michigan, shortly after it had been admitted into th(' Union as a State. I'hey settled at once in Camden 'I'ownship, in the soutli- western part of this county, where they spent the remainder of their days, the father passing away in December, 1860, and the mother in March, 1874. They had experienced all the trial's and difficulties of life in a new country, having settled in the wo(k1s of Camden Township, where the father secureil eighty acres of land, which he cleared and upon which he erected a set of substantial frame build- ings. He was a very industrious and trustworthy man, and held in higii esteem by the people of this count}'. He interested himself in township affairs, served as Road Commissioner and Treasurer, and filled other positions of trust and respousibilit}'. He possessed unusual intelligence, kept himself well posted iu regard to matters of general interest, and lived the quiet and unassuming life which gained him many friends and enabled him to live without enemies. The parental household iucUided five sons and one daughter, and the survivors are located as fol- lows: Charles, Richard and Samuel are residents of Reading Township; Celia is the vvife of G. II. Derr, and with her brothers, William and .Silas W., lives in Camden Township. vViUiani, our subject, was reared to manhood on the farm, assisting his father in the labors of plowing, sowing and reap- ing, and received only a district-school education. A short time before re:iching the twenty-fourth year of his age, he was married, Jan. 1, 1860, to Miss Harriet Brown, who was born in Ohio, April 3, 1838, and is the daughter of Parle}' and Louisa (Woolcott) Brown, who were natives of New York, and are now living in Camden Township, this county. !Mr. and Mrs. Huggett commenced life together on a farm in Camden Township in a style in keep- ing with their means and circumstances, and now after years of industry find themselves surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. They have two children: Eva A., the wife of Ovid M. Jackson, of Camden Township, and Elmer S., who is at home. The daughter took kindly to her books and prepared herself for a teacher, which profession she followed some time before her marriage. The homestead embraces 120 acres of good land, of which Mr. Huggett took possession in 1800. Mr. II. has all his life supported Demo- (•i:itic iiriii(i)ilrs. I lis estimable wife is a member n 430 HILLSDALE COUNTY. \ in guod slaniling of the Metliodist Eijisoopal Clnmch of Camdi'ii. In local [jolitics Mr. IIiigi;i'tt votes independently. Like his fatlier before him. he is a man greatly respected by his neighbors, and one whose word is considered as good as iiis bond. His finances are upon an excellent Ijasis, and his fore- thought has served to provide him with a comforta- ble living during the remainder of his natural life. AVhen the father of our suiiject came to this county there were only seven votei's in Camden Township. For many years he had only an ox-team with which to do his farm \iork and tr.ansjwrt him on his expeditions to the mill and to the hamlet of Adrian. The trip to this latter place was one which he always took great satisfaction in making, and which occupied hiin about a week, during which time he camped out niglits, sleeping in or under his wagon and cariying his provisions with him. "^yOSEPn WINFIKLD. a well-to-do farmer of I Scipio Township, has made Ids home within 1 its limits for the past twentj'-four3'ears, dur- / ing which time he has fully established him- self in the esteem and confiiienee of tlie people. A native of the ?]mpire State, he was born in Starkey, Yates County, May 7, 1814, and lived there vvitli his parents until a young man twenty years of age. lie then changed his residence to Ontario County, where he followed the farming iMUSuits to which he had been reared, and continued a resident of that county until Decenjber. 18G3. In the fall of 1 804 .Mr. Winneld came witli his fam- ily to Soutliern Michigan, and since that time has been a resident of Scipio Township. His property em- braces 150 acres of fertile lanil uiidcr a go<^d state of cultivation, with neat and substantial buildings, first-class farm machinery, a fair assortment of live stock, and all the other a|ipliances of the well- urdered country estate. Mr. Winfield has given his undivided attention to his farming operations, hav- ing v) Baker, were natives of New York John F. Baker (lied in May, 1888, in Somerset Townsliip, this county. His widow still lives at the old homestead in Somerset Township. Mr. Baker came with his parents to Michigan at an early date, and continued a member of his \ father's household until after reaching his majority. The next important event of his life was his mar- riage with Miss Frances E. Ostrom, whicii was cele- brated at the home of the bride in Somerset Town- ship, Dec. 19, 1854. After marriage the young people settled near the old homestead in Somerset Township, wliere our subject had purchased seventy acres of wild land. Their first dwelling was a log house, and the}' continued to reside there, making some improvements, until 18(34. Mr. Baker then selling out purchased 100 acn-es in Moscow Town- ship, to which he later added eighty acres, and there carried on farming successfull}'. In the spring of 1882 he purchased the Imd which con- stitutes his present homestead. In 18ii3 Mr. Baker, desiring to see something of the (;ouutry along the Pacific Slope, journeyed overland to California, where he engaged in mining one year, and then farmed one year. Then, being satisfied with this experiment, he returned to his home and his family, where he has since been con- tented to remain. He has added one improvement after another, and is now supplied with a good set of frame buildings, all the machinery necessary for his successful operation, and with his family is sur- rounded by all the comforts of life. His two chil- dren, a daughter and son. were named respectively Harriet J. and Frederick. Tlie former was born March 25, 1857, and was married, March 27, 1875, to Andrew J. Wicks, a well-to-do farmer of Moscow Township; they have had two children, one of whom died at the age of live; their only rlaugh- ter, P'rances, w.as born March 25, 1885. Mrs. Wicks is a lady of culture and education, and com- pleted her studies in tiie High School at Jonesville, this county. Frederick Baker was born Nov. 25, 1865, and is working the home farm with his father. He completed his education in the school at North Adams. Mrs. Baker, like her husband, is als > a native of Wayne Cad always looked up to him with reverence and respect, but by the entire community, by whom he had been regarded as one of its worthy and most usefid citizens. The subject of this sketch was a lad twelve years of age when he came to Michigan with his father's familj', and was soon turned out to drive a break-up team, consisting of from four to six yoke of oxen. In these labors his employer was the celebrated i)ioneer. Benjamin Fowler, with whom he worked for st)me time. While in his na- tive State he had attended school for a few years, but upon coming to the Territory of Michigan there were no school facilities until about the third year of his residence here. The first school building, built of logs, was put up in 1838, and was furnished with the stereol^'ped shake roof and slab floor. In the building of this our subject and his brother Sex- ton assisted materially, cutting down the trees, / t -^•- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 433 t li;uiliii;c'r, and George; Jacob lives in KUsworth County, Kan.; Adam is in Nebraska; David is also in Ellsworth County. Kan.; Jane is the widow of Joseph (J ranger, and lives in Michi- gan : Benjamin, during the late war liecame a soldier of the Union army, and was killed in battle; Adam and David were also engaged in that memorable conflict, .and on the same battle-field with their brother when he met his death. T!ie other broth- ers were John, Jeremiah and Daniel. The subject of this biography spent his boyhood and youth in his native county, where he received such eilucation as was afforded the rising generation of that (lay and localit}'. His mother died when he was a little lad eight yeais of age, and for two years afterward he made his home with his paternal uncle, Jacob. In his eleventh year he vvas bound out to John Stanibaugh, in Perry Count}', with whom he remaine'l four years. He then engaged to work on the farm of William Owens by the month, and the most of his w.ages was drawn by his father until he reached his nineteenth year. After this he was per- mitted to use his own earnings, but still assisted his father financially, as occ.ision demanded. Mr. Kunkle h.as been a lover of books all his life, and by a thorough course of instructive reading has become well [losted upon general topics. When twenty-two j'ears of age he began learning raill- wrighting, and followed the same at odd spells a good many years. He developed considerable skill as a mechanic, and also followed carpentering, assist- ing in the building of the first mill in Camden Township. This was destroyed by fire, and Mr. K. •assisted in the erection of the second mill on the same site. He also assisted in building the first gristmill in Reading, and was among the pioneer millwrights of this county. Mr. Kunkle put ui) his present residence during the summer season, and at the s.ame time suyjerin- tended the operations of his farm. He hail been married while a resident of his n.ative fitate, Jan. 6. 1H4(;, to ^Hss .Sophia Hartinan, who wasa nativeof his own .State, and was born Sept. 14, 1 H2H, in Berks County. Mrs. Kunkle is a daughter of Henry D. and Leah (Luckenville) Ilartman, both natives of Pennsylvania, and the father born in Perry County. Her paternal grandfather carried a musket in the Revolutionary War on the side of the Colonists, notwithstanding the fact that he vvas born on Kn- glishsoil. Subsequently he settled in Pennsylvania, where he married his second wife, and is well repre- sented by a numerous posterity. The father of Mrs. Kunkle was three time$ married. Of his first union there were born ten children, of whom six survive, namely: .Sophia, Benjamin; Eliza, Mrs. John Harris, of Williams County, Ohio; Catherine, the wife of Henry Miller, of Cumberland County, Pa.; David, of Whitley Countj', Ind., and Henry, of Williams Count}', Ohio. To our subject and his wife there have been born nine children, two only of whom are liv- ing, namely: Homer, born Dec. IG, 1859. m.arried Miss Nellie Odren, and Frank, born March 23, 1864, m.arried Miss Adie AVhorton. The deceased children, who died young, were named respectively : William H., Anna, Emeline, John H., Lena, Laura and Lee H. Mr. Kunkle, politically, is a sUmch Democrat, liberal minded and progressive, and in favor of all the enterprises set on foot for the imi)rovement of the county, and the elevation of its people. He has been quite prominent in local affairs, serving as School Director, and was Constable four years in Camden Township. Both he and his excellent wife are active members of the Lutheran Church. So- cially, jNIr. K. belongs to the M.asonic fraternity, being a member of the lodge at Camden. As the result of a temper.ale life and correct habits, he would p.ass for a man still in his jirime, although now sixtj'-seven j'ears of .age. «^"^^. "^i^* REDERICK WILLIAM STOCK, proprietor of the Hillsdale City Mills and Litchfiel.l AHlls, came to this cit}' in 1869, and pur- chased what was then known as the Cook & Wal- dron Mills, which were of small capacity. In the latter part of 1869 he remoileled and rebuilt the mills, and supplied them with the most improved machinery of that time, incre.asinir the w:iter power i' ■*► b 436 HILLSDALE COUNTY. by deepening the mill-race, from the mill up to Bawbeese Lake, from which he secured his motive power. Seventeen years later his business had grown to such an extent as to demand increased facilities, and he introduced steam power into the mills, which he used in connection with the water power, and continued making improvements until 1882. when he completed the addition of a roller system, with a capacity of 400 barrels in twent^'- foiir hours. Li order to keep pace with his business it became necessary to build an elevator, which Mr. Stock did in 1884, erecting a building adjoining the mill, 40x50 feet in dimensions, and with a capacity of .50,000 bushels. The mill and elevator proper cover .in area of eighty-five feet square, throe stories in height, with dormer windows, and a mansard roof, covered with niet.Tl. He removed from the mill the old engine and boiler, and purchased a Reynold Corliss engine, condensing, made by E. P. Allis & Co., of Milwaukee, Wis., witb a capacity of 300- horse-power. With this he w.as enabled to meet the growing demands for the products of his mill, as it has a cap.acity of 400 barrels in twenty- four hours; it is his purpose to increase it to 1,000 barrels in twent3'-four hours. He has since placed in his establishment another Corliss engine, which is used to generate the power for electric light plant for the cil}', and he constructed a special side track from the Lake Shore y a separate Corliss engine, of the capacity of 150-horse-power. This consists of two Thompson & Houston arc-light dj'nanios, and one of George V/estenhouse's alternating incandescent dj'namos of 750 lights, of sixteen-c.andle-power cap.acity. In 1883 he erected an office on a separ- iite lot some 200 feet from the mill, and so situated that he can overlook the mill and track, the oflSce being on an elevation located at the junction of two streets. He built the Litchfield Mills in 1882, and here he does a merchant and exchange business. The mills are of the entire roller system of the latest and most improved pattern, and they are propelled by water power derived from the St. Joseph River. The choicest wheat of the State is used at this mill, and ten men are employed in its manuf.acture. The subject of this notice is a native of German^', where he was born in the Rhenish Province of Prus- sia, Sept. 11, 1825. He was educated in the schools of his native country', and in 1855 emigrated to America. In the third year after his arrival he was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Augusta Char- lotte Seiilel, a native of the same Province as her husband. Of this union there were born eight chil- dren, five sons and three daughters: One died in inf.ancy; Alfred F., a bright son, died of consump- tion in 1884, at the age of twenty-five. He was a superior young man of admirable character and n ■h HILLSDALE COUNTY. 437 •lisposition, and was already Siiperintcnrlent of a Sabbath-school in the country. lie was licld in high estimation bj- all who had the pleasure of his acquaint- ance, and his death at the entrance to a noble man- hood was sincerely mourned. While the " King of Terrors" invariably inspires awe, even though the subject is aged, and the angel's visit is expected, how terrible is his ruthless grasp when he comes unex- pectedly, and snatches from us those about whose hearts our warmest affections are entwined. Such a s;id Itereavcment has been sustained by the subject of this notice. His son August, a promising j'oung man of twenty years, of sterling character and good business qualities, already superintendent of the mills, and managing all the details successfully, was caught in the mnchiner}', and was so terribly man- gled that he lived onl^' twelve daj's after the acci- dent, dying in 1883; Josephine died of hemorrhage of the lungs, in 1883, in the eighteenth year of her age; she was a lovely young lady of a most amiable disposition, and an excellent musician. Adolphus is acting as the electrician for the electric system ; Frederick W. was educated in the Business Uni- versity at Rochester, N. Y., and is now employed in his father's office; Alexander was educated in Hillsdale; he is superintendent of the office. Louisa A. is a graduate of Cleveland beminarj-, Ohio, and is at present at home with her parents. Mr. Stock was the second in a family of six brothers, and volunteered his services in the Prus- sian arm}- at the age of eighteen, and remained twelve months. His parents, John W. and Mary Catherine (Dorp) Slock, died in their native land. The five brothers of our subject remained in Ger- many, and are all in good circumstances. The young- est brother died in 1857, the father in 18()0, and the mother in 1867. Mr. Stock's residence is on the opposite side of the street from the mill, and is a handsome frame structure, heated throughout by steam. In all its appointments, even to the minutest details, it gives evidence of that t^iste and neatness which are one of its owner's prime qualities, and which are dis- cernible in all his various buildings, while no pains have been spared to make it a true home for an affectionate family. In 18G8, Mr. Slock having his business in such condition that he could be spared for a time, and wishing to revisit the scenes of his childhood, and to have a little relaxation after the labors of a busy life, started witii his wife and five children for his old home. He had not signified his intention to his family in the old country, and his brothers were equally surprised and delighted to greet the wan- derer after so many years absence from the Father- land. This visit occupied four months, and was time well spent in reviving and recalling youthful associations, and in recuperating. They returned to this country with renewed energy, happy in the land of their adoption, and our sultject has since pursued the even tenor of his way, sustained by pleasant ties and agreeable business connections. In politics he has always been a stanch Republican. The family attend the Presbyterian C'iiurch. ^f AMES BAKER. In the life of the gentle- man whose name heads this sketch we have an illustration of what' may be accomplished by industry, determination and good judg- ment. Mr. Baker began life for himself at the foot of the ladder and with but a limited educa- tion, and without influential friends or surround- ings of which he could take advantage, l)ut b}' his own unaided efforts he has succeeded in placing himself in a good positit>n in society', and sur- rounding himself and his family with all the com- forts and conveniences that can be desired. ]S'or has his been a success solel}- in the sense of accumu- lating wealth, but by the observance of the Golden Rule, and his inflexibility and honesty of purpose, he has won for himself the confidence and esteem of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. When we say that he has accomplished this by his own unaided effort, we must make an exception in the Ciise of Mrs. Baker, who has been trul}' a help- mate in every sense of the term, and has nobly performed her part in providing for themselves a comfortable home and a heritage for their children. And now as they journey down the hill of life, they can look back upon a long career well spent in pro- moting the interests of others, and can look for- ward hopefully to a golden sunset at its close. — a^ f 438 =1 HILLSDALK COUM'Y. James Baker was born in Columbiana Count}', Ohio. Sept. 24, 1816, while his father, Jephtlia Baker, was born, it is thought, in Chester County, Pa. His grandfather. Aaron Baker, was born in Berks County, Pa., and learning the trade of a tailor, followed tiiat calling some years in Eastern Pennsylvania. He finally removed to Washington County in the same State, and purchased a farm, upon vvliich he spent tlie remaining years of his life. The father of our subject was reared to manhood in Pennsylvania, and there was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Snyder, also a native of the Key- stone State, and of German ancestry. Early in the nineteenth century he removed to Columbiana County, Ohio, and was there during the War of 1812. He settled on a tract of land which his father had purchased near New Lisbon, and dealt to some extent in horses and cattle. Soon after settling in Columbiana County, he went to a neigh- bor's a few miles distant to assist in butchering. Toward night he started for his home with an ax in one hand and a piece of fresh meat in the other. Darkness overtook him while yet soine distance away, and the wolves began to howl and to draw nearer and nearer, being attracted by the smell of the meat which he carried, until at length he found himself surrounded by the hungry animals. He was obliged to drop his meat and with his ax to fight for his life. He cut his way through them and reached a large oak tree, which, however, he was unable to climb, as he dared not drop his weapon for a moment. Placing his back against the tree he dealt out death to the infuriated animals, keep- ing them at bay until daylight, when they retreated, leaving seven of their number dead at his feet. Finally, while returning from Philadelphia whither he had been with a lot of liorses, he was taken sick, and died at his father's house in Washington County, about 1820. After his death the widow with her seven children returned to Pennsylvania, and was there a second time married, to James Pratt. She spent the last years of her life in Fayette County, Pa. Of the seven children included in the parental family of our subject, three still survive. James, the subject of this .sketch, was four 3'ears old when his father died, and he lived with his mother until he was six years of age, after which he was taken to Ohio and lived with an uncle for two years. He then went to W.ashington County, Pa., and was bound out to live with Joseph Rejester, receiving for his services his board and clothing, and remained until he reached the age of sixteen years. This was yet in the primitive days, when the grain was cut with a sickle, and other agricultural operations were conducted in a manner similarly crude and slow. When he was seventeen years old Mr. Baker re- ceived $75 for the last year's work, and the next year he received $7.50 per month for eight months, after which he worked for his board and the privi- lege of attending school the remainder of the year. He continued to work by the month until twenty-three years old, and then rented land on shares in Columbiana Count}', Ohio. A few years after his marriage, he purchased in the same county seventy-two acres of land, fifty of which were cleared and contained a log cabin. He erected a frame addition to the house and built a barn, and engaging in the cultivation of his farm, he remained there until 1864, then sold his property and came to Hillsdale County, where he bought 168 acres of timber laud, on section 34 of Wright Township. It was almost all covered with timber and had re- ceived no attention. Mr. Baker cleared eighty acres of the land, erected good frame buildings, and resided there until 1876, when he bought 170 acres on sections 27 and 34. At the time of pur- chase this farm contained two frame barns, and our subject has since erected two commodious and sub- stantial frame houses. Mr. Baker was united in marriage. May 16, 1843, with Miss Mary Morris, who was born in Washing- ton County, Pa., May 15, 1820, and is the daughter of Samuel Morris, who was as far as is known a na- tive of the same count}', and was born Jan. 30, 1795. The grandfather of Mrs. Baker was Isaac Morris, prob,ably born in Berks County, Pa., Jan. 21, 1751, and was the son of Jonathan and Mary Morris. He was a farmer by occupation and spent the last years of his life in Washington County, Pa., dying, however, while visiting at the home of his daughter in Columbiana County, Ohio. The father of Mrs. Baker was reared to manhood in Pennsylvania and there m.arried, and engaging in I t I lllLLSDALK COUNTY. 43rn in Seneca County, N. Y., April 11, 1812. His father, Richard Biitton, Sr., is believed to have been a native of New Jersey. It is certain that he spent his younger years in that State, and was married there, whence he removed afterward to New York State and settled among the pioneers of Seneca County. In 1833 he soKl out. and made his way to the Territory of Michigan, settling first in Superior Township, Washtenaw County, upou a tract of wild land, and taking possession of the solitary building, a log house, which had been erected and abandoned by some discouraged emi- grant. In 1834, accompanied by two sons, he started out to explore the Bean Creek Valley ; at the time there were but two log houses on the present site of Hudson. He selected a quarter-section of land in Pittsford Township, walked to the land-ofHce at Monroe to have it properly entered, then returning on foot to his new home, settled down and continued there until his death, which occurred about 1845. His wife, whose maiden name was Abigail Hand, was a native of New Jersey, and spent her last years among her children in this county. After the death of Mr. Britton his widow con- tinued on the farm two years, then removed to Hudson, but four years later returned to the old homestead, and it is quite evident that no other locality would suit her as well as this. The record of her children is as follows: Marietta became the wife of William DeVoe, and is living in Pittsford Township; Elizabeth J.. Mrs. Lewis Hood, resides in Gratiot Countj'; Harriet A. is the wife of Seth V. Anderson, of Wright Township, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume; Roxie is the wife of Ezekiel Cole, of Ypsilanti; Matilda E., Mrs. Harvey Jeirels, lives not far from the homestead in Pittsford Township; George J. died Dec. 25, 1882; Ida is the wife of Thomas Curtis, of Rome Township, Lenawee County, and Frank is a resident of this State. The marriage of Mrs. Ellen Britton and Lorenzo Barkman was celebrated at the home of the bride, Nov. 29, 1877. Mr. Barkman was born in Al- bany, N. Y., Nov. 5, 1814, and was the son of Peter Barkman, who was the son of Jacob Barkman. Peter Barkman was a blackmith by trade, and spent his last years in Gorliam, Ontario Co., N. Y. The father of Mr. B. vvas reared and married in Albany County, whence he moved to Ontario County, and from there to Steuben County, carrying on agii- culture in each, and in the latter spent his last years. He had taken for his wife Miss Esther Jones, who survived her husband some years, and died at the home of her son in St. Joseph County, this State. Mr. Barkman was first married in his native State to Miss Harriet A. Esget, who was a native of Monroe County, N. Y. Directly after their mar- riage the young people came to Michigan, and Mr. B. purchased eighty acres of timber land in Oak- land County. He made several changes during the I I -U -»» 11 ^ HILL.SDALK (JOUNl Y. 443 next few years, and in the meantime visited his native State, mikin:^ th ! entire (tist-inue witli a sieiq;li ;ind a piirof liDrses. lie staid there two 3'ears, and then retnrninsj; to Michigan lived in Medina Township three years, then removed east- ward as far as Indiana, and from there hack to St. Josepli Connty after the war. His next ventnre was at Hudson in the grocer}' bnsiness, nt which he was occupied fourteen years. His first vvife died in 1876. Of this union there had been born four children, namely: Rosala. the wife of John Stewart, of Fremont, this State; Einrai, .Mrs. Hiram Force, of Hudson; Mortimer, of Fremont, an at R)3lijster, N. Y., with her daughter, and died at the liome of her daughter in Allen Township, June 3, 1881. To Dr. and Mrs. W.atkins there were born two children only, both of whom were soon taken from the household circle, Charles A., the elder, dying when four years old, and an infant dial u lannj 1 The Doctor left a comfortable property for his widow, who is now living quietly in Allen Village, enj )yiug th; estijin of a large circle of friends. ^«-^i-*«^^S '^YlOHN KANE, late a highly respected farmer of Cambria Township, passed from earth .at his residence, Feb. 25. 1H80. A native of / County Clare, Ireland, he was born in 1832, his family being of pure Irish ancestry. He was reared under tlie parental roof, ami until approach- ing manhood .assisted his father in the emploj'ments of their little farm, and remained upon his native soil until 1849. then crossed the Atlantic and took up his residence in Geneva, N. Y. Two years Later he sought the Pacific Slope, making the journey vi.a the Isthmus of Panama, .and for three ye.ars there- after occupied himself as a miner in the gold re- gions of llangtown. Later he left the mines and was otherwise employed in different parts of Cali- fornia until 185!(, when he returned to New \ ork State, seeking his old haunts in Genev.a, and then transferred his residence to Southern Michigan, tak- ing up his abode in this county, of which he remained a resident until his decease. Mr. Kane, when a youth of twenty-.seven years was married, March 8, 185'J, in Geneva, N. Y.. to Miss Maria Murphy, a native of his own country, but born in County Kildare, Mareli (!. 1834. Her l^arents, Michael and Ann (Culleu) Murpliy, were natives of the same county as their daughter, and the father a farmer by occupation. They left Ireland in 1847, accompanied by their si.\ chihlren, four sons and two daughters, of whom Mrs. Kane was the eldest. They started August l.i. on the sailing-vessel ••Kalamazoo," aii'l after a safe voy.age of twentj'-eight days, landed in New YTork City September 12. whence they proceeded to Ge- neva, where the father eng.aged in farming, and where they lived until his death, iu 1863, at the age of seventy-seven 3'ears. The mother subse- quently came to this county' and died at her home in Hillsdale, aged seventy -four years. Mrs. Kane was reared in the faith of the Catholic Church, of which her family had been adherents on Ixjth sides for generations back. She received a common-school education and w.as trained in all housewifely duties by her excellent mother, con- tinuing under the parental roof until her marriage. Of her union with our subject there have been born seven children, two of whom, Mary E. and Willie, died in early childhood. Their eldest daughter liv- ing, Hanora, is a well-educated young lady, having been graduated from St. Mary's School in Windsor, Canada, and is now occupied as a teacher in Da- kota; Lilla is at home with her parents; she com- pleted her studies in the Union Schools of Hillsdale, and is engaged as a clerk in a millinery store — the Chicago Bazaar, of Hillsdale. Theresa, who was also a student in the Union Schools, is te.aching iu Dakota; Katie, who has also been emi)loyed as a te.acher, is attending Hillsdale College; John J. con- tinues at home with his parents, having not yet emerged from the district school. The parents of our subject, Daniel and Catherine (Kane) Kane (no relative), were natives of County Clare, Ireland, and the former lived to attain his threescore years au'l ten, spending his entire life upon his native soil. The mother died when a young woman in her native county. The}' were the parents of seven children, all of whom are liv- ing and residents <)f the United States and Ireland. The family has l)een identified with the Catholic Church for many generations, and our subject still adheres loyally to the religious doctrines in which he was trained when a child. The Kane homestead comprises 120 acres of finely cultivated laud on section 12. upon which are neat and substantial buildings, any her kind heajt and cheerful disposition has won to herself a ■•► t 448 ■•► HILLSDALE COUNTY. large ciicle of warm friemls. Her (laughter, Ha- iiora. lins flevekiprd rare talent as an artist, and specimens of her painting arlorn the walls of their home, reflecting great credit upon her skill and in- dustry. Since the death of iier hiisl).ind Mrs. Kane has superintended the operations of the farm with excellent judgment, and sought to keep up the homestead in the manner which would most perfectly carr3' out his plans. ^^•"EORGE KDTTEN. The fine farm of 325 ||( (__, acres occupying a little more than the west ^J4 half of section 23 in Mo.scow Township, is one of the most attractive features of the landscape ak)ng the northern line of the countj', and consti- tutes the homestead of one of its most wide-awake and enterprising citizens. He came to this section of eountr}' when a young married man with his wife in I«4H.and since casting his lot with the early settlers of Southern Michigan has been closely identified with its progress and development. Uur subject all his life has been engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, and at an early age developed a remarkable love for the equine race, which the suc- cess of the later years of his life has ]3ertnitted him to indulge in liberally. As a breeder and trainer he has been eminently successful, .-ind has now a stable of twent3-five head of fine animals, including two magnificent Hambletonian stallions, familiarl}' known as "John C. P'remont" and "Verto." Our subject is a native of Yates County, N. Y.. his birth taking place Nov. 2, 1H20. His parents, George and Jemima (Pierce) Kulten, were also natives of the Empire State, the father of En- glish ancestry, and the mothei- a descendant of one of the families who crosseil the Atlantic from Hol- land, probably in the Colonial days. George Nut- ten, Sr., after his maniage settled in Steuben County, N. Y., l)Ut later removed to Yates County, where the family resided until coming to Southern IMicliigan, in September, 1843. They landed in Hills- d.de County on the I'Jth of the month, where the father purchased land, and in thecourseof a fowyears was the owner of a half-s(ctiiin ( mbracing four farms in I>enawee and Hillsdale Counties. He died at his home in Moscow Township in the spring of 1848. aged sevent3'-one years. The mother also die farm life, while he acquired his education in the district school. He continued under the parental roof until he vvas twenty-six years of age, and in the spiing of 1846 set abcvut the estal)lishment of a home of his own by securing to himself :i wife and helpmate from the maidens of his own county, Miss Amelia Low, who was three years his junior, and was born May 20, 1823. They continued resi- dents of the Em])ire State until 1848, and in the summer of that year made their way to this county, of which they have since been continuous residents. The prciperty of Mr. Nutten has been accumulated by his own industry and perseverance, and he has reason to be proud of his record. The wife of our subject is the daughter of VA- ward and Lucy (Williams) Low, who were born, reared, married, and spent their entire lives in New York State. The father was a farmer by occupa- tion, and rested from his earthly labors at the age of seventy-one ^ears, in 18CG. The mother sur- vived her husband about nineteen J ears, dying at the home cf her daughter in Yates, in 1885, when eighty-five jears old. Of their seven children Mrs. NuHen was the third in order of birth. With the exception of her twin sister, Mrs. Richards, fornieily c>f Jonesville, but now deceased, the chil- dren are nil living, being residents mostly of New York State, and settled in comfortable homes of their own. The joungest is over fifty years of age. Tliey were all given a common-school education and trained in those habits of industry' and principles of honor which have made of them praiseworthy an- ^1 HILLSDALK COUMV. 449 four ohililren, all daughters, one of whom. Elizabeth, died at the age of twent3'-nine j'ears. Lucy is the wife of Scott Booth, a prosperous farmer of Moscow Towtii^hip, and the mother of two children — Grace and Alice. Mary is the wife of Miles Hopkins, a graduate of Hillsdale College, who is now engaged in the livery business in Nebraska. She also was a graduate of this institution in the class of '77; they have three children — Edith, Betty and Emma A. Alice, Mrs. Augustus Bleech, of Moscow Town- ship, is the mother of three children — Ella, Miles and Ada. The improvements upon the Nutten homestead are nearly altogether the result of the enterprise and industry of the present proprietor. He put up the house and barns, and from lime to time added the other structures necessary to the carrying on of the joint occupations of farmer and stock-raiser. Although having little to do with politics he keeps himself well posted upon matters of general in- terest, and uniformly votes the Republican ticket. He has occupied the various school offlces of his township and is a man whose opinions are generally respected. His amiable and estimable wife Is a memlier in good standing of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. -A-,.>3&?.-A__6- ,f OHN V. SHANNON has been named one of the foremost farmers in Woodbridge Town- ship. He makes a specialty of stock-grow- ing, and is pleasantly located on section 7, where he has eiglity acres of land, good buildings, and all the other appliances of a first-class country estate. He was born in Van Bureu Township. On- ondaga Co.. N. Y., Dec. 10, 1H30. and is the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Yeder) Shannon, who were also natives of the Empire State, the father born May 8, 1793, and the mother Aug. 25, 179H. The father of our subject was a cooper by trade, and also fond of farm pursuits, which he prosecuted considerably in connection with his trade. He came to this State in 1849, and carried on agriculture in Reading 'i'ownsliip, where his death took |)lace Sept. 11,1 863. The mother survived her liusband twelve years, her death taking place Dec. 4, 187.5. .She spent her last days at the home of her son, our sub- ject. She was a most excellent lady, and a de- voted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. The ten children of the parental household are recorded as follows: Aim i ra w.as born March 2, 1816, and died July 26, 1864; Margaret was born April 7. 1818, and died .Ian. 1, 1848; Miranda was born April 18, 1820, and died Aug. 15,1839; Caroline was born Feb. 18, 1822, and died Oct. 10. 1885; Jane, born Dec. 2, 1823, died Jan. 27. 18G4; Martha, born Dec. 3. 1825. is a resi- dent of Eaton County, this State; Asa B. was born April 4, 1828; John V., Dec. 10, 1830; Robert J. was born June 20, 1833, and died Feb. 28, 1869; Aymor R. was born Sept. 2, 1836. Our subject came to Michigan in 1847, alone by canal and lake, and was two days on the journey from Toledo to Hillsdale, a distance of sixty miles. This was in the times of the old strap railroad, and young .Shannon, after selecting his location, em- ployed himself by the week or month in chopping and clearing land for other parties. In this way he has cleared over 200 acres in this .State. The price paid was usually $10 per acre. His education had been completed in the common school, and seven ye.ars after coming to this State he was married, Dec. 29, 1854, to Miss Dorlesky J. Barnes, who was born in Fairfield Township, Huron Co., Ohio, Jan. 2, 1834. Mrs. Shannon was the daughter of John and Abi- gail (Ilerrington) Barnes, natives of New York State, and the f.ather born March 9, 1788. He was a f.armer by occupation, and received but a limited education. He was reared and married in his na- tive State, and moved to Ohio in 1823, renting land in Huron County, where lie remained until coming to Michigan, in 1845. He took up his residence in Reading Township, on the western line of the county, where lie labored for a period of fifteen years, and was called hence on the 28th of May, 1 862. Mrs. Abigail Barnes was born in 1800, and sur- vived her husband a period of two years, her death taking pl.ace Jan. 27. 1864. She had for many years been a member of the Baptist Church. Their children are as follows : Loran, a carpenter by trade, lives at Morgan Park, a suburb of Chicago; .Maria married Benjamin Monroe, of Union County; Will- I I -^^ 450 HILLSDALE COUNTY. iam died in Alma, Gratiot Co.. Jlicli.. in 1.S85; Charles is living near Fairfield. Ohio; Louisa is a resident of Eaton County, this State. There had heen a child older than herself, named Louisa, who died at the age of two years. Lovisa is a resident of Hillsdale; Dorlesky. Mrs. Shannon, was the next in order of liirlh; Elizabeth lives in Wood- bridge Township, this county, and Loretta livesnear Reading; John died when about twenty-one years old. To Mr. and Mrs. Shannon theie were born two sons: Eugene B., boin Jan. 11, 1855, married Miss Clara Saunders, and is carrying on farming in Woodbridge Township; Loran B., who was born Jan. 5, 1869, married Miss Cynthia Seholty, and lives in Eaton County. The Shannon homestead includes eighty acres of good land, and bears all the evidenets of the supervision of a man of indus- try and intelligence. Our subject, politically, is a stanch Democrat, but has no desire for the respon- sibilities of office. ^T AMES NOBLE, a leading merchant of Mont- gomery, and the oldest one heie, well re) re- , sents the mercantile interests of this part of (^^^ Hillsdale County. He carries a general line of drugs, groeei US, 1 oots and shoes, and enjoys a fine trade. His store, which is in a building one and a half siories in height, is 18x45 feet in dimen- sions, and is neatly and tastefully arranged. Mr. Noble was born in Stark County. Ohio, March 10. 1826, and is a son of Robert and Mary Noble, the former being of Irish extraction, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania. They were among the early settlers of Stark County, where the father was engaged in faiming. Ihey weie active in assisting to develop the resources of the country in which they settled, and for their sterling viitues were much respected by their neighbors and friends. The subject of this brief biographical notice was born amid the scenes of a pioneer life, and under the influence of such surroundings grew to an ener- getic and self-reliant manhood, receiving such edu- cation as was afforded by the schools of that early day. Being an ajjt and diligent student, he prof- ited by his instructions, and was in his turn able to impart knowledge as a tfacher. and for some three j'ears taught school during the winter season. By diligent and persistent industry he was enabled to establish a comfortable home very early in life, and was married, in 1849. to Miss Jane E. Snodgrass, and their pleasant wedded life was blessed by the birth of three children, namely: James S.. Robert S. and Horace G. This little household was called to mourn the loss of the kind and affectionate wife and mother. Mr. Noble married for his second and present wife Mrs. llulda E. Allen, widow of Edward W. Allen, of Hillsdale County, and daughter of Ran- som and Mary Crawford. Mrs. Noble was born in Ontario County. N. Y., July 6, 1827. and when she was about ten years of age came with her parents, in 1837, to Hillsdale County, where they settled in what is now known as Wright Township. They were thus pioneei'S of Hillsdale County, and nobly assisted the other early settlers in clearing the land, and preparing the way for its present prosperous and flourishing condition as a great agricultural region. When Mr. Crawford first settled on his claim, Wright Townshij) was heavily timbered, and he had to cut a road through to his land. The Indians had not then left that locality, and the noted chief of the Pottawatomie tribe, Bawbeese, was a frequent visitor at their log iiouse. Mr. Crawford took an active part in public affairs, and served as Justice of the Peace, lie took a leading part in promoting the cause of Methodism, his day being the time of the Methodist itinerancy. Mrs. Craw- ford was a gentle Quaker, and shared the respect and affection with which her husband was held. By their de.ith, heis in 1861, and his in March, 1871, many mourned the loss of kind neighbors and true friends. Mr. Noble came to Hillsdale County with his family in 1862, and located in Woodbridge Town- ship, wheie he was quite extensively engaged in fanning for several years. He finally decided to turn his attention from agricultural to mercantile pursuits, and in 1875 established himself in Mont- gomery in his present business. His business tact, his well-known reputation for unswerving honest and his pleasant manner, have gained for hir -^^ -4»- HILLSDALK COUNTY. -9^ 451 large and very jinifitable trafle. He has a good income, and he and liis amialile wife are spending their declining years in the enjoyment of every comfort and hixury that they can wish for, and have tiie respect and confidence of tlie entire com- munity. Mr. Noble is a man (if an earnest and thouglitfnl. religions nature, and is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is a Bible class teacher, and lias served as Trustee. In politics he is a laiihfui foiU.wtrof the Republican |)arty. '1 he prosperity of our subject has not come to him without years of steady toil, for what he has and what he is he owes entirely to his own exer- tions, he being a fine example of a "self-made man," JOHN BOAL8. of Amboy Township, and a : gentleman in the ]irime of life, has been in- I duslriously cidtivaling a portion of the soil ' of section i-13. eightj' acres of which he se- emed possession of in 1^72. He began life in Richland County, Ohio, on New Year's Day, 1846, and is the son of John and JSarah (Hart) Boals, the father deceased, and the mother now a resident of Woodbridge Township. He is of Irish-German ex- traction, and his maternal grandfather, it is believed, served as a soldier in the Kevolulionary War. John Boals. JSr., was twice married and the father of twenty-two children, of whom the following survive: Mary. Elizabeth, Emilj', Elmina, John, Joseph, Margaret and Hannah. In the spring of 1862 the father came with his family to this county and settled on the land now owned by our subject. A few years later, however, he was called hence, resting from his labors in the year 1868. He was a man respected by all who knew him. and politically, a decided Democrat. The mother is still living, l)eing now nearly eighty years old. and resides with one of her daughters in Woodbridge Township. Her faculties are preserved in a remarkable degree and she is quite active, able to do considerable work, and never so happy as when employed at something useful. Mr. Boals w.is reared to manhood in this county and acqiiirerl his education in the district school. He also became thoroughly familiar with agricult- V ural pursuits and early in life chose these for his vocation. When twenty-three years of age he was married, Feb. 20. 1869, to Miss Mary L. Phillips, who was born May 15, 1851, in Ohio, and is the daughter of Henry L. and Mary J. Phillips, who were natives of Conneticut; the father is still living in Amboy Township, the mother is dead. Their history is briefly sketched on another page in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Boals commenced life together at the homestead which they now occupy', and their union was blessed by the birth of three children : Carrie, born Sept. 28. 1869; Hattie B., Oct. 29, 1»73, and Ellen, March 30. 1875. The property of our subject includes eightj' acres of fertjle land, which he has cultivated to good advantage, and each year adds souielhing to the value of his estate. Like his father before him, he votes the straight Democratic ticket, and has served as Assessor and School Director. He takes a genuine interest in the progress and welfare of his township, and pos- sesses all the qualities of an honest man and a good citizen. IRAM W. TULLER. a contractor and builder of this county, is situated in the village of m^^ Jonesville. He is the son of Artimedorus (^^ Tuller, who was born in Kgremont, Mass., Jan. 26, 1783. and Rachel Champlin, who was a native of Auburn, N. Y., where she was born in 1791. After their marriage they first settled in Auburn, where they lived several years, and then removed to Erie Countj', Ohio, where they lived some seven or eight years. In 1825 they removed to Tecumseh, in Lenawee County, this .State, where they made their home until 1831, when they carae to Jonesville, this county, and eng.aged as •' mine hosts" in the hotel known as the " Waverly House;" this building, which was destroyed by fire about 1863, was located on the site of the Grosvenor House. In April, 1832, the family moved to Jonesville, where the parents died, the death of the father occurring Feb. 4, 1859, an-;»;^- ^^ «SfSrris was reared and educated in her na- tive township, and trained by a wise and judicious mother in a manner which fitted her to be the life companion of a worthy man. Her union with our subject resulted in the birth of two children. The elder, H. Ellen, is the wife of Edwin Doty, a well- to-do farmer of Caml)ria Township, and the mother of two children — \Villard L. and Walter R. The son, Charles S.. took to wife Miss Mary Weudt, of Huron County, Ohio; they are living on a farm in Woodbridge Township, and are the parents of one child, a son Leon. Mr. Norris is a pronounced Democrat, and has represented his township in the County Board of Supervisors, besides holding other positions of trust and responsibility. For some years he has been one of the Superintendents of tlie Poor, and he is President of the Hillsdale County Agricultural So- ciety, besides hohling an office in the County Grange. He is liberal and public-spirited, and with his estimable wife, a regular attendant of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Cambria. He is f a 458 HILLSDALK COUNTY. also Agent and Collector for the Hillsdale County Fire Insurance Coijipany. Tliese matters, together with his farming interests, leave little time for idle- ness, and his whole career has been that of an active and busy man who is never happier than when hands and mind are employed. ••iepj2-'©^@" jj^4^4— ^^@^OT<™.. (^NDREWJ. TUTTLE. Among the self- ^Ml made men of Hillsdale County who came llfiS within its limits while it was struggling for i@^ recognition as a coramuiiity, and assisted materially in its settlement by an intelligent and enterprising class of people, the subject of this sketch occupies no unimportant place. Deprived of educational advantages during his childhood and youth, he has yet, through tiie exercise of the powers which nature kindly bestowed upon him, suc- ceeded in obtaining a useful fund of general infor- mation, by reason of which he is ranked among the most intelligent men of his township. Our subject is the offspring of an excellent fam- ily, his father being Benjamin Tuttle, a native of I>ong Island, and who came to the West in 1845, settling in the domain of Wright, in the southeast- ern corner of this county, before it had scarcely at- tained to the dignity of a township. To this section of country he had migrated from the vicinity of Canandaigua, N. Y., where Andrew ,) . our subject, was born on the 13th of April, 1833. Benjamin Tuttle vvas left an orphan at an early age and thus thrown upon his own resources. He lived on Long Island until reaching manhood, then changed his residence to Ontario County, N. Y., where he served an apprenticeship as a hatter, which trade he followed in the Empire State until 1844. Then, not satisfied wiih his condition or his pros- pects, he resolved to seek the West, where land was cheap and where there would be a possibility of building up a good home for his family. The father of our subject set out on his journey to the young .State of Michigan, accompanied by his wife and nine children and their household goods. They traveled via the Erie Canal and the lake to Toledo, and thence proceeded by rail to the then unimportant town of Adrian, where they hired a team by which the family vvas trans|)orted to the tract of land in Wright Township, this county, which the father had purchased without seeing. Upon this there were no buildings, but the father rented a double log house near Lime Lake, three miles distant, and in this the family lived one year. The father much of the time spent his nights at the farm until he could erect a log house, and he cleared a small tract of land, and was then so much in need of hard cash that he repaired to Adrian and worked at his trade for the purpose of earning it. In 184G, Benjamin Tuttle finding that he was not making sufficient headsvay in clearing his land, employed men to clear ten acres, upon which he sowed a crop of fall wheat. He continued vvorking at his trade three or four years, while the boys and their mother managed the farm. Atthe expiration of this time he was enabled to give his entire atten- tion to his homestead, and was thus occupied until the fatal illness which terminated in his death, April 9, 1871. By this time the greater part of the land was yielding the richest crops of .Southern Michigan, and the homestead with its buildings bore fair comparison with that of its neighbors. Benjamin Tuttle before coming to the West was married, in Ontario County, N. Y., to Miss Arminda Freer, who was a native of that county, and who died on the old homestead in Wright Township seven years after the decease of her husband, aged sixty-two. Of their children, twelve in number, eight are now living. Andrew J. was a lad nine years of age when his parents came to Michigan, and has a vivid recollection of many of the incidents connected with pioneer life. The beautiful farm which he now occupies vvas then the roving ground of deer, wild turkeys and other game, and the howl of the wolf often struck terror into his childish heart. In common with the sons of pioneer far- mers, he vvas early made acquainted with the vari- ous employments of frontier life, and continued under the parental roof until reaching his majority. Then starting out for himself he worked at $15 per month, and saving his earnings, was four years later in a condition to purchase a tract of timber land, which is now included in his present farm. Even after this he continued working by the month for a •► B ,^ : i -U ■^» ^ ll <• HILLSDALK COUiNTV. 451) time, but devoted a p;iit of each \-''ar to clcai-iiig llis own land. Sir. Tuttle tlnis niananed for llic space of four j-esirs. and tlien bejian operating' a sawmill on shares. This venture proved fairly successful, and three years later he was enabled to settle on his own [jrop- erty and to it devote iiis whole time and attention. As the countr}' became settled up, better prices were obtained for produce of all kind.s, and the prospects of all the settlers brightened, while the log cabins were slowly but surely giving place to modern buildings. Our subject was in nowise be- hind his neighbors in making improvements, and his beautiful farm is now the object of admiration by all who pass it. Among the other important events of his life was his marriage, which occurred on the 16th of August, l.S,59. vvith one of the most estimable young ladies of Wright Township, Miss Mary, daughter of Nathaniel and Caroline (Daniels) Br3'ant. Mrs. Tuttle was bt)rn in Wright Town- ship, Ma3' 23, 1839, and a more extended notice of her parents will be found in the sketch of Ira N. Bryant, published elsewhere in this work. Her childhood and youth were spent under the home roof, .and of her union with our subject there is one child, a son Byron. He w.is born Aug. 27. 1860, and married Miss Emma Camp, of Wright Town- ship. They have three children — Mary, Henry and Lely — and live on a farm in Wright Township, it being the old honieste.ad of his grandfather. In politics Mr. Tuttle is a Democrat. EDWARD C. BRKWSTER. former Supervisor of Wright Township, and one of its most ca- ■ pable business men and popular citizens, is the central figure of a very interesting history, the main |)oints of which we submit as follows : A native of Steuben County, N. Y., he was born near the town of Ilanimondsport, Jan. ho, 1834, and is the son of William Brewster, a native of Middletown, Conn. 1 1 is fii-st ancestor in America was Elder William Brewster, who came over in the " May- flower" in 1620, and was one of the leiiding spirits in Plymouth Colony. William Brewster became prominent in the his- i' tory of that period. The line of descent of the Brewster family is as follows: Levi Brewster was the next pnigeuitor of this branch of the family, and there fcjllowed him in succession. William, Sr. ; William,, Jr. ; Elisha, Sr. ; and Capt. Elislia Brewster. Jr., the latter of whom was the paternal gr.and- father of the subject of this sketch. Capt. Brewster w,as the owner and commander of a vessel which was lost at sea with all on board. His son William, the father of onr subject, was very young at the time of this melancholy occurrence, and when nine years of age was bound out to learn the trade of carpenter and joiner. Pos.sessing much natural genius, he became a skilled workman, and after reaching his m.ajority repaired to the city of Charleston, 8. C. where he worked one year. Upon his return home he set out for Eaton. Madison Co., N. Y., where he was married, and continued at his trade until the outbreak of the War of 1812. He then joined a local artiller}' company, which tendered its serv- ices to the (iovernnient, and went to Sackett's Harbor, where Mr. Brewster served until the con- flict was endeil a few months later. Then return- ing to Madison County he worked at his trade a few years, and in the meantime met with a serious loss by a fire, which destroyed property which it had taken him years to accumulate. He. however, partially recovered his loss, and next took up his residence at the new village of Waterloo, which h.ad just s|)rung up in Seneca County. The surround- ing country was thinly settled, and the family, with others, suffered much from ill-health. Mr. Brewster pursued his trade there until 1 824, then removed to Geneva, and during the several years of his resi- dence there put up many private and public l)uild- ings, which long remained .as an evidence of his taste and skill. In 1828 the father of our subject took up his residence at Ilammondsport, at the head of Crooked Lake, the birthplace of Edward C, and whence he removed in 183.') to Buffalo. Here he engaged with a firm as foreman, but during the financial crisis of 1836. which resulted in a general prostration of business, the firm suspended, and Mr. Brewster found himself without employment. The 3'ear following he determined to try his fortunes in the new State of Michigan, and made his way to Lena- 'i u 460 HILLSDALE COUNTY. wee Coiintj'. settlin.2; fiist in Medina Township. He had previously purchased eighty acres of tim- ber land in what is now AVright Township, and which constitutes the present lioinestead of our sub- ject. The eliler Brewster now tet himself to the estab- lishment of a home in the wilderness, choppinfj' away the tiees and preparing llie soil for cultiva- tion. In 1841 he erected the first frame house in the township, within which he [ilaced his family, and which roof, with various alterations and im- provements, continued the home of the parents until their death. William Urewstcr departed this life on the 31st of IMarcli, 18G8. mourned b}' the entire community as a good and honest man who had performed his part nobly in life. He had mar- ried, in earl}' manhood. Miss Anna Palmer, liie wed- ding taking place on the 8th of November, 1812. Tlie mother of our subject was skilled, not only in all housewifely duties, but in spinning and weaving, and for years manufactured the greater portion of the cloth from which the garments of the family were made. 8he survived her husband over seven j'ears. her death taking place at the old home- stead, on the 22(1 of May, 1 875, when she was in the eighty-fifth year of her age. The parental household of our subject included eleven children, namely: Mary A., Oliver C, Har- riet, Margaret. William W., Frederick H., Eliza .J., Frances H., George IL, Laura and Edward C; three of these died in infancy. Only four survived their parents, namely: Mrs. Mary A. Judd, of South Hadley, Mass.; William W., who is now deceased; George, a resident of Hudson, Lena- wee County, and Edward C, of our sketch. Fred- erick H. died at Canton, China, where he had been sent in the interests of the American Board of Foreign Missions. The subject of this biography was three years of age when he came to Michigan with his parents, and although more tliaii fifty years have elapsed since his father's family settled among the timber in Wright Township, he distinctly remembers the time when deer, wolves and wild turkeys were plentiful. His first lessons were conducted in the pioneer school, carried on in a log shanty with a shake roof. It stood at the four corners, near the 4> present site of Prattville. The chimney was built outside with dirt and sticks, and a fireplace ex- tended nearly across one end of the structure. The seats and benches were made by splitting a log. into which wooden pins were driven, and boards served the pupils for a writing-desk. These school privi- leges ended early, for as soon as the boy was large enough to be of service he began to assist in clear- ing the land, and in the various other employments of farm life. He continued with his parents until they no more needed his filial offices, and it is hardly necessary to say that the old homestead with its associations is of far more than money value to him. Mr. Brewster, in 1872, visited his birthplace in New York Slate, spending a few months in a most l)Ieasant manner. In 1884 he removed to Hudson Township, where he lived thiee years, and then returned to the (arm. This embraces 159 acres of land under a good state of cultivation, with sub- stantial frame buildings. Mr. Brewster was first married, on the 10th of March, 1858, to Miss Sarah Coman, who was born in Wright Township, March 10, 1837. and became his bride on her twenty-first birthday. Her parents were Curtis and Diana L. Coman, natives of New York, and early pioneers of Hillsdale County. The former is deceased, and the latter still lives on the old homestead. Mrs. Sarah Brewster departed this life at the homestead in Wright Township, on the 20th of July, 1871. Of this marriage there is only one child living, Helen E., who is now the wife of Addis Johnson, a well- to-do farmer of Medina Township, Lenawee County. Anan J., born Jan. 2. 1859, died July 2, 1871; George C, born Ai)ril 3, 1863, died June 9, 1871 ; and William F., born March 10, 1869, died Sept. 30, 1870. On the 19th of February, 1874, Mr. Brewster contracted a second marri.age, with Mrs. Marietta (Smith) Briggs, who was born in Romulus, Seneca Co., N. Y., Dec. 19, 1847. She was first married in December, 1866, to James Briggs, a native of Fairfield, this State, who spent his entire life there. Her parents were Coe B. and Fanny (ILagainan) Smith, of whom mention is maiie in the sketch of J. R. Emens, elsewhere in this volume. Of her first marriage there was one child, a daughter, now ■► u HILLSDALB COUNTY. 461 deceaserl. Of her union with our subject there liitve 1)6611 born; ])wigiit K., March IG, 1870; Maiy D., Feb. 3. 1881, an.. -V— •^ BRAHAM FRJSBIE. The neat little f.arra (Rs£J]i of this highly respected resident of Litch- field Township is pleasantly located on sec- (^f tion 2'J, and comprises eighty acres of land v\hich, through a course of careful cultivation, has been brought to a fine condition and is the source of a comfortable income. The buildings, although not elegant, are neat and convenient, and fulfil the requirements of ordinary countiy life, from which may be extracted much enjoyment, and the simple pleasures of which are so conducive to health, both of body and mind. ]\Ir. Frisbie is a very intelligent man, a gentle- man of sterling qualities, whose manliness is ap- parent at once to all who know him. He is the offspring of a good family, his parents beiuffStephen and Sally (Wiley) Frisbie, who were natives of Ver- mont, and on the father's side, of English ancestry. <■ They left the Green Mountain State eaily in life, becoming ^^ith thcii' paients residents of Kew York State, and upon reaching mature jears were married at Richmond. Ontario County, where they con- tinued until making their way to the young State of Michigan, in 1837. Stephen Frisbie followed farming all his life, and upon coming West settled in Litchfield Township, this county, where he lived and labored until 1 806. then jjassed awa3- at the age of sixty-three years. The mother had died twenty years before, her death taking jilace in 1845. when she was forty-three years old. Their family consisted of four sons, two of whom died in early life. Stejihen, .Ir.. was also a resident of JNHchigan, and died in Oakland County, Sept. 13, 1887. at the age of fifty-nine years. Abraham Frisbie was born in Richmond, Ontario Co., N. 1.. Sept. 5, 1820, and was a lad of ten years when he migrated to Southern Michigan with his parents, llie journey of those days was per- foimed in a manner dcddedly different from that of the jiresent. Our travelers then made their way to Buffalo via the Erie Canal, and thence by a lake vessel to Toledo, where the father purchased a team of oxen, and by this slow means of locomotion landed in Litchfield Townshij). June 4. 1837. Our subject remembeis man}' of the incidents of that journey, and the after trials and hardships of pio- neer life. Young Frisbie after eight years of life in Michi- gan returned to his native State and remained four years, in the meantime being married, Nov. 29, 1848, to Miss Marietta Richardson, who was born in Ontario County. N. Y., April 30. 1830. This lady was the daughter of William and Eunice (Winch) Richardson, and shortly after her marriage became insiine and was removed to the asylum at Kala- mazoo. After twenty jears of fruitless treatment she was declared incurable, and Mr. Frisbie, who had omitted no duty in connection with the care and comfort of his unfortunate wife, and who had borne with great patience and fortitude this deep affliction, was persuaded to obtain a legal separa- tion. Our subject is an own cousin of John L. Frisbie, United States Consul to France, and of whom a sketch will be found elsewhere in this work. Until ■► y ^> .t HILLSDALE COUNTY. 463 the spring of 1888 his home was presided over by various parties who rented liis farm. On tiie 22d of March, tliis year, he contracted a second marriage, with Miss MjM'a Ingraham, who was born in Litchrielil Township, .lul^' :i. 1845, and is the daughter of C^rus and Abigail Ingraham, who are natives of New Yorii and are now residents of this State. Mr. Frisbie, in the fall of 1849, purchased his present farm, wiiicli comprises eighty acres of good land, fifty of which is cleared and which makes an admirable home. He gives most of his attention to his farming interests, having little to do with political matters, but uniformly votes the Repnl)lican ticket, having identified himself with this party since its organization, and voted for John C. Fremont in 1856. During the progress of the late war he enlisted as a Union soldier, in a company of shar|)sliooters, comprising the "iTth Michigan Volunteers, and served until the year fol- lowing, a perio<50, being then in the very prime of early manhood, full of life, vigor and ambition, he determined to come to Michigan, where he thought he could pursue farming at a better ad- vantage. After his arrival here he purchased forty acres of lanm the cares and anxieties attending a more stimulating life, he grew up to a rugged manhood, and passed his life uneventfully until 1M60. when he resolved to go out into the world and engage in the battle of life for himself. Accordingly he em- barked for San Francisco, going by way of the Isth- mus of Panama, and reaching Sacramento in safet}', he engaged in farm labor for Ur. IManlove, with whon) he remained thus employed six months. He then proceeded to Lake Tahoe. where he spent one month engaged in baling hay, and then removed to Virginia City, Nev. At the end of two months he returned to Sacramento, and engaged on a farm in sowing wheat, and subsequently in teaming on the Sierra Nevadas. While on the Pacific Coast, the appeal for troops to aid in defense of the Union was heard throughout the land, and young Osborn, inspired by the patriotic feelings which characterized his ancestors, was not slow in lesiiondingto the call. Oct. IS. 1.S62, he enlisted in Comjiany D, ad Cali- fornia Regulars, and engaged in drill in Sacramento, after which he was sent overland to Salt Lake with a view to ])rotecting emigration, and the mails in transfer. He remained there eighteen months, and was then ordered to Denver, Col., where he did provost duty six months, at the expiration of which time he was mustered out of the service, and re- turned to his home in 1805. He inirchased eighty acres of land, and resumed the work of his early life. Having now reached a condition of life in which he could safel}' assume the responsibilities of a famil}-, and finding that it is not good for man to be alone, Mr. Osborn took unto himself a wife in the person of Mrs. Marj- (Clemens) Kna])p, who is a native of New York, and was born in 1837. Of 4« her union with Mr. Knapp there was born one child, Pliebe A., who became the wife of Cyrenus H. White, Aug. 18, 1x74. Mr. Knapp enlisted in the Union army, and lost his life in the service of his ct)untry. INIr. and Mrs. AVhite have been blessed by the birth of four children: Charles R., who died at the age of two months; Lulu B., Mary E. and Ethel M. Mr. Osborn and wife were married Sept. 5, 1867. The extensive travels of our subject, and the con- siderable experience thus acquired, together with his close habits of obseivation. have combined to make him a well-informed, practical man, while his ster- ling qualities place him high in the esteem and con- fidence of his fellow-townsmen, who in testimony of their appreciation of his interest in the public wel- fare, have appointed him to the various ofiices within their gift. Politicallj-, he is a straight Repub- lican, and loses no opportunity of emphasizing his views by supporting his party at the polls. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., Tecumseh Lodge No. 14. Mr. Osboi'n is not a member of any chuich organization, but his wife is identified with the Baptist Church, and is a woman of strong char- acter and amiable disposition. f^^ TEPHEN W. ELLIS is a well-known and ^^^ highly honored citizen of Hillsdale County, ^[J_Jf} who resides in the townshij) of Allen, where he is numbered among the leading farmers. He comes of sturdy New England stock, and his paternal grandfather, William H. Ellis, w.as a Cap- tain in the Continental army during the Revolu- tionary War, and did brave and gallant service for his country in that memorable struggle. His son Fisher, father of our subject, was born in Connecti- cut. He married Lucy White, who was a native of New York, and they spent their entire wedded life in that State. To them were born five chil- dren, of whom Stephen, of this sketch, was the 30ungest. Our subject w.as born in Verona, Oneida Co., N. Y., Aug. 20, 1809. He was reared on a farm, and received from his worth}- parents a good prac- tical training in the duties of life. In 1837 he •4^ I HILLSDALK COUMTV. 481 came to !\Iichi Wayne County, and inheiiting fifty acresofland from his father, he resided there until 1832. He then started for the Territory of Michigan, follow- ing the usual route by canal and lake to Detroit, where he was met by a brother who had preceded him to Michigan, and was a resident of Lenawee County. They journeyed across the country in a wagon drawn by an ox-team, and upon their ar- rival in Lenawee County Mi. Palmer entered eighty acres of Government land in Ridgeway Township, and erected a log house in the midst of the wilder- ness, two miles from any other human habitation. It was the usual crude apology for a residence, with split shakes to cover the roof, ami an open fireplace from which the smoke escajjcd through a mammoth chimney made of earth and sticks. In this log house our subject first saw the light, and here the parents reared their family of little ones to habits of frugality and industry. By the light of the roar- ing tire, required to keep out the hyperborean blasts, which whistled around the chinks of their cabin home, the true pioneer wife and mother spun the wool and flax and made all the clotliing fur her large family. Fenner Palmer cleared quite a good farm and- erected suitable buildings, but in 1846 he sold the homestead, wiiii its log cabin, anfl came to Hillsdale County, where he purchased 160 acres of land on section 9, Ransom Township. At the time of pur- chase ten acres of this land were cleared, and in that autumn he sowed it with wheat. In the same fall he erected a log house, into which he removed with his family in .Innuary, 1847. He resided there till I860, having at that time, after another experience <■ of pioneer life, improved a good farm, and he then sold out and removed to Lenawee County, upon an improved farm which he jjurchased in Jlacon Township. After a residence there of a few years, he removed to Hudson, and there lived a retired life until his decease, which occurred Aug. 9, 1885. He took part in the trouble in the early history of this section, known as the Toledo War. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he had been united in fellowship and good works for more than half a century, and was a man whom to know was to respect. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Julia Ann God- dard, still survives, and lives with her son in Hud- son. The |)arental family of our sul)ject included eight children, of whom Charles G. was the third in order of birth; all lived to mature }-ears. Charles G. was the first of the children born in Michigan, and was thirteen years of age when he came to Hillsdale County. He remembers well when deer, wolves, wild turkeys and smaller game, were still plentiful in both Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties, and the red man still lingered in the former count}'. He attended the pioneer schools taught in the old log school-house, whose benches were made of split logs with wooden pins for legs, and the other furniture was equally primitive. He continued to live with his parents until 1865, and then settled upon the farm he now owns and occupies in Ransom Town- ship. This farm is pleasantly located and well adapted for the cultivation of the products of this latitude. It is supplied with superior buildings, securing comfort for both man and beast, and pro- viding for the storage of the farm pioducts.. Our subject w.as united in marriage, Dec. 9, 1865, with Miss Lucinda Halsted, who was born in Rome Township. Lenawee County, March 22, 1845, and is the daughter of Jacob W. Halsted, who w.as born in the State of New York, Jan. 9, 1817. Her grandfatlver, John Halsted, was also a native of the Empire State, and coming to Michigan settled in Rome Township, where he w.as among the early settlers. He bought a tract of timber land and improved a farm, upon which he resided until his death. The father of Mrs. Palmer was quiteyoung when he came to Michigan with his |)arents, and 1 r t HILLSDALE COUNTY. 483 grew to manhood in Rome Township, assisting in tiic duties of tiie farm. He w:is then married, Feb. 19, 1840, to Miss .Jean Periiiiis, vvho was Ijorn in York State, July 16, 1819, and died in liomeTown- siiip, M.ay 8, 1851. Mrs. Palmer vv.as quite young when her mother died, and she was reared by her stepmother until the age of thirteen, when she went to live with an uncle, with whom she resided until her marriage. Upon his marriage John IIalstef them were stricken with the Panama fever and died. The remainder boarded the next steamer bound for California and reached San Francisco December 20. From there our subject proceeded through .Sacramento to the mining districts, where he remained fifteen years. That time he considers the most successful era of his life. He was fortunate from his first arrival in the Golden State, being prospered in his mining ventures, and becoming a shareholder in the famous Automatic, Timbuctoo, and other mines. Having been from home a long time Mr. Timnis returned to Wheatland in 1866, and m.-ide a visit of six months, during which time he bought eighty acres of land in the town- ship. Then returning to California he soon after disposed of his mining property, realizing ^5,000 in the operation. The following year he spent on his farm in Wheatland, then moved to Hillsdale, where he engaged in the boot and shoe business with his brother Caleb, under the firm name of Timms pk'. To him and his -♦- 486 ,t HILLSDALE COUNTY. wife have been horn five children, of whom Mrs. Timms, the first born in this countr}', was the third child in order of birth. She is a native of this county, born in Adams Township, Sept. 3, 1848. She received her elementary' education in the dis- trict schools of the township, and afterward at- tended Hillsdale College, where she was fitted for the duties of a teacher, and prior to her marrriage with our subject taught school one term. To her and her husband have been born two children — Pearl F. and Irving W. The former was a pupil of the High School at Hillsdale, being a member of the class of '88. Mr. and Mrs. Timms are people of intelligence and refinement, and hold a high social position in the community, wiiere they have many warm friends. Mrs. Timms and her daughter are de- voted members of the Episcopal Church. Politi- cally, Mr. Timms is a strong Republican, and firmly supports the measures of that party. -« -HH-jjf-K+-«». lEORGE D. WALKER. Numbered among ■, the farmers of Hillsdale County, who are __J actively engaged in maintaining its agricult- ural interests, is the subject of this sketch, who is industriousl3' pursuing his calling on section 15, of Scipio Township. He is a native-born citizen of this State. Palmyra, Lenawee Count}', having been his birthplace, and Aug. 17, 1848, the date of his birth. His parents, Joel and Arethusa Walker, were natives of New England, his father having been born in Dummerston, Windham Co., Vt., Sept. 9, 1810, and his mother in Greenfield, Mass., Feb. 1, 1818. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Walker left their New England home, and coming to Michigan, set- tled in Palmyra, Lenawee County, being among its earliest settlers, and for many 3'ears were respected residents of that county. Mr. Walker, who was a man of intelligence and a sound education, spent a part of his life in teaching, and was the first male instructor ever employed in Adrian. In 1865 he removed with his family to Hillsdale County and located in Scipio Township, where he and his wife made their home during the remainder of their lives, Mrs. Walker dying Feb. 21, 1877, and Mr. Walker July 9, 1881. They were people of true worth and left many warm friends, both in Scipio and in their former home in Lenawee County. They were the parents of five children, of whom the following is the record : Emily G., who married M. L. Dickinson, died in June, 1883, in Angola, Ind. ; Frederick N. died in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, July 9, 1884; Harriet H. is married and lives in Iowa; George D.; Esther E. is the wife of James Lamb, of Sioux Rapids, Iowa. The subject of our sketch passed his boyhood in his native county and received a substantial edu- cation in its public schools, and when he became old enough to select an occupation he decided on that of a farmer as being most congenial to his tastes. He is now the possessor of a large and vain- able farm of 240 acres of productive land, on which are good improvements, including a convenient set of farm buildings, and he has the necessar}' ap- pliances for carrying on his work. The union of our subject with Miss Lihbie Root was solemnized in Hudson, Lenawee County, Oct. 6, 1869. She was horn in Scipio Township, May 29, 1849, being a daugliter of Hiram and Sarah (Whited) Root (for parental history see sketch of Hiram Root). She is a pleasant, capable woman, who has proved herself a good wife and a loving mother to the two children, Ralph L. and Ray, who have been born to her and her husband. Mr. Walker is a well-informed man, and takes an intelli- gent interest in public and political affairs, but is bound to no party, being independent in his views, and in casting his ballot gives expression to his opinion of the worth of the men or the measures to be voted for. i^H^ MRS. SARAH A. WOOLSEY, widow of the late John F. Woolsey, of Scipio Township, and now past her threescore years, is a very intelligent and popular l.ady, and now occupies a pleasant home on section 1 1 . The dwell- ing, although plain, is comfortable, and the buildings adjacent are particuhuly noticeable, especially the barn, which is a fine modern structure and admirably n -4•- HILLSOALK COUNTS. 487 adapted for the shelter of slock and the storage of grain. The ninin points in the history of Mrs. AVool- sey are as folhiws: The subject of this sJcetch was born in Perrinton Townshii). Monroe Co.. N. Y.. Feb. II, 1K22. Her parents, Lemuel and Susannah (Stout) Woolsey, were also natives of tlie Empire State, and spent their entire lives there. Their children consisted of three daughters only, of whom Sarah A. vvas the youngest, and was but one 3'ear old when she was deprived of the faithful and aflfcction.ate care of her mother. She continued in her native town- ship, and was reared to womanhood by her pater- nal grandparents, continuing with them nntil her marriage, which occurred in Perrinton Township on the 9lh of June, 1844. John F. Woolsey, the husband of our subject, was born in Delaware County. N. Y., April 5, 1821, and was the son of Richard and Susannah (Halsted) Woolsey, who spent their last years and died in Halavia, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. John F. AVoolsey after their marriage continued residents of Monroe County, where Mr. W. carried on farming until the spring of 18.54. That year. resolve Township, where he labored un- til the last illness, which termin.ated in his death Feb. 18, 1881. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Woolsey has personally superintended the op- erations of the farm and sought to carr}' out the plans which he had inaugurated. In this she has been remarkably successful, so that the property each year is increasing in value anri beauty. To Mr. and Mrs. Woolsey there were born six chililren, the record of whom is as follows: Adna M. is married and a resident of Dakota; George W. is farming in Osceola County, this StAte; Au- gustus H. died Oct. 27, 1858, when sixteen months old; Frederick is a resident of Antrim County; liosadied when fourteen years old ; Sarah S. became the wife of Volney Moreiiouse, and died at her home in Scipio Townsiiip, Sept. 20. 1 !S7!), leaving one child, a son, named Zina R. A little grand- daugliter of Mrs. Woolsey, and to whom she was <» greatly attached, was bitten by a dog last August, from the effects of which she suffered an agonizing death. Oct. 2, 1887. Mrs. Woolsey, in 1836, iden- tified herself with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Mosherville, of which she has since been a val- ued and consistent member. J¥/ ACOB J. DEAL is one of the representative I business men of Jonesville, where he is ex- I tensively engaged in the manufacture of ^_^ carriages, wagons, sleighs, etc. His father was Peter Deal, who died when our subject was about three years old, and his mother was Elizabeth Stahl prior to her marriage. But little can be learned of his parents, l)ut it is supposed they were natives of Pennsylvania. They had a family of four sons, of whom Jacob J. was the third. He was born in Seneca County, N. Y., Jan. 17, 1827. The early 3-eais of his life were spent on a farm, and at the age of seventeen l^e was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade in Fa^-ette Township. Seneca Co., Js. Y. After completing his three- years term of apprenticeship, he went to Canoga, N. Y., where he was employed at his trade for one year. Shortly afterward he made a trip to the West, and was absent about two months, when he returned and resumed his former occupation. He continued his residence in his native State until he came to Michigan in the year 1854, and settled in Clinton, Lenawee County, where he remained for three years. He removed fioni that town to Stur- gis; and thence in the fall of 1856 came to Jones- ville, which has since been his home. Before coming to Michigan he began the manufacture of carriages in a small way, in connection with his regular business. After locating in Jonesville he carried on general blacksmithing. manufacturing a small number of lumber and heavy wagons. In the year 1865 he began to manufacture carriages on a more extensive scale; he bought the lot upon which his present buildings stand and erected the shops which he has since occupied, witii but a single exception. Frmn a small beginning. Mr. Deal's patronage has constantly increased, until .at the present time he has to employ a force of about • ^^ m ^ « -I 488 HILLSDALE COUNTY. =4 thirty-six men in the different branches of his busi- ness to supi>ly the demand. Daring the 3-ear 1887 he turned out about 1 ,"200 carts, 300 wagons and carriages, and between 300 and 400 sleighs, all of which were first class in every detail. His trade extends over quite a large territory, far beyond the limits of the .State ; his transactions are always characterized by the strictest honesty, and he has attained a wide reputation for tiie superior work- manship and finish which are displayed in his car- riages, wagons, and otiier vehicles. The marriage of Mr. Deal with Miss Elizabeth Holman, daughter of Daniel F. and Catherine (Frantz) Ho! man, took place in Syracuse, N. Y., Oct. 23. 1849. She was Itorn in Canoga, Seneca Co., N. Y., June 29, 182G. Mr. Ilolman was a miller by occupation, and was also engaged in tlie mercantile business. To him and his wife were born nine children. Mr. and Mrs. Deal have one son, George V., who resides in Jonesville. and is actively engaged with his father in promoting the interests of their constantly growing enterprise. Our subject has been influential in public affairs, and has held the office of Township Trustee for several years and also that of Councilman, and is a prominent member of the Republican party. He and his vvife occupy a fine social position, and in the business which he has established he has con- tributed in no small degree to the growth and pros- perity of Jonesville. ->. ^^ ^- :X^ IkILLIAM HUGHES. As an enterprising, \rJ// intelligent and influential citizen of Hills- W^ c'^le County, and one prominently identi- fied with its agricultural interests, it aflfords us great pleasure to place a brief sketch of the life of our subject before the readers of this biographical work. He is a native of Canada, born in Kings- ton, Province of Ontario, Feb. 19, 1823. His parents, Lawrence and Frances Hughes, were na- tives of Ireland. They emigrated to America, but Mr. Hughes being of a roving disposition, they did not settle permanently in any place, but tried their kick in many towns, finally establishing a home in Monroe County, N. Y., where the death of Mr. Hughes occurred about 1840. His widow survived him and passed her declining years in Allen Town- shii), dying Sept. 23, 18G2. William Hughes, of whom we write, was the el. -L. HILLSDALE COUNTY. ■» H 4* 491 first land with money Vhich he saved while in the nrmy. He has carefully avoided placing himself under olilijintitms to an^' man. making it a rule to live within his income and to do without the things for which he had not the money to pay. \f7 ORENZO BENSON is prosperously engaged in farming on section lU. Mofcow Township. He has been a resident of this township for over fifty years, coming here with his father, an old pioneer, in the spring of 1834. At that time the surrounding countrj- was in a very wild state, but seven years having elajised since the first white settlement had been made for permanent improve- ment in Hillsdale County, and, indeed, so far as is known, in the whole State of Michigan west of Tecumseh, Lenawee County. The county had been created by the Legislative Comicil of the Territory a few 3'ears previously', but had not been organized, and for judicial aud legislative purposes formed a part of Lenawee County, and was known as the township of Vance. Hence our subject has wit- nessed in these years the steady development, not only of the township where he lives, but of the entire county, and the State of Michigan from a struggling Territory to a powerful commonwealth. Mr. Benson is the son of William and Fanny (Cook) Benson, natives of Otsego County, N. Y. His father was of mingled Scotch and Dutch ances- try, and his mother was of English descent. After their marriage they settled in the township of Springfield, in their native county, and there our subject was born April 9, 1818. being one of .six children, four sons and two daughters. In the spring of 1834 the parents of Mr. Benson migrated from the State of their birth to the then Territory of Michigan, to found a new home for themselves and their children amid the wild scenes of a sparsely settled country, and thus became early settlers of Hillsdale County. !Mr. Benson bought eighty acres of Government land in Scipio, and purchased of a man 295 acres in Moscow Township, where he located, and for manj' j-ears was a useful and v.alued citizen, doing his full share in developing the agri- cultural interests of the townshii), and suffering with the other brave pioneers the hardships encountered in building up the county. He improved a good farm and built up a CDmfortable home. In his death in 18G1, at the age of sixty-six, an honest, industri- ous and steadfast member of the community was removed from its midst. His wife, who had been to him a wise and ready hel|)er, and w,as greatly respected in their neighborhood, survived him until November, 1868, having rounded out a life of seventy-two years. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native town, receiving there the advantages of an educa- tion in its common schools. He was a vigorous, manly lad, and when at the age of seventeen he accompanied his parents to Michigan, he was of great assistance to his father in clearing the land and preparing it for cultivation. In 1843 he established a home for himself, choosing to share it with him and preside over it. Miss Harriet Smith, of Saratoga County, N. Y. After a few years of pleasant wedded life, the wife died in the year 1849, at the age of twent3'-nine years, leaving two children — George and Hatlic. George now has charge of the old homestead; he married . Miss Mar}' Culver, and they have four children — Hattie, Maud, Lena and William. Mr. Benson's daughter, Hattie, is now the wife of Chester Cushnian, of Pulaski; they have one child, Frank. The maiden name of our subject's present wife was Miss Helen A. Faxon; she is a dau;5hter of Francis and Betsy (Crowell) Faxon, natives respect- ively of New Hampshire and New York. After marriage they settled in Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y'., and there all their children, with the excej)- tion of the youngest, four boys and five girls, were born. In October, 1835, they removed to Jlichigan, and settled in Clinton County, where they died, the father in 1 862, at the age of seventy- -seven, having been born in 1785; and the mother died in 1863, at the age of sixty-two. Mrs. Benson was born April 6, 1826. and was eleven 3'ears old when she came to Michig.in with her parents. Here her education was conducted in the district schools and in a select school at Grand Rapids, where her good scholarship was noted, and subsequently she was engaged in teaching for three summers. Of her marriage one child h.as been born, Lottie F., now the wife of Frank Sackette, of Moscow Township. *r 492 HILLSDALE COUNTY. 4 Mr. Benson has successfully cleared and iraiiroved a fine farun of 134 acres, and has erected a com- modious dwelling and a good set of farm Iniildings. His son, an enterprising and progressive farmer, now manages his farm for him and relieves him of man}' cares. Mr. Benson is an intelligent, well-informed man, and Hives to keep posted on National and local affairs of importance. A few years ago he made quite an extensive trip through Southern Ohio, Tennessee and Kentucky, visiting the princii)al cities, Cincinnati, Knoxville, Louisville, etc., and other points of in- terest. He enjoyed his journey very much, and being a keen observer gained a good idea of the country, and a valuable fund of information. He has always had at heart the best interests of his adopted State, in which the most eventful years of his life have been spent, and has done what he could to develop its interests. He has taken a promi- nent part in educational matters in tliis townshi|), serving as a school officer fur many yeas. In poli- tics he is a firm Repuhlican, has stood by the party since its organization, casting a vote for its first candidate. Gen. John C. Fremont. -./w -veajei2/(«MS^| J/g?^WfS?r»\~-i ^,,. H. ENGLISH, editor and proprietor of the ((^^Oi Reading Telephone, assumed charge of this ll journal in 1886, and through his judicious management it is becoming one of the in- dispensable institutions of the western part of this county. The paper is a forty-eight-column quarto, and during the last few years has enjo^'ed a steady ,and increasing patronage. Its history is that of nearly every newspaper, except that it is among the notable instances of those which have survived the critical period of their existence and are liound to succeed. Mr. English is a practical printer of twenty years' standing, having in his younger years been the apprentice of H. B. Rowlson, of the Hills- dale Standard, where he learned the business in all its details. Before completing his apprenticeship, however, the war being in progress, young English left the case, at the age of nineteen years, and on the 18th of February. 1864, joined Company K, 4th Michi- gan Infantry, under Capt. C. B. Van Valor, of Hills- dale, and the regiment was assigned to the .oth Corps. Army of the Potomac, which was mostly commanded l3y Gen. Warren until the battle of Five Forks. After the surrender of the armies of Lee and .lohnston the regiment was sent southwest to the Gulf and Texas. Before this, however, he had met the enemy in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Five Forks, and other engagements, and the 5th Corps to which he lie- longed had the honor of receiving the arms of Gen. Lee upon the occasion of his surrender at Appo- mattox. During his army life young English acquitted himself in a most creditable manner, being promoted to the position of Sergeant. He had been very anxious to enter the service upon tlie lireaking out of the war. and had several times made the effort, but on account of his youth could not be accepted. Even when he did enlist he was rejected by the recruiting officer, and twice afterward l>y the mus- tering officer. His perseverance, however, finally gained him his point, and he takes great satisfaction in the reflection that he was enabled to do so. At the close of the war Mr. English returned to Hillsdale, and completed his trade in the office of the Standard. Believing that an experience in other cities woulil be beneficial he traveled about in true printer style, and secured employment at various times in some of the best offices in the State, becoming .acquainted with the different methods of doing business and gaining much useful informa- tion. Upon finally returning to Hillsdale lie had for twelve years the general management of tlie mechanical department of the Standard, which jiroved to lilin an invaluable experience, and he earned the reputation of being one of the most skilled workmen of the craft. The Telephone was the first newspaper Mr. En- glish had control of, and the manner in which he has succeeded in his difficult undertaking is suffi- cient indication of his business and literary ability. Politicall}-, it is independent, and Mr. English is a man who is fearless in the expression of his views, and one who maintains his principles with all the natural strength of his character. Cayuga Count3^ N. Y., was the early tramping •^ f ,t HILLSDALE COUNTY'. 493 grouml of our sul)ject. ami where his birth took place .Inly 1. IHtt. His fathL-r. Setli Kiiy;lish, was a native of Vermont, and the son of an ol'M). Her i)arents, John and Anna (Slough) Shenefield, were natives of Pennsylvani.i. The mother died in middle life, about If^GT. and the fatliei- subsequently married Miss Esther Hawley. They are both living. Mr. Shenefield being now past his threescore years. Mrs. Beer continued at home with her father until her marriage. Of her union with our subject there have been born six children, four of whom are living, namely: Alvina. Bertha A., Emma and William E. '1 hey are all .-it home. Mr. Beer was reared b}^ his father in Democratic principles, to which he still loyally adheres. —^ .o*o.-@JA~^s25)-.o*o <,— is^i LONZO KIES occupies an lionorable posi- ij^Qi tion in the records of Moscow Township it as one of its pioneers. Coming here in the fresh vigor of early manhood, by his unceasing industry he contributed in a great degree to the development of the resources and the growth of this township, which was the tiiird in Hillsdale County' to become the home of the white man. The long years of toil that have intervened since his settlement here fift^'-five j'ears ago have brought to him due reward, and he is now the fortunate pos- sessor of a pleasant home, a fine farm, with a com- modious dwelling, substantial barns, and other build- ings. Moscow Township, including that portion of the country embraced in range 2 west of the principal meridian, was set off from the township of Vance — which included the entire county of Hillsdale— on the 17th of March, 1835. Since that time it has been divided into seveial separate townships, and Moscow Township, No. 5 south, the northernmost one of the range in the county, being the earliest settled, very ap[)ropriately retained the name which was given to it bj' our subject and Messrs. Black- mar and Miller. Mr. Kies comes of good Scotch ancestry, his "«••■ great-grandfather Kies coming from Scotland. While on the way hither with his wife, they met with a .serious adventure which almost cost them their lives, and came near putting an end to their project of establishing a home and founding a family on American soil. The vessel in which they sailed from their native land was wrecked, but Mr. Kies. with great courage and endurance, swam five miles to shore with his wife jon his back. They were early settlers in this country, and from them was descended Jogi'i)h Kies, grandfather of our sub- ject, who took an active part in the Revolutionary War, and was a citizen of Massachusetts. His son Stephen was born and reared in that State, and there married Betsy Totter, who was born in Buckland, Mass. They settled in Cayuga Countj', N. Y., and there reared six children, of whom our subject is the elder of the two now surviving. In 1833 Mr. Stephen Kies with his wife and children left their old home in the State of New Y''ork, and migrated to the Territory of Michigan. They came by way of the Erie Canal to Buffalo, whence they embarked on the steamer " Ilenr^- Clay," and crossed Lake Erie to Huron, Ohio, where the father bought a wagon and a team of oxen, and the fam- ily braved the dangers of the wilderness and the dread Black Swamp that the^- had to pass through before reaching their destination. After traveling slowly for some time in a northerly and westerly direction, they finally ariived in Hillsdale County, and settled in the place subsequently known as the township of Moscow. There the father improved a farm, and built uj) a home, in which he and his wife passed the remainder of their days of activity, although their closing years were spent in the dwell- ing of their son, our subject, the father dyii\g in 1863, at the age of seventy- two, and the mother living to the great age of ninety-five years, dying in 1882. Thej' were held in universal respect, anfl the father was a man of sterling ability, was well educated, and accumulated considerable property l)y the successful management of his farm. Alonzo Kies of this sketch was born on the old homestead of his parents in Venice, then called Simplionions Township. Caj'uga Co., N. Y., Sept. 30, 1809. His school privileges were very limited, but his father being a man of good education our ^ t HILLSDALE COUNTY. ■•►i-^ 497 subject was, doubtless, better eclucated than most of the farmers' lads In that neighborhood. He grew to manhood in the pl.-ice of his birth, receiv- ing from his father a careful, practical training in farming, and later serving a regular apprenticeship as a cabinet-maker. He was twenty-three years of .age when he accompanied his father to Michigan. He had already been married a year, having mar- ried Miss Sally Taylor in 1832. She was a daughter of Luke and Elizabeth T.aylor, of Massachusetts. Our subject took up land from the Government on section 19, Moscow Township, and still has in bis possession a letter patent to eighty acres of Government land, signed by President Andrew Jackson. He also has deeds of two other tracts of land, containing eighty acres each. With the rest- less activity and ambition characteristic of a strong and energetic young man. he immediately set about preparing a home for his wife and growing family. Even before the erection of his first house a son was born to himself and wife, who w.as the first boy born in Moscow Township, and to him they gave the name of DeWitt Clinton, in honor of DeWitt Clinton, a former Governor of New York. They had but one other child, who died in infancy. DeWitt C. is now a prosperous farmer, residing with his wife and one child in a pleasant home in this township. The first winter after Mr. Kies' settlement here, the season of 1833-34, was a lovely one, remarkable for its mildness, birds were very plentiful, and spring, with its blossoms and verdure, o|)ened very early. This was very fortun- ate for the early settlers, who could bear tiie hard- ship of settlement in that wild country mucii better, and were enabled to clear their land more rapidly. Our subject has been very prosperous in his labors to improve his land, and now has his farm in a One state of cultivation. The primitive buildings that he first erected for his use have given way to more substantial structures, and he is well supplied with various implements and machinery that make the labors of the farmer so much easier than when he began his career as an agriculturist nearly sixty years ago. The worthy wife of our subject, who at a youth- ful age had joined iinnds with him to walk the path of life, and h:i-^>S^-*gi^^*-<5«f-. eLARENCE A. BENTLEY. This gentle- man, who is nearing the sunny side of forty, is numbered among the leading farmers of Moscow Township, his iiome being pleasantly lo- cated on section 22. Here he rents 160 acres of land, upon which he has labored to the best ad- vantage, leaving no foot of it to run to waste, and developing in the wisest manner the rich resources of the soil. Taking a cheerful and sensible view of life, he gives much thought to his home sur- roundings, believing it a religious duty to make it the most attractive spot in the world for his children, and the friends whom he has gathered around him. Energetic and industrious, he has an excellent start in life, and forms no unimportant factor in the in- dustrial and business interests of his community. Our subject is the third child of (leorge W. and Jane (Parker) Bentley, who, at the time of his birth, June 22, 1856, were residents of .Siielby, Orleans Co., N. Y. His early educational advantages were extremely limited, his father being a farmer in moderate circumstances, and young Clarence began following the plow as soon as he was old enough to manage it. and from the time he was nine years of age was occupied in the various employments around the homestead, without intermission, ex- cepting the few winter months spent in school. He was a little lad of seven years when the family came to Michigan, and when a youth of seventeen started out for himself to work by the month. He was thus occupied eight years, and until his mar- riage. That early experience, although having its drawbacks, doubtless bred within him the self-reli- ance and independence of character which proved the secret of his success. The parents of our subject were natives of York State, where thej' were reared, married, and lived until 1861. At tlie breaking out of the Rebellion, which changed the plans and purposes of many men, both young and middle-aged, the father con- sidered it his duty to proffer his services in assisting to maintain the UnioTi. He accordingly enlisted in the 18Lh New Y'ork Battery, and went to the front with his''omrades. The mother, coming to Michigan with her father ani1 children, was seized with fatal illness, and died on tiie ;30th of December, 1863, her husband not being present to receive her last words. He served in tlie army until the expiration of his three-years term of enlistment, and after re- ceiving his discharge, joined his children, who had been in ciiarge of their maternal grandfather in Somerset Township. George W. Bentley was mai- ried the secc)nd time, in 1868, to Miss Mary Ann Miller, and is still living in (Somerset Township. By his two marriages he became the father of six sons and four daughters. Mr. Bentley, our subject, who had ccmtinued a resident of Somerset Township until 1879, was on October 17 f)f that year united in marriage to Miss .lessie Carney, daughter of Benjamin and Densey (Taylor) Carney, and they began life to- gether in a modest home in Moscow Township. For three yeais folk)vving our subject rented the farm of Mr. Kies, in Moscow Township, and greatly improved this piece of property by his thorough cultivation of the soil and the excellent care exer- cised over it. From there he moved to the farm of Mrs. Randolph, in Somerset Township, where he continued four years, making of tliis also a success. In the spring of 1887 he took charge of the farm of Benjamin Fr.anklin, in Moscow Township. This comprises a quarter-section of land, and Mr. Bent- ley is now giving considerable attention to the breeding of hogs and siieep, having now a fine flock of sixty-five head. He also keeps liigh-grade Durham cattle, with thoroughbred Poland-China swine. As an apiarist he is also a success, having thirty swarms of puie Italian bees, and in the care and keeping of these, requiring so much t.act and discretion, he certainly' exhibits unusual adaptation to this industry. 'I'he parents of Mrs. Bentley came of excellent ancestry, the father being the son of a substantial Pennsylvania farmer, and the mother the daughter of one of the pioneers of Ohio, who. at the time of her birth, was a resident of Ashtabula County. They came to the West early in life, and after their ■1 HILLSDALE COUNTY. 501 It I marriage settled in Somersec Township, this county, where they still resiiie. Tl)eir family comprised two sons and six daughters, and seven of the children lived to mature years. All these are now living, and residents mt)stly of Michigan. Mrs. Bentlej' was the third child of the family, and was born in Somerset Township, April 2, 1857. Her education was conducted in the common school, and she continued a member of iier father's house- hold until her marriage. Mr. and Mis. Bentley are the proud parents of four bright children, namely: Zelpha E., Charles A., Georgiana and Howard J. The eldest is seven years of age and the youngest two. Mr. Bentley has a keen sense of the first duty of a father, which is to give his children the best advantages in his power. His intention is to leave to them a legacy which cannot be taken away from them, namely, a thorough education, by which they may become titled for the duties of life and their battle with the world. He cast his first Presidential vote for R. B. Hayes, and continues a stanch supporter of Repub- lican principles. RS. PHEBE MILLER, whose ple.asant and kindly face h.as been familiar to the people of Litchfield Township for a period of more than fifty years, still occupies the home- stead where she settled with her husband about 1837. Possessed of sterling qualities, and a genial and lovable disposition, she has been enabled to extract much comfort from life, maintaining that even in the wilderness .she enjoyed its labors in the hope of future good. Jlrs. Miller has been aprivi- ledged witness of the remarkable changes which have passed like a panorama before the eyes of the pioneers of .Southern Michigan, and is one of those who have taken a lively interest in the growth and prosperity of Hillsdale County. The old home- stead, which is pleasantly located on section 8, was transformed from the wilderness, and is now one of the landmarks of a bygone time, and which it is hoped will be perpetuated for generations to come. The subject of this sketch is the daughter of Rln>del|)luis and Phebe (Andrues) Mann, the father ■^m born in Hebron, Tolland Co., Conn., and the mother in .Steuben Cat Ballston, in the Pjmpire State, where they spent the remainder of their lives, and died re- spected by all who knew them, the father in 1827, at the age of fifty-eight years, and the mother sur- viving her husband a period of twenty-four years, in April, 18,il, aged seventy-two. She was the sec- ond wife of Rhodelphus Mann, he having been first n)arried to Lydia Ilorton, by whom he became the father of eight children. The mother was a widow at the time of her union with Mr. Mann, her first husband having been Thomas .Sprague, and the issue of that marriage was six children. To Rhodelphus and Phebc Mann there were born four children, of whom the first, Phebe, died in in- fancy, aiid .Mrs. Miller was the second child; Joel married Miss Harriett Abell. and became the father of seven children, all of whom are now deceased; John died when four years of .age. Phebe, our sub- ject, was born in Ballston, Saratoga Co., N. Y.,.Sept. 12, 181.5, and passed her girlhood at the parental homestead in that county. .'She was twelve years of age at the time of her father's death, and was married when twenty years old to Mr. William H. Miller, the wedding taking pl.ace at her home in New York, Sept. 29, 1835. William H. Miller was the sixth child of his parents, Elisha and Julia Miller, whose family included seven children. He was born in Saratoga County. N. Y., Dec. 1, 180G, was reared upon a farm, and acquired a common-school edu- cation. After his marriage he settled with his young wife upon a farm in Saratoga County, but the year following they determined upon a change of location, and in October, 1837, made their way to the young .State of Michigan, locating at once in Litchfield Township, this county, where Mr. Miller spent the balance of his da^'s, and where his aged partner is still living. Mr. Miller departed this life March 29, 1880, at the age of seventy-four 3-ears. He was a verj' industrious and enterprising man, pros- perous in his farming and business transactions, .and left a good homestead, embracing IGO acres of fertile land, and comfortable farm buildings. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller there were born three children — Rhodelphus JI., Elisha, and one who died in infancy. The first mentioned w.as born in .Sara- ■► II <* -► ^B < • 502 HILLSDALE COUNTY. toga Count3% N. Y.. July 4, 1836. He married Miss Esther Wilkinson, and is now numbered among the pi'osperous farmers of Litchfield Township, hav- ing a good home and being the father of two chil- dren — William H. and Phebe. Elisha, the younger son, has charge of the homestead, and constitutes the main support of his aged mother. Mrs. Miller is a strong temperance woman, and a devout mem- ber of the Episcopal Church, at Homer. <| IV^ILLIAM HARTLEY. Bacon says, "Some \/sJ// '"^" ^'^ born great, some achieve great- VTXP ness, and others have greatness thrust upon them." To the second of these classes belongs the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch, and whose life affords a fine illustration of what may be accomplished by a man with deter- mination of purpose, good judgment, honesty and frugality. Although starting out in life without the advantages of wealth or influential friends, to which many of this day owe so much, he has carved out for himself a desirable niche in the temple of society. Not only has he surrounded himself with a good share of creature comforts, but he has kept abreast intellectually of this progressive age, while he has ever respected the rights of others in his pub- lic and private relations. He is eminently a self- made man, well informed and intelligent, and in the midst of a bright and genial family is prepared to spend his declining years in the enjoj'meut of those blessings which he has so richly earned. The subject of this biography was born in Count3' Kilkenny, Ireland, Jan. 1, 1833, and is the son of Edmund and Mary (Kennedy) Hartlej', both na- tives of the same county as their son, where they spent their entire lives. Of their family three sons besides our subject came to America: Philip lives in Fairport, N. Y. ; James in Medina Township, Lenawee County, this State, and Edmund in Fair- port, N. Y. When nineteen years of age, young Hartley set sail for America, embarking at New Ross, Wexford County, Ma3' 31, 1851, and laniled at Quebec, Canada, on the 2d of July following. He at once set out across the country for Fairport, Monroe Co., N. Y., where he joined his Ijrotliers with but a few cents remaining after his journey. His only capital with which to commence life in a strange country was good health, a stout heart and willing hands. He was of good habits, however, industrious and economical, and saving all he could of his earnings, he had been in Fairport but a short time when he found employment on a railroad. Being at that time not full}' grown, j'oung Hart- ley found himself unable to stand that laborious work, and consequently after a few da3's he aban- doned it, and returned to farm life. He resumed work at $8 per month, but after a short time he hired out b}' the 3'ear at $10.5 for the term. He re- mained a resident of New York State until 1865, and then started for Michigan. Stopping at Hud- son, Lenawee County, he found employment with J. M. Osborn, on a farm adjoining the village, and carefully hoarding his savings as he did in New York State, he was able in a short time after com- ing here to purchase ninety-seven acres of land in Kent County. He never resided upon it, however, but soon exchanged it fur fifteen acres of land join- ing Hudson Village. He still continued at service in the vicinity until 1857, when he exchanged his little farm for the place he now owns and occupies. It was heavily timbered at tiie time, and he con- tinued to reside in Hudson until the autumn of 1860, when he settled on his land, and has resided there continuously ever since. He has added to his original purchase until he now owns 120 acres, ninety of which are cleared and under a thorough state of cultivation. He has erected convenient and commodious farm buildings, and planted an orchard, besides providing himself with those ap- pliances which reduce the manual labor of the modern agriculturist to a minimum. Mr. Hartley was united in marriage, in 1857, with Miss Elizabeth Connor, wlio was born in County Louth, Ireland, Aug. 15, 1836, and their union has been blessed by the birth of ten children, as follows: Edmund P., Feb. 10, 1858; James W., Sept. 15, 1861; Francis A., June 15, 1864; Clarence M., Nov. 8, 1866; Mary E., Feb. 14,1869; Thomas S., June 12, 1871 ; Joseph S., April 22, 1874; John A. and George A., twins, July 25, 1876, and Philip L., March 24, 1882. Mr. Hartley's parents. James and Elizabeth (Raf- ■^•- l^ HILLSDALK COUNTY. 503 fertj') Connor, were natives of Ireland, and there spent tlieir entire lives, dying when their daughter Klizalicth was but an infant. She came to America with her brother Patrick, and first settled in Pater- son, N. J., whence slie came to Michigan in Decem- ber, 1 8o5. Her brother Patrick and two sisters were the only members of the family besides herself who tried their fortunes in the New World. Pat- rick lives in Wright Township; Bridget became the wife of John Marvin, and died in Wright Township, and Alice is the wife of Thomas Meredith, also a resident of the latter township. Upon becoming a citizen of this country Mr. Hartley attached himself to the Democratic party, in whose ranks he has since remained. (|7 ntAM PIXLEY is an enterprising and re- spected citizen of Wright 'J'ownship, where ^ he is actively engaged in farming on section 12. In the summer of 1H;J3 a stalwart, sturdj' man. acconipaniefl liy a bright, active lad. might have been seen wending his way on foot through the forests of Michigan, from the little city of Detroit to the small hamlet of Adiian. This was Calvin Pixley, who soon after became the first settler in the township of Medina, Lenawee County, and his son. our subject. They had started on the 23d of August from their old home in New York, and had traveled via canal and lake to Detroit, and were then on their wa^', as we have said, to Adrian, where ihey had ai)pointed to meet the remaining members of the family, who had traveled all the way to that point with teams in company with other f.imilies, who were, like themselves, seeking new homes in the untried wilderness of Southern Michigan, and the^' all arrived at tiie appointed meeting-place on the same day. the 27th of Sep- tember. Leaving his family in Adrian, Mr. Pi.xley started in search of a suitable location, and finally selected a tract of eighty acres of land in what is now .Medina Township, Lenawee County, and as we have before said, he became the first settler, the ax of that stout-hearted pioneer being the first to ring out through those forest solitudes. Our sub- ject was then a hoy of ten years, and doubtless rendered his father much assistance in his labors, and as he was here in the very early days of the settlement of this part of the country, when the primeval forests had not in any perceptible degree given w.ay before the advancement of the coming civilization, he has been a witness of the marvelous progress of .Southern Michigan, and its develop- ment into a fertile and productive region. He remembers well when deer, wild turkeys, bears and wolves were plent}-, and the original dwellers of the forest had not left their old haunts, the Indian children having been his pl.aymates. The subject of this sketch was born in Monroe County, N. Y., Nov. 11, 1823. His father was born in Greene County, N. Y., July 29, 1801. and w.as but a boy when his parents moved to Allegany County, and there lived about six years, and then went to Monroe County. He there met and mar- ried Jenett Lucas, who was born in Saratoga County, and they became the parents of twelve children, nine of whom are living. He leased a tract of heavily timbered land for ninety-nine years, and built a log house, the same in which our subject was born, and .actively commenced tiie im- provement of his land. He cleared abou'^ twenty acres and lived there until 1829, and then sold his improvements and bought two acres of land near by, and engaged in the cooper's trade there for two years. He then disposed of his i)roperty and moved to Orleans County, where he worked at his trade for two 3'ears. and then determined to cast in his lot with a sm.iU band of his neighbors and come to the Territory of Michigan, lie had made arrange- ments with a friend who lent him money enough to pay for his land in consideration of Mr. Pixley's clearing ten acres of his land for him, and after entering his land in the office at Monroe, he re- turned to his chosen location, and actively prepared to build a shelter for his family. This was the first dwelling erected in Medina Township, and was built on section l,on the land which he w.as to clear for his neighbor; it w.as the typical pioneer habita- tion, a log cabin with mud and slick chimney, and puncheon floor. Mr. Pi.xley cleared the ten acres whicli he had contracted to do the firet year, and then built a log house on his own land on section 12, this being the second house erected in Medina L , 504 HILLSDALE COUNTY. 4 Township, and he moved into it during Christmas week of the year 1834. Two years later he traded for another tract of land on the same section, on which he resided for one year, when he traded it for 160 acres on the northeast quarter of section 14, Wright Township. He resided here for a few years, and then returned to Medina, but spent his closing years with our subject. For man}' years he took an active and honorable part in the admin- istr.ation of public affairs, and held some of the highest offices within the gift of his fellow-towns- men. Hiram Pixlej' of this sketch shared the pioneer life of his parents, and remained a resident of this township until 1851. He inherited in a marked degree those traits of industry, enterpiise and sound integrity that had made his parents useful and honored citizens. He was ambitious to see more of the world, and to seek his fortune outside of the circumscribed limits of his adopted State, and accordingly took a trip to the Pacific Coast. He commenced that eventful journey by a long stage ride to Ft. Wayne, Ind., thence proceeded by canal to Terre Haute, Ind., and from there on foot to St. Louis, from there by the Missouri River to St. Joseph, Mo. He spent the winter there, and in the spring of 1852 bought five yoke of oxen, and with others started on the 6th of May to cross the plains. There were sixty wagons in line, and they were over five months traveling the weary distance over the plains and mountains to their destination, finally arriving October 18 at the present site of the city of Portland, Ore. Our subject bought 160 acres of land in Siskiyou County, C'al. It was thought at the time that the land was in Oregon, but when the boundary line was defined it was found to be on the California side. He at once commenced to improve a farm, and lived there nine years, exten- sively engaged in mining in Oregon, and in 1864 went to Idaho, where he was engaged in the same occupation for awhile. He then resumed farming and stock-raising, and was very prosperously em- ployed in those pursuits until 1881, vvhen he decided to return to his old home in Wright Township, where he has since lived on the farm that he has owned since 1848. He still retains his farm in California, and is well off in this world's goods, which he has accumulated by unceasing industry and well-directed enterprise. Mr. Pixley was united in marriage, Feb. 7, 1859, to Mrs. Phebe .7. (Griffith) Downer, widow of John Downer, and daughter of Abner and Mary E. (Fer- guson) Griffith, natives of New York State. Her grandfather, Samuel Griffith, was born in Wales, and spent his last years in Indiana. The father of Mrs. Pixley moved from Saratoga, N. Y., to Orleans County, then to Cayuga County, and from there to Lorain County. In 1834 he started West with his family and an ox-team. Michigan Territory being their destination. He located in Seneca Township, becoming one of the first settlers of that township. He bought land on section 7, and improved a farm, which some years later he sold and moved to Me- dina, where he and his wife closed their earthly careers. Mr. Pixley is a patriotic and public-spirited citi- zen, using his influence to promote the best inter- ests of the township. In politics in his early years he affiliated with the Democratic party, l)ut since the breaking out of the war lias been a stanch Re- publican. He is a well-informed man of excellent character, and with his amiable wife occupies an honorable position among the members of this com- munity. OHN Mcdonough, of Jefferson Township, came from County Clare, Ireland, in 1849, when but an infant, his birth having taken place Feb. 24, 1848. His parents, Thomas and Mary (Dwyre) McDonough, were natives of the same county as their son, and early settlers of Jefferson Township, this county. Upon landing at Quebec, Canada, after an ocean voyage of eight weeks, they took up their residence first in Monroe County, N. Y., where the father followed farming, and also worked at his trade of stonemason. In 1865 they left the Empire State, and coming to this county, settled upon the land which is now oc- cupied 1)3' their son, our sul)jeet. The parents of our subject are still living in Jef- ferson Township. He was their only child, and was reared in the faith of the Catholic Church, being confirmed at the age of seventeen. Of that *t u HILLSDALE COUNTY. church tlie father is .n dcvdtcfl mcnilicr, niirl jxilitic- all_y, is stronjrly Democratic. Tiie pntcrnal jirancl- father, John McDonough, Sr., came to America about lf<52, and shortly after took up his residence in Jefferson Township, this county, and became quite prominent in local affairs. He lived to the advanced age of one hundred and three years, and his remains were laid to rest in the Catholic Ceme- tery, at Hillsdale. Our subject continued under the home roof until about twentj-lwo years of age. and eraploj'ed himself at farming before his marriage, and upon the occurrence of this event, Feb. 9, 1875, he had a snug little sum of money with which to begin the establishment of a home. The lady of his choice, Miss Jane Whalen, was born in Lenawee County, this State, Way 27, 1849, and is the daughter of James and Mary (Jennings) Whalen, who were na- tives of Ireland. They are now living in Hudson, Lenawee Count3'. The farm of our subject, of which he became owner in 1879, consists of 106f acres, which he has brought to a good state of cultivation, and upon which he has erected a good set of farm build- ings, and is gradually adding to the beauty and value of his property. To Mr. and Mrs. McDon- ough there were born seven children, one of whom died in infancy. The surviving are Mar3% Tiiomas, Ellen, Jennie, Katie and John. They have been sent to school regularlj', and their father, who thoroughly believes in education, is giving them the best advantages in his power. As a self-made man, a straightforward and worth}' citizen, Mr. McDonougli takes rank with an}' in his township. 505 i| I iiii'WjJ.' jc-i 1*".; jiS" /^ ASSIUS M. C. ANDRUS is a dealer in coal (|(^L and wood, lime and cement, in the beautiful ^^^ city of Hillsdale, in this county. Air. Andrus was born in Wayne County, N. Y., in Macedon Center, on Christmas Day, 1844, and is the son of Chailes M. L. Andrus, wlio was also a native of that State, where he was born in Saratoga County, near the celebrated Saratoga Springs, Aug. 16, 1808. ^ The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Leah, daughter of Herbert and Lydia Mal- lory, and was born in Macedon, N. Y., in 1818. Their marriage took place in 1836, and ten years later they started on a journey to the West, and first stopped at Moscow Plains, Mich. He finally settled on a farm in the adjoining couTit}' of Somer- set, and there passed the remainder of his days in agricultural pursuits, his death occurring on the 19lh of August, 1883. Three years after their re- moval to this State, he sustained an irreparable loss in the death of his wife, who was called to her re- ward in July, 1849. The parental family of our subject included five children, of whom two lived to maturity, while the others died in infancy. The sister of our subject is the wife of I). A. Fowle, of Moscow Township. Cassius M. C. Andrus was the third child in order of birth, and was about two years old when his parents removed to this count}'. Here liis youth was spent, alternating between his labors on the farm and attending the common schools of the neighborhood, in which, by diligent study, he se- cured a goo^m <• HILLSDALE COUNTY. Vincent; Lucy is the wife of George Dunn, a farmer of Wheatland 'J'ownsliip, and the}' iiave two children — Jay and Ray; Jennie lives with her sister Lucy; John resides at hoir.e and is attending school. Mr. Haskell was again married, taking for his sec- and wife Mrs. Anna Spoore. daughter of Jerry Reynolds, .of >*^cipio Township, this county, and widow of the late Daniel Spoore, of the same place, bj' whom she had two children — Walter and Eva. Her father reni(jved from New York to this State, and became one of the original settlers of Scipio. He had two children, the wife of our sub- ject, the elder, having been born in Scipio in 1847- Mr. Haskell lived on the farm which he first owned in Adams Township, three years, then sold it and moved onto a tract of eighty acres given to his wife by her father, which he improved and worked, building a barn, planting an orchard, and clearing a part of it. After living there three years he sold the same for |;l,800, and again settled on his first farm, buying it back foi' $2,500. He also purchased 102 acres of the Rogers farm, adjoining his, and has since added another forty acres, which increases the acieage of his farm to 192 acres. He is, perhaps, one of the most successful farmers of Adrian Township, having his land under a high state of cultivation, with fine buildings, and all the modern appurtenances for carrying on his occupa- tion in the most approved manner. His spacious two-story dwelling of brick, erected in 1875, with the neatly laid out grounds surrounding it, is an ornament to the locality', being one of the finest in the county. Ke has two basement barns, which are models of rural architecture, and second to none in this part of the State. One of them, 40x87 feet, built in the year 1880, is tenanted by his stock. Besides his homestead, our subject has two farms, to which he devotes much time and attention, one of eightj'-four acres, known as the Hard farm, and one of flftj'-six acres, which was formerly a portion of the estate of Peter Sprawles. Our subject is one of the solid Republicans of tlie county, and a firm supporter of the principles ad- vocated by that party. He is a wide-awake, ener- getic man, of great enterprise and business tact, and has the confidence and esteem of the entire community in which he resides. \f RA N. BRYANT, a leading farmer, and one of the most extensive land -owners of Hillsdale County, and a resident of Pittsford Township, is a native of this State. He was born in the town- ship of Wright, June 6, 1840, and is descended from good New England stock. His father, Nathaniel Bryant, one of the earliest settlers of Wright 1 own- shipTwas born in Massachusetts, May 13, 1810, and his father, also named Nathaniel, was, so far as known, a native of that old New England State, but in the jear 181 7 he removed with his family to Vermont, and settled at Irasburg, where he bought a farm and spent the remainder of his life. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Elizabeth Priest. The father of our subject grew to a vigor- ous manhood in the fresh air of the Green Mount- ain State, and at the age of twent3'-one went forth to seek a home in the West. He came to the Territory of Michigan, and first settled in the town- ship of Raisin, Lenawee County, that being in the very early days of its settlement. He bought a tract of land there and occupied it until 1837, when he came to Hillsdale Countj'.and as a pioneer of Wright Township, became an important factor in its development. He bought 160 acres of heav- ily timbered land, and his first work was to build a log house in order that lie might have shelter for his family. This dwelling was covered with shakes, and he had to go twenty miles to the nearest saw- mill to procure boards for the floor. When he had completed the house he actively entered upon the task of cutting away the forest trees that he might have land to till, and during his residence there of twenty-eight years he improved a very good farm. His entire stock at first consisted of one cow and a pair of oxen, and with the latter he did all of his farm work and marketing for some years. RoUin was the nearest milling point for some time, and it used to take three days to make around trip. Jlr. Bryant was very fond of hunting, and brought down many a deer, wild tnrkej' or other wild ani- mal that then haunted the forest, by his unerring aim, and thus kept the familj- larder supplied with game. Mr. Bryant lived in that township until 1865, when he exchanged that farm for the one whicii his widow now occupies, and was a valued resident of this community until his death, Aug. *f -^*- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 513 ? 31, 1881. Those New Eiij^lriiid traits of character, cool courage, lianliliood. eiiersry ami keen foresight, wliich were prominent in him, gave him an assured jiosition among his feilowmen and led him to suc- cess. In politics he was a Arm supporter of the Republican party. His faithful comijanion and help- mate still survives. Her maiden name was Caroline Daniels, and she was born April 28, 1818, in Wayne, Steuben Co., N. Y. Her father, Israel Daniels, was born in Connecticut, of which State his father, Asa Daniels, a farmer, was, it is supposed, a lifelong resident. Mrs. Bryant's father grew to manhood in his native State, and then went to the State of New York, where he married Mar}' Carey, a native of Vermont, and a daughter of Philip and Patience (Richardson) Carey. In 1835 Mr. and Mrs. Dan- iels left their home in New York, and sought the forests of the Territory of Michigan to l)uild up anew a home for themselves and children on Gov- ernment land, which Mr. Daniels had previously entered in the township of Adams. They came by way of the Erie Canal to Buffalo, thence by lake to Detroit, where a team was hired to take the family and household goods to Lenawee County. The family stopped a few months in Clinton, and, in the meantime the father erected a log cabin on his land, and the family afterward moved into it. Mr. Daniels cleared quite a tract of land, and erected a setof frame buildings. He died there in September, 1870, and his wife, who continued to reside on the old homestead, died there in 1874. Mrs. Bryant has been the mother of thirteen children, of whom ten are living, and the following is their record: Mary married Andrew Tuttle, of Wright Town- ship; Amanda married Irvin Miner, and they live in Osceola County. Mich.; Ira N.; Emma married John Miner, and they live in Osseo, this county; Mason lives in Pittsford Township; Ellen married George Britton, and they live in Hudson; John lives ill Pittsford: Hattie married Ozen Keith, and they live in Jefferson Township; Maria married Brunello Wescott, and they live in Caro, Mich.; Ada married Hiram Kenyon, and they live in Pitts- ford. Ira N. Bryant, of this sketch, w.as educated in the schools of his native township, and remained there with his parents, assisting in the labors of the farm, until 1862. In that year, on llie 6th of August, he enlisted in Company F, I8th Michigan Infantrj', and nobly went to the front to assist in the preserv- ation of this great Union, lie did good service for his country in the battles of Athens, Decatur, and many minor engagements During the last two years he was detached for duty at the headquarters of Gen. R. S. Granger, and after the close of the war he received his honorable discharge with the rest of his regiment at Nashville, Tenn.. in July, 1865, and was mustered out of service at Jackson, Mich., the following August. After his return from the South Mr. Bryant bought forty acres of land, and with that small tract cori)menceng Lake, and the soil, under a judi- cious process of cultivation, is highly productive, ■while the lesidenceand farm buildings are eminently creditable to the proprietor. Mr. Abbott acquired ownership of the propertj' in 1877. The land had been secured l)y his father in the pioneer days, and by the latter eliminated from the wilderness into a productive farm. Angus U. is the second son and third child of his parents, H. K. and Olive (Grinnell) Abbott, whose family included six children, and a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work. He was fitted for the duties of life by a good practical education in the schools of his home district and one term at the Hillsdale College, and in early youth attained a thorough knowledge of farm pursuits. Upon reach- ing manhood he was first maiTied, in Reading Town- ship, to Miss Rilla Archer, who was born on her father's homestead here, in March, 1855. She died also at her father's home, in February, 1877. The latter, Milan Archer, was a native of New York, and is now in Reading Township. Of this marriage there was born one child, a daughter Genie, who is now at home. Oursiibject contracted asecond marriage, in Cam- h u 516 HILLSDALt: COUNTY. bria Township. Marcli 11), 1879, with Mi?? Wary Hosmer, daughter of AVilliani Ilosiner. She was born March 30, 1 846, and remained with her parents until her marriage, acquiring a good education. She is now the mother of one son. William H., who was born Dec. 24, 1880. Our subject and his es- timable wife are attendants of the Free-Will Bap- tist Church, of West Reading, and Mr. Abbott, politically, is a solid Republican. He has, however, very little to do with public affairs, giving his at- tention mostly to his farm and his family. J; AMES H. BAS8ETT. occupying a good posi- tion among the people of Jefferson Town- ship, and a good farm on section 12, is a ' native of the same State from which have emanated so many of the successful men of South- ern Michigan, namely, New York, he having been born in Lewis County, Dec. 27. 1835. James T. and Eunice (Clark) Bassett, his parents, were of Dutch descent, from Holland, but were born in New Y'ork State, and moved to Lenawee County, Mich., when their son, James H., was a little lad three years of age. The father of our subject upon coming to Michi- gan purchased land in Dover Township, Lenawee County, which he subsequently traded for land in Jefferson Township, this county, and a part of which, about sixty acres, our subject still owns. The elder Bassett, being a man of industry and in' telligence, tilled the various local offices, although a Democrat in the midst vf a Republican majority. He possessed much force of character, and was a member in good standing of the Free-Will Baptist Church, in which he olflciated as a Deacon a num- ber of years. He departed this life at his home in Hillsdale County, Feb. 7, 1885, the mother having died over forty years ago. The subject of our sketch received a common- school education, and assisted his father, the latter belno- in poor health, until about the twenty -third year of his age. Some time before reaching his thir- tieth year he was married, Jan. J 2, 1865, to Miss Susan Ouiealey, who was born Feb. 7, 1845, and is adaughterof William and Julia (Loughede) Omea- ley, who were natives of Ireland and Scotland, and are now deceased, Mr, Bassett and his wife started out without any capital, but by a course of frugality and industry in a few j'ears moved upon their own farm of 160 acres, in Gratiot County, and a part of which our subject still owns. They lived there a period of twentj* years until 1887, when they came to Jefferson Townshi]), this county, to the farm which the^' now occupy. Mr. Bassett has here, as before, labored indus- triously, bringing about manj' improvements, and with bis family is surrounded 1)3' all the comforts of life. They have four children living, and one deceased, '1 heir eldest son, Frank, was born Sept. 11, 1866; Ellen, Aug. 5, 1869; William, J.an. 24, 1875; Minnie, Dec. 5, 1878, am) Olive M.aude, March 10, 1884, Mr. Bassett, like his father be- fore him. is a stanch Democrat, politically, but has steadily declined becoming an office-seeker. He gives his attention principally to his own affairs, and is respected in i)roportion by his neighbors. "■u\,-v-- ARED B. HOWE, undertaker, junior mem- ber of the firm of Donaghy & Howe, has his headquarters on Howell street, in the city of Hillsdale, and has spent nearly all his lite in this county, having been born in Ransom Townshii), Seijt, 26, 1 844. His parents, Joel and Lucy (Ashley) Howe, were born and reared in Ontario County, N. Y.; they were married in this county, Jan. 1, 1843, and located on a farm in Ransom Township. The father took up a tract of partially cultivated land, where the parents spent the remaining brief years of their lives, dyingabout twelve months apart, and leaving their son, Jared B,, an orphan when a little lad eight years of age. After the death of his parents our subject took up his abode with Nelson Ashley, but later was taken into the home of H. W. Bates, with whom he contiuued for a perioil of seven years. The lim- ited education which he secured was conducted in the district school, and he entered upon his busi- ness career with C. W. Ferris, a dry-goods merchant of Hillsdale, whore he became familiar with the general methods of business men. His next posi- •^ M ■^* -U HILLSDALK COUNTY. 517 tiou was with W. W. Donaghy, an undertaker of Hillsdale, with whrofessor of penmanship, is a resident of Mi.ssouri; he married Miss Eliza Meade, and they have two children — Lena and Archie. Henry married Miss Enieline Janes, and is carrying on his father's farm in a very successful manner; Edwin wedded Miss Mary Clifton, of Ohio, and is occupied in general mer- chandising in Bellaire, Antrim County, this Stjite; he is the father of one child, a daughter, Linnie. Tlie mother of these children died at her home in Moscow rownship. on the .Tth of December, 1877, at the age of sixtj'-two years. The Bansill homestead includes 1 28 acres of good land, all of which was cleared by our subject, and upon which are liie buildings which he erecte2, at the age of twent}- years; Edgar B. enlisted with the 6lh Michigan Heavy- Artillery, being mustered into service in March, 1864; he was taken ill, and died at New Orleans in Noveml)er following, being also twenty^ 3ears old. Flora P. is the wife of Casper Sherk. a carpenter of Litchfield, and is now the mother of four children — Lulie G., Charles G., Frank N. and Lena I. Fletcher married Miss Mary Burgett, who is en- gaged in the hardware tr.ade in Eaton Rapids; they have one son. Charles E. Mr. and Mrs. Turrell lived in Lenawee County until their children were nearly grown, and then for the purpt)se of finishing their education took up their residence, in 1861, in the city of Hillsdale. Their sons. Horace and Alonzo, attemled Hills'Iale College, together with Iheir daughter Cynthia. The latter also attended Olivet College at Olivet, Mich., a year afterward. Mr. and Mrs. Tunell came to Litchfield in November, 1862. Our subject pur- chased the house, lot, and stock of goods of Jacob Hagerman. and the store of William Walters be- _ ■» ■ ^* -4*- 624 HILLSDALE COUNTY. sides, and carried on business six months, when he associated with him in partnersliip his son Hor- ace, and they have since operated together very successful!}', commanding an extensive patronage and accumulating a competency for future years. Mr. and Mrs. Turrell, as neighbors and members of the community, are valued at their true worth, and in the Congregational Church, of which they have been members for many years, have been among its chief piHars. Indeed it was largely tln-ough the influence and liberality of Mr. Turrell that the so- ciety was enabled to erect its edifice, which is a fine brick structure, and of which Mr. T. furnished one- half of the brick, besides his donation of $500 in cash. Mr. Turrell, politically, affiliated with the Demo- crats until the organization of the Republican party. He then voted for John C. Fremont, and continued a Republican until his warm interest in the success of the temperance movement induced him to ally himself with the Prohibitionists. As the friend and supporter of all worthy public enterprises, he has been identified with many of these, and is promi- nently connected with the Union Agricultural Asso- ciation of the St. Joseph Valley. AYETTE NUTTEN, son of one of the earli- est pioneers of Moscow Township, is now recognized as among its most enterprising and successful farmers, where he has 120 acres of land under a fine state of cultivation, and embel- lished with modern and substantial buildings. His father, Jonathan Nutten, was born in Steuben County, N. Y., and died at his home in Moscow Township on the 3 1st of August, 1884. The mother, who in her girlhood was Miss Susan Underwood, was also a native of the Empire State, born not far from the early home of her husband, and is now long since deceased, her death having taken place in July, 1861, at the age of forty-eight years. The parents of our subject began life together in Y^ates County, N. Y., whence they started for the young State of Michigan, in .September, 1843. The paternal grandfather had previously to this taken up a tract of Government land in Moscow Town- ship, which after his death was purchased by the sou, and which he carried on from 1843 until retir- ing from active labor. He was married three times, and by his first wife became the father of ten children, onl}' four of whom are living, two sons and two daughters, who are residents of Michigan. His second wife was Mrs. Alzina Hayes, who died two months after her marriage. His third wife was Miss .Sarah J. Jennings, of Yates County, N. Y. Of this latter union there was born one child only, a daughter, Eudora Aileen. This lad}' is still living, and a sketch of her will be found elsewhere in this volume. Fayette Nutten was born Dec. 2.5, 1840, in Italy Township, Yates Co., N. Y., and was two and one- half years of age when brought by his father to Michigan. He developed into manhood in Moscow Township, acquiring his education in the district schools, and continued a member of his father's household until a young man twenty-three years of age. On the 25th of December, 1863. the anni- versary of his birthday, he was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca, daughter of Abel and Mary (Coryell) Nobles, who were also natives of the Empire State. The young people settled in Alle- gany County, whence they removed five years later to Macon, Lenawee Co., Mich., where the father died in 1858 at the age of forty-niue years. The mother survived her husband a period of twenty-three years, remaining a widow, and passing away at the home of our subject in 1881, when seventy-seven j'ears old. Abel Nobles and his wife were the parents of seven children, fonr sons and three d.aughters, of whom Mrs. Nutten was the fourth in order of birth. She began life on the 14th of February, 1838, and enjoyed the advantages of the district schools of Lenawee County; she completed her studies in the High School at Tecumseh, and taught thereafter three terms in Hillsdale Couuty. Her union with our subject resulted in the birth of two children: Mary Susan became the wife of Alfred C. Haight, a well-to-do farmer of Moscow Township; Faille Louise is also a graduate of the High School at North Adams. Mr. and Mrs. Nutten took to their hearts and home two other motherless children, John Q. Roode and Blanche Nobles, who both con- / t >► w ^^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. •«► 525 tinue to luake tlieir home with their foster-paretxts. They also have been well educated, and the former, who has tauglit school t\^o terms, one in Moscow, and one in Wheatland Township, contemplates tak- ing a conrse of instruction at the Ypsilanti Normal School. Mr. Nutten is the owner of 120 acres of land, whicli he has cultivated with fine success, and as a business man and a citizen occupies a leading posi- tion among his fellow-townsmen. Although a Dem- ocrat in belief and principle, he has numbers of friends among the Repul)licans, by whom he has been elected to various offices while his own party was largely in the minority'. lie has been Director in his school district for a period of fifteen years, served as Assessor six years, held the offices of Jus- tice of the Peace and Township Treasurer, and has done duty on the petit jury. Mrs. Nutten, a lady of many amiable qualities, is the efficient assistant of her husband in maintaining the reputation of their home as one of the most attractive spots in the township, and is also a member in good stand- ing of the Baptist Church, at North Adams. I I ON. CHARLES MOSHER, one of the most 1 prominent men of Scipio Township, was en- M'' dowed by nature witli more than ordinary ^\ capacities, and is one of those who, keep- ing their eyes open to what is going on in the world around them, and being interested in the progressive movements of the age. scarcely fail to have an influence in their community. During the years of his j'ounger and more active life he min- gled considerably with politics, and since the incep- tion of the temperance movement has been one of its warmest advocates, coming out at the end a de- cided Prohibitionist. He has been the encourager and supporter of educational institutions and one of the pillars of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in Scipio Township, holding important offices in con- nection therewith and officiating as Superintendent of the Sunday-school continuously for nearly a quarter of a century. Our subject is the oflfspring of an excellent old <• family, being the son of Samuel Mosher. a native of Dutchess County, N. Y., who was born Dec. 17, 1795, and was of a family who were Quakers in religious belief, and possessed all the simple and re- liable traits of character peculiar to that people. Samuel Mosher in early manhood married Miss Hannah Green, who was also of Qu.aker parentage, and was born in Connecticut, .June G, 1798. After marri,age the parents settled first in Chatham, Co- lumbia Co., N. Y., where their son Charles was born Jan. 2, 1«22, and was the third of their family of eleven children. They subsequently removed to Cayuga County, taking up their residence in Springport. where the father died Dec. 1, 1840. The mother afterward came to Michigan, and died at the home of our subject in Mosherville, this county, Oct. 10, 1854. Seven children of the pa- rental family are still living and residents of this State. Charles Mosher was reared to farming pursuits, which he followed in his native State until 1842. In the meantime his father, in 1835, had come to the Territory of Michigan and entered from the Government 800 acres of land in Scipio Township, including the ground occupied by the present site of Mosherville, and which place was named in honor of him. In May, 1842, Charles left his home in New York, and joining his father in .Scipio Township, engaged in farming on the land which the latter had taken up seven 3'ears previously. The country w.is then a wilderness, and Charles was obliged to cut his way tiiroiigh from Jonesville to the present site of Mosherville. About 1849 or 1850. in company with his broth- ers, Giles and James, under the firm name of G. C. (fe J. Mosher, our subject iissistcd in building the first flouringand saw mill in Mosherville, which they operated together until 1855. and then the firm dissolved by the withdrawal of James and Giles. Charles Jlosher was a practical miller, and his in- terest in these industries continued until 1868, when his attention w.as turned to railroading, and he was mainly instrumental in locating the Ft. Wayne resent propertj' in Litchfield, still retaining ownership of the other farm in Branch Count}'. He is the father of five children: Ida, the eldest, is the wife of Fred McLain, who is carry- ing on a meat market at Litchfield, and thej' have two children — Maude and Lou Edna; Carrie is the wife of William Dean, a blacksmith of Litchfield, and they have one child. Mabel; Elizabeth married George Erdle, who is oi)erating a sawmill in Litch- field ; Arteraus married Miss Belle Mower, and has charge of the homestead; Jennie died when about ten months old. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are members in good stand- ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Litch- field, and Mrs. M. belongs to the Relief Corps of the G. A. R. Our subject, politic.allj-, is a solid Repub- lican, and a charter member of the G. A. R. at Litchfield, in which organization he also served as Sergeant four years. While a resident of Branch County he was usuall}' the incumbent of some ■n 528 HILLSDALE COUNTY. otfice. anfl served as County Treasurer, Assessor, Constable, anrl was Deputy Sheriff of Branch County in 1884. There are few men who have made themselves more useful among their fellow-citizens, or who have a cleaner record, than Jared E. Moore. 38^ ^p^ ARRET MORFORD, well known and highly [II (— -, esteemed in Moscow Township, came to the ^^j) Territory of Michigan with his parents when a lad of fourteen, and a few years thereafter hegan his battle with the world, from which he has come out with flying colors. A man of liberal views, large-hearted and benevolent, eminently domestic in his tastes, and thinking more of his home than any spot on earth, he has illustrated in his career the kindly-hearted and generous father and the worthy citizen. As he passes down the sunset hill of life he needs nothing further to assure him of the esteem and confidence of the people among whom he has lived so long, and who have upon numerous occasions signified their high regard for his character. A native of New York State, our subject was born on the .'^th of September, 1821. and was the sixth child of Garret, Sr., and Eunice (Wood) Mor- ford, whose family consisted of six sons and three daughters. The parents were natives of the Empire State, and after their marriage settled in Allegany County. Thence they removed to Monroe, and later to Niagara County, .and from the latter emi- grated to the Territory of Michigan, in June, 1835. The father purchased a tract of Government land in Moscow Township, this county, and distinguished himself as always being warmly interested in the welfare and progress of the people about him. He was honored b^' election to the various township offices, and after a long and worthy life departed hence in the spring of 1869, after having arrived at the advanced age of eighty-four years. The mother survived her husband a period of eleven j-ears, and died at the home of her grandson, Dec. 2, 1 870, aged eighty-six. The brothers and sisters of our subject lived to become men and women ; four are now surviving, and residents of Michigan. Garret, Jr., was a lad ^^ of eleven years when the familj' came to Michigan, and remembers that the journey was made in wagons with four horses and one yoke of oxen. They came by the way of Canada, crossing the St. Lawrence River at Lewiston, and after their arrival in this county were subjected to the hardships and inconveniences common to pioneer life. The father took up a tract of Government land, and the chil- dren as soon as old enough assisted their parents in the various duties around the homestead. Their limited education was conducted in the district school, but for two or thiee years after coming to Michigan there was not an institution of this kind within convenient walking distance. Our subject continued under the parental roof until 1847, being then twenty-six years of age. In the meantime he had been laboring on his own ac- count since reaching his majority, and was now in a condition to purchase his father's farm, Two years later he inst'iiled a bride under the old roof tree, having been married, Oct. 7, 1849, to Miss Eliza A., daughter of Ebenezer and Sally (Howe) Bragg, who were natives of Vermont, and came to Michigan in 1836, the year before its admission into the Union as a State. Ebenezer Bragg was the son of an old Revolutionary hero, who cariied his musket during the struggle of the Colonists for their independence. When this was assured he settled in the Green Mountain State, where hespent his last days. The parents of Mrs. Morford after their marriage settled in New Hampshire, but a few years later changed their residence to the vicinity of Clarkson, in New York State. Later they removed to Niagara County, where they lived until coming to Michi- gan. Here Mr. Bragg took up eighty acres of Government land in Somerset Township, but only lived eight years thereafter, dying in 1844, when sixty-three years of age. The mother subsequently made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Morford, and died in 1868, at the advanced age of eighty- two. Their ifamily included six sons and two daughters. Mrs. Morford was the youngest, and was born in Clarkson, N. Y., Nov. 17, 1831. She was but four 3-ears of age when her parents emi- grated to Michigan, and received her education in the district schools of Somerset Township. She •^ i •► m^^ - -^^m- HILLSDALK COUNTY. 529 was reareil to habits of industry and ecotioiny, and amply fitted to become the wife of a good man. The three children of Mr. and Mrs. Morford are locatetl as follows: Mary M. is the wife of Phin- eas \V. Langdon, a well-to-do farmer of Allegan County, this State ; Esther J. married J. H. S.ackett, who is engaged iu carpentering at .Jonesville; they have one cliild, a daugliter Winona. .Joseph E., who has charge of the homestead, married Miss S. IMilly Langdon, and is the father of two children — Bertha Belle and Gertrude. The Morford estate includes 100 acres of land, which the suliject of our sketch transformed from a partially cultivated tract to one of the most creilitable homesteads in the northeastern part of the county. He has cleared eighty acres of this himself, building fences, planting an orchard and trees of the finer fruits, cherry, peach and pear. The farm stock and machinery' give ample evi- dence of the care and forethought exercised in the various departments, and the entire estate stands as a monument of the industry and perseverance of its proprietor. Mr. and Mrs. Morford have labored together in the building up of their home, making it a most pleasant spot where their neighbors and friends love to congregate, and which to their chil- dren is the dearest place on earth. Mr. Morford, in 1860, identified himself with the Masonic fraternity, and is at present a member of Hamilton Lodge No. 113, at Moscow. Since be- coming a voter he has steadily maintained his pref- erence for the Democratic party. ,ICHARD U. FLOYD, a man who has made his mark as a farmer, and developed most IM>\ estimable qualities as a citizen, intelligent TOgjand i)rogressive in his ideas, and favoring all the projects for reform and advancement, oc- cupies an enviable position among the peo|)le of Litchfield Township, which he has called his home for the last twenty-two years. He is now in the seventy-fifth year of his age, and is the possessor of a rich and varied experience, the subjei^t of a his- tory which is in its main points as follows: Mr. Floyd was born Oct. 1, 181.3, in Vermont. <»• His father. Richard Floyd, iiad pissi^l away in Feb- ruary previously, and his first recollections were of his stepfather, .Joseph Fuller, who followed farming, and died when our subject was a lad of fourteen 3'ears. Itichard Floyd, a shoemaker by tra*'§§v51^OT7>^ A/Vr,* ki:Vl W. HARRINGTON. Hillsdale County has many well-to-do and successful farmers, men who started with nothing except their own sUmt hearts and strong hands to depend upon, and have made a financial success in life. Prominent among these is the subject of this sketc'.i, aged and highly respected, who occupies a fine brick mansion which he has recently built in North Adams. He was born in Washington County, N. V., Oct. 23, 1810. His father, Levi Harrington, Sr., married Mary Wood, the daughter of a soldier who was killed in the Revt)lutionary War. They were na- tives of Connecticut, .and continued to live there several years after marriage. From there they re- moved to New York, where Mrs. Harrington's death occurred in St. Lawrence County. In about 1847 Mr. Harrington, accompanied by his second wife, came to Michigan and settled in Hillsdale County, where he died about five years afterward. The suljject of this sketch was the seventh child of his parents. His boyhood was passed at home, assisting his father and attending school. At the age of eighteen years he began earning liis own liv- ing. He had inherited a goodly amount of energy and pluck, and at that time started from home on foot for the pinery at French Creek, 200 miles away. Arriving there after a tedious journey, he secured work at |I0 a month, and proved himself so industrious, capable and faithful in the perform- ance of his duties, that he was ere long appointed foreman, and given higher wages. He continueil working for the same man ten years, retaining his position as supervisor. He then returned to his na- tive State, and was married in Niagara County, in 1836, to Miss Harriet Chichester. After marriage the young couple came to Michi- gan and settled in Wheatland Township, being the eighth family to locate there. Mr. Harrington was much pleased with his new home, and gladly wel- comed all new-comers and .assisted them to find suitable locations. His kindly greetings, generous hospitalit3\ ami the material aid rendered to stran- gers, won for him a lasting regard in their hearts. His excellent wife heartily co-operated with him in all his good works, and her early death, which oc- curred in Wheatland, was a sad bereavement to the little community, who sincerel3' mourned their loss. She left two sons, Enimett and Oscar, the former of whom is married and lives in Addison Township. In 1844 Mr. Harrington was a second time married, taking for his wife Miss Nancy, daughter of John and Loviua Barker, natives and lifelong residents of New York State. By this union Mr. Harrington became the father of two children — Hattie and Eli. Hattie is the wife of Joseph Baker, of Adams Township; they have one child. Eli, who lives in h -!* -•► 532 HILLSDALE COUNTY. »► m ^ 4* Wheatland To^Miirliip. mairiifl Jliss ]\Javtha Baker, and they have three children — Ida B., Mrytie and L. May. In 1852, our snbject desiring to experiment in the mining regions of California, sailed from New York to San Franciseo via Aspinwall and the Isthmus of Panama, being two months on the way. He met with fair success in the Golden State, but not suffi- cient to induce him to remain there permanently, consequently, after working two years in the mines, he returned by the Nicarauga route to Michigan. Having given his son forty acres, Mr. Harrington now owns 1 60 acres of valuable land, well improved, which he acquired by diligent toil, judicious man- asement and strict attention to business. 1 herein lies the secret of the great success that has been dealt out to him so abundantly that he is now, in the evening of life, enabled to enjoy in peace and comfort the competence that he has attained, and, besides, he has the ))lcasant satisfaction of knowing that when he shall be called to join the silent ma- jority, he will leave the remaining members of his family well provided for. Mr. Harrington is now seventy-eight 3 ears old, and retains to a remarka- ble degree his physical vigor, having rarely ex- perienced a sick da}'. That he may kng continue in his usual strong bodily and mental health is the wish not only of his kindred, but of his many friends in North Adams and vicinil}'. In politics our subject is a waim supporter of the principles advocated by the Democratic part}'. I RS. SARAH .1. NUTTEN, widow of the late Jonathan Nutlen, of Moscow Town- ship, is in the enjoyment of a fine prop- erty located on sec'.ion 26. A lady of fine tastes and excellent education, she foims an ornament to the social circles of her community, where she is an object of high regard, not only on account of her mental capacities, but her genuine goodness of heart. Mrs. Nutten was born in Yates County, N. Y;, at the home of her parents in Benton Township, on the 16th of February, 1840, and was the fifth of six children, three sons and three daughters. Her father, James Jennings, was a native of Saratoga Conntj-, N. Y., and her mother, who in her girlhood was Miss Elizabeth Rector, was a native of Yates County, that State. Her paternal grandfather, Seth Jennings, was of English birth and ancestrj', and came to America with his parents when quite young. Her i)arents, after marriage, settled in Yates County, wheie they spent the remainder of their days. The mother died Feb. 2, 1854. at the age of forty-nine years; the father, surviving his wife sixteen years, passed to his rest in 1870, aged sevent3'-six. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Nutten, four of whom are living, are residents mostly of New York State. Her girlhood was spent in her native county, where she attended fiist the district school, and sub- sequently was grailuated fiom Penn Yan Academy. Soon afterward she entered upon the career of a teacher, which she followed successfully four years in Ontario and Yates Counties. On the 17th of May, 1866, she vvas united in marriage with Jona- than Nutten, the wedding taking place at her home in Benton Township. Mr. Nutten was born in Steuben County, N. Y., and was the sou of George Nutten, a sketch of whom will be found in the biograpliy of Fayette Nutten, found elsewhere in this volume. He came to Michigan after his first marriage, in 1843, and signalized himself .as an up- right and praiseworthy citizen. He closed his eyes upon the scenes of earth at his home in Moscow Township on the 31st of August, 1884. To Mr. and Mrs. Nutten there was born one child only, a daughter. Eu Dora Aileen, Aug. 17, 1868. She is now an accomplished young lady of rare musical talent and culture, and was for^i time a member of the class of '89, Hillsdale College. She is now professor of music, piano and voice culture, in Rio Grande College, in Ohio. By a former marriage Mr. Nutten became the father of five children, of whom the record is as follows: Agnes, the eldest, is the wife of John H. Lynch, of Fayette Township, and the mother of one chilfl.a daughter Winnifred ; Fayette, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this Album, is fai-m- ing in Moscow Township, as is also his brother, John B. ; Celestia M.. Mrs. Charles H. Morgan, re- sides in Hillsdale Township, and is the mother of i ■i> ^ ll 4> HILLSDALE COUNTY. 533 4 four children — Leon, Sarah, Robert and Earl J. May, who became the wife of Brewster Kies, died in Hillsdale, Nov. 25, 1887. In the sumraer of 1874 the family residence, with nearly all its contents, was destroyed by fire. Mr. Niitten, however, recovered from this disaster as quickly as possible, erected another dwelling, and the famil3' took possession in the spring following. This, with its surroundings, forms one of the most attractive homes in Moscow Township. The farm comprises 16(1 acres of valuable land, and besides the residence there is a good barn and all the other buildings necessarj' for the carrying on of agricult- ure after the most approved methods. Mrs. Nutten is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Moscow, and while a resident of Hillsdale Township became identified with the W. C. T. U. She is also a member of the Tem|)er- ance Alliance at Moscow, and lal)ors as she has opportunity for the furtherance of this most im- portant work. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Nutten were named : Hanna, Thomas W., William W., James, Nelson and Jerusha C. They all lived to maturity and were married, but Hanna and William W. ai-e now deceased. /^^ AMU EL HART, proprietor of one of the ^^^ best farms in Hillsdale County, first opened ((l£_Jl) his eyes to the liglit among the Vermont hills, having been born near the town of Weston, Rutland County, on the 1st of March, 1822. His father, George Hart, was a native of Lynn- field, Mass., and was the son of Capt. Endicott Hart, a native of Scotland. The latter followed the sea, and was commander of a vessel for some years before settling in Massachusetts. After aban- doning a sailor's life he retired to a comfortable home in Salem, where he spent his last d.aj-s. The father of our subject was the eldest son of his parents, and was reared to farming pursuits. Upon reaching maiihood he purchased the interest of his brothers in their father's farm, and vv:is start- ing out very fairljf in life when he most unwisely placed hissignature to notes for friends, and thus lost the farm. He was thus compelled to start anew in life, and going into Vermont purchased a small tract of land near the town of Mt. Tabor. There he resided until 1834, when with his family he started overland for Ohio, to which he made the entire journey with one pair of horses attached to a wagon and another pair to a carriage. After seven- teen d.ays' travel he landed in the town of Carlisle, Lorain County. He had turned over his Vermont land to his eldest son, with whom the mother re- mained. In 1 855 George Hart left the Buckeye State, and coming to this county thereafter made his home with our subject until his death, which took place in 1857. The mother spent her last days at the home of her daughter in Pennsylvania, and survived her husband a few years. Samuel, our subject, was twelve years old when his parents removed to Ohio, and subsequently lived with his elder brother until twenty years old, when he commenced for himself on a rented farm in Lorain Count}'. In 1850 he purchased twenty acres and rented additional land ui)on which he operated five years. He now sold out, and coming to this county purchased his |)res- ent farm, taking possession on the 18th of April of that same j'ear. The removal was made overland, his outfit consisting of five horses, a wagon and carriage. But three acres of his purchase were cleared, and he took up his residence with his fam- ily in a log house. Deer, wild turkeys and other game, were plentiful, and whatever else the family may have lacked in the way of luxury they were always provided with the choicest of wild meats. Mr. Hart, in nowise behind the enterprising men who located in Hillsdale County during its first settlement, slowl}- but surel}' subdued the forestand brought his land to a good state of cultivation. During the first 3'ears of his residence here the ham- let of Hudson, fourteen miles away, furnished the most available market, and was reached by driving around the swamps. Our subject, while a native of Ohio, was married, June 29, 1845, when a little past twenty-three years of age, to Miss Emily Gier, who was born in Car- roll County, that State, .Ian. 6, 1818. Her father, John Gier, is believed to have been a native of Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Carroll County, u -•► 534 HILLSDALE COUNTY. Ohio, during its early settlement. He proceeded after the manner of other adventurous men of that time, settling amidst the timber, and in due time clearing a farm. Later he took up his residence in the town of Russia, Lorain Countj-, and fiom there came to Hillsdale, in 1854, settling in Ransom Township. Here he spent his last days at the home of his son, but only lived until 1856. He had mar- ried, in early manhood. Miss Mary Bender, who was born in Pennsylvania and died at the home of her daugliter, in Ashland County, Oiiio, a few years after the decease of her husband. The seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Hart are re- corded as follows: Their eldest son, Richard, is married and a resident of Ransom Township; El- mira M. is the wife of Nathan Halleck, a resident of Quiney, Branch County ; Alice M. married W. H. Palmer, a sketch of whom will be found on another page in this work ; George W. is engaged in the lumber business near East Bonrdman, Kalkaska County; Julia A. is the wife of Franklin Hoover, of Ransom Township; Alfred F. and Albert F., twins, one married, are residents respectively of Alma, this St.ate, and Ransom Township. The for- mer was graduated frou) the Northwestern College at Kvanston, 111., and is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church; the latter is carrying on agri- cultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Hart are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which our subject has been an active worker, officiating as Class-Leader and Superintendent of the Sunday -school, and constituting one of its chief pillars. ANIEL H. MILLS, who is well known throughout the northwestern part of this countj', has been Postmaster at LitchSeld, and Township Clerk nineteen j'ears, and is • held in high estimation by the public. He is now President of the Village Board, and in the business community is a dealer in hardware and farm imple- ments, and commands an extensive trade through- out this section. Our subject is the offspring of an excellent family, being the son of John H. and Charlotte (White) Mills, who were natives of Rutland County, Yt., of Scotch ancestry on the father's side, and on the mother's side descended from the English. The elder Mills during his early manhood fcmght in the War of 1812. After marriage he settled in Elba Township, Genesee Co., N. Y., where he carried on agriculture until his removal to this State, in 1846, where he arrived on the 1st daj- of May. and soon afterward settled upon a farm in Litchfield Town- ship. Here the parents lived and labored together for a i)eriod of nineteen j'ears, and then the mother was taken from earth, in December. 1863, when sixty- three j-ears of age. John H. Mills survived his wife twelve years, his death taking place at the homestead, April 9, 1875, when he was eightj'-one years old. The children of the parental family, nine in num- ber, consisted of four sons and five daughters. Daniel H., our subject, and the youngest of the familj', was born in Elba, Genesee Co., N. Y., Jan. 4, 1837. His education was completed in the pioneer log school-house of Litchfield Township, this county, and he remained upon the farm with his parents until a j'outh of seventeen, when he en- gaged as a clerk at Litchfield in a store of general merchandise. During the progress of the late war he enlisted as a Union soldier. Aug. 28, 1864, in Battery A, 1st Michigan Light Artillery, being mustered into service at Detroit, and was soon afterward detailed as Clerk of the companj', and was an assistant in the Provost Marshal's office at Chatta- nooga. After the close of the war he was mustered out at Jackson, and receiving his honorable dis- charge, turned his face homeward on the 28th of July, 1865. Our subject was married in Litchfield, Nov. 20, 1860, to Miss Mary Jane, daughter of Orrin and Eunice (Dunbar) Mason. Her father was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and the mother in Ohio. Mr. Mason was a blacksmith by trade, at which he worked in Lj^sander during his early man- hood, and from there came to Michigan in 1863, settling at Litchfield, where he now resides, and has arrived at the advanced age of eighty-eight j'ears. The mother died here in August, 1885, and was seventy-seven years old. Their children included three sons and five daughters, of whom Mrs. Mills, the third child, was born Nov. 25, 1842, at Lysan- • ^m <• ;- hillsdalp: county, 535 der, N. Y. She acquired a good education and taught si'hool one year before her marriage. Of her union with our i-uhjeot tliere were born three children — James D., D. II. and Bessie M. The eldest child died in infanc3', and the other two are attending school, making their home with their father. The mother died at her lionie in Litch- field, Dec. -28, 1885. Jlr. Mills, upon reaching manhood, worked as a carpenter until the spring of 1867, when he re- ceived the api)ointment of Postmaster, which he held until after the incoming of the Democratic ad- ministration, retiring in 188G. In 1868 he engaged in the drug trade, continuing nine years, and then selling out established himself as a hardware mer- chant, in 1884. He has built a verj' fine brick business house and has a comfortable residence on Chicago street. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious matters is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has held the office of Steward for a period of twenty-seven years. He was elected one of the Trustees in 1H87. Socially, he belongs to Franklin Lodge Ko. 40, A. F. & A. M., of wliich he has also been Secretary and Treas- urer. In the G. A. K. he is Quartermaster at Litclifield, wliich post ranks fifth in the State of Michigan. He has also been Trca,surer four years of the Union Agricultural Society' of St. Joseph Valley. The career of this gentleman is essentially' that of a self-made man, as he was early in life thrown upon his own resources, V)egiuning at the foot of the ladder in building up his own fortunes. Of high principles and strict integrity, he has emi- nently a clean record, one of wliich his children will never be ashamed. ENllY H. MATH IAS, a farmer, amply as- sists in sustaining the reputation of Hillsdale County as a superior agricultural region, and his homestead on section 21 of Camden Township, bears substantial evidence of his skill .is a tiller of the soil. He is a native of Ohio, having been born in Stark Count}', June 19, 1836. His paternal ancestors were of German origin, and at an early day one branch of the family emigrated to this country and settled in Pennsylvania. His father, Jacob Mathias, was born in that .State, antl married Mary Stambaugh, a native of Ohio, who bore him nine children, of whom the following is the record: Jesse S. lives in Ainbo^' Township; Julia A. is the wife of B. F. Sholt}'. of Williams Count)-, Ohio; Susan married J. H. Hickcrson, of Hancock Couiitj', Ohio; L^'dia is now Mrs. Wickham, of Putnam County, Ohio; Henrj' H. ; Albert C. lives in Putnam Count)', Ohio; Jacob F. lives in Fairbury, Neb.; Catherine and Mar)' E. arc deceased, the lat- ter dying when .six years old. The subject of this sketch was reared to man's estate in his native county, attending the district school in his 3outhful days. Being obliged to commence life's struggle at an early da)', he chose the occupation of farming, and has always devoted his time to that profitable business. His first im- portant step after attaining his majority toward establishing himself as a useful member of society, was his marriage with Miss Elizabeth Hickerson, who has heartily co-t)perate BOW, one of the representative ~ \) citizens of the township of Cambria, and a progressive and successful general farmer, is now living on section 20 of this town- ship, and owns 160 acres of land, part of which is on section 29. This fine farm, which is under a high state of cultivation, has been brought to its present condition by the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Bow, and reflects great credit on their thrift and good management. Mr. Bow removed from Livingston County, in New York, and came to this State in 1840, where he took up his residence in Tecuraseh, Lenawee County. In June, 1841, he removed to Ypsilanti Township, Washtenaw County, and there resided for a period of two years. In the spring of 1843 be made his advent into Hillsdale Countj', and took up his residence in Jefferson. He then pur- chased 160 acres of land south of Osseo, which he made his home for three years, and eflfected con- siderable improvements on his purchase. He then sold this property, and removing to Pittsford, settled on an improved farm, and lived there about six j'ears. He subsequently purchased an unbroken farm in the same township, which he redeemed 9» f ^^ : 1 ' -^•- •a^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 539 li from a state of nature, and bronglit to a fair de- gree of improvement. He ereetcfl buildings adajjted to the prosecution of his calling, but iiis wanderings were not 3-et over, and he sold all his interests in I'ittsford Township, and coming to Cambria Town- ship, in 1862, purchased eighty acres of land on section 29. He subsequently purchased another eighty acres on section 20. wliicli he has ever since made his home. He has now brought his farm to a high stale of cultivation, yielding in abun, ^^ ^ ARVEY HIGLEY is a native of Hartford, Conn., where he was born Sept. 9, 1815, and 'I\-^ is the son of Levi Higle3-, a native of the same .State, and of English ancestry, dating b.ack to the earlj' settlers of the Colonies. The pa- ternal grandfather of our subject was a soldier in the Revolutionary 'War, and served under Gen. Washington. Levi Higley, the father of oursubject, was reared and married in Connecticut, and resided there until the spring of 1813, when he removed with his wife and seven children to Onondaga County, N. Y. The journey was made overland by teams, there being at that time neither railroads nor canals. lie located in the township of Ponipey, Onondaga County, upon rented land, which he occupied about twenty years, and then removed to Spafiford Township and bought a tract of land, upon which he resided en- gaged in the improvement of his farm until his decease. His wife, whose maiden name was Ilepsi- bah Holconib, wasalso an.ative of Connecticut, and died on the homestead in Spafford Township. The parental f.'injilj- of our subject included ten children, of whom Harvey was the sixth in order of birth. When four years of age, he was taken by his parents to New York State, and there grew to manhood, assisting his father on the farm, and ac- quiring a common-school education. At sixteen years of age he left home to learn the trade of a carpenter and joiner, and afterward followed that calling the greater part of the time until 1836, ex- cepting two years, during which time he had charge of the State repairing boat on the Oswego Canal. In 1836 he started for the Territory of Michigan, via the Erie Canal to Buffalo, and thence by the lakes to Detroit, where he worked at his trade a few months, after which he came to Mon- roe County, and was similarly occupied at Brest, near Monroe, for two years. He next engaged with tliree others to work on the railroad then be- ing constructed from Monroe westward, taking a contract to build bridges, etc., and was afterward engaged at his trade in Clayton, Lenawee County, two years. In the meantime Mr. Higley had bought a tract of timber land which is included in his present farm, and after his two-years residence in Clayton, he went upon his farm and made some improvements. He however, returned to Claj'ton, and remained there until 1817, when he settled upon his farm, and has been a continuous resident of Ransom Town- ship since that time. He first erected a log house in the midst of the wilderness, through which roamed deer and wild turkeys, with small game in abun- dance, while bears and wolves were still disagree- ably plentiful. His farm work at that time w.as done with a yoke of oxen, with which also he did his milling and marketing for some years, traveling in this wa}' twenty-two miles to Rollin, wliere the nearest mill was situated, and occupying two days in making the round trip. Mr. Higley has con- tributed his full share toward the dcveh.pment of the natural resources of Southern Michigan, and has lived to see a trackless waste transformed intosmil- ing fields, over which roam herds of the best breeds of domestic animals, while the country is dotted with villages, and intercourse is made easy and rapid by a network of railways. Harvey Higley has been twice married, his first marriage occurring in 1846, with Miss Mahala Ter- willeger. She died in 18.")3, leaving three children, lecorded as follows: Levi H. served in Company H, 4th .Michigan Infantry, and w.as killed at the battle of Fredericksburg; Ellen M. married Dr. William R. Ditmars. of North Adams, while Emma A. is the wife of Henry Gray, of the same place. For his second wife, our subject chose Mrs. A. Esther (Avatt) Dewej', who w.as born in Manchester, On- tario Co., N. Y., June 27, 1818, while her father, John A. Avatt, was born in Ireland, and came to America when a 3"0ung man, as a soldier in the British army. Soon after the War of 1812 he abandoned the English army, and settled on a tract -4»- ••► •► l l' M i - ^i^HK-^ 542 HILLSDALE COUNTY. of timber land In Manclicster, Ontario County, which he improved and developed into a good farm. About 1853 he came to Michigan, and spent liis last years here witli his children. His wife, wliose maiden name was ILarcy Hackett. died in Wright Township, when about seventy years of age. Mrs. Higley was first married to George Gordon Dewey, who was a native of Connecticut, and was the son of John and Olive Dewey, pioneers of Ontario County, N. Y. George G. Dewey was but four years old when his parents removed to Ontario County, and there he grew to manhood and mar- ried. He purchased a tract of land in Manchester Township, upon which he lived, however, but one year after marriage. Of Mrs. Higley's first union there was born one child, George H. Dewey, who served in Company H, 4th Michigan Infantry, dur- ing tlie late war. He now lives in Paris, this State, engaged in farming. Mr. Higley affiliates with the Republican party, with which he has been identified since Its organiza- tion, and gives to it his support and influence on all important occasions. He possesses the energy and good judgment which were prominent charac- teristics of his New England and English ancestry, and though diffident an^/L^ t: HILLSDALE COUNTY. a 545 eight daughters, of whom Mrs. Howlett was next to the j'ouiigest. Of lier marriage with our subject there were born two children — William 13. and Addie B. On the 1st of April. 1887, Mrs. Howlett was commissioned Postmistress of Jonesville, which ofHee she still retains. ROF. WARREN A. DRAKK. Superintend- ent of Schools of Hillsdale County, and @ \^ Secretary of the County Board of School Examiners, is admirably fitted both by na- ture and acquirements for his present position, to which he was called in 1887. He has made the cause of education a study for over twenty j'ears, and commenced his career as an instructor in the famous Oberlin Commercial College, of Ohio, with which institution he w;is connected for a period of five years before coming to Michigan. Soon after his arrival in this county, in 1867, he became con- nected with the commercial department of Hillsdale College, in which institution lie remained for a pe- riod of fourteen years, ten years of which he was Director of the city schools. In the meantime he served as Supervisor of the First and Second Wards, and has continuously been the incumbent of re- sponsible offices, in connection with the ])ublic schools in this part of the State. Mr. Drake was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, March i), 1843. and is the son of Aaron and Mary (Williams) Drake, who were natives of New Jer- sej'. They became residents of Ohio about 1820, before their marriage, and after uniting their fort- unes settled upon a farm in Trumbull County, where they lived until the death of the father, who passed to iiis long home Aug. 22, 18.55. The pa- rental household included eight children, four of whom still survive. The first fifteen j-ears of the life of our subject were spent at the old homeste-ad in Trumbull County, where he made good use of his opportunities at the district school. At the .ago of sixteen j'ears he en- tered Hiram College, taking a three-years course, at the expiration of which time he was fitted for his dulies as an instructor at Oberlin. Since becoming a resident of this count}', in addition to "^T^ the positions heretofore mentioned, he has repre- sented Hillsdale Count}' twice before the State Board of Equalization, and in December. 1887, was elected President of the State Association of County Superintendents and School Examiners. He is also a member and Associate Secretary of the State Reading Circle Council. Mr. Drake hiis been a member of the City Board of Education, and most of the time Director of the district for the past nine years. He has served for the p.ast three years .as President of the Hillsdale County Teachers' Association, and also as State In- stitute Instructor in other counties of Michigan. Before coming to Hillsdale he w.is a member of the First Congregational Church, at Oberlin, but is now identified witli the Presbyterian Cliureh, at Hills- dale, being one of its four Deacons. Mr. Drake, May 5, 1870, was united in marriage with one of the most accom|)Iished Itidiesof this part of the State, Miss Louise, second daughter of Dr. John W. Falley. of Hillsdale, and l)orn Feb. II, 1848. in that city. They occupy a handsome home at the intersection of State and Salem streets, which is frequented by the refined .and cultivated people of the cit}', largely, as m.ay be supposed, of its educational element. Prof. Drake is thoroughly in love with his vocation, and keeps himself posted in regard to the most modern metiiods of instruc- tion, from the primary department to the graduat- ing class. He is yet in the prime of life and tlie midst of his usefulness. A man discharging his duties creditably in a most responsible position, and one putting forth his best efforts in the cause dear to the hearts of every intelligent citizen, there is reason to suppose that as liis experience enlarges his usefulness will incre.ase in proportion. ?^^)I•' J'~OHNA. SIBBALD, a leading merchant at I Jonesville, in this county, is the son of I Thomas .and Anne (Dickson) Sibbald. natives ' of Scotland, whence they emignited to Amer- icaTin 1833, and settled in New York City, where they lived until 183.S, and then came to Homer, Calhoun Co., JNIich. Here they lived only a short t 546 HLILSDALE COUNTY. time, however, nnd then removed to Allen Town- ship. Hillsdale County, where the father had pre- viously bought a farm. He was a carpenter by occupation, and divided his time between his two callings in Allen Township until 1840. when he was killed by a falling tree. His wife died in Jones- ville, Jan. 25. 1885. The parental family of our subject consisted of three children, two daughters besides our subject- Elizabeth A. is the wife of James H. Wade, of Ann Arbor, and Mary is the wife of Hamilton Reeve, of Brooklyn. N. Y. John A. Sibbald was born in New York City, March 29, 1836, and was a child of two years when his parents removed to Hillsdale County, where he has since spent his life with the exception of two years, during whicli he lived with an uncle in Albany. N. Y. When twelve years of age his mother removed with her faniil3' to Jonesville, where Mr. Sibbald has since lived. He received his education in the schools of the village, and first began to work for himself as a clerk for Col. Hollo- way in the Register's office in Hillsdale, where he remained four months. He then enteied the em- ploy of R. S. Varnum, iu Jonesville, and remained with him two years, until 1854, when he engaged with Hon. E. O. Grosvenoras clerk in hisstore, and also assisted him in the bank until he was admitted into partnership, in 1863. in the dry-goods and grocery business, in which he has since continued. The firm is known as J. A. Sibbald & Co. He is also a partner in the Jonesville Creamery, in com- pany with S. C. Baker. Our subject was first united in marriage, in June, 1859. with Miss Cynthia M., daughter of Lewis Wales. She was born in Hillsdale County, and bore to her husband two children — Maggie and Lewis W. Maggie is the wife of Charles V. Tur- ner, of Trinidad, Col. The mother of these chil- dren died in Jonesville, this county, Nov. 27, 1872, and our subject was again married, in Ontario, N. Y., Oct. 24, 1877. to Martha H.. widow of John Boynton. This union resulted in the birth of two children: Wilfred T., who died Feb. 20, 187U. and Anne, who was born in February, 1886. Mr. Sibbald has held several of the offices within the gift of his townsmen, including that of Presi- dent of the village. He is a member of the order of Odd Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Sibbald are mem- bers in good standing of the Presbyterian Church, and are honest, unostentatious and sincere Chris- tians, carrying their profession into their daily walk and conversation. It is with pleasure that we present the portrait of Mr. Sibbald in connection with this brief sketch. — v\.~. Elizabeth (Morse) Howe, and grandniece to the famous Samuel F. B. Morse, the inventor of the telegraph. Mr. Howe died about 1870. The mother subsequently married Hiram H. Farrah, a farrrjer of Allen Township, and is still living. Of the six children of the first marriage the record is as follows: Charles S. married Miss Priscdla Hol- brook, and is residing in Allen Township; Lemuel S. married Miss A. Purchase, and is residing in this county; William married Miss Emma Rush, and is occupied at milling in Pittsford Township; Margaret J. is the wife of Christopher Lazenby, of Allen Township, and George D., who married Miss Maggie Ciphors, makes his home in Ransom Township. Mrs. l\Lary Allis was fairly educated, and is the possessor of rare musical talent, having a beautiful voice for singing, which is often listened to with the greatest pleasure by her man}' friends. She is the mother of three children : ina B., Dilla M. and Lucius Garfield, the eldest seventeen j'ears of age and the youngest six. Mr. Allis, it is hardly necessary to say, is a stanch Republican politicall}% and has been a memlier of the School Board in his township for a period of fourteen years. He has also served as .Justice of the Peace for the last ten years, and is one of the pillars of the Free-Will Baptist Chnrcli, at Bankers .Station, of which his wife is also a member. LBERT B. BUCK is an enterprising live- stock dealer and farmer, who well repre- sents those interests in Moscow Township, (^' where he resides on section 29. He is a native-born citizen of this place, and a fine repre- sentative of one of the most highly esteemed of the early pioneer families of Hillsdale County, who oc- cupies a prominent place in its history, his parents, Israel and Jane E. (Green) Buck, being early set- tlers of Moscow Township. It is said that the "progenitors of the Buck family were English Quak- ers, who settled somewhere in New England in early Colonial times; but little is known of their l^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 553 T history further than that they were a sturdy race of people, and were true to the tenets of their relig- ions faith." Levi Buck, the grandfather of our subject, was born in either Massachusetts or Connecticut, April •21. 1786. and died .lune 18. 181 fl. in Clinton County. N. Y.. where most of his life had been passed. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, a man of great capability and industry, and commanded the respect of all. The maiden name of his wife, to whom he was married Oct. 30, 1805, was Ruth Hoag. She was born on Grand Isle, Lake Cham- plain. .Tune 28, 1789, .and died in 1816. Their only son and child. Israel Buck, the father of our sub- ject, w.is born in Peru. Clinton Co., N. Y., Oct. 15, 1807. At the age of nine, his parents died, and he was thrown on his own resources, which early de- veloped in him a manly, self-reliant character. His schooling was limited, but by sheer determination he gained what was considered a good education in those days. At the .age of seventeen he removed to Dutchess County, in the same State, where he met, and in the year 1828 married. Miss .Tane E. Green. She was a native of that county, and was born in the town of Stanford, Aug. .'?, 1 808. After mar- riage Mr. Buck bought a small farm in the town of Chatham, Columbia Co., N. Y., where they re- mainded until 1835. In the s|)ring of that year Jlr. Buck, ambitiously desiring to own a largerand more productive farm in a more favored locality, determined to avail himself of the cheap and fertile lands of the Territory of Michigan, and came to Hillsdale Countj', where he purchased a tract of 200 acres very finely located in Moscow Township, the deed of his land being signed by Martin Van Buren. After completing his purchase, he returned to New York, and in the spring of 1836 came on with hisi wife and three children. Then began for them the struggles and privations of pioneer life in the wihlerness of Michigan, which ended triumph- antly for them, and Mr. and Mrs. Buck leniaincd respected and honored residents of Hillsdale County, in the home thfit they liad built up by their united labors, for many years, iiis life in Moscow Township covering a period of over half a century. They were S|)ared to each otlier and to their man3' friends for nearly fifty-four years, she being the first to go, <• .^— ^— ^_._^^_. her death occurring .Ian. 26, 1 882, at the age of seventy-four; he died July 16, 1886, at the age of seventy-nine. Mr. Buck was a man of sound judg- ment and good business principles; in politics he was a strong Republican. To him and his good wife were born six children, four sons and two •laughters, of whom the following is the record : John L., born in Chatham, N. Y., Sept. 1, 1829; Emily, born in Chatham, N. Y., July 22, 1832; J. Jay, in Chatham, Aug. 14, 1835; Helen, in Mos- cow, Jan. 22, 1839; Edmund, in Moscow, June 30, 1844; Albert B., May 10, 1847. John is a fiirmer in Adams Township; he married Emeline Sprowls, and they have three children — Jane, Louisa and Charlotte Ann. Emily is the wife of the Hon, G. C. Wyllis (of whom see sketch), of Moscow Town- ship; Hon. J. Jay Buck is a prominent attorney-at- law, and Judge of the Supreme Court, residing at Emporia, Kan. ; Helen is the wife of George B. Hall, of Dakota; Edmund is a merchant of North Adams, this State (see sketch). Our subject w.as born on the old homestead of his parents in Moscow Township. - He received a fine education, obtaining the foundation of it at the dis- trict school of his native place, and its completion at Hillsdale College, where he attended for some time, taking a thorough course of stud3-. He was reared on a farm, receiving a good practical train- ing from his father in the management of it, and when he attained manhood he chose to follow agri- culture as his life work, having a natural aptituy his frank manners, and straightforward and liberal dealings. He occupies an important social position as a member of the L O. O. F., and Chaplain of Joseph Rice Post No. 282, G. A. R., at Camden. In politics he is a Republican. J ESSE BACON, essentially a self-made man, and one of the leading farmers of Pittsford Township, has a tine property located on section 30, which he accumulated bj' his own unaided efiforts. He came to this section of the country in the pioneer days, and his diligent labors, with the exercise of prudence and economy, have resulted in making him independent financially, while he holds a large place in the esteem and con- fidence of the people around him. A native of Oneida County, N. Y., our subject was born near the town of Augusta, on the 17tli of May, 1835. His father, Asaph Bacon, was a native of Northampton, Mass., to which the [laternal grand- father of our subject had removed from his native State of Connecticut' in early manhood. Grand- father Bacon finally migrated from New England to the Empire State, and cast his lot among the pioners of Oneida County, where he purchased a tract of timber land and built up a good farm; there he spent his last ilays. The father of our sub- ject was reared in Oneida County, where upon reaching his majority he purchased land, but was unfortunate, and in addition to losing the land, lost also the money which he had paid upon it. It was a great trial to him to sec the hard earnings of years thus swept away, so he started from home one morning soon afterward expecting to make a bargain with a man to clear quite a large tract of land, a part of which he was to receive in compensation. He met the man on the road, but failed to make the bargain. He then wrote a letter to his family, telling them not to be alarmed at his absence, as he was going West to see if he could there secure a home for them. He started with eighteen cents in his pocket, and made his way to the Territory of Wisconsin. The man to whom he had given the letter never delivered it to his family, and they for a long time mourned him as dead. The father of our subject in the meantime made a claim in Dane County, Wis., which is now said to be included in the city of Madison. Times then were hard, and after again writing to his family. Mr. Bacou concluded to return eastward. He worked his way as far as Blissfield, this county, where he found employment with the firm of Holmes & Wymen, and doing reasonably well, con- cluded to remain there, and sent for his family to join him. He was soon enabled to purchase eighty acres of laud on time, and commenced clearing it, when he and all the other members of the family were taken ill. Jesse, of our sketch, was then a lad ten years of age, and the only one able to do an3'- thing for the others. They became short of money and provisions, and one morning after the father had recovered the mother placed their last meal on the table, with nothing to cook for the next one. The family, however, sal down and partook, and the father, after eating very little, started out, and found a day's work. For this he received a bushel of corn, which he carried on his back to the mill, and returned in the evening with the meal. The children since morning had been without anything to eat, and began to cry from hunger. The mother in the meantime diverted their thoughts as best she coulil by giving them little tasks to do, and the sight of the father coming in with the bag of meal affected them in a manner which can better be imagined than described. In the spring of 1846 Mr. Bacon commenced work on the State road, while his wife employed •> ^ m 4 9 556 HILLSDALE COUNTY. 4 herself in cooking for a number of the men. Their joint earnings gave them quite a start, and. having lost the land he first bought. Mr. Bacon purchased another tract in Riga Township, and subsequently engaged in the manufacture and s.ale of shingles. In due time he had improved quite an area of his land and built up a comfortable home, where he remained until his death, which occurred Nov. 15, 1857. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Sarah Francisco. She was of French ancestry, and a native of New York State. She survived her husband a number of years, and died at the home of her daughter in Nebraska. Jesse was but a lad upon coming to the Territory of Michigan, and to this day has a vivid recollection of the hardships and difficulties of pioneer life. He relates that at one time when he was thirteen years old upon re- turning from school he heard the pigs squealing, and starting for the pen encountered a bear run- ning out of it carrying away a pig. Being much frightened, our hero ran to arouse the neighbors, ami the bear got the pig. Young Bacon continued a member of tlie pa- rental household until nearly twenty-three years of age, and on the 24th of February, 1858, was mar- ried to Miss Christiana Miner, a maiden of his own neighborhood, who was a native of Bavaria, Ger- many. Her father, Lawrence Miner, was also of German birth and parentage, and left an orphan at a vei'y early age. He was reared liy his grand- parents, married when seventeen years old, and continued upon his native soil until 184-1. That year he crossed the Atlantic, determined to seek ills fortunes in tlie New World, and settled in Perrysburg, Ohio, where he lived until 1846. Then coming to Michigan, he took up his residence in Riga Township, Lenawee County, during its early settlement. He was comparatively without means, but arranged to purchase a small tract of land, where he built a log house. After changing his residence three or four times, he made his way to this county, and purchased the land which he still occupies in Jefferson Township. He built several houses while living in Riga Township. During the Rebellion he enlisted as a Union soldier in the 4th Michigan Infantry, serving from 1864 until the close of the war. For injuries received while in the service he now enjoys a pension. About six years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bacon settled upon their present farm in Pitts- ford Township. Our subject has erected a good set of frame buildings, has a fair assortment of live stock, and all the machinery necessary to carry on agriculture after the most approved methods. He is a member in good standing of the Christian Church, while Mrs. Bacon finds religious consolation in the doctrines of the Wesleyan Methodists. Their seven children were named respectively: George L., Hiram J., Anna Belle, Angle M., Mar3', Charles A. and Arthur N. The eldest is thirty years of age and the youngest six. George, Hiram and Anna Belle arc married, and live in this township. ->€J«ij2/®^^" -^.ajiTj-o.v »,., NDREW A. BAXTER, a leading citizen of '^ / ll Camden Township, occupies a prominent jj lis position among the intelligent farmers and stock-raisers of Hillsdale County, who bring well disciplined and well educated minds to bear upon the great agricultural problems of the daj', and his beautiful farm, well stocked with the best grades of blooded horses and cattle, with its broad and fertile harvest fields, handsome residence, fine barns and ample out-buildings, show that he has ably coped with these problems, and has met with marked success in his chosen career. Mr. Baxter was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., July 18, 1840, being a son of John and Ange- line Baxter, natives of New York and Pennsyl- vania. His father is dead, and his mother is now the wife of John M. Stearn, of Camden Township. When he was about one j-ear old his parents re- moved to Fulton County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. When he was ten j'ears of age, his par- ents being poor, he was obliged to begin life's bat- tle on his own account, and from that time managed not only to take care of himself, but also assisted his father and mother. He was a high-spirited, manly lad, of more than ordinarj- intelligence and quick- ness, and, determining to get a good education, with indomitable will and energy overcame every n -9^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 557 olistade tliat barred the pathway to his desire. After receiving the nuliments of his education in the public schools, he attended a High School in Gen- esee County. Mich., for three summers, and while there worlied with unceasing industry to p.ay for his board by shaving shingles, putting up 1,000 in a day, 500 in a bunch morning and evening. After leaving school he engaged for twenty-five winters in the profession of teacher, being thus occupied in Fulton and Williams Counties. Ohio, and Genesee County, Mich., obtaining high rank as an instructor. Shortly after the breaking out of the war, he laid aside ail personal aims and ambitions that he might go to the assistance of his country in her hour of need, enlisting in June, 1861, in Company F, 2d Michigan Infantry-, which regiment was attached to the Armj- of the Potomac. He took part in many a hard -fought battle, and experienced all the bitter sufferings and privations of a soldier's life. He was present at the first battle of Bull Run, where he received a wound, and was also taken with the me.asles on the field, whence he was conveyed to the regimental hospital, in which he remained some six months. In the spring of 1862 his regiment went with McClellan's army, and fought in the bat- tle of 'Williamsburg, the seven-days fight before Richmond, the second battle of Bull Run. and the battle of Antietem. At the conclusion of the seven- days fight before Richmond, the regiment to which our subject belonged, which had n)ustered 900 men, had but 150 men left for duty, the remainder being killed or wounded. Shortly after the battle of An- tietam, owing to exhaustion, Jlr. Baxter was taken with typhoid fever, and was confined in the hospital until he was discharged convalescent, in Januarj', 1863. He then came to Michigan, and spent the ensuing 3'ear in Lenawee Count}', and there he re- enlisted in October, 1864, in Company F, 4th Michigan Infantry, which regiment was attached to the 4th Army Corps under Gen. Thomas. The regi- ment took part in the battle of Decatur, Ala., whence it followed Gen. Hood and his array back to Nashville. In Februarj-, 1865, our subject was promoted for gallantry and efficient service to the rank of First Sergeant, and on the 28lh of June, 1865, he received further deserved promotion to the position of Second Lieutenant, still remaining in the service after the close of the war until his hon- orable discharge on account of disability, April 19, 1866. Our subject retired from the armj' to the duties of private life in Williams County, Ohio, where he had been married, March 25, 1866, to Mi^s Katie A. Todd, daughter of Harvey and Maria (Martin) Todd, natives respectively of Ohio and Canada. She was born in Putnam Count}-, Ohio, June 7, 1 844, and when two years old came with her par- ents to Monroe Count}', Mich. When she was seven 3'ears old. they returned to Ohio and settled in Fulton County, where she lived with her parents until her marriage. The record of the children born of tliis union is as follows: Angeline, born April 28, 1867, is the wife of Lee Fletcher, of Cam- den Township; Eva M. was born March 14, 1870; Minnie E., March 7, 1872; James H., March 15, 1874. After marri.ige Mr. Baxter was engaged in farm- ing on rented land in Williams County, Ohio, until 1870. Having been very prosperous, and accumu- lated mone}', he then decided to move into Michi- gan and purchase a farm in Hillsdale County, and being pleased with the location, fertility of the soil, and other natural advantages of Camden Township, he bought his present place of residence on section 33. His farm comprises 120 acres of well-tilled land, and be has erected the finest residence and the most commodious and conveniently arranged mod- ern barns for the accommodation of his stock in the county. When he settled here iiis land was cov- ered with timber, and it is only by dint of hard labor, energy and perseverance, that he has brought it into its present fine condition. He is quite ex- tensively engaged in raising blooded stock of stand- ard breeds, raising fine road and carriage horses, and good blooded cattle. Mr. Baxter's education and business talents well qualify him for civic offices of trust and responsibil- ity, and he has ably served as Clerk of Camden Township for three years, and as Supervisor of the township for three years. He and his wife are re- spected, and hold a high social position in this com- munity. Mr. Baxter is a member of both the Masonic and I. O. O. F. societies, and also belongs to the G. A. R., Post No. 282, at Camden. In poli- 558 i HILLSDALE COUNTY. ties he is independent, voting in accordance with his convictions rather than at the dictates of any party. In all the departments of life he has ,siiown himself to be the same upright man. As a son he has been dutiful and affectionate; as a husband and father, devoted and kind; as a neighlior, friendly and true, and as a citizen, public-spirited and pa- triotic. i^ijl>!DREW BLAlll is a fine representative of i 0fQl the able and well-to-to farmers who have [l\ been so largely instrumental in develop- ing Hillsdale County from the primeval forests of Southern Michigan to its present high position among its sister counties; with its many beautiful farms, thriving towns and busy cities; with fine churches and school buildings, commodious and handsome dvvellings, and other evidences of prosperity, enterprise and wealth, forming conspicu- ous features in the landscape where for some time after the beginning of this century no such evi- dences of an advanced civilization were known. Our subject owns a valuable farm in Camden Town- ship, which he has managed very successfull_y for many years. It comprises eighty acres of land on section 8, and ninety-six acres on section 5, and on this latter section he lives in his comfortable, well- appointed home, surrounded by friends and rela- tives who gladly cheer his declining years. Mr. Blair is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, the date of his birth in that .State having been June 22, 1816. He is a son of James and Sarah Blair, natives of the North of Ireland, who euiigrated to America early in the present century and settled among the pioneers of Fairfield County, Ohio. The father died there Sept. 1,1819. leaving a widow and ten children to mourn his premature death in the very prime of his manhood. Three of the children are now living, namely: Thomas, in Jack- son County, Mich.; Nancy, now Mrs. Brown, of Iowa, and Audrew, our subject. Shortly after the death of the father the family removed to Seneca County, Ohio, and there Andrew grew to manhood, receiving his education in the early subscription schools of Ohio. He early displayed traits of energj', capability and self-reliance, and he had scarcely attained his majority before he l)egan to think of establishing a home, and to the .young lady whom he chose to assist him in that undertaking he was united in marriage Nov. 2, 1837, in San- dusky County. Ohio. She was Sarah A., daughter of John and Martha Myers, of that county. In 1847 Mr. Blair with his family crossed the boundary line between his native State and this, to make his home in the future in Hillsdale County, and in 1854 he located on his present farm, where he has ever since lived. Although nearly two decades had then elapsed since the first settlement had been made in this township, it had by no means wholly emerged from its original wild state; much of the forest that had covered the land for centuries was still standing, and nearly all of his tract of land was heavily timbered, so thai, in the years of hard labor that followed his was the pioneer's task to clear it, and the life of the pioneer, with all of its privations and hardships, was his. But he bravely and with unwavering persistence pursued his work, sustained and cheered by the s^'mpathy and ready aid of his devoted helpmate, and in due time wrested a fine farm from the wilderness. On the 22d of December, 1887, the amiable wife of our subject, to whom he had been wedded in life's morning, and who had walked by his side for fifty years, sharing his labors, increasing the joj's and lessening the sorrows common to all humanity, fell into that sleep that knows no waking. She was greatly l)eloved by her husband and children, in whose interests she had always displayed the most unselfish devotion, and her kindness of heart and sympathetic manner had also endeared her to a Large circle of friends, all of whom feel with the bereaved family that her place cannot be filled. Her marriage to our subject was blessed by the birth of eight children, of whom the following is the record : Eveline, the wife of O. L. Wells, of Read- ing Township; Charles R. lives in Montgomerj-, Camden Township; Wilson S. lives in Camden Township; Leroy lives in Ellsworth County, Kan. ; Caroline, the wife of Lewis Palmer, of Reading- Township; Oscar lives in Reading Townshi)); Tri- phena is the wife of Alfred Small, of Camden Township; Louis C. lives in Camden Township. The reputation of our subject for unswerving *^\^^_ I -4«- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 559 integrit}', and his well-known abilitj', have marked him in the minds of his fellow-townsmen as a man well fitted to fill the civie ofliees of this community, but he has persistently refused nomination to any public position, pi-eferring the quietude of his home and fireside. Nevertheless, he has always manifested a deep interest in the welfare of his adopted town- ship, and by his liberality and j ublic-spiritedness has done much toward advancing its prosperity, as l)y his labors he has also materially assisted in its development. In politics he is independent, voting for the men whom he thinks best fitted for office, without regaid to the party by whom they are nominated. ANIEL BARKDOLL. a most genial and companionable gentleman and a citizen held in the highest esteem by the people of his communitj'. occupies a snug home in Pitt- ford Township, to which he has given his time and attention since taking possession of the land, in 1 856. He commenced in a modest manner, occupying at first a veiy indifferently constructed frame struc- ture, which has since given place to a comfoi-table dwelling, and which, with its surroundings, is a very attractive spot. Our subject was born ten miles east of Hagers- town, Md.. .Tuly 15. 1823. His father, George IJarkdoll, was a native of the same count3', while his grandfather. Peter Barkdoll, was a native of Ger- many. The latter crossed the Atlantic when a j'oung man, locating in Maryland, where he mar- ried, and purchased a farm upon which he lived and labored the remainder of his life. His son George developed into manhood in his native State, mar- ried a maiden, Susan Branstretter, of liis own county, and continued there until 18.'57. Then selling out he started for tlie West, and upon reach- ing Ohio located in Richland County, upon a tract of partially cleared land, which he purchased. The entire journey from Maryland was made overland with four horses and wagons. The family brought with them their provisions, and after the fashion of the travelers of those days, camped and cooked by the wayside. Upon the land wbieh Mr. Barkdoll had purchased stood a double log house, -<• into which the familj' removed, and then com- menced the improvement of the new farm. Their diligence and economy were in due time rewarded, and they found themselves in possession of a com- fortable home, in wide contrast to the spot upon which the3' had first located. The first log cabin after a few years gave place to a subst^mtial brick dwelling, under whose roof the parents spent their last days in the midst of comfort and plenty. George Barkdoll departed this life Aug. 6, 1860, mourned by his family and regretted by the com- munity', where he had lived an upright life, and secured the esteem and confidence of his neighbors. The mother of our subject was before her mar- riage Miss Susan Branstetter. She also was a native of Maryland, and of German ancestrj'. Of her marriage with George Barkdoll there were born ten children, nine of whom lived to mature years, and seven of whom are now surviving. Daniel, of our sketch, was the fourth child of the family, and was in the fourteenth j"ear of his age when bis parents made the journej' from his native State to Ohio. Although over fifty years have passed since that time, he still distinctly remembers many of the incidents of the journey, and the pioneer scenes of their after life. His mother w.as expert as a spin- ner of wool and flax, and for m.any years did her cooking by a fireplace. Daniel assisted his father to clear the farm, and upon his marriage, on the 18th of April, 1844, settled with his bride upon the old homestead, and resided there for a period of eleven and one-half years. Mr. Barkdoll, in 1856, left the Buckeye State, and coming to this county purchased the land which he now owns and occupies. Twentj' acres of it were partiallj' cleared, but there were no buildings. Before his removal he had a small house put up, 16x18 feet in area, which he occupied with his famil}" a number of years, and which in 1872 gave place to his present dwelling. He now has forty- eight acres under good cultivation, and has pro- vi LI L. BOOTH, owner of a good farm on sec- Ife] tion 31 in Pittsford Township, where he has / I' — i^ a ple.asant home, replete with all the com- forts of life, is, like many of the men around him, a native of the Empire State. He was born near the town of Iloxbury, in Delaware County, July 17, 1827, and is the son of Levi and Phebe (Har- lej') Booth, natives of Connecticut. The father of our subject was born in the town of Stafford, Conn., and leaving New England when M^ -5- a 566 ■» II 4* HILLSDALE COUNTY. i" a young man, marie his way to Delaware County, N. Y., purchasing a tiact uf lanrl in the timber, from which he elearerl a farm and where he spent the remainder of his days. The husband survived his wife several years and also died on the old homestead. E^li L. passed his boyhood and youth in the manner common to the sons of pioneer far- mers of thatda}', acquiring a common-scliool educa- tion in the home district, and as soon as old enough making himself useful about the farm. When eighteen years old our subject left the parental roof, and going to the vicinitj' of Albany, worked there one and one-half years for an elder brother. His next residence was in Sweden. Monroe County, where he continued as a farm laborer until 1854, then tiiinking it about time to begin the establish- ment of a home for himself and believing that the Western countiy offered better facilities for less capital, he made his way to this State, and taking up his residence in Pittsford Township, operated the first year on a tract of rented land. The j'ear fol- lowing he purchased that which he now owns and occupies. He and his young wife moved into a vacant log house near by, and our subject then ciinimenccd in earnest tiie felling of the trees, first tu make room for a more commodious dwelling, and then to prepare the land around it for cultivation. Our subject has been a continuous resident upon tliat land up to the present time. It is hardly nec- essary tt) say he has effected a great change in its condition, having now a fine farm with good build- ings. He has also a fair assortment of live stock, the necessary macliinery for carrying on agricult- ure after the most approved methods, and all tlie .•i|i[)li:inucs of a modern c!easant home on section 3C, consisting of a well-improved farm of 240 acres situated only ■^^ about two miles from Reading Village. Mr. Morey has resided on this farm for a period of twenty- four years, and has managed it with much success. In addition to general farming he makes a specialty of stock-raising, in which he has been very success- ful. His farm is eminently adapted to the growth of all the products of this climate, and the buildings which go to beautify the home compare favorably in all their appointments with those of this class in any jjart of the country. The subject of this narrative first saw the light on his father's old homestead on section 26 of tliis township. Sept. 4, 1842. (For parental history see sketcii of Chester E. Morey.) He is the eldest of a family of four children, three of whom are still living, while the other died in infancy. He was reared under tiie parental roof and had the guid- ance of good and loving parents, with whom he remained until he became of age. He received his education in the public schools of the township, and assisted his father in his agricultural duties. Mr. Morey was united in marriage, Oct. 1, 1863, in Reading, with Miss Marion E. Hughes, who was born Jul}' 29, 1846, in Reading Township, and is the eldest child of Charles and JIatilda (Doud) Hughes, the former of whom died in Reading, May 8, 188,S, when he was sixty-five years old. He was born in Rhode Island, but removed to New York when a lad of about twelve j'ears, and tiieiice came to Michigan while he was yet unmarried. He was an early settler in Reading Township, where he mar- ried and reared his family, and transformed his tract of land into a well-improved farm. Mrs. Hughes is yet living with her youngest son, Charles W., of Reading Townslii}), and is now about sixty- two years of age. In her old age she is much afflicted with rheumatic com|)laints, but bears her trials witli Christian fortitude and resignation. Mrs. Morey enjoyed the advantages of a good common-school education, which she utilized bj' teaching school for some years prior to her mar- riage. She has borne to her husband three chil- dren, two of whom died young; the second child, Fred E., resides at home, and is engjiged in operat- ing tlie large farm belonging to his father. He is a young man of great promise, intelligent and of strict integrity, and has a Ijright future before him. >► 11^ -^ -•►- 570 HILLSDALE COUNTY. Our subject and his family are members of tlie Methodist Episcopal Church, and are honored and respected members of society, taking an active in- terest in all measures inaugurated for the building up of their community. Mr. Morey has served as a school officer for man^^ years, and takes an active interest in the cause of education, believing that it is a better lifeguard for a countr3' than a standing army. Early in life he identified himself with the Republican party, and still gives to it his loyal ad- herence. ^^ < I at 1 ON. J. J. BUCK, attorney-at-law in Emporia, Kan., and Judge of tiie Superior Court in that State, was born in Moscow Township, this county, and spent his boyhood and youth under the parental roof. In the biography of his brother, Albert B. Buck, will be found a sketch of those from whom he drew his origin. He left home at the age of eighteen, and became a student of Hillsdale College, from which he was graduated. He was married to Miss Molly Tiche- nor, who was graduated from the same institution, where their acquaintance was formed. ]Mr. Buck first located at Waupon, AV^is., where he continued to reside until the outbreak of the Rebellion, and then organized a company, of which he was made Captain, with the intention of taking the field. The illness of his family, however, com- pelled him to abandon this project for the time, but upon their recovery he enlisted as a private in a Wisconsin regiment of cavalry. He was soon promoted to the rank of Captain and subsequently to that of Colonel. He was with Sherman during his march to the sea, under the immediate command of Gen. Kilpatrick. He performed his duties as a soldier in a brave and faithful manner, continuing at his post of duty until the close of the war. Capt. Buck was what might be properly called a hot-headed Abolitionist, and was also an advo- cate of free speech. Upon his retirement from the army he began publishing the Clarksville Patriot, and was also the author of a treatise entitled "The Carpet Bagger," which produced a great sensation at the time, and on account of which his life was threatened. He never flinched from his convic- tions and his sense of duty, however, and it soon became evident that he would rather lose his life than abandon his principles. The hatred of him in time changed to a sentiment of respect, as indicated by the fact that he was elected in due time District Judge in Tennessee, serving his term with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Upon leaving Tennessee Judge Buck settled in Emporia, Kan., and there entered upon a successful law practice, which steadily increased from the beginning, and which is probably not excelled by that of anj' attorney in the State. He was elected Judge of the Superior Court of the State of Kan- sas, and in. this responsible position has acquitted himself with great credit. He has a ple.asant home in the city of Emporia. His friends comprise the best element of the city, and the people generally of that section unite in ranking him among their most substantial and reliable men. ,ENJAMIN G. STRONG, M. D., a rising young physician and surgeon of Reading, is a graduate of the medical department of the Michigan University, from which he came forth with much honor in 1883. He com- menced the regular practice of his profession in 1884, and practiced alone until 1887, at which time Dr. D. AV. Fenton came to Reading and associated himself with Dr. Strong, since which time the two have operated together successfully, and are now in the enjoyment of a flattering patronage. Dr. Strong was born under the roof where he now resides, Sept. 19, 1860, and where he has made his home the greater part of his life. He pursued his early studies in the public schools of his native town, and before entering regularly upon the study of medicine, was employed jis a drug clerk until choosing his profession in life. While under the home roof he acquired a preparatory knowledge of the science of medicine, his father having been a successful practitioner of man}' years' experience. After leaving the drug-store young Strong entered the medical department of the Michigan Univer- sit}' at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated n I* HILLSDALE COUNTY. 571 , , ill Fel)uiai-3', 1883, ancl rctuniing to his olfl home put (lilt his fiist shingle, Oct. 17, 1884. .Since the death of his father. Dr. Asahel B. Strong, the son has succeeded in a large measure to the practice of the latter. The parental history of our subject is as follows': Asahel B. Strong was born in Westhampton, Mass., Jan. Itj, 1826, and was the son of Asahel Strong, .Sr., who came of good vU\ Puritan stock and fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer. The Strong family in this country emanated it is believed from a single representative, John Strong, who in 1630 emigrated from Plymouth, England, to the United States, and whose descendants have now become a large following, being scattered plentifully through- out New England and the West. Thej' have been uniformly people noted for their enterprise and in- dustry, their intellect and education, being found among the military, ministerial and educational walks of life. They have also been people well-to- do, prompt to meet their obligations, and with little use for poorhouses or jails. When Asahel B. .Strong was but a boy his father left New England and migrated to the young .Stiite of Ohio, where the son developed into manhood, and availed himself of the practical education to be obtained in the public schools. He early in life made choice of his vocation, the practice of medi- cine, and studied for some time under Dr. Cleve- land, of Huntsburg, Ohio, a skilled phj-sician and surgeon. Later he entered the Medical School at Columbus, from which he was graduated with honors, Feb. 19, 1849. In May following he turned his steps toward the farther west, and coming to this county identified himself with the young town- ship of Reading, which was then fast settling up, but before the village had received its name or been started. The father of our subject, still an unmarried man, put out his shingle and was soon recognized as the coming doctor of his town and the country around. He was strong and active, fond of athletic sports, and could outrun, outjump or throw any in;in in this section of the country. When the hamlet of Reading began to assume townlike proportions. Dr. Strong, Sr., was at once recognized .is its leading physician and one of its most proniineut citizens, in which light he was regarded until his death. One of the rooms of his dwelling was set apart for post-office purposes, and w ith the assistance of his excellent wife he attended to its duties uniiiterrupt- edl}' as Postmaster for several years. Born and bred amid the principles of patriotism, upon the outbreak of the late war lie was among the first to offer his services, enlisting in the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters as Assistant Surgeon, and in cora- piinj' with Dr. Whelon, of Hillsdale, was pres- ent thereafter upon many hard-fought battle-fields, and at one time had a hole put through the crown of his hat by the enemy's ball. He never evaded anj- duty or sought to shelter himself on account of his position in the armj', but cheerfully shared the fare of the common soldier, and such was his disregard of his own personal safetj' and his faithful attendance upon his duties that he contracted a mal- ady which finally compelled his resign.ation, and which was the indirect cause of his death. He re- turned from the army bearing little semblance to the man with the stout ])hysical frame, capable of great endurance, which he had been before that trying time. After the war Dr. Asahel Strong resumed the practice of his profession at Reading, which he con- tinued for many years. The mother of our subject, who in her girlhood was Miss Cornelia Grinnell, then of Jefferson County, N. Y., was born in Ellis- burg, Dec. 3, 1824, and became the wife of Dr. Asahel Strong on the 24th of April, 18.51, the wed- ding being celebrated at the home of the bride in Evans Mills, that county. Her father, Ezra Grin- nell, in early manhood married Miss Catherine De- o-olier, .and both have long since passed away. Mrs. Grinnell departed this life April 20, 18C0, in Jef- ferson County, N. Y., and the father died at the home of his sister, Mrs. Strong, in Reading, Dec. 11, 1885, at the ripe old age of ninety-four years. The maternal grandfather of our subject had been a lifelong .agriculturist and a man of more than or- dinary intelligence, taking a prominent part in the affairs of his community. Both parents were con- sistent members of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Cornelia Strong was well reared by most excellent parents, and making good use of her op- portunities at school developed into an efficient *► ■- 572 HILLSDALE COUNTY. teacher, which profession she followed for some time before her marriage. She is yet living, and although quite well advanced in years, j'et retains her mental and physical powers with little less than old-time vigor, being ver}' intelligent and active. Besides her son, Benjamin G., she has a daughter, Carrie M., who is now the wife of Theodore Curtis, of the firm of Curtis Bros., extensive furniture manu- facturers and dealers, in Reading. The subject of tiiis sketch while a resident of Indiana was married, Dec. 25, 1884, in the city of Indianapolis, to Miss Alice Bartholomew, who was also born in Reading Township, this county, Deo. 23, 1865. When a young girl eleven years of age her parents removed to Indianapolis, in which city her education was completed. They subsequently went still farther east to New York City, where the father, W. I. Bartholomew, is successfully en- gaged dealing in carriage specialties. Dr. Strong and his estimable wife are the parents of one child, a girl, Blessing B., born Oct. 2, 1885. They are very popular in this part of Hillsdale County and prominent iu society'. The Doctor is a member in good standing of the Blue Lodge and Chapter, A. F. & A. M., at Reading. He is also prominently identified with the I. O. O. F., belonging to Sub- ordinate and JIncampment lodges at Reading, and is a member of the K. of P. As a member of the Board of Health he is entrusted with important matters, and has been called upon to fill various other local offices. />^ILBERT Z. HART, well known throughout III (— -, Hillsdale Township and vicinity, came to '^^41 Michigan in 1855, and located in this county, of which he has since remained a resident. His property includes eighty acres in one piece, and thirty-eight and one-half acres in another, on sec- tion 20. the residence and farm buildings being on section 21. He is engaged in general farming, and is rated as a steady-going and reliable citizen, who is contributing his quota toward the progress and welfare of his community. Born in Perry, Wyoming Co., N. Y., Oct. 24, 1823, our subject is the son of Almon and Polly (Harmon) Hart, natives of Massachusetts, and the grandson of Solomon R. and Mary (Beach) Hart, who were born in Berkshire County, that State, and became well-known, well-to-do and highly respected citizens. To the grandparents there were born twelve children, namely: Amanda, Reuben, Tyrus, Polly, Almon, Elizabeth, Ann, Alvira, Candace, Milan, Alfred and Solomon R. Almon, the father of our subject, w.as born Sept. 4, 1797, and died in this county on the 9th of March, 1874. He was a farmer by occupation, and a member of the Uni- versalist Church. A man of high character and more than ordinarj" capacities, he was, wherever he made his home, a highly respected member of the community. He possessed great genius as a me- chanic, and without serving any apprenticeship, manufactured many handsome and useful articles for the convenience of his family, and in this man- ner saved hundreds of dollars in connection with his buildings. The mother, who survived her hus- band about six years, was born May 24, 1 800, and died in the home of her son, our subject, on the 1st of August, 1881. In religious belief she sym- pathized with her husband, and in all respects was his faithful companion and helpmate. Their seven children were named respectively: Alonzo J., Gil- bert Z. (our subject), Jerome W., William M., Al- vira S., Louisa M. and William T. The latter, during the late war, enlisted in Companj' D, 18th Michigan Infantr3', and on the 4th of September, 1862, started with his comrades for the front. At the headquarters in Nashville he was injured by a mule, and on the 21st of June following died, and was brought back to Hillsdale and buried. Our subject passed his boyhood and 3'outh learn- ing the various details of agriculture at the pa- rental homestead, and acquired his education in the common school. Just before reaching his twenty- fourth birthday he was married, Oct. 19, 1847, to Miss Eliza A. Warren, Rev. Page, of the Presbj'- terian Church, of Perry. N. Y., officiating. Mrs. Hart was born in Livingston County, that State, Oct. 14, 1826, and is the daughter of Ira and Ann Eliza (Sharpsteen) Warren, natives respectively' of Connecticut and New York. Mr. Warren, who was born Jan. 11, 1798, carried on farming all his life, and rested from his labors at his home at Allen, "^^' •^•- ••»» HILLSDALE COUNTY. 573 Hillsdale County, this State, on the 7th of Novem- lier, 187(1. He was a man who made of life a suc- eess and was ever stii vinij for the best it could affi)rd, particularly in an intellectual sense. He became |>rominent in township affairs, occupied the various local offices, and is remembered as a highly valued citizen. The parents were married in 1820. The mother was born Aug. 6, 1800, in Dutchess Count}', N. Y., and passed awaj* some sixteen years before the death of her husband, her decease occurring Aug. 13. 1860, at her home in Hillsd.-ile. The eleven children of the parental household bore the names of Almira, Haiuiah .1., Eliza A., Fanny M., Samuel S., Harriet, John, Walter, Elizabeth, George H. and Slargaret A. George and John served as Union soldiers in the late war, the former being in tlie 18th Michigan Infantry, and John m the 4th Michi- gan Battery. The hardships and privations of army life resulted tj George in the loss of health, from wliich he never recovered. He is now resid- ing ill Cambria Townshij). John served three years, and although in many a hard-fought battle, re- turned home in safetj', and is now living in Emmet County, Mich. Our subject and his wife became the parents of two children: Henry H. was born Sept. 13, 1848, in Perrj-, Wyoming Co., N. Y. He received his education in the common schools of this county, and in the Commercial College at Hillsdale, and on the 2oth of September, 1872, was married to Miss Jane M. White, Rev. W. H. Pierce, of the Meth- odist Church, officiating. Mrs. .lane Hart was born in Livingston County, N. 1 .. M.ay 24, 1851, and completed her education in the High School of Coldwater, this State. Her jjurents, William L. and Jane E. (White) White, were also natives of the Emi)ire State, the father born April 6, 1813, and the mother December 10 of the same year. William L. White carrie- and Lite, and in due time realized the reward of his industry in a com- fortalile home and the respect of his neighbors. It will thus be seen that he is a selfmade man in the truest sense of the term, and is deserving of the ease and comfort which accompany his later years. lie isa warm advocate of Republican principles, but has steadily declined to become an office-seeker. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Cheney are re- corded as follows: Byron E. was born Dec. 9, 1846, and with his family, including a wife and five chil- dren, resides in Gratiot County; Lois is the wife of Robert L. Nichols, of Jefferson Township, and the mother of five children; they are written of else- where in this work. Allen A. died shortly after his marriage at his home in Jefferson Township. ^- 4 -#^ JOSEPH C. BROWN, a native of Greene I County, N. Y., came to the West June 1, 183.5, and is finely located on section 23, in Camden Township. His boyhood home was near the Catskill Mountains, where his birth took pliice July 14, 1820. His father, Collins A., and his mother, Milly (Wodsworth) Brown, were na- tives of East Haven, Conn., and his ancestors on both sides of the house are believed to have been of pure English descent. Samuel Brown, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a soldier of higli rank in the Revolu- tionary War, serving as aid-de-camp on the staff of Gen. Washington. With the Father of his Country he participated in many of the battles of that memorable struggle, and after the independence of the Colonists had been established, retired to Greene County. N. Y., where he spent the balance of his life, departing hence at the age of ninety j'ears. Collins A. Brown, the father of our subject, was a native of Connecticut, and was born in 1785. He became a resident of the Empire State at an early age. where he married Miss Mill}' Wodsworth, who bore him ten children. Of these six are now living and recorded as follows: Abigail, INIrs. In- man, is a resident of Wood County, Ohio; Sally is ••- the wife of David Moe, of Wyandot Count}-, Ohio; Joseph C, our subject; Rebecca is the wife of J. A. . Tharp, of Lucas County, Ohio; Samuel and Austin A. reside in Huron County, Ohio. Our subject, about 1835-36, came with his par- ents to the Territory of Michigan, locating on the prairie among the French and Indians, in Monroe County. There they lived until laSO, when they went back east as far as Huron County, where the mother died in 1861. Collins Brown survived his wife a period of twentj' -six years, and departed this lifs April 9, 1887. He was a member of the Pres- bj'terian Church, in which he officiated as Elder for a number of years. In early life a Whig, he later cordiallj' endorsed Republican principles, and after rounding up more than a century of life died at the age of one hundred and two years. His career bad been one of usefulness and his faculties were pre- served in a remarkable degree, he being healthy and active, and on his one hundredth birthday sat with his descendants to the fifth generation in the celebration of his centennial. On that day he had his photograph taken with thirty-six of his poster- ity, a cop.y of which our subject preserves, it is hardly necessary to say, with great care, ,as a precious relic. Mr. Brown, our subject, passed his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, working with his father on the farm until after reaching his m.ajority. Not long afterward he turned his attention to the dressing of lumber, and spent about eighteen j-ears operating different sawmills, having built five of these in Indiana and Ohio. In that industry he was very successful. In 1874 he migrated from the Buckeye State to Southern Michigan, and lo- cated on his present farm in Camden Township. He is also owner of a half-interest in the quarter-sec- tion which it comprises, and where he has labored with excellent results for the past fourteen years. He was early in life taught to depend upon him- self, and acquired those habits of industry and self- reliance which have brought liini a fair measure of success. He never attended school after he \vas fifteen j'ears of age. He has, however, by a steady course of reading kept himself well infcirmcd upon the general topics of the day. and in point of iutel- lisence is second to none of the men around him. n 578 HILLSDALE COUNTY. Onr subject, while a resident of Ohio, was mar- ried, Dee. 21, 1843, to Miss Rhoda Buj-gess. who was born in Cayuga Count}', N. Y., May 0, 1825. Her parents, Finson and Euth Burgess, were natives of New York; the former spent his last years in Pennsylvania, and the latter in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Brown commenced life together on a farm in Ohio, and became the parents of a son, L«aac F., who was born April 9, 1845, and died May 9. 1872. He was the only child born to them, and was mar- ried to Miss 8.Trah A. Henry, in 1865, and to them were horn three boys, named Ebin J., Collins A. and Finson E. Isaac and his wife always made their home with his parents, and his wife and three sons still make their home with his father and mother; he had a one-half interest in the farm, and they all live together as one family. Our subject about 1848 identified himself with the United Brethren Church, in which he has been quite prominent, holding the offices of Class-Leader and Steward, and also officiating as Sunday-school Superintendent. He has always taken an active in- terest in his church and cheerfully contributed to its support. Politically, he cast his first Presiden- tial vote for James K. Polk, and has since con- tinued a firm supporter of Democratic principles. While a resident of Hancock County, Ohio, he served two terms in Pleasant Township as Justice of the Peace. His career has been one of industry and usefulness, in which he has been joined by his amiable and estimable wife, who has been his faith- ful helpmate and companion through all his struggles and difficulties, and now enjoys with liim the reward of their mutual labors in the possession of a comfortable home and the esteem and confi- dence of many friends. ^•^*^t*-^ts^ '^5ass their days in comparative retire- ment from active labor at their pleasant home in tlie village of Cambria, to which the3rcamein 1885. They occupy a high social position here, their genial dispositions and open-hearted liberality making them very popular. Mr. Whitney is prominently identified with the Republican partj' of this place, and is an estumtd member of the G. A. E.,C. J. Dickson Post No. 6, at Hillsdale. |ENJAM1]N L. DARLING. The property of this gentleman lies on section 20 in Allen Townshi)), and of which he took possession ^=^ in the spring of l^!50. It comprises 125 acres in a good state of cultivation, and the fertile fields yield some of the very best crops of Southern Michigan. Our subject, the sixth child of his parents, was born in Pcnfleld. N. Y., April 21, 1818, and is the son of John and Eunice (Booth) Darling, who were also natives of the Empire State and the father born in Orange County. After marriage they lived there until making their way to Michigan, in the pioneer daj's. They lived in different places until settling in Eaton Township, Eaton County, where they spent their last da^s. Their family included ten children, four sons and six daughters, six of whom are living and residents mostly of Michigan. Our subject during the earlier years of his life was engaged in boating on Lake Erie for two years, and on the St. Joseph River and Illinois Canal for ten or twelve years. Subsequently he engaged in farming, settling in Allen Township, of which he has since been a resident. Here, on the 1 4th of De- cember, 1849. he was united in mariiage with Miss Lovisa, daughter of Josiah and Clarissa (Tompkins) Mosher. who were natives of New York State, the father boin in Monroe County and the mother in Albany County. Mr. and Mrs, Mosher settled after their marriage in the first-named county, where the mother died June 28, 1841. The father, in 1845, came to Michigan, and settling in Allen Township, this county, <-arried on farming until his death, Julj' 3, 1853. His family included three sons and six daughters, Mrs. Darling being the eighth cliild. She was born in Clarkson, Monroe Co., N. Y., Aug. 1, 1833, and was six years of age at the time of her mother's death, and a little girl of twelve when her father came to Michigan. She continued with him until her marriage, acquiring her education in the common schools, and being reared to habits of industry and economy. Of the children b(jrn to our subject and his wife, seven in number, the record is as follows: Ella is the wife of James Ransom, of Branch County, Mich. ; Benjamin F. is a resident of this State; Purley is the wife of Guy Tompkins, of Branch County; Wesley is milling in Allen Township; Nelson and Marcenus remain with their parents; Ida is the wife of Joseph Wortman, of Detroit. Mr. Darling has alwaj's been recognized as an honest man and a good citizen, respected by his neighbors, and has held some of the local offices. He affiliates with the Democratic party, while his estimable wife is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. 'I heir children have grown up intel- ligent and praiseworthy members of society, well fitted to take their position in life as the offspring of a family which has borne no unimportant part in the building up of the community. -»-KH-ijt-®i:^:^)j(^-KH- «- jj^ ORTON MEIGS. The property of this ll\ gentleman embraces one of the prettiest I 111 farms in Reading Township, and comprises 1(1 sixtj- acres located on section 16. His wife owns twenty -five acres on section 17, and the whole is under a fine state of cultivation, yielding ■•► t u HILLSDALE COUNTY. 581 t in abundance the richest crops of this section of country. The (iwelling and contiguous buildings are put up in a modern style of architecture, are neat and substantial in appearance, and everything about the premises is kept up in first-class style, there being no debris lying around to deface its cleanli- ness and beautj'. Ml". Meigs located on this land in 1844, and since that time has given to it his entire attention, which fact one can willingly believe in noting its con- dition, which is little less than perfection. Like many of the men about him, our subject is a native of the Kmpire State, having been born in Van Buren Township, Onondaga County, March 6, 1822. A full history of his family will be found in the sketch of Capt. Lucien Meigs, on another page in this volume. Morton was the sixth child of his father and the second of his mother, the former having been twice married. He was reared to farm pursuits and acquired his educntion in the common schools, being at the same time trained in those habits of industry and principles of honor which have been the mainspring of his success in later life. Mr. Meigs continued a resident of his native State until a young man twenty-two years old. then migrating westward, pitched his tent in the town- ship of Reading, this county, and purchased first eighty acres of land on section 35. He subsequently sold this, after having made some improvements, and purcliased the property which he now occupies. After making due preparation for the establishment of a home, he was married, in Reading Townsiiip, Dec. 19, 1850, at the home of the bride, to Miss Mary Berry, who was born in Seneca 'J'ownship, Ontario Co., N. Y., Jan. 22, 1829. After their niarri.age Mr. and Mrs. Meigs settled contentedly down upon their land in a mode.st dwelling and worked together, having in view a mutual object, the building up of a home which should serve them as a shelter in their declining years. The land, under the wise management of our subject, soon began to yield plentifully, and in the course of a few years he found himself with tlie prospect of a competence, and a farm which wouhl compare favorably with those of the enterprising men about him. The little household was brightened <■ by the birth of two children, but they were called to raourn the death of one, a little daughter. May, who died when three years old. Their only living child, a son. Ora L., was born Sept. 1, 1858. He has been well educated, having been graduated from the Reading High School, and is the able assistant of his father on the farm. Mr. Meigs, politically, is a solid Democrat, and has been Supervisor and Collector of his township. In religious matters he is an adherent of the Presbj'terian faith. Mrs. Meigs is the daughter of William and Mahala (Colwell) Berry, who are both now deceased. They were among the pioneer settlers of Reading Township, coming to this county as early as 1836, from Mauraee, Ohio, to which place they had removed from Ontario Countj-, N. Y. William Berry was an Englishman by birth and parentage, and came with his father, John Berry, to the United States when a little lad three years of age. They located in Ontario County, N. Y., where John Berry spent the remainder of his life, dying there ripe in years. He had married, in his native En- gland, Miss Jane Gardner, who was also English by birth, and who died in Ontario County at an ad- vanced age. William Berry was reared to manhood in the Empire State, where he learned the trade of a clothier, which he followed until 1834. In the meantime he had been married, and in the year mentioned, with his wife and twelve children, six by a former marri.age, made his way westward to Maumee. Ohio, whence he came a year later to this county. He selected land in Reading Town- ship, where he struggled and toiled in common with the pioneers about him, and was rewarded by the acquisition of a comfortable home. Here his death took place in 1872, after he had numbered hi'* fourscore years. The second wife of William Berr3', and the mother of Mrs. Meigs, died in early life, after the removal to this county, when thirty-nine years old. William Berry contracted a third marriage, with Mrs. Deborah (Colwell) Hall, the sister of his .second wife. She died in Reading Township in April, 1887, when seventy years of .age. William Berry was reared a Presbyterian, but later, with his third wife, identified himself with the Uniterl Breth- u ^i^h-* 582 hillsdalp: county. ren Cluireh. Giaudfatlier Beny was a man of much force of character, and politically, upon becoming a naturalized citizen, identified himself with the Demociatic jiartj-. Mrs. Meigs was hut a child when she came to this county, and acquired her education in Reading Township, developing event- uall.v into a teacher, which calling she followed some time before her marriage. Mr. Meigs is a member in good standing of the A. F. & A. M., of Reading Lodge and Chapter. f t OHN B. HASKELL, farmer, successfully engaged in his independent calling on section 7 of Adams 'Jownship. is of good New England origin, having been born in Wilton, iTTllsboro Co.. N. H., in 1811. His father, John Haskell, married Betsey Bailey, the daughter of a soldier of the Revolutionary War, and they settled in their native State, in the town of Wilton. After remaining there thirty-five years engaged in farm- ing, tliey removed to Onondaga County, N. Y., where the remainder of their lives was spent, Mr. Haskell dying in 1872, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. His aged widow survived him until 1875, wiien she too passed to the better land, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. The subject of this sketch was the eldest child of the family born to his parents, consisting of two sons and two daughters. He was reared on a farm, and growing to manhood in his native State, was there married to Mrs. Luc^' G. Nutting, who bore him seven children, of whom the following is the record: Samuel A., Alvira, Betsey S.. George W., Caroline, Josephine and Joseph. Samuel A. is a farmer in Adams Township; Alviia is the wife of Harvey Johnson, and resides in New York State; they have three children. Betsey is the wife of George W. Parker, of Madison County, and has two children; George and Caroline are deceased ; Josephine is the wife of George W. Newcomb, of Cicero Township, Onondaga Co., N. Y., and they have four children ; Joseph is a mechanic in Adams Township; he married Sarah Horzsen- fratt, and the}' have three children. In 1840 otu' subject, desiring to try farming in 4' a countrj' whose soil was more easy of cultivation, and where better results could be produced with less labor than among the rocks and hills of his native State, moved to New York with his family, and made that State his home for many 3'ears. In all of his labors he was ably assisted by the co-operation of the worthy woman whom he mar- ried in his early manhood, and whose death, which occurred in 18U!), was a sad loss to him and his children. In October of that j'ear Mr. Haskell removed to Michigan and purchased his present farm of fifty acres. Since becoming the possessor of this place he has greatly increased its value by numerous improvements and a careful culture of the soil. In 1871 he erected his present comfortable dwelling, which, with the remodeled barns and farm buildings, bespeaks the thrift and judicious management of the owner. The subject of this sketch was again married Aug. 17, 1870, being united to Mrs. Harriet A. Miller, daughter of Elijah and Ruth (Benedict) Carrier. Her parents were natives of Massachu- setts, and after their marriage lived in that State and Connecticut until after the birth of their second child. They then moved to New York State, where the death of Mrs. Carrier occurred in 1838, she being then only thirt3'-one years of age. Mr. Carrier, who lived to the ripe old age of seventy- seven years, died in the same State in 1875. To him and his wife had been born six children, of whom the wife of our subject, the fifth in order of birth, was born in Cato, Cayuga Co., N. Y.. Nov. 25, 1833. Being left motherless at the tender .age of five yeais, her girlhood vvas passed among strangers, C^ynthia Bartlett having charge of her until she was fourteen years of age. She was an energetic, capable girl, and at that time began earning her own living by working out by the week. She has been twice married. Her first husband, to whom she w.as wedded April 30. 1851, was Andrew J. Miller. He enlisted in the service of his country under Colonel, then Captain, March, in Company K. 27th Michigan Infantiy. He participated in the battles of Nashville, Spottsylvania and Chatta- nooga, but, being taken sick at City Point, returned home Jan. 18, 18C4. He never regained his health, but after lingering some time, died May 2, 1865, -•► I -4»- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 583 leaving his widow without moans to support herself and her family of suiall children. She had lost none of her old-time energy and spirit, however, but willingly devoted herself to her family, hravel}' toiling early and late to maintain tiiem comfortal)ly and give them a good education. Her efforts were amply rewarded, and the three children livingof the family of five born to her and her first husband, are now comfortably established in homes of their own, the following being their record : Mandaine is the wife of Charles Brown, and they have four children ; Mary E. is the wife of Lyman Bentloy, and they have three children; Charles W. lives in Adams Township; he has been twice married. The maiden name of his first wife was Sophia S. Van Valken- burg; the maiden name of his i)resont wife was Nellie Stage. Tliey have two children. The mar- riage of Mrs. Miller with our subject took place in 1870, as previously stated, and of their union three children have been born, but only one, Edna May, is now living. Politicall}-, our subject is a sound Democrat, and true to the principles promulgated by that party. Mrs. Haskell is a regular attendant of the Methodist Episcopal Church. These worthy people hold an honorable position among their neighbors and friends, and have the respsot of the entire community. HOMAS BERRY is well known throughout Reading and vicinity, where for the last thirty years he has operated as a breeder and trainer of fine horses, and has established tlie record for some of the best trotters in the State. To this business lie seems naturally adapted, having a fine knowledge of the nature and characteristics of this noblest of animals, and in their training and development is seldom excelled. Berry's Park, within the village limits of Read- ing, has been the scene of many interesting races, and was set aside for this purpose by our subject about IHGO. It is now conducted by himself and his son, and while the source of considerable profit, at the same time furnishes many a pleasant hour of recreation for tiie people of this vicinity. Mr. 4» Berry has in his possession the favorite trotter. Jack Baker, destined to make an enviable record, and who already leads with ease in the 2 :-tO. Betsy B., another favorite of Mr. Berry's, although having had but little experience, bids fair to obtain promi- nence in the near future. There are several other promising animals with Mr. Berry, placed under his charge for special training. He also owns the favorites, Tom Higher, Bay Billy, Robert Bonner, Rosa, and a fine stallion which is the admiration of all the countr}' around. Our subject began his experience in this line of business by having his attention attracted to one of his own horses, who trotted his mile in three min- utes without the least effort, and whose speed was heightened by careful training and encouragement. This animal unfortunately died when about five j'ears old, but not until ho had created within his owner a desire to still further experiment in the breeding and development of trotting stock, and since that time he has given to this most of his attention, and with results which would indicate that his time has been well spent. Our subject is one of the pioneers of Michigan, coming here a.« early as 1836, while it was yet a Territory. He was then a j'oung man only twenty years of age, and not long afterward took up for himself and his father 480 acres of Government land near Waterloo, Ind. Later he traded his property there for that which he now owns in Read- ing Township. The family ultimately' traded their New York land for 900 acres in Reading Township. Robert Berry, the father of our subject, came to Michigan in the year 18.38, bringing with him his large family of children from Seneca Township, Ontario Co., N. Y. They settled on the land in Reading Township, first putting up a log house, and then began to clear the ground around them and prepare the soil for cultivation. Robert Berry lived to see the wilderness transformed into a civilized community, and himself surrounded by all the com- forts of life. He did not live to be aged, however, his death taking j^lace in 1848, at the age of sixty- four years. He and his sons the first year of their residence here cleared forty acres, and put thirty acres of it into crops. The father was a man of great energy and perseverance, but at the same 4^M 584 HILLSDALE COUNTY. time made life less irksome to his boys by often indulging tliem and himself in hunting, of which sport he was very fond, and in which he indulged as long as he lived. The mother of our subject, who in her girlhood was Miss Nancy Russell, was born in May, 1799, in Connecticut, and is still living, making her home with her son in Reading Township, and being eightj'-nine years old. Thomas, of our sketch, was the eldest of seven sons and four daughters, who all lived to mature years and were married. The youngest one who died was over thirty years of age, and two others have since passed away. Thomas was born in iSeneca Township, Ontario Co., N. Y., June 29, 1816. He grew to manhood under the parental roof, and was the first of the familj' to make his way to the West. After they were all comfortably settled he took to himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Mary A. Archer, the wedding being celebrated at the home of the bride in Reading Township, Oct. 27, 1842. Mrs. Mary A. Berry was born in Manchester, Ontario Co., N. Y.. Jan. 12, 1824, and is the daugh- ter of Gardner and Anna (Warfleld) Archer, who were also natives of the Empire State. The father is yet living, and is now a resident of Cambria Township, this county, having attained to the ad- vaced age of ninety years. He was born in Ontario County, N. Y., and married a Marylan^, founders of Hillsdale College, is of New /ii vl\ Engl.and birth and parentage, his early home ^Q) having been among the hills of Franklin County, Vt., where he first opened his eyes to the light, near the village of Bakersfield, on the 7th of Jul}', 1818. John Dunn, the father of our subject, was a native of Massachusetts, a farmer by occupa- tion, and an active politician. He married Miss Abigail Reed, a native of Westminster. Vt., and the daughter of Deacon Thomas Reed, a man of note throughout that region. John Dunn, the pa- ternal grandfather of our subject, served asasoldier in the war of the Revolution, and lost his life at the battle of White Plains, N. Y. ; he was also in the French and Indian War in 1745. He yielded up his life in the struggle for American freedom, and his eldest son, who was not quite twenty years of age, was killed during the same conflict at the bat- tle of Saratoga. It will thus be seen that the subject of this biog- raphy is the descendant of a valiant race of people, and they transmitted their rare traits of character in a marked manner to their descendants. Ransom Dunn passed his boyhood and youth in iiis native -U HILLSDALE COUNTY. 585 coiintv. pursuing his early studies in the common schools. Ho was thoughtful and serious beyond his years, often leaving his boyish sports to engage in the iierusal of an instructive book. He improved his opiioilunity of access to the village library, from which he gathered a useful store of practical knowl- edge, and thus laid the foundation for his future laliors and his usefulness. In the spring of 1837 Mr. Dunn, our subject, then not nineteen years of age, left the hills of the (ireen Mountain Stale, and making his way to Northern Ohio, spent iu that region a period of six years, devoting his time to study and jjreaching. Upon his return to New England he for a time occupied himself in preaching at Dover and at Great Falls, N. H., subsequently migrating to Bos- ton, Mass. Thus nine years more of his life were spent, and in 1852 he came to Southern Michigan, .slopping first at Spring Arbor, where he occupied himself the balance of that year teaching. In 1853 he came to this county, having in view the selection of a suitable location for a projected college in this region. Being favorably' impressed with the vicinity of Hillsdale, the site was soon determined upon and arrangements were made for building. On July 4 of that same year, the corner stone was placed in position, and two years later five good buildings had been erected, all four stories in height. Hillsdale College was opened for the reception of students on the 1st of November, 1855. There was from the first a good attendance, and the school continued to flourish until the winter of 1874, when the main building was consumed by fire, which calamity involved a heavj- loss. This loss, how- ever, was put in process of recovery as ra|)idly as possible by the re-erection of the buildings, and the school was continued uninterruptedly, having in due time an attendance of (iOO students, which num- ber it averages annually. Rev. 51r. Dunn was elected to the Chair of Men- tal and Moral Philosophy, at Spring Arbor, when be came to this ^tate, which position he filled in a creditable manner until 1803, when he was promoted to the Chair of Theolog}', which he still IkjIiIs. He has distinguished himself by rare executive ability, and in tiie responsible position which he has held for so many years has acquitted himself creditably, both as a pulpit divine and a member of society. Our subject was first married in Ashtabula County', Ohio, to Miss Mary E. Allen, who was born in that county, and died at her home in Ohio, in 1848, leaving three children, now all deceased. Newell, the eldest, during the late war. enlisted in the 64th Illinois Sharpshooters, which was known as the Yates Sharpshooters, and died in the service in 1863, at Corinth, Miss. He was a promising youth of rare talent, and had been graduated with honors from Hillsdale College, in the cbss of '62, leaving his Alma Mater for the seat of war. Francis, who was also graduated from the same class as his brother, served nearly three ^-ears in the army, and subse- quently returning to Hillsdale, was elected a Pro- fessor of English Literature in the college, which position he held at the time of his death, in 1874. Cedelia E. died in 1858, when about fourteen years of age. 'Ihe present Mrs. Dunn, to whom our subject was married Sept. 1, 1849, was formerly Miss Cyrena Emery, of Alford, Me. They became the parents of five children: Sarah A., the'eldest daughter liv- ing, is the wife of G. A. Slayton, of Nebraska; Helen A. married Dr. Gates, of Scranton, Pa.; Nettie is National Secretary of the Young Woman's Christian Association, in the interests of which she travels the greater portion of her time, having to visit over 200 societies annually. She is ver}' prepossessing personally, and a talented speaker, and it is hardly necessary to say is finely educated. (« I^ILLIAM W. DONAGHY, the pioneer un- \/\ll flertaker of Hillsdale County, came to this ^^sff section of country in Ai>ril, 1854, with his wife and two children, and entered the employ of S. P. Purdy, with whom he continued three years. In the spring of 1858 he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business on his own account, and manufactured the first ready-made coffins in this county. He also brought the first hearse to the county, and thereafter carried on a mixed business in furniture and undertaking until 1869. In the latter year Mr. Donaghy disposed of his furniture business, and gave his attention exclu- ■*► h .t- -4^ 586 HILLSDALE COUNTY. too Ai sively to undertaking, which he has since conducted, and has maintained his position at the head of the business in this county. He estimates that he has performed this important duty for upward of 3,000 people, who have been carried to the cemetery and placed in the ground under the supervision of his establishment during his period of forty years in the business. It may be safely said that he is not onlj' the pioneer of the business in this countj', but thoughout Southern Michigan. He is now located on Howell street. No. 114 South, where he carries a full stock of everything pertaining to his calling, and has the horses, vehicles and employes necessary for the proper carrying out of the im- portant details connected with sepulture. The subject of this biography was born in the village of Chatham, Columbia Co., N. Y., Feb. 18, 1827. His parents were James and Sally (Watkins) Donaghy, the latter a native of Columbia County, and the daughter of William and Dolly Watliins. Grandfather Watkins was born in Wales, whence he emigrated when a young man, and after his marriage settled in Columbia County, N. Y., where he spent the remainder of his life. The parents of our subject settled in Chatham, N. Y. James Donaghy was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and came to America in 1821. From Chatham the parents, in 1850, removed to Wayne County, N. Y., and three years later made their way to Southern Michigan, and spent their last days in the city of Hillsdale, the mother dying in December, 1867, and the father a year later, in December, 1868. The seven children of the parental household in- cluded three sons and four daughters, of whom only three survive. William W. Donaghy was the eldest child of his parents, and passed his boyhood and youth in his native town, attending the district school, and being variously employed until seventeen years old. He then went to the city of Troy, on the Hudson, wiiere he served an apprenticeship of three years at cabinet-making, and then setting out, trav- eled around considerably, visiting Albany and New York City. In 1851 he was married to Miss Anna Keating, of Alban3', and a few months later they took up their residence in Wayne County, where Mr. Donaghy worked at his tr.ade until the spring of 1854. In April of that year he made his way to this county, and began the career which has been followed up with such excellent results. To our subject and his wife there were born seven children, of whom five are living, three daughters and two sons : Madora A. is the wife of J. P. Hallott, of Hillsdale; Estella is the wife of Thomas .Jackson, of New York City; Willard W. is a traveling salesman ; Grace and J. W. make their home with their parents, the latter attending school. Mr. Donaghj', politically, votes the Republican ticket, and has served as Alderman of the First Ward five years, and of the Fourth Ward two years. He is a charter member of the Masonic Lodge at Hillsdale, in which he has held some important offices, and in the success of which he takes a lively interest. He owns a handsome home on the corner of Endlong and Sharp streets, and has an interest in the Hillsdale City Nursery, in company with J. P. Hallott, and which commands the bulk of the patronage of the people of Hills- dale. ^-^^g^^iiC^ : : - UILSON DAY. The name of Day is illus- trious in the annals of Hillsdale County as W^ having been borne by one of the noblest of its early pioneers, a man who bravely encount- ered the unknown perils and hardships of life in the primeval forests of Southern Michigan that he might provide a comfortable home for himself, his wife and children, .and in doing so aided in build- ing up the town and county, where his memory is still cherished. As a representative of Samuel Day it gives us pleasure to place a sketch of the life of his son Wil- son, a farmer residing on section 1 1 of Pittsford Township, before his many friends. He is also worthy of representation in this work for the part he himself has taken in building up and sustaining the agricultural interests of this township, of which he has been a resident for fifty-four years, having been eleven years of age when he came here witii his parents, and shared with them the privations and trials of those early 3'ears, necessary in order to secure a foothold in a newly settled countrj\ Mr. Day was born in Chesterfield, Cheshire Co., ;?- HILLSDALK COUNTY. 587 N. II.. Jtil.v 5. 1822. and commenced attendance at the district sduiol as soon as large enough, and also assisted in the farm work. In 1 834 his par- ents. Samuel and Lucy (Cutler) Day. decided to al)audon tiieir old home among the granite hills of their native State, and in the distant Territory of IMicliigan begin life anew. Accordingly they started with their children on the long and tedious journey across the intervening States to their desti- nation. Our subject has a vivid recollection of many incidents connected with that eventful trip, and of the wild state of the country in the first years of their settlement here. He relates th.at there was no made road from Adrian, nothing but a trail through the dense wilderness, and he can still picture in his mind the scene on the night of their arrival, and his first glimpse of Bean Creek, which figures so conspicuousI_y in the history of Southern Michigan that it may be termed a classi- cal stream. It was a dark night, and tlie tall trees towering up on either side of the trail, scarcely dis- cernible, served to enhance the gloom, as did the occasional sound of some wild animal breaking the silence of the wilderness. The creek was nearly full, and as thej' came to its banks and could but dimly see its waters as they went swirling by, it seemed a dangerous undertaking to attempt its passage. But a log bridge was soon found and the family passed over in safetj\ and made their way to the home of Mr. Hiram Kidder, widely known as the picmcer of Bean Creek Valley, and although it was nearly 11 o'clock at night they met with a hearty and warm recei)tion from the hospitable host and hostess of that humble log house, and were so(ui comfortably sheltered under its roof. The Days had brought their own provisions but had no coffee, and Mrs. Kidder kindly sujiplied them with that beverage from her own small store. For further history of the settlement of the Daj' family in Pittsford Townsliip see sketch of Wins- low II. Day, brother of Wilson, in another part of this volume. Our subject assisted his father in the task of clearing his land, and comijleted his education, be- gun in the old school-house in New Hampshire, in the pioneer schools of Hillsdale County as soon as they were opened. He m.ade his home with his parents until his marriage. That eventful day of his life was June 11, 18.i0,when. in Albion, Mich., he took unto himself as his life companion Miss Louisa Sample. She was born in Geneva, N. Y., Sept. 21, 1832. reared in Pennsylvania, and came to Michigan with her uncle, William Sample. Their wedded life has been blessed by the birth of six children, five living, whose record is as follows: Lucy A. married Devillo Knight, and lives in Jef- ferson Township; James C. lives in Jackson County, Mich.; Fernando lives in Hudson Township, Lena- wee Count}'; William Mortimer lives in Clark Countj', Dak.; Chester lives with his parents. Theo- dosia A. died at the age of eighteen months. After marriage Mr. D.ayand his wife commenced life together in the house that they have ever since made their home. His farm is near the old home- stead, and is land which his father first entered from the Government. Our subject commenced its clearance and improvement before marri.age, and built his present comfortable dwelling, having besides other necessary farm liuildings. He has forty-five acres of it cleared and under a good state of cultivation, and the rest is in fine timber. Mrs. D.ay is an esteemed member of the Congre- gational Church. In politics our subject was in his early days a Whig, but later joined the Repub- lican party, and lias ever since been a firm cham- pion of its principles. He and his wife are held in deep respect by all in the community as trust- worthy people, upright and honorable in all the relations of life. -'^M£^®^S^—^^i ^i^^ir:rBt>. 1816. ULLIVAN A. NICKKRSON, a pioneer of Lenawee County, ftlich., and a settler of this county in 1845, was born in Sodus, Wayne Co., N. Y., on the 31st of August, He comes of that stock of the Empire State in which conscience appears to have been as hereditary as intelligence, and in which the fine accumulative results of the moral struggles during many generations of honest lives appear to have been transmitted; in which originality of thought, good judgment, and practical application, are com- ^ A ^» 588 ••► i HILLSDALE COUNTY. bineii with an ambitious and energetic support of action. These qualities, which are characteristic of Mr. Nickerson, are thus easily traced. Lewis Nickerson, the father of our subject, was born near Boston, Mass., while his grandfather was Captain of a whaling-vessel, and was lost at sea while pursuing his perilous vocation. Lewis Nicker- son grew to manhood in his native State, and when young went to Mt. Morris, where he resided for some time, after which he removed to York State and settled in the town of Sodus. He was a shoe- maker by trade, but he bought a tract of land con- taining a log house, in which our subject afterward first saw the light. He worked at his trade in con- nection with his agricultural occupations, and re- sided there until 1831, when he sold out and came to the Territory of Michigan. Tlicy came b3' the usual route adopted at that time, via the lake to Detroit, and then by means of a yoke of oxen and wagon to Lenawee Countj', where Mr. Nickerson had entered land in Madison Township two years previously. The family removed into a log liouse with another family, until Mr. Nickerson could build a similar structure on his own place, which was of the rudest description, the roof consisting of shakes which in the absence of nails were kept in place by means of iieavy poles. Here he engaged vigorously in his efforts to subdue nature, and redeem for those who should come after him a farm from the wilderness; but he was stricken down in the midst of his usefulness, dying five years after his arrival in the township. Tiie maiden name of his wife, the mother of our subject, was Betse}' Blood, who was born in Vermont, and spent her last years at their home in Madison Town- ship, lier death occurring in November, 1846. The parental household of our subject included three children, who are recorded as follows: The eldest, Melvina, was born in Madison Township, Lenawee County, as was also Ira. Our subject was in his sixteenth year when he came to the Territory of Michigan with his parents, just at that age when he could appreciate the scenes through which their journey led them. He well remembers the incidents of the journey and the struggles in which they engaged to secure for themselves a home and the comforts of life. At that lime there were but tiiree dwelling-houses in Adrian, and they resided in the midst of a forest in its primeval grandeur. Deer and wild lurkeys abounded, while wolves were also disagreeably plentiful, and occa- sionally in their journeys through the woods in the vicinity of their dwellings a bear might be en- countered, which sometimes paid the settlers a nocturnal visit, with a view to securing in the farm- yard a ration of poultry. Mr. Nickerson attended the pioneer schools of Madison, which were taught in the crude log school-houses of the time, and obtained a rudimentary education, which, however, he has supplemented by an extensive course of reading. After his father's death he lived with his mother, assisting in the management of the farm until her decease. In 18+5 he came to Hillsdale Countj', where his father had bought a tr.act of land previous to his death, but had not paid for it. and Mr. Nickerson worked by the month until he liqui- dated the debt. He then built a log house on the farm, where he brought his bride and commenced housekeeping, and where he has continued to reside until the present time. He lias cleared eighty acres of the land, and erected thereon a good set of frame buildings, so that he is now equipped for the successful prosecution of his calling. Our subject was united in marriage, in Novem- ber, 1845, with Miss Nancj' J. Green, who was born in Palmyra, N. Y., on the 20th of March, 1826, and is the daughter of James and Ellen (White) Green, who were also natives of the Empire State, but came to Lenawee County in 1834 and settled in Madison. The father bought a tract of timber land, and improving the farm made this his resi- dence until his death; his wife also died at the homestead at that pl.ace. Mr. and Mrs. Nickerson have been blessed by the birth of four children, who are recorded as follows: Caroline is the wife of Willis Worden, and lives in Pittsford Township; Laura became the wife of R. E. Hollenbeck, and resides in Chicago; Ellen is the wife of E. Strong and resides in Auburn, Ind., while Florence mar- ried O. K. Eastman, and resides in Wheatland Township. Mr. Nickerson's rugged experience, together with the fact that he has never used tobacco in any form, and has been the victim of no bad hal)its, has -4»- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 589 V tended to develop a good constitution, and he knows notliing about sickness by experience. Al- tliough he lias passed tiie allotted threescore years and ten, he is still hale and vigorous, and bids fair to see a ripe old age. In politics he early in life identified himself with the Democratic party, and has seen no reason to change his political views. t C~ HARLES WATKJN.S. The subject of this sketch has been a resident of Hillsdale County for a period of over twenty-five years. In April, 1853. he settled with his family in Allen Township, of which he has since been a resident, although retiring from farm life in 1877, and taking up his residence in the village where he has since lived. His career has been one marked by industry, frugality, and good judgment in his business transactions, so that he is now owner of a snug property and h.ns a comfortable bank account. Mr. Watkins is the offspring of an excellent old family, for many generations of New England an- cestry, his father being Ephrnim Watkins. who was born in Berkshire Count}', Mass., in 1788. The mother, who in her girlhood was Miss Deborah Whitney, was also a native of Berkshire Countj-, the Bay State, and born in the town of Goshen, Feb. 23, 1794. After marriage the parents settled in Ilopewcll. Ontario Co.. N. Y., where the father carried on agriculture and also operated as a con- tractor on the Erie Canal. He spent the remainder ol his life in Hopewell, passing away Nov. 29, 1843, when in middle life, being about fifty- five years of age. The mother subsequently removed to Canandnigua, in the same county, where her death tosL Residence of Robert 0xenhaivi,5ec.7. Allen Township. •y«&'ei*!^-:ifSi^-:A-^^^^ ' ■r.^s-^ '•-. w-i..->«. ^■■jyy^ ' im-. ' Residence OF James Mills, Sec. 6. Cambria Township. ►1-*^ I HILLSDALE COUMTY. 595 county, and was also a member of the order of Foresters, in which he hehl otlice for some years. His friends liere have also learned to appreciate his statesmanlike qualities, and unmistakahle honesty of purpose, and he is closely identified with all measures having for their object the progress of his commnnit}'. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as are all his family, and he has served the chui'ch in the capacity of Steward. In politics his sympathies are witii the Republican party, and since he became a citizen of this country he has advanced its interests by easting his ballot for its nominees on the occasion of all important elections. Among Mr. Stanfleld's stock are some full-blooded Durham cattle, and he has good graded horses, taking a total of nine premiums at the fair of 1887. This branch of industry is in accordance with Mr. Stan- field's tastes, and as it proves quite remunerative, he will probably devote still more attention to it, and will give a good report of himself at each an- nual fair. 'j|]AMES MILLS, formerly a farmer, is now living in retirement on his homestead on section C of Cambria Township, where he and his estimable wife are enjoying the com- forts and luxuries of a |>leasant home, and an income amply sufficient for all their needs. They are people whose kindly dispositions and genuine integrity of character have won for them a high place in the regard of the entire community. Mr. Mills was born in Steuben County, N. Y., Oct. 5, 1819. Ilis father, Benjamin Mills, was born and spent the early years of his life on Long Isl- and, but later moved to Dutchess Count3', N. Y. He came of an old family which dated its history in this country back to an ancestor who came over in the "Mayflower." Mr. Mills married, in Seneca County, N. Y., Miss Elizabeth Bulmer, who grew to womanhood in that county, although she was a native of New Jersey. They settled in the county where their marriage took place, but after the birth of four children they moved to Steuben County, where the father died at the age of seventy years. He was an industrious, practical farmer, and his honesty and worth made him esteemed as a neigh- bor and a friend. He and his good wife were stanch members of the Regular Baptist Church, and in politics he was a firm Republican. His widow came to Michigan with her youngest son, Benjamin F., and made her home with him in Allen Township, until her death, at the age of more than eighty years. The boyhood and early manhood of our subject were passed in his native county, he having reached the age of twenty-five when he came to Michigan in 1844, and located in Lenawee County, near Tecumseh. He had then only about $100 in his pocket, but he went to work with characteristic will and energy, and by persistent toil, prudence, and judicious management, in the years that fol- lowed he gathered together a competency. In 1850 he came to Hillsdale County, and bought the place where he now resides, and thus for nearly forty years has been identified with the farming interests of this community, and has faithfully' per- formed his share in developing its agricultural resources, and securing for it the name of being one of the most productive townships of this county. His farm comprises ninetj' acres of carefully tilled soil, and is well supplied with good barns, as well as other farm buildings, and a substantial, com- fortable dwelling. No doubt our subject attributes no small share of his success in life to the fact that he has had the helpful co-operation and sympathy of a good wife, who has lightened his labors and shared its fruits with him. They were united in marriage Oct. 24, 1846. She was formerly Miss Jane A. Bloomer, and was born in Amsterdam, N. Y., Feb. 3, 1831, being a daughter of Gilbert and Rachel (Dodds) Bloomer. The former is now dead, having clied in Raisin Townsiiip. Lenawee County, in 1843, having scarcely attained middle .age. He was a carpenter by trade, a skilled workman, and an honorable citizen. His widow subsequently married Christ Pocklington, and is now living in Raisin Township at the venerable .«ige of eighty ye.ars. Mrs. Mills was the eldest daughter and second child of five children, three sons and two daughters, of whom one son is now deceased. She came to Michigan with her parents when she was four j'cars old, and ^h^ n 596 HILLSDALE COUNTY. grew to womanhood in their home in Eaisin Town- ship, receiving her education in the public schools of that place. To her and her husband have been born three children, of whom the following is the record : Henry A., Dean in the Art School in Green- castle, Ind., is an artist of great natural talent, and is also a good instructor, his art education having been completed in New York City ; he married Ella Fallace. Ida is the wife of James Baxter, a dairy- man in Hillsdale; Gilbert married Nellie Carpenter, and is connected with Mr. Carpenter in the grocery business in Bankers. Mr. Mills is a solid Republican, and has for many years been an earnest supporter of the principles promulgated bj' the party to which he gives his allegiance. Mrs. Mills is a devoted member of the Free-Will Baptist Church. ^S^ OBERT OXENHAM. There are few men ijL^' in Allen Township who are more widely or <^\\\ favorably known than the subject of this w^sketch. Possessed of more than ordinary intelligence and abilitj', he has made the most of his opportunities in life for the study of men and circumstances, and has not onl3- learned much from observation of the world around him, but bj' a course of instructive reading has kept himself well posted upon ni.atters of general interest. Industrious, enterprising, and a man of the strictest integrit3', li^ comprises one of the most valued members of bis community. The early home of our subject was on the other side of the Atlantic, amid the beautiful scenery of Devonshire, England, where iiis birth took place Dec. 17, 1847. His parents. John and Mary (Pearce) Oxenham, were natives of the same countj' as Robert, their only son. The father was born near the city of Plymouth, Jan. 6, 1811, and the mother Nov. 18, 1810. They were married at the home of the latter in Devonshire, and continued residents of their native county until 1848, where the father was engaged in farming and stone cutting. During the jear mentioned, the father of our subject started with his little family for the United States, and not very long after setting foot upon -<*■ American soil, made his way directly to this State, settling first in Qnincy Township, Branch County. There for a time he operated a farm on shares, and remained a resident of that locality for a period of twelve or thirteen 3'ears. Deciding upon a change of residence, he then purchased eighty acres of land in Allen Township, this county, of which he took possession and effected good improvements, and where the death of the mother took place in September, 1865. The father continued at the homestead until about 1880, when he retired from active labor and took up his residence in Coldwater, this State, where he now resides. Of the ten children born to John and Mary Oxenham, nine were daughters. Of these eight are living and settled in comfortable homes of their own in Michigan. Robert acquired a common- school education and became familiar with farm pursuits, continuing a member of his father's house- hold until his marriage. This most important event of his life took place March 29, 1871, in Butler, Branch County', this State, his bride being Miss Hattie E., daughter of George and Louisa (Rice) Lockwood. Our subject and his wife began life to- gether where they now reside. The household circle has been brightened by the birth of four children — Minnie A., Mary L., George R. and Anna. The eldest is sixteen years of age and the youngest five. Mr. Oxenham, in 1870, identified himself with the Masonic fraternity, and is a member in good stand- ing of Lodge No. 256, at Allen. He cast his first Presidential vote for U. S. Grant, and has since continued a member of the Republican party. He comes of a long-lived family, his paternal great- great-grandmother having attained to the remark- able age of one hundred and fifteen years. When the eldest child of John Oxenham was born, she had five grandmothers and great-grandmothers living. The wife of our subject was the third child of her parents, and was born in Butler, Branch County, this State, March 3, 1849. Her father, George Lockwood, was a native of Butler, Wayne Co., N. Y., and his wife, Louisa, was born in Vermont. They came to the West before their marriage, and after uniting their fortunes, settled in Butler, Branch County, this State, where the father died June 15, 1883. The mother is still living, and n -4^ A HILLSDALK COUNTY. 597 resides at the old lionio in Butler Township. Their family consisted of two sons and two daughters, all of wljum are living. The maternal grandmother of Mrs. Oxenham sjjent her last years in Butler, Branch Co., Mich., and lived to be ninety-five years old. Mrs. O. is a member in good standing of the Free- Will Baptist Church, while our subject, although not identified with any religious organi- zation, is partial to the doctrines of the Episcopalians. He is liberal and public-spirited, and gives both his moral and substantial support to those enter- prises inaugurated tor the general welfare of the communitj'. Mrs. Oxenham is a ver}- amiable and intelligent lad}', and has proved in all respects the suitable companion and helpmate of such a man as her husband. She has done her part in keeping up the reputation of the homestead, and exercised due influence in rearing her children to become honored, useful and worthy citizens. A lithogra|)hic view of the handsome farm residence of Mr. Oxenham is presented on an accompanying page. ^^^^^^ ■ "if^OHN F. BAKER, late an old and honored pioneer of Hillsdale County, came to the Territory of Michigan in 183(5, and enter- ing eighty acres of land from the Govern- ment, built the first log cabin in the southwestern part of Somerset Townsliip. The present flourish- ing cit3' of Adrian was then but a hamlet of a few rude houses, but it formed the nearest market for Mr. Baker and his far-away neighbors. The Indians had not j'et left the conutrj', and the subject of this history, together with his excellent wife, was able to relate many adventures in connection with the red man of the forest. Wild game was plentiful, and over the country now dotted by cultivated fields and valuable homesteads, deer and wolves roamed unrestrained, while the rifle of the pioneer furnished the household larder with the finest venison. Mr. and Mrs. Baker were married in 1826, and when making the journey from New York State to Southern Michigan were accompanied b}' five chil- dren. The story of their hardshi[)s and privations is but one of many delineated in connection with the other pioneers of Hillsdale County. At times they were very siiort of provisions, and the children were sometimes put to bed asking in a very earnest manner for something to eat, which the mother was unable to supply them. Those days happily- passed away, and Mr. Baker, with his faithful wife, was permitted to reap the reward of his toil and sacrifices, and in a comfortable home, could look back with little regret to tlieir days of trial. During their long residence in Somerset Township they gathered about them many friends, who proved a solace to their declining years, and by whom they were regarded with the most affectionate solicitude. Mr. Baker was born in Angelica, N. Y., Sept. 11, 1807, and was the son of William and Katie (Feth- erby )Baker, the father a native of the same State, and the mother of New England. William Baker spent his entire life not far from the place of his birth, and died in Wayne County at the age of fifty-five years. The mother spent her last years in White- side County. William Baker was twice married, and the father of eighteen children, one of whom lived to mature years. John F., in common with the others, received a limited education, and spent his youthful days at the homestead. Soon after reaching his majority he was married, Jan. 7, 1826, to Miss Polly Lamb, who was born Oct. 7, 1808, at Poplar Ridge, N. Y., and is the daughter of Isaac and Sally (Stanley) Lamb, whose birthplace was also in that locality. The mother died in middle life at Lyons, in Wayne Count}', and the father twenty years later, when quite aged. Of their four- teen children but two are now living: Mrs. Baker and her brother, John Lamb, the latter of whom continues in his native State of New York. Mr. Baker and his wife after their marriage settled on a tract of land in Wayne County, N. Y., and there became the parents of five children. After coming to this county the household was in- creased by the birth of five more. Four of these are living, and residents mostly of Michigan. The ten bore the names of Mary, Prentis. Isaac, Benja- min, Willis, George, Newton, Joseph, Martha and Emeline. The first year of his residence here Mr. Baker cleared three or four acres of ground. After two 3'ears their first log cabin was burned, but within n 598 u HILLSDALE COUNTY. the space of two weeks be built another one on another part of his land, and transferred thejr per- sonal effects on a sled with one yoke of oxen. He assisted in establishing the first school of the town- ship, which was conducted in a log building on the subscription plan. We must not omit that the journey from New York State was made overland with two yoke of oxen, and consumed a period of four weeks. Their j'oungest child was but two weeks old when tliey started on their trip. AVe will pass over the years during which they toiled and labored until the time when they found themselves on the road to prosperity. The country settled up slowly, but surely, and as the land became culti- vated its value increased. Mr. Baker invested his spare capital in additional real estate until he be- came the owner of 200 acres, most of which he brought to a good state of cultivation. He alwa3's voted the straight Democratic ticket, and endeav- ored to conduct himself as an honest man and a good citizen. He took a warm interest in the suc- cess of the temperance movement, being one of its most earnest advocates. Considering the fact that he started in this county with a cash capital of |10, it must be inferred that lie made the best use of his time. The old farm is now being worked bj' a grandson, Alfred L., who was born in AVIieat- land Township on the 8th of Marcli, 1864, and has made his home with his grandparents since a boy. Mr. Baker's death took place May 18, 1888. -€-^S 4 ^ jfelNSLOW H. DAY. prominent among the \/iJ// ^•'^''"^^'■® ^^^ stock-raisers of Pittsford Town- W^ ship, was one of its early residents, and has occupied his present homestead for the long period of fifty-four years. Tliis in itself comprises an enviable record, as however much a man may travel around the world, the fact that he has one stopping- place, which he can call home, gives him importance in the eyes of the people, and adds a certain dig- nity which it is pleasant to contemplate. Our subject first opened his ej'es among the New Hampshire hills on the 9lh of May, 1824, near the town of Chesterfield, in Cheshire County. His father, Samuel Day, who was one of the pioneers of Hillsdale County, was also a native of Chester- field, N. H.. and was born June 23, 1784. He obtained a limited education in the district schools of his native township, and starting out for himself ear]3' in life was employed as a farm laborer four years before his marriage. He continued thereafter in Cheshire County several years, during wiiich time he became the father of a family, and found that after a long i)eriod spent in hard labor he was in little better condition, financially, than when he started. He now resolved upon a change of loca- tion, and having been in communication with friends near Dayton, Ohio, he prepared, in the spring of 1 834, to remove thither with his family. Samuel Day in his migration to the West hired a team to convey liis family and goods to the Erie Canal. They crossed the Connecticut River at Bratticboro, Vt, and from there proceeded over the Green Mountains to Schenectady, at which point they boarded a canal-boat, and by this means reached Fairport, Ohio. They visited with friends seven miles from the latter place, and there learned that land in the vicinity of Dayton was held at high prices, and really of little more value than the Gov- ernment land, which was being disposed of at a less figure in the Territory of Michigan. Mr. Day, in view of these facts, early in the month of May, 1834, hired his friend to convey him and bis family to Lenawee County, and during the trip hither encountered the Woiden family, and later Mr. Treadwell and R. H. Whitehorne, who were bound for the same locality. At Baker's Corners, in Madi- son Township, they found a vacant log cabin, into which they removed their goods, and leaving their families there the men of the expedition proceeded to explore the Bean Creek Valley. Mr. Day selected the west half of the southwest quarter of section 11, in what is now Pittsford Township, this county, and sent the money to Monroe to enter the land from the Government. Then he hired a team to transfer his goods thither, while the family trudged along on foot. The greater part of their way lay through an unbroken wilderness, in which a simple trail was the nearest approach to a road, and in some places they were obliged to cut their way through with their axes. The travelers arrived at their destination about —-_.— — — — ^ m^ i u HILLSDALE COUNTY. 11 o'clock one very dark night early in tiie- month of June. They foiiiifl there was nothing but a foot log by which tliey could cross Bean Creek, so Mr. Worden waded into tlie water and carried his wife across on his back. He kindly offered to convey Mrs. Day, the mother of our subject, but she preferred to crawl over the log on her hands and knees. Tlie^' were made comfortable in the log house of a Mr. Kidder, with whom they remained until Mr. Day could remove to a building of similar description which he had found in the neighborhood. He had first entered eighty acres near the Kidder settlement, but found a more desir- able tract of land on section 13, where he put up a log house as soon as possible, the roof of which was covered with bark, and in which unpretentious dwelling the Pittsford Township courts convened, and the son of Mr. Day, Willard F., acted as Jus- tice of the Peace. Mr. Daj-, after entering his land, had money enough left to buy a 3'oke of oxen, which was con- sidered quite a luxury, as even oxen were scarce and horses werealmost unknown. The family sub- sisted largely on wild meats which were plentiful, and one brother, in order to increase the family income, secured a job of clearing and fencing five acres of land at 810 per acre. The father not long afterward was stricken down with fever and ague which incapacitated him from hard labor. Fortu- nately, in his younger years he had learned to make baskets, and having plenty of material he turned his knowledge of this art to good account. While he sat at home and manufactured baskets his eldest son, Warren, operated as a traveling salesman, jour- neying with his wares by the aid of a yoke of oxen to Monroe, where he sold tiiem for cash. The sons were energetic workers like their father, and in due time there was a large tract of land cleared around the cabin, and tiiey found their financial condition assuming a firm basis. The Day home- stead finsdly came to be known as one of the most valuable tracts of land in that section of country. Samuel Day lived to see his children grow up around him, enterprising and prosperous, and the country which w.as once a wilderness transformed into pleasant fields and well ordered homesteads. He closed his eyes upon eartiily scenes on the 5th of June, 1857, when about seventy-two years of age. He had married in early manhood Miss Lucy Cutler, a native of his own town in New Hamp- shire, and who was born Sept. 29, 1782. She came to the West with her husband, and surviving him over twenty-three years, passed away on the 9th of November, 1880, having nearly completed a cen- tury of years. She was a woman strong both physically and intellectually, and fulfilled her duties as a wife and mother in the most praisevvorthy man- ner, meeting the hardships and dangers of pioneer life with that brave and fearless spirit which was so essential in those times of difficult^' and privation. When the Day familj' first came to Michigan the settlers were often anno3'ed and frightened by wolves, but after the extermination of these they commenced sheep raising and also cultivated flax. The mother spun and wove both woolen and linen cloth for the use of her household, and in providing for the wants of her family saw very few idle hours. Both parents were members of the Congre- gational Church for many years, and their kindness •and hospitality, both to friend and stranger, were proverbial. Seven children came to bless their union, of whom Warren, the eldest son, died in Hudson Township in 1885; William served in a company of Michigan Infantry during the late war, and died while in the army at Nashville three years after his enlistment; Willard F. is a retired farmer of ample means, and is now making his home in the village of Hudson; Mary A. died when an interest- ing young lady twenty-two years of age; Wilson L. is farming in Pittsford Township; Winslow II., our subject, vvas next to the 3'oungest; Fanny A., the widow of Augustus Kent, is in comfortable circum- stances, and a resident of Hudson Village. Winslow H. Day was a lad ten years of age when he came to this (■ount3' with his parents, and remembers well the incidents of the journey and the hardships connected with pioneer Ijfe. His edu- cation, begun in the district school of his native township, was completed in the pioneer schools of Pittsford Township, and when twenty years of age he supplemented his studies by an attendance of one term in Hudson Village. He made his home with his parents until the}' passed from earth, and no more needed his filial offices. Under their excel- I 600 ■ ^» ~^ ll ^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. lent training he was taught habits of industry and economy, together with the high moral i)rinci- ples which have constituted the basis of his success, and have served to secure him an enviable position among his fellow-citizens. The old homestead, under his wise management, is being perpetuated in a manner reflecting the highest credit upon him- self, and which illustrates most forcibly the respect in which he holds his honored parents. He is now owner of one-half of the estate. The farm is fur- nished with good buildings, and well stocked with high-grade cattle, his favorite breed being the Short-horns crossed with Devon. The land is rcmarkablj' fertile, and yields in abundance the richest crops of Southern Michigan. The marriage of our subject with Miss Huldah Jane Wood was celebrated at the home of the bride in Wheatland Township, June 14. 1860. Mrs. Day was born in Lorain County, Ohio, June 6, 183.5, and is the daughter of Deacon Seth and Lydia (Gates) Wood, who were both natives of the vicinity of Palmyra. Mr. Wood died in 1855. His widow is living in Hudson. Of this union there were born three children: The eldest daughter, Emma, is the wife of W. H. Farmer; they have one son, Harold Day, of Rollin Township, Lenawee Countj-; Mary and Bertha are at home with their parents. Mr. Day, politically, is a Republican and a Prohibitionist. His estimable wife is a member in good standing of the Baptist Church. Ip^ ICHARD W. DRINKER, who is operating ]|Uif two farms and a flouring-mill in Hillsdale lK%, Township, came to this county in the sjn-ing w^of 1853, and located with his family on a tract of land in Amboy Township. He first em- ployed himself as the agent for an eastern company owning a large tract of timber in this section. He held this position a number of years, with the prom- ise of suitable remuneration, which, however, he failed to obtain, and in payment for his services was compelled to take, in order to secure himself, 1,000 acres, and in connection with which he became heavily involved in debt. He had in the meantime purchased from this company a grist and saw mill combined, which are now known as the Drin- ker Mills. These are located on the St. Joseph River, and operated by water power. They are supplied with all necessary machinery, the gristmill containing four run of stone. He operated his saw- mill and at the same time cleared a portion of his land, and in due time sold all but about 300 acres. This has been brought to a good state of cultiva- tion, being devoted chiefly to grain and gr.ass. Mr. Drinker also owns a valuable farm in Wood- bridge Township. His land heretofore spoken of was prolific in walnut lumber, which he disposed of in large quantities, and which yielded him hand- some returns. He inherited from an excellent ancestry the qualities most needed at the time of mak- ing his home in this new country, and has developed resources whicli a man of lesser capacities would undoubtedly have neglected, converting a large tract of what at one time seemed almost waste land into valuable and productive farms. Our subject is a native of Luzerne Connty, Pa., and was born July 26, 1826. His parents, Richard and Lydia (Wragg) Drinker, were also natives of the Keystone State, in which the family settled, it is believed, during the Colonial days, and were the offspring of old Quaker stock. Edward Drinker, the grandfather of our subject, crossed the Atlantic with William Penn, and it is stated in Sewell's history of the Quakers that Edward Drinker put up the first house in what is now the city of Phila- delphia, and which was standing as late as 1836. Upon the mother's side of the house the Wraggs came from an old English family, which emigrated to America during the latter part of the seventeenth century. The maternal grandfather of our subject, John Wragg, was captured by a French vessel and held until the defeat of the captors, and was then liberated, having with others been condemned to death. He settled in Pennsylvania, where he occu- pied himself as a farmer and spent his last days, departing hence about 1866. Richard Drinker, the father of our subject, after his marriage settled on a tract of timber land in Luzerne County, Pa., where for a few years he gave his attention to the cultivation of the soil and the establishment of a comfortable homestead. He was a man of excellent business capacities and took an .a «► M ^ ^« •> j k <• M^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. -•► 601 active interest in the settlement of the country, encouraging the various projects calculated for the development of its resources and likely to attract an enterprising and industrious class of people. He was the projector of what is now known as the Lackawanna & Western Railroad, in that part of Pennsylvania, and gave his cordial support to the various enterprises calculated to build up the country. He passed away at his home in Pennsyl- vania when about seventy years of age. The mother died in 1871. Their familj' included eight chil- dren, five sons and three daughters, all of whom are still living, and residents mostly of Pennsyl. vania. The subject of this biography was the eldest child of his parents, and passed his boyhood and youth in his native county. His education was acquired in the common schools, while he became familiar with farming pursuits, and was also employed in a tan- ner}'. Upon reaching his majority he opened a tannery on his own account in his native county, which he operated with fair success about three 3'ears, and at the expiration of that time resolved to cast his lot with the earlj^ settlers of Southern Michigan. Mr. Drinker, while a resident of Luzerne County, Pa., was married, Feb. 21, 1852. to Miss Margaret Wragg, who was born and reared near his own home, and is the daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann Wragg, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and are now deceased. Mrs. Drinker came to the West with her husband, and is now the mother of five children. Their eldest son, Elwood, is assisting to operate the farm in Woodbridge Township. The younger children — Lewis, Samuel Rodman, Lindlay F. and Anna M. — are pursuing their studies in the schools of Hillsd.Tle, and continue their residence under the home roof. Mr. Drinker lived on his farm in Amboy Town- ship until 1K8(), then, wishing to give his children better educational facilities, took up his residence in the city of Hillsdale. They occupy an ele- gant residence on Manning street, which, with its surroundings, forms one of the most tasteful of mod- ern homes. Mr. Drinker occupies his time between his farms and mills, and Is one of those active and ^'f energetic men who arc never content to be idle. Po- <• litically. he affiliates with the Republican party. He is essentiali3' a self-made man, who began at the foot of the ladder in life, and has attained to his present position solely by the exercise of his own industry and resolution. Decided and positive in his conviction.', he is prudent in forming his opin- ions, but when once formed he is not easily turned from them. ^^ EORGE KESTER. As a representative Ger- (l( ^i7 ""*"' '*"'' * gentleman who is closely iden- ^^ij) tified with the f.arming interests of Pittsford Township, it gives us pleasure to present to the readers of this work a sketch of the life of Mr. Kes- ter. He was born in Germany, July 18, 1820. His father, John Kester, was a mason by trade, and was a lifelong resident of Germany. Our subject received an excellent education in the public schools of his native village, which he attended until fourteen 3'ears of age. He continued engaged in farming until the age of twenty-six. He then served an apprenticeship of three years to learn the shoemaker's trade, and followed it for one year after his apprenticeship expired, in his native country. He then ambitiously decided to try his fortunes in the United States of America, and set sail from Havre in June, 1851, for the promised land. He landed in New York after a voyage of seven weeks, and went directly to Erie County, where he arrived with but a few dollars in iiis pocket. But he was courageous and hopeful, and soon found work at his trade, which he pursued there the three succeeding years, when the state of his health would permit, for in his youth he was crippled with rheumatism, and often suffered from attacks of his old enemy. During his residence in that county, however, he obtained the cheerful and ready help of an active and able helpmate, to whom he gratefully acknowledges much of his suc- cess in life to be due, as after their union she stur- dily put her shoulder to the wheel, and went out to work that she might assist him in securing a home. His marri.ige to this devoted wife and faithful com- panion took pl.acp Veh. G, 1853. She was formerly Mary Klingensraith, daughter of Jacob and Char- lotte Klingensmith, and was born in Germany, 9^ u -i^H* 602 HILLSDALE COUNTY. April 22,1 827, coming to this country when twenty- five years of age. In the spring of 1854 Mr. Kes- ter and his wife came to Hillsdale County, where he first engaged on the farm with Mr. Long, in Pitts- ford Township. He afterward rented a log house on the northwest quarter of section 7, and in the fall of tlie year established himself at his trade of shoeniaking. He lived there one and one-half years, profitably employed at his trade, and then decided to turn his attention to farming, and bought seven- teen acres of land now included in his present farm. There was a log house on the place, and after moving into it he commenced •work on his farm, and at the same time made shoes. He and his wife have since been continuous residents here, and by their untiring industry-, wise economy, and sound management, have become very prosperous, and besides building up a good home, have been enabled to rear their children in comfort, and send them out into the wtirld with the advantages of fine educations. Mr. Kester owns one of the best and most productive farms in this locality; he has from time to time added to his landed possessions, until he now owns 147 acres of land, and has two good sets of farm buildings. To Mr. and Mrs. Kester have been born five chil- dren, of whom the following is the record : Mary, the wife of Foster Eickard, lives in Nebraska; George lives on the homestead : Josephine is a teacher in the public schools; Sarah died at the age of twenty- three years; Charles died at the age of seven months. Mr. and Mrs. Kester are earnest and sincere members of the Lutheran Church, and are widely respected for their kind hearts, blameless lives, and genuine worth and ability. ^^ EORGE KINNEY, a leading representative G I g=- of the grocery trade in Hillsdale, is a native !^!^ of this State, having been born in Jackson County on the 4th of May, 1840. His parents, Allen and Susan (Fassett) Kinney, were natives of New York, and his paternal grandfather, Jeremiah Kinney, was born in Connecticut, and died in 1864. After marriage the parents of our subject settled > ► B^ <• in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., but a few j'ears later, in March. 1837, made their way to the new State of Michigan, taking up their residence in Jackson County, where the father engaged in farming pursuits, and where the mother died three years later, in 1840. Allen Kinney subsequently married Miss Parthenia Welch. George, of our sketch, went to live with his grandparents after the death of his mother, but after the household was re-established returned home, and continued a mem- ber of tlie family until reaching manhood. In 1853 Allen Kinney' came with his family to this county, locating on a farm in Adams Town- ship, where he lived and labored until advancing years admonished him it was wise to retire. He now makes his home with his oldest son, Ira, in Butler, Ind. The subject of our sketcii spent his boyhood days occupied in the various employments of the farm, and attending the district school. When of suit- able years and acquirements he became a student of Hillsdale College, in which he remained two years, and subsequently taught during the winter season. Soon after the outbreak of the Rebellion he enlisted as a Union soldier, in May, 1861, be- coming a member of Company H, 4th Michigan Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. Young Kinney met the enemy in many of the important battles of the war, being at Bull Run, the siege of Yorktown, New Bridge, Hanover Court House, Mccbanicsville, and at Gaines Mills, where he was wounded by a gunshot through his body, and in this disabled condition was cap- tured and confined in Libby Prison. He only re- mained there, however, from the 27th of June to the 20th of July following, when he was exchanged, and although suffering greatly' from the outrages of that notorious stronghold, was thus more fort- unate than hundreds of his comrades. Mr. Kinney being now exchanged was conveyed to the hospital on David's Island, near New York City, where he remained until the 1st of December following. Then, on account of the wounds which had rendered him incapable of serving longer, he received his honorable discharge. As soon as pos- sible he made his way home, taking up his residence as before in Adams Township, where he began lay- ■ ► ^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 603 , } inji- Ill's |>I:uis for the establishment of a home of his own. ]n [)ursiiaiu'i' of this he was maiiied on the 2(llh of Kovember, 1SU4, to Miss Kniily E. Dris- coU, of Jeffcisou Township, this eounty, who was born Jan. 8, 1841, anil was the daughter of Alanson and Margaret (Brooks) Dristoll, natives of New York State. Our subject and his young wife commenced life together in a modest dwelling located in Adams Township, where Mr. Kinney carried on farming suecesslully some years, and became prominent in township affairs, occupying various local offices. He oflieiated as Township Clerk four years, and represented Adams Township in the County Board of Supervisors the same length of time. In the fail of 1)582 he was elected Treasurer of IJillsdale County, the duties of which he assumed on the 1st of January following. At the expiration of this first term he was re-elected, serving another two years. Upon retiring from the Treasurer's office Mr. Kinney invested a portion of his capital in tine groceries, and established himself in trade in the Kieffer Block, where he has since remained. His straightforward methods of doing business and his promptuess in meeting his obligations have resulted ill placing him among the representative men of his city, where he is contributing his quota to its busi- ness and moral interests. To him and his esti- mable wife there have been born three children, two dauglilers and one son, namely : Susie B., Howard A. and Maggie M. They have all been given a good education, and the eldest daughter occupies herself as a teacher in one of the city wards of Hillsdale ; Howard is the assistant of his father in the store; Maggie is completing her studies in the High School at Hillsdale. Mr. Kinney himself is a man of excellent educa- tion, anil after retiring from the military service took a course in Bryant & Stratton's Business Col- lege, at Cleveland, Ohio, from which he was grad- uated with honors in June, 180.3. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and although never ambitious for office, has worked generously in behalf of his frienils. He was at one time President and is now Secretary and Treasurer of the old Fourth Michi- gan Iteuuion Association, which meets at stated times to talk over the old days and keep in remem- brance the names of the old comrades, botii living and dead. He also belongs to Dixon Post No. 6, G. A. R., in which he has been Post Commander, and aid-de-camp to the Department Commander, also delegate to the Twentieth National Encamp- ment at San Francisco, in 1880. Mr. Kinney, it is hardly necessarj' to state, draws a pension from the Government. In 18G4 he was for a time in its employ as Fonigemaster in the t^uarterinaster's department, and in the discharge of his duties visited Lexington, Kj'., Nashville and Chattanooga, Tenn., Iluntsville, Ala., and other points South, being thus occupied about six months. jF_^ ORACE WISNER. When a man has passed r'^^ his threescore and ten years he begins to iKv^ live more in the past than in the present, and (^^ then it ii that he realizes the importance and the satisfaction of preserving the family rec- ord. The subject of this sketch, ahead of many men of his daj* in this respect, has given time to these reflections, and in consequence has preserved to his descendants a portion of the familj- history which in after years it will be a satisfaction for them to peruse. Mr. Wisner was born more than seventy-six years ago, the exact date being May 10, 1812, near what was then Aurelius, but is now Springport, N. Y., at the modest country homestead of his par- ents, Daniel and Sarah (Guy) Wisner, and from them received careful home training and a common- school education. They also were natives of the Empire vState and the father in his earl}' manhood enlisted as a soldier in the War of 1812, as a pri- vate. On account of his brave and efficient serv- ice he was promoted to the rank of Captain, with which title he was mustered out when the struggle was over. He was the descendant of a hardy race, and the youngest of a farail}' of nine children, only one of whom died under eighty years of age. Dan- iel Wisner rounded up his fourscore and six ^'ears before he was gathered home to his fathers. Besides Daniel two brothers were also in the War of 1812, one of whom was promoted to the •► m ^^ 1 604 HILLSDALE COUNTY. rank of Colonel, and after serving creditably turned his attention to religious matters, became identified with the Baptist Church, and was admitted to the ministry in 1818. He was born in AVarwick Town- ship, Orange Co., N. Y., March 16, 1778. Daniel Wisner and his wife after their marriage settled in Cayuga County, where they lived until their chil- dren were grown, then changed their residence to Livingston County. Later they removed to Alle- gany County, where the mother died in the town of Munda, in 1 856, when sixty-four years old. The parental household included eight children, six boys and two girls, who lived to become men and women. Of these, Horace, our subject, was the fourth in order of birth. Young Wisner, in common with his brothers and sisters, was trained to habits of industry and econ- omy, and remained a member of his father's house- hold until his marriage, which took place in 1836, when he was twenty-four years of age. Seven years later he came with his family to Southern Michigan, locating in Moscow Township in the spring of 1843. He secured a tract of uncultivated land, where he first broke the sod with four yoke of oxen, and in due time became tlie owner of 110 acres. He dis- posed of forty acres of this later, and has brought the remaining seventy to a fine state of cultivation, so that it is the source of a comfortable income. The farm buildings are all that are required by a gentleman of modest tastes, and the premises bear about them an air of comfort which is extremely pleasant to contemplate. The wife of our subject, formerlj' Miss Rachel Hudnutt, was born near Aurelius, N. Y., April 27, 1817, and was the sixth child of Nathaniel H. and Hillie (Emmons) Hudnutt, whose family included three sons and seven daughters. Her girlhood was spent in her native count)', where she received a common-school education and became familiar with all household duties. Her parents were natives of Kingwood, N. J., and her father was of English an- cestry. The mother was of German descent. Her paternal grandfather crossed the ocean early in life, and married Margaret Barber, who was also of German birth and parentage. Nathaniel Hudnutt after his marriage settled in New Jersey, whence, before the birth of liis daugliter Rachel he re- moved to New York, where the parents spent the remainder of their days, the father dying in April, about 1863, at the age of eighty years. The mother survived her husl)and seven years, her death taking place after she had also rounded up her fourscore j'ears. Only two of the children are now living, being residents of Michigan and New- York State. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wisner resulted in the birtii of eight children, the record of whom is as follows: Margaret J., the widow of Samuel Gilmer, is the mother of four children — Ira W., Minnie, Emma and Emmett, the latter twins — and lives in Calhoun County, this State; Alzina died at the age of thirteen years; Ira G. married Miss Lou Merrill, of Decatur, 111., and upon the outbreak of the Rebellion enlisted in an Illinois regiment and w.as promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Upon his return from the army he took up his residence in Marshfield, Mo., and began the practice of medi- cine, which he followed until the time of his death, in 1876. Of his two children, the elder, Horace, died in Michigan on the 1st of June, 1887; Leota, the 3'ounger, is at Columbia, Jackson Co., Mich. Daniel A. Wisner married Miss Cynthia Curdy, is a resident of Adams Townsiiip, and the father of six children, the eldest, Jessie, being a child of a former marriage ; the others are named respect- ively : Ina, Ada, Frederick, Burr and Ruby. Orin resides iu Hillsdale, married Miss Julia Row, is the father of two children, Maggie and Clara, and makes his home in the city of Hillsdale ; Oscar, a resident of Calhoun County, married Miss Milly Brown, of this State, and they are the parents of one child, a daughter, Libbie; Albert, the j'oungestson of our subject, married Miss Celia Durgy, and is operating a part of the homestead in Moscow Township ; they have three children — Clarence, Elta and Everet. When Mr. Wisner started for the West he was accompanied by his wife and four children. They made their way via the Erie Canal to Buffalo, thence by steamer to Toledo, by cars to Adrian, and from there by stage to Moscow Township. His has been the privilege to witness remarkable changes during his residence of forty-five years in Southern Michigan, and probably no man has been / t ; -4«- HILLSDALK COUNTY. 605 niori' gratified at its development and progress, (^uiet and iimistentatious in iiis life, he has, while making very little noise in the world, uniformly cxcrtt'd a good influence upon those around him, and will be kindly rememhered when he shall have gone hence. He was in his early manhood a mem- ber of the old Whig party and upon its abandon- ment cordially endorsed Hei)ublican prininples, which he has since uniformly supported. He has been a constant reader of the Hillsdale Standard since its establishment over forty-two years ago. OBERT L. NICHOL.S, f.irmer, stock-raiser, ^^ and dealer in pure-bred Berkshire swine, /l\\V occupies a good position among the solid \||g>inen of Jefferson Township, and owns a fine faini of 11;") acres on section .34. In addition to his comfortable residence, he has a fine large bain. and all the other necessary buildings and appliances for cairying on his vocation in a pleasant and profitable manner. He is in the prime of life and in the midst of his usefulness, and was born in the township of which he is now a resident, Dec. 16, 1846. Robert J. and Mary ,T. (Zimmerman) Nichols, the parents of our subject, were natives respectively of New York and Kentucky, the father born in Orange Count}-, July 11, 1815. He lived on a farm until fourteen yeais of age, and was then bound out to work at carriage trimming until he should attain his majority. About three months before his time was out his employer released him, and making his way to Georgetown. K}'., he secured employment at his tiade and lived there eight years. In the meantime he met and married the mother of our subject, the wedding taking place Nov. H, 1836. Robert J. Nichols, in 1842, left the Blue Grass regions on horseback, and making his way to Southern Michigan, purchased a part of the land in Jefferson Township which his son, the subject of this sketch, now owns and occupies. He then went back to Kentuckj', an ,~ -w-m ip^Y OBERT CARRUTHERS, Sr., an old resi- |L^ dent of Woodbriilge Township, and of sub- stantial Scotch ancestry, identified himself ^jmany years ago with the farmers of this county, to which he came in the pioneer days, and purchased first eighty acres of land, all timber, for which he paid $480 in cash. He then set himself to work in earnest to clear the ground and prepare the soil for cultivation. He raised 125 bushels of corn to the acre last year, which fact is suggestive of the high state of productiveness which has been brought about within the course of thirt}^- four years. The subject of this sketch first opened his e3'es to the light on the other side of the Atlantic, in Berwickshire, Scotland, in the spring of 1 825 or 1 826, the son of Thomas and Catharine (Wilson) Car- 'uthers, who were of pure Scotch ancestry, spent their entire lives on their native soil, and passed to their rest many years ago. The father was a farmer by occupation, leasing the land he worked upon for a period of nineteen years. In the mean- time he acquired some property and money, being blessed with a most excellent wife and helpmate, an industrious, frugal woman, who proved his in- valuable assistant during all the years they lived together. About 1 85 1 the father sent his son to this country to look about for a home, and after Robert had investigated sufficiently, and knowing well the dispo- sition of his honored sire, he advised him to sta}' where he was, which advice the latter took, and ac- cordingly remained in his native land. He was a man of very decided ideas, a member of the Scotch Presbj'terian Church nearly all the years of his life, and trained his children in the strictest precepts and by the old methods. Of these children, seven in number, the record is as follows: Peter died some years ago in Scotland; John, who was of a deeply religious turn of mind, was an Elder of the Free Church many years, and is now deceased, Catharine continues in her native country, and has a comfortable living on twenty-five acres of land; Robert, our subject, was the fourth child; Jessie and Andrew are living in Scotland; Thomas is deceased. Our subject upon coming to America landed in New York City, and then repaired to the home of his uncle in Baltimore, where he staid three months. Thence he migrated to Cleveland, Ohio, where he employed himself as a teamster, and in the course of time saved up the snug sum of $600. Thus armed, he made his way to Michigan, with the results which we have already indicated. While a resident of Cleveland he was married, in 1853, to Miss Ellen Boyle, who died in 1870, in Wood- bridge Township. He was then married to Miss Jennie McDougall, in Woodbridge, in August, 1874. This lady is the daughter of James McDougall, of the latter township, and is now the mother of three children, namelj': James, Mazey and David. Of his first marriage there were born five children — Thomas W. and Andrew D. (deceased), Robert B.. Lilly and Kate. Lilly was a very bright child, with a large brain, and alw.i3s at the head of her T •«► HILLSDALE COUNTY. 607 class in school. Her tniiifi being far in excess of her physical strength, she was stricken clown at the age of fourteen years, dj'ing in March, 187.'>; Katie is living at home. Mr. Carruthers has inherited in a marked degree the high moral principles and love of truth which .'ilwaj's distinguished his ancestry. He is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and while a resi- dent of Cleveland, Ohio, was connected with the Presl)3'terian Church there, and prominent among the brethren. He possesses considerable musical talent, and is a fine vocalist. Politically, he votes independently, and has no aspirations for office. ^^=^EORGE L. KE8SELRING isa prominent. and (|[ ^— , representative farmer of Hillsdale County, *^^4 and is situated on section 7. Fayette Town- ship. His parents were Jacob and Christiana (^oe) Kesselring, natives of Hamburg, Germany, whence thej' emigrated with their family of three children to America, about 1829. The parents of our sub- ject first settled in Monroe County, N. Y.,and sub- sequently removed to Hillsdale County, Mich., about 1837, where they settled in Scipio Township. Three jears later they removed to Moscow Town- ship, where their decease occurred, the father de- parting this life .June 16, 1881, and the mother in July, 1868. After their arrival in this country, the parents of our subject had born to them six chil- dren, making a total of seven boys and two girls, of whom our subject was the sixth. George L. Kesselring was born in Moscow Town- ship, Oct. 16, 18,39, and received such education as the common schools of that time and place afforded. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and has fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer his entire life. During the year 1864 he lived in Canada, and in 1872 removed with his familj' to Three Rivers, Mich., where he bought a farm and lived until the fall of 1883, at whicli time he returned to Hillsdale County, and bought the farm formerly owned by Oliver Tiffany, consisting of 160 acres of excellent land ; since then he has sold forty acres. The subject of this narrative was united in mar- riage, July 18, 1864, while in Canada, with Miss Lena Wing, who was born in Waterloo County, Ontario, Jul3' 17, 1840. This union resulted in the birth of four children — William T., Minnie E., Emma L. and Charles W. Mr. Kesselring sustained a great affliction in the loss of his wife, who died May 30, 1886. She was a woman of exemplary character, a faithful wife and loving mother. She was an earnest and consistent member for many years of the Jlethodist Ei>iseopnl Church. William T., the son of our subject, died in Three Rivers, Mich., May 20, 1881, when apromising boy sixteen years of age, and already a member of the same church as his mother, and Minnie E. died Sept. 24, 1869. Emma and Charles are also members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which their father takes an active part. On the 20th of March, 1888, Mr. K. was married to Miss AUie Root, daughter of D. D. Root. Miss Root was a resident of Jonesville. While living in Three Rivers Mr. Kesselring w.as Superintendent of the Sunday-school for seven years, which position he also filled in Jonesville for two years. He has also been Class- Leader for several years, and Stew- ard for some time, and alw.iys takes an active part in any movement having for its object the advance- ment of the people of his county. In politics Mr. K. is a Prohibitionist. ^F^ENRY SCHAFER, who may be properly Y classed among the selfmade men of this county, and who the greater part of his life has been engaged in farming pursuits, is now living retired from active labor, and spending his declining years in a pleasant home in the cit^' of Hillsdale. It has been difficult to abandon the habits of many years of industry, and so he occu- pies his time in loaning money and looking after his property. Our subject was born in the Emjiire of Germany, on the 13th of August, 1818, and earl}' in life became orphaned by the death of both parents. He acquired familiarity with farm pursuits during his boyhood, and obtained an excellent education in his native tongue, by attendance at the schools of his own town, from the time he was six years of 4= 608 HILLSDALE COUNTY. age until he was fourteen. He then commenced an apprenticeship at the weaver's trade, and followed this six years upon his native soil. In 1840, when a young man twenty-two years of age, determined upon a change of location, he repaired to the port of Bremen, and embarked on a sailing-vessel bound for the city of New York. From the metropolis he went over into the Dominion of Canada, and was a resident of Berlin thereafter for six years. Then returning to the States, he made his way westward to Southern Michigan, taking up his abode in this county in the spring of 1848, and now for a period of over forty years has been numbered among the citizens of this locality. Mr. Schafer, not long after his arrival in this county, located upon a tract of land in Fayette Township, of which he secured possession by the payment of monej' which he had earned working by the month. About that time he made the ac- quaintance of Miss Dora Campbell, to whom he was married in March, 1848, and they commenced life together upon the farm owned by his wife, and where they continued to live for a period of thirty -seven years. Mr. Schafer, about 1885, sold his land in Fayette Township, receiving therefor a good round sum. It comprised a half-section, and he had brought the land to a good state of cultivation, putting up good buildings and effecting tlie other improvements naturally suggested by the progres- sive and enterprising agriculturist. Upon leaving the farm, Mr. and Mrs. Schafer took up their residence in the city of Hillsdale, and now have time to look back upon the results of their mutual labors. Our subject generously acknowl- edges that to his estimable wife is due a large meas- ure of his success. She has never evaded any known duty, working equally with him in the labor of building up the homestead, economizing in the household, and in all things giving him encourage- ment, both as regarded the labor of his hands, and in his efforts to retain his position as a man among men. Now, in the possession of a competency, they are passing down the sunset hill of life more than ordinarily contented with their lot, and enjoying the esteem and confidence of their neighbors. They have no children. Mr. Schafer cast his first Presidential vote for Cass, and has since continued an adherent of the Democratic party, although in local matters he aims to support the men whom he considers the best qualified for office. His surplus capital is loaned mostly to the farmers of the county on good se- curity. \ti OHN E. WAGNER. The career of this gen- I tleman is that of a selfmade man who com- menced at the ver}' foot of the ladder in life, and by the exercise of industry and resolu- tion has attained to an enviable position socially and financially among his fellowmen. He came to Michigan with his parents in November, 1854, and continued their efficient assistant, relieving them of the more onerous burdens of life until 1862, when he removed from the homestead, settling in March of that 3'ear in Medina Township, Lenawee County. Three years later he disposed of his property there, and taking up his residence in Allen Township, this countj', has since made it his home. Mr. Wagner is the owner of a fine farm of 134 acres, pleasantly located on section 1. This he has transformed from a comparatively uncultitivated tract to one of the finest estates in this part of the county, the soil yielding in abundance the richest crops of Southern Michigan. This result was not accomplished without many difficulties, and it took years of incessant labor to bring the soil to its present condition, build the fences which now mark the boundary lines, and put up the buildings which invariably attract the admiring eye of the passing traveler. The live stock and machinery aie of the best description, the former comprising excellent grades of horses, cattle and swine, and the latter consisting of the implements best calculated to develop from the soil its best properties. There is now no longer the necessity for arduous labor on the part of our subject, as he has a fine home and a competency to secure him against want in his old age. Our sul>ject was born in Wheeler, Steuben Co., N. Y., Jan. 27, 1835, and is the son of George A. and Caroline (Wheeler) Wagner, who were both natives of the Empire State, the father horn in t 4* HILLSDALE COUNTY. 609 Rome, Oneida Counly, Aug. 6, 1811, and tbe mother in Benton, Yates County, Aug. 15, 1818. The patents after their marriage lived one year in t!ie latter place, then removed to Naples, Ontario County', and from tiiere a year or two later to Wliccler, Steuben County, wiiieh remained their home until their removal to Michigan, in Novem- ber, 1854. Upon their arrival in this State they settled in Medina Township, Lenawee County, but a year later removed to Homer, in Calhoun County, where they lived five years. Then returning to Lenawee County, they lived three years in Rome Township, removing from there to this county, where, with the exception of about two j-ears spent in Blissfield, they have made their lioiue. being now residents of Adams Township. The parental family of our subject included nine children, four sons and five daughters, of whom John E. was the eldest born. He, in common with his brothers and sisters, acquired his education in the district school, and made such good use of his time that at the age of twenty-three years he was amply fitted for tbe duties of a teacher, and fol- lowed teaching for a period of nine winters in Cal- houn, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties. When prepared to establish domestic ties besought for his wife one of tbe most estimable young ladies of Cal- houn County, Miss Julia Van Wert, to whom be was married in Homer Townsliip, Dec. 29, 185y. Mrs. Wagner is the daughter of William and Tem- perance (Tiflfany) Van Wert, the former a native of Oneida County, N. Y'., born in 1809. The mother was born in Canaudaigua, Ontario Co., N. Y., in October, 1810. After their marriage they continued residents of the Empire Slate until 183G, (luring the summer of which year they made their way to the Territory of Michigan, and located in Homer Township, Calhoun County, where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying June 8, 1851, and the mother May 5, 1877. Their houseiiold included three sous and nine daughters, Mrs. Wagner being the sixth child. Of these eight are now living, three boys and five girls. Mrs. Wagner was born in Homer, Calhoun County, this State, Aug. 12, 1840, and spent her childhood and youth with her parents, acquiring her education in the district school. She is a lady of many ex- cellent qualities, highly intelligent, and with her husband a member of Fayette Grange, P. of H., of Hillsdale County. For the last three years he has been Lecturer in the County Grange. They have no children. Mr. Wagner, in February', 1887, was appointed by the Master of the State Grange, who was Gov. C. G. Luce, Special Deputy of the National Grange, for which position he is admirably fitted, having taken an active interest in the association. He was early in life identified with the Democratic part}', but is now in s^'mpathy with the Nationals, and gives his support warmly to the cause of prohibition. Ever a busy and energetic man, he has no use for the idler, and has by bis own example proved wh.at grand results may be accomplished from a very humble beginning. JAMES HLSTON, a retired farmer living in tbe village of Cambria, Jias for several years been a resident of Hillsdale Count}', and is numbered among its substantial and well-to- do citizens. He was born in Cumberland County, Md., Feb. 16, 1808, and when he was four years of age accompanied his parents, Alexander and Eliza- beth (Grate) Huston, to Columbiana County, Ohio. The}- were married in Pennsylvania, of which it is thought his father was a native, and it is supposed that his mother was a German by birth, and came to this country when a mere child with her parents. The father of our subject was a farmer, and after settling in Columbiana County was actively engaged in that pursuit until his death, at a little past mid- dle life. He was sincerely mourned by the many friends who had been attached to him by his earn- est and kindly Christian character and upright walk through life. He was an esteemed member of the Baptist Church, as was also his good wife, who survived him many years, dying in Richland County, Ohio, at the venerable age of eighty -seven years. Eight children were born to this worthy couple, seven sons and one daughter, our subject being tbe youngest of the family. In about the year 1812, he was taken from bis native State to live in • ^^m <• 610 .t HILLSDALE COUNTY. Ohio; that part of the country in which his parents settled was for the most part a dense wilderness, the primeval forests stretching for miles on either hand, and with not many signs of civilization. Amid those rude pioneer surroundings our suliject grew to a rugged, self-reliant manhood, which well fitted him to make his own way successfull3' through life. When a young man he left his old home in Columbiana County and went to Richland County, and was there married, in 1830, to Miss Elizabeth EUcr, daughter of John Eller, who. with liis wife, was a settler of Richland Count}', and there died. Their daughter, Mrs. Huston, was born in that uountj', and died there at the home of her husband in 1 837, after a few years of wedded life, while still in the bloom of earl}' womanhood. One son, John, was born of that union, and is now a prosperous farmer in Cambria; he married Margaret Lotzen- hizer. Mr. Huston's second marriage, which occurred in 1838, was to Miss Nancy Cline, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1818. She was a daugh- ter of Joseph and Rebecca (Gitmey) Cline, both natives of Pennsylvania, the Cline family being of German ancestry. They were early settlers of Richland County, where Mr. Cline owned a valua- ble farm, and where their death occurred at an advanced age. They were industrious, faithful people, and true to their religious beliefs, being stanch members of tlie Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Huston was reared in her native county, and re- mained an inmate of the parental home until her marriage. She was well developed, both physi- cally and mentall}', and ably discharged lier duties as wife and mother. Of her marriage two chil- dren were born — Joseph and Alexander. Joseph, now deceased, married Hannah Royer; Alexander is successful]}' engaged in farming in Cambria Town- ship; he married Letticia P^rvin. Mr. Huston moved to Williams Count}', and tlicre purchased a tract of unimproved land, and with characteristic energy and industry set about developing it into a farm, which he afterward sold. He then bought a mill property and turned his attention to the manu- facture of flour and lumber, continuing both branches of business with gi-eat profit for several years. At length he disposed of his property in Ohio and came to this State, where he purchased, in 1867, a valuable farm on section 28, which his son now owns. Having accumulated a fair share of this world's riches he at last decided to retire from agricultural pursuits, and is now living quietly and comfortably in the pretty village of Camliria. He has led a very active, busy life; his career has been governed by sound and honest principles, which have gained for him the trust and confidence of his fellow-citizens, and his prosperity has been achieved by wise management and incessant indus- try. In politics our subject has been for many years a strong Democrat. ZARIAH F. DePUE, a retired farmer in ^/lM easy circumstances, is now enjoying the 14' comforts of a handsome home in the city of Hillsdale, to which he removed from his country residence in the spring of 1881. Like many of his compeers who have been the architects of their own fortunes, in Southern Michigan, he is a native of the Empire State, having been born near the town of Ovid, the county seat of Seneca County, May 21, 1829. Benjamin DePue, the father of our subject, first opened his eyes to the light in the Mohawk Valley in 1788, and when twenty-four years of age en- gaged as a soldier in the War of 1812. He was given for his services a warrant calling for a quar- ter-section of land, and of which he availed himself in the Slate of New York. His father was David DePue, who before him carried a musket in the Continental army. He was born in what is now New Jersey, and was the offspring of an excellent old French famdy, the first representatives of whom in this country crossed the Atlantic during the Colonial days. He spent his last years in New Jersey. The mother of our subject, who in her girlhood was Miss Elizabeth Martin, was a native of Ireland, and but a year old when her parents brought her to America. After their marriage the parents settled in Seneca County, N. Y., where the father carried on farming until 1838. Then, resolved upon push- ing still further westward, he came to Southern -<*■ ■•► u HILLSDALE COUNTY. ■«► GU Michigan, and spent two years in the vicinity of Ypsilanti, where lie engaged in fanning. In 1840 they came to this county, and the father purchased land in Adams Township, which he lived upon and cultivated until the fatal illness which terminated in his death on the 4th of Ai)ril, 1 S72. The mother survived her husliand until the 2d of .January, 1880, when she too passed awa}' at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Monroe, in Moscow, at the advanced age of eightj'-four years. To Benjamin and Elizalteth DePue there were born three sons and five daughters, all of whom lived to mature years, and seven are still surviving. They were named respectively: Margaret, Nancy, James H., Azariah F., Elizabeth, Catherine, Jane and Theodore. Azariah, our subject, was the fourth in order of birth. His boyhood was spent in Seneca County, N. Y., where he acquired a eoramou-school education, and was occupied in .agricultural pur- suits until reaching his majority. Then starting out for himself, he engaged as a carpenter for four years, and then invested a portion of his capi- tal in land in Adams Township, this county. He, however, continued working at his trade, while .at the same time cultivating and improving his land, until the spring of 1881, when, on the'Jth of April, he removed from the farm to the city of Hillsdale, where he has since resided. The marriage of our subject with Miss Nancy M. Lyons was celebrated at the home of the bride in Moscow Township, Feb. 11, 1857. Mrs. DeFue is the daughter of David Lyons, Esq., a native of I'cnnsylvaiiia, .lud was born in Richland County, Ohio, April 21, 1833. Her mother, Margaret Lyons, was born in Ireland, and the parents are now deceased. The only child of Mr. and ^Irs. De Puc is a son, Delos A., who was born Feb. 13, 18.58, and holds the position of Railroad Agent for the Lake Shore iV, Michigan Southern Railroad, at North Adams. Mr. Del'ue became a full-fledged voter in 1851, and cast his first Presidential vole for Scott. He was an old-line Whig until the organization of the Republicans, and since that time has uniformly sup- ported the principles of the latter. He has always taken a lively interest in the affairs of his township, and has held vari(jus positions of trust and resjjonsi- ^ih-^. bility, serving as Justice of the Peace four years, and being otherwise identified with the prominent men of his township. The Presbyterian (luirch has found in him one of its chief pillars, and edu- cation one of its most zealous supporters. In the fall of 1887 Mr. and Mrs. DePne sought the Pacific Slope for rest and recreation, spending one winter, and traveling over the greater part of the State of California, migrating as far south as San Diego, and returning thence to Riverside. Tliev returned home much refreshed, feeling that their time and money had been well si)ent. Their pleasant home is located in the southwestern part of the city, where they often welcome the old friends among whom they have lived for so many years, and who comprise the greater iiroporlion of the best residents of Hillsdale Township. i^ \fl_^ OR ACE TURNER, one of Hillsdale County's lf]\^ respected citizens and well-to-do farmers, l£S^^ residing on section 27, Adams Township, l^m is a native of the Empire State, born in MadisonCount3-, July 5, 1807. His parents, Edmund and Anna (Woolcot) Turner, settled in New York after their marriage, and spent the remainder of their lives in that State, dying in Ontario County: his father, viho took part in the battle of Sackett's Harbor during the struggle of 1812, dying in 1821, at the age of sixty-one j'ears. His witlow, who survived him many years, died in 1872, at the advanced .age of cight3--niiie years. Tliey were the parents of three children, two daughters and one son. The subject of this sketch was the second child born to his parents. He was bound out when only eight years old to I\Ir. Thoniiis Powers, a farmer of "Wayne County, with whom he lived until twenty- one years of age. His educational advantages were limited, as much of his time was required on the farm, but he became thoroughly acquainted with the work which was to form his life occupa- tion. As soon after attaining his majority- as his prospects warranted him in doing, he established a home of his own, being married in 182!) to IMiss Deborah, daughter of Noah and Keliaiice (Leach) r I G12 HILLSDALE COUNTY. -4* -a I Turrell. They were natives of Massachusetts, born in Briilgewater, a village twenty miles southwest of Boston, where they were reared and married. From there they moved to Pelham, Mass. thence to I'almyra, N. Y., where they resided three years. Their next removal was to Ontario County in 1815, where Mr. Tiirrcll's death occurred. Mrs. Turrell survived her iiushand, dyingat the advanced ao-e of eighty years. They were the parents of nine children, and after the death of the husband and father they were separated, the wife of our subject, then a young girl, finding a home with Reuben Kandolph, with whom she remained until twent^^-tive years of age. She was the fifth child of her parents, and was born in Pelham, Mass., July 16, 1804. Her attendance at the district school, which w:is very regular during the life of her father, was afterward limited to a few weeks' attendance in the winter seasons. After marriage iMr. Turner settled in ]\Ionroe County, N. Y., where he remained until 1844, when, as many other people of like ambition and enero'etic determination had done, he sought for himself and family a home in the rapidly grow- in«- State of Michigan. He came first to Pal- myra Township, but after the lapse of two years he moved to this county, and settled in Adams Township, where he has since resided. Having disposed of tiiirty acres of land, his farm now C(jn- sists of fifty acres, which he has cleared and has under a good state of cultivation. Among other improvements are a comfortable dwelling-house and convenient barns, and other out-buildings which he has erected. To Mr. and Mrs. Turner have been born eight chil- dren, four of whom are living, as follows: Gilbert, Esther, Mariette and Levancha. Gilbert, a farmer of Adams Township, married Mrs. Jane Turner, a widow of George Turner, who died leaving her with one child, Harriet; they have two children by this marriage — George and Myron. Esther is the wife of William Older, of Adams Township; Mari- ette, who married David M. L3'on, of Somerset Township, has one child, Milton M; Levancha, now living at home, married AlouzoVan Amburgh, by whom she has one child, FLirley E. The names of the deceased children of Mr. and Mrs, Turner were Caroline JI., George W., Laura R. and an infant. Mr. Turner has been very successful since com- ing to this county, and lie and his .aged wife are now passing down the hill of life surrounded by peace and plentj', with hosts of warm friends, rela- tives and neighbors to cheer their declining years. The3' have passed a happy wedded life of fift}'- eight j'ears, a felicity rarely accorded to man and wife in this mundane sphere, and they have been years prolific of much joy, mingled with their pro- portionate allotment of sorrow. Their long lives have been full of usefulness, characterized by many kind deeds, and they have the respect and esteem of the entire community. Politically, iMr. Turner afHliates with the Republican party, having voted for its first candidate for the Presidency, Gcu. John C. Fremont. NSEL B. WHITMORE came to this county f/j\ \ in 1847 and settled in Hillsdale Township, occupying himself for a year thereafter ^J as a printer in the office of the Hillsdale Standard, which is now published by H. B. Rowl- son. A year later he turned his attention to farming, taking up his abode in Allen Townshi[), of which he continued a resident until about 1884. Then, abandoning farming, he began traveling in the interest of Minneapolis binders, being thus occupied four years. L'pon leaving this he became interested in the drug trade, which he is now pur- suing in Allen Village. Our subject was born in Seneca Falls, Seneca Co., N. Y., Jul}' 2, 1830, and is the son of Peter and Eliza A. (Miller) Whitmore, the former of whom came to this county in 1847 and settled in Hills- dale Township. His death was caused by injury received from the cars in June, 1886. The mother, who was a daughter of Martin Miller, of AVater- loo, Seneca Co., N. Y., had passed away some eight years before the decease of her husband, her death taking place also in Allen Village in January, 1875. Their family comprised two sons only: Ansel 15., our subject, and .Tolin M. Ansel B. Whitmore, vvhen a youth of fourteen -■— ^- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 613 j'ears, coranienced his apprenticeship at the printer's trade in Phelps, Ontario Co., N. Y., at wiiich lie served three years, after wliicii he made his way to this county'. lie was first married, in Hillsdale Township, to Miss Fidelia Lombard, who was born in Phelps, Ontario Co., N. Y., and who by iier union with our subject became the mother of two children : Henry W., now a pr.aeticing phj'sican, and Esbon J., who is carrying on farming in Allen Township. Mrs. Fidelia Whilmore died in Allen Village, April 17, 1885. Mr. Whitmore contracted a second marriage, Nov. •26, 188G. with Mrs. Ella R. Conklin, the daughter of John and Hannah Reed. Mr. Whitmore was among the first to respond to the call of President Lincoln for 75,000 troops, and was assigned to the position of bodyguard to Brig. Gen. Richardson, of this State. He continued in the service for a short time but was not called upon to participate in any action in the field. The maternal grand- father of our subject, Martin Miller b}- name, was a native of New Y^ork State, and spent his last years in Waterloo, Seneca County. Mr. Whitmore has been mostly' engaged in attending to his own affairs, having little time to give to politics, but is an earnest supporter of Democratic princii)los. , EXRY W. WHITMORE, M. D., a well edu- Y]i\ cated and well informed physician of much promise, holds an honored position among (^S) the j-onnger members of the medical frater- nity of Southern Michigan, having alreadj' estab- lished a rei)utation for wisdom, jirudence and skill in his |)rofession during his few years' practice in Allen Village. He was born in Hillsdale, Aug. 1, 1857, being a son of A. R. and Fidelia (r>ombard) Whitmore (for parental histoiy see sketch of A. B. Whitmore on the preceding page of this work). The solid foundation of his education was obtained in the common schools and the Union School at Allen, After leaving the public schools our subject took a two-years course at the Bennett Medical College, of Chicago, and was graduated from that institu- tion in the spring of 1881. Having thus success- fully completed the piescribcd course of study, Dr. Whitmore began his career as a physician in the town of N;ishville, Barrj^ County, this State, where he remained for one 3"ear. At the expira- tion of that time the Doctor returned to Allen and established himself here in his profession, which he has since continued to practice in this village with much success, and has built up a good practice. Dr. Whitmore was married in Allen, in Septem- ber, 1880, to Miss Altie L. Close, a native of New York State, and a daughter of Lyman and Rosabelle (Chatman) Close. Of this union one child has been born — Ray C. The Doctor and his wife oc- cupy a high social position in Hillsdale County, and their pleasant, hospitable home is the resort of many friends, and is the center of true culture .and refinement. Our subject is a member of the Allo- pathic Jledical Association of Southern Michigan. The Doctor, in company with his brother Esbon J., owns a valuable farm of eighty acres, which yields them a good income. ARLEY' BR()\VN, an old settler and re- spected resident, residing on section 2, Camden Township, was born in Tompkins County, N. Y'.. Sept. 11, 1813. He is the son of Reul)en and Lois (Eastman) Brown, natives respectively of Rhode Island and Connecti- cut. His maternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and his paternal ancestors are said to have descended from three brothers who came from England before that period. Our subject was reared to man's estate on the homestead, and with his parents migrated to Huron County, Ohio, about 1835, and resided there until the siM'ing of 1850, when he came to this county, which has been his home ever since. Mr. Brown was married in the Empire State, Nov. 9, 1834, to Louisa AVolcott, who was born Dec. 11. 1811, at the head of Cayuga Lake, in Tompkins County, N. Y""., and is the daughter of Silas and Etlie (Bixlcj') Wolcott. Their union has been blessed by the birth of nine children, of whom four survive, and are recorded as follows: Harriet is the wife of William Huggetl, of Camden Township; William -•► 6U HILLSDAL?: COUNTY. A. is also a resident of Camden Township ;Slierman L.,of Cambria Township, and James F., of Camden. Shortl}' after his arrival in this county Mr. Brown settled on his present farm of eighty acres, which was at that time covered with heavj' timber, some of which he had to remove in order to make room for his log cabin. As prosperity crowned his efforts, this structure gave place to his present commodious and well-appointed farm buildings. He has cleared and improved the farm in true pioneer style, and added to it by subsequent purchase, until he had at one time 144 acres of land tiiat compared favorably with any farm in the township. He retains but fifty acres of this land, having given the remainder to his children. Though now seventy-five years of age, he is vigorous in mind and body, and can do a day's work almost equal to that of many younger men. He is a fine representative of the pioneer farmer, and his voice has been heard in the delibera- tions of his county and township. He served six- teen years as Justice of the Peace, while he has also discharged the duties of Township Clerk, School Inspector and Drain Commissioner, in each case discharging the duties of the office with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. For a number of years he has been Notary Public, in which capacity he still serves, and has watched with supreme satisfaction the rapid development of Southern Michigan. 'i^^' -T-r-. 4 ENRY J. KOON, who is looked upon as one of the thrifty and well-to-do farmers of Allen Township, h.as been giving his atten- m tion for the past forty-four years to sixty- three acres of choice land on section 15, which is a part of the original homestead built up by his late honored father. Upon this land are excellent improvements, comprising a neat and substantial farm dwelling, good barns and outhouses, and an assortment of well-kept live stock, besides the vari- ous other appliances of a well regulated modern farm estate. The subject of this biography is the offspring of an excellent old family, and was born in Tyrone, Schuyler Co,, N. Y., Nov. 27, 18;.'7. "When a youth <■ of sixteen years he came to this county with his parents, and completed a practical education in the common schools of Allen Township. Here he has been a resident now for a period of forty-four years, and is intimately associated with its best in- terests. As a peaceful and law-abiding citizen lie has filled his niche worthily in life, and is alike honored and respected by his neighbors. Our subject is the son of Alanson and Marilla (Wells) Koon, the former a native of Albany County, N. Y., and born in 1799, and the latter born in Luzerne County, Pa., Oct. 6, 1806. They became the parents of eleven children, eight of whom, six sons and two daughters, lived to mature years. Of these Henry J. was the third in order of birth. After marriage the parents first settled in the vicinity of Prattsburg, Steuben Co., N. Y., whence they sulisequently removed to Tyrone, Schuyler County, and from there migrated to South- ern Michigan, in 1844. They located upon a tract of land on section 15 in Allen Township, where they spent the remainder of their days, the father passing away April 29, 1867. The mother sur- vived her husband five years only, her death taking place in May, 1872. The living children of the parental household are recorded as follows, and it will be observed that of the sons, three are physicians and two lawyers, Henry J., of our sketch, being the only farmer among them ; Elizabeth, the eldest daughter, is the wife of W. B. Childs, of Hillsdale, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere; Henry J., our subject, is the eldest son living; Ciiarles K. is a practicing physician of Grand Rapids; Ezra L. is following the profession of law in Hillsdale; Sherman J. is a successful physician of Lisbon, in Ottawa County; Martin B. is practicing law in Minneapolis, Minn.; Emily is the wife of O. S. Nichols, of Garden Prairie, 111., and Chancy E. is a successful physician of Casenovia, Muskingum County, this State. The marriage of Henry J. Koons and Miss Pliebe Nichols took place at the home of the bride in Jonesville, this county, Oct. 15, 1853. Mrs. Koon is the daugiiter of Jared and Matilda (Ray) Nichols, who were horn, reared and married in New York State, whence they removed to Ohio, locating in Portage County, where tiie motiicr died in middle. ■^^ ^t HILLSDALE COUNTY. 615 life, Fcl). 4, 184.'). Mr. Nichols subsequently came lo this State, locating in Branch County in 1819, where his death took place in September, 1858. Mrs. Koon was the eldest of the five children born lo her parents, and first opened her eyes to the light in Mexico, Oswego Co., N. Y., Aug. II, 1833. She accompanied her father to this State wlien a maiden of sixteen years, and remained with him until lier marriage. Of her union with our subject there are three children: Zella M. is the wife of Henry Kel- logg, of Waj'ne County, Neb. ; Charles O. is clerk in a dr3^-goods store at Hillsdale; Bertha E. is the wife of Fred J. Pomeroj', of Allen. Mr. and Mrs. Koon identified themselves with the Baptist Church, of Allen, about 1844, of wiiicli they have remained consistent members, and to the support of which they have contributed according to their means. Mr. Koon, politically, is a zealous Republican, and although well fitted by nature and acquirements for office-holding, has steadily de- clined such positions, preferring to give his undi- vided attention to his farm and his family. JOHN T. BALL, Superintendent of the County Tiifirmar}', which is located on sections 3 and 4. in Cambria Township, is, it is hardly nec- essary to say, one of the best-known citizens of this part of the county, and is discharging the duties of his res|)onsible |)ositi(>n in an eminently praiseworthy and satisfactory manner. The property set apart for the unfortunate of Hillsdale County comprises 200 acres of good land, which, with the exception of twenty-five acres in timber, is in a vcrj" good state of cultivation. Al- though the buildings have stood the storms of man}- winters they arc in a comparatively fair condition, the result of the care and forethought of the present Superintendent, who has added various improve- ments, and apparently takes the same interest in the premises ;is though it were his own property. He was elected to the office of Supeiintendent on the 1st of January, 1868, and has consequently been its incumbent for a period of more than twenty years. Tliis fact is sufficient recommendation as to the manner in which he has taken care of the propertj" of tlie county, while at the same time administering to the comfort of its poor. Mr. Bali was reared to farming pursuits, and consequently in taking upon himself the duties of his present position was fully prepared to oi)erate the farm to the best advantage. He has been care- ful in his expenditures, while at the same time he has spared neither time nor means to alleviate tiie condition of those under his charge, which number is usually from sixty to sixty-five persons. The most of these are enabled to perform light labor, there being only about half a dozen who are thoroughly incapacitated to assist in their mainte- nance. Mr. Ball before his election to the Sui)er- intendency was one of the most ])rosperous farmers of Allen Township, where he is now the ow ner of valuable properly, including a fine farm of 2 1 5 acres, with modern improvements and machinery. B}' birth our suliject is a New Yorker, having begun life in Pcnfield Township, Monroe Count}-, Feb. 25, 183G. His parents ^were also natives of the Empire State, and his father, John Ball, a far- mer by occupation. His paternal grandfather, Mathias Ball, is supposed to have been a native of Germany, and left the Fatherland in time to par- ticipate with the Colonists in their struggle for independence. Upon laj'ing down his musket he settled in Chautauqua Count}', N. Y., of which he was one of the early pioneers, and where he lived to reach his fourscore years. John Ball, Sr., was reared and married in his native State, his bride being Miss Margaret Winegard, who was of German descent. After marriage they continued residents of their native county, wliere the father died in 1872, aged seventy-four, and the mother sui'viving her husband six years, passed away also at the old homestead in 1878. She was a little older than her husband, and a lady of most excellent qualities, a faithful wife and mother, and a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. John Ball, Sr., was a man of strict integrit}', upright and honora- ble in all his transactions, and uniforml}- respected by the people of his community. The early life of the subject of this biography was spent at the hardest kind of work on his father's farm, while his education was conducted at I at ^ r 616 -•► HILLSDALE COUNTY. nr- the district school, principally during the winter season. He was fond of reading and study, how- ever, and by close application endeavored to ob- tain a good fund of useful information from the perusal of instructive books. So well did he suc- ceed in this that he began teaching, meeting with flattering success, and pursued this calling during the winter seasons after his arrival in this county. He came to this section in the spring of 1859, and not long afterward made the acquaintance of one of the most estimable 3'oung ladies of Allen Town- ship, Miss Clara J. Truax, who became his wife on the ]7lh of Jul}', 1859. They commenced house- keeping in a modest manner in Allen Township, where our subject had secured a tract of land, and where he carried on farming until being elected to his present office. Mrs. Ball was born in Ontario Count}*, N. Y.,]May 17, 1843, and is the third child and eldest daugh- ter of Jolni and Ann (Wells) Truax, the father of German ancestry and the mother of excellent En- glish stock. Benjamin Wells, the maternal grand- father of Mrs. Ball, was a soldier of the War of 1812, and after the settlement of this trouble took up his residence in New York, where he carried on agriculture. lie spent his last days in Hillsdale County, Mich. John Truax came witli his famih' to INlichigan in 1853, and located first on a farm in Allen Township. There he made considerable im- provement, but later removed to Homer Township, where his death tooii place in the spring of 1882, when he was sixty-three years of age. He was a solid and reliable citizen, a man who despised a mean action, and who was content to be the archi- tect of his own fortune by the honest labor of his hands. The devoted wife and mother is still liv- ing, being now sixty-seven j'ears of age, and resides in the city of Hillsdale; six of her ten children are still living. Two dece.ised died in early childhood and two after maturity. Mrs. John T. Ball was carefully reared under good home influences, and is a lady of more than ordinary intelligence and goodness of heart. Siie is the mother of two children only, a son and daugh- ter: The latter, Ida M., is finely educated, a student of Hillsdale College, and a most accomplished and estimable j'onng lady ; the son, John Falley, resides with his parents and assists his father in the duties of his office. The family are attendants of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Ball, politically affiliates with the Republican party. -^ -#^ ^ rain of the inventor fully as often as any other branch of industry, and he has now the satisfaction of owning as product- ive a farm as any in the locality. It consists of 213 acres of rich, arable land on section 13 of Scipio Township, on which he has erected a good set of buildings, comfortably and conveniently arranged, where he and his family are happily living at peace with themselves and the world. Mr. Case was married in Moscow Township, this county, April 20, 1870, to Miss Emily Godfrey, daughter of Wallace and Clarissa P. (Elmore) God- frey, both natives of the Eastern States. They re- moved from Ontario County, N. Y''., to this county in 1838, and were among the early settlers of Mos- cow Township, where the death of Mr. Godfrey occurred Aug. 20, 18C8. Mrs. Godfrey is still living in Moscow Township on the old homestead. They were the parents of six children, an ecjual •► I I ■^»- HILLSDALE COUNTY. C17 number of sons and daiigltters. The wife of our siiljjcct, the second daughter of the family', was born in Moscow Townsiiip, Aug. G, 1838. She was roared in her native township, where she received the same healliiful and useful training that was commonly given to the daughters of pioneer house- holds, nialving her an efficient, capable liousewife, and a true homekeeper for her husband and children. Iler married life, which has been prolific of much joy to herself and her husband, has had a propor- tionate allotment of grief mingled with it, for of the four children born to them only one survives, Frederick H., the other three having died irr in- fancy. Our subject is a valued citizen and an important f.actor in promoting and sustaining the industrial interests of Scipio Township. The respect and es- teem universallj' accorded to him .are his just due, as he has ever conducted himself with tlie strictest honor and fidelity in all the relations of life. He is no office-seeker, preferring to give all his attention to his own private afifairs, but at tlie same time he is not unmindful of the welfare of his country and of his duties .as a citizen, and in politics casts his vote with the Republican party. Both lie and his wife are pleasant, affable people, and have hosts of warm friends. ILLIAM S. CURTIS, a prominent .agri- culturist and stock-dealer, widely and favor- ably known throughout the count}', is actively engaged in his chosen calling on section 20, Scipio Township. He is a native of New England, born in New Canaan, Conn., May 28, 182',), being a son of Sanford and Abigail (Smith) Curtis, both natives of Hartford County, Conn. After their niarri.age they settled in New Canaan, where Mr. Curtis followed his trade of shoeinaking for many years. Finally, deciding to abandon his occupation in favor of agriculture, he removed with his family, which consisted of a wife and five children, to Hillsdale County, arriving in Jonesville in .lune, 18.3.'). After remaining there a week they came to Scipio, and located near the center of the ^ ' township, being among the first settlers of the place. Mr. Curtis at once erected a dwelling and com- menced clearing his land. He improved a farm from the dense wilderness, and remained there until his death, Sept. 7, 1872. His wife died May 12, 1869. The}' were sturdy, industrious, true-hearted people, who well performed their share in develop- ing the resources of Hillsdale Count}', and occupied an honorable position among its noble pioneers. They were the parents of live children, of whom the following is the record : Matilda is the widow of Philo Sandford; Ezra lives in Berrien County, Mich. ; Harriet, who was the wife of Edward Bebee, died in Jackson, Mich., in October, 1887; Sarah died when ten years of age; and William S. The latter, the subject of our sketch, was six years of age when he came to this county with his parents. He attended the pioneer schools, and as soon as old enough assisted in the lighter duties of the farm, and growing to like the free and independ- ent life of a farmer, eventually chose it as an honorable way of making a good living. His first investment in real estate consisted in the purchase of fifty acres of land, where he now resides, and which w.as formerly the homestead of his father. To his original purchase he has since added, until now he owns 236 acres of valuable land in Scipio Township. He .also at one time owned 150 acres of land in Moscow Township, but having an ojipoi*- tunity to advantageously dispose of it, he did so. In additiini to his possessions in Scipio, our subject also owns good proi)ert}' in Jonesville, and can justly be estimated as one of the most successful men in Hillsdale County. Besides attending to the cultivati(»n of his land, our suliject has for upward of thirty years been engaged in buying, shipping and feeding stock, on an extensive scale. His excellent judgment and keen foresight have ren- dered this branch of his business especially lucrative. The union of Mr. Curtis with Miss Mary J. Havens was solemnized in Macon Township, Lena- wee County, Jan. 13, 1M57. She is a daughter of .Sylvanus and Rebecca (Shi|)nian) Havens, natives respectively of New York and remisylvania. After marri.age they settled in Macon Townshij), where tlie death of Mr. Havens occurred in 18,")2. Mrs. Havens is still living at an advanced .age. Tliey were among the earliest pioneers of Lenawee County, and, while n a ^ "4«— 618 HILLSDALE COUNTY. ^*Tr cheerfully braving the privations and hardships of a life in the wilderness, tliat they might build up for themselves and their children a comfortable home, nobly performed their part in promoting the growth of the count3'. They were the ]iarents of six children : Mary J. ; William lives in Lenawee County ; Frances is the wife of Robert Ellison, of Eaton Rapids, Mich. ; Ann is the wife of John Dell, of Lenawee County; Helen is the wife of Harrison Ames, of Lenawee County; Cynthia is the wife of Justus Todd, of Elkhart, Ind. Mary, the wife of our subject, is the eldest child of the family, and was born in Macon Township, Lenawee C^ounty, Sept. 3, 1833. She received a good common-school education, and at home was carefully trained in the domestic duties that fitted her so well to fill the honored position she now occupies in her household. To her and her husband have been born three children, of whom the fol- lowing is the record : Frank B. married Etta Bellamy, and lives in Moscow Township; Fred IL is at home; Minnie A. is the wife of C. F. Wade, of Jonesville. Mr. Curtis can well be called a representative man of his county; he is unostentatious in liis man- ners, caring more for the comforts than the vanities of life. His home, though not so elaborate of architecture as many, is one of the pleasantest and most homelike of dwellings, and is made attractive to many friends bj' the affability and genial courtesy of the liost and hostess. Mr. Curtis, though taking an interest in local and general matters, is no office- seeker, but performs his dut}' at the polls by cast- ing his vote with the Republicans. Sociall^^ he is a member of the Masonic fraternity. ANIEL FIELD, pleasantlj* located on sec- tion 17, Wright Township, is essentially a selfmade man. This term is used in com- paring the life work of two men with the results attained b^' each. Two men contract for the erection of a building; one has his material supplied on the ground, and the other digs it from the mountain. Two men start out in life: one has friends, opportunities and fortune; his material is supplied. The other has no resources but those within him; no capital but his brain, no stimulus but his dauntless courage. He digs his material from the mountain. These men may both succeed. They may receive the recognition which success always wins, but the world will accord higher honor to him who, independently of any assistance other than the labor of his hands and the work of his brain, at last places himself side by side with his more highly favored fellow. The world ex- presses its approbation when it says, "Here is a selfmade man." The foregoing is necessary to a complete understanding and appreciation of the subject of this sketch. Daniel Field was born in C.imillus, Onondaga Co.,N. Y., Sept. 12, 1833, while his father, Thomas Field, was born in Yorkshire, England, and there grew to manhood and married. He w.is of that sturdy class of English yeoman, who, wherever they have turned their attention to farming on a large scale, have been the most successful illustrations of what well-directed effort in agricultural pursuits can accomplish. A few years after their marriage, Thomas Field and his wife came to America, brhiging with them their three children, and settled in the town of Camillus, among its earliest pioneers. Mr. Field bought a tract of land and engaged in tiie work of improving tlie farm, upon which he resided until 183G, when he sold out and removed to Lysander Township, in the same count}', and pur- chased a farm upon which he resided until about 1852, when he sold out and removed to Cayuga County, and bought land in the township of Sennet, which became his home until his decease in 1867. The mother of our subject, who in her girlhood was Miss Betsey E. Little, was born in Yorkshire, England, and died in Lysander Tovvnship, Onon- daga County, leaving a husband and thirteen chil- dren to mourn their loss. The subject of this sketch was reared in Ljsander Township, Onondaga Co., N. Y., and attended the district schools, while he also assisted his father in the duties of the farm, and continued thus occupied until fifteen j'ears of age. He then ventured out for himself, engaging by the month at 110, and con- tinued thus employed until his marriage. He then operated a farm on shares, remaining thus employed for a period of five years, when, in 1 865, he directed \ ■•► i t HILLSDALE COUNTY. G19 his steps westward, and coining to Hillsdale County purchased the farm which lias lieon his home ever since. At the lime of the purchase a log house had been erected on the place and six acres of the land had been cleared. He has now the greater part of the land cleared and under a good state of cultiva- tion, and adorned with substantial and commodious frame buildings. In bringing his plans to a successful issue, our subject has had the invaluable assistance of a noble wife, to whom he w.as married Oct. 22, 1859. This lady, who in her girlhood was Miss Sarah M. Whipple, was born in Cambridge, Washington Co., N. v., Nov. 20, 1840, and is the daughter of Ira Whipple, who was born in the Gi-een Mountain State, but removed to New York when a young man, and located in Washington County. He mar- ried Mrs. Catherine Larmonth, of that count}', and in 18GG thej' removed to Oswego County, where his wife died in the town of Granby. In 1870 Ira Whipple removed to Herkimer County, and pur- chased a farm upon which he spent his last years. To Mr. and JMrs. Field there have been born four children: Those living are Minnie U. and Slyrtle T., both at home. Carrie died at the age of live j'ears and five months, and James I., at the .age of three weeks. In politics Mr. Field atliliates with the Republican party. OL. FREDERICK M. HOLLOWAY, son of Cyrus and Pamelia Hollowiiy, was born in ^^ the town of Bristol. Ontario Co., N. Y., Jan. 18, 1815, of parents who emigrated the previous year from Berkshire, Mass., to the Bristol Hills in Ontiirio County. For the first ten years of his life Ills occupation was climbing hills, sliding down the same in winter, going a mile to school, and in the summer bringing to the yard the cows of the farm which seemed to him to roam over a thousand hills. This early training created a love for pedestrianism. At ten years of age his i)arents moved to Genesee County, which was then almost a wilderness, to es- tablish .-1 home fur themselves. Here the realities of life began in earnest, :is the farm must be cleared for father, mother and seven boys. Our subject w.as the second in order of birth, and assumed the leadership in all occupations, not, how- ever, without ]irotest by the elder brother. Indue time they made a claim and backed it up for eight long years, at the end of which time a good farm of 200 acres was suflicienlly cleared and provided with suitable farm buildings. Each of the seven family sprouts advanced in the rudiments of a com- mon-school education, being required to go one and three-fourths miles night an1 i' few iiiilitaiy encampments and a few Foiirth-of-July celebrations, the Colonel and liis stiiff have enjoyed the title witiiout the responsibility. That same year also Col. Holloway was elected one of the Trustees of Hillsdale College, and has since stead- ily held this position. For the following five j-ears there was little to change the even tenor of steadj' work and responsibility of ottice. Col. Holloway cultivated the little avenues of income, and guarded carefully the sources of leakage, until he was able to shake his fist in the face of the world and call for a receipt in full from all creditors. In the mean- time a part of the farm of 1G5 acres had been brought to a fair state of cultivation, and was well stocked. In 18G1 the Colonel concluded to close out his now extensive city business, which had been augmented to a large number of agencies, and take to the farm. Upon this there was much yet to do, the fields being still very stony, and no fruit, with the exception of a small apple orchard which had been planted about 18;30. The dwelling was simply a tenant house, and in looking over the surroundings it was decided to erect a mansion from the material at hand, namely', rubel stone, or in other words, hammered lilocks from field boulders. The lumber had to be sawed from the log and seasoned, and shingles were only obtainable from Gratiot County. In the meantime the farming must also be carried on, and with the gathering of material and digging of the cellar June came before the masons were put to work. By the 1st of January following the family toring follow ing he had a fine young orchard of 500 trees. He soon, however, perceived that he had set them too closely together, but this mistake it was now too late to remedy. The planting of the smaller fruits followed in due time, also ornamental trees and shrubbery, and the homestead began to wear the air of a modern country estate. Our subject now experienced a desire to improve his live stock, especially his cattle, so he com- menced fattening for the market the common grades which he possessed, selling them as fast as possible, and invested the proceeds in young heifers of the most approved pedigree of Short-horn stock. In a few years the results of this wise movement were apparent in a herd of the finest animals to be found in Southern Michigan. Col. Holloway also con- tinued his operations as a sheep lireeder, wliicli have been the means of yielding him aniniall}- a hand- some income. By a fall, in the winter of 1881, he received a concussion of the muscles of the arm, which left those members cpiite helpless, and com- pelled him to abandon his farniing operations. In the meantime, the year previously, without any etTort or ambition of his own, our subject was brought forward by his friends as candidate for Governor, and which he felt would lie attended with great expense and sure defeat. He had never, however, been a shirk, and he felt it was now too late in life to stand the stigma, so he accepted the nomination with the results that he fully expected, although he greatly lessened the former Republican majorities. He had been an earlj' advocate of the Grange movement, and had much to do in shaping its destiny, being on the Executive Board. The fight with patent-right concerns and other combi- nations to fleece the farmers was continued and bitter, but Col. Holloway and the other Grangers do not regret the efforts they put forth to secure their inalienable rights. Col. Holloway, feeling the weight of advancing years, considered it best to relieve himself and his family of the great amount of care and responsi- bility involved in carrying on the farm, and on the ■► i ^> i G22 HILLSDALE COUNTY. 11th of Ai)iil, 1883, signed the deed which made it another's. There were upon it generous lierds of cattle, flocks of sheep and vahiabic horses, together with hogs, liay and grain, and the former proprietor from all these reserved Init a single carriage horse and the most valuable personal effects. Soon after- ward he took ills wife in his buggy and started for Hillsdale, with tiie purjjose of purchasing a modest home suitable for their comforts and requirements. In due time tlie3' took possession, the Colonel ex- pecting to be freed from further public cares and responsibilities. In 1884, however, he was pre- vailed upon to become the Democratic candidate for Mayor, and was elected by a large vote, being the first presiding officer of this political complex- ion for several years in this cil^'. Never in the habit of doing anything half-way. Col. Ilolloway at once lent his aid in securing an appropriation for building the city water-works, and in due time the}- were under way, although nut until the successor of Col. HoUoway was in occupation of his ofKce. In the summer of 1884 Col. HoUoway was chosen a delegate to the National Convention at Chi- cago. That same year also, in connection with other prominent citizens, he was instrumental in organ- izing the Hillsdale County Savings Bank, of which he w.as made a Director, and which has become one of the indispensable institutions in the county. The year following he put up a neat and handsome resi- dence, more in conformity to the tastes and require- ments of his family than the one he had purchased. On the oth of February', 1887, Col. HoUoway and his estimable wife were brought face to face with the fiftieth milestone of their married life. This event vvas celebrated in due form by the children who had been given them, and who with them constituted an unbroken family circle, besides 200 others, neighbors and friends, each one accom- panied by a loving memento of friendship and good will. It was an occasion of general rejoicing, and one to be remembered not only by those most inter- ested, but by all who particijKited in it. The pleas- ant and tasteful home was duly fitted up for the occasion, and manj^ were the good wishes which followed the worth}' pair, whom the community hope and trust will be spared to their midst for years to come. The career of Col. HoUoway is simply that of a country boy, born without privileges except those acquired by his own energy. His experiences have been many and he has learned well from the lessons of life. At this point we wish to quote the Colonel's own words as fitting to close this sketch of his life: "I have found many incidents in this journey of seventy-three years around wiiich my thoughts cluster and would like to tairy and commune for a season, but we pass man}' of these milestones in the course to contemplate sc)me of the propelling powers and influences that urged me to be a man among men. "First, my settled belief in an over-ruling Provi^ dence — that God holds all men responsible for the use or disuse of the talents committed to them. Second, that we are to render service to Him and to our fellows as we have opportunity. Hence the necessity for organization to promote these princi- ples; hence, as a result of this organization, from the different branches we selected the Methodist Episcopal Church as being nearest our belief. We united with it in 1840, and have kept our member- ship to the present. In this we have felt at home. It has been a source of profit and help to us, and we doubt not that our membership has been a help to the church here as well as at Joncsville in building their church edifices and carrying forward their religious enterprises. "Our family of three sons and one daughter has all been preserved to us. Their children are fast maturing to manhood and womanhood, all sur- rounded with health and the good things of life. What more could we desire? We may say with one of old, 'Our lines have fallen in pleasant places.' We wait patiently the further bidding of our Master." LFRED DEUEL. The beautiful farm of this gentleman, with its tasteful and sub- stantial buildings, which is finely located on section 1, near the town line in Camden Township, is a standing monument of the thrift and Industry of one of Hillsdale's earliest pioneers. A native of Ontario County, N. Y., Mr. Deuel was born Oct. 3, 1832, and is the son of Cornelius and ■•► t -U HILLSDALE COUNTY. G23 Sarah (Fcnis) Deuel, who were both natives of Dutchess County, that State, and si)ent tlicir last 3'ears in Michigan. The Deuel family who, it is supposed, crossed tiie Atlantic from Scotland, settled in New England during the i)eriod of its early history, and although the records are scjniewhat dim, there is reason to believe that both sides furnished vohniteers to the Revolutionary War. They were a sturdy and coura- geous race of pe»(i)le who invariably made a good record as citizens and members of the community, and whose descendants of this later day have pre- served the best traits of their ancestry. To Cornelius and Sarah Deuel there were born eleven children, of whom the following survive: Alfred, our subject; Lydia,tlic wife of Henry Smith, of West Unity, Ohio; Lewis, who lives in Kalkaska County, this State; Marcena, the wife of Hiram Bird, and Delora, of Midland, Mich. AVhen a little lad in the sixth j'ear of his age our subject came with his parents to this county, they settling in Ransom Township when its people were few and far between. Here the^' lived and labored the re- mainder of their lives. The father passed away in September, 1885, and the mother April 12, 1888. They were most excellent and worthy people, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all who knew them. Mr. Deuel cut the first stick of tindjer in the vicinity of what afterward became his home- stead, and with his estimable wife endured all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. He was a man of much force of character and be- came prominent in township affairs, holding the oHlces of Constable and Highway Commissioner, and was one of the first to encourage the projects set on foot to develop the county and elevate its peo- ple. He was careful and conscientious in his busi- ness transactions, and carried out in his daily life that illustration of the noblest work of the Creator — an honest man. Few are more worthy of notice in a work of this kind than Cornelius Deuel. Our subject was reared to manhood under the parental roof, and was the main assistant of his father in develoi)ing the farm and building ui) the homestead. He received a limited education and eaily in life was trained to those hal)its of in- dustry and economy wliicli have servecl to place him in an enviable position among men. A lover of books, he has lieen an extensive reader, and few are better versed in relation to the general topics of the da}'. i\Ir. Deuel was married, Oct. .'i, 1858, to Miss Caroline Seaman, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Cambria. Mrs. Deuel was born .June 8, ls:!8, in Ontario Count}', N. Y., and is the daughter of Jonas and Melinda (Perigo) Sea- man, who were natives also of the Empire State, and at present are residing in Amboy Township. They came to Michigan in 1847, settling among the pio- neers of Cambria Township, where they lived for ;i number of years, and whence they removed to Cam- den Township, of which they were residents twent}* years. The removal to Anil)oy Township was made a short time since. John Seaman, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Deuel, together with his father, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and spent his last years in Michigan. The children of Jonas and Melinda Seaman, three in number, were named Caroline, James and Amanda. The latter died when about nine years old. Mr. and Mrs. Seaman are now approaching the sunset of life, be- ing both nearly eighty years of age. They have witnessed many changes during their residence of over forty years in this count}', during which time they labored in common with the people about them to establish a home and build up a record of which their children should never be ashamed. In a com- fortable home they are now passing their daj-s in ease and quiet, blessed with the esteem and confi- dence of many friends. The five children of JMr. and Mrs. Deuel are re- corded as follows: Sarah became the wife of Fre- mont Jenks, and lives in Camden Townshii>; Seaman M. is a telegraph operator for the Chicago ject was the second child of his parents, and was born at the old homestead, that had also been tiio birth|)Iace of his father, Feb. 6, 1817. He grew to manhood in the place of his birth, receiving his education in the common schools. He was an active, bold-spirited lad, possessing great strength and powers of endurance, and keenly delighting in novel and exciting adventures with a spice of danger in them, therefore it was quite in accordance with his character to enlist in the service of Texas, to assist her in her revolution against Mexico, and from that time for several 3'ears his life was quite eventful. He was one of twenty-two men arrested by the United States Mar- shal, and marched on board the United States man-of-war "Hudson," and for many a long day did not set foot on his native land, but visited many foreign countries, saw many strange scenes on sea and land, and being a wide-awake and intelli- gent observer, laid up a good store of knowledge and information, and gained much valuable experi- ence. He was subsequentlj' transferred from the "Hudson" to the United States man-of-war ship "Fairfield," and roamed about on the seas, visiting various South American ports, notabh' Rio Ja- neiro. Bahia, Pernarabuco, Buenos Ayres and Monte Video. He stopped at the Falkland Islands, passed Cape Horn, cruised in the Pacific, visited the Sand- wich Islands, San Francisco, Cal., and Acapulco, Mex. Thence the vessel in which he sailed touched at the following South Annerican ports on the Pa- cific Co-ast: Callao, Peru; Valparaiso, Chili ; and then doubled the Cape and was once more in At- lantic waters. When reaching the equator the "Fairfield" sailed in an easterly direction .across the ocean, so that our subject had an opportunity to visit various points of interest on the African Coast, the vessel touching at Cape Palmas, and stopping at various ports on the coast of West Africa. At last the long voyage came to an end, and the man-of-war ship "Fairfield" sailed into the harbor of New York, in March, 1840, after a cruise of four years. Mr. Stookej' retains a vivid recollection of his travels, and can tell many interesting reminis- cences connected with them. After lauding he made his way to Michigan, where his folks had set- tled since ho had been aw.ay, and arrived in time to cast the first ballot of his life for Gen. Harrrison. Our subject was married, in 1845, to Miss Electa, daughter of John and Sarah (Edda) Estes, natives of Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Estes were mar- ried in their native State, and passed the first seven years of their wedded life there, and then removed to Canandaigua County, N. Y. The mother died in 1836 at the age of forty -two, and in 1849 the father removed to Hillsdale County, Mich., and lived with our subject until his death in 1870, at the age of eighty-two. He was the father of nine children, seven of whom grew to maturitj', two daughters and five sons. Mrs. Stookey was the third child in order of birth, and was born in Ver- mont. March 26, 1820, and was four years of age when her parents removed to New York, where she grew to womanhood, receiving her education in the common schools. She came west to Ohio in 1844 to visit her brother .James, and then made the ac- quaintance of Mr. Stookey, and they were married in that State. Their union has been blessed by the birth of one child, Nettie. She is now the wife of Hiram McGee, of Moscow Township; they have two children — Lillie and Bennie. Mr. and Mrs. Stookey moved to Michigan in 1849, and Mr. Stookej' h.as since devoted his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits. With the aid of his capable helpmate he h.as bnilt up a neat and cosy home, reiilete with every comfort and conveni- ence. He now has a farm of 120 acres, which is not surpassed in fertility and productiveness by an}' in the neighborhood, and he has erected ample barns and other necessary buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Stookey occupy a promiiient posi- ition in social and religious circles in this commu- nity. They are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, of Moscow. Mr. Stookey belongs to the Masonic fraternity, F.ayettc Lodge No. 16, of Jonesville, and Mrs. Stookey is identified with the Star Lodge of True Kindred. Mr. Stookey has greatly aided in the advancement of the township interests, in educational matters and improvements. He ha.s been School Moderator for nine years in 634 -•► HILLSDALE COUNTY. „1 siipccfsion, and held tbe < ffice of Highway Com- miss-ioiier in Scipio Townsliip f(ir nine successive j'eais. He is a man wliose life record is unblem- ished, as he has always been true to his convictions of right and justice, and is guided by principle, not only in private but in jjublic life as well. ^- -i*- ■fll AMES COOK, an aged and liighly respected citizen of Litchfield Township, is comfort- ably located on section 6, and is numbered among the pioneers of 1839. He made his way to Southern Michigan from Genesee County. N. y., via the lakes to Toledo, thence by rail to Adrian, and from there in wagons to bis present location, where ho pitched his tent and has since re- mained. He was at one time the owner of 190 acres, hut gave a snug farm to each of his two older boys, who, like their father, are models of in- dustry and i)erseverance, and praiseworthy citizens of Litchfield Townshij). Mr. Cook during his long pilgrimage has wit- nessed with lively interest the changes which have passed over the face of the country, and has taken deep satisfaction in the present standing of his adopted State. He comes of a substantial family, his father having been Nicholas and his mother l\L'irtha (Stone) Cook, who were both natives of Massachusetts. They continued for a time in the Bay State after their marriage, and there the father died. The mother was subsequently married again, and spent her last years in the State of Ohio, where she died at an advanced age. Of her first marriage there were born four children, of whom •James, our subject, was the youngest. His birth took place in Onondaga County, N. Y., Jan. 29, 1811. His brothers are all living, two residing in Michigan and one in Ohio. Of his mother's second marriage there were born five children. Young Cook continued with his mother and step- father in Genesee County, N. Y., until a lad of fifteen years, then, being ill-treated by the latter, he went to live with Mr. Eli Woods in the same locality, with whom he made a verbal agreement that he should remain until reaching his majority, when he was to receive $100 in cash. The con- tract was fulfilled on both sides, and very much to the surprise of James his stepfather became very friendly and borrowed his money, for which he paid him interest of $14 per year. Our subject now started out for himself, and in 1833 took unto himself a wife ane summer season. When twenty-one years of age, he attended for three terms at Hillsdale College, which was the source of much gratification, and brightened up his natural talent for reading and study. He w.as married, on the 6th of May, 1863, to Miss Helen Eoote, of Adams Township, and the young people commenced life together in a modest dwelling on a small tract of land in Wheatland Township. A few months later Mr. C. purchased forty .acres of this land, which belonged to his father, and in connection with the cultivation of this continued working wiih tln' l.itti r until lie was enabled to make another purchase, and h ; -4- 636 HILLSDALE COUNTY. r secured possession of all which he could properly care for. .This land our subject mostly cleared iiimself, assisted b3' his father and brothers. In due time the first log house gave place to a more modern residence erected in 1868. The barn was put up in 1875, and the other buildings added from time to time as the necessity for them arose. In addition to gen- eral farming, Mr. Collins raises considerable fine stock, and gathers each year for the use of the fam- ily the fruits from a good orchard and the smaller trees adjacent to the dwelling. The wife of our subject was born in Adams Town - ship, this county, Feb. 20, 1842, and is the daugh- ter of James and Harriet (Bagley) Foote, the former of whom was born in 1815, in Ca^'uga County, N. y., and died in North Adams, this countj', March 16, 1880. James Foote came to Southern Michi- gan with his father. Rev. Milton Foote, in 1835, where the latter died in Adams Township. His wife, who in her girlhood was Miss Lois Brisco, sur- vived her husband some 3'ears, and died in the city of Adrian, aged about cightj' 3ears. The parents of Mrs. Collins spent their last years in the city of Adrian. Of their ten children but six are now liv- ing. Rev. Milton Foote was one of the pioneer preachers of this county, and while pursuing his pious labors in this direction, also carried on farm- ing and school teaching. The maternal grandpar- ents of Mrs. Collins were David and Harriet (Smith) Bagley, the latter of whom died in middle life in New York State. David Baglcj' came to the Territory of Michignn about 1836, and took up a tract of Government land, and while laboring to bring it to a good state of cultivation, also became prominent in political affairs, holding various offices, among them that of Probate Judge. He spent his last days in North Adams, dying when about sev- enty years of age. The four children of Mr. and Mrs. Collins are recorded as follows: Elmer J. was born Dec. 15, 1864, and died Jan. 1, 1875; Ella D. was born March 12, 1867, took kindlj' to her books, and de- veloped into a teacher, which profession she has followed now for a period of two and one-half years; Delle was born April 3, 1876, and Mary H., Dec. 13, 1880. These two are at home with their 4* parents. Mrs. Collins and her daughter belong to the Ladies' Aid Society, and are warmlj' interested in benevolent work. Mr. Collins cast his first -Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has since voted the straight Republican ticket. He was elected Township Su- pervisor in 1880, an► m^< f 638 HILLSDALE COUNTY. successfully pursued it, has built up a large practice, and has acquired a fine reputation for skill and sagacity in the treatment of difficult cases. The Doctor has also been successful financially, and has accumulated considerable property, including sixty acres of valuable land. Dr. Miner was married, May 7, 1862, to Miss Carrie Devoe, a native of Crawford County, Pa. She is amiable and cultured, and is a devoted wife and mother. She is a daughter of Isaac Devoe. and came with her parents to Lenawee County, Mich., at an early day. Before her marriage she was en- gaged in teaching. To her and her husband have been born five children, namely: Reuben I., Agnes G., Ada A., Lena G. and Helen. Our subject occupies an important social posi- tion in this community, and bj' his energy and lib- erality has contributed much to its prosperit}', alwaj-s heartily favoring any project for its im- provement and advancement. He earnestly advo- cates the principles of the Republican party in politics, and socially, is a member of the I. O. O. F. For two terms he ably discharged the responsible duties attached to the ofHce of Coroner of Hillsdale County. -«"HM-^--HH- «»• ATHEW S. KEITH is a native-born citi- zen of Pittsford Township, the date of his birth having been Feb. 14, 1850, and he is now extensively engaged in farming here, well representing the agricultural interests of his native place. He has alwaj's resided on the old homestead where he was born, having inherited it from his father, who was an early pioneer of Hills- dale County, and took a conspicuous part in admin- istering its public affairs. Ozen Keith, his father, was born in Cummington, Hampshire Co, Mass., March 18, 1798, and his father, Luke Keith, is sup- posed to have been a native of that same town. The first ancestor of the family who came to America was the Rev. James Keith, a native of Scotland. He was educated at the University at Aberdeen, and came to this country in 1662, when he was eighteen years of age. He was ordained as a minister in 1664, and became the first pastor in Bridgewater, Mass. He married Susan Edson, and ••-^h^ they reared nine children, six sons and three daughters. Their son Josiah was the next in line, and he married Mary Lathrop, and they reared nine children, four sons and five daughters. Their son William was the next in or ler of descent, and married Mary Kingman, and they reared seven sons, one of whom was Luke, the grandfather of our subject, and he married Martha Littlefield, and twelve children were born to them. He was a shoemaker by trade, and moved to New York with his family in 1812, and settled in West Winfield, Herkimer County, where he bought land, and was engaged in farming until his death. The father of our subject passed his early j-ears in the beautiful home of his birth in the old Bay State, and was fourteen years of age when his parents moved to New York. Two years later his father died, and he then commenced to learn the trade of carpenter and joiner, and followed it there until 1834. In the meantime he was married, Nov. 19, 1823, to Cecelia Stewart, of Herkimer County, N. Y., daughter of William and Jane L. (Hall) Stewart. In the month of Ma}-, 1834, Mr. Keith visited the Territory of Michigan with the view of finding a suitable location, having determined to cast in his lot with the other brave, hardy, resolute men who were destined to plant in this part of the Northwestern Territory a great and powerful commonwealth. He explored the then unsettled Bean Creek Valley, and selected a tract of land on sections 23 and 14 of what is now Pittsford Town- ship, and bought 640 acres. He walked all the way from Monroe, and after making his choice of a location, proceeded in the same manner to return to that town, whence, after securing the patent to his land at the Government office, he returned to his home in New York for his family, and came b.ack with them in October of the same year. There were no roads then west of the present town of Hudson, and much of the waj' led through immense forests, being marked, presuma- bly, by old Indian trails and blazed trees. When the family arrived .it their destination they moved into the log cabin that Mr. Keith had erected on his previous visit, and during the first winter that rude structure had no windows or doors; blankets were hung up to keep out the cold and the wild -•► t -^•- ■» I I ♦ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 639 animnls th.nt were sometimes utrwelcoDie visitors. The floor was niade of punclicon. and as they had no stove the primitive fireplace served both for heatiiifj and cooliing purposes for some years. Mrs. Keitii spun, wove and made all the clothes used by the family for years. Mr. and Mrs. Keith remained valued residents of this township for half a (;entury, her death occurring on the old homestead. .Jul}' 4, 1884, and his Dec. 27, \SHb, both having rounded out their lives to a good old age. The3' were endowed with good mental and physical vigor, which enabled them to coi>e successfully with the trials and dangers of pioneer life, and they were always willing toextend helping hands to others less fortunate than themselves. Eight children were born to them, of whom six are living, our subject being the youngest. Mr. Keith was a man of keen, quick intelligence, sound common sense, and much decision of character, which fitted him for the part he took in public life in Hillsdale County. He was elected Highway Commissioner at the first town meeting ever held here; afterward served as Town- ship Treasurer, and represented Pittsford for sev- eral terms on the County Board of Supervisors. The subject of this sketch is a worth}' represent- ative of his honored parents, and, as we have before stated, has alwaj-s made the home that they planted in the wilderness his residence. He was educated in the district school of this township, and in the graded school of Hudson. He chose the call- ing to which he had been reared as his life work, and as an intelligent, industrious and wide-awake man, managing his farming interests with skill, he occup3'S a prominent place among the agriculturists of this community who are sustaining the fame of Pittsford Township as a fine agricultural region, and adding to its prosperity. Our subject was married, Oct. Ill, 1881, to Lucy J. Alverson. who was born in Hudson Township, Lenawee Co., Mich., Dec. 19, 184G. Her father. Oliver W. Alvei-son, was born in Windham, Vt., moved from there to New York, and afterward went to Ohio from the latter State. In 183.5 he entered Government land in Hudson Township, but did not settle on it at that time. In 1837 he married, in Maumee, Ohio. Har- riet Trumbull, a native of Cayuga County, N. Y., and two days later started, accompanied by his bride, with a pair of oxen, for Lenawee County, and thej' commenced housekeeping in the log cabin he had erected on his land. He improved a farm and lived there until 1878, when he moved to Hudson. He spent his last years with Mrs. Keith, dying Oct. 1, 1887, his wife having preceded him, dying in Hudson, Sept. 19, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Keith occupy a high position in social circles in this community, and their geniality and intelligence render their hospitable home the center of attraction to a large number of friends. Mrs. Keith is a valued member of the Methodist P)piscopaI Church. Mr. Keith is a man of sound business talents, good habits, and much stability of character. In politics he is a Republican, and uses his influence to promote every me.asure that will in any way benefit his n.ative town or State. "•aflCS^r"- |a— ►.'^^iiZma*^ ^ AMES M. McCREEDY, an aged and highly respected farmer of Camden Township, h.as a conifort-Tblc home on section 25, where he has resided for a period of twentj'-three j'ears. He came to this county in 1865. and located upon his present farm, where he has since remained, industriously tilling the soil and securing a compe- tence for his declining years. Our subject was born in Clinton County, N. Y., April 25, 1816. His father, James McCreedy, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., and was of sub- stantial Scotch aucestiy. His mother, Mary Mc- Creedy, a native of New York, was of German descent, and both are long since deceased, having spent their last years in Clinton Count}-, N. Y. Of the nine children comprising the household circle but three survive, namely: Jlelissa, a resident of Michigan; Phebe, of New York State, and James, our subject. Mr. McCreedy was reared to manhood in his na- tive county, where he received a limited education, but being an intelligent man, has gained a good fund of general information from the reading of instructive books and the various {periodicals of the day. He was reared to a farmer's life, which he has always followed. He was married, Oct. 30, 1 844, to Miss Lucia L. Phelps, who was born Oct. 14, - ^ ■1 ^ a 640 ■•►■ t HILLSDALE COUNTY. wa 1822, in Vermont, and was the daughter of Abel and Theodooia Phelps, natives of Vermont, who spent their last years in New York State. Of this union there were born two children — Elbridge H. and Carrie, who are now living in tiiis county. Mr. and Mrs. McCreedy commenced life together in New Y'oriv State, where they lived until 1865, and thence removed to this county. Their home- stead comprises 120 acres of good land, with a sub- stantial set of farm buildings, and the machinery necessary for carrying on agriculture in a profitable manner. Mr. McCreedy is essentially a selfmade man, having commenced in life without capital save his courageous heart and willing hands. He was most fortunate in the choice of a wife and help- mate, who bore with him the heat and burden of the day, and assisted iii building up the homestead where they are now passing their declining years surrounded by the comforts of life. Mr. McCreedy during his younger years took an active interest in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically, has been a lifelong Democrat. During the years of his long and worthy life he has witnessed remarka- ble changes, especially in Southern Michigan, which, at the time of his coming here, had just begun the development of those rich resources which have placed her in such an enviable position among her sister States. In common with the men al)out him he has contributed largely to the bringing about of this result in the building up of a good homestead, and in forming one of the worthiest members of the community. — .-9J^ "17 UFTUS L. STANTON, a representative citi- I (® ^®" *^^ Camden Township, is Postmaster of JJLi^ Montgomery, and is prominently identified with the mercantile interests of that village. He is a native of Wayne County, N. Y., and was born June 4, 1835. His parents were Caleb S. and C'hloe (Cowell) Stanton, natives of New York State. His mother was of Scotch-Irish descent, and his father was of mingled Dutch and English ancestry, having descended from one of those old Holland families who were early settlers of New Y'ork. When our subject was about two and one-half years old, his parents left the State of Nevv Y'ork to take up their abode in the then newly settled county of Noble, in the State of Indiana, where they occupied an honorable place among the sturdy and courageous pioneers of that county. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in Noble County, and his character was in a great measure molded by the pioneer influences of that home, so that he early displayed self-reliance, good powers of endurance, energy and capability. His education w.is conducted in the rude pioneer schools of that (\a.}\ and was necessarily somewhat limited. His father owned quite an extensive farm, and when our subject was not at school he assisted in the labor of caring for it, and was thus trained to be a good practical farmer. When about thirty years of age he began to work at the carpenter's trade, and was very successfully engaged at it for some twenty j'ears. In the spring of 1865 he left Indiana and came to Michigan, and settling in Camden Town- ship, managed a farm in connection with carpenter work. He continued to reside there until 1875, when he removed to Montgomery, where he has ever since made his home, and is now regarded as one of its leading citizens. He established himself in the grocery business, which he has conducted very successfully, building up quite an extensive trade. He was appointed Postmaster in October, 1886, and has served with great efficiency, and to the entire satisfaction of the community. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace for four3'ears, and that of Highway Commissioner, in which he is now serving his second term, and has always been zealous to promote the interests of this township and village. Mr. Stanton has been twice married. Esther Miller was the maiden name of his first wife, and of their union four children were born, of whom S^'d- ney is the only one now living. The second mar- riage of our subject was to Mrs. Carrie (Furner) Bavier, and took place March 10, 1887. She is' a native of Michigan, and was born Sept. 23, 1847. They have no children. Mr. Stanton is a strong Democrat, and always uses his influence to elect the candidates of his party, ■•► I ■► f ^^ " m T^ B 4» HILLSDALE COUNTY. 641 ii\ f ov aflvaiiee its interests. Sfieially. he is identified witii the I. O. O. F., of Montgomery. lie is a man of decided character, earnest in his beliefs, possess- ing much sagacity and good business tact. kE GRAND J. SMITH, of Somerset Town- ship, owns and occupies nearly 500 acres of land, a part of the original tract which his father settled on forty-nine years ago. Mere he is extensively engaged in general agriculture. The estate is one of the finest in Southern Michigan, and supplied with all the machinery and buildings necessary for the carrying on of an extensive farm- ing business after the most approved methods. A substantial residence, with its pleasant surround- ings, is flanked bj' one of the finest barns in Hills- dale County, and tlie other appurtenances on the homestead are in keeping with the means and standing of the proprietor. This branch of the great Smith family originated in Connecticut, and were among the early settlers of New England. The descendant who is here re|)resente(l was liorn in Fairfield County, Conn., Jan. 8, 1847. and is the son of Azariel and Mary Smith. LeGrand remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age, acquiring a common- school education, and becoming familiar with agri- culture in all its departments. He was first married on the lOlh of November, 1863, to Miss Emma Torance, who was born in Allegany County, N. Y., Jan. 27, 1838, and was the daughter of Ezra Torance, who, with his estimable wife, spent his last years in New York. Of this union there were three children: Leroy T., born Jan. 14, 1865; Leon C, April 18, 1869, and Mabel A., Oct. 11, 1877. The eldest son completed his education at Oberlin College. Ohio, and the younger in the High School at Hillsdale. The boys are living at home, and the daughter continues with her father. Mr. Smith after his marriage engaged in general merchandising several years at Addison, but in 1876 determined upon a change of occupation, and selling out, invested a portion of his capital in 320 acres of land on section 25, in Somerset Township, where since 1876 he has given his entire attention 4*— to farming pursuits. Mrs. Emma Smith died at her home in Somerset, in 18H0, when fort^'-two years of age. Our subject contracted a second marriage, on the 12th of January, 1887, witli Miss Climena Freeman, who vvas born in Lockpovt, N. Y., March 12, 1838, and is the daughter of Daniel M. and Eunice (.Stone) Freeman, who were also natives of the Empire State, whence they emigrated to Michi- gan in 1840. They took up their residence in Jackson Countj', where the father eng.aged in farm- ing, and died at the age of fifty -two years. The wife and mother passed away at about the same age as her husband. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Smith were Samuel and Anna Freeman, and the grandparents on the mother's side were Isaac and Huldah Stone. Mrs. Climena Smith was the second eldest of a family of six children, of whom four daughters are living and residents of Micliigan. Mrs. Smith received a good education and was engaged as a teacher some years before her marriage. She is a ladj' ver^' active in benevolent work, greatly inter- ested in the temperance movement, and a member in good standing of the W. C. T. U. ETH HALL is the senior member of the firm of Hall ife Arnold, lumber dealers of North Adams, where tiiey conduct a successful and extensive business in liiat line, furnishing to the village and the adjacent country the material for many of those fine residences which so thickly dot the face of Adams Township, and attract the attention of the passerb}'. The parents of our subject were Seth and EIreda (Crowell) Hall, and the grandfather, also named Seth, took part in the War of 1812, and wasa mem- ber of the northern division of the army. After their marriage the parents of our subject settled in Franklin County, M.ass., but soon afterward re- moved to Onondaga County, N. Y., where they fol- lowed agricultural occupations. They subsequently went to Cicero, N. Y., which was then in its in- fancy, and Mr. Hall, who was an educated man, became prominent in the affairs of the county, lay- ing out roads, boundaries, etc. The parents resided •> l l "^ 642 HILLSDALE COUNTY. there until their decease, tlie father passing away in 1838, when fifty-six years old, and the mother ten years later, at the age of sixty-two. Seth Hall was the fourth in a f.imilyof eight chil- dren, four boys and four girls, inchided in the pa- rental family, and was born July 10, 1815. His early childhood was passed on the farm in JMassa- chusetts, which his parents left when he had reached five years of age, and came by means of ox and horse teams, his eldest brother, Harrison, and him- self driving the cattle all the way. This journey was a great undertaking at that time, consuming ten days, while the cooking was done by the way- side, and the travelers spent the night in their wagons; this journey can now be made in half a day by means of the railroad. Reaching their destina- tion ill Onondaga County, in September, l^^O, they remained there witli their father, assisting in clear- ing the land and tilling the soil, and soon had a comfortable home, although the house in which they lived was the primitive log structure, as was also the school-house in whicli our subject received his education. Its floor was made of the bark of a tree, wliile its furniture consisted of slab benches, and it depended for its light on two windows of six liglits each. Mr. Hall assisted his father on the farm until the death of the latter, when the son w.as twenty years of age, and he tlien assumed the responsibilities for the family, as he was the eldest brother living, un- married. He was united in marriage, in 1843, with Miss Gertrude, the daughter of John and Eu- phiraa Houghtaling. The marriage of her par- ents took place in Albany County, and they soon after settled in Onondaga County, where the mother died in 1828, at the age of thirty -six years. The father afterward married Elizabeth McFarland, and died Dec. 14, 1870, in his eightieth year, leaving two children by the first union, and two by the second. Mrs. Hall was the second child horn of the first union of her father, and first saw the liglit in Onondaga County, N. Y., in 1821, and in the Empire State took advantage of the superior educa- tional facilities, and received a good education. Although Mr. and Mrs. Hall have had no children of their own, they have reared three or four for "lives of virtue and usefulness. Leaving Onondaga "Ir County, they removed to Cayuga, and resided there two years, after which they turned their steps west- ward for the land of promise. In 1872 they set- tled at North Adams, where they at present reside. Two years later Mr. Hall bought out Isaac Baker, of the firm of Kenyon & Baker, dealers in lumber, and the business was conducted under the firm name of Kenyon & Hall for a period of eight years, after which Mr. Hall purchased the_ interest of his partner, and conducted the business alone until 1882, when in April of that year lie took into part- nersliip his nephew, J. D. Arnold, since which time the firm has been known by the name of Hall & Arnold. In connection with their lumber business, they also deal in lime, coal, salt, cement and stucco, with other building material. In the life of Mr. Hall we find an example for young men just embarking in the field of active life, of what may be accomplished by a man beginning Ijoor, but honest, prudent. and industrious. In early life he enjoyed but few .advantages; his facilities for attaining an education were very inferior, nor had he wealth or position to aid him in starting in life. He began upon the lowest round of the lad- der, and relying solely upon his ovvn efforts, he has been successful, not only in the sense of accumulat- ing wealth, but in doing good to others, in serving them well, and in winning their respect and esteem. He has ever strictly' observed that most important factor in the successful public or business life of anyone — honesty. He is a careful, conscientious business man, ever adhering to the dictates of his conscience in matters both of a public and private nature. His correct habits insured himagood con- stitution, and he enjoyed remarkable health until 1887, when in ]May of that year he was stricken with paralysis, since which time he has had little or no use of his right arm. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are members of the Methodist Episcopal Chuich, with which they have been iden- tified for over half a century. They are also strongly in sympathy with the temperance work, with which Mr. Hall has been connected since a boy, and has always been true to his pledge. In politics, as one would naturally infer, he is a strong Prohibitionist, and was one of the first seven who cast in Cicero Township, Onondaga Co., N. Y., •^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 643 I a vote for the freeing of slaves, in whieii he per- severed until tiis ohjeet was accoinphshed. During the war he was a stanch Lincohi man, and his early political aftiliatiou was with the Whig party. Mrs. Hall is a member of the W. T. C. U., and is an ex- emplary woman in every sense of the word. AVID T. COBB, a man who takes pride in his home and his farm is, what would nat- urally follow, a valuable member of his eommuuity, stiaightforward in his business transactions, prompt to meet his obligations, and of unimpeachable integrity. He takes a deep interest in the establishment and maintenance of churches and schools, and has been the incumbent of various offices of responsibility and trust, the duties of which he has discharged in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to his fellow-citizens. Onm^Ciibb, the father of our subject, was a native of Vermont, and maiTied Miss Ursula Terrell, who was born in Warsaw County, N. Y. The paternal grandl'alhcr did good service for his country in the War of 1812. Orrin Cobb after his marriage set- tled in Warsaw County, N. Y., but two ycai's later came to this county and took up his abode in Ran- som Township. He was a tanner by trade, but upon coining to Michigan engaged in agricultural pursuits. He moved to Litchfield in 1847, settling on section 17, where he performed arduous labor many j'cars, and rounded the rijjeold age of eightj'- four, passing away Dec. 28, 1885. Tlie mother survived her husband one year, and was seventy-six years old at the time of her decease. The parental family included four sons and one daughter, David T. being the third child. He was born Aug. 22, 1839, in Ransom Township, this county, where he pursued his early studies in the district school and subsequ'3ntly attended Hillsdale College two terras. After the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted, in 1861, in Company H, 4th Michi- gan Infantry, being mustered into service at Adrian, and proceeding at once to Washington with his comrades. They started soon afterward to Bull Run, but having their gray Michigan uniforms, they were not permitted to engage in battle. A <•— few days later thej' were proiterly uniformed and entered actual service. The balance of that year was spent principally by Company H in skirmish- ing and building fortifications. Subsequently they engaged in the Peninsula campaign, being at the siege of Yorktown, where, during the seven-days fight, Mr. Cobb was taken ill, and conveyed to the hospital at Hampton, Va. He there suffered tedious confinement until February following, when, there seeming to be little prospect of his recovery, he was compelled to accept his discharge. As soon as his health permitted Mr. Cobb went into the fields, and employed himself at farm labor until 180.5, and on the 1st of .Janu.ar^- of that year was married to Miss Emily Wade, who was born Feb. 8, 1846, in Litchfield Township, and was the sixth child of William and Margaret (.Jeffreys) Wade, whose family included six daughters and two sons. The parents were among the earl3' pioneers of this section of country', and Mrs. Cobb received only the advantages of education in the schools of that day. Of her union with our subject there were born two chihlren, a son and a daughter — C3'rus and Winnifred, Both are students at the Litchfield Union School, in the class of '89. The farm of our subject comprises eight}' acres of well-tilled land and he has first-class buildings, the latest improved machinery, good grades of live stock, and all the appurtenances of tlie progressive, modern agriculturist. In 1876 he put up a very fine residence, which is not only an ornament to the landscape of that section, but forms a beautiful and comfortable home. Both he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Baptist Church, in which Mr. Cobb officiates as Trustee. He is a decided Prohibitionist, served one term as Justice of the Peace, and several years as School Director and Highway Commissioner. W SALTER H. SAWYER, M. D., physician and surgeon in the city of Hillsdale, is one of the younger of the profession in Hills- dale County, of which he has been a resident since the spring of 1885. An Ohio man by birth, he first ^ i 644 ~ ^^ m 4» HILLSDALE COUNTY. opened his eyes in Huron Count}% Aug. 10. 1860, and istbe son of George and Julia (Wood) Sawyer, both of English descent. George Sawyer was reared a farmer's hoy, and followed this pursuit the greater portion of his life. The parents are now residents of Grass Lake, Mich. Their family consisted of four children, of whom Walter H. was the eldest born. When eleven j-ears of age he came to this State with his parents, and entered the High School at Eaton Rapids, where he spent four years, and thence went to Grass Lake, in Jackson County, Mich., where he was graduated from the High School. Ho h.ad b}' this time deter- mined upon his chosen calling in life, and with this end in view entered Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, taking a full course in the medical department, being graduated with honors, and re- ceiving the degree of M. D. in 1 884. Immediately after his graduation Dr. Sawyer was appointed House Surgeon of the Horaeopathical Hospital at Ann Arbor, in which capacity he oper- ated one year. In the month of July, 1885, he came to Hillsdale, and opening his first office, entered upon the regular practice of his profession, in which he is fast building up a good business. He is a faithful student, has set his mark high, and is bound to succeed. Genial and companionable, he is in possession of the qualities most essential to success. In personal appearance he is of fine physique, and blessed with good health and a cheerful disposition, he has the best wishes of hosts of friends. ANIEL TIMMS, M. D. The subject of the following biographj' was born in Ox- ford, England, Nov. 28,1824. His parents, John and Ann Timms, with their family of five children— William, aged ten; Daniel, eight; Mary, five; John, three; and Caleb, a babe — left their native country and home in May, 1832, and took passage on a sailing-vessel across the great ocean, landing in New York City Jan. 30, 1832, after having been six weeks on the voyage. The Timms familj' first settled in Ontario, VV^ayne Co., N. Y., and lived there four years, during which -<^ time there was added to the family another daugh- ter, Belana. They then resolved upon a change of location. and, fitted out with a team of horses and a wagon, made their way overland to this county, settling in the wilderness of Wheatland Township, Oct. 20, 1836. To this place they had to cut their way for some distance, choosing their location one- half mile north of what is now Church's Corners, and which was named after the man who came with them, and who settled at that point. Many were the hardships and privations to which these courageous pioneers were subjected, but for these they were in a measure prepared. The}- built a house of logs, without floor or window, and then began the task of clearing a piece of ground large enough to put in a crop. In August, 1838, the father died, leaving the mother with her six chil- dren, destitute of resources except those existing in the forest around her. She taught her children habits of industry, and mother and children worked side by side together, until in due time the land was paid for, good buildings were erected, and they began to realize the reward of toil and perse- verance. This farm is now owned by the eldest son, William. Daniel Timms, with aspirations for an education, at the age of eighteen years entered the school at Spring Arbor, where he attended one year, work- ing nights and mornings to pay for his board and tuition. The j'ear following he entered Albion Seminary, where he took a course, paying his ex- penses in the same manner. The next winter he went west to Rolling Prairie, where he taught school one winter. His mothei-, in bidding him good-b3', put in his hand the little all she had in money, and which amounted to eighteen cents, thus exhibiting a mother's devotion to her child in bestowing upon him all that she could. The next spring Daniel returned home, and entered a store in Hudson as clerk, but later, not being satisfied with his life hitherto, commenced the study of medicine, under the instruction of Dr. Hall, of that place. After following the prescribed course of study and lectures, he graduated with high honors at the Starling Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, in February, 1849, and later at the Oplbalmic School in New York City, in 1855. He was suhse- 1 ' HILLSDALE COUNTY. C4o qiiently for many years engaged in the active rlis- charge of llie duties of liis uhosen profession, tliat of surgery and medieinc. The practice of niedieiiie in the early histor3' of the county was no easy taslv, as tiie roads at times were almost impassable, and on luirseback, with pill-bags astride, or on foot, were the only ways that the i)Iiysician could reach liis patients. After several years' practice in the townships of liollin and Wheatland, Dr. Timms removed to Moscow Plains, where the last years of his life were devoted to farming, iu which he was successful, and surrounded himself with an abundance of rural comforts. On the 3d of July, 1849, Dr. Timms was married to Miss Sarah A., eldest daughter of Hon. Azariah Mallory, of Mosetow, the latter, one of the early pioneers of that town, having settled there in Junei 1837. With this lady he lived in the most pleas- ant and happ3' conjugal relations until his death, which occurred suddenly from paralysis of the brain, at the old home in Moscow, Oct. 27, 1882. He left his widow and an adopted ton, Frank M. Timms, who is now associated with Mallory Bros., of Chicago. III., and who mourned him greatly, together with many other near relatives, and a large circle of warm personal friends. As a citizen, Dr. Timms was prominent in all public and charitable enterprises, having filled many offices of trust. He served as President of the Agricultural Society two years, and w;is thoroughly imbued with the spirit of our Republican institu- tions, being fearless in his denunciation of wrong and oi)pressioi), and foremost in every good cause that came within his province, for public and private welfare. He was a strong advocate of temperance, and his large, active sympathies made him a firm friend, ever ready with cheery encour- agement, frcepiently i)roffering tangible aid and assistance that most men would wait to be asked for. As a husband and father he was without fault, in every sense a good man in his household, the hospitalities of which he dispensed with a willing hand, as all can testify who have ventured within its precincts. Few men were better known in the county, and but few who have gone before are more regretted or more greatly missed in the works and walks of life. That the wife and son were not alone in their sorrow, was plainly evinced by the large concourse of [leople assembled at the funeral from near and far, thronging the house and yard of the residence, where the services were held by the Rev. E. W. Childs, of Jonesville. The Doctor was buried in the cemetery near his home, in Moscow Plains. ANFORD D. HOPKINS, a retired farmer in easy circumstances, and now a resident of North Adams, was born on the Dtli of January, 1817, in Bergen Township, Genesee Co., N. Y., and was the eldest child of Joseph and Cloenda (Blair) Hopkins, who were natives respectively of New Hampshire and Ver- mont. 'J'hey were married in the Green Mountain State, whence they emigrated a short time after- ward to Western New Y'ork, where the mother died in Genesee County in 1825, at the early age of thirty-one, leaving three children, one of whom is deceased, and the other resides 4n California. Joseph Hopkins married for his second wife Miss Abigail Staple, and there were born five children, one of whom is living and now resides in Wheat- land Township. The mother of these died about 1847, in New Y^ork. The third wife of Mr. Hop- kins was formerly Mrs. Charity ].,oomis, and they had no children. Joseph Hopkins died in Wheat- land Township, in this county, on the 17th of June, 1850, while on a visit to his children, at the age of fifty-eight years. The subject of this biography spent his boyhood on the farm, where at an early age he was taught to make himself useful. His education was chiefly carried on during the winter season. After reach- ing his majority he started overland for the Terri- tory of Michigan, arriving in Hillsdale County in the fall of 1 838. His first business was to secure a tract ofland, upon which he settled, and of which he is still the owner. His next important step w.as to secure a wife and helpmate, and a year later he w.as united in marriage with one of the most estimable young ladies of Delaware County, Ohio, Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Aaron and Hannah (Carney) Moore. Both her father and mother had l)een previously married, each being the parent of seven children. ■<•• 64G HILLSDALE COUNTY. •t They thus corainenced with a family of fourteen, to which there were in due time added three more, of whom Elizabeth was the youngest. Mr. Moore was a farmer and slioemalier combined, and spent his entire life in Kew \oik Slate, passing away at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. The mother subsequently made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Hopkins, and died in 1857, aged eighty-one. The wife of our subject was born Dec. I(i, 1820, near Palmyia, AVtiyne Co., N. Y., and her father being in limited circumstances, she commenced working out, earning her own living, during which time she made the acquaintance of her future hus- band. To Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins there was born one child onl3-, a daughter, Martha, who is now the wife of Amasa Chnndkr, of Somerset, this count3', and is the mother of two children — Ludd and Jay. The elder was reared by his grandfather, married Miss Ida Aldrich, of Somerset, and at present is operating his grandfather's farm. Jay lives with his father at Somerset, Mich., where he married Miss Amanda McCurdy, and is the father of one child. Mr. Hopkins in 1860 was elected Supervisor of SomeJBet Township, which office he held for a period of ten years, with credit to himself and satis- faction to all concerned. Previous to that time he served as Highway Commissioner a number of j'ears. In the spring of 1874 he withdrew from the Republican caucus as candidate for Supervisor, preferring some other man should assume its re- sponsibilities. He always maintained a lively in- terest in the various enterprises which naturally followed as the result of thesettiing up of a county, served as a Director of the Farmer's Insurance Company, and also on the committees of the county fair for many years. During the late Rebellion he was eminently useful in gathering together needed supplies for the soldiery, and in upholding the principles of the Union and freedom. Mr. Hopkins holds the title deed to four farms, one of which he has presented to his grandson. At one time he was the owner of 600 acres, mostly in Somerset Township, this county. The farm given his grandson was 150 acres. He owes his success in life to his untiring industry, strict attention to business, and rigid economy. He has been prompt < 9» always in meeting his obligations, and thus gained the esteem and confidence of the people around him. His homestead is not only a credit to himself, but an ornament to the surrounding country, and will stand as a monument of his perseverance and industrj' 3- ears after he shall have passed awaj'. Our subject has given to his half-brother anil grand- children over 111,000 to date. \¥)OHN FITCH, a reputable and progressive farmer of Pittsford Township, now owns and occui)ies the old homestead which his father cleared from the wilderness. He was born in Wright Township, on the seventy-sixth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, while his father, Patrick Fitch, was born in County Cavan, Ireland, and there grew to manhood. Hoping to improve himself in this countr3', the father of our subject started out for himself at eighteen j'cars of age, and arrived here a stranger in a strange land, and without money. He first settled near Rochester, N. Y., and engaged to work on a farm. He was industrious and economical, and saved a good portion of his earnings, until at length he considered he could venture to buy a farm of his own. He accordingly started for the West, where land was cheap, with a view of securing a home, and about 1847 arrived in Michigan, first stopping at Adri.an, where he remained some time, and then purchased the land upon which our subject now resides. It was heavily timbered, without any attempt at improvement, and the family took a vacant log house near the line of Wright Township, in which they resided until the3' could build a similar log cabin on their own place. They were employed, as were all pioneers of the da3', in sub- duing nature, cutting down trees, clearing the land, burning the stumps and roots, and bringing it under cultivation, while turke3-s. deer and small game were i)lentiful, and afforded a liberal supply of meat for family use. Breadstuffs they must have, however, and as they had no land cleared on which they could raise grain, Mr. Fitch worked out for a time, by the day or month, to provide that staple n ■<*• A 4 HILLSDALE COUNTY. 647 article of food. At the end of two ^'ears lie ix'tunied to Adrian, where lie spent the next two years, and once more look up his residencn- ii|)()n iiis land, from which he improved a good farm, and resided there until his decease, .Inly 31, 1877. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Galloway, was also a na- tive of Ireland; she still survives, and lives with her daughter in I'ittsford 'J'ownship. They were people of sterling character and industrious habits, and their cliildren, and their childrens' children of to-day, have just cause for revering tlieir memory and their deeds, and helping to cherish and preserve and hallow them. The parental family of our subject included three children, who are recorded as follows: Mary A. became the wife of Devello Smith, and lives in Morenci; John w.as the second child in order of birth; Catherine became the wife of A. H. Bark- way, and lives in Pittsford Township. John lived with his parents until he was twenty-four years of iige, and then removed to Blisstield, and engaged in making staves. After a short time he went to Ohio, and followed this trade in different cities in that .State, remaining for a period of two years. He then returned to Michigan and spent two years in Jackson County, after which he went to Slieboygan, Wis., and was engaged in the lumber trade until 1 882. He then returned and settled on the old home- stead in Pittsford Township, where he has since been engaged in the successful prosecution of his vocation. Our subject was united in marriage, June 9, 1882, with Miss Emma J. Wakefield, who was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and is the daughter of Samuel S. Wakefiehl, a native of Vermont. Her grandfather, Gilbert Wakefield, was, it is thought, a native of England, and coming to America, settled in Vermont in its early history, and there spent the remainder of his life. The father of Mrs. Fitch removed to New York State vvhen a young man, and continued to reside there until 1866, when he migrated to Michigan and located in Charlevoix County, among its early pioneers. The greater part of the land was still owned by the Government, and he selected a homestead one .and one-half miles from the present site of the beautiful city of Charlevoix. This laad he has improved into a fine farm, and still resides there, enjoying the creature comforts which a life of industry and frugality has gathered around him. The maiden name of the mother of Mrs. Fitch was Margaret Ferguson ; she was born in Canada, and is the daughter of Daniel and Christiana (Cameron) Ferguson, natives of Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Fitch have been blessed l)y the birth of one child, whom they named Margaret Elizabeth. The parents are members of the Catholic Church, while in politics .Mr. Fitch is found in the ranks of the Democratic party. ON. WILLIAM R. MONTGOMERY. The I) personal traits of the original settlers of New England and the Northern Atlantic States were in very many ways remarkable. They were men who not only dared to have ideas, but they dared to advance and maintain them, and to face the logical results of such a course. They were men who regarded their honor and their lib- erty more than gold or bodily comfort, and more than even life itself. They were active in the cause of liberty, freely giving of their substance and of their blood to maintain what to them was dearer than life, and which has proved a legacy to their descendants that is the envy and admiration of the world. Their children's children of to-day have just cause for revering their memory and their deeds, and helping to cherish and preserve them, for by their constancy and patriotism through doubts, dangers and difficulties, their independence was secured, and a National prosperity unprecedented has sprung up, which demands further words of honor and reverence. So let the families hand down to the unborn gcner.itions the deeds of patriotism of their fathers. Hon. William R. Montgomery, attorney -at-law of Hillsdale, is a descendant of these heroes, and was born in the town of Bath, Steuben Co., N. Y., on the 12th of March. 1813. His father, Harvey Montgomery, was a native of the city of Philadel- phia, Pa., where he was born Oct. 8, 1789. He removed to Rochester, N. Y., and there married Mary Eleanor, daughter of Col. Nathaniel Roclies- I T ■<^ ■•► 648 HILLSDALE COUNTY. ter, the founder of the city of that name. Mr. Rochester was born in Virginia, Feb. 21, 1752, and came of an old English family, which dates its genealogy back to the year 1558. The Jlontgoni- ery family are the descendants of an old Scotch famil3'. and can trace their genealogy back almost 1,000 years, to the year 900. After his marri.ige Harvey Montgomerj' settled in Rochester, N. Y., where he followed the occupa- tion of a miller, and owned a large flouriug-inill in that city. Their family consisted of twelve chil- dren, all (^f whom grew to mature years, and settled in life for themselves. Late in life the father re- moved to Detroit, Mich., where he spent the remain- der of his days, passing away in 1869; the mother had preceded him to the silent land twenty years, dying in 1849. The subject of this notice is the eldest of a fam- ilj- of twelve children born to his parents, and passed his boyhood in Rochester, N. Y'., attending the pub- lic schools until ten years of age. He then entered a private school, where he remained until his admis- sion to Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y., where he completed his studies. He then became a student in the law ollice of Ford & Rochester, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1835, in the city of New Y'ork, and jiracticed his profession in Roches- ter for a period of nine years. He there was made City Clerk, and carried on his practice in connec- tion with that office for three years. In the spring of 1844 he came to Hillsdale County, and settled in the township of Camden on a farm, and the fol- lowing year he was united in marriage with Miss Amanda M. Mills, of the town of Grace, Monroe Co., N. Y., having gone back to the East for that purpose. After their marriage they returned and settled on their farm, but Mr. Montgomery was soon called upon to mourn the loss by death of his loving wife, who died in 1849, leaving three chil- dren, who are recorded as follows: Harvey, mail agent at Corpus Cliristi, Tex. ; Thomas C. is station agent, at Hillsdale, for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company, while William R. is Supervisor of Adams Township, and a farmer by occupation. Mr. Montgomery was a second time married, in 1851, to Lj'dia Rosamond Moltroup, by whom he had four children, as follows: Edward M. is clerk in a railroad office at Chicago; Lillie is at home; Mary K. is a clerk in the office of the Register of Deeds, while Rochester M. is at home. Hon. William R. Montgomery is a man prominent in the councils of his fellow-townsmen, unswerving in his adherence to what he believes to be the right, modest in advancing his ideas, hut firm in estab- lishing and maintaining them. Unselfish in action, and with constant regard to the wants and feelings of others, he has secured a place in the confidence and esteem of the community second to that of no other public man. As evidence of this esteem and confidence, Mr. M. has received many of the most important offices in the gift of the communit3', and has discharged the duties of these offices in ever^' case entire!}' satisfactorily. He was elected Super- visor of Camden in 1850, and .again in 1852, while he became a member of the Legislature in 1851. He was Register of Deeds from 1855 to 1858, and again from 18G9tol873. He has been Supervisor of the city of Hillsdale for eighteen consecutive years from 1861, and Chairman of the Board of Super- visors fifteen years. Politically, in early life Mr. Montgomery was an old-line Wiiig, casting his first vote for William Seward for President. He nat- urally fell into the ranks of the Republican part}- upon its organization, in which he remained until 1876. In 1880 he voted for Gen. Hancock, while in 1 884 he exercised his right of franchise in favor of G rover Cleveland. ^^jf^NDREW J. DICKINSON, deceased, will '@A-J|| long be remembered with respect and esteem by the citizens of Camden Town- ship, with whom he lived and labored so many years, uprightly treading the path of recti- tude, and working not only for the interests of him- self and family, but for the benefit of his adopted township and county. He was born in the town of Coventry, Chenango Co., N. Y., Sept. 23, 1836, and was a son of James and Maria (Atwood) Dick- inson, n.atives respectively of Pennsylvania and Connecticut. His i)arenls remained in the Empire State some years after marriage, but in 1845, with t u HILLSDALE COUNTY. 649 their family, removed to Branch County, this State, wiiere tlio}' located, and were among the earliest settlers of that locality. The subject of this Iirief biographical notice was scarcely nine years of age when he came with his parents to Michigan, and thus most of his edu- cation was obtained in the public schools of Branch County, wliere he grew to manhood and commenced his life work. Being a 3'oung man of industry, integrity and good habits, he experienced no dilfi- culty in gaining a position as a useful member of society and a business man of ability-. With the exception of a short time when he was engaged in carpentering Mr. Dickinson devoted his entire at- tention to agricultural pursuits, meeting with great success in that vocation. The marriage of our subject with Miss Amelia Field took place in Hillsdale County, .Jan. 26, 1867. .She is a native of New York, born in .St. Lawrence County, April 1 1, 1842, being a daughter of Hiram and Adelia (Burr) Field, both natives of New Y'"ork State. Her maternal grandfather, Rufus Burr, was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mrs. Dickinson's father was a soldier in the late Rebellion. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson four children were born, n.amely : Alva R.,EfIie L., Freddie L. and Germ E. A little more than twenl^'-five years ago Mr. Dickinson came to Hillsdale County and purchased the farm now owned and occupied b^' his widow, which he improved and brought under a good state of cultivation. He was an indefatigable worker, an► b "^- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 655 Iionesty and uprightness of clmiacter wiiich clistin- ijiiishcd tlu'ir liuiuirefl sire. In his domestic rela- tions Mr. 'rh.'ic'her was more tlian ordinarily foitunatc, iinving secured for his life companion a lady in every w.ay fitted for the counselor of a good Tnaii. Mrs. Thaelier as a wife and mother lias ful- filled her duties in a most creditable manner, and is held in the warmest affection by a large circle of friends. Her hands have ever been willing to assist the needy and distressed, and all her neighbors bear witness to her kindness of heart and her womanly virtues. ENJAMIN ISIOUTON, a retired farmer and carpenter living in Jefferson Township, on section 13, near the village limits of Pitts- ford, traces his first recollections back to the town of Mexico, in Oswego County', N. Y., w4iere his birth took place June 5, 1817. His parents, Jolin and Eunice (Aldridge) Morton, were natives of Mas.sachusetts, where the Morton family settled in Colonial times. Our subject has the impression that his parent* were married in Vermont, and he knows that they were the fifth family to settle in Mexico, N. V.,and where most of their twelve children were born. Two of these died in the Empire State; the others all came to the Territory of Michigan, in 1834. 'J'he year previous Benjamin and his father had jour- neyed hither to look the country over, and one of the ohler brothers had located in Washtenaw County in 1831 . John Morton, however, the father, decided to settle in Lenawee County, and in due time from the wilderness of Cambridge Township built up a good farm, and became one of its leading men. In the labors involved in this Benjamin took a leading part, being the principal .assistant of his father. In the meantime his schooling had been in nowise neglected, and being ambitious himself to learn, he had acquired a good knowledge of books, pursuing his studies some time after coming to Michigan. Ui)on reaching his majority' our subject returned to his native State, attended school one winter, and a few mouths later, Oct. 7, 1840, secured for his wife and- helpmate one of the maidens of his native State, Miss Louisa Smith, who was born in Will- iamstown, Feb. 19. 1819, and w.as, like himself, of New England ancestry. Mr. Morton after his mar- riage returned to Lenawee County, and on account of his natural genius in the handling of tools, and without seiving any apprenticeship, took up the carpenter's trade, and three years later located in Orand Rapids, where he pursued carpentering until 1851. Then, seized with the California gold fever, he made his way by water, and spent about two years on the Pacific Slope. At the expiration of this time he returned to Michigan, not much richer perhaps for his adventure, and after two years more of carpenter work, again crossed the Mississippi, locating in Henry County, Iowa, where we find him at the breaking out of the war. Mr. Morton now laid aside his personal plans and interests, and early in the conflict proflfered his serv- ices as a soldier of the Union army, enlisting in Company D, 4th Iowa Cavalry. He followed the vicissitudes of arm3- life about three j-ears, during which time his health was undermined on account of hardships, |)rivations and unsuitable food, and he was finally compelled to accept his discharge on account of disability, which developed mostly in disease of the heart. He receives a small pension. While Mr. Morton was in the service and ill in the hospital at Keokuk, Iowa, his wife left her home and went to nurse him, where he laj' for weeks able to help himself but little. After returning home, and in the spring of 1866, they moved back to Lenawee County, Mr. Morton purchasing a farm in Rome Township. In 1881 he sold out, and coming to this county secured his present property in .Jefferson Township. This originally consisted of fiftj-six .acres, a ]>art of which he has since sold for town lots as an addition to Pittsford. His home is most beautifully' located, and with its handsome residence and other conveniences for comfort and enjo3'ment forms one of the most attractive homes in this region. Mr. Morton, politically, -'votes as he shot." He was a Democrat when entering the army, and still continues a member of that partj'. He never swerved from his adherence to the Union, believing that it should be preserved .at all hazards. Relig- iously, with his estimable wife, he is a member in ••> J f <• •► m ^'^ 656 HILLSDALE COUNTY. 1) good standing of the Christian Church, and is in full possession of all the elements which constitute an honest man and a good citizen. He has watched with the interest which every intelligent citizen feels the growth and develo|)nient of his adopted county, and has been no unimportant factor in bringing it to its present position. He experienced trials and difficulties in his pioneer days, and is consequently thus amply fitted to enjoy the com- forts witii which he Is now surrounded, and which have been the result of his own industry and per- severance. _i_ ,^i^ YRON PERRY, who ranks among the intel- ligent farmers of Allen Township, took possession of the land which he now occu- pies in the spring of 1860, having ex- changed for it a farm in Hillsdale Township. He is now the owner of seven tj^-eight acres of good land, which through his wise management has be- come amply productive, and where he has effected good improvements, repairing the old buildings and putting up new, until the premises now form the picture of one of the most comfortable homes in this part of the county. Mr. Perry, a self-made man in the best sense of the word, commenced life for himself when a youth of seventeen, starting out as a farm laborer by the month. He was born in Cato, Cayuga Co., N. Y., ■ Feb. 7. 1832, and commenced life upon the farm of his father, who was killed by the fallingof a tree when he was a little lad five years of age. The father, Walter Perry, and his wife, Sarah (Sturgis) Perr}', were also natives of the Empire State, the latter born in Cayuga County. The mother contin- ued in her native State until after her son Myron came to Micliigan, then joined him here, and is now a resident of Adams Township, this count3\ Her little family originally included seven children, but there are now only a son and daughter living. The one child besides our subject is a resident of Adams Township. Mr. Perry, our subject, left his native county in the fall of 1852 and repaired to the vicinit}- of LaPorte, Ind., where lie lived one year, engaged jointly in farming and teaching. In 1853 he re- turned to Cayuga C'ount3', N. Y., where he remained until the spring of 1855, then coming to Southern Michigan settled first in Hillsdale Township, buy- ing a small tract of land. This he disposed of in the spring of 1860, as heretofore mentioned, and took up his residence in Allen Township. ' While a resident of LaPorte, Ind., Mr. Perry formed the acquaintance of a most estimable young lady. Miss Achsah Kean, to whom he was married in Valparaiso, that State, June 18, 1862. Mrs. Perry is the daughter of Zebulon and Hannah Kean, natives of New Y''ork, but now of Indiana. She was born in CortLand County, N. Y., March 20, 1837. Of her union with our subject there have been born seven children, who still consti- tute a family circle unbroken by the hand of death. The two eldest, Walter E. and Emma G., took kindly to their books o>o.-{c5v"v®"»*«' *«~- ON. ROBERT COX, of Wheatland Town- ship, an ex-member of the Michigan Legis- lature, a re|)resentative citizen, a thorough and skillful farmer, and one of the promi- nent and wealthy men of the county, spends most of his time at his fine homestead on sections 17 and 16. He first opened his eyes to the light at North Branch, Somerset Co., N. J., on the 30th of April, 1813. He is consequently now in the seventj^- sixth year of his age, but remarkably hale and active, the result of a splendid constitution and correct habits. The main jioints in a history of much interest are substantially as follows: The parents of our subject. Job and Nancy (Nesbitt) Cox, were na- tives of the same county ns their son, where the father, upon reaching manhood, engaged in the manufacture of road vehicles, including wagons and sleighs, until his removal to Cayuga Countj", in New York, about 1818. Possessing only modest means, he commenced in the latter place working by the day, and was thus occupied until 182U. when his attention was attracted to the Territory of Michigan, which was then holding out strong in- ducements to the 3'oung and enterprising emigrant. First locating in Lenawee County, he was employed by a wealth}' brother-in-law, Mr. McCollum. who had 400 acres of land, and with whom he continued until able himself to secure forty acres. Upon this he labored, as opportunitj' permitted, to prepare it for cultivation, and subsequently purchased twenty ■<^ 658 HILLSDALE COUNTY. acres more. Tbis property lie traded for a small farm in Jackson Count3% where, with his estimable wife, he took up his abode, and spent the remainder of his days, dying July 6, 1867, when sevent}'- three years old. The mother died at the age of seventy. Of their family of nine children, five are yet living, and residents of Michigan, occupied mostly in farming pursuits. Job Cox was a man of strict integritj', very decided in his views, and politically, a stanch Dem- ocrat. His boys, however, upon reaching manhood, became imbued with Republican principles, and finally succeeded in bringing their father over into the ranks of this party. He had, when a j'oung man, done good service in the War of 1812. Robert Cox continued a member of his father's household six months after reaching iiis nineteenth birthday, then asked his time of his father, but not getting a satisfactory answer, told his father he would take it anyway. So he started out, and commenced working by the month, and in due time had earned enough money to pa}' for eighty acres of land, which is now included in his present homestead. This purchase was made in June, 1834. The money, however, which he had earned by work- ing for his maternal uncle he never received, and was consequently obliged to enter land from the Government. He first took up forty acres on sec- tion 17 in Wheatland Township, and, after many disappointments and much difficult}', succeeded in raising the small sum necessary to accomplish his purpose. The money was finaDy given him by a rich old uncle, and the young man promised to pay it back in five weeks. It was but $18, but it was a large sum in those times, and under the circum- stances surrounding Mr. Cox. He paid it, however, promptly, to the surprise of the old man. Young Cox now entered upon the work of culti- vating his land, and also worked by the month for his neighbors, with one of whom he boarded, and in due time put up on his own propert}- a log house, the first structure of the kind erected in the space of a day in the township. He thus worked on his farm and for his neighbors, gradually improving his land, and getting together the implements most needed, in the meantime also not forgetting the establishment of the domestic ties which are of so much importance to a young man struggling alone, as it were, in a new country. The ladj' of his choice, and to whom he was married on the 5th of March, 1845. w.as Miss RoenaGragg, who was born in Coleraine, Mass., March 12, 1821, and came to the West with her parents about 1826. The young people commenced life together in a manner cor- responding to their means, and probably realized more genuine contentment and happiness tiian many who to-day set out on the journej- of life obliged to keep up with the fashions, and much of the time living beyond their income. As years passed by the homestead began to assume a more modern appearance, and the first primitive buildings gave way to a modern dwell- ing and good barns and outhouses. The little household was brightened by the birth of two chil- dren, the elder of whom, Corwin, was born Aug. 27, 1847, married Miss Mary E. Oakes, of New York State, and is now the father of three children; these latter are J. La Verne, boru Nov. 18, 1871; Charles R., Sept. 2. 1877, and Luella E., June 16, 1879. Lucia E., the second child of our subject, was born July 20, 1850, and is now the wife of E. W. Barnes, a prosperous farmer of Woodbridge Township; Mr. and Mrs. B. have one child only, a daughter, Myrtie R., born July 15, 1877. Mrs. Cox is the daughter of John and Alraira (Faulkner) Gragg, also natives of Massachusetts, whence they removed to New York State about 1825, and nine months later, in 1826, came to the Territory of Michigan, settling in Lenawee County. Mr. Gragg took up a quarter-section of Govern- ment land in Clinton Township, and from the wilderness constructed a comfortable and pleasant homestead, where, with his estimable wife, he spent the remainder of his days, they dying at the ages of eighty-one and eighty-two years respectively. Mr. Gragg was a very intelligent man, fond of reading, and well informed upon matters of gen- eral interest. The parental household included eight children, three of whom are now living, and resi- dents of Michigan. Mr. Cox served as Justice of the Peace four years, declining a second term. He was then elected Highway Commissioner, which position he held for a period of fourteen j'ears, and in 1860 was chosen ■*► '<- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 659 to represent the Thirrl District for three sessions in tiie Cieneral AsseinMy of the State. While in dis- cliarge of his duties at the e.ipital he vas i laced upon various important committees, and was one of tiic most active workers in the interest of the people of his countj'. He has imbued his son with his own Repul)Ucan principles. Various mem- bers of the Cox familj' during the late war did good service as Union soldiers. The homestead of our subject is one of the most attractive and valu- able in the county, where he carries on general farming and stock-raising with excellent results, and bears the reputation of being a most thorough and skillful agriculturist, besides an honored and valuable citizen. ws i ARD HAMBLIN, a worthy farmer and a d citizen of Hillsdale County, success- lly engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 2 of Allen Township, is a native of New York, having been born in the town of Fenner, ISIadison County, Sept. 27, 1836. His parents, Stephen D. and Phebe (Wilbur) Hamblin, were also born in Madison County, N. Y. They were reared in their native county, and after marriage continued to make it their home for several years. In 1 844, being desirous of taking advantage of the new farm- ing country being rapidi}- opened ui) in Michigan by enterprising farmers without an overplus of ready money, but with a largo amount of energy and i)erseverance, they removed with their familj' to this State, and settled in Jackson County, where they continued to reside until the death of Mr. H.amblin, April 18, 1880. The mother is still liv- ing on the homestead in Jackson County. They were the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters. Their son Ward, of this sketch, was about eight years old when he came to Michigan with his par- ents, and Jackson County, in which they settled, continued to be his home until his removal to Hills- dale County. He received his education in the common schools, and was re.ired to an industrious and self-reliant manhood. After becoming suffi- ciently well started in life to warrant such a step, -^ — Mr. Hamblin established a home of his own, taking for a life comi)anion, counselor and helpmate, a wife in the person of Miss Rebecca Wagoner, to whom he was united in Pidaski, Jackson County, Feb. 14, 1858. She w.as born in Homer, Calhoun County, this State, Jan. 31, 1840, her parents being William and Elizabeth (Kerr) Wagoner, who are now living in Butler County, Neb. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Hamblin h.is been blessed by the birth of three children, namelj': Adelbert, Emery and Eldora. Our subject h.as been a resident of Hillsdale County since the fall of 1 880, when he purchased his present place of residence, and removed hither with his family. His farm comprises 100 acres of rich and arable land, under a very good state of till- age, and yielding abundant harvests. He has a comfortable dwelling, and good barns and other out-buildings, which, together with the excellent management of his farming interests, bespeak the thrift and care of the owner. Mr. Hamblin, although a coinparativelj' new- comer in Allen Township, by his kindly spirit, neighborly courtesies, and fair and upright dealings in business transactions, has won the respect and esteem of the community. Socially, our subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is a sturdy Democrat, firmly and conscientiouslj- up- holding the principles advocated by that party. OBINSON HAZARD WHITHORNE, one of the honored pioneers of Hillsdale County, and the first Justice of the Peace within its ^ boundaries, was born in Newport, Herkimer Co., N. Y., July 12, 1806. His father, Stephen Whithorne, was a native of Kingston County, R. I., where he grew to manhood, and then going into the State of Vermont, was married in Wallingford, Rutland County, to Miss Phebe Dotj'. He re- moved with his family to New York State about 180.5, and was among the earliest pioneers of Her- kimer County. Stephen Whithorne in 1818 removed from Her- kimer to Monroe County, N. Y., and purch.ased a tract of timber land near the subsequent site of Perrinton, where he lived and labored the remain- • ^j it ^» A. ^^ 660 HILLSDALE COUNTY. der of his life. His son, Robinson H.,oiir subject, was a lad twelve years of age at the time of his removal, and completed the common-school educa- tion which had been begun in his native county. When not in school be assisted his father in clear- ing the farm and tilling tiie soil, but made the most of his opportunities for study, and developed into a teacher of excellent capacities at the early age of eighteen years. He taught first in Wayne County', and about that time the death of his father threw the principal care of the homestead upon his young shoulders. Upon the farm there was still an in- cumbrance, and three years later Mr. Whithorne decided to sell. He continued teaching in winter and farming the balance of the year until the spring of 183-t. On the 1st of May, that year, determined to seek his fortune elsewhere, he set out for the Ter- ritory of Michigan, proceeding via the lake to Toledo, and from there on foot first to Adrian, and then to Bean Creek Valley. He made a claim of 120 acres, and walked to the land-office at Monroe for the purpose of entering it, then returned on foot to Adrian, and for a time hired out by the day. In the fall following he erected a log house on his land, which was constructed after the fashion of those times, with a shake roof and a chimney of eartii and sticks. The firejilace occupied the greater part of one side, and having no stove, his young wife did her cookhig before the blazing logs. They occupied this humble dwelling a few years, then moved into a more commodious residence across the road, and to the one which our subject now oc- cupies. Mr. Whithorne had purchased this piece of land a few years previous, and since the lime men- tioned has been a continuous resident there. He still owns, however, the tract which he took up from the Government, and still has the title deed bearing the signature of President Jackson. Mr. Whithorne was first married, in 1833, to Miss Mary A. M. Treadwell, a native of Perrinton, N. Y., and the daughter of Jesse and Thirza (Graves) Treadwell, who spent their last jears in the Empire State. This lad3' died at her home, July 25, 1870. On the 1st of March, 1871, Mr. Whithorne contracted a second marriage, with Mrs. Laura A. (Bennett) Powell, who was born in Mace- don, Wayne Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of Moses and Edith (Collins) Bennett, long since passed awa}'. Our subject has three children living, two sons and a daughter. The former, Myron H. and Julian C, are prosperous business men of Archi- bald, Fulton Co., Oliio; Thirza M. is the wife of Henry Howes, of Pittsford Township, this county. Mr. Whithorne taught school eight winters in this county, with gratifying success, and many of his pupils to-day reside in this locality, and regard liim with kindly feelings, as the faithful friend and instructor of their childhood days. He is of a genial and companionable disi)osition, a manalwa3's ready to oblige either friend or stranger, one who has conscientiously done his duty as far as his judg- ment guided him, and who has a large circle of warm frienils. 0~ AMP KELSEY. This gentleman, who is now living in retirement in the pleasant ' town of Jonesville, has been prominently identified with the business interests of Hillsdale County. He is a native of the good old New En- gland State of Connecticut, his birth taking place in the town of Salisbury, Nov. 13, 1810. His father, Elisha Kelsey, was born in Sheffield, Mass. He married Miss Lucy Camp, of Salisbury, Conn., and settled in her native town, which remained their home until her death. They were worthy people, and were held in the highest estimation by all in the community where they resiiled. After the death of his vvife Mr. Kelsey moved to Jefferson County, Wis., where he remained until death. They liad a family of six sons, all of whom grew up, although but two of them, Henry and Camp, now survive. Our subject was reared on a farm in the old town of his bii'th, and received an excellent education in the common schools of Connecticut, which State has always been famous for her institutions of learning. When he was about fifteen years of age he was ap- prenticed to learn the carpenter and joiner trade in Sheffield, Mass. He remained there until twenty years old, gaining in the meantime a thorough mastery of his calling, and becoming a very skilled workman. After comi)leting his trade he went to -•►■ ■•►-II-* HILLSDALE COUNTY. 661 Canandaigua, X. Y., where he was actively' engaged as a caipenter fur many years, hocv^minji very prosi)erous in his business, and placing himself among the leading men of that flourishing place. He greatly aided in building up the town, and erected many of the most commodious and costly public buildings in that vicinity. He held places of responsibility in the public affairs of Canandai- gua, and served as Village Trustee. He lived theie from 1832 until the spring of 1868, and for thirty- five j'ears paid almost exclusive attention to his work as a carpenter, but at the expiration of that time he relinquished his business and attended solel}' to his farms in that vicinit\-. In the spring of 18G8 Mr. Kelsey wound up his affairs in New York and came to Michigan, to make his home in Jonesville. He did not at first engage in any business, with the exception of loaning money for himself and other parties in the East. Subsequently he superintended the erection of the Jonesville Cotton Mill, which was completed early in 1872. He afterward established himself in the grocery- business in this town, in partnership with Mr. Buell, and they continued together for a year and a half, when he sold out his interest. In the seventies he, in companj' with his son, George H. Kelsey, opened a hardware store in Litchfield, this count}', although he continued to live in Jonesville. Mr. Kelsey was first niarried in Chatham, Mass., July 22,1833, to Miss Amanda P. Sawyer, who was born in Egermont, Mass., March 24, 1813, and was a daughter of Solomon Sawyer, of that State. Four children were born of that union: George H., Franklin C; Maria C, who died in infancy; and Maria A. George H. lives in Jonesville; he mar- ried Miss Mary Watrous, formerly of Elmira, N. Y. Franklin C, who died Feb. 22, 188G. married Miss Emma A. Griffith; Maria C. died March 20, 1842; Maria A. is the wife of Henry T. Carr, of Jonesville, formerly of Canandaigua, N. Y. Mrs. Kelse}' was a woman of superior intelligence and fine character, and her death in Jonesville. Sept. 28, 1879, was mourned by a large circle of friends. Mr. Kelsey's second marriage, June 14, 1881, in Jonesville, was to Mrs. Elizabeth Whipple, daugh- ter of Jeremiah and Sarah (Scamans) Mathewson. By a former marriage Mrs. Kelsey had three children : Lucina S., the wife of Charles A. Wilson, of Providence, R. I.; Albert M., who .also lives in Providence. R. L; and E Hie H., who lived to be eight years of age. Ml-. Kelsey is a man of keen insight, much strength of character, and his integrity is unques- tioned. By energy, sound judgment, and able financial management, he has acquired wealth, so that he is eimbled to spend his declining years free from the cares and vexations of an active business life, and he and his excellent wife enjoy all the com- forts of a well-appointed home, surrounded by a large circle of friends, by whom they are justly honored and respected. Mr. Kelsey is a stanch adherent of the Repub- lican party; he has never sought office, but it has been conferred upon him by the suffr.age of his fellow-citizens, who have honored hiin by electing him to the office of Trustee of the town. Besides owning property in Jonesville, Mr. Kelsey has a farm of 160 acres in Litchfield Township, and 180 acres ne.ar Battle Creek, Midi., and also owns farm lands in Wisconsin. JOHN FIELD. The subject of this biography is pursuing the even tenor of his w.ay on a snug farm in Pittsford Township, where he settled in 1872, and where he has accumu- lated a competency. A native of the Empire State, he was born near the town of Camillus, Onondaga County, J.an. 9, 1825. His father, Thomas Field, Wiis a native of Yorkshire, England, and his paternal grandparents, also of English birth and parentage, spent their entire lives on their native soil. Thomas Field was the only member of his father's family who came to America. This pilgrimage was accomplished about 1814, after he bad grown to manhood and had been married to Miss Elizabeth Liddle, also a native of Yorkshire. Their three elder children were born in England, and one child was born on the Atlantic before reaching America. Mr. Field settled in Onond.aga County, N. Y., through the solicitation of friends who had already located there, and first employed himself at what- ever he could find to do. As soon as possible he 1 ■ t 662 ~ ^ H ^1 HILLSDALE COUNTY. 4 purchased a tract of timber land, the cultivation of which he carried on as time and opportunity permitted, but the cash required for the various wants of the family had to be earned outside. During the construction of the Erie Canal Mr. Field became an employe of the company building it, and struggled on for several 3-ears amid hardships and ill-health. He lived in Camillus until 1837, theu sold out his possessions and purchased a home in the town of Lysander, where he resided until after the death of his first wife and after his sec- ond marriage. Mr. Field now removed to the vicinity of Sennet, in Cayuga County, where he purcliased a farm and spent the remainder of his days. He was the head of a famil}' of twenty-three children, being the father of fourteen by the first wife and nine liy the second. He was industrious, economical and per- severing, and as the result of his labors accumulated a good property. John Field was the seventh child of his father by the first marriage, and continued with him until reaching his majority, assisting in the labors of the farm. A year later he commenced working else- where, and when twenty-three years old had saved the snug sum of $200, which he paid toward the purchase of his father's farm, going in debt for the greater part of the purchase money. Two years later he sold out and purchased land near the town of Lysander, in company with liis brother. The next season he disposed of his interest in the prop- ertj^ to the latter and purchased a larger extent of land in the same township, assuming a debt of $6,000. Two years later, having a good oppor- tunity to sell, he availed himself of it, and purchased a smaller farm in Elbridge. In 1863 he also dis- posed of this property, and thereafter, during his stay in the Empire State, employed himself as a dealer in grain and produce. John Field, in 1865, came to this county, and for a year made his home with his brother in Wright. In 1866 he purchased a farm in Wright Township, which he occupied until 1871, then turned it over to the hands of a tenant, and purchased his present residence, two miles south of Hudson, in Pittsford Township. He still owns the farm in Wright Town- ship, and exercises a general supervision of its opera- tions. The land is in excellent condition, and the buildings rank with the best in this part of the county'. The marriage of John Field and Miss Maria H. Crossett was celebrated at the home of the bride in Elbridge, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Jan. 30, 1861. Mrs. Field was born in the latter county, and is the daughter of Newman and Mary (Rhodes) Crossett, who are still living. Mrs. Maria H. Field departed this life at her home in Elbridge, N. Y., Sept. 29, 1863. Mr. Field contracted aseeond marriage, with Miss Adeline Downer, April 26, 1866. This lady^ was born in Seneca Township, Lenawee County, Feb. 7, 1846, and is the daughter of Sawyer B. and Abi- gail Downer, a sketch of whom will be found on another page in this work. Of this union there are two sons living — Edgar K. and Herbert J., twentj'- one and eleven years of age respectively. Frank L., who was born Aug. 8, 1870, died on the oth of November, 1881. Mr. Field belongs to the Sec- ond Ativentist Church, and he and his wife are numbered among the best residents of Pittsford Township. HILLIP B. TABER, of Litchfield Town- ship, and numl)ered among its aged and highly respected citizens, was born on the I 1 far eastern coast, in the little State of Rhode Island, Feb. 11, 1810. He there lived until a young man twenty-five years old, and then, on account of failing health, sought the climate of Southern Michigan. The experiment piovingvery satisfactory, he resolved upon permanent settlement, and laid his plans accordingly. He was one of the earliest pioneers of Litchfield Township, which has since been his home, and is an admirable illustra- tion of one of the many men who began life poor, and are now enjoying the fruits of their labors in a comfortable home, and surrounded by the pleasant things of life. Mr. Taber, among the people about him, is accorded that tacit recognition and respect which are jdelded involuntarily to those who have seen so many years and realized such a large experi- ence of life. Peleg Taber and his wife, Hannah Sisson, the *f -4«- ^t 4 HILLSDALE COUNTY. 663 parents of our subject, were, like their son, both natives of Ulio(1e Island, born in the town of West- port, where the father carried on his trade of black- smith until his removal to New York State, in 1837. He came to Michigan with his son, our subject, in 1843, and died that same fall at the age of sixty-five years. The mother accompanied her husband to the West, and died in Springfield, 111., at the home of her daughter, a number of years after the death of her husband, at the age of eighty- five. Their family included four sons and one daughter, of whom Phillip B. was the second child. His father being in limited circumstances, he re- ceived but little education, and at an early age was apprenticed to a carpenter, with whom ho served four years, receiving asalary of $35 per year, and at the expiration of his time found himself $200 in debt. He saw little prospect of being able to liqui- date this amid the circumstances by which he was surrounded — his ill-health; and the little oppor- tunity for a poor man to advance. These several things turned his steps westward, and he has never had reason to repent his course. He had here two brothers and three uncles, and purchased a one-half interest in a quarter-section of land in Litchfield Township, for which they were to pay $700. His share was a wilderness upon which stood heavy timber, and the labor of clearing this and preparing the soil for cultivation was indeed no light task. He labored singly and alone until 1845, being then thirty-five years old, and concluded be would be justified in taking to himself a wife and helpmate. He was accordingly- married to Miss Ellen Ames, who is the daughter of Anson Ames, who, with his wife, came from Vermont to Michigan in 1840, and spent their last years in Litchfield Town- ship. Our subject and bis wife commenced the journey of life together on a IGO-acre farm in Litchfield Township. In due time their household included six children, who are recorded as follows: Alinda is the wife of Frederick Ship, and the mother of four children — Arthur, Jay, Alice and Flora; they live in Eaton Count}'. Henry died when a promis- ing young man of twenty-three years; Wilber was married to Miss Cora Miller, and died at the age of twenty-seven years, leaving a widow and one child. a son, Albert; Cornelia is the wife of H. Fen ton, of Seipio, and has two children — Lazella and Caddis; Milo L. married Miss Jennie Brown, of Seipio, and remains on the homestead. Mr. Taber is the owner of 120 acres of good land, and politically, affiliates with the Republican party. He attended the first town meeting and the first election in Allen Township, which at that time included Litchfield Township, and was one of the three first Assessors of Litchfield, the other two being William Stevens and Horton Mann. -o*o..@y^>^^@-o*o- \f fOHN T. PAGE, Secretary of the Michigan Mutual Benefit Association, at Hillsdale, has his headquarters in this city, and has been connected with this company since the winter of 1887. A native of Erie County, Ohio, he was born Jan. 11, 1842, and is the son of Ansel and Harriet A. (Lewis) Page, who were natives of Vermont. The parents of our subject soon after marriage left the Green Mountain State, and cast their lot with the early settlers of Erie County, Ohio. In the little town of Milan, that count}'. Ansel Page conducted a hotel for many yeai's, and died there in 1884. Tiie wife and mother survived her hus- band two years, and passed away in the spring of 188(5, at tiie old home in Milan, Ohio. Mr. Page was next to the youngest of seven chil- dren comprising the parental household, all of whom are living and residents of the United .Slates. The early years of his life were spent in his native county in attendance at the district school, and he subsequent!}' entered Huron Institute, where he pursued his studies for a period of three years. Following this he became a clerk, and later a part- ner in the business of his brother Dustin, they operating together until 1861. John T. then took up his residence in Toledo, Ohio, as agent for the Grover *^®'fl'5**^"V/v~- ANIEL J. CONGER, who has been a resi- dent of Hillsdale for more than thirty j-ears. is a man well spoken of by all his neighbors as possessing the substantial qual- ities of character which constitute him one of the most reliable of citizens. He cast his lot with the pioneers of Hillsdale Countj' when a j'oung man twenty-one years of age, emigrating with his father from Genesee County, N. Y.. in the fall of 1855. With the exception of a short time occupied at merchandising and milling in the village of Litch- field, he has been a continuous resident here since that time. The subject of our sketch was born in Bethany, Genesee Co., N. Y.. Sept. 9. 1836. His parents, Jacob and Maria (Johnson) Conger, spent the early years of their life in the Empire State, but are now residents of Litchfield, this county. The home circle included eight children, three sons and five daughters, six of whom are living, and mostly residents of Hillsdale County. Our subject, who was the fifth child of his par- ents, continued under the parental roof most of the time until over thirty years of age, and was married on the 9th of December, 1866, to Miss Eliza, daugh- ter of William and Margaret (Jeffers) Wade, who were natives of Ireland. They emigrated to this country about 1844, settling in Litchfield Town- ship, where the father died in June, 1865; the mother resides in Litchfield, this county. Mrs. Conger was born Feb. 8, 1835, in Ireland, and was the second child of the familj- of her parents, which included two sons and six daughters. Of these all are living and located mostly in Hillsdale County. Mrs. Conger was two 3'ears of age at the time of crossing the Atlantic, and continued with her par- ents until her marriage. Her union with our sub- ject has resulted in the birth of one child only, a daughter, Alice May, who was born Nov. 9, 1867. Our subject purchased his present farm in April, 1883, and during his residence of five years upon it has effected decided improvements. It embraces 185 acres, mostly under a good state of cultivation, with substantial buildings, and the other appliances calculated for the comfort and convenience of the family and the prosecution of the ordinary farm work. Mr. Conger has had little time to devote to political affairs, but takes a genuine interest in matters pertaining to the welfare of the township, and uniformly votes the straight Republican ticket. He constitutes one of those solid factors in the community which, although making very little noise in the world, are still performing a very im- portant part in keeping the social fabric together, and upholding those principles which tend to its best welfare. -~- ^^^ <- BIATHAR PHILLIPS. The name of this gentleman properly oecupys a conspicuous place among the annals of Hillsdale County. He comes of substantial Scotch ancestry, being the son of Abiathar, Sr., and Hannah (R.anney) Phillips, who were natives of Massachusetts. He was born Oct. 27, 1774, she Nov. 1, 1782. After marriage they removed to Cattaraugus County, N. Y., where the mother died July 28, 1857, and the father on the 1st of February, 1863, when in the eighty-ninth year of his age. Their children bore the names of Esther, Eliza, Abiathar, George, Anna, Samuel, Harriet, William H., Charles II., Alonzo F., John P. and Jared. Six are yet living. The subject of this sketch was born Dec. 11,1 804, in Franklin County, Mass., and until a lad of eleven ye.ars attended school in his native township. His parents then emigrated to Ontario Countj". N. Y., and from there a few j'ears later removed to Catta- raugus Count}-, where they continued until resting i» u 666 HILLSDALE COUNTY. from their earthl.y labors. Both were members of the Presb3'terian Church for many j'ears. Abinthar, of our sketch, upon coming to this county in November, 1868, located upon eighty acres of^and, from which he has eliminated one of the finest farms in this section. In addition to tlie careful cultivation of the soil, which has yielded abun- dantly, he has also made a specialty of fine stock, in which industry he has been eminentl^^ successful. The wife of our subject, to whom he was married Jan. 17, 1861, was formerly Miss Amanda P. Ellis, who was born in Cattaraugus County, N. "Y., Dec. 17, 1839. Mrs. Phillips is the daughter of William L. and Amarilla E. (Barnum) Ellis, who were also of New England ancestry, the father a native of Massachusetts, and the mother of the State of New York. William L. Ellis died in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., April 27, 18C2. The mother is still living at the residence of her daughter in Allegan}'. N. Y. Of their three children. Amanda, Mrs. Phillips, was the eldest. One of her sisters, Martha M., is the wife of P'rederick Blackmore. of Worth County, Iowa; Mary J. married Joseph Blair, and con- tinues a resident of Allegany, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. To Mr. and Mrs. Phillips there were given four children, of whom the record is as follows: Wel- lington A. was born Feb. 13, 1862, and died April 14, 1865; Frank W. was born March 7, 1864, and married Miss Emma Gould, of Hillsdale County; he is carrying on farming in this county. They had one daughter, bom in June. 1887, and who died at the age of three months. Harry M. was born July 23, 1868. and assists in carrying on the home farm; Maj-, who vvas born Aug. 15, 1873, died on the 25th of October following. The parents of Mrs. Phillips were members in good standing of the Baptist Church. Our subject before his removal to the West was Supervisor of his township in Cattaraugus County for many j'ears. He is a stanch Democrat, politically, and notwithstanding his advanced age, is more active mentally and physically than many a younger man. His genial temperament, strict hon- esty, and excellent qualities as a man and a citizen, have conspired to bring around him a large circle of warm friends, and together with his excellent wife, he occupys an enviable position in his com- munity. Their pleasant homestead embraces a por- tion of section 21, and it is noticeable on account of the neatness and order which prevail, and the evident care with which the farm has been managed in all its details. f 38^ ^OHN McDOUGALL is an enterprising and able farmer and stock-grower, living on sec- tion 8, Woodbridge Township. He was '^^Jj born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Jan. 1 1 , 1853, and is the son of James and Agnes (Boj'le) McDougall. natives of Scotland, who emigrated to this counti'y and settled in Ohio, where Mr. McDou- gall was prosperously engaged in farming until his removal to this township in 1858. (For further parental history see sketch of James McDougall on another page). Our subject received his education in the common schools of Hillsdale County, and was occupied with farm work in the intervals of attendance at school until he was nineteen 3'ears of age, when he went to work by the month and year for himself. He started out to obtain employment in the stone quar- ries of Ohio, and worked there three summers, and by his hard an<72 John Crommer set out for California in the wake of some of his sons who had preceded him to the Pacific Slope. His family never saw him more, as he died there in January, 1K73. His wife, the mother of Mrs. Cooper, was formerly Miss Ruby Howard, a native of New York State, and the daughter of Daniel and Esther Howard. .She also died in California some years after the decease of her husband, on the 2olh of January, 1857. To Mr. and Mrs. Cooper there have been born four children, three now living: Mary P., Mrs. Pettit, is a resident of Ransom Township ; Darlej' Brooks is farming in Wright Township; .lohn C. married Miss ^Martha A. Stump, .and is carrying on .agricult- ure in Ransom Township; Jasper, the second chilil, died in the sixth year of his age. Mr. Cooper dur- ing the late war enlisted on the 22d of August, 1862, in Batterj' I, 1st Michigan Light Artiller3', and served until February, 1864, when he was compelled to accept his discharge on account of disability. In the meantime he had met the enemy in various engagements, the most important being the battle of Gettysburg, from which fortunately he escaped without injury. fe>«^a«i5iB6 Mr. Rowlson was appointed by Gov. Alger a member of the Board of Control of the State Reform School for six years, of which board he was also elected President. Considering his labors for, and his interest in, the success of his part}-, it was quite natural that he should be chosen as Secretary and Chairman of the Republican County Committee, and he also served two terms on the Republican State Committee. The marriage of Harvey B. Rowlson and Miss Margaret A. Vandenbergh, daughter of one of the pioneers of Hillsdale County, occurred July 31, 1848. Mrs. Rowlson was born Oct. 9, 1829, in Clay, Onondaga Co..N. Y. Her parents, Cornelius and Maria Vandenbergh, were natives of Albany, N. Y., and now deceased. To our subject and his wife there were born two sons and one daughter, namely: Stephen C, Charles H., and Jennie A., wife of Charles F. Reed, residing in Detroit. The home of Mr. Rowlson is pleasantly located on West street, where he and his estimable wife have gathered about them hosts of friends, and where often in kinillj- intercourse thej' review the events of years gone by, comparing the early settle- ment of Hillsdale County, its primitive scenes, its struggles and difficulties, with its present prosperous condition, and silentlj noting with satisfaction the result of the labors of those who came to the Terri- tory of Michigan and assisted in its remarkable transformation from a wilderness to an intelligent and highly prosperous commonwealth. The following is taken from the Detroit Journal of May 17, 1888: "Harvey B. Rowlson came to Michigan when young, and is as good as any native — better than some. In 1843 he took Satanic orders in Adrian, and served as the office "devil" for the Adrian iVe!rs, and when it removed to Hillsdale and became the Hillsdale Gazette. Rowlson went with it. He lias been there ever since. In 1 846 Rowlson and S. D. Clark started the Hillsdale Whig-Standard, and in 1851 Mr. Rowlson became sole owner of it, and has been at the tiller ever since. When the Whig party went out of commission Mr. Rowlson was a member of its Slate Central Committee, and has never yet been discharged. He was one of the original "come-outers" who founded the Republican party "under the oaks" at Jackson, and has been of the stalwart persuasion every hour since then. He has been County Treasurer, a member of the Legislature (in 1869), was for years Collector of Internal Revenue of the First District of Michi- gan, then composed of four counties, with head- quarters at Detroit — subsequently Wayne County became a separate district, and Mr. Rowlson con- tinued as Collector for the district, to which other counties had been .added, and called the Third Dis- trict. Eventually the district was further enlarged, until he had fifteen of the heaviest counties in the State in charge, and Michigan never had a more efficient United States officer in her borders, or a more honest one. Atone time Mr. Rowlson w.as con- nected with the Detroit Post for a time as business manager, under the Carl Schurz regime, but no one has ever laid that up against him. Gov. Alger ai)pointed him a member of the Board of Control of the State Reform School Board, and he brings to tliat work the same calm, deliberate, horse- sensieal methods that have made him respected and happy. He does not get rattled, is a stayer with a tenncious grip, is a Mason and Odd Fellow, a good fellow, and lives a clean, honorable life, is a flrst- rate newspaper publisher, and the father of a fam- ily that does him credit. It is with i)leasure that we present the portrait of Mr. Rowlson in this connection. i-^«/-^ -^ ^i^: ylLLIAM CARTER. Southern Michigan received from the New England States a large part of that sturdy element which has been such an important factor in subduing nature. ■•► t -4^ i IIILLSDALK COUNTY. G81 and developing the houndless resources of this sec- tion of countiT, and it is reniariied that their descendants are characterized by that iiccn [XTcep- tion and promptness and energy in execution which distinguish tlie original settlers of those States. If, as is generally believed, heredity and environment have much to do with the formation of character, and that our lives are afTected by the immediate or indirect influence of our ancestors, a short sketch of the lives of Mr. Carter's parents may serve as the index to those liberal and humane impulses which mark the daily life of Mr. Carter, and iiave won for him the esteem of those who know him. Our subject is a prominent and suc- cessful representative farmer, located on sectioil 28, Adams Township. The parents of Mr. Carter, William and Jane (Stewart) Carter, were natives of New England, where the father was born near Hartford, Conn., and the mother in New York. The father was a soldier in the War of 1812, assisting in maintaining the riglits of hii country during that struggle, and afterward removed to the Empire State, where he re- sided for some time. Not being entirely satisfied with his prosi)ects in that section, he resolved to try his fortune in the West, and accordingl}-, following the "Star of Empire," he joined the procession moving in this direction. He came by a common pioneer convej'ance, consisting of two yoke of oxen, and a wagon in which were his family and his earthly possessions. Halting in Ohio, he took up a tract of land in l,orain Count}', and was closely connected with its pioneer history. His energ}' and enterprise soon gave him prominence in the affairs of the county, and he assisted materially in its develop- ment, securing for it educational advantages, and giving counsel and more tangible assistance to those who came after him. Some fourteen years subse- quently they removed to Sandusky County, in the same State, but after a short residence there, they came to Lenawee County. Mich., settling in RoUin Township, where they resided until the death of the father in 1873, at the .age of seventy-six years; the mother had died many years previously, when their son William was very young. The parental family of our subject included five children, two sons and three daughters, of whom AVilliam, who was the youngest, w.is l)0rn Jlarch 12, 1826. His boyhood was spent on the farm in Ohio, where he was reared to agricultural pursuits, at the same time receiving such education as was to be obtained in the district school near his home. He remained with his parents, becoming inured to toil, and receiving those practical lessons which have stood him so well since he went abroad to battle with the world ff)r himself. The first im|)orlant event in the life of our sub- ject was his marriage, March 18, 1851, with Miss Anne H., daughter of Stephen and Sarah (Good- rich) Ferguson, natives of Livingston Count}', N. Y. After her marriage her parents settled in that county, but shortly afterward, in 1827, removed to Huron County, Ohio, and were among the pioneers of that county. The father engaged in the cultiva- tion of the soil, but did not live to realize his hopes or reap the fruit of his labors, being removed by death in 1833, when in the prime of lile; the mother died in 1850, when forty -seven years of age. They became the jjiirents of three children, one son and two daughters, of whom Rft's. Carter, the youngest child, was born Aug. 29, 1832. She was deprived of the counsel and care of her father in infancy, and as soon as her services could be utilized she was thrown upon her own resources, working out among the neighbors. Her opportunities for re- ceiving an education were necessarily circum- scribed, being limited to irregular attendance at the district school, but she was naturall}' bright and intelligent, while her earl}' training had made her self-reliant, and she has proved herself well able to bear her part in the sphere of life in which she has been called upon to act. Our subject and his wife have been blessed by the birth of five children — Fernando, Uodolpho, Ellister (deceased), Alvondo and Mary Lew. Fer- nando, a graduate of Hillsdale College, married Adela Sackett, and is a minister in the Congrega- tional Church, located at Grass Lake, Jackson Co., Mich.; Rodolpho married Miss Eva Knight, and is a mason and farmer of Adams Township; they have two children — Alice and Pearl. Alvondo and Mary Lew reside with their parents, and are pursuing their studies in the district school. Mr. Carter is the owner of 200 acres of excellent n 682 HILLSDALE COUNTY. land, which he has brought to a high state of culti- vation, and embellished with buildings adapted to the use of a farmer. His house, a convenient and commodious structure, is provided with all modern conveniences, and in all its appointments, even to its minutest details, shows taste, coupled with the means for its gratification. He has a herd of twenty- five head of high-grade cattle, thirteen head of superior horses, and a flock of forty thoroughbred merino sheep, at the head of which are two splendid specimens of that breed. In politics Mr. Carter is stronglj^ in sympathy with the Prohibition party, being himself a strictly temperance man. He is a member of Adams Grange No. 286, in Adams Township. Mrs. Carter made an extended tour through Central and Southern Cali- fornia by wa3' of relaxation from the labors of a long and well-spent life. She traveled in the com- pany of his sister, Mrs. Lucy Murphy, and spent an enjoyable and interesting time, returning, how- ever, to her old home with that feeling so pathetic- ally described by the poet, '-Beit ever so 'humble, there's no place lilte home." DGAR GOODRICH is a son of one of the pioneers of Pittsford Township, and was '; born in Willistou, Chittenden Co., Vt. He l)elongs to that large class of cultured and enter- prising people who came into Hillsdale County dur- ing its pioneer days from the New England States, and have been such imjjortant factors in developing to so high a degree the resources which nature has so generous! J' lavished upon it. This element of the population of Southern Michigan has not only contributed vastly in the develoiiraeut of the ma- terial resources of the State, until to-daj' it takes a front rank as a producing section of our country, but it has also stood as a champion of enlarged and increased educational facilities. George Goodrich, the father of our subject, was born in Wells, Vt., and there grew to manhood and was married. After marriage, he with his bride removed to Willislon, Chittenden County, and bought a farm, upon which he resided until 1836. On the 15th of November of that year, he collected E his eflfects,and started with his wife and five children for the Territory of Michigan, via Lake Champlain and the Champlain Canal to Troy, N. Y., thence by the Erie Canal to Buffalo, and on by lake to Toledo, where they hired teams to remove the family and their goods to the localitj- known as Bean Creek Valley. Mr. Goodrich had made a visit the year previously and had purchased 160 acres of land on section 14, in what is now Pittsford Township, and had made preparations for the reception of his family by the erection of a log house. In this house the family took up their abode, and it re- mained their residence until the decease of the father, June 22, 1850. During his residence in this township he had improved a fine farm, upon which he had erected good frame out-buildings, and had made preparations to erect a more commodious frame house, when his plans were frustrated by the "great leveler." The maiden name of his wife, the mother of our subject, was Clemania Lee, who was born June 16, 1790. After sharing in all the vicis- situdes in the life of the early pioneers, in which she nobly took her part, she departed this life Dec. 13, 1863, after exceeding her threescore years and ten. Edgar Goodrich, the subject of this notice, was but a child of five years when his parents removed to this countj', but he remembers well the incidents of pioneer life, which doubtless, coming from a part of the country whose environments were so differ- ent, must have made a strong impression on a young mind. The father's house was small, but he never turned the hungry away from his door; his latch string was always out and the wanderer was ever made welcome, while a bed would be prepared for him on the floor of the cabin, where the weary traveler might rest. Deer, wolves and wild turkeys, beside smaller game, were plentiful, while occasion- ally a bear might be encountered, and the pioneer's son ever willingly engaged in the duty of providing wild meats for the family larder. Thus growing up into manhood amidst such rugged and exhilar- ating scenes, and disciplined in the stern school of experience, our subject was prepared to meet every emergency with a steady and readj' hand. Nobly has he done his part in redeeming this county from its wild condition and making it to blossom as a HAh^_ *f u HILLSDALE COUNTY. 683 rose; the wigwam of the Indian has given place to the more than comfortable residence of the far- mer, and where wild animals roamed unrestrained are now fertile farms supplied with the finest grades of domestic animals. Our subject enjoyed the limited advantages for receiving an education afforded at that time, assist- ing his father as soon as he was able in clearing his farm, and he has continued a resident of the parental homestead. This farm he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and made very productive, laying a total of nearly three miles of tile for the purpose of drainage. He has erected thereon com- fortable and commodious buildings, and supplied himself with machinery that enables him to com pete successfully with the modern agriculturist, while his homestead is an object of attraction to all who pass that way. Our subject was united in marriage, in Novem- ber, 1871, with Miss Albina Kingman, who w.as a native of Shiawassee County, Mich., and is the daughter of William Kingman, who was born in York State, where his father, . I ustis Kingman, spent his last years. William Kingman was a pioneer of Shiawassee County, where he improved a farm, and subsequently improved another in Lenawee County-, in which he now lives in Morenci. The maiden name of his wife, the mother of Mrs. Goodrich, was Lucinda Coy. also a native of Shiawassee County ; she died in Lenawee County. Mich. Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich have been blessed with a family of seven children — Bertha, Elenora, Orson, Mar^s Jerome, Caroline and Jessie. In ])olitics Mr. Goodrich stands identified with the Democratic party, believing in its interpretation of the great questions of the day. ■"•p-ca/©^^ — M "•S!h§W73''.v T'IMRI D. THOMAS, Justice of the Peace in Hillsdale, has been prominent in the affairs ^ of this vicinity during most of his long resi- dence in Hillsdale County, with whose people he became identified in 18.")2. His native place is among the New England hills, he having been born in the town of Rowe, Mass., in September, 1809, and he is the only survivor of the five children of David C. and Abigail (Densmore) Thomas, also natives of the Bay State. The parents of our subject were of Irish and Welsh extraction, and when Zimri was about two years of age they removed from Massachusetts to Ontario County, N. Y"., where the mother passed awiiy when her son, our sul)ject, was four years of age. Himself and an elder brother were then taken btick to their native State, where our subject lived with his paternal grandparents until he was a lad of nine years. In the meantime his father had con- tracted a second marriage, and Zimri rejoined him in New York State, remaining under the home roof five years. He then started out for himself, work- ing on a farm and employing himself at whatever he could find to do until twenty years of age. At this time. May, 1829, Mr. Thomas was mar- ried to Miss Mary A. Sanderson, of Ontario County, N. Y., in which county they continued to live three years thereafter. Thence they removed first to Orleans Count}', and then to Niagara County, and finally crossed the St. Lawrence River into the Do- minion of Canada, where our subject engaged as a soldier in the war which was then pending, known as the Patriot War. In 1838 Mr. Thomas, with his little family, re- turned to Ni.agara County, N. Y., and in the rising young city of Lockport assumed the management of the American Hotel. This he operated three years, then took up his residence in Erie Count}', where he lived ten years, still acting as "mine host," and was Postmaster at Hamburg four years. In the spring of 1 8o2, deciding to seek the further West and to change his occupation, he came to this county and located on a tract of land which he purchased in Allen Township. During that year he disposed of his interests in the agricultural districts, and took up his residence in Hillsdale, which was then but a village. Here he has since made his home, and watched with lively interest the growth of this flourishing town. During his residence on his farm Mr. Thomas w.as elected a member of the Michigan Legislature, in which he served one terra. He w.as also a mem- ber of the County Board of Supervisors four terms, Highway Commissioner two terms, and Coroner of u JL 684 HILLSDALE COUNTY. Hillsdale County for a period of twentj- years. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1865, which office he has held continuously until the present time. From these facts it is a comparatively easy matter to judge of his standing among the people of Hillsdale County. Mr. Thomas by his first marriage became the father of five children: William W. is a resident of Hillsdale; Arvid 8. is operating a farm in Allen Township; Albert P. is practicing law in (South Haven ; Carrie E. is the wife of F. E. Hamlin, a well- to-do farmer of Allen Township; Adaline, the sec- ond child, married Emmet Williams, in the State of New York, and died about 18j6. The mother of these children died at lier home in Hillsdale in 1877. The present wife of onr subject, to whom he was married in September, 1878, was formerly Mrs. Ama J. (Fuller) Force, of Adams Township, who was born in June, 1823, in New York. Of this union there were no children. Mr. Thomas, socially-, is a Knight Templar and a member of Fidelity Lodge No. 32, and a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to Eureka Commandery No. 3. Politically, he affiliates with the Republican party, and has been a man who has always exercised a great influence in his community ; one who is noted for his sound and temperate judgment aud uniformly wise counsels. '^ ON. OSCAR A. JANES is a native of the State of Wisconsin, where he was born on (A\^ a farm near Janesville, Rock County, July (^ 6, 1843, and is the eldest of a family of seven children born to John E. and Esther (Bag- ley) Janes. John E. Janes was born in Grand Island, Vt., while his wife was a native of Brattle- boro, in the same State. While still quite young they came to the West with their respective parents, who were among the pioneers of the Badger State. After marriage the young couple settled in Rock County on a farm, on which they passed the re- mainder of their days, engaged in the peaceful occu- pation of farming. O.scar A. Janes passed his boyhood on his father's farm, and during the winter he attended the dis- trict school. The desire for learning there engen- dered was gratified by an attendance at the Milton Academy, where he pursued his studies about two years. He then came to Hillsdale, and entered the college with a view to the completion of his educa- tion, but his country was then in her hour of need, and at the end of the first term he abandoned his studies, and enlisting in Company K, 4th Michigan Infantry', as a private, served in the regiment until the battle of Petersburg, in which engagement he was wounded, losing his left arm. He was dis- charged in November, 1864, after taking part in the following-named battles: Wilderness, Spottsyl- vania, North Anna. Cold Harbor, and the first attack on Petersburg, besides other smaller engage- ments. On leaving the army he returned to Hills- dale College and completed his course, graduating in the class of '68. Mr. Janes then became a law student in the office of Gen. C. J. Dickerson, then Judge of Probate for Hillsdale County, and was admitted to the bar in 1871. Soon afterward he formed a copartnership for the practice of his profession with L. N. Keat- in"', which lasted three years, when his partner removed to Muskegon, Mich. The first official position held by Mr. Janes was that of City Clerk, which he filled acceptably for a term of four years. He was next elected Circuit Court Commissioner, which office he held for two terms, and also served as Aldernitin of the city two years. In 1876 he was elected Judge of Probate of Hillsdale County, which office he held two terms, eight years in all. In 1884 Judge J.anes was elected Secretary and Treasurer of Hillsdale College, which position he held four years, declining a re-election. He served two years on the staff of Gov. R. A. Alger, as Pay- master General. He has also been a member of the Board of Trustees of Hillsdale College for the past nine years, and is a member of Hillsdale Lodge No. 17, I. O. O. F. In the Grand Lodge of the State of Michigan he has held all the offices from Grand Conductor to Grand Master of the State, and is now a representative of the Grand Lodge of the United States. The Judge is also a member of C. J. Dickerson Post No. 6, G. A. R., of which he is one of the charter members, and has held all the offices of the ix>st. He was at one time ^' -U HILLSDALE COUNTY. -•»• 685 Department Commander of the State, and was made Inspector General of the G. A. K. of the United States in 1884. He is also a member of the K. of P., Hillsdale Lodge No. 45, and Past Chancellor of the lodge, and has held the position of District Deputy Grand Chancellor of the State. He was a prominent candidate before the State Convention for Auditor General of the State of Michigan, and came very nearly being nominated against H. H. Aplin, the present Auditor. Hon. Oscar A. Janes has been twice married. By his present wife he has one daughter, whom they named Mary K., and one son. Politically, Mr. Janes affiliates with the Republican party, and is a Stalwart. ^^' :i: 1^ mc : ON. ELISHA P. CHAMPLIN. Among the sagacious and enterprising pioneers of South- ern Michigan who played a conspicuous ^\ part in the settlement and development of Hillsdale County, and was also one of the first set- tlers of Lenawee County, no name is held in de- servedly greater reverence than that of the subject of this biography. He was a prominent figure in public life, and was closel3' identified with the busi- ness and agricultural interests of Hillsdale County after his permanent establishment here. He was a native of the State of New York, Greenfield, Sara- toga County, having been his birthplace, and June 25, 1798, the date of his birth. His father, Joshua Champlin. was a native of Rhode Island, but after reaching manhood most of his life was passed in Cayuga County, N. Y., with the exception of the hist ten years of his life, which he spent in Jonesville, where he died in the fall of 1842. His wife, whose maiden name was Hannah Howard, and who was a native of Rhode Island, died in Onondaga County, N. Y., about the year 1839. They had a family of eight children, three sons and five daughters. Elisha P. was the fifth in order of birth. He was reared on a farm until about eight- een years of age, when he became a clerk in the store of Nathan Muuro, at Elbridge, N. Y. While a resident of that place he was married, April 3, 1820, to Miss Harriet S. Gardner, who was born at Ft. Ann, Washington Co., N. Y.. Oct. 27, 1800. She is now residing with her daughter, Mrs. Grosve- nor. Her father was a soldier in the War of 1812. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Champlin re- mained in New Y''ork State until 1824, but in tiie spring of that year they came to Southern Michi- gan and settled in the forests of Lenawee County, in the township of Tecumseh, where Mr. Champlin engaged in farming for about two years. He then returned to Elbridge, N. Y'., with his family, and after residing there four years he came back to Micliigan, and again located in Tecumseh, remain- ing a citizen of that township until August, 1834, when he took up his permanent abode in Jones- ville, having first sold liis property in the former place. When he first came here he was interested in some mill property, in conection with the Hon. Levi Baxter, but he afterward disposed of his share. In 1837 Mr. Champlin established a mercantile business with George C. Munro, and they con- tinued together until 1842, when they dissolved partnership, and our subject conducted the business alone until 1844. He then retired from all active business, except the management of his farm and a small gristmill, which he owned until 1847. Sub- sequently he again became engaged in business in company with his son-in-law, Hon. E. O. Grosvenor, remaining with him for four years, when he was obliged to retire on account of failing health. His death, Feb. 20, 1855, was a severe blow to the com- munity, in which he had held a prominent place since his settlement in the township in its early history. His life was not a long one as measured by j'ears, but as measured by what he accomplished it was of great duration — an old poet has said: We live in deeds, not years ; in thoughts, not breaths ; In feelings, not figures on a dial. He most lives who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best. The widow of our subject, who was ever his de- voted companion and helpmate, and shared with hira the consideration in which he was held, is living with her daughter, Mrs. E. J. Grosvenor, at a very advanced age, though strange to say, she has retained her mental faculties to a remark- able degree, and iier home life is beautiful and h 686 HILLSDALE COUNTY. 4- l~ happy, pjleven children were born to them, two sons .ind nine daughters, of whom seven grew to maturit}'. The wife of the Hon. E. O. Grosvenor is the eldest child. She was horn in Auburn, N. Y., April 11, 1822, and was therefore quite young when her parents first came to Miciiigan. At the age of sixteen she was sent East to finish her education, and attended the West Poultiiey Acad- emy, in Vermont, and subsequently the Monroe Academy, at Elbridge, N. Y. The Hon. EJisha P. Champlin was a man whose stability of cliaracter and nobleness of purpose his fellow-citizens delighted to honor, and we find liis name often in the county and township records as an office-holder. In April, 1835, at the first town meeting held in Fayette Township he was elected to the offices of School Inspector and Roadmaster; lie was appointed Postmaster of Jonesville in ) 840, and held that position until 18-14. During the Black Hawk War, when he resided in Tecumseh, he was on the staff of Gen. Joseph Brown, as his aide with the rank of Major, and continued in the service for several months. He was twice elected to represent his district in the Lower House of the State Legislature, being a member of that body in the years 1837 and 1838, and he was returned to the State Senate by his constituents in 1840. €ALEB CLARK JOHNSON, M. D. This noted physician and surgeon of Hillsdale, like many of the profession.al men of this county-, is a native of the Empire State, and was born near the town of Clarkson, adjacent to Brock- port, in Monroe County, on tlie 1st of July, 1817. His father, Samuel W. Johnson, early in life had learned the trade of a tailor, which he subsequently abandoned for agricultural pursuits. Samuel W. Johnson spent his boyhood among the Catskill Mountains, in Greene County, N. Y., where his birth took place about 1795. He was the son of William Johnson, the offspring of an excel- lent old English family which crossed the Atlantic in the Colonial days and took up their abode in the town of Windham, Conn. From New England they emigrated to New York State during the pe- ■^ riod of its early history, and there became widely and favorably known. Samuel Johnson took for his wife Miss Marj', daughter of Col. Caleb Clark, who did good service in the command of a regi- ment during the War of 1812. Grandfather Clark subsequently settled in Clarkson, N. Y., where he spent his last daj's. The parents of our subject, after their marriage, took up their residence in the town of Clarkson, N. Y., of which they remained residents some eight or nine years. The father at first followed his trade, but later took up fa]ming, and from the first farm in Monroe County removed to another in the same locality, where the parents spent the remainder of their lives. Their household included eleven children, all of whom lived to mature years and ten survive — five sisters and five brothers. These are residents of New York, Michigan and Dakota. Dr. Johnson was the first-born of his parents, and spent his boyhood in his native county, attending first the district school and later Clarkson Academy. He began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. A. M. Leonard, of Clarkson, and subsequently was with M. B. Gage, M. D., of Churchville, N. Y. In the latter place he took a course in the Geneva Medical College, from which he was graduated in January, 1843. He commenced the practice of his profession in Orleans Countj', N. Y., where he con- tinued with efficiency and success for a period of twenty-one years. In the spring of 1864 Dr. Johnson resolved to change his residence to Southern Michigan, mostly on account of the educational facilities which might be given his children. After establishing his fam- ily comfortabl3' in the city of Hillsdale, he opened an office, and it was not long until here, as in his native State, he had all the business to which he could conveniently attend. In 1881 he was ap- pointed Pension Examiner by President Garfield, and has otherwise been prominent in county affairs, including the enterprises closely connected with the welfare of the people, morally, socially and educa- tionally. While a resident of Hamlin, N. Y., Dr. Johnson was wedded to Miss Julia Bates, at the home of the bride's parents, June 21, 1843. Mrs. Johnson was born March 16, 1820, in Kendall, Orleans Co., N. •• ^m 4 * \^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 687 Y.. and is the d.aug;hter of Capt. Henry and Sally- Hates, also of Kendall, tiic former of wliom was a farmer by occupation and died at the advanced age of ninety-four 3'ears. His wife, the mother of Mrs. J., died in 183.3. The Doctor and his wife became the parents of two children, one only of whom is living, Herbert Bates, a rising young attorney of Chicago. Julia Maj', who was born Oct. 21, IS.iO, was graduated from Hillsdale College, and died at the home of her parents in Hillsdale, Dec. 27, 1874. She was a bright .and promising young girl, the joy and pride of her parents' hearts, and in her death they suffered a most grievous affliction and had the deep sympathy of hosts of friends. Politically, Dr. Johnson, long a warm supporter of Republican principles, is also the advocate of Prohibition, although not quite ready to identify himself with the party. He served .as Alderni.an of the Second W.ard four years, and with his estima- ble wife is a member in good stanrling of the Free Baptist Church, of Hillsdale. He has been a close student and an excellent reader, and is prominently identified witii the Southern Michigan Medical Association. ViJOHN W. PEIRCE. This esteemed resident 11 of Allen Village made his way to this sec- ^.^1 tion of country in 1839. He was born in ^^ Penfield, Monroe Co., N. Y., Nov. 14, 1815, and lived there during his younger years, acquiring a fair education and becoming familiar with farm pursuits. Upon leaving his native place with his parents j'oung Peirce took up his residence in Chautauqua County, the same State, where he resided with his pai-ents until 1836, when about twenty years of age, then started for the West. He had at this time engaged his services to a farmer in Chautau- qua County to go to Yorkville, now Kendall County, 111. He drove two yoke of oxen attached to a wagon loaded with 1,800 pounds of butter. He passed through Allen on his way thither from New York to Illinois, and was six weeks making the trip. His journey safely accomplished, he remained in Illinois nntil the fall of 1839. when he retraced his steps to this county, and locating in Allen Township, has since made this his home. Mr. Peirce was the elder child of his parents, whose family included two sons. His father, Solon Peirce, was a native of Deerfield, Oneida Co., N. Y., and was born Aug. 4, 1791. His mother, formerly Miss Susanna Walker, was born Oct. 4, 1797, and is believed to have been a native of New England. After their marriage the parents settled in Penfield, Monroe Co., N. Y., where the father followed teach- ing, and where the mother passed from earth Aug. 28, 1 820, at the early Jige of twenty-two years. She left two children — John W. and Justus Walker, now deceased. Solon Peirce was the second time married, this time to Betsey Davis. They had one son and seven daughters, and removed to Warren County, Pa., where he followed his profession of teacher two years, and then returning to the Empire State settled in Chautauqua County, and in the town of Harmony resided, .and followed farming and tanght school until the spring of 183G. Solon Peirce, in the spring of 183(i, came to Michigan and cast his lot among the pioneers of Allen Township. This change of location rather necessitated a change of occupation, and now tak- ing up a quarter of section 31, in Allen Township, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. About the same time he also secured eighty acres of land in Branch County. He effected fair im- provements on the land chosen for his home in Allen Township, laboring there until his death, which occurred Jan. 21, 1851. Our subject upon coming to this county employed himself first at farming, and made his first purch.ase of land on section 16, in about 1843. He did not marry until quite late in life, and was then wedded to Miss Hansie L. Lake, their union being celebrated at the home of the bride in Allen Township, Jan. 19, 1859. They commenced life together in a modest dwelling on his farm in this township, and in due time the household circle numbered five children, of whom the record is as follows: Erastus L., the eldest, is engaged as a stenograi)her in Chi- cago, 111. ; Solon died in Allen Township when four years old; Arthur is living in Allen Township; Laura, the wife of E. A. Clickner, is also a resident 688 HILLSDALE COUNTY. ■*^^\ of Allen Township; and Erna remains at home with her parents. Mrs. Peirce was born in Chester, Warren Co., N. Y.. July 12, 1827, and is the daughter of Eras- ing and Erna Lake, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work. She is a lady of many es- timable qualities, and with her husband a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Erastus Lake is still living, and has reached the advanced age of ninety-four years, yet his mind is bright and active, and his memory remarkable. Mr. Peirce, besides his town property, owns 140 acres of the section which his father took up from the Government in Allen Township. He is a solid Republican, politically, but with the exception of filling a vacancy as Supervisor, has steadily avoided the cares of office. He identified himself with the Masonic fraternity in 1S69, and belongs to Lodge No. 152, at Allen. He has been a privileged wit- ness of the great changes occurring in Southern Michigan for the space of over Bfty-two years; he has rejoiced in its prosperity, and contributed his quota toward its development by his industry and good judgment as a tiller of the soil, and his career as an honest man and a good citizen. "ifJOHN GLASGOW, after a long and well- spent life, during which he has contributed his full quota to the development of Hills- dale County and to the promotion of the cause of morality in this commuuitj', has now retired from active life, and is passing the re- mainder of his days in the enjoyment of ease and a competency in Jones ville. The Glasgow family is of Scotch ancestry, as the name implies, and the father of our subject was born in the '-land of the heather" about 1778. The mother of our subject, who in her girlhood was Miss Jane Glasgow, was also born in Scotland, about 1783. After their marriage the parents settled in the North of Ireland, in County Tyrone, where they remained until their removal to America about 1848. Upon tlieir arrival in this country they proceeded at once to this county, where they settled in Jonesville, and resided there until their decease. Mr. Glasgow improved a farm, and lived to see the country considerably developed. During the year of his death the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad was built through Jonesville; his wife died about 1869. To the parents of our subject were born seven children, four sons and three daughters, of whom our subject is the fourth child in order of birth, and all lived to mature years. John Glasgow was born in Count}' Tyrone, Ireland, April 15, 1814, where he was reared to farming pursuits, and has followed that occupation all his life. Being dis- satisfied with his environments in that country, and hearing of the more favorable conditions under which farmers labored in America, where land could be bought so cheaply, he decided to try his fortune in the New World. Accordingly, in the spring of 1839, he bade good-by to his native Ireland and embarked for America. (His elder brother came to New York State in 1833.) Upon his arrival in this country he proceeded to Auburn, N. Y'., where he was employed by the month for about four years. A farm of his own was the ambition of our subject, however, and in August, 1843, he came to Hillsdale County, and settled in Fayette Township. Two years later he married, and settletl on a farm on section 7, where he continued to live until 1881, engaged in agricultural pursuits, and then removed to Jonesville. where he has since lived a retire.! life. At one time Mr. Glasgow owned 227 acres of land, which he has since disposed of, with the exception of eighty .acres. The subject of this notice was married first in Fayette Township to Betsey (Eddy) Hoagland, who was a native of Ohio; she bore her husband three ciiildren, and departed this life at her home in Fayette Township. Of the three children but one survives, Mary J., who is the wife of James Gould, of Wheeling, Mo. Mr. Glasgow was a second time married, in Moscow Township, to Miss Mary Sinclair, but she died in Fayette Township about 1872. Of this union there were born two children : Walter S., who married Dora Miller, and resides in Faj'ette Township, and Rose B., the wife of Cassius Clark, of Allen Township. Mr. Glasgow was a third time married, in Allen Township. Jan. 19, 1870, to Mrs. Mary A. (Bab- :^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. ^ii^K-* 689 bett) Howard, daughter of Dwiglit and Lucinda ^Crawford) Babbett, and widow (jf Laban Howard, who died in Allen Township, May 2,1, 18G9. By her marriage with Labaii Howard she became the mother of five ehililren — Morrell, Kdward, Willis, Ellen, and Lois, deceased. Morrell m.arried Annie BuBois ; Edward married Ella Williamson, and lived in Juniata; Willis married Miss Kittie Cald- well, of Litchfield Township, and Ellen is the wife of Harry Wickard, of Hillsdale. Mrs. GKas- gow was born in Ware, Hampshire Co., Mass.. and removed to Wyoming County, N. Y., when sixteen years of age. She was married twice previous to her marriage with John Glasgow. Her fiist mar- riage took place in AVyoming County, N. Y., with Aliel Rogers, who died in that county. Mr. Glasgow has been Road Commissioner, and discharged the duties of his office faithfully, while he was also one of the Village Assessors in Jones- ville for three j'ears. He is a member in good standing of the Presbyterian Church, and is one of the oldest members of the church in Jonesville. In politics he is a Republican. 'iWi'i t^^'^^ COHN, manufacturer of and dealer in cigars and tobacco at Hillsdale, was born within the limits of the citj' of Zempelburg, West Prussia, and is the son of Isaac Cohn, a manufacturer of flannels at that place. The fam- ily is of pure Jewish ancestry, and the mother was in her girlhood Miss Eva Fink. The parental household included eight children, five sons and three daughters, all of whom lived to mature years, with the exception of one, Oscar, and all crossed the Atlantic, settling mostly in Hillsdale. Moses, our subject, was the eldest born, and in common with the children of Germany was placed in school when a little lad six years of age, aud pursued his studies until a j'outh of fourteen. He then entered a dry-goods store .as clerk, where he spent five j-ears, and in the summer of 1871 deter- mined to seek his fortune on the other side of the water. From his native city young Cohn made his way to Hamburg, where he boarded an ocean steamer, the "Westphalia," bound for New York City. He ar- rived at his destination after a safe voyage of twelve days, aud proceeding directly westward took up his residence in the city of Hillsdale, this county, and purchasing a stock of goods loaded them upon a wagon, and started out with them over the coun- try, peddling. This venture he followed up one year, then opened a cigar shop in Hillsdale, where he began the manufacture of tobacco on a small scale, in accordance with the demands of the trade at that time. It was not long before he was obliged to enlarge his facilities, and now from that humble beginning his business has attained to such propor- tions that at some seasons of the year he o-ives employment to as many as forty-five men. His present business house, factory and storeroom, con- sists of a handsome aud substantial brick structure, three stories in height and occupying an area of •24x66 feet. All these floors and basement are utilized for his business alone. The products of his factory go to all portions of this and the adjoin- ing States, and he has quite a number of traveling salesmen upon the road at all seasons of the year. It is hardly necessary to say that he is a man prompt to meet his obligations, and possesses all the thrift and industry of his excellent Jewish ancestry. Mr. Cohn was married, in September, 1881, toMiss Emma Salomon, a native of the Province of Posen, Germany, and who came with her parents to this country when about nine years of age. The par- ents of jNIrs. Cohn. Heiman and Rosa .Salomon, are now in Hillsdale. Our subject and his wife are the parents of three interesting children, two sons aud one daughter — Israel, Harry and Minnie. The eld- est is five J'ears of age. aud the youngest two. The family residence is pleasantly situated, and is fur- nished with all the comforts of modern life. ^ €^-^- LBERT PRENTLSS, who owns and occupies [ ^'luW one of the finest residences in the village of Allen, has also a valuable farm of 190 acres in Allen Township, where he engaged for a number of years in agricultural pursuits and also as a contractor and builder. He put up the first school-house in Allen Village, in 1869, which •► 11 ^^ -4: 690 HILLSDALE COUNTY. was followed by the erection of the Baptist Church in 1871, and the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1872. In company with Andrew Winchester, he erected the brick block on the corner of Chicago and Railroad streets in 1868. He laid out the vil- lage of Allen, and was largely instrumental in its growth and prosperity. In noting the career of prominent individuals it is quite natural to revert to their origin and ante- cedents. Watson Prentiss, the father of our sub- ject, was a native of Chenango County, N. Y., and his mother, Susan (Price) Prentiss, also a native of the Empire State, was born in Steuben County. After marriage they settled in the latter count}', where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1873, and the mother in 1877. They were the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters, four of whom are living and residents of Steuben County. Albert, the third child, was born in Tyrone, now Schuyler County, N. Y., April 7, 1828. He continued a member of his father's household until seventeen years old, pursuing his studies in the district schools and be- coming familiar with farming pursuits. In the spring of 1845 he made his way to Southern Michi- gan, and for two years thereafter was a member of the family of William B. Childs, of Allen, and who is now a resident of Hillsdale. Later young Pren- tiss lived with the family of James M. Hanchett two years also. Not long afterward he was married, and settled in Allen Township, of which he has since been a resident. The marriage of Albert Prentiss and Miss Mary E. McConnell was celebrated in Allen Township, April 15, 1849. Mrs. Prentiss was born April 20, 1831, in Chautauqua County, N. Y., and is the daughter of John and L3'dia McConnell, who were natives of Philadelphia, and spent their last years in Connecticut. The only child of our subject is a son, George W., who married Miss Mary F. Brooks, and is occupied at farming in Allen Village. Mr. Prentiss, when a youth of eighteen years, in the winter of 1854, made the journey by water to California in the hope of restoring his health, and which effected the desired result. Since instituting his home in Allen Township, he has alwa3-s been prominent in local affairs, representing the township in the County Board of Supervisors for a period of ten years, and for one term was Chairman of the board. To the maintenance and establishment of schools he has always given his cordial support, and has been connected with school affairs for a period of seventeen years. In the meantime also he offici- ated as Highway Commissioner nine years, and once was elected Justice of the Peace, but did not care enough about the office to qualify. Politically, he is a solid Republican, and his name has been prominently mentioned as a candidate for the State Legislature. "it; OHN S. FOSTER was born in Barnard, Wind- sor Co., Vt., Jan. 29, 1826, where his father, Moses Foster, was also born. His grand- father, John Foster, was a pioneer of Bar- nard, where he improved a farm, and resided in the Green Mountain State until his death. The father of our subject grew to manhood in Windsor County, and married Miss Fannie Crowell, who was also born in that county, and was the daughter of Shiverick Crowell. They were married in 1823, and in 1833 removed to Huron County, Ohio, where Moses Foster followed the occupation of a farmer. He bought 100 acres of timber land in Peru Township, near Maxwell. Here he en- gaged busily in the improvement of his farm, but was stricken down by death at the early age of thirty-five years, in 1 835, leaving a wife and two helpless children to mourn their irreparable loss. Of these children, Martha L., the sister of our sub- ject, married Ansel Baker, of Huron County, Ohio, and there resided until her deatli. The mother of our subject spent her last years with her daughter, and departed this life in 1879, at the advanced age of eightj'-nine years. The subject of this sketch continued to reside with his widowed mother, contributing as soon as he was able to her support, and receiving his educa- tion as best he could in the public schools, until he was twent}' j-ears of age. He then came to Michi- gan with Loren Davis, and started the first harness- shop in Hudson. He continued in the harness business the greater part of the time until 1848, / t ■^•- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 691 I when, in December of that j'ear, he settled on the farm where he still resides. This land which he had bought the fall previously was heavily timbered, but he went to work with energy-, and felling the trees to make room for a log house, he soon had a home to which he could bring his bride, and in this log house they lived happy and contented for several years. Our subject was engaged, as were all pioneers of the day in this section of country, in subduing nature, clearing land, and breaking prairie. But with all their labors they were social and happy, their wants were simple, and they were soon able to make a comfortable living, and provide for the education of their growing families. Mr. Foster has been amplj' rewarded, however, for his expendi- ture of labor upon his farm, as he now has ninety- five acres cleared and under good cultivation, with neat and commodious frame buildings, and has also fifty-five acres under timber. His first purchase consisted of eight^^ acres of land, for which he stipulated to pay the sum of $-100, |>300 in hand, while the balance should bear interest at seven per cent. Mr. Foster completed the purchase price during the second year, and after that he devoted his time and money to the improvements which are now so marked on his farm. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have traveled extensively, and as they have been close observers, while natur- ally intelligent, they are now agreeable people with whom to converse. In Ju\y, 1887, they started for the Pacific Coast, and first stopped at Seneca, Keniaha Co., Kan., after which they spent some time in Wichita, and then in Sterling, in the same State. They then went via the Santa Fe Railroad across the mountains to California, and visited the principal points of interest on the Pacific Slope. They spent two weeks among the beauty and grandeur of the Yosemite Valley, their life while there somewhat resembling their early experience in Hillsdale County, as they were "camping out." After a very pleasant and invigorating tour they returned bj' the Union Pacific Railroad, and through Salt Lake Citj', where they enjoyed a bath in the famous lake, and thence returning visited Glenwood, Iowa, and Chicago. On the 2d of May, 1848, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Amy Rush, who was born in Farmington, Ontario Co.. N. Y., Dec. 29, 1824. Her father, Samuel F. Rush, was born in Cheshire, Berkshire Co., Mass., and his father was also born in the Bay State, where he was a fjirmer in Ontario County, and resided with his children there until his death. The father of Mrs. Foster went to New York State at twenty-one j'ears of age, and served in the War of 1812. He afterward married, in Utica, Miss Mary C. Delazenn, a native of that place, and the daughter of Michael Delazenn, a native of France. After marriage they located in Ontario County, where Mr. Rush bought a farm, .ind resided until his death, in 1865; his wife died in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Foster became the parents of three children. Byron D., their eldest child, was born Dec. 1 7, ] 848 ; toward the close of the w.ar he en- listed, in February, 1865, in Company C, 1 1th Michi- gan Infantry,and died in the service of his country, at Chattanooga, in May following. His remains were brought home for interment. Oscar F.. who was born in Pittsford Township, and Josephine A., who married C. J. Rumsley, a native of Pitts- ford. In 1852 Mr. Foster bought a sawmill, and en- gaged in the manufacture and sale of lumber, in which business he continued for seven years. He was also engaged for a time with the Barney & Ocobock Company, of Sandusky, Ohio, in their spoke and wheel factory, and had charge of the outside business in connection with their mills. He was subsequent!}' in a broom handle and shingle factory. \|lOHN J. RIGGS. The subject of this biog- raphy is the proprietor of a finel}- appointed farm of 115 acres, pleasant]}' located on sec- tion 4 in Scipio Township, and adjacent to the town of Mosherville. Here he has put forth his best efforts for a period probably of twenty-five years, and has signalized himself as not only a thor- ough and skillful farmer, but a useful citizen, taking a lively interest in the welfare of his communitj'. The friend of progress and education, he h.is been a member of the School Board for the past fifteen 3'ears, and is one of the first men whom his neigh- 692 ^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. bors approach when assistance both moral and sub- stantial is desired to set on foot the enterprises which shall build up the township and increase its standing among its neighbors. The Kmpire State, which has contributed so large a proportion of the best residents of Hillsdale County, contained also the early home of our sub- ject, he having been born near the town of L^'ons, in Wayne County, Sept. 14, 1841. He comes of an excellent family, his father being Joseph Riggs, also a native of Lyons, and who was born Nov. 12, 1813. The latter was reared to manhood in his native township, and married one of its most esti- mable young ladies, Miss Mary Smith, who was born also in Lyons, Jan. 31, 1815. While residents of their native township there were born to them two children, and the fatiier, who had acquired an excellent education, engaged first as a teacher in the public schools, and subsequently for a time car- ried on the drug business. In 1842, the parents of our subject determined upon a change of location, and coming to this county settled upon a tract of land in Scipio Town- ship, wiiere the father carried on fanning for about two years, and subsequently removed to Litchfield Township, where he still pursued agriculture, in connection with teaching, until 1863. Then return- ing to Scipio Township, he located in the village of Mosherville, where his death took place Nov. 23, 1882. The devoted wife and mother had passed away over ten 3'ears before, her death taking place Jan. 20, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Riggs were both active mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which the father held many offices of trust and responsibility. The eight children of the household are recorded as follows: Hurlbut, during the late war, served with credit as a soldier in the Union army, and returning home in safety, with the rank of First Lieutenant, is now occupied at farming in Mosherville ; John J., our subject, was the second son and child; Mary D. is the widow of H. J. Culver, late of Detroit, and is now residing in Mosherville; Wesley W., a soldier in the 27th Michigan Infantry during the Rebell- ion, dieil on a boat while en route from the frontat Petersburg, Va., to Philadelphia, Pa; his remains now fill a soldier's grave at the latter place. Alice died in Litchfield when an infant, Feb. 6, 1852; Edward P. died in Litchfield. April 1, 1853; Carrie died in Scipio Township, June 19, 1872; George is engaged in farming in Scipio Township. The subject of our sketch was the second child of his parents, and remained under the home roof until the outbi-eak of the late Rebellion, in the meantime completing his studies in Hillsdale Col- lege. The second year of the war he enlisted, Aug. 9, 18(!2, in Company G, 18th Michigan Infantry, and served with his regiment one year, when he was detached, and assigned to duty at the headquarters of Gen. R. S. Granger, where he did good service until the expiration of his term of enlistment. Other- wise than the hardships and privations incident to a soldier's life, he escaped without injury, and returning to his home in Scipio Township, engaged in farming until about 1873. He then purchased a stock of general merchandise, and occupied him- self in trade at Mosherville nearly five years, after which he returned to his old employment. Mr. Riggs was first married in Litchfield Town- ship, Feb. 6, 18GC, to Miss Kate K. Mead, who was born in Auburn, N. 1 ., and who died at her home in Mosherville, May 12, 1876. This union resulted in the birth of three children, all sons — Edmund H., Leroy J. and Harry M. The two latter are deceased, one dying when two and one-half years old, and the other when an infant. The eldest is now living at home. Mr. Riggs, on the 18th of December, 1877, con- tracted a second marriage, with Miss Celina, daugh- ter of the late James Sturges, a prominent and highly respected citizen of Scipio Township, and a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this Album. The present wife of our subject was born in Scipio Township, June 28, 1845, and is now the mother of two interesting children — Mabel M. and Stanley J. Mr. Riggs uniformly votes the straight Republican ticket, and besides his connection with school mat- ters, has held the office of Township Clerk several years. Socially, he belongs to Henry Baxter Post, G. A. R., of Jonesville. Joseph Riggs held nearly all the offices within the gift of the people of his township, and among other duties served as Justice of the Peace for man}' years in both Litchfield and Scipio Town- •► -^•- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 693 ships. A man active, energetic and progressive in liis ideas, he tooli a livel3- interest in educational matters, believing that the young were entitled to all the advantages iu this respect which could pos- sibly be conferred upon them. -J^^— V¥( OHN SPROWLS is located on 187 acres of land on section 24, Hillsdale Township, where, in addition to general farming and stock- raising, he is also much interested in fruit- growing, which industrj', besides jiroving a source of wealth to the man who patiently waits, is also a matter of enjoyment. His farm, which he has re- deemed from the wilderness, he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and adorned it with a fine set of farm buildings, and tiie machinery necessary for the successful prosecution of his calling by the modern agriculturist. The subject of this biography was born in On- tario County, N. Y., Sept. 2, 1833, and is the son of Peter and Mahala (Huff) .Sprowls, natives of New York, where the father was born Dec. 20, 180(i. In early life he followed the trade of a car- penter and joiner, for which he had a natural taste, and engaged in that calling up to about the time of his marriage. He then purchased a farm and de- voted the remainder of his life to its cultivation and improvement, and died Nov. 13, 1880, in Adams Township, which had been his home since he came to this State, forty-four years previously. By strict economy and untiring industrj', he gained a competency, and while he was very careful in his business transactions, he was always ready to assist the needy. He lived to see his surviving children, six in number, of his family of eight, well settled in life, and all living in this countj' except one daugh- ter, Mrs. William Crisp, who resides in the northern part of the State. She was at home with all the family at the time of her father's death. He died of a lingering disease of the stomach, and much of the time his suffering was extreme, but throughout it all he did not utter a word of complaint; he was patient in his affliction, and re.ady and willing to die. While the children mourned the loss of a kind father, and the wife a dear companion, the com- munitj' mourned for one who was upright in his dealings, and pleasant in his soci.al intercourse, and when his remains were consigned to their last rest- ing-place, all who knew him united cordially in say- ing "Peace to his ashes." The mother of our subject was born May 21, 1813, and when eleven years of age removed with her parents to the State of New York, where she was married to Peter Sprowls, Nov. 25, 1830. A j'ear later they emigrated to Michigan, and settled upon a farm in Adams Township. Soon after the death of her husband in the fall of 1 880, she left the old homestead and resided with her daughter, Mrs. Fuller, until the time of her death. During the pre- vious summer she had been in feeble health, owing to a disease of the heart, which, in connection with an .attack of pneumonia, caused her death. Slie w.as a true Christian woman, and practicing the precepts of her religion, she adorned the profession. There rest, mother, rest, thy life work is done. Thy cares and trials on earth are all o'er. Thy Father has called thee. "Weary one, come. To a glad reunion on the other shore." Yes, the Saviour h,as heard thy low. plaintive cry : "'J'alie, oh, take me to meet once again. My loved ones now waiting for me upon high In the home free from soirow and pain." The parental family of our subject included eight children, who are recorded as follows: Emeline was born Oct. 31, 1831, and is tiie wife of John L. Buck; John was the second in order of birth ; James married Margaret Slingerland; Mary E. is the wife of William Crisp, an Englishman by birth ; Caroline died Feb. 28, 1848; Julia became the wife of Sam- uel A. Haskell, a farmer by occupation, and died Jan. 7, 1882; Adeline is the wife of W. B. Fuller, a farmer by occupation, and resides in Fayette Township; George was born March 17, 1848, and died July 11, 18(53. John Sprowls was united in marriage, Nov. 20, 1855, with Miss Elizabeth Williams, who was born in Lockport, N. Y., April 9, 1835, and was the daughter of John and Mary (Jones) Williams, na- tives of Wales, where the former was horn in 1806. and the latter in 1 803. The parents of Mrs. Sprowls came to America in 1834, and settled in Jefferson Township, where they were among the earliest pio- ■•► 604 HILLSDALE COUNTY. iieei-s. In the spring of 1840 they removed to Adams Township, wiiich became their home until their death, the decease of the mother occurring on the 20th of May, 1 856, at fifty -three years of age. She was a kind mother and an affectionate wife, and few persons indeed at her age had gathered around them a larger or truer circle of confiding and lov- ing hearts; few have ever manifested more of those amiable, cheerful qualities which inspire emotions of affection in the breasts of those by whom thej' are surrounded. Energetic, generous and noble- minded, Mrs. Williams was privileged to live in the consciousness that she was respected and appreciated by all who knew her, while to her devoted husband and children she was endeared by a love of the purest and most elevated character. Mr. Williams was an energetic, industrious citizen, and though not a member of any church, he lived closely to the precepts of the Golden Rule, until his death, Aug. 21, 1874. He was a man well known and much respected by his neighbors and acquaintances, who will ever remember his good qualities, and cherish his memory. Their family consisted of two chil- dren: Elizabeth, the wife of our subject, and Ed- ward, who mariied Charity Dibble. To the latter have been born three children — Carrie B..Edna G. and John M. Mr. and Mrs. Sprowls have one child only, a daughter, Mary, who resides at home with her parents. In politics, the Democratic partj' can always count on a stanch friend and supporter in the per- son of Mr. Sprowls, although he is not an office seeker in any sense of the term. He and his esti- mable wife are highly esteemed and respected by all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance. ^l^p'RANK M. GIER, M. D., an enterprising ilpflfei and successful young physician of Pittsford ^ "" Township, was born in Ransom Townshi[), this county, on the 8th of January, 1859, and is the eldest son of Henry W. Gier, a well-known resident of this county. The latter, a native of the Buckeye State, was born in Medina County, and was the son of Henry Gier, Sr., a native of Phila- delphia, Pa., and one of the pioneers of Ohio. He there cleared a farm, where he lived the greater part of his life, but came to Michigan finally', and with his estimable wife spent his last days among his children here. The father of our subject catne to this county when a young man, and settled in Ransom Town- ship. He had learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed here for a time, but soon pur- chased a farm near the village, which he occupied and cultivated until about 1860. He then took up his residence in Spencer, Medina County, but in 1863 returned to his farm in Ransom. In 1864, during the progress of the Rebellion, he enlisted as a Union soldier in Company I, 11th Michigan Infantry, and served a few months, when he was taken ill, confined in the hospital, and finally dis- charged on account of disability. He did not regain his health until about three years afterward. He then resumed work at his trade, and in 1872 removed to the village of Allen, but four j'ears later returned to Ransom, where he farmed three years, then sold out and removed to Quincy, in Branch County. Two years later he sold his prop- erty there and invested in a stock of furniture, but after two years came to Pittsford, where he continued in the furniture business until December, 1887. His store was then destroyed by fire and he has not again resumed. He still makes his residence here, together with his excellent wife, who in her girlhood was Miss Lydia A. Halleck. She was born in the State of New York, and is the daughter of Israel and Laura Halleck, natives of Ohio and New York State respectively, and long since deceased. The parental household of our subject included four sons, three of whom are now residents of Hillsdale County: Will H. is a dentist in Los Angeles, Cal. Frank M., at the age of nineteen, having received a good education, commenced teaching, in which he was employed three terms. He then took up the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Bates, of Ransom, then became the pupil of Dr. H. Wood, of Quincy. Later he attended medi- cal lectures in the State University at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in June, 1884. He practiced with Dr. Bates for a short lime in Ransom, and then in April, 1885, located in Pittsford. He belongs to the Southern Michigan Medical Asso- HILLSDALE COUNTY. I G9o elation, anrl socially, is a member of Leonard Lodge No. 2GC, A. F. & A. M., of Waldron; Camp No. 85, Sons of Veterans, antl is Surgeon of tlie Michigan Division of tlie order. He has distanced some of the older competitors in his profession, and the out- look is fair for a prosperous future. EDWIN FOUST came to liis present farm of forty-eight acres, on section 19 in Jefferson ; Township, in 1870. Upon the theory of Horace Greeley, that a moderate amount of land well cultivated is more desirable than a large extent partially neglected, he has labored with most excel- lent results. In addition to tiie raising of the cereals and vegetables for his househohl use he has given considerable attention to the breeding of live stock, and has been finely prospered, besides having one of the neatest and most attractive homesteads in the township. As a member of the community ho is held in high res|)ect, having proveil himself a first-class citizen, and without openly professing Christianity has endeavored to do unto others as he would that they should do unto hini. Our subject, who is in the prime of life, was born in Morrow County. Ohio, Oct. 22, 1840. His par- ents, Samuel and Cynthia (Cutler) Foust, were natives respectively of Ohio and Vermont, the fatlier having been born in Delaware County, Oct. 5, 181o. He also followed farming and merchan- dising to some extent, besides owning anil operat- ing a potash and pearlash f.-ictory. He left the Buckeye State in IHoS, and coming to Michigan purchased land, a |)art of which lay in Cambria and a part in Jefferson Township, and which now be- longs to our subject. The parental household included twelve children, eight ()f whom are living, three in Michigan and five in Ohio. Samuel Foust endorsed Republican principles after the organization of that parly, and in religious views was a Baptist. He cast iiis last vote in the fall of 1887, and died Jan. 14, 188,S, in AVilliams Countj'. Ohio, to which he had returned to live in 1873. The mother is also deceased. The boyhood and youtii of Edwin Foust were ■<»■ spent mostly at his father's farm, and he received a common-school education. He commenced life for himself ujion reaching his mnjority, and was mar- ried when past the thirty-third year of his age, Dec. 1, 1873, to Aliss Elizabeth Cope, who was born April 30, 1840, in Marion County, Ohio, and is the daughter of Abram and Elizabeth Cope. After his marriage he worked his father's farm seven years, and in 1870 purchased twenty acres, and subse- quently added to his real estate by the further pur- chase of twenty acres. He is the father of two children only: His daughter Etta, who was born Jan. 8, 18G5, was married to John Watkins, a- well- to-do farmer of Jefferson Township, and they have one child; the son, Judson, was born July 2G, 1875, and is now taking a course of study in the Mont- pelier (Ohio) graded school. Mr. Foust, like his father, is a Republican, politi- cally, and is one of those upright and straightfor- ward citizens who universally command respect among their neighbms. Robert B. CARRUTHERS,jR.,anenterpris- ^ ing young farmer of Woodbridge Township, is operating ninety-two acies of land on section 8. He w:is born in this township, June 7. 18.t8, and has since resided here, being consequently known to a majority of its |)eople,and h.as pursued that coiu'se in life which has gained him their respect and confidence. The parents of our subject, Robert, Sr.. and Helen (Boyle) Carruthers, were natives of Scotland, and came to the United .states before their mar- riage, becoming residents of Cleveland. Ohio, where they were made one in the year 1853. The mother died in December, 1870, in Woodbridge Township. The father subsequently married Miss Jennie Mc- Dougall, and is living in Woodbiidge. By the first marriage of Robert Carruthers there were born six children, three now living. The subject of tiiis sketch acquired a common- school educati<.)n, and engaged in farming pursuits, choosing these for his vocation in life. When not quite twenty-four years of age, he was married, Feb. 12, 1882, at Frontier, in Woodbridge Town- -i- 696 HILLSDALE COUKTY. *t ship, to Miss Almina F. Boals. Mrs. Carnithprs was bciin in Richland County, Ohio. June 14.1859, and is tho daughter of John and Sarah (PLTrt) Boals, natives respectively' of Pennsj"lvania and Ohio. Mr. Boals was born in 1799, was a farmer by occupation, a member of the Baptist Church, and a Democrat in politics. The psirents were mar- ried in Ohio in 1840, and the fatiier departed this life at his home in Woodbridge Township, Feb. 4, 1867. The mother of Mrs. Carruthers was born Aug. 19, 1815, is still living and remains a widow, mak- ing her home with our subject. She, like her hus- band, is a member of the Baptist Church. Of their eleven children the record is as follows: Elijah died while in the Union army; Mary is the wife of John T. Brayman; Elizabeth, Mrs. James McDougall, lives in Woodbridge Township; John, of Amboj' Township, married Miss Louisa Phillips; Sarah J. died when about nineteen years old ; Charles died in early manhood; Emiey married Ollie Noaker; Mrs. Carruthers was the youngest of the family-. The others died in infancy unnamed. Mr. Carruthers has forty acres of land in his home farm and forty acres in Cambria Township. His family is composed of himself and wife; they have no children. Their surroundings are tasteful and embrace all the comforts of life, and as a far- mer our subject understands his business thor- oughly. Politically, he is a zealous Republican, and lias officiated as Township Treasurer one year. He and his estimable wife are members of the United Brethren Church, at Frontier, and Mr. C, especially, is interested in Sunday-school work. He has many friends, and is building up for himself a good record. \f RA B. CARD, Postmastei of Hillsdale, a success- ful merchant, and an active member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, in which he officiates as minister, is discharging the various duties that de- volve upon him in a praiseworthy manner, with credit to himself and satisfaction to the communitj-. A man of fair education, and more than ordinary intelligence and business capacities, he ranks among the leading men of this county. He was a stanch Union roan during the late war, and since becoming a voting citizen has firmly adhered to the general principles of the Democratic party. The subject of this sketch was born in Yates County. N. Y., Dec. 6,1824. His father, Potter Gardner Card, was born in Rhode Island in the early part of the nineteenth century, and was the son of Job Card, also of Rhode Island, and who officiated asa Captain during the Revolutionary War. lie made a brave and courageous soldier, delighted in harassing the enemy, and in company with three others effected the capture of Gen. Gale Proctor, chasing him through the cornfield in his night clothes. The paternal grandfather married Miss Martha Potter, and both lived to a ripe old age, spending their last days in Yates County, N. Y. The Card family is of English ancestry, and uni- formly people who were well-to-do and upright citizens. The mother of our subject, who in her girlhood was Miss AnnaE. Andredge, was a native of Swit- zerland, and came to this country with her parents when young. Her father, a minister of the Ger- man Lutheran Cluirch, was murdered while cross- ing the St. Lawrence River, and his body was put under the ice, and never recovered. After their marriage the parents of our subject took u\) their abode in Yates County, N. Y., where the father carried on farming until 1837. Then, re- solved upon a change of location, he came with his family to the Territory of Michigan, and first set- tletl on a tract of land in Cambria Township, this county. From this he built up a good homestead, where he lived until resting from hisearthly labors, in Fcbruarj', 1854. The mother survived her hus- band for a period of twenty-two years, remaining a widow, and entered upon her rest in the winter of 1876. The live cliildren of the parental household are all living: Job, the eldest, is in Cambria, Hills- dale County; Ira B., our subject, was the second born; George P. is in Cambria; William H. is a retired banker at Laingsburg, Shiawassee County, this State; Mary E. is the wife of Pardon D. II. Willetts, a well-to-do farmer of Reading Township, on the west line of the county. Mr. Card was a lad of thirteen years when he came with his parents to this county, and here he -^•■ M^ a HILLSDALE COUMY. 697 pursued his studies in the district seliuoi, mostly during the winter season, until reaching lii.s miijor- ity. Then, desiring a better education, he entered Albion College, and studied one term, after which he rotuined to the farm and worked with his father until the spring of 180.'3. lie novv felt that .igri- culture was not entirely his element, and taking up his residence in Hillsdale, purchased a stock of gen- eral merchandise, and since that time has been engaged in trjide, building up a fine patronage, and becoming popular with the people. In 1871 he was elected Mayor of the city, and the following year re-elected. Under his administration occurred the great Chicago fire, and he was entrusted with the resijonsibility of sending out the first supplies from this part of the county to the stricken cit3'. Under his supervision several carloads of provisions were got together in short order, and started in good shape, ftlr. Card has filled all the local offices of his township, serving as Trustee for many years, and otherwise identifying himself with the welfare of the people. In 1878 he was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for Congress, receiving over 9,000 votes, while the Greenback ticket received 7,000, and the Republican candidate 11,000. Our subject was appointed Postmaster of Hills- dale in the latter part of 188G, his commission dat- ing Jan. 20, 1887. He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Lewis Cass, and during the Rebellion wasactj^-e in dissieminating Union principles, while at the same time no man was more industrious in assisting to gather supplies both of food and cloth- ing for the Union soldiers. For a period of eighteen years he has lieen one of the pillars of the IMeth- odist Kpiscopal Church, and in the pulpit was fluent of speech and m.aster of the arguments which carry with them both reason and conviction. He served two years as President of the Hillsdale Agricultural Society, and socially, belongs to the A. F. & A. M., at Hillsdale. He assisted in the organization of the first State Hank of Hillsdale, of which he is still a Di- rector, and officiates as President of the AJichigan Mutual Pencfit Association, of Hillsdale, which was organized in 1K79, and is one of the solid institu- tions of the city. These are but a few of the enter- prises to which he has lent his aid and encoura<'e- ment. and which had for tlu-ir ol)ject the growth and development of Hillsdale County. The marriage of Ira B. Card and Mrs. Hannah M. Hicks w.as celebrated at the home of the bride in Cambria, in Decemljer. 1851. This lady died May 22, 18.53, leaving no children. His present wife, to whom he w.as married in 1855, was fornierl}' Miss Mary J. Allen, of Washtenaw Count3% who was born in November, 1824, and is the daughter of Arnold and Lucy Allen. The parents of Mrs. Card were natives of New York, and are now deceased. She is a lady of good education, well fitted for the position which she occupies as the wife of a promi- nent citizen, and presides over their home with grace and dignity. Of this union there were born three children, of whom oidyone is living, namely: Minnie M., the wife of Waller li. Branch, the pres- ent Register of Deeds, of Hillsdale County. -vtecfix©^^ ■f^i^yinyv*^ <^l IfelLLIAM LICKLY. sqon after his marriage, \jj/i ill 1859, settled upon a part of his father's W^ old horaeste.ad in Wright Township, which he now owns and occupies. Since that time he has given to it his best efforts, carefully cultivating the soil and erecting substantial luiildings The labor of building has been performed largely' by his own hands, as he is a natural mechanic of much skill and taste. This, it is hardly necessary to say, has saved him hundreds of dollars, while at the same time he has the satisfaction of knowing that his work is well done. A native of Erie County, N. Y., our subject was born on the Gth of December, 18.'31. His father, John M. Lickly, was l)orn in Putnam County, that State, and his grandfather, James Lickly. was a native of Scotland. The latter removed to Putnam County earl}' in life, where his son John M. devel- oped into manhood and whence, upon starting out for himself, he removed to Erie County. There he cultivated a tract of rented land and resided until 1836. In the sjjring of that year he made his way to the Territory of AHchigan, and i)urchiised a quar- ter-section of land from the Government in Wright Township. Here he created a log house partly* covered with liark and partly with shakes, and in the >► P .^. -4•- 698 HILLSDAL?: COUNTY, fall of that year went back to New York State for his family. They retmiied in September, making the journey via the lake to Toledo, and there hired a team to take them overland to their future home. The family, upon their arrival in Wright Town- ship, established tliemi^elves in the new house, the chimney of which was constructed of dirt and sticks, and the fireplace occupied a large portion of one end of the structure. The mother, as usual with the pioneer women, did her cooking by the open fireplace, and was also skilled in the use of the spin- ning-wheel and loom. The spinning-wiieel they had brought with them from New York, and the mother manufactured from wool and flax all the cloth required for years by her family. Deer, wild turkej^s and other game were plentiful, and the family larder never lacked for choice fresh meats. Wolves also prowled through the foiest and fre- quently made night hideous. For many years the father of our subject could not afford a team of horses and was obliged to de- l)end upon oxen to do his farming, marketing and milling. Soon after their arrival the family' found themselves out of breadstuffs, and the father started with his oxen in search of grain. He traveled nearly to Tecumseh before finding any for sale, and by the time he had taken it to mill and returned home with the meal, nine days had elapsed, during which time the family had been living on potatoes, and had but few of these left when the father returned. They remembered for many a day how sweet was the biscuit which the mother made upon that occasion, and how glad they all were to be able to sit down to a square meal. The father lived to improve a good farm and to see his children com- fortably settled in homes of their own. He con- tinued at the old homestead until his death, which occurred in August, 1885. The mother had died in middle life, in 1848, when her son William, of our sketch, was a youth of seventeen j'ears. The parental household of our subject included fourteen children, twelve of whom lived to mature j-ears and seven of whom are now living. William was the ninth child, and was four years of age when the family emigrated to this county. He acquired his education in the pioneer school, which was con- ducted in a log house, constructed similarly to their dwelling, and with home-made furniture. When not in school he assisted his father on the farm, but upon reaching his majority decided to learn the carpenter's trade, which he worked at thereafter some of the time each season for many years. He chose for his bride Miss Melvina Barber, daughter of Homan and Harriet Newell (Mason) Barber, pio- neers of this county. The wedding tojk place in Wright Township on the 6th of December, 1850. Mrs. Lickly was born in the town of Spaf- ford, Onondaga Co., N. Y., April 12, 1840. Of her union with our subject there were born three chil- dren — llattie L., Albert W. and Ralph M. They are now residents of Wright Township. Mr. Lickly is a stanch Democrat, politicall3', with strong tem- perance principles, and witli his estimable wife is a member in good standing of the Baptist Church. ♦Hh^- Vwj AMKS H. PULVER is the senior member of I the tirm of J. H. Pulver & Son, coal dealers of .loucsville. His father is a native of New ^(^&/J York, where he was born in Pine Plains, Dutchess County, while his mother, who in her girl- hood was Miss LeFurgy, was a native of Hastings, Winchester Co., N. Y. After marriage they settled in Yonkcrs, in the Empire State, where they re- mained until their demise. The parental family of our subject included six daughters and four sons, of whom James Hf was the eighth child in order of birth. He was born in Yonkers, N. Y., July 7, 1836, and was reared at the homestead, engaged in agricultural occupations, and pursuing his studies in the common schools, until he was nineteen ^ears of age. He then learned the carpenter's trade, at which he spent an apprentice- ship of two years, and then engaged in business for himself, contracting and building from 1861 to 1876, in the place of his birth. In the latter year he came to this county and bought a farm in Fay- ette Township, known as the old Scott farm, where he lived nine years, and then came to Joncsville, in the fall of 1886, and bought out the coal business of Tiffany Bros., which he has since conducted. Our subject was united in marriage in Green- burg, Westchester Co., N. Y., in April, 1860, with / t L.. HILLSDALE COUATY. -•► 699 Miss Mar}' M. LeFiirgy, who was born in that coinitj'. To Mr. and Mrs. I'lilver were born three children: Silvia B., Elmer E. and one child, Willie, deceased. The parents of Mrs. Pulver were John and Elizabeth LeFurgy. Mr. Pulver has been Highway Commissioner for two years, and discharged the duties of his office in a satisfactory manner. He is also a member of the American Legion of Honor, and belongs to the I. O. O. F. In politics he stands identified with the Ucpublican party, and in religion his estimable wife is a member of the Baptist Church, in Jonesville. ^^LFRED SMALL is one of the most active (@^Jj! and enterprising farmers of Camden 'J'own- ship, and his farm on section 9 is one of the best managed and most productive in this region of valuable farms. He is an Englishman by birth, but his parents left his and their native isle when he was three years old, and came to America, since which time he has known no other home. He was born Oct. 31, 1849, being a son of Charles and Louisa Small. In 1)H.53 they conceived that they could better their condition by emigration to the United States, and ace jrdiugly embarked at London on a vessel bound for New York, which port they reached after an ocean voyage of eight weeks. After their arrival in this country, they set- tled in Otsego Countj', N. Y., where the father was industriously engaged in farming. In lbC4 they migrated with their children to Lenawee Countj', Mich., where they remaiiicd until 18(!7. In that j'ear Mr. and Mrs. Small removed with their family to Camden Township, and here the father departed this life Dec. 29, 1871, sincerely respected and lamented by all who knew him. The mother of our subject is living, at the venerable age of eighty- five, and is said to be the oldest inhabitant in Cam- den Township. Of her marriage fourteen children wei'c born, of whom the following are living; Alfred, George, Eilwin, James. Herbert, Henry, Thomas, Louisa, Sarah and Amelia. The suliject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and gained a thorough knowledge of the best methods of conducting agricultural [jursuits to a successful issue, his father having been a practical, able farmer. Thus early imbibing a taste for farm- ing, he naturally decided to adopt it for his life work. When he was fourteen years old, his parents, as before mentioned, left the State where his first years were passed in this country, and came to Michigan and settled in Lenawee County, whence thej' removed a few years later to this township, and here he grew from boyhood to manhood. He received a fair education in the district schools of New York and Michigan, and when about twenty 3'ears of age began working in the employ of E. T. Chester, receiving as compensation for his serv- ices ^22 a month, for a year and a half. The marriage of Mr. Small with Miss Triphene Blair, daughter of Andrew Blair, of Camden Town- ship, was celebrated in November, 187.5, and of this union have been born three children, as fol- lows: Orval A., born May 13, 1876; Ethel S.. Nov. 21, 1880; Edith L.. Oct. 17, 1884. Although our subject is a comparatively young man, he has by his energetic and persevering labors become the possessor of a fine farm, comprising 131 acres of arable land, on which he has a neat and comfortable set of buildings, and the necessary ap- pliances for carrying on agriculture. He is a man of decided character, and of keen judgment, and his life is guided by sound princijjles and good habits. He heartily supports every measure that he thinks will in any way contribute to the social or material advancement of this township, and while serving for three years as School Director, did what he could to aid the cause of education. In politics he Is a firm advocate of the Republican i>arty. <| IftALTERR. JONES. The subject of the fol- \rJl lowing notice owns a good farm of eighty '^^ acres on section 4, Allen Township, and is a native of this county, having been born in Litch- field Township on the 6th of June, 1849. From earlj' boyhood he h.asbeen familiar with agricultural pursuits, which he has followed continuoush' with the exception of the brief lime required to complete his education in the common schools. Mr. Jones is the only son of his parents, their u -•► 700 HILLSDALE COUNTY. t other cliildren being five daughters, all of whom are liviiii; :in(l residents of Michigan. His father, Gid- eon M. Jones, was horn in Eoehestei-, N. Y., and the mother, who in her girlhooil was Miss Samantha A. Spencer, also a native of that State, was born in Ontario County. They came to the West very soon after their marriage, settling in Litchfield Town- ship, this county, where they lived several jears. then removed to Fayette Township, of which they were residents for a period of sixteen years. At the expiration of this time they took up their abode in Alien Township, where the father died in 1876. The mother subsequently made her home with her daughter in Jonesville, and departed this life Sept. 9, 1887. The marriage of Walter R. Jones and Miss Eliza J. Spencer was celebrated at the home of the bride, in the city of Hillsdale, Dec. 20, 1882. Mrs. Jones is the daughter of John and Lovina (Babcoek) Spencer, who are still living and residents of Ontari(j County, N. Y. She ha Indiana in the winter of 1835, and had erected on the land on section 15 the first house in the settlement, into which he had moved before the year 1836 opened; it was the typical habitation of the pit)neer, a log cabin covered with shakes and a puncheon floor. Mr. Coman had soon finished a similar structure on the southeast part of the southeast quarter of section 15. He and his •rood wife were valued citizens of Wright Township ^^►:lh-^ ■t* HILLSDALE COUKTY. ,0. i\ until their ilealh, on tlie oKl homestead. Mr. Coman bore ail honoraMe part in developing the resources of Hillsdale County, and his memory is justly re- vered. To him and his wife were born thirteen chil- dren, all of whom grew to maturity, and were married, with the exception of one son, none of thorn ever marrying a second time. He divided his land among his children, leaving them besides tiie heritage of a good name, iiis son Francis gave up his life for his country, having enlisted in tiie loth Michigan Infantr3', and dying in the service. His son Curtis, father of our subject, was born in the town of Eaton, Madison Co., N. Y., July IG, 1804, and was reared in his native countj'. When in liis teens he commenced to learn the trade of chair-maker, and after he grew to manhood he bought a place in the village of Morrisville, where he carried on the manufacture of chairs very profit- ably for some j'ears. He married Miss Diana Lyons, who was born in Colerain, Franklin Co., Mass., May 7, 1809. Her father, Jesse Lyons, was born in Amherst, Mass. He owned a farm in Colerain, and also a cabinet-maker's shop, where he followed his trade as cabinet-jnaker a part of the time. He married Abigail Ransom, and they continued to re- side on the home farm in Colerain until death. In the spring of 1836, the parents of our subject accompanied the father and other members of the famil}- to the Territory of Michigan, and Mr. Coman settled on land his father had previously taken up, the east half of the southeast quarter of section I't. He built a log cabin, covered with shakes, and split and hewed the boards for a floor, and constructed a chimney of dirt and sticks. The first chairs that they had in this cabin were of the most primitive sort, and were made bj' splitting the logs and hewing the first surface, and inserting three legs. Mr. Coman was soon busily om|)loyed in clearing away the dense forest growth that covered bis 80-scre tract of land, and by j-ears of patient toil he developed it into one of the finest farms in a region celebrated for its agricultural resources. He erected neat and commodious buildings, and there were n)any other indications of thrift and good management on the part of the owner. While accumulating a comfortable property during his residence liere of nearly fifty years, he materially 4* assisted in promoting the growth of Hillsdale County, and took a just pride in the honorable position that it has attained among its sister counties in this grand commonwealth. He was a man of more than ordi- nary shrewdness and sagacity, and in his death, Sept. 11, 1885, Wright Township lost a citizen whose life record was that of an upright and honor- able man, without blemish. He was for many years connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, but during the last part of his life he became identi- fied with the Congregational Church, of which he was one of the earliest anil most prominent mem- bers. For some time after Mr. Coman settled here, Adrian was the nearest point for market, and he used to team his wheat there, and sometimes sold it at fifty cents a bushel. Those early years were fraught with many [)rivations and hard struggles for the brave, patient pioneers of this State, and they were also a time of great financial distress. "Wild cat" money was plentiful then, and at times, being afraid that the bank which issued the money that he got in payment for his produce, might fail before he reached home, Mr. Coman would ex- change the money for lumber or for articles that might 4je needed at home. Mrs. Coman, the vener- able mother of our subject, is living on the old homestead in the comfortable dwelling that her hus- band had erected. During their long married life she was ever a ready helper and vvise counselor to her husband, and he was greatly indebteil to her for his success in life. She is a valued member of the Congregational Church. She is the mother of two chihlren living, and three dead: Helen, the wife of George Hawcroft, of Kalamazoo, and Lucian B. The latter, who is the subject of this sketch, was born on the old homestead. Ma}" 26, 1847, and was reared and educated in this, his native township. He attended the pioneer schools, and assisted in the farm work, and grew to be a manly, self-reliant, helpful lad, which traits, with the careful training in the duties of life that he received from his good parents, have developed him into a valued and use- ful citizen. He remained with his parents until three y^ars after his marriage, and then settled on his present farm, joining the old homestead. He is enterprising, and possesses much sound judgment, and his successful management of his farm, which i -<•- ro2 -•► HILLSDALE COUNTY. I is under an admirahle state of culture, lias given iiim an ass-ured position among the jirominent agrj- ciiltinists of this locality. To the amiable wife, who presides so pleasantly over their cosj' home, he was united in marriage Jan. 1, 1871. Her maiden name w.ts Annie A. Forrister, a daughter of •James Forrister, and she was born in Monroe County, Mich., Jan. 1, 1852. Of this union two children h.ive been born — Ida J. and Glen Lucian. In pc>litics he is a Democrat. On the home place they still have the old mill that was brought to this township by Curtis Coman when he first settled here. ff^ HARLES R. CORYELL is a fine reprcsenta- fll^L tive of the prosperous Hillsdale County ^^^ agriculturist, and is pleasantly located on section 1, Allen Township, where he devotes his attention to general farming and fruit-raising, in which industry he is very niucli interested and has met with good success. He is a genial and well- informed man, with whom it is a pleasure to con- verse, as he keeps himself well posted on the affairs of the day, and communicates his ideas clearly and modestly. The father of our subject, George Coryell, was born in New Jersey, while the mother, Eliza Sher- wood, was a native of Steuben County, N. Y. Tbey first settled in L'rbana, Steuben Count}', and after- ward removed to Livingston County, in the same State, where they lived in Mt. Morris until 1848. when they came to Oakland County, Mich. After a residence of one year thej' removed to Lapeer County, where they resided until their decease. Their family included five sons auof)ks as C)pportunit3' offered, .and subsequently attended for two years at the State Normal School in Albany, N. Y., where he was graduated in 1848. One year later he started for the boundless West, and located first in Wa- bash. Ind., wjiere he engaged in his profession until the spring of 1852, when he went to Minnesota, and was appointed County Survej'or by Gov. Gorm.an. That part of the country had not been surveyed, and the tract of which Mr. Coryell had the supervision comprised a very laige area, including the southern part of Minnesota and also a portion of what is now Dakota Territ(jry. He remained thus engaged two years, at which lime his appointment ex[)ired, and though he was re-elected for another period of two years, he did not accept the tjfHce. He then returned to Wabash, Ind., with the intention of teaching, but he changed his mind and engaged as book-keeper for H. Hanna & Co.. who were exten- sive operators in difi'ercnt lines of business. He remained thus employed for two years, after which, in company with his uncle, R. Helm, under the firm name of Coryell // born near Dundee, in Yates County, July 17, 1817. His parents, Stephen and Sarah (Adams) Raplee, removed from Yates to Steuben County when their son was about fourteen years of age, and settled in the town of Wheeler, where he grew to manhood, and remained until the spring of 1865. He then made his way to Southern Michigan, hav- ing now a wife and family of five children. He purchased a farm of 170 acres in Allen Township, where he erected a fine residence, which he occu- pied the remainder of his life. Mr. Raplee was first married in Wheeler, Yates Co., N. Y., Nov. 10, 1842, to Miss Amy Merritt, ■^« who died Sept. 4, 1843. He contracted a second marriage, Nov. 10, 1844, in Wheeler, with Miss Rebecca Gardner, who was born there Sept. 18, 1823. Of this later union there were born five children, of whom the record is as follows: Velo- rous is farming in Allen Township, this county; Sarah L. is the widow of George Wagner, who died in this township in the fall of 1885; Stephen H. is carrying on agriculture not far from the homestead ; Elizabeth is the wife of Walter Van Fleet, and Emma M. resides at home with her mother. Mrs. Rebecca (Gardner) Raplee is the daughter of Furman and Elizabeth (Myrtle) Gardner, who were natives of Steuben County, N. Y., within whose limits they spent their entire lives, and where their remains were laid to rest. Their daughter Rebecca was reared by an excellent mother to all housewifely duties, and received her education in the district school. She continued under the jiarental roof until her marriage with our subject. She has been a member of the Free-AVill Baptist Church a number of years, as was also her husband up to the time of his death. ^- /A,|i' LBERT A. ABBEY, a prominent citizen of (@£Jli Camden Township, residing on section 27, was born in the northern part of this State, Jan. 3, 1847. His parents, Aaron and Elizabeth Abbey, were natives of Ohio. His pa- ternal grandfather, Shubel Abbey, was born in Massachusetts and is still living, being now in the ninety-fifth j'ear of his age. He makes his home in the beautiful city of Norwalk, Ohio. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Reuben Cole by name, served as a soldier in the War of 1812. Our subject is of Welsh ancestry, and when about three years of age was taken by his parents from Michigan to Huron Count^^ Ohio, where he was reared to manhood. He received a common- school education and occupied himself as a station- ary engineer, with the exception of the time spent in the army, until about thirteen years ago. After the outbreak of the Rebellion and when but a youth of seventeen years, he enlisted, Jan. 6, 1864. in Company I, 9th Ohio Cavahy, and was most of the ^^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. ri9 time mifler the command of the celolirnted loader, Gen. Kilpatrick. He participated in manj' of the cavalrj' raids in the State of Tennessee and marched witii Siierman to the sea. He was also in the fight at Goldsboro. N. C, and in all served about eight- een months and until tlie close of the war. After- ward he spent a sliort time in the oil regions of Pennsylvania as engineer, and in the spring of 1875 came to this county, and for three years was the partner of his brother Charles in the manufacture of pumps at Camden. Later he turned his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits, and is the owner of forty acres of good land, while his wife owns a like amount in Camden Township. The marriage of Albert A. Abbey and Mrs. Sdsan (Cartwright) Young took place in Wood- bridge Township. Aug. 26, 1878. Mrs. Abbey is the daughter of Shuman and Betsey Cartwright, who are now deceased. She was born May 1.3, 1846, in Indiana, and was married to Ephraim Young, by whom she became the mother of two children: Merritt, now at home.and Libb}',the wife of C. W. Abbey. Mr. Abbey, our subject, politi- callj'. is in sympathy with the Union Labor party, and socially, belongs to Camden Post No. 282, G. A. R. \- ■JYIAMES STONE is located on section 34, Hillsdale Townshij), where he is engaged in ^.^^ : the prosecution of his calling as an agricult- {^J^ urist. He was born on this section, on the 22d of March, 1843, and though still a young man has already accumulated a fine property, and is in the enjoj-ment of all the comforts of life, and can look forward to many j^ears of health and happi- ness. Our subject is the .son of David and Sarah (Evens) Stone, natives of England and Wales respectively, where the birth of the father occurred in 1813. They emigrated to America, and arriv- ing in this county in 1831, were among the earliest settlers of Hillsdale Township. He purchased land from the Government at ^1.2.5 per acre, and then with a will set about clearing and improving his small farm of forty acres. During the winters of 1832 and the following year the snow l.iy very deep upon the ground, and Mr. Stone and .lolin Williams took a contract to cut down the trees on ten acres of land l)elonging to another part}-. Ilis industry and energy, coupled with good judgment, served him so well in this new country, that he accumulated a fine property comprising 200 acres of land, containing a fine stone residence and a good barn. He vvas quite prominent as a farmer, and though not identified with any Christian organ- ization, he observed the Golden Rule, and was a man of strict principles, free from the vicious habit of using profane language, and was honest in business life, and pure in all social and domestic relations. He was a man of sterling integrity, and it could be truthfully said of him that his word was as good as his bond. "'None named him l>ut to praise." His death, which occurred in 1 871, resulted from the disease known as Bright's disease of the kidneys. He was a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics was a stanch Democrat. The mother of our subject was born in 1808, and was a suitable com- panion for her worthy husband, cheering and sus- taining him through all the trials and privations incident to pioneer life in a new country. She still survives, in the enjoyment of good health, and is a member of the Methodist Jipiscopal Church, with which she has been identified in good works .and loving fellowship for many j'ears. To David and Sarah Stone there were born four children — John, James, Mary and Elizabetli. Our subject was reared to farm life and received his education in the common schools, remaining around the parental hearth until his marriage, which oc- curred in March, 1869, the lady of his choice being Miss Emma Barnhart, a native of New York State, where she was born in 1850. .She is a lady of cult- ure and refinement, and possesses those sterling qualities of womanly integrity and strength of character which characterized the original settlers of the New England and North Atlantic States. Their home has been brightened by the advent of two children: Vernon C, who was born June 1, 1870, and is a well-educated and promising young man of prepossessing appearance, residing at home with his parents; !Uid ^laud, who was born in -^^ 720 HILLSDALE COUNTY. 1876, and is a briglit and intelligent little girl, giv- ing promise of a woman who can take her mother's position in society. The mother of our subject is the daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Reynolds) Evens, the former of whom was a farmer, and lived and died in Mont- gomery County, Wales. He was a man of fine physique and sterling character, and was able to speak the English language. He died in 1830, at the age of fifty years. The grandmother died in 1847. Six children were born to U'homas and Hannali Evens — David, Ellen, Sarah, Mary, Thomas and Pollen. Mary, Thomas and the mother of our subject still survive. The parents of Mrs. Stone, the wife of our subject, were Henry and Lucinda (Barnhart) Barnhart. natives of the State of New York, where the father was born in 1816. He was a farmer by occupa- tion, and removed to Michigan in 1870, where he still resides in the city of Hillsdale. The mother was born in 1822, and also survives. They became the parents of four children — James, Charles, Fran- ces and Emma. Though only a mere lad at the time, Charles Barnhart enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, and died at Washington, D. C, at the age of sixteen, of a fever contracted in the army; Frances married Ezra Higgins, and has four children. Mr. Stone owns 120 acres of the old home farm, which, with its well-fenced fields, smiling crops and grazing cattle, presents a marvelous contrast to its condition when his father settled upon it, and began to ply the ax and gi-ubbing-hoe to secure a place on which to erect their first log cabin. Mr. Stone has a verj' valuable horse named " Billy Mont," registered in the stud books, a dark bay color, weighing 1,100 pounds at four years old, andean already trot his mile in less than 2:40; Mr. Stone has owned him since he was a colt a week old. Our subject is also a breeder of Scotch collies, or shepherd dogs, and has sold $lj,00 worth of fine pups of this breed in the last eighteen years. The son has educated his dogs to a high degree of intelligence, and gives exhibitions of their training at the county fairs. Mr. Stone adheres to the teachings of his honored father in political matters, while his views have been strengthened as the result of his oivn experi- ence and observation, and he is a stanch and uncom- promising Democrat, voting the straight party ticket whenever occasion ofi'ers. In religion, he, with his estimable wife, is liberal. ylLLIAM W. CRANE, a well-to-do farmer of Fayette Township, is the owner of a fine property, including 239 acres of land, a beautiful residence, substantial barns and out- houses, live stock and farm machinery, and the various other ajipliances of a modern country estate. A man of industry and integrity, and a long-time resident of the township, he forms no unimportant factor in its present growth and pros- perity. The subject of our sketch was born near Toledo, Ohio, Dec. 10, 1840. His father, William Crane, was a native of Connecticut, born in 1802, and the mother, who in her girlhood was Miss Jerusha Whipple, w\'is a native of Massachusetts, and born in 1 806. Tiie parents of our subject soon after their marriage settled in Manhattan, Ohio, whence they came to Southern Michigan in 1842, locating in Fayette Township, this county, which, with the exception of two }'ears, has since been the home of our subject. Here the parents spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in April, 1872, and the motlier in November, 1876. William Cr.ane was a farmer by occupation, and an honest and industrious man, whose upright course in life se- cured him the respect of all who knew him. The four children of the parental family bore tlie names of Helen, William W., Norvel and New- man The latter during the late war enlisted as a soldier in the Union army, l)ecoraing a member of the 17th Michigan Infantry. He was wounded at the battle of South Mountain, and lay upon the field helpless forty-eight hours before being removed^ He was then taken to the hospital at Fredericks- burg, where his death took place in October, 1862. His remains now fill a soldier's grave in the ceme- tery at Fredericksburg. William W. Crane received the education com- mon to farmers' boys, in the home district, and thereafter engaged continuously in agricultural pur- I I- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 721 suits. After reaching manhood he spent two years in Monroe County, N. Y. He sought for his wife one of the maidens of Hudson, Lenawee County, this State, Miss Hattie E. Wade, with whotii he was united in marriage on the iGth of February, 1879. Mrs. Crane is the daughter of John and Jane (Gib- son) Wade, natives of Ireland, wiio are still living, and residents of Riga Township, Lenawee County. Their household included seven children, namelj-: Alice, Mary, Hattie E., Leandcr, Lucy, Christian and Nellie. Mrs. Crane was born in Allen Town- ship, this county, Feb. 9, 185G, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of three children, the eldest of whom died in infancy. Alice A. was born Sept. 4, 1884, and Flossy M. Nov. 9, 18^0. They are bright and interesting j'oung girls. Mr. Crane, politically, votes the straight Republican ticket, and is classed among the solid men of his townshi|). -♦»r- /^\ IIARLES G. ROBERTSON. The name of fl'/^ this gentleman is familiar throughout the ^^/ educational circles of this county, where he is alwaj's welcomed on account of the genuine interest which he has evinced in the institutions calculated to benefit, both morally and socially, the rising generation. Fond of agricultural pursuits and the pleasures of rural life, lie is the proprietor of a model homestead in Cambria Township, comprising 120 acres of land, with a neat and substantial farm residence, and the otiicr buildings required for his comfort ami convenience. Here he keeps high- grade Durham cattle. Merino sheep, and Poland- China swine, and although not claiming to make a specialty of fine stock, has achieved enough in this department to entitle him to honoralile mention. The property of Mr. Robertson includes not only his farm in Cambria Township, but lie has also a fine tract of land near Pleasant Lake, four and one- half miles south of the county seat of Steuben County, Ind. This latter farm comprises 327 acres of good land, eligibly located, well watered, and convenient to town and market. This also is sup- plied with good liuildings, and is operated by his brother Cyrus. The subject of this sketch, like a large propor- tion of the leading men of Hillsdale County, is a native of the Empire State, and was born in Grove- land Township, Livingston County, Jan. 9, 1831. His father, John C. Robertson, was a product of New Jersey, and the paternal grandfather, David Robertson, a native of New Jersey, was of pure Scotch ancestry, of the old Presbyterian stock. The latter continued a resident of his native State during his boyhood and youth, was reared to farm- ing pursuits, and upon reaching manhood married a maiden of his own county. Miss Agnes Vance, whose ancestors also crossed the Atlantic from Scotland, in the Colonial days. The paternal grandparents of our subject, after their marriage and the birth of several children, among them John C, left their native State, and sought their fortunes among the earl}' settlers of Livingston County, N. Y. Grandfather Robertson secured a tract of uncultivated land, where John C, ill common with his brothers and sisters, grew to man's estate, and assisted in building up the homestead. The latter, when read}' to establish domestic ties of his own, invited to his heart and home Miss Matilda Golieen, who was also a native of Livingston County, N. Y. In 1825 the father of our subject determined to push still further westward, and set out for the wilds of Southern Michigan. He made his way to Buffalo by the Erie Canal, and at that point em- barked on a lake steamer for Detroit, which was then a very unimportant village. His route there- after lay over a wild section of country, through which he made his wa}' by following an Indian trail to Ypsilanti, which was then a wilderness, and from there to what is now Tecumseh, in Lenawee County. At this time there were but eleven families in what is now Lenawee County, and who had settled there a year before. Seeking companion- ship with each other in those lonely wilds, they all became acquainted, and each was warml}' interested in the personal welfare of the other. John C. Robertson secured a tract of Government land, the deed or patent of which was made out on pjinth- •p ^m ^» M^ ,t 722 HILLSDALE COUNTY. ment, and signed by President John Q. Adams. This document has been sacredly' preserved, and is now in the possession of the subject of this slvetch. David Robertson and his estimable wife spent the remainder of their days in Tecumseh Township. The former rested from his earthly labors after having rounded up his threescore years, while the mother lived to be eighty years of age. Both were zealous and active members of the Presbyterian Church, people of the highest moral principle, and who scorned a mean action with all the strength of the character inherited from their sturdy' Scotch ancestry. David Robertson took a warm interest in local politics, and was an influential member of the old W^hig party in that section. He lived to see the countrj' settling up around him, and contrib- uted his full quota toward the development of its resources. John C. Robertson, the father of our subject, followed the farming pursuits to which he had been bred from boyhood, and lived to see Lenawee County grow from a few scattered families to a population of more than .50,000 souls. The devoted wife and mother passed away at her home in Hills- dale, in 18G5,at the age of fifty-three years. She was a most lovable and high-minded Christian lady, and her name is held in tender remembrance by her children and the many friends whom her good- ness had drawn around her. Mr. Robertson took an active part in politics, and in accordance with the training of his father before him, perpetuated the Republican principles which had been elimi- nated from the old Whig partj^ He was one of the pillars of the Presbyterian Church, and took an active interest in the establishment and maintenance of schools, believing that a good education was the rightful heritage of every child brought into the world. Instead of making his boys in their youth- ful days subservient to the interests of the farm, he, on the contrary, exerted himself to keep them in school as much and as long as possible, and thej' were not required to tire themselves out with " chores," either before the hour of going to school or after returning from it. This course in that time and localit3' was very unusual, and is some- thing which his children often reflect upon with gratitude to so kind and wise a parent. Mr. Robert- son spent his last j'ears at the home of his son, Charles G., in Cambria Township, where his death occurred on the 7th of June, 1884, when he was nearlj' eighty-one years old. Our subject, when a youth of nineteen years, was well qualified to perform the duties of a teacher, and entered upon his first experience in this line among the common schools of Lagrange County, Ind. After a time thus employed near the town of Lima, and desirous of adding to his store of knowl- edge, and increasing his qualifications, he took a course of instruction in the seminary at Genesee, N. Y. This completed, he returned to Lima, where he engaged in teaching a few years, and then re- solved to invest his surplus capital in a farm in Hillsdale County, this State. The state of his health also made this necessary, but after the change had been made, his reputation as an in- structor followed him, and he was invited by the people of his district to resume his old vocation. To this he consented finally, meeting with his usual success, and became so popular that his services were solicited by the Board of Instruct- ors, of Hillsdale, as Superintendent of the Union School, which position he eventually accepted, and held for a period of twenty-six years, with the exception of two years spent on the farm. Prof. Robertson, as he is familiarly called by the people of Hillsdale and vicinity, was a prime favor- ite with his pupils, and is a most genial and com- panionable man, both among friends and strangers. He has for many years been an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and takes a lively interest in local politics. He uniformlj' votes the straight Republican ticket, and in all matters pertaining to the social and moral welfare of the community around him, has been one of the leading lights, fill- ing generously his appointed pl.ace, and having a thought for others of the community around him, as well as for his own family and his own welfare. The first marriage of our subject, with Miss Mary A. Smith, of Lima, Ind., took pl.ace at the home of the bride there, in the fall of 1854. This lady was born in Marion County, Ind., in April, 1830, and had been finely reared b}' excellent parents. She came to Cambria Township with her husband, and died at their liome here in 1859, leaving two ohil- "•^rf HILLSDALE COUNTY. 723 f flren — William S. and Margaret A. The former was for some time a railroad conductor, and died at Chattanooga, Tenn., in 1883, leaving a widow and one child. The daughter, Margaret A., died at the age of seven years, in Cambria Towiii^hip. After the death of his first wife, and while he was Superintendent of the Union Schools of Hills- dale, Prof. Robertson formed the acquaintance of one of the lady teachers, ]\Iiss Cordelia Dayton, which resulted in their marriage on the 12th of September, 1860. Mi'S. Robertson was born in Delaware County, N. Y., May 21, 1831, where she was reared to womanhood, receiving a good educa- tion. She came West in 1855, and followed the vocation of teacher in Oberlin, Ohio, three years, and in the public schools of Hillsdale two years before her marriage. She is a very accomplished and intelligent lady, and by her marriage with our subject became the mother of six children. Charles E., the eldest son of Prof, and Mrs- Robertson, married Miss Sarah Mclvee, of Hillsdale, and is cashier in the extensive mercantile house of Buruliani (k Co., at Lansing, this State; Harley D. married Miss Nellie Barnes, and is one of the suc- cessful dry-goods clerks of Hillsdale; Frank G. is a teacher in the public schools of Branch County; John .S. is teaching among the district schools of Cambria Township; Mary and Henry continue at home with their parents. All but one of the chil- dren were graduated from the High Schools of Hillsdale, and this one is being fitted for the same thorough course of instruction. The family are all regular attendants of the Presbyterian Church, with which the elder members have been identified for many years. ^-fr-p- RANK R. PULVER. This gentleman, who may be properly classed among the self- made men of Jefferson Township, is quite prominent as a farmer and stock-raiser, and has a tract of valuable land on section 6. This was the old homestead of his parents, and where his birth took place Nov. 2.5, 18G1. William and Nancy A. (Ousted) Pulver, his parents, located here in June, 1852, the father purchasing a quarter-section of land, which he brought to a productive condition from the uncultivated soil, and a part of which he subsequently sold, so that thcie remains 100 acres, which, under a process of cultivation, yield in abundance the richest crops of Southern Michigan. The buildings are substantial, and the farm machin- ery and live stock reflect credit upon the pro- prietor. William Pulver, the father of our subject, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., Dec. II. 1826. The mother, a native of New Jersey, was born in Sussex County, Jan. 12, 1830. Mr. Ousted, her father, left New Jersey early in life, and settled in Yates County, N. Y., where he lived a few years, and thence came to Michigan, locating upon a tract of Government land in what is now Cambridge Township, Lenawee County. The parents of our subject were married Oct. 16, 1850, and removed to their present home in Jefferson Township, Hills- dale County, about two years later. Heie their five children were born, namely : Charles II., born Feb. 16, 1852, is a resident of Litchfield, III., and the father of two children; Mary E. was born April 13, 1854, is now the wife of Arthur M. Barrows, lives in Jefferson Township, on section 6, and is the m(>ther of one child ; Thurston C. was born Jan. 1 1, 1856, is a resident of San Diego County^ Cal., and has two children; Ella A., who was born April 7, 1858, married E. A. Kcnrick, and died on her twenty -second birthday, April 7, 1880. The subject of this sketch received the education common to the sons of pioneer farmers, and at the early age of nineteen years was married, Dec. 25, 1880, to Miss Mary A. Storms, who hecanio the mother of two children, and departed this life June 27, 1886. Mrs. Pulver was the daughter of Joseph S. and Polly Ann (Briggs) Storms, who are now living in Jefferson Township. She was a very lov- able and estimable lady, and is greatlj' mourned by her husband and friends. Their elder child, 3Ieta E., was born F'eb. 7, 1882, and Rene A., Aug. 13, 1884. At the time of his marriage the father of our subject gave him forty acres of woodland, which he has cleared, and where he has put up an excellent house and barn, and was working with great hope and courage until the death of his wife. Afterward, not being able to content himself at ^ 724 HILLSDALE COUNTY. home, he went to Chicago, where he eraplo5'ed him- self a part of the time in the freight ofHce of the Rock Island Railroad, but is now living at home. The grandpai-ents of Mr. Pulver were American born, but it is supposed were of Holland-Dutch ancestry. Both Frank R. and his father vote the Democratic ticket, but neither of them have any aspirations for office. The mother has been a mem- ber of the Free-Will Baptist Church for a period of thirty-five years. 4 WaLLIAM J. KWING, one of the old land- marks of Amboy Township, stationed him- self here in the summer of 1834, and now occupies a good farm on section 31. When erecting his first dwelling, a log house, he had to clear away the timber and brush to make a place large enough to plant it, and his next business was to clear the ground around him and bring the soil to a state of cultivation. The industry with which he labored for years and years has made itself manifest in his surroundings at the present time, he being now in the midst of all the comforts of life, and the owner of 170 acres of fertile land, which 3'ields in abund- ance the rich crops of Southern Micliigan. The boyhood home of our subject was ten miles from the town of Jackson, in Jackson County, Ohio, where his birth took place Sept. 14, 1831. His parents, Enoch and Susan (Radabaugh) Ewing, were natives of Virginia, the father born in Greeu- liriar County. His paternal ancestors were from Scotland and Wales, and the mother was of German descent. The first representatives of tlie Ewing family in this country settled in the Old Dominion, whence tlie paternal grandparents of our subject emigrated, and located among the pioneers of Gallia County, Ohio. There Enoch was reared to man- hood, but after his marriage settled in Jackson County, that State, where he lived until his removal to Michigan in 1854. The parents of our subject upon coming to this county settled in Woodljridge Township, and en- dured, in common with the pioneers around them, hardships and privations, receiving likewise the ■^•■ reward of their labors in due time. There thej' spent the remainder of their days, Enoch Ewing departing iience Dec. 9, 1885, and his wife the year previous. May 17, 1884. Of their ten children eight are still living: Charlotte is the widow of Josiah Jenkins, of Woodbridge Township; Jenette is the wife of Benjamin White; John, Andrew and Leander are all settled in Woodbridge Township, in the vicinity of the old homestead ; William J., our subject, was the fourth child; Elizalieth is the wife of D. C. Cherington, of Van Buren County; Henry M. is farming in Woodbridge Township; Isaac and Emily died when about forty-six and four years old respectively. Enoch Ewing was a devout member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and during the later 3'ears of his life a solid Republican in politics. He was rated among the most useful and energetic men of his township, and accumulated 240 acres of land, which he divided among his three youngest sons. Our subject came to this county with his parents in 1853, and staid one year, assisting his fatlier in obtaining a foothold and getting the family com- fortably settled. Then returning to Ohio he was married, Oct. 12, 1854, to Miss Belle Hank, daugh- ter of Caleb and Mary A. (Mathews) Hank, who were also natives of the Old Dominion. The pater- nal ancestors of Mrs. Ewing were supposed to be of Scotch ancestry, and on the mother's side she is of Irish descent. Caleb Hank was a distant rela- tive of Abraham Lincoln; his youngest brother, John, was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in West Virginia, and lost all his propert}' during the Civil War. To the parents of Mrs. Ewing there were born seven children, six now living, namelj' : Alvin, of Kalkaska Count}', this State ; John, of West Virginia ; Caleb, of Jackson County, Ohio; Nancy, the wife of Henry Ewing, of Woodbridge Township; Rebecca, Mrs. George Rice, of Jackson, Ohio, and Belle, the wife of our subject. Jane died when twenty years old. Mrs. Ewing has been in all respects the suitable companion and helpmate of her husband, and the comfortable home which they are permitted to en- joy is but the due reward of their labors and sacri- fices. Mr. Ewing has little to do with political matters, preferring to give his time and attention m^ ■^•- IIILLSDALE COUNTY. 725 to his farming pursuits. At the general elections, however, he uniformly supports Republican princi- ples. As a man of sound sense :in(l temperate judg- ment, his opinions .are iield in due respect. \j: OEIN AV. V00RIIP:S, son of one of the early I pioneers of Hillsdale County, came with his I p.arents to tlie Territory of Michigan in 1835 ^^// when a lad of fourteen years, from Ontario County, N. Y. The journey was made via the Erie Canal and the Inke to Monroe, and thence over- land to Logan, Lenawee County, where they settled and lived two years. Then, not being quite satis- fied with the prospect, the father of our subject came over into Hillsdale County and purchased eight}' acres of land in Somerset Township. Here the father lived and labored with genuine pioneer patience and industry, and succeeded in building up a comfortable home for his family. He became prominent in local affairs, was a strong advocate of temperance and education, and in all re- spects thoroughly Identified with the best interests of his community. A Whig originally, he later identified himself with the Republican partj', of whose principles he was a warm supporter. The subject of this biography was born in Ontario County, N. Y., Jan. 3, 1822. His parents, John and Jane (Merritt) Voorhes, were natives of New Jersey, whence tliey removed to the Empire State in their j'outh. They settled in Seneca County after their marriage, and there became the parents of eight children, all of whom thej' brought with them upon their removal to this county. They botii lived to be seventy-five years of Jige, the father passing aw.ny in 1865, and the mother in 1875. John Voorh(!S when a young man served for a time in the War of 1812. But five of the parental iiousehold are now living, are engaged in agricultural pursuits, and all residents of this State. Mr. Voorhes, of our sketch, assisted his father in clearing up the land and establishing the homestead, and remained unmarried until the latter part of 1855. On the 30th of December in that year, he took untT) himself a wife .and helpmate. Miss Mary Bross, who was born in Adams Township, this count}', Aug. 2, 1837, and is the daughter of Luke and Theodosia (Britton) Bross, who werenativesof New Jcrse}' and came to the Territory of Michigan about 1834. They lived after the manner of pio- neers, and by tiieir industry and frugality secured a comfortal)le homestead. 'J'heir last days were spent in Adams Township, the father p.assing away in November, 1843, and the mother in M.ay, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Voorhes became the parents of seven children. Of these, two, Josephine and Amy, died young. Ella E. was born Dec. 26. 1857, is the wife of Frank Lockwood, a lumber dealer in North- ern Wisconsin, and the mother of one child, a daugh- ter, Mj'rna. who was born in September, 1 886 ; Betsj' became the wife of William AY. Mercer, who is occupied as a farmer in Somerset. Merritt E. was born Sept. 29, 1862, and with the younger chil- dren continues at home with his parents; Frederick G. was born Oct. 8, 1864, and Alma J., July 21, 1867. Mr. Voorhes at the time of his marriage owned about eighty .icres of land, which was partially Ira- proved, and upon this he has lived now for over thirtj' years. The original log dwelling was long since substituted b}^ a neat frame residence, while the barn and otlier out-buildings, the live stock and farm machinerj^ bear fair comparison with those of his neighbors. He is pursuing the even tenor of his wa3' as an honest man and good citizen, held in respect by his neighbors, and sustaining the reputa- tion of the family in a praiseworthy manner. ABRAHAM COUZENS, late of Fayette [(gj/ull Township, was born in Orange County, N. Y., Dec. 18, 1807, and departed this life ,^gj, at his home in Fayette Township on the 8th of Januarj-, 1887. He received a common- school education, learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, and was first married, in Homer, Mich., to Miss Lydia A. Rogers, by whom he became the father of two children — George W. N. and Ellen G. These arc also deceased. Mrs. Lydia A. Couzens died in Fayette Township while still a young woman, Nov. 1, 1842. Mr. Couzens contracted a second marriage, May >► k <9 HILLSDALE COUNTY. 4, 1845, with Miss Maliiida Rogers, who was born July 22, 1806, and died in Fayette Township, Aug. 23, 1885. Mr. Couzens came to this county about 1837, worked at his trade two years, and then set- tled on section 18 in Fayette Township, wliere he continued to reside until his death. He left a good property, including 144 acres of land, with substan- tial buildings, and supplied with all the necessary machinery, besides a goodly assortment of live stock. He held the office of Highway Commis- sioner, voted the Republican ticket, but was not particularly interested in political matters. The recorp of the son born of the first marriage of Mr. Couzens is as follows: George W. N. upon reaching manhood was married to Miss Sarah F. Bowen, and died on the 10th of February, 1867; his widow subsequently married George R. Mudge, and died Dec. t), 1872. Of the first marriage there were born two children : Edwin G., Jan. 29, 1864i and Lydia A., Nov. 9, 1865. Edwin G. was mar- ried in Fayette Township, Jan. 4, 1888, to Miss Anna L. Johns, who was born in Missouri, Jan. 15, 1869; he votes the Republican ticket. Lydia is the wife of James Courtwright, to whom she was married in Lansing, this State, Sept. 4, 1883, and is now a resident of Faj'ctte Township. "tacfi;©-^" W EVI GUGGENHEIM, clothier and merchant I (i^j tailor of Hillsd.nie, is a native of Germany, /I*— ^Y ; which has furnished so many of the enter- prising men who have assisted in the development of this section of country. He was born in Baden, on the River Rhine, April 28, 1 829, while his parents, Michael and Rachel (PuUagg) Guggenheim, were born in Baden and Switzerland respectively. The father was a small farmer and wine grower, besides doing some business as a merchant. In the fall of 1853 the family of Michael Gug- genheim emigrated to America, landing in the city of New York after the usual experiences of an ocean voyage. Making only a short stay in the metropolis, they removed to Buffalo, in the same State, whence, in 1858, they came to this county, where they settled in the citj' of Hillsdale, and resided there until their family grew up and were capable of supporting themselves; they then re- moved to Chicago, 111., where the father departed this life in 1884. Michael Guggenheim was twice married. By his first marriage he had two children : Levi, our subject, and Caroline, who became the wife of Isaac Manheiraer, who was killed by the cars in 1879, at the Lake Sliore depot. By the second wife, Emily Berheimer, there were four children, recorded as follows: Sarah married E. Mayer, of Jonesville; Julia is the wife of S. Hirsh, of Chicago, 111. ; Rachel mairied Jacob Hirsh, a brother of S. Hirsh, and also resides in Chicago; while Bertha is the wife of Emanuel Phillipsen, and resides in Dowagiac, Mich. The subject of this notice began his attendance at school when he was but six years old, and pur- sued his studies until he reached the age of fourteen, acquiring during those years, in a country in which education is compulsory, and the sj'stem has reached the high degree of perfection, the foundation of a good education. When fourteen j'ears of age he accompanied his parents to tiiis country, .and assisted his father in farm work for some years, after which he opened a store on his own account, in Hillsdale, engaging in the clothing business. He is well up in the requirements of his calling, is an experienced buyer and an excellent judge of textile fabrics. He conducts his enterprise on the cash system, and never borrowed a dollar in connection with his business, nor has he ever overdrawn his account in the bank. He engaged in business for himself in 1858, and has applied himself closelj' to his affairs. He has bought carefully and with judgment, and Inlying as he does for cash, gets his goods at such prices as enables him to sell at moderate prices and 3'et obtain a living profit. In this day of speculation and hj'pothecated securities, it is re- freshing to find a financier such as Mr. Guggenheim. In 1863 he bought a lot containing a frame build- ing, in which he conducted his business until 1885, when the old structure was removed and gave place to a fine brick block 95x50 feet, and two stories in height, in which he at present conducts liis exten- sive business. His former cutter, John Baclinian, was in the employ of Mr. Guggenheim for a period of twenty years, and his present cutter, Mr. George I •^f^ .d HILLSDALE COUNTY. 727 Segner, is a skillful .iiid artistic workman. In con- nection with [lis business in tiieoily, Mr. Guggenheim has two farms in Hillsdale and Jefferson Townships, which are operated by tenants. The subject of this notice was married, in August, 1873, to Miss Bertha Graff, of Syracuse, N. Y. Of her union vvith Mr. Guggenheim there have been born four children, two boys and two girls, as fol- lows: Rosa, Clara, Hariy and David, all in school. Mr. Guggenheim is a stockholder in the Second National Bank, of Hillsdale, and from his straight- forward business methods, and his general inflexi- bility of purpose and character, he h.as secureil the highest esteem of the community in wiiich he lives. He is a member of Fidelity Lodge No. 32, F. & A. M., while in politics he is somewh.at conservative, though he votes the Republican ticket. -f3= ^ T h , A. T-^ ■£>- n SAAC H. GIBBS w.ns born in Madison Town- ship, Richland Co., Ohio, June !), 1835, while /li his father, Janits Gibhs, was a native of Vir- ginia, and his grandfather, of the same name, was born in Ireland. Grandfather Gibbs came to Amer- ica in Colonial times and fought in the Revolution- ary War. He subsequently' settled in West Virginia, and from there moved to Ohio and settled in Tus- carawas Countj', among the early settlers of that section of country. He continued to make that place his home until death. Tlie father of our subject grew to manhood in Virginia, and during the War of 1812 served in Ohio, assisting in the maintenance of his country's rights. Upon the conclusion of the war he settled in the Buckeye State, where he was among the first settlers in Richland County. Wheeling and Mari- etta were the nearest depots for supplies, though their wants were simple, salt being one of the prin- cipal necessaries. Deer and wild turkeys, coons, squifrels and all kinds of game were plentiful, and furnished the family larder with a good supply of meat, while the boys had the enjoyment and ex- citement of the hunt. The}' could raise corn suffl- cient for their wants from the time of their first settlement, and meat and corn bread were their j staple articles of diet. James Gibbs took up a tract of timber land in Madison Township, and remained a resident of that township from the time of his settlement, in 1814, until his dealli, in 1878. He had cleared and im|)roved a good farm, upon which he erected suitable buildings, and contributing manfull}' his quota, lived to see the country devel- oped from a state of nature to a prosperous and wealthy commonwealth. The mother of our sub- ject, whose maiden name was Nancy Shanks, was born in Bradford County, Pa., and died at he homestead in 1870, after having heroically- t.aken her pait in rearing a large family of children and surrounding them with those influences which would tend to foster good habits and make them reputable men and women. The parental family of our subject included thir- teen children, ten of whom lived to be men and women. Isaac H. was reared in his native county at the home of his parents until the age of sixteen j'ears, making himself useful about the homestead, and acquiring the rudiments of an education at the public schools. At the age of 'sixteen he engaged to learn the carpenter's .trade, and followed that occupation in Richland and Auglaize Counties until 1 850, when he came to Hillsdale County and located in Wright Township. He began by working at his trade, but in 1857 he purchased a tract of timber land on section 31 of that township, and erecting the usual log house, began to clear a farm from the wilderness. After he had cleared eigiit acres, how- ever, he sold this place and removed to Douglas County, Neb., engaging in the employ of the Union Pacific Railro.ad Compaii}'. After a resi- (ience there of eighteen months he returned to Wright Township, and in 18G6 purchased the farm where he now resides, on section 5 (T. 9 south). His land was then covered with a heav}' growth of timber, and he commenced his work of transform- ation by cutting down trees to make room for a log cabin. A narration of Mr. Gibbs' pioneer ex- perience would be a repetition of that of scores of other brave and energetic men who have taken a prominent p.art in subduing nature, and redeem- ing from the wilderness those beautiful and fertile farms which, while affording to their owners a hand- some competenc}', are the admiration of all who ^ « ► l l"^ ^- 728 HILLSDALE COUNTY. ♦t have the pleasure of a journey through this part of the country. They contended with crude tools, almost impassable roads, with markets and mills in some cases twenty miles distant, and with inferior facilities for education, but in spite of all their hardships, thej- were social and happy, possessing a vigorous constitution, and providing for tiie wants, moral and temporal, of their growing families. Mr. Gibbs has now a well-improved farm under a good state of cultivation, containing a handsome frame residence, which was built in 1884, and substantial and commodious out-buildings. The subject of this biography was united im mar- riage, June 14, 1S57, with Eliza A. Hubbard, who was born in Portage Countj-, Ohio, Sept. 3, 1834, and is the daughter of Alexander K. and Eliza (Borton) Hubbard. Her father was born in Scho- harie County, N. Y., May 7, 1 787, and was the son of Ephraim Hubbard, who removed to what is known as the "Western Eeserve, Ohio, and was an early settler in Deerfield Township, Portage County. He purchased a tract of timber land and settled upon it while deer, wild turkeys and smaller game were yet to be found in abundance, and the howling of the wolves broke the stillness of the night. He was occupied in clearing his land and improving a farm, upon which he resided until his demise. The father of Mrs. Gibbs was about fifteen years of age when his parents removed to Ohio. He remained there only a short time, however, and then returning to New York State, lived with Capt. Kidd, and attended school. He paid particular attention to the study of surveying, and after becoming skillful in that branch of science, he returned to Ohio and secured employment as a surveyor of land. He surveyed a great part of thatseetion of country lying around Deerfield, but after his father's death bought the interest of the other heirs, and took up his resi- dence on the homestead. He was industrious and energetic, and attended closelj- to his own business, in which he exercised good judgment. His usual recreation was found in the hunt, and many a wild animal fell before his unerring aim. Politic.illj', he was a Democrat, and tilled man3- offices of trust in the township and county, discharging his duties with that fearlessness and ability for which he was noted. He was at one time a candi- -<•- date for the Legislature, and was defeated by one vote only. At the time of his decease he was Jus- tice of the Peace. The mother of Mrs. Gibbs, whose maiden name was Eliza Borton, was born in New Jersey, and was the daughter of Daniel and Tabitha Borton, natives of New Jersey, and pioneers of Columbiana County, Ohio. She spent her last j'ears with her children in Wright Township, dying at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs are the parents of three chil- dren — Oliver H., Paul Sydney and Frank H. Oliver married Viola E. Gibbs, and lives adjoining the homestead. Mrs. Gibbs is a member in good stand- ing of the Christian Church. In politics Mr. G. is a Democrat. 117 ENRY GUISE, a representative farmer and ~ [1 stock-raiser of Camden Township, and one of its most thrifty German citizens, is the owner of 100 acres on section 25, where he has cultivated the soil to good advantage, and secured for himself a comfortable home. He was born on the other side of the Atlantic, in Germany, June 1, 1833. and was the son of Henry and Julia (Snider) Guise, the mother deceased, and the father now a resident of Williams County, Ohio. The latter is now nearly ninety years of age. The mother departed this life at her home in that county, in June, 1886, in the ninet}'- third year of her age. Our subject emigrated to this country with his parents when a lad nine years of age, making the voyage on a sailing-vessel. They settled in Pitts- burgh, Pa., where they lived two years, thence removed to Stark County, Ohio, and were residents there for a period of fourteen years; from there they removed to Williams County, being among its early settlers, and where the mother passed away. Mr. Guise, our subject, was reared amid the primitive scenes of early life in the Buckeye State, and assisted his father in clearing the land and bringing the soil to a state of cultivation. He cleared 100 acres himself alone, and has done a great deal of hard work during his lifetime. About f •►^h-*»^ ^1 HILLSDALE COUNTY. 729 1863 ho camo to this county and took possession of the hinil which hs now occupies, wiiich comprises a good farm of 100 acres, where lie labored as he had done before in Ohio, clearing from it tlie wild woods, and enduring the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. Our subject was married, April 1 1, 1«58, to Miss Catiierine Zimmers, the wedding talcing place in Indiana. They commenced housekeeping in a mod- est home in Ohio, and in due time were the parents of four children: Fernando J.; Julia A., now the wife of William McDonald, of Camden Township; Elizabeth and William. Mr. Guise may be properly ranked among the selfmade men of Southern Michi- gan, his experience in his youth being such as to develop the qualities of self-reliance and independ- ence of character vvhich he possesses, in a marked degree. His comfortable surroundings are the result of his own industry and perseverance. He was reared in the principles of the Lutheran Church, to which he still faithfully adheres, and in political matters belongs to the Union Labor party. ^8e f'lvxALENTINE CLARK has been an important 1/ factor in promoting and sustaining the agri- cultural interests of Pittsford Township since the days of 1843. At the time of his arrival here ten j'ears had not elapsed since the first settlement was made at this place, and the part of the township in which he settled, and where he has ever since made his home, was covered with a heavy forest growth; deer were plentiful and often came near the house, and there were few indications that it would ever become the fine farming country that it is to-day. Mr. Clark is of English birth and ancestry ; he was born in Great Marlovv. Buckinghamshire, En- gland, Feb. 14, 1822. His grandfather, Thomas Clark, was a lifelong resident of that shire, and his father, Henry Clark, was born there March 26, 1792. He learned the trade of tailor, and was industriouslj- engaged in it at Great Marlow for several years. In tlie meantime he had .assumed matrimonial relations with Mary Ann Jefferay, who was born near Lon- 1 r don, England, in Coldbrook, and to them five chil- dren had been born, as follows : .Tefferay T., who died in 1840; Frederic, who died June 18, 1866, in Pitts- ford Tovvnship; Valentine; Reuben, born April 11. 1825, lives in York, Neb.; Napoleon, born April 9, 1828, died in Ransom Township Oct. 11, 1886. June 6, 1832, Mr. Clark set sail from London for America with his wife and children, and landed at Quebec on the 8th day of the following August. He located at Thorn Hill, thirteen miles north of Toronto, and established himself at his trade. In 1834 he started with his family for the Territory of Michigan, going from Toronto across Lake On- tario to Lewiston, N. Y'., thence by team to Buffalo, from there on the lake to Detroit, where he hired a team to take himself and family to Plymouth Township, Wayne County. He worked as a tailor there until 1842, and then removed to Ingham County, where he died in 1843. His family con- tinued to live in Plymouth until February, 1844, when they came to Hillsdale County, and made their home with our subject where he now lives. The good mother died here March 9, 1870. Valentine Clark was a lad of ten j-ears when his parents crossed the Atlantic to America, and he still remembers with afifection the old home in England, ami has not forgotten the incidents of the long voyage on the ocean. He lived with his parents until he was old enough to earn iiis own living, and then worked out by the month. He was active, intelligent, and in 1843, ambitious to become a landed proprietor and build up a home, he came to Pittsford Township, and in company with Edward Howell bought the northwest quarter of section 6. This and all the adjoining land was heavily timbered, and they were obliged to cut a road to their pLace. They built a small log shanty, which two months later was burned to the ground with all its contents. After that serious loss, Mr. Howell returned to Plymouth, .and left our subject in sole possession. He liastily constructed another cabin, and in February, 1844, his mother joined him, and thereafter looked after his comfort until his marriage, and continued to make her home with him until her death. Mr. Clark entered with ardor and untiring industry upon the long and hard task of clearing away the forest and preparing his land for culture. His labors and judicious management ^*^^' •»-HI^^ 730 HILLSDALE COUNTY. have been abundantly rewarded, and he now owns a highly productive farm, of which 133 acres are under fine cultivation, and he has erected a com- modious and convenient set of frame buildings. The first year he did not have his land fenced and the cattle ran at will, were sometimes lost, and one cow was never found. Our subject undoubtedly owes a part of his good fortune to his amiable wife, who has been to him a wise and ready helper, and to whom he was mar- ried in 1846. She was formerly Catherine Simpson, and Hillsdale, Columbia Co., N. Y., was her birth- place. Her parents, Elry and Sally (Spencer) Simp- son, were natives of New York State, and came to Michigan in 1838. They first settled in Wheatland in 1840, where he improved a farm, and both spent their last years there. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have six children, namely: Frederic, who lives in De- troit; Mary E. married D. D. Carl; they live in Pittsford Township. Ann Maria, wife of T. W. Peters, lives in Springport, Jackson County; E". P. lives in Adams Township; Emma T., wife of Alfred Lawson, lives with her father; Timothy lives at home. Mr. Clark is in the best sense of the term a self- made man, as he started out in the world with no capital but brains and energy, and has steadily won his way to his present prosperous condition with no other aid. His career has been an honor- able and useful one, not only to his family but also to his fellow-citizens, with whom his genial dispo- sition and hearty, cordial manners render him very popular. In politics he is actively identified with the Democratic parly, of Hillsdale County. eOL. FREDERICK FOWLER. Few who have ever had occasion to tarry for any length of time in Hillsdale County have failed to become familiar with the name of this gentleman, who is one of its prominent and wealthy citizens, and who, in the course of an honorable career, has reflected credit upon the section of country where he has made his home and been closely identified for so many years. He is one of the old- est settlers of the county and one of its most suc- -<•- cessful general farmers and stock-raisers. His property embraces over 1.000 acres of valuable land in Reading, Camden and Cambria Townships, while he also has a fine property in Reading Village. His homestead is located on section 24, in Reading Township, and embraces 460 acres of land, which, with its buildings and appurtenances, forms the ideal country home. The residence is surrounded with a beautiful grove, planted by Mr. Fowler himself, and with its barns and out-buildiugs, its choice fruit and shade trees, presents most truly a delightful picture to the e^-e. Col. Fowler secured the land which constitutes his present homestead in 1843, and at a time when the face of the country was a wild and unbroken tract, traveled very little by the feet of white men. For five consecutive years after he came to this farm Col. Fowler cleared and put under the plow from forty to 100 acres. The whole is now mostly brought to a good stateof cultivation, and produces in abundance the richest crops of Southern Michi- gan. The early tramping ground of our subject was in Perry Township, Geauga Co., Ohio, where his birth took place Feb. 5, 1817. His father, Richard Fow- ler, was a native of Massachusetts, and after his marriage emigrated with his wife and their small family to the Buckeye State, making their way slowly and laboriously with an ox-team, and carry- ing with them all their eaithly possessions. One hundred days were consumed in the journey, they be- ing delayed somewhat on account of sickness. They traveled in true emigrant style, cooking and camp- ing b}' the wayside and sleeping in their wagon at night. Perry Township, where the}' located, was at that time a dense wilderness, where they lookup their residence in the fall of 1816. Although they were surrounded with difficulty and danger, they persevered in their intention of founding a home, and early in the thirties sat under their own vine and fig tree, with cultivated fields around them. The father of our subject, however, longing for newer fields and having a good opportunitj' to sell, disposed of his 175-acre farm in Ohio, and gather- ing together his family and household possessions as before, started for the Territory of Michigan. They made their way overland by ox-teams and •► i u HILLSDALE COUNTY. 731 f located on what is now section 30, in Adams Town- ship, and were the first settlers in the township — indeed the first permanent settlers between that place and Jonesville. In March, 1835, there was a road cut through from wiiat is now Jonesville to Hudson, our subject, altiiough but a 3'outh of eight- een .years, carrying the chain himself. This was a time when everyone who was big enough was pressed into service, and there was more than plenty to do for all. The father of our subject depended greatly upon the assistance of his sons, and Frederick, on account of the superabundance of work, received very limited school advantages. He was bright and observing, however, and after learning to read, by the aid of instructive books .acquired a good fund of information. That early habit of reading has never left him, and on .account of this he is now one of the most intelligent of men. Richard Fowler, the father of our subject, the pioneer of two States, lived to see his farm of more than 200 acres, in Adams Township, under a fair state of improvement, and became prominent in local affairs .as one of its most intelligent citizens. He wjis strictly temperate, honorable and upright in his trans.actions, of irreproachable character, both public and private, while his industry and energy were proverbial. A scion of excellent old Massachu- setts stock, its finer elements had descended to him in a marked degree. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Medad b3' name, was also a native of the Bay State, a descendant of the old Puritan stock which crossed the Atlantic during the Colonial days^ and on the rugged coast of New England imbibed the air of liberty and self-s.acrifice. Grandfather Fow- ler made liis living as a tiller of the soil, and spent his entire life in the Bay State. He married a Massachusetts lady, and Richard, the father of our subject, was their eldest son. Richard Fowler was reared to m.anhood in his na- tive State, and there married Miss Anna Hill, who was born in Hudson County, and was also of Mas- sachusetts parentage. Their eldest child, Henry, who died in 1 842 when about thirty years old. was born in Massachusetts, and their remaining eight children were natives of Ohio. Of these latter, Frederick, our subject, was the first born in the Buckeye .State, his birth taking pl.ace a few months after their arrival. The family all lived to come to Michigan, and six of the children are yet living, being married and having families of their own, and residents mostly of Michigan, Illinois and Kansas. Our subject continued a member of his father's household until his marri.age. which w.as celebrated at the home of the bride, Miss Phebe L. Willets, in Cambria Township, Jan. 13, 1842. Mrs. Fowler is a sister of Moses Willets, well known throughout this vicinity, and a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. She was born in Lock- port, Niagara Co., N. Y., May 14, 1824, and came with her brothers to Michigan when a young girl, her parents having died in New York. Of her union with our subject there have been born six chil- dren, two of whom died, aged respectively two j'ears and four months. Their eldest son living. Henry by name, married Miss Adelaide Bryan, and is living on a farm in Camden Township; Helen is the wife of Julius C. Merriman, who is farming in Cambria Township; Fremont took to wife Miss Kate Richardson, and is also ca,rrying on agricult- ure in Cambria Township; Frederick R., Jr., mar- ried Miss Margaret Devine, and is tilling the soil of a portion of Reading Township. In July, 1861, after the outbreak of the late war, Mr. Fowler, by permission of Col. Kellogg, who had received his instructions from .Simon Cameron, Secretary of "War, proceeded to organize a com- pany for the field, .and in the course of a few weeks had secured 112 volunteers. This band of men was named Company G. and our subject was pre- sented vvith a Captain's commission, and with his men assigned to the 2d Michigan CavaIr3^ They were detailed to Benton Barracks, near St. Louis, Mo., where they remained 100 d.a^'s, and in Febru- ary', 1862, were sent to the frontier, Capt. Fowler also acting as Major of a battalion at the same time. His company was first brought into active service in the cavalry charge at New Madrid, Mo., at which point they routed the enemy, and now beginning in earnest to participate in the conflict, met the enemy next at Corinth, Miss., where the 2d Michigan Cav- alry' was in the thickest of the fight. Capt. Fowler leading his men, and the company suffering greatly from heat. The regiment then ra.ade its waj' into Kentucky, t -4^ I •4— 732 -■► HILLSDALE COUNTY. and at Champion Hills the 2d Cavalry also met with consideral loss. Soon afterward Capt. Fowler was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, which lie retained until receiving his honorable dis- charge, in June. 1 8G3. Upon returning home he was welcomed as one who had done his duty bravely and well, and was rewarded by his fellow-citizens in the most fitting manner, being chosen by them as State Senator for the term of 18G4— G.i. He officiated as Chairman on several important committees, among them that of military affairs. Politically, he has always been a Republican. Col. Fowler upon leaving the army and while bidding his com- rades farewell, told them that if his life was spared a few years he would erect a monument to their memory and their deeds, and this promise he kept in mind for a period of twenty years, until it was possible for him to fulfill it. hi 1884, at his own personal expense, he erected the beautiful monu- ment which now stands prominently in the ceme- tery at Reading, and which was put up at a cost of $1,500. The shaft is of the finest New Hampshire granite, twent\'-eight feet in height, and resting upon a flag-stone 10x16 feet. This in turn rests on a solid stone foundation embedded in the earth six feet, on an elevated mound which is always kept green. On two sides of the main shaft is a 1400- pound gun resting on solid blocks of granite, and on the third section in bass-relief is the State coal- of-arms, the crossed swords, crossed guns and the American flag on the four sides. Inscribed upon another side of the shaft are the names of sixteen principal battles in which the 2d Michigan Cavalry was engaged, and by special request of his fellow- soldiers Col. Fowler caused to be engraved the following inscri|)tion : "Erected to the Memory of the Soldier Dead by Col. F. Fowler, Second Regi- ment Michigan Cavalry." In the year 1883 Col. Fowler crossed the Atlantic, visiting some of the principal cities of Europe, London, Paris and others, which proved a rich ex- perience, and to one of his observing mind a val- uable fund of infoi'mation with which he would not willingly part. He has also traveled over the United Stales to a great extent. Physically, he is of com- manding stature, a man who would at once be no- ticed among a thousand, and of that bright and intelligent eye and genial countenance which at once discloses capabilitie of a high order. He has no use for the idler, and during the vicissitudes of a long and busy career has built up for himself a recoid of which his children and friends have rea- son to be proud. Mr. Fowler, in 1857-58, represented this county in the Michigan Legislature, and was appointed Chairman of the committee on the State Agricult- ural College, while at the same time his views were uniformly solicited concerning other matters of State and National importance. Prior to this he had served as Justice of the Peace, and had gained a good knowledge of common law. He was elected President of the County Agricultural Society, be- ing the second President of the organization and serving four terms. To all of the enterprises tend- ing to build up the county and insure the welfare of its people, he has been the ever cheerful and ready assistant, and his name will be held in grate- ful remembrance long after he shall have been gath- ered to his fathers. OTIS D. FINCH. The personal traits of the original settlers of New England and the Northern Atlantic .States were in many waj's remarkable. These were men who not only dared to have ideas of their own but had the courage to advance and maintain them, and to face the logical results of such a course. Their descendants of to- day have just cause for revering their memory and their deeds, and helping to cherish anil preserve them, for from their constancy and patriotism, through dangers and hardships, they asserted and maintained their independence, and have given to us a heritage, the grandest on which the sun shines. The subject of this sketch is a native of the Em- pire State, where he was born in Burlington Town- ship, Otsego County, Feb. 14, 1827, the fifth in a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters, born to his parents, Tripp and Rebecca Finch. Mr. Finch is now pleasantl}^ located on section 5, in Moseovv Township, where, in the en- joyment of a competency of this world's goods, and the confidence and esteem t>f his friends and ac- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 733 quaintances, he can pass the i-emaiiuler of his da^'s in the consciousness tiiat his life has not been in vain. In 1833 the parents of our subject removed from the Empire State, and hazarded the lon<^ and toil- some jotirne}' to the boundless West, where they settled in this county, in Moscow Plains, and en- gaged in their efforts to subdue from the wilderness a farm on which they might rear their family' to lives of usefulness, and give them that education which would fit them to take their position in whatever sphere they miglit be called ui)on to labor. Here our subject passed his bo3'hood attending school in the first house built for that purpose in Moscow Plains. He labored under the usual diffi- culties experienced by the early pioneers, being often kept at home, where his services were utilized in guiding the oxen, seven yoke of which were em- ployed in breaking the prairie. The family sus- tained a great affliction in the loss of tlie wife and motiier when Otis D. was eighteen years of age, and they broke up housekeeping. The father re- moved to Iowa with three of the children, but not being satisfied with the outlook there he returned to Michigan. Mr. Finch ventured out for himself by purchas- ing a tract of seventy-five acres of land, which, with that conservative spirit that marks the enter- prising farmer, he has retained possession of ever since. Finding that it is not good for man to be alone, and having now reached a position in which he could afford to take the important step, Mr. Finch was united in marriage, in 1852, with Miss Sarali Ann, daughter of Thomas Jefferson and Miria (Powell) .Strait, the former a native of Steuben County, N. Y., while the latter was born in New York City. Her parents were married in Steuben County, and resided in the Empire State until their removal to Ohio, in 1839, which became their resi- dence for some five j'ears, where they engaged in agricultural pursuits. They then removed to Jen- nings County, Ind., about twent3' miles from Ver- non, whei-e they purchased a tract of land, but were soon after visited by sickness, and becoming discouraged they removed to Hanover, Midi., where they bought 160 acres of land near Horse- shoe Lake in 1849. Upon this tliej' labored, and had already effected considerable improvements when the father was called awa^' b^' death, Nov. 7. 1867, at the age of sixty-one years; the mother fol- lowed Jan. 22, 1872, also aged sixty-one. Thomas Jefferson and wife became the parents of seven children, four of whom grew to maturity, while three still survive, one son and two daugh- ters. Mrs. Finch, the eldest of this family, was born March 1, 1833, in Steub?n County, N. Y., and had just begun her attendance at the public schools when the family removed to Ohio, where she again attended the public schools until eleven years of age, when her parents removed to Indiana; here she again resumed her studies, and owing to the good educational facilities of this State and the State of Ohio she secured a good education. Her union with Mr. Finch was blessed b^' the birth of seven children : Mary K. ; Ida M., deceased ; Thomas J., Alva C, Frank W., Clarence L. and Claude D. Mar}' E. became the wife of H. N, Rowley, of Han- over, and they have one child, Ann E. ; Thonms J. is employed by a railroad company at Bloomington, III., where he resides with his wife, Ida L. (Howe) Finch, and their child Floyd ; Alva C. married Car- rie Richards, and they have one child, Ilattie E., and reside in Moscow Township; Frank W. has the management of the homestead ; Clarence L. has been at Hanover, attending the Union School, where he was graduated with the class of '88; Claude D. resides at home. Mr. Finch owns seventj'-five acres on section 5, Moscow Township, on which the family resides, and eight}' acres in Hanover Township, Jackson County, making a total of 15.") acres, which he has brought to a good state of cultivation. On his farm in Moscow Township he has erected a good residence, flanked with convenient out-buildings, with m.achiner}' required b}' the modern agricultur- ist. Mr. and Mrs. Finch are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of West Moscow, in which Mrs. Finch is .Steward. Thej' are also members of Mo.scow Grange, and Mr. F. is a member of the Masonic fraternity, identified with Hamilton Lodge No. 113, F. & A. M.; he has served for a period of eleven 3'ears as Constable, and in politics he finds his ideas most nearly carried out liy theGreenback party. i' j> ^m <• u -•► r34 HILLSDALE COUNTY. bUTHER MINER settled with his family in Pulaski, Jackson Co., Mich., in 1 838, wliere he remained ahout seven years, when he moved to Somerset. Hillsdale Co., Midi. In tracing his gen- ealogy we are fortunate enough to have access to a recent volume entitled "History of Ancient Wood- burj-, Conn.," by William Cothren. He quotes an ancient account of the family. This was sent over from England to the first Thomas Miner some years after he came to this country, and was preserved by the descendants of Manassah Miner until within a few years ago. when it was deposited with the Connecticut Historical Society for i)reservation. The first of those who have borne the name of Minor, or Miner, was Henry, who lived in the reign of one of the Edvv.irds of England, at Mendippi Hills, in Somersetshire, England, and died in 1359. The name with armorial bearings was given him b^' King Edward in acknowledgment of his loyal service in providing an escort for the King on his way to embark for France. His name is said to have been Bullman before it was changed, and his business that of a miner. King Edward, in giving him a coat of arms, honored his profession by giv- ing the name of his trade for a surname. The coat of arms given above was procured at the herald's office in London, by the first Thomas, of New Lon- don, in 1680. There is another account of this found in Money's translation from the Gaelic: "King Edward now rote to several prominent men for help. This miner went to his aid with 70 men as soldiers and 30 men as servants, for which he received the honor of knighthood and other com- pensation from the King. 1346." Thomas, son of (2) Clement and grandson of (1) William, who died at Chow-Mngna, in England, Feb. 23, 1585, was b. April 23, 1608, came to New England in 1630, and m. Grace, daughter of Walter Palmer, April 23. 1634. Thomas Minor came with John Winthrop's company to Pequot and settled there about 1646-47. He d. at Stonington, Oct. 23, 1690, aged 83. Grace, his wife, died the same year. He was n leading man in the settlements in the eastern part of the State. He is the ancestor of all bearing the name in this country so far as can be ascertained. Clement settled in New London, and is the ancestor of most of those bearing the name in that vicinity. In this history of the family name we propose to trace his descendants onlj\ It would take a vol- ume of good size to give all the descendants of the first Thomas. Luther Grant m. Mary Rynx in Somerset, Hillsdale Co., Mich. ; James Harvey m. Sarah Durni at Volga City, Iowa, May 12, 1855, and has since lived in Richland County, Wis., and has three daughters : Alberka D., Carrie and Minnie, and one son. Grant Lenox. This Grant m. Nelie Lybrand, and has two sons — Will and Harrie, Being now through with the history genealogical the writer will make mention of a few members of the family. Amos, who was born in New London. Conn., in 1755, was a Revolutionarj' soldier; he was under Gen. Putnam at the battle of Bunker Hill, or as then called Breed's Hills. He worked in the trenches that memorable night, and was one of the small number of men who were concealed behind a breastwork made of new-mown hay and a post and rail fence, and delivered the first volley of musketrj' from their flint-lock guns into the ranks of the red coats as they inarched up the hill in solid column. The fire was very effective as it was de- livered at very close range. It was very interesting to hear him detail the occurrences of that da^'. He served during the war and received a gunshot wound in an arm, which disabled him for life. He was a pensioner .and died at the age of 81, and his remains are now buried at the main entrance of the Palmyra Cemetery in the State of New York. Luther Miner was one of the founders of Lock- port, in the State of New York, where he lived for many years previous to his emigrating to Michigan. I HILLSDALE COUNTY. 735 He was an active biisiness man of that place. In polilifs he w.'is a AVhig anrl a Kcpuliliean, alwaj'S aiding his jjaity nnd his friends, hut never asking for the iionors of office. After coming to Michi- gan he was a hard-woriiie Fitzmorris neigh Caterburgh, in the province of Leinster, in Ireland. John married Joselina O'Bryan, daughter of Teig O'Bryan, of , in County of Clare, whose posteritie remain there in the name of Miner, bearing the same coat. George married and lived in Shropshire, Thomas in Hereford. William, the eldest son, had issue, Clem- ent and Elizabeth Miner, and was buried at Chow Magna, the 23 day of February, Anno Domini 1585, and lies interred in the Priests' chancel, about four feet from the wall, with this inscription : HERE ,, ETH ,,,,,, M MYNER ,,, OF ,,, PSH OBYT IRMFERRU MDLXXXV This and no more is legible upon the stone, with the coat expressed in the margin (at the f signe) but by the Records and Registry of said church it is evident that his name was William Myner, they both agreeing in the same date and place, and must needs have been the head of the same family, as by the paternal coat of arms clearly appear. Clement, his son, succeeded his father in Heritage, and married, and had issue, Clement, Thomas, Elizabeth and Mary Miners, and departed this life the 31st of March, 1040, and lies interred in Chow Magna, in the County of Somersctt. Clement, Ihe eldest brother, married Sarah Po])e, daughter of John Pope, of Norton, Small Reward, in the County of Somersett, and had issue, William and Israel. This Clement was buried at Burslington, County of Somersett, and Thom.as, his brother, is now (in 1083) alive at Stonington, Connecticut Colony, in New England, Anno Domini 1683, and h.as issue, John, Thomas, Clement, Manassah, Ephraim and Judah Miners, and two daughters, Marie and Elizabeth. William Miner, eldest son of Clement Miner, 2d, married Sarah, daughter of John Batting, of Clif- ton, in Gloucestershire, and lives. Anno Domini, 1683, in Christmas street, in the city of Bristol, and has issue, William and Sarah. Israel, the second son, married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Jones, of Burslington, in County of Somersett, and had issue, Clement, Thomas, Sarah, Jean and Elizabeth, Anno Domini 1683. And now, having done with the description Genealogical, I hope that TOV TIC, etc., etc. ^ egdaba naian Tima, aug. ugabo. And if 1 have used any old or ancient words, ••►HI i- ^- IIILLSDALK COUNTY. 737 yea, words diffeiciitly now Sj-Uilpioated, I may ex- cusp myself with Qiiintialiaiim Verbosa restuetate lepetites non solume maquis assentorcs aliquam non sine flft lulalonat, and for the ingenuous reader I am not that every Peasant should venture his sick-brained opinion upon this essay, knowing well thatasy neminem liabet ininiicume praetor ig- norantum, but if he will take counsel (an illegible Greek qnotation here follows, translated by the author to mean, "If thou hast no taste for learning, meddle no more with wliat thou understandeth not,") and keejjing himself silent, he may pass for a wit, while on the contrary, his too much garrulity shows his nakedness as much as Prester John, who describes himself fromes Logues of Solomon, or Fishulf from a seth: but 1 shall be very much be- holden to tlie learned reader, who. if he can give more satisfaction in the essay, would, for the honor of antiquitie (who now lies in profundo Deniocratis Putio) mind the Errata chronologieall3', and see if he can derive the surname from a longer time, it being supposed that Henry Miner's name before the King's progress into .Somersett was Bullman, but how certain, however, I know not, but leave it to some other, whose experience and learning ex- ceed mine. Desiring nothing more than that Her- aldic should be restored to its pristine splendor and truth, and not be abused hj' every common painter and plasterer, who, before he will lose a fee. will fansie a coat of arms to the loss of their estates and goods, and sometimes their verj' names. Quid non mortal iuni pcctora coginis aure Sacra Fames .'' Emblemata ad volunlatem Domini Riges sunt portanda et non alius audi Heraldie, stands in need of the dose gapcnipsusys, and now I will conclude with Kalph Brooks, Esquire, and York Heraldie. To make these names alive again appear, AVhich in oblivion well nigh buried were. That so your children in.ay avoid the jarres. Which might arise about their ancestors; And the living ?iiight those titles see With which these names and houses honored be. Yet I have hope of more acceptance from Those future times that after we shall come. For when beneath the stroke of death I fall. And those that live these linos examine sIi.tII, Detraction dying, you that do remain Will credit me and thank me for my pains. Very — si quid nodisti rectius Candidas imperti — si non utere mecum. This coat of the Miners of Chow, I attest Lo be entered at Bath, in Somersett. by Clarenceux. the 4th of King James the (irst, which visitation is in custody of me, 160G. Ai.ex. Cunningham. On jwge 644 is recorded, "20 V. Gr.ace (dan. of C.'ipt. John Minor, b. Sept. 20, 1670, m. Grant." She was the granddaughter of Thomas Minor, the emigrant, by his wife, Grace Palmer, dau. of Wal- ter Palmer. Grace Minor was ni. to Samuel Grant, Jr., of Windsor, Conn., Ap. 11, 1688. Thus the above blank is filled. She thus became the ancestress of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, the President of the U. S. The generations upward run thus: — Gen. Ulysses Simpson Gr.ant, son of Jesse Root, and Hannah (Simpson) Grant, b. April 27, 1822, son of Capt. Noah and Rachel (Kelley) Grant, b. ,Ian. 1794; son of Noah and Susanna (Delano) Grant, h. June 20, 1748; son of Noah and Martha (Huntington) Gr.ant, b. July 12, 1718; son of Samuel. Jr., and Grace (Minor) Grant, dau. of John Minor, of Woodbur}-, b. Dec. 16, 1602; son of Samuel and Mary (Porter) Grant, b. April 30, 1659; son of Deacon Matthew and Priscilla Grant, of Windsor, Conn., b. Nov. 12, 1631. "Besides the Grant blood, there is intermingled in the veins of the General, by successive marriages, the blood of some of the best Connecticut families — the Huntingtons, the Lathrops, the Porters, the Minors, the Putnams — all strong names, and signifi- cant of good training and sterling growth." (His- tory of Connecticut during the late War, p. 7.')6.) The third son of Thomas Miner was Clement, from whom Luther Miner's family sprung. Clement was born in 1640, and died Oct. 10, 1700. His second son was named Joseph, who w.as born Aui^. 16, 1666. He married Elizabeth Comstoek, March 12. 1689, and died in 17.54. His eldest S(m was named Joseph, who was born March 3, 1690, mar- ried Grace Turner Miner, Feb. 26, 1713. and died May 31, 1781. Joseph's second son was Jesse, born Aug. 13, 1716. married Jane Watrous, Nov. 3, 1737, and died Nov. 4. 1763; his ninth child was Amos, who was born in New London, Aug. 6, 1755; ' •^ 4- 738 HILLSDALE COUNTY. he married Mary Rowley, Dec. 14, 1780, and died Nov. 11, 1836. His sixth child was Luther, the subject of this sketch. Ho was Iwrii April 19, 1791, and died at Bear Grove, Iowa, Nov. 15, 1871. His first wife was Jane Poppleton, to whom he was mar- ried May 20, 1814; she died .Jan. 18, 1817. He then married Sally Ann Hillam, who died in one }'ear. He married Lena E. Grant, March 8, 1819; she died Nov. 20, 1870. The children of Luther Miner were as follows: Bj' his first wife .Jane Maryette was born April 27, 1815.. By his third wife the following ten: Sally Ann, born Dec. 18, 1819; Olive Adelia, June 28, 1821; Caroline A., Feb. 20, 1823; Clarissa, Aug. 1, 1825; Andrew Grant. Aug. 21, 1826; Luther Grant, Aug. 12, 1827 ; James Harvey, Feb. 4, 1830; Theodore, Aug. 2, 1832; Mary Ellen, May 20, 1836, and William Page, April 30, 1840. The lat- ter married, Nov. 7, 1874, Wealthy A. Seeley, at Jerome, Hillsdale Co., Mich., and to them was born one child, Frederic, Nov. 21, 1S80. ^ SAAC H. KELLOGG is an extensive and enter- prising farmer and stock-raiser of Hillsdale li County. The farm which he owns and occu- pies on section 4, is one of the oldest in Reading Township, having been among the very first to be put under cultivation, as it was entered in June, 1836, by Jefferson Kellogg, the father of our sub- ject, an earl}^ pioneer of this township and county. It has been in the possession of our subject since 1863, and contains 120 acres of exceedingly fertile and productive land, and is amply supplied with an excellent class of buildings. He has it well sup- plied with a good grade of stock, and his great success in conducting the various branches of agri- culture to which he gives his attention, indicates that he is a man of more than ordinary business capacity, and is well endowed with a sound intellect and practical common sense. Isaac Kellogg was born in the township of Man- lius, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Sept. 13, 1834. His paternal grandparents, Henry and Sarah (Reynolds) Kellogg, passed their entire lives in that county. His grandfather was drowned in 1825, while fishing in a swollen stream; he was then but thirty-four years of age, his useful career being thus closed in the very prime of life. His wife survived him until 1843, when she too passed away. Six chil- dren were born to them, of whom Jefferson, ihe father of our subject, was the eldest. He was reared and educated in his native county, and was there married, April 4, 1830, to Maria Hoffman, a native of New York, and of Dutch ancestry. After the birth of two sons, Orlando H. and our subject, Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg concluded that the Territory of Michigan offered better advantages for them to obtain the means of properly rearing and educating their children, as it was thought that Mi-. Kellogg could better pursue on its alluvial virgin soil the calling of a farmer, which he had always followed. Accordingly, in the early summer of 183G, they were on their w.ay to their future home, traveling by lake to Monroe, in this State, and thence to their destination in Reading Township. They first found a home with Judge .lohn Mickle, who was the first settler of tlie township, and Mr. Kellogg, with two others, assisted the Judge in clearing a heavily timbered piece of land, which formed a part of his homestead, and that was the first land cleared in the township. In the fall of the year our subject located on his own land, which he had previously entered from the Government, and by steady appli- cation to his work in after years, he cleared 200 acres of land, and on his retirement to private life, in 1863, he had improved a fine farm, and had gained a competency. Though scarcely past middle age at that time, he has been enabled to live in the enjoyment of an ample income, sufficient for all his needs, and free from the cares and vexations of business. He is an intelligent man, clear, cool- headed, and eminently cautious, and has alwaj-s been just and honorable in ail his dealings. He is seventy-six years old, and now makes his home with his youngest daughter, Mrs. John Watson. He was for many years an active member of the Regular Baptist Church, but of late years has identified himself with the Methodist. In politics he was formerly an old-line Whig, and later he became a Republican, and at the same time a stanch advocate of Prohibition. He has held some of the -t HILLSDALE COUNTY. ■*^ r39 f i' local offices of the township of Reading. His wife died in Litchfield, April 30, 1885, aged seventy- two years. .She was for forty years a member of the Regular Baptist Church, and was a true Chris- tian and a good woman. To them were born four sons and two daugliters, all of whom lived to maturity and married, and the eldest son is now deceased. Our subject was the second son and second child born to his parents, and was reared on the old homestead, where lie still continues to live. He received a sound education, and for some years was engaged in teaching. He married, in his adopted township, March 23, 1862, Miss Phebe Herendeen, who was born in Palmyra, Wayne Co., N. y., Nov. 11, 1827. She was the first child and only daughter of Welcome and Elizabeth ( Burchard) Herendeen, natives of Ontario County, N. Y. Mr. Herendeen was the first white child born in Ontario County, and continued to live there some j'ears, subsequently moving to Wayne County, and in 1845 came with his wife and three children to this county, and located in Reading Township, where he and his wife made their home until death, which occurred when he was over sixty j-ears of age, and she was at the age of seventy-eight. They had been hard-working people, and led consistent Christian lives, be being a Quaker and the mother a Meth- odist. Mrs. Kellogg received a good education in a seminary at Albion, and was for several years suc- cessfully engaged in the profession of te.icher. To Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg has been born one son, Clarence J., who was educated at tiie Hillsdale College, and possesses fine business qualifications. He owns sixty acres of land in Reading Township, which he manages, besides assisting his father on his farm. He married Lidia Murray, who was reared and partly educated in this township, and completed her educati(m in Hillsdale College. To her and her husband one child has been born, Mur- ray J. Our subject and his wife are members of the Free- will Baptist Church. Mrs. Kellogg is a woman of firm character, and is a thrift}' housewife. Our subject has taken an important part in public affairs; his fellow-citizens, recognizing his integritj* and ability, have often honored him by election to office, and he has been Township Treasurer, Justice of the Peace for twenty-five years, and has held most of the other responsible offices in Reading Township. He and his son are Republicans, and are firm advocates of Prohibition. ARMENUS CUNNINGHAM is classed among the well-to-do farmers of Pittsford Township, where he owns a good farm, on which he has, bj' persistent toil, frugality, and excellent management, built up one of the cosi- est homes in this vicinity. He was born in Lan- caster, Erie Co., N. Y., March 8, 1833. His father, Joel Cunningham, was a native of Hoosic, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., and his grandfather, Layton Cunning- ham, was a native of New England, who early set- tled in Rensselaer County, and resided there until 1810. In that year he started lor the western frontier with a pair of horses and wagon, accom- panied by his family, and settled in what is now the town of Lancaster, Erie Co., N. Y. He bought a tract of timber land of the Holland Purchase Com- pany, and erected a log house, into which he moved with his wife and children before there were either doors or windows in it. The country was very wild and unsettled, and wolves and bears were plenty at the time only ten miles from Buffalo. He made that place his home until death, in the meantime improv- ing quite an extensive farm. The fatlier of our subject was but sixteen j'ears of age when his parents moved to Erie County, and had hanlly reached manhood when the War of 1812 broke out, and he went forth from that fron- tier settlement in the wilderness of Western New York to assist his native country. His faithful services were rewarded by a warrant from the Gov- ernment for 1 GO acres of land, and the last years of his life he drew a pension, which at his death devolved on his widow, who still continues to draw it. After the war closed he returned to Erie County, and engaged in farming there for many years. He married Celinda, daughter of Nathan Dopkins, a pioneer of Seneca County, where she was born Dec. 4. 1801. In 1849 Mr. Cunningham disposed of his property in Erie County, and came h 740 HILLSDALE COUNTY. with his family to Hiilsrlale County. He first set- tled in Jefferson Township, and later removed to Pittsford Township, where he bought a home on section 9, in which he lived the remaining years of his life, which closed April 14, 1883. His was a very long and useful life, he having been born some years before the opening of the present century, and he and his wife weregreatl}' respected for their sterling worth in this commuaitj'. His widow sur- vives him at an advanced age, and makes her home in Gratiot Count}', Mich. Ten children were born te them, all of whom grew up. Their son Parmenus, of whom we write, was the seventh of their children in order of birth. He was eighteen years old when he came with his parents to this State. He was reared on a farm in his na- tive place, and his education was conducted in the district schools. He continued to live with his parents until after his marriage, assisting in the management of the farm. That important event in his life took place Aug. 15, 1853, Miss Francina Estes being the lady to whom he was then united. She was born in Batavia. Genesee Co., N. Y., Aug. 15, 1837. Her father, Sylvanus Estes, was born in Plymouth County, Mass., and moved to New York and settled near Batavia. In 1832 he came to the Territory of Michigan, and entered forty acres of land from the Government on section 10 of what is now Pittsford 'I'ownship, coming on foot to this place from Detroit, and after selecting his land walked to Monroe and entered it at the Govern- ment office. He then returned for his familj' and settled with them in Adrian for a year. Subse- quently he went back to New York to live, and did not settle on his land on section 10 until 1839. He first built a log house and later a good set of frame buildings, and died at the home that he built up here, May 25, 1873, at the age of seventy-nine years. His wife, whose maiden name was Ruth Ramsdell, was born in Massachusetts. She went to California after. his death, and died there Jan. 8, 1878, aged seventy-seven years. In 1862, Mr. Cunningham bought eighty acres of land on section 34, Pittsford Township, which he farmed successfully for two years, and then dis- posed of it very advantageously, and bought the place where he now lives. His farm consists of eighty acres of fine, arable land, which he has under good tillage. He has erected ample and conveniently arranged frame l)nildings, and has otherwise increased the value of his place by sub- stantial improvement. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are the parents of seven children — Allen B.,Eva C, Fred S., Edward Ernest, Ella M., Affa G. and George R. Allen B. married Maggie Niblack; they live in Nebraska. Eva C, wife of Edward L. Bailey, and Edward E.> live in Silver Creek Township, Merrick Co., Neb.; Fred married Carrie Gardner, and lives in Allen Township; the rest of the children live at home with their parents. Clara M.. the third child, died in 1860, at the age of three 3'ears. Mr. Cunningham is a man of sound principles, strong conviction, and of unsullied character, and, with his amiable wife, enjoys the fullest confidence and esteem of all in the community. In politics he w.as formerly a Republican, becoming a member of that party on its formation, but since the .agita- tion of the temperance question he has allied him- self with the Prohibitionists. ON. JONATHAN B. GRAHAM, of Jones- ville, was born at Hudson, Conn., Feb. 26, 1811, and is of English and Scotch ancestry. He received the ordinary school privileges of those times, and was educated by his parents with the idea of becoming a farmer. His tastes and inclinations led in a different direction, however, and at the age of twenty-one Mr. Graham borrowed a small capital, and purchased a stock of goods. He engaged several men to travel for him, and traded throughout New Y''ork, Pennsylvania and Ohio. He was generally successful, and in 1835 extended his business into Indiana and Michigan. On the 19th of August, 1835, Mr. Graham was united in marriage with Miss Maria J. Loomis. In November, 1837, Mr. Graham ariived with his wife from Connecticut, and settled in Jonesville. He weathered the great financial crasii of 1838, and afterward devoted his attention to farming, and in 1851 built his present residence in Jonesville. In 1853 the Jonesville Woolen Mill was started, and •^" >► f ^ HILLSDALK COUNTY. 741 ^i:^ Mr. Graliaii) became a stockliolder. and was elected I'resident; it was not a paying investment, liow- ever, and in 1860 the mill was sold. Mr. Graham continued farming until 1868, when he sold his farm property, and has since been engaged in active business. The subject of this notice has held all the promi- nent offices in his township, and was elected a mem- ber of the Legislature in 184.i. In 18.50 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention, which met in Lansing, and framed the Constitution of the State. He exerted his influence to secure the pas- sage of the Ft. Wayne, Saginaw & J.ackson Rail- ro.ad through Jonesville, and has always been earnest in securing the promotion of the best interests of this section of country. GRACE L. BISHOP. Among the prosper- ous farmers of Hillsdale County, who are lk\^ worthily fulfilling their duties as intelligent IJ^ and useful citizens, is the subject of this sketch, who is steadily pursuing the even tenor of his way on his pleasant homestead on section 16, Allen Township. He is a native of the State of New York, born in Stafford, Genesee County, July 10, 1821. His parents, Isaac and Sarah (Lock- wood) Bishop, were natives respectively of Rhode Island and New York.- After marriage they estab- lished a home in Genesee County, where they spent the remainder of their years. Their son Horace, of whom we write, w.as reared in his native State. He received a fair education, and an early training in habits of industry and frugality from his worthy parents, who also taught him to walk the path of rectitude and honor. By his persistent energy and ai)plication to his work, he gathered together the means which enabled him to form domestic ties in the prime of young manhoo»@J,g!/OT7i»~ A/v^x- HRLSTOPHElt CLEMENT is worthy of ' more than a passing notice in this biograph- ical work, not only as an early settler of Pittsford Township and Hillsdale County, but as a rejiresentative of those noble pioneers, Aaron and Elizabeth (Oltman) Clement, his parents, also early settlers of this county, whose names are still held in aflfectionate remembrance by all who knew them. Our subject is a lineal descendant of one John Clement, a Huguenot, who fled from his native France during the time of the bitter persecution of the failliful followers of that religion. He lived for awiiile in Holland, and then emigrated to Amer- ica in the early Colonial history of this country, and settled on Staten Island, where he spent his closing years peacefully pursuing his trade, that of a mason. He had two sons and two daughters. After his death his widow married Benjamin Robinson, and moved to Mallwick. The sons of Peter Clement were Joseph and Peter, and the latter was the great- grandfather of our subject. He was noted as a hold pioneer, frontiersman and hunter, who was one of the earj^' settlers of Westina, four miles from Sche- nectady. He married Nancy N'edder. and they reared two sons and three daughters. Their son John, the grandfather of Christopher, was born in Westina, Sept. .i, 1732, and when he had grown to manhood he removed to Canajoharie, Mont- gomery Co., N. Y., where he pursued his trade of carpenter and millwright until his removal to Root Township. The maiden name of his wife was Jane Bradt, who was born in 1735, and was a daughter of Samuel and Catalina (VanPatten) Bradt. Their son Aaron was born during their residence in Westina, April 10, 1774, and grew to manhood in his native county, where he received a good education. In 1795 he removed with his parents to Root Township. Montgomery County, where he bought a tract of land but little improved, and resided there for many years. In the mean- time he had secured as his life companion Miss Elizabeth Ottraan, and in the home where they began their wedded life twelve children were born to them. In 1836, accompanied by his son Chris- topher, he visited Michigan for the purpose of selecting a suitable spot for location, coming via canal and lake to Detroit, where he visited a son for a few days. They then took a boat for Monroe, and from there started on foot to explore Bean Creek Valley, where, after looking about for a time, he bought quite a tract of heavily timbered land in Pittsford Township, on a part of wliich our sub- ject now resides. After entering his land at the Government office, Mr. Clement returned to New York and disposed of his |)roperty there, and in 1837, in the month of April, wis on his way to liis new home, accompanied by his wife and nine of his children. They went to Buffalo on the P]rie Canal, and were dela^'ed in that city for a week waiting for the ice to clear from the lake; from there they proceeded by boat to Toledo, and thence b3' rail to Adrian, where he was met by his son Lycker. who had come all the way from New York with a team. From the latter place they made their wa3' in the wagon to tiieir destination, and when they arrived moved into the log cabin, which had been previously built in a rude manner with a dirt and stick chimney. There was a log stable on the place besides, and twenty acres of the land were cleared, the part on wliich the}' settled being in- cluded in the southeast quaiter of section 3. There Mr. Clement made his lioiiie until his death, .March 18. 18(j8, having rounded out nearl}- a ccntur}' of existence. These years were filled with usefulness, not only to his family, but to the entire communitj'. His active labors, in hearty co-operation with the other resolute pioneers u{ his day, who stood shoul- der to shoulder with him in the work of developing Hillsdale Count}', were anii)ly rewarded, and he lived to see the primeval forest give w.ay to pleasant n <^ 744 HILLSDALE COUNTY. houses, smiling harvest fields, and busy towns. He and his devoted companion, ivho preceded him Feb. 20, 1856, were held in universal respect and esteem for their many sterling qualities of head and heart. Christopher Clement, of this biographical notice, was born in the town of Root. Montgomery Co., N. Y., Oct. fi. 1808, and grew to manhood in his iiati ve town, attending school as opportunit}' offered, and by intelligent and diligent application to his studies, gaining a substantial education. He con- tinued to live with his parents until the fall of 1836, when, as before related, he came with his father to Michigan, and after the site of their future home had been selected, the father returned and our subject remained here. He worked out in the neighborhood until the winter season, when he vigorouslj- commenced the improvement of his own land, and finally settled on it in the spring of 1838. Mr. Clement was in every way titled to play the part of pioneer in a new country, endowed as he was with energy, cool courage, ancl steadfastness of purpose, coming here in the prime and vigor of early manhood, and in the many years that have elapsed since he first became a citizen of Pittsford Township, he has greatly aided the development of its rich agricultural resources, and has been a factor in giving it an important place among its sister towns in Southern Michigan. In all these long years he has not lacked the assistance of a true and faithful wife and a loving companion, who has S3inpathized with him in his work, and has been an invaluable aid to him in building up their present pleasant and comfortable home; she has, indeed, filled the perfect measure of wife, mother and friend, in the unusually long period of over half a century of wedded life that has been theirs. Our subject and his wife, whose maiden name was Alice Fish, were united in the bonds of matrimony Sept. 28, 1837. She was born in Farmington, Ontario Co., N. Y., Jan. 24, 1817. Her father, David Fish, was a native of Rhode Island, whence his father, Zurial Fish, removed to Farmington, N. Y., becoming an early settler of that town, and spending the remainder of his life there. David Fish was but eight years old when his parents removed to Kew York, and he grew to manhood and married, in Farmington. Miss Phebe McLouth, continuing to live there until 183.i. He then sold his farm, and in his turn became a pioneer, coming to Mich- igan and settling in what is now Pittsford Town- ship, this county, where he bought a tract of Government land. He built a log house covered with bark, cleared several acres of his land, and died there in 1844; his wife, surviving him but a few years, died in 1847. Fourteen children had been born to them, of whom eight grew to maturity. Mr. and Mrs. Clement are the parents of four children, of whom the following is the record: Elizabeth, the wife of E. W. Benson, lives in Pitts- ford Township; Henry lives in Chicago; Kate, the wife of Robert Stewart, lives in Anderson County, Kan.; Eveline, wife of Philo Long, lives in Pitts- ford Township. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Clement commenced their wedded life in a small frame house which he had built on his land, and it continued to be their residence until 1870, when he built the commodious and conveniently arranged brick house in which they have since lived. His farm comprises 160 acres, 120 of which he has cleared and has under good cultivation, and he has erected ample farm buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Clement are attendants at the Free-Will Baptist Church; they are people of rare Christian worth, and it is the privilege of their many friends to witness in each the spectacle of a life fully rounded by its various experiences into a serene and active old age. In his political views Mr. Clement is an earnest Republican, having been a Whig until the formation of the former party. >-^s^^»»^ «^5llowing places : Campbell Sta- tion, Knoxville, Stone River, Huff's Ferry, Lenore, Strawberry Plains, and was all through the Geor- gia campaign and present at the battles of Resaca, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Burnt Hickory, Lost Mount- ain, Kennesaw Mountain, Chattahoochie River, Decatur, Peachtree Creek and Atlanta. He then skirmished along the line of Hood's army, routing the rebel Gener.1l, and subsequently fought at Frank- lin and Nashville, where Hood's army was practi- cally destroyed. Mr. Burgan fortunately escaped wounds and im- prisonment, and w.is mustered out with the com- rades who remained at Salisbury, N. C, receiving his honorable discharge at the same place. Thence he returned to his old tramping ground in Ohio, where he began farming again, and in 1867 was united in marriage with Miss Celeste Hunter, who was born Dec. 1, 1843, in Sandusky, Ohio. Mrs. Burgan is the daughter of John and Rhoda (George) Hunter, the father a native of Tompkins County, N. Y., and the mother of Vermont. After their marriage they settled in Sandusky, Erie Co., Ohio, where the father carried on farming, but later re- moved to Fremont, in the same county, where his death took place in 1864, at the age of sixty years. After the death of her husband .Mrs. Hunter joined her daughter in Michigan, is now an inmate of the n 746 HILLSDALE COUNTY. -t home of our subject, and is scveiitj'five years old. She is the mother of ten eliildren, five of whom grew to mature j-ears, and of whom Mrs. Burgan is the youngest. Our subject and his wife, in 1872, removed to Linn Countj', JIo., whence after a brief residence of a year they left for Southern Michigan. They settled in Litchfield Township in March, l»74.upon the farm which they now occupy. This comprises 120 acres of good land, which has yielded them a comfortable living, and where their hospitable doors are often open to their many friends. Mr. Burgan is a pronounced Republican, and as an ex-soldier, a member in good standing of Henrj' Baxter Post, G. A. R., at Jonesville. He has officiated as School Director in his district for a period of nine years, and in other respects signalized liiraself as a public- spirited and useful citizen. Mrs. Burgan has stood l)ravely by the side of her husband in his efforts for providing something for the future, and has been equally intelligent and failliful in her duties. NDREW K. BUSHNELL, Litchfield's old- est living pioneer, looked upon tlie face of the country' of this section in its undevel- i^ oped state, and before the labors of the white man had hardly begun to relieve it from its primitive condition. His arrival dates back to the spring of 1833, and he located within the limits of what is now Litchfield Township, upon a tract of wild land, where he began to clear away the forest and prepare the soil for cultivation. His neighbors were few and far between, and his toils and strug- gles were similar to those of many another of that time, and which have been fully written of through- out this volume. He brought a wide stretch of soil to a good state of cultivation, put up barns and other out-bnildings, and erected one of the most commodious and handsome residences in this region. He is now widely and favorably known throughout Hillsdale Count}', as one whom its citizens delight to honor. Our subject began life in Durliam Township, Greene Co., N. Y., Oct. 26, 1811. He was the fifth child of Constant and Rhoda (Baldwin) Buslmell, who were born, reared and married, in Durham Township, Middlesex Co., Conn. Thence they removed to Durham Township. N. Y., where the father follow-ed his trade of mason, and also carried on farming until 1814. Thence thej' removed to Lenox, in Madison County, where the father oper- ated as before, and where they passed the memora- ble "cold season," during which time they would have starved had it not been for the abundance of fish in Lake Ontario. The parents of our subject left the Empire State in the spring of 1835, and made their way to the Territory of Michigan, where the father purch.ased 120 acres of land in Litchfield Township, this countj'. The mother died four years later, in 1839, when sixty -six years of age. Constant Bushnell sur- vived his wife a period of thirty-five 3'ears, his death taking place at Litchfield, in 1874, after he had attained the ripe age of ninety-four years. Their family consisted of three sons and five daughters, four of whom are living, and are mostly residents of Michigan. The boyhood and youth of our subject were spent in Madison County, N. Y., where he acquired a common-school education, and worked with his father as mason and farmer until reaching his ma- jority. The former business was distasteful, and he accordinglj' abandoned it, turning his attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits. Upon leaving home he made his w.-jy to the vicinity of Rochester, where he worked on a farm one year, and in the fall of 1833 made his first advent into the Territor}' of Michigan, taking up his abode for a brief time in Washtenaw County. He soon, however, resumed his journey westward, passing through Homer down the St. Joseph River Valley, traversed St. Joseph County, and continued on to Sturgis Prai- rie, eastward into Indiana, where he spent the win- ter of 1833-34; then returning via the Chicago turnpike to Jonesville, this county, he went up to Homer again, and while passing through that sec- tion encountered Henry Stephens, who was putting up the first log house erected in what is now the flourishing town of Litchfield. Young Bushnell secured employment with the farmers of Homer and Eckford during most of that summer, and later borrowed an ox-team and «<•- -U HILLSDALE COUNTY. -•»- 747 wagon, wliicli lie loaiierl with lumber for the pur- pose of putting ui) ;i lK)use for himself when he should find a desirable location; this he finally selected on section 9, in Litchfield Township, where he put up, in the fall of 1834, the structure which sheltered him and his family thereafter for a period of four 3'ears. He first hacl to clear away the trees and Itrush for his dwelling, and then prepared four or five acres for the sowing of his fall wheat. This was harvested by Mr. Riblet, who came to this section in the spring of 1835, and made this busi- ness a specialty'. Mr. Bushnell realized a fairj'ield from his first sowing in Litchfield Township. During that fall he returned to his native State, where he remained a period of a year, and when coming back to this coutity was accompanied by his father, sister and brother, the balance of the family joining them in the spring of 1836. They all lived together in the new house, and to this our subject brought a bride in the early part of 1837, having been married in January of that year to Miss Janet Whitney, whose parents came to this county in the j-ear 1836. Mrs. Bushnell was born June 26, 1818, in New York State, and is the daughter of Jacob and Mi- nerva Whitnej-, who, upon coming to the Territory of Michigan, settled first in Washtenaw County'. Mrs. Whitney died there, and Mr. W. having mar- ried again, he and his wife came to this county, and to Litchfield Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The family included five children, all by the first marriage. Our subject and his wife commenced life together upon the farm which they still occupy, and in due time their household circle numbered seven children: Mi- nerva, the eldest, is the wife of Charles Currier, of Butler County, Kan., and the mother of one child, a daughter, Janet; Rhoda died when fouryearsold; Herbert married Miss Flora Rogers, and is minis- ter of the Presbyterian Church at Hastings, Neb.; he has eight children, namely: Herbert, Sarah, Charles, Robert, Eddie, Floyd, Ray and Theodora May. Andrew J. has charge of the homestead ; Julia H. is the wife of Lawson Withington, of Jonesville, and the mother of one ciiild, J. Roswell; jNIary Jane is deceased. Mr. Bushnell was at one time the owner of 2G8 acres of land, but has now onl^' eighty acres. This, however, under a course of careful cultivation yields abundantly and is the source of a handsome in- come. Mr. Bushnell assisted in the erection of the first church edifice and the first school build- ing ever erected in Litchfield Township, and has been closely identified with local affairs, serving as Township Collector several terms, and occupying various other offices of trust and responsibility. He and his estimable wife have been identified with the Congregational Church, of Litchfield, since 1841, a period of forty-seven j-ears, and wherever there was any work to do or financial assistance to be rendered, they were the first to be approached and never failed to respond. Mr. Bushnell is a strong temperance man, was an Abolitionist from boyhood, and has been a member of the Republican part}' since its birth. There are none more worthy' of prominent representation in a work of this kind than the subject of this sketch, who h.as built up for himself a good record among his fellow-citizens, and enjo^'s in an unlimited degree their esteem and confidence. ,ARNHARDT PFAU. Tlie well-cultivated farm of this thrifty German citizen of Jef- ferson Township is finely located on section 18, and comprises eight}' acres of land and a set of the handsomest frame buildings in that part of the township. The premises are particularly noticeable for their exceedingly neat and tidy appearance, the fences being kept in good repair, the machinery of the latest improved pattern, and the live stock well fed and sheltered. Mr. Pfau came to this county in the early part of 1868, was soon afterward married, and pur- chased first forty .acres of land in Jefferson Town- ship on section 30. Upon this he remained thirteen years, where his three children were born. In 1881 he sold this farm, and purchased the homestead which he now occupies. In 1886 he put up his present elegant and subtantial residence, besides repairing the out-buildings and adding such .as were necessary. He is regarded in his communit}' as one of its most enterprising men, and reflects credit i» u ■•^^Hr"^^* 748 HILLSDALE COUNTY. upon bis township by the manner in which he con- riiicts his agricultural and business transactions. The subject of this sketch first opened his eyes to the hght in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Ger- many, July 17, 1825. Mis parents, Casper and Mary Ann (Blum) Pfau, were also of German biitli and parentage, and Barnhardt. in common with the children of that Empire, received a good common- school education. Wiien about twelve years of age he entered a factory for printing calico and domes- tic goods, where he worked fifteen years, and from that time on employed iiimself near the place of his birth until a man tliirty ^ears of age. He did not make the progress wliich he desired, and saw little prospect of it upon his native soil, conse- quently decided to seek his fortunes in the New AVorld. Boarding a sailing-vessel at Baden, he landed in New York City sixty-four days later, and thence proceeded to Boston, where he resided two years, erajjloying himself at various kinds of work. In 18G0 Mr. Pfau started for the Pacific Slope, and for six years thereafter was a resident of Cali- fornia. At the end of this time he recrossed the continent to his brother in Boston, with whom he remained some length of time, and in 1868 turned his steps .again westward, coming to this county. Here he met his future wife, Miss Mary Fellhauer, and after a brief acquaintance they were married. May 22, 18G8, at the home of the bride, in Hillsdale. This Indy is the daughter of Stephen and Marj' (Kalh) Fellhauer, who were also natives of Germany, but came when young to the United States, and were married in the city of Detroit, where Mrs. Pfau was born Aug. 9, 1844. Our subject and his wife moved upon their little farm of forty acres in Jefferson Township, and in due time the household included the following children: Louisa, born April 5, 1869; Edward, April 23, 1870, and Charles, July 28, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. P. labored diligently, hand-in-hand, for the building up of their mutual interests, living frugally and within their means, and thus laid the foundation of their future success. Upon becom- ing a naturalized citizen, Mr. Pfau identified him- self with the Democratic party, although he has very little to do with politics beyond going to the polls and casting his vote at the regular elections. He was reared in the faitii of the Holy Catholic Church, being confirmed at the age of fourteen, and is, with his excellent wife, still a member of that church. He comes of excellent ancestry, a race of people who were noted for their honesty and their uprightness, and has inherited the qualities of his progenitors in a marked degree. r RA HARRIS. attorne3'-at-law and junior mem- j ber of the firm of McBain & Harris, of North ll Ailams, is also carrying on general merchandis- ing, making a specialty of dry-goods, boots, shoes, etc. He has been a resident here since the spring of 1879. and is the son of John P. and Elizabeth R. (Chamberlain) Harris, natives of Chenango County, N. Y. The parents after their marriage settled in New Berlin, that State, where the father died w-hen his son Ira was a little lad six years of age. The mother subsequentl}' became the wife of John Field, and removed to Columbus, Ohio, where she resided until her death, which occurred in October, 1871, when she was but forty years of age. There was by the first marriage one child onlj', Ira, our subject. Mr. Harris was born Jan. 10, 1852, in South New Berlin, where he remained until coming "West, at the age of eighteen years. His father had been a practicing physician in good circumstances, and Ira was given the advantages of a good education, completing his studies in the academy at Oxford, N. Y., from which he was graduated in the class of '71. Soon after he settled in Columbus, Ohio, and was employed in the construction of the Scioto Valley Railroad, in the capacity of civil engineer, for a period of five years. His next venture was his removal to this State. He located in Hillsdale, where he entered the office of E. J. Marsh, and after studying law for a period of two years was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1881. Shortly afterward Col. Marsh established a bank at North Adams, and Mr. Harris was chosen Cashier, in which position he served until 1887. He then established his present business, going into partner- ship with Mr. McBain, with whom he has since U- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 749 1 oper.ited to excellent advantage and with a steadily increasing patronage. The marriage of our subject with Miss Rosa E. Higby was celebrated at the home of the bride iu Higby, Ohio, on the 25th of December, 1882. Mrs. Harris is the daughter of Sylvester and Hannah (Davis) Higb3', natives respectively of Virginia and Ohio, and was born in Higby, Dec. 29, 1854. The family of her parents included five children, all of whom are living, and mostly' residents of Ohio. Mr. Higby died at his home in 1886, when seventy years of age. The mother is still living, having now reached her threescore j-ears. Mrs. Harris, lilce her husband, is also well edu- cated, being a graduate from the class of '74 of the D 13'toa Seminary, Ohio. Mr. Harris cast his first Presidential vote for Grant, and is a warm supporter of Republican principles. It T HOMAS O'HANLON, Supervisor of Allen Township, has for many years enjoyed the esteem and confidence of a large proportion of the people of Hillsdale County. Coming to Southern Michigan in 1841 when a young man, he settled i« Allen Township and purchased eighty acres of land on section 36. He did not, however, take possession of his property until the summer of 1843, on account of sickness, during which time he returned to his old home in New York State and waited until he should recover. In June of the year mentioned he settled upon the land which has since remained his home, and where he has built up a farm creditable alike to his industry and good judgment. The property of our subject embraces 120 acres of finely cultivated land, which yields abund.antly the choice crops of this region, and upon tliis he has erected a set of neat and substantial buildings and added the other improvements so essential to the completion of the model farm. In common with the other primitive settlers of this section of coun- try, the early years of his life were made up largely of incessant labor, while at the same time he pos- sessed the broad and liberal spirit whicii induced him to take an interest in the welfare and progress of the people around him. The establishment of schools and the other enterprises calculated tobuihl up the township found in him an ever ready and substantial supporter. lie became prominent in township affairs, and possessing sound judgment was frequently called upon to preside at those councils which became a feature in every community in the general discussion of the matters pertaining to its best good. On the paternal side of his house the subject of this history is of Irish ancestry, his fatlier, Owen O'Hanlon, having been born in County Lowe, Ire- land, about 1797. After coming to this country he married Miss Ann Fitzsimmons, who was born in Northumberland County, Pa., and whose father was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. They settled near Elmira, Chemung Co., N. Y., but later re- moved to Horseheads, in that State, where the father died in 1865, and the mother in 1870. Their family consisted of six sons, Thomas, our subject, being the eldest. He was born in Elmira, Jan. 30, 1820, and when about two years of age was taken into the home of his maternal grandparents in Southport, Chemung County', and lived with them until reaching his majority. He left them in 1841 to seek his future home in the West. Mr. O'Hanlon was first married in Reading Town- ship, this county, Feb. 4, 1847, to Miss Jane Shan- non, who was born in Baldwinville, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Dec. 2, 1823. Of this union there were born two children only, a son and daughter, Owen and Marj-. The former married Miss Eugenia Orr, and is carrying on farming in Allen Township. Mary is the wife of Daniel Daley, a well-to-do farmer of Reading Township. Mrs. Jane O'Hanlon departed this life at her home in Allen Township, Jan. 26, 1863, after having been the faithful and affection- ate companion of her husband for a period of nearly sixteen years. Our subject, on the 4th of April, 1867, contracted a second marriage, with Miss Eliza A. Crocker, who was born in Hillsdale Township, this countj', April 4, 1842. This union resulted in the birth of two children, daughters — Clara Belle and Jennie. The latter died when about five years of age. Clara B. is a bright and interesting girl, continuing under the home roof of her |)arcnts. Mr. O'Hanlon. po- po- 1 r u ••► 750 HILLSDALE COUNTY. liticallj% is a Democrat. He has served his town- ship as High way Commissioner, and was first elected Supervisor in the spring of 1886, being re-elected each of the two years following. Socially, he be- longs to the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Lodge No. 117, at Reading. \i •w-i?#.^^l^^rt^ I AMES DIVINE, who is prominent among the farmers and stock-raisers of Woodbridge Township, lias a good [iropert}' on section ! 6, comprising eighty acres of land, with suitable farm buildings. A native of Cayuga County, N. \'.. he was born Oct. 21, 1827, and is the son of Joseph and Esther (Wilmuth) Divine, natives of Long Island, and the father a farmer b}' occupation. Joseph Divine during his early life entered the Federal service as a Captain in the War of 1812, in which he served from nearly the beginning until the end of the conflict. He possessed all the ele- ments of a good citizen, and was highly esteemed in the community where he spent the greater part of his life. He left the Empire State in 1842, and coming to Michigan, located in Woodbridge Town- ship, where his death took place in 1855. The mother survived her husband seven years, her death taking place in 1862. She was a most excellent lady, and a member in good standing of the Regu- lar Baptist Church. The twelve children of the parental family were named respectively: Lucinda, Selah, Arminda, Samuel, John, Daniel, Josei)h. Margaret, George, James (our subject), William and Asa. Of these five are living, and mostly resi- dents of Michigan. Our subject was reared to agricultural pursuits, and continued under the parental roof until twenty- one 3'ears of age. He was married, Oct. 29, 1847, in Woodbridge Township, to Miss Sarah Stephens, who was born in Wayne County, N. Y., July 27, 1830, and is now the mother of five children, only three of whom are living — Fiugene. William and Minnie. The deceased are James W. and Melvin. Eugene married Miss Antoinette Bryan, April 21, 1872. This lady was born in Woodbridge Town- ship, Feb. 6, 1848, and is the daughter of Ezra and Lucinda (Lockwood) Bryan, natives of Massa- chusetts, and early settlers of this county. Of this marriage there are six children, namely: Ada, Edith, Claude, Maude, Herbert and Josie. This son commenced teaching when twenty-two years of age. after having spent two terms in Hillsdale Col- lege. As an instructor he was a marked success, and also as a disciplinarian giving good satisfac- tion. He has eighty acres of land on sections 5 and 6 in Woodbridge Township, and has been prominent in his coraraunity, officiating as Town- ship Supervisor three terms, also serving as Clerk, and votes the Independent ticket. He identified himself with the Masonic fraternity in 1871, and as a farmer is very successful, making a specialty of thoroughbred cattle for several years. William Divine married Miss Mary Sholty, Or't. 31, 1875, and she died Oct. 15, 1884, leaving three children — Dora, Edna and Floyd; his second wife was Miss Carrie States, and of this union there are two children. James W. Divine died in George- town, Ky., in 1884. He was finely educated, hav- ing graduated from the Hillsdale Union School, and married Miss Jennie Allen, by whom he became the father of one child, a son, Eddie S. He pos- sessed fine abilities, and gave promise of a bright and useful career. His death was a deep affliction to his family, in which they received the symp.athy of the entire community. jr.., LONZO B. BEAN, one of the most highly ©tLIII esteemed citizens of Fayette Township, deserves more than a passing mention in a work of this kind. In the building up of a good farm and the establishment of a credit- able homestead he has done good service in the development of his township, and added to its pres- tige as the home of an industrious and intelligent class of people. Like many others of the solid men about him, he is a product of the Empire State, and was born in Livingston County, July 24, 1834. He continued a resident there most of the time until 1874, then decided to cast his lot with the people of Southern Michigan. The farm of our subject includes the southeast quarter of section 8, and was only partially im- u HILLSDALE COUNTY. \ proved when be took possession of it. He has roiKiircd the fences, renovated the old buildingsand put up new ones, added new farm machinery, gathered together a goodly assortment of livestock, and supplied the homestead with the various com- forts and conveniences of modern life. The esti- mahle lady who has been his companion and helpmate for a period of twenty j'ears, was in her girlhood Miss Abbie Tilton, and became his wife on the 14lh of March, 1868, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Tecumseh Town- ship, Lenawee County. This union has been blessed by the birth of two children: a son, Claud A., who was born Jnlj- 27, 1879, and is now a promising youth still making his home with his parents, and Lillian, who died when seven years old. Our subject is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Smith) Bean, who were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and New York, but after their mar- riage settled in Livingston County, N. Y., where the^" spent the remainder of their lives. The mother passed away in the fall of 1880, and the father in 1877. The parents of Mrs. Bean, William and Matilda (Sisson) Tilton, were natives respect- ivelj' of New Hampshire and New York, and came to the Territory of Michigan in 1825, settling in Tecumseh, Lenawee County, where the mother died on the 27th of May, 1867. The father resides on his homestead purchased from the Government ou his arrival in the Territory. In politics Mr. Bean is a Republican. ^^ --v- "if OHN .1. WADE. The subject of this sketch is a prominent man in his community on ac- count of his ability, and the fine property of which he is owner, and which occupies a portion of section 1 6, in Litchfield Township. As a farmer, he is thorough and skillful, and as a busi- ness man, prompt, correct and reliable. These qualities have contributed to his success, and have placed him in an enviable position, socially and financially, among his fellow-citizens. Our subject is of Irish ancestry, his parents, William and Margaret (Jeffrej's) Wade, having been born in Count}- Down, Ireland, whence they emigrated early in life, after their marriage. The father was reared tt> .agricultural pursuits, and lived in Ireland until l.s.'!6, when he was twenty-four years old, and then decided to seek his fortune in the New World. Upon reaching the United States he located in Lysandcr, Onondaga Co., N. Y., where he worked by the month, and saving his earnings, accumulated some property. After an eight-3-ears residence in the Empire State, he made his way to Southern Michigan, and comingto this county, pur- chased fifteen acres of land near David Young's Corners. Upon landing in this count}-, Mr. Wade had ujjou his hands a young family and a cash capital of ^1. He went in debt for his farm of fifteen acres, which was then an uncultivated tract of land, and upon which he labored with persevering industry for many j'ears, and in due time received the reward of his toil and sacrifices. He became finally the owner of 105 acres, which he improved with com- fortable buildings, and here his death took place, in 1865, when he was fifty-three years old. The mother is still living, making her home with her youngest son William, in Litchfield Township, and is now aged seventy-six. Their family included two sons and six daughters, all living, and of whom John J. was the third in order of birth. He was the eldest son, and was born July 8, 1838. in Ly- sander Township, Onondaga Co., N. Y. Oursubject wasa little boy five years of age when he came to this State with his parents, and at an early age was taught to make himself useful around the homestead while he .acquired his education in the district school. He continued under the parental roof until 1859, and in the fall of that year started, via New York to California, on board the steamer " Uncle Sam." Upon reaching San Francisco he made his way up the Sac Valle}' to Placerville, where he engaged first in surface mining, and sub- sequently worked in the Comslock Silver Mines in Nevada. He remained in that region six years, and returned in the same manner, having with him a snug sum of money as the result of his experi- ment. During the voyage, however, they encoun- tered a heavy storm, and the steamer becoming disabled they were obliged to turn back to San Francisco, and maile another start six days later. 4 752 .t HILLSDALE COUNTY. Mr. Watie, in 1865, came home to stay, having received news of tlie deatli of his father. He pur- chased fifty acres of the farm which he now owns, and on the 22d of February, 1866, was married to Miss Sylvia French, who was born in Wyoming County, N. Y., Feb. 11, 1841, and was the third child of Burton and Mary (Fargo) French, the father a n.ative of Dorsej', near Bennington, Vt., and the mother of Wyoming Count}', N. Y. Burton French was a farmer by occupation, and still lives in Wyoming County, being now seventy-one years old. The motiier died in 1882 at the .age of sixty- three. Their seven children included six sons and one daugliter, of whom one died in infancy. Mrs. Wade was twenty-four 3'ears of age when slie came to this State. She had received a good education, having been a student of Alexander Seminary in Genesee County, and subsequently engaged in teaching in Wj'oraing County. Of her union with our subject there were born four chil- dren, of whom Franiv died in 1875, when six and one-half years old; Ina, born in 1872, died in in- fancy ; Ella and Frederick are attending school in their home district. Mrs. Wade visited her old home in Wyoming County, N. Y., in 1875, accompanied by her son and daughter, Frank and Ella. The children were seized with scarlet fever, and B^rank died there after an illness of one week. Palmer French, a brother of Mrs. Wade, served as a soldier in the late Civil War, enlisting in a New York regiment, and gave two years of his time to his country. He was per- mitted to return home in safety, and is now a resi- dent of Minneota, Minn. In 1860, while in Nevada, Mr. Wade was one of the volunteers who banded together to defend the frontier against the Piute Indians, who were plundering and murdering the white settlers. The first company of 100 men was nearly all massacred by the savages, only fifteen escaping. Mr. Wade belonged to the second com- pany, and the affair was subsequent!}' peaceably settled with the chief Winnemuck, and depredations for the time were suspended. The AVade homestead comprises 140 acres of finely improved land, with a very handsome mod- ern dwelling and a substantial barn, tiie latter occupying an area of 56x78 feet, and admirably adapted to the shelter of stock, in which industry ]\Ir. Wade takes much interest. He h.as very little to do with political affairs, but votes the Republican ticket, and has served as School Director and Drain Commissioner. Mrs. Wade, a very estimable lady, is a member in good standing of the Baptist Church. >Jt^ •►Hh-<«- /JWft ARt^US VAN, a resident of Jefferson Town- ship for over forty years, located first one mile south of Osseo on forty acres of land, fifteen of which are cleared, and the balance improved in the course of a few years by its present proprietor. He now has sixt3'-two and one-half acres under a fine state of cultivation, and which constitutes a snug homestead, where he is sur- rounded with all the comforts of life. His posses- sions are the result of his own industry, as aside from the good he.alth with which nature provided him, he received no legacy whatever from any source. .Saratoga County, N. Y., was the early tramping ground of our subject, he having been born in Ballston, where he remained until twenty-one years of age. Thence he removed to Syracuse, where he occupied himself at farming ten years, and next took up his residence in Huron County, Ohio. He was first married in Onondaga County when twenty- four years of age, in F'ebru.ary, 1830, to Miss Sarah Bennett, and lived in the Buckeye State eng.aged in farming intil 1844, coming then to this county. The father of our subject, Jacob Van, who was born in the State of Pennsylvania, was killed in the War of 1812, when about forty years of age. The maiden name of the mother w.as Rachel Car- penter. .She spent her last years in Ohio, dying some time after the death of her husband. His maternal grandfather lived to the age of ninety-nine years, nine months and nine days. He spent his last days in New York .State, and had been one of the old soldiers in the French and Indian War. Mrs. Sarah Van dep.irted this life at her home in Jefferson Township about 1850. Mr. Van, our subject, contracted a second mar- riage, M.^y 12, 1863, with Mrs. Julia Gilbert, who •^ I -^- It HILLSDALE COUNTY. 753 was born in Berkshire County. Mnss.. Nov. 30, 181.5, anfl wiiose fatiier, Elijaii Williard, also a native of the Bay State, was a direct descendant of the old New England Puritans. She was first married. April 19, 1839. to Stephen L. Gilbert, in Oiiio, and became the mother of seven children, namely: Julia; Ellen and Oliver, deceased ; Elmira living in .Jefferson Township; Oliver, Charles and Annie, deceased. Julia married, in 1883, W. G. Langford, who is no^v Judge of the Supreme Court of Washington Territory; Elmira became the wife of Amos French, March 23, 1878. Mr. Gilbert first settled on the farm adjoining the home of our subject, which was willed to Mrs. G., and which she has given to her children. Mrs. French lives on the old homestead. Elijah and Roxy (Allen) Williard. the parents of Mrs. Van. spent their last years in Massachusetts and Michigan respectivelj*. To our subject and his wife there have been born no children. Our subject, politicall}', in his early manhood identified himself with the old Whig party, but on its abandonment cordially endorsed Republican principles. Both he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Free- will Baptist Church, in Osseo. 'jf7 LTHER B. WOLCOTT, a successful general I ^ farmer of Cambria Township, located on his /Ik^ present homestead on section 11 in the spring of 1870. It comprises eighty acres of fertile land, well cultivated, and supplied with good farm buildings. He became a resident of this township fourteen years before, living then on section 12. He is a son of one of the earliest pioneers of Michi- gan, and was born in Superior Township, Washte- naw County, April 28, 1836. Nelson Wolcott, the father of our subject, was a native of Wayne County, N. Y., and the son of John Wolcott, a shoemaker by trade, who left the Empire State in middle life, and coming to the Territory of Michigan, settled among the earliest pioneers of O.ikland County. lie labored to good advantage in cultivating the soil, and rested from his labors in 1 832, aged about sixty years. He had •►-•-4»- I married in early manhood a Connecticut lady. Miss Susannah Lamb, who after his death wedded a Mr. Sutton, and passed her last years in Ransom Town- ship, this county. This branch of the Wolcott family are descend- ants of Oliver P. Wolcott, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Nelson Wolcott, the father of our subject, continued among his native hills until twenty years of age, then migrated to the Territory of Michigan, and took up a tract of Government land in the unbroken wilderness of Oakland County. He occupied himself here mak- ing preparations for the removal of his father's family, and then, returning East, brought them to their new home. Two years later he was married to Miss Mary Wilcox, who, it is believed, was born in AVashtenaw Count}', and who is a daughter of Amos Wilcox, a New Englander b}' birth and par- entage, and one of the earliest settlers of Wash- tenaw Count}'. There a few j-ears later his wife died, and Mr. Wilcox removed to Calhoun County, where he spent his last years, dying at an advanced age. The parents of our subject continued residents of Superior Township, Washtenaw County, and after the birth of five children the mother jwssed away in 1842. Mr. Wolcott subsequently disposed of his propertj' there, and moved to Ransom Town- ship, this county, in 1854. In the meantime he had contracted a second marriage, with Miss Julia A. Janes, niece of the celebrated Dr. Janes, whose advertisements as the dispenser of patent medicines have for years been familiar to the American people. This lady is still living and makes her home with her daughter, near Lansing, tliis State. She is now sixty-nine years of age. Nelson Wol- cott died at his home in Ransom Township on the 8th of March, 1856. He was a soli*! Democrat, politically, and took an active part in local affairs. A warm admirer of the principles of the Masonic fraternity, he had early in life identified himself with this organization, of which he was a member for a period of seven years. He has left a record to his children as a husband, father and citizen, which they may look u[)on with pardonable pride. Luther B. Wolcott began his education in the district schools of Superior Township. Washtenaw ••► ,t 754 HILLSDALE COUNTY. County, being a j'outh of eighteen years when the family removed to Hillsdale. He continued under the parental roof until reaching his majoritjs and then, with very little capital, started out for himself. Ahout the first business of the young men of those days, who were content with the comforts of life, and wasted little time in sighing for its luxuries, was to establish a home of their own, and, in accord- ance with this fashion, our subject, on the 'iOth of December, 1866, was married to one of the most estimable young ladies of Cambria Township, Miss Adelaide Bates, who was born Feb. 24, 1849, and was the daughter of Horatio Bates, one of the earliest settlers, and now a well-to-do farmer of Cambria Township. They commenced life togetiier in a manner corresponding with their means, in Cambria Township, where our subject occupied himself in tilling the soil, and in due time became the proud father of three children. The eldest of these, Ada N., is now an intelligent and accom- plished young lady, who has made the most of her opportunities at school, and purposes to follow teach- ing. For this profession, Blanche, the second daugh- ter, is also perfected, and has already entered upon her duties in one of the district schools in Cambria Township; she completed her studies in the Normal School at Hillsdale. George Marvin, a lad thirteen years of age, continues at home with his parents. Mr. Wolcott. in August, 1862, under the call for 300,000 volunteers to aid in the maintenance of the Union, enlisted in Company D, 18th Michigan In- fantry, under Capt. Van Vaylor and Col. D. C. Doolittle, and went with his regiment to the front, being assigned to the Army of the Cumber-land, under Gens. Sherman and Thomas. He was in the battles of Athens, Decatur, the siege and capture of Nashville, and comprised one of the fortunate few who escaped capture at the first-mentioned place, although experiencing a hairbreadth escape. At Decatur he was unhorsed, and for bravery and efficiency was promoted to the rank of Second Ser- geant. After the surrender of Lee, at Appomattox, he received his honorable discharge, June 26, 1865. He has occupied many positions of trust and re- sponsibility in his township, serving with the County Board of Supervisors two years, and was eight years Justice of the Peace. He belongs to the G. A. R., and is a member in good standing of Blue Lodge No. 32, A. F. & A. M., at Hillsdale, with which he has been connected for a period of twenty-one years. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party. ORLANDO WHITE. This gentleman and his highly intelligent wife present the rare pict- ure of people, who, living in the rural dis- tricts, have improved their fine opportunities for reading and study, and probably are not exceeded in this respect by any of the people in this section of the State. They take the most wise and sensi- ble view of life, keeping pace with the progressive ideas of the present age, and find their chief happi- ness in the knowledge which they gather from day to day from the works both of modern authors and those of an earlier period. There are few men bet- ter informed upon subjects of general interest than Orlando White, and few ladies who excel his wife in this respect. These excellent people occupy one of the pleas- antest homesteads in Cambria Township, which emltraces eighty acres of land under good cultiva- tion and supplied with modern farm buildings. Mr. White came to Southern Michigan in the fall of 1852, and soon afterward took up the land upon which he now lives, and where he has since operated with uniform success. His early home was in Barre Township, Orleans Co., N. Y., where his birth took place Aug. 29, 1825. His father, Bryant White, of Massachusetts, migrated to Herkimer County, N. Y., when but a lad, with his parents, where he de- veloped into manhood and was married to Miss Rachel Bates, a native of Montgomery County. The young people commenced life together in Her- kimer County, and soon changed their residence to Orleans County. Subsequently Mr. White secured land in the Holland Purchase, where the mother died, and he was married to her sister, Mrs. Lydia (Bates) Allen. Bryant White after his second marriage removed to Noble County, Ind., where, with his estimable wife, he spent the remainder of his days, they dying at the ages respectively of seventy-four and sev- ^ : ^ -4- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 755 i- V cntj'-two yi'ars. Tlieir son Oilnndo, of otir sketeli, lived in the bouse where he was born until twent}'- fivc years of age. He had all this time been learn- ing the arts of plowing', sowing and reaping, and now considered himself fully competent to estalilish a home of his own. On the 28th of May, 1850, he was accordingly married to Miss Lydia .J. Allen, daughter of George L. and Sally (Bowen) Allen, who were natives of Greenfield Township, Saratoga Co., N. ^ ., and the father a farmer by occupa- tion. Mr. Allen in 1833 took up his residence in Montgomery County, where he lived eleven 3'ears, and then removed to Farmington, Ontario County, where he and his estimable wife spent the remainder of their days. The father passed awjiy in 1874, aged seveuty-one years. The mother survived her husband twelve years, her death taking place in 1886, after she had arrived at the advanced age of eighty-five. Mr. and Mrs. White commence► m ^ < ^ - HILLSDALE COUNTY. 757 ■A I came to IMichignn, and taking up forlv acres of land from the Guvernmont, engaged in the improve- ment of a farm. As bis land was tlien in its primeval condition, and consequently for some time would yield Utile or no reward for its cultivation, Mr. Stone engaged in clearing land by the acre for other people, and as he was alile added to his original purchase, until he had 240 acres, which he brought under a fine state of cultivation. Upon becoming a citizen of this country, he identified himself with the Democratic party, and continued in its ranks until the close of his life, in April. 1870, at the age of fifty-seven years. The mother of our subject was born in 1808, and slill survives, in the enjoy- ment of good health, notwithstanding she has experienced all the trials, vicissitudes and priva- tions incident to pioneer life in Southern Michigan. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which she has been identified for many years. The family of David and .Sarah Stone included four children — John, James, Mar}' (deceased) and Elizabeth. John Stone is the eldest in order of birth of this family, and growing uj) under the pa- rental roof was kept busilj' employed assisting in farm duties, in the meantime availing himself of such opportunity for education as the facilities of the time afforded. The log school-house with its primi- tive furniture was by this time giving place to the more commodious frame building, supplied with suitable furniture and apparatus to aid the teacher in his work, and Mr. Stone received a better educa- tion than was common to those who had already reached a school age in the early pioneer days of the county. After seeing his wa}' clear to the support of a family, he was united in marriage, Fel). 1, 1874, with Miss Anna Beevers, who was born in this State in 1854, and was educated at the High School. Her union with Mr. Stone has been blessed bj- the birth of two children: Guy. B., who was born Feb. 10, 187G, and Lulu V., Dee. 1, 1880. Eighteen j'ears ago Mr. Stone ventured into the nursery business, and during the last two years he has also carried on gardening to a large extent. His enterprise has been attended with success, and he has an extensive patronage, supplying not only the immediate neighborhood, but sending the prod- ucts of his nursery to other parts. Politically, he affliliates with the Detnocratic party, and is a repu- table citizen, enjoying the confidence and esteem of his fellow-townsmen, as is proved by the fact that he has held the various offices of the township, the duties of which he has discharged with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. Our subject and his amiable wife are members in good standing of the Metiiodist Episcopal Church, contributing of their time and means to promote the cause of morality in the community in which their lot has been cast. (^^HOMAS J. RICHAKD.SON. The subject of (iM^^\ ''^"* t)'t>o'"''l'''y '-I'lks among the self-made ^^^ men of Camden Township, and has l)y his industry and perseverance accumulated a com- fortable property, comprising a good farm of 120 acres with substantial buildings, a fair assortment of live stock, and the machinery necessary for the prosecution of agriculture in a jirofitiible manner. As a member of the community he is generally re- spected, is Democratic in politics, and in favor of everything to improve the county and elevate so- ciety. Socially, he belongs to the Masonic fraternity at Reading, and is also a member of Eureka Com- mandery No. 3, of Hillsdale. Religiously, he is identified with the Presbyterian Church, in which he has served as Elder for several years. Steuben Count}', N. Y., was the earl}' home of our subject, and where his birth took place June 20, 1821. His father, John, and his mother, Cath- erine (Smith) Richardson, were natives respectively of Virginia and Maryland, and of English and Dutch ancestry. The parental household comprised a large family of children, of whom the following survive: Henry S., of Allegany County, N. Y. ; Thomas J., our subject, and Elizabeth, the wife of John Norton, of Rochester, N. Y. Mr. Richardson was reared to manhood in his native State, receiving a common-school education and becoming familiar with agricultural pursuits. When nearly twenty-seven years of age he was married, Jan. 14, 1848, to Miss Amanda Aber, who was born in Chemung County, N. Y., March 1, 1828, and is the daughter of Nathaniel and Ann h 4= 758 i HILLSDALE COUMTY. (Wass) Aber, who were also natives of the Empire State, the father of French ancestrv- and the mother of Dutch origin. To Mr. and Mrs. Richardson there were born ten children, nine of whom are now liv- ing, namely: Charles M., of Lansing, this State; George RL, of Woodbridge Township, this county; Kate, the wife of Fremont Fowler, of Cambria Township; John M., of Lansing; E;ilzabelh; James H.; Jennie, the wife of W. H. Adams, of Wood- bridge Township, and Georgie E. and Thomas, Jr., who are at home with their parents. Florence died when about four years old. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson continued residents of their native State over twenty years after their marriage, coming to this county in the fail of 1869, and first taking up their residence in Reading Township. Four years later they removed to their present, farm. jissi v^ ^m^' ^ T52.\eiT ■^ AM ES PERSON. The subject of this sketch occupies a good position among the reliable men of Camden Township, and is in the en- joyment of a comfortable home on section 11. By a life of industry and sobriety he has acquired a good property, which came into his pos- session solely by the exercise of his own persever- ance, as he was thrown upon his own resources early in life, having nothing to depend upon but his own unaided efforts. He is the offspring of an excellent Pennsylvania family, the son of Isaac and Marj' (Rima) Person, and was born Jan. I'J, 1829, in Northampton County. The parents of our subject were also natives of the Keystone State, and of German ancestry. His paternal uncle, Jacob Person, fought in the War of 1812, and spent his last daj's in Pennsylvania. Of the thirteen children born to Isaac and Mary Per- son, eight are living, namely : Abraham and George, in Pennsylvania; Isaac, in Ohio; David, Adam, Rebecca, the wife of Adam Rockel, and Mary A., Mrs. J. P. Shaw, in Pennsj'lvania. James, our subject, developed into manhood in his native county, receiving a limited education, but was fond of reading, and on account of this became quite well informed. Upon the outbreak of the Rebellion he enlisted as a Union soldier, Sept. 22, 18G2, in Convpan^' D, lo3d Pennsylvania Infantrj', which was assigned to the 1 1 th Corps, Army of the Po- tomac. He was soon made a Corporal, and look part in the battles of Chanccllorsville and Gettys- burg, being at the latter place wounded in the right arm, on account of which he now draws a pension of $G per month. He remained with his regiment until the expiration of his term of enlistment, and received his honorable discharge July 24, 1863. After leaving the service Mr. Person returned to Pennsj'lvania, where he was engaged in carpenter- ing, and was married, Nov. 28, 1865, to Miss Sarah A. Beidelman, who bore him three children, of whom only one is living, a son, Walter, who was born July 11, 1880. In the spring of 1866 Mr. Person and his vvife came to this county and settled on their present farm. This embraces eighty acres of fertile land, which he has operated to the best advantage, and besides bringing the soil to a fine state of cultivation, has a beautiful residence, a fine barn, and other buildings convenient for the carrying on of agriculture after modern methods. Mr. Person is a Republican in politics, and in religious matters a member of the German Re- formed Church. His inlired honestj' of purpose has served to make him popular in his community, where he is classed among its most useful citizens. As an ex-soldier he belongs to the G. A. R., being a member of Post No. 282, at Camden. His good sense and judgment have often been a recommend- ation to the various township offices, which he has uniforralj' declined, preferring to give his time and attention to his farming interests and his family. When a J'oung man he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for about ten years, and on ac- count of this has lieen able to save hundreds of dollars, not onlj' in the erection of his buildings, but in keeping them in repair. Mrs. Person was born in Lehigh County, Pa., Sept. 13, 1842, and is the daughter of Ephraim and Sarah A. (Folk)'Beidelman, who also were natives of the Keystone State. Her maternal grandfather, George Folk, was a soldier of the War of 1812, and spent his last years in Pennsylvania. Her father's house- hold included four children, namely : Ei>liraim, Jr., ^h^_ 4 HILLSDALK COUNTY. 759 ik a iTsiflfiit of Philadelphia, Pa.; Alfred; Amanda, the wife of .Josiah Wilt, of Xortliainpton County, and Sarah A., Mrs. Person; her parents are now deceased. The.v are most excellent and worthy peo- ple and members of tiie (iernian Reformed Church. "tiieji/fs-^^ — ^ ^^^WCJTlt- ellARLES P. WmiE, of Litchfield, an ex- soldier of the Union army with a most enviable war record, is the subject of a most interesting historj' which is in its main points as follows: The scion of an excellent family, he is the son of Abraham C. and (L'elinda (Joslin) White, the father born in Connecticut near Long Island Sound, and the mother a native of Otsego Countj', N. \. Canfield White, the paternal grandfather of our subject, followed the sea, and died on the ocean while making his second trip around the world, being consigned to a watery grave in the Gulf of Jlexico. This branch of the W^hite family sprang from old Puritan stock, and their history in the United Slates dates back to Colonial times. The parents of our subject after their marriage settled in Otsego Count}-, N. Y., of which the}- continued residents until their removal to the Black River countrj-. The father was a carpenter by trade, and came to the Territor}^ of Michigan in thesi)ring of 1833, locating in Scipio Township when there were but seven houses upon the present site of Jones- ville, none in Hillsdale, and but one in Litchfield Townshii). He came alone and sent for his famil}' in the fall. He not only constructed his own dwell- ing, but that of his companion, Mr. H. Morris, while the latter went back to the Empire State after the two families. Abraham W'hite continued a resident of Scipio Township, working at his trade until 1840, and then invested the little capital which he had saved in eighty acres of land among the woods of Litchfield Township. This he cleared, and from the uncultivated soil constructed a fertile farm, which remained the home of himself and his estimable wif(! the remainder of their lives. The father died in 1864 when sixty years of age. He was originally an old-line Whig, but upon the abandonment of that party cordiall}' indorsed Re- publican principles. The mother after the decease of her husband continued to live upon the old homestead, where her death took place in 1884, when she was seventy-two years old. Our subject was the sixth child of his parents, whose family included five sons and four daughters. He was born in Scipio Township, this count}', Aug. 28, 1838, and was two years of .age when the fam- ily came to Litchfielil. He acquired a common- school education after the primitive methods of those days and completed his studies in Litchfield. He subsequently occupied himself as a teacher at Sandy Creek, being thus employed in the winter of 18C0-61. Upon the outbreak of the Rebelhon soon afterward he was one of the first to respond to the call for troops, enlisting with the three-years men, in Com[)any H, 4th Michigan Infantry, at Adrian, Lenawee County, and leaving immediately for the scat of war. After a few months he was taken seriously ill, and comi)elIed to accei)t his dis- charge in November following. A year later he again joined the Union forces as a member of the 7th Michigan Cavalry. I)eing mustered into service at Grand Rapids. They left for Washington in March, 1863, and Mr. White participated in the fight at Gettysburg as a member of Custer's brigade. On the 6th of July following he was captured by the rebels at Stanton, Va.. and confined to Belle Jsle Prison from .Inly 24 to February 19 following. He was then transferre(l to Andersonville, whose horrors he suffered from the 1st of M.arch to Sept. 8, 1864, being then taken to Savannah, where he remained until October 16, and was tiiis time transferred to Milan Prison November 23, was paroled, and from Annapolis was permitted to go home on a fifty-days furlough. When the time came to rejoin his regiment Mr. AVhite was sent to Canij) Distribution at Arlington Heights, thence to Richmond, and from there to Harper's Ferry. His next destination was at Point Rock, at which place he was on picket duly at the time of Lincoln's assassination, and was sent out with 9.000 dismounted men to assist in capturing the assassin, Booth. They arrived at Cliai)el Point, where they ca|)tured Booth seventy miles from Washington, ami in the meantime Lee's army had surrendered ami |)eace was declared. Our subject n 760 ■•► HILLSDALE COUNTY. rejoined his regiment and participated in the grand review at Washington, and was also present on the night of Sherman's review; and then the 7th, the 1st, the 5tb and the 6th Michigan Regiments boarded the cars for Parkcrsburg, and thence went down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to St. Louis, and from there up the Missouri to Ft. Leavenworth, where tlie brigade was remounted and refitted to guard tiie United States mail route, scattering along at the points requiring protection. Mr. White with some of his comrades was stationed at the summit of the Rocky Mountains, being relieved by the reg- ular brigade, and mustered out on the 1st of December, 1865, our subject having been in the service three years and seven months. Mr. White during his visit home, in 1862, was married, in the month of April, to Miss Anna J. Harris, of Litchfield, who was born in Washtenaw County, and died at her home in Litchfield, April 12, 1865. Mr. White was sul)scquently married, Feb. 23, 1868, to Miss Helen M., daughter of Job and Amy Reed, who were both natives of New York State and are now residents of Hillsdale, having attained to the ripe old age of eighty years. Their family included two sons and foui- daughters, and Mrs. While, the fourth child, was born June 1, 1843, in Erie County, Pa. She acquired a common- school education, and was fourteen years of age upon coming with her parents to Michigan. Of this union there were born four children, the eldest of whom, Williard J., is a member of the class of '89 in the Litchfield Union School; Lena E. died when fourteen years old; Fred C. is also in the Union School, and Maude E., the youngest, continues at home with her parents. In 1883 Mr. White purchased the interests of the other heirs in the old homestead, and in the fall of 1885 exchanged it for village properly in Litch- field, -where he has since lived. Both he and his estimable wife are members of the Metiiodist Epis- copal Church, at Litchfield. They were identified with this church at Sandy Creek for a period of twenty-five years, and in which Mr. White offici- ated as Trustee the greater part of this time, assisting in putting up their church building, and being otherwise one of the chief pillars in the main- tenance of the society. Politically, he is a solid Republican, and it is hardly necessary to state he is a member of Stewart Post. G. A. R., at Litchfield, of which he is Adjutant, and a charter member; he is also a member of Baxter Post No. 219, of Jones- ville. His career has been an interesting and varied one, and he surely has reason to feel that his life has not been in vain. -^ ^: *-»I*-^- ARVEY N. PROUTY, one of the pioneers of Yi jit this county, arrived within its borders with /lii^' his parents when a little lad six years of age. He is a native of Onondaga County, N. Y., the date of his birth being Jan. 5, 1 833. His father, David D. Prouty, was a native of Vermont, and the mother, who in her girlhood was Mary Morey, was born in New York. The paternal grandfather served as a soldier in the War of 1812. Our subject, when an infant of six months, was taken by his parents from his native State to Ohio, they settling on the Mauraee River, in Lucas County. Upon emigrating to Michigan they located in Read- ing Township, where the father lived until his decease, in 1859. He was one of the early pioneers of the western part of tliis county, an energetic and capable man, who lent his support to every enter- prise tending to develop the resources of the soil, and effect the progress of the people. In his death Hillsdale County lost one of her best citizens. He identified himself with the Whig party when a young man, and upon its abandonment cordially endorsed Republican principles. Seven children completed the household circle of David D. and Mary Prouty, of whom the following survive: Harvey N., of our sketch, is the oldest one living; Martha is the wife of Hiram Gould, of Reading Township; Frank, and Ann, the wife of Albert Fuller, are also residents of Reading. David Prouty was instrumental in the founding of Read- ing Village, and probabl}' did more to enhance its prosperity than any other man at that time. The mother is still living in Reading Township. The subject of this sketch was reared to man- hood amid the scenes of pioneer life, and was taught the habits of industry and economy which have been the secret of his success. He received a fair ••► 1 ' t HILLSDALE COUNTY. rei eduention, and .added to his ijeiicral fund of informa- tion b}' a coiiiso of I'oading, "liich lie li.as kept up all the years of his life. In ISiti) he visited Cali- fornia, and subsequently traveled throui^h Cential America. He also spent four years in British Co- lumbia, and three months in Alaska, besides travel- ing through many of the Western States, and also Territories. He was in all about ten years travel- ing around and making himself acquainted With the general character of the Wcstci'n countr}', and the habits of its people. This proved a rich experience with which he would not willingly part. When not traveling, he was mining and prosi)ecting. In the meantime also he assisted in building four miles of the military road in Washington Territory, between Chehalis and Newaukum. He returned to this county in 1865, and settling down as an agricultur- ist, in due time acquired his present homestead of 213 acres, which he has brought to its present con- dition by the exercise of persevering industry. The 3'ear of his return from the farther West, Mr. Prouty was married, June 20, 1865, to Miss Ophelia Rounds, who was born in 1848, and is the daughter of Lewis and Kmley Rounds, who were natives of New York, and are now deceased. Of this union there was born one child onlj', a son, Arthur, Feb. 6, 1869. Mr. Prouty has been fre- quently solicited to hold office, and was at onetime the candidate for Supervisor on the Democratic- Greenback ticket. His party being in the minority, he was in consequence defeated, which, however, was not unexpected, but the vote which he received indicated his standing with the people, ile holds a good position among the representative citizens of Camden Township, and in religious views is an agnostic. -«>-^»t*^'0,^4-<«5*f-.^j- iNA ^^^^ WILLETS. However brief the so- /// iW J*^^""" '" Cambria Township, there are few ^ 1^ who visit it to whom the names of this 91 highly respected gentleman and his worth3' wife will not become familiar. He was one of the first settlers of this township, and is one of the oldest pioneers 3'et living to tell the tale of their early struggles. He now has a fine farm compris- f ing 160 acres on section 19, the land of which ^•- - he entered from tin; Government, and which has been owned consequently only by Uncle Sam and himself. The transfer was effected from the former to the Jatter by a brother of our suliject, H. B. Willets, in June, 1835, and Mr. Willets took possession not quite two years later, in March, 1837. The country around was at that time mostly a tim- ber tract, with neighbors few and far between. The first business of the pioneer after he pitched his tent in the woods of Cambria Townsiiip was to clear the trees from a space large enough to put up a log cabin. This effected, he returned to Niag- ara County, N. Y., after his wife and child, and in due time had them safely housed in their cabin home. They took possession on the 3d of August, 1837, now over fift3' years ago, and the anniversary of this event was appropriately celebrated bj' Mr. and Mrs. Willetts and forty or more of the most prominent old settlers of the count}'. It is hardly necessary to say that the contrast between the past and the present could be better imagined than de- scribed. The wilderness had been transformed into a beautiful farm, and the rude log cabin had long ago given place to the handsome modern residence, replete with all the comforts and many of the lux- uries of life. While Mr. Willets stood a gracious host at his door to welcome his old friends, they in turn tendered their congratulations, and as a slight token of their esteem presented him with an ele- gant gold-headed cane, l>earing an appropriate in- scription commemorating the occasion. The subject of this biography was born in P'arm- ington, Ontario Co., N. Y., April 13, 1814. He is the offspring of an excellent old New Jersey fam- ily of Quaker stock .and English descent, and the first representatives of whom in this country came over with the pilgrims in the "Mayflower." Jona- than Willets, the father of our subject, was also born in New Jerse}', to which State his ancestors had emigrated from Long Island. The latter w.as one of a large family' and, it was believed, migrated to Monroe County, N. Y., when a young man un- married. The lady whom he eventually invited to his heart and home w.as Miss Rachel Bunn, who also came of a good family. Jonathan Willets after his marriage lived several years in Ontario County, N. Y., then with his wife *t <^ 762 HILLSDALE COUNTY. nnd childi'pu effectcrl a chnnge of residence and located among the hills of Niagara County, in the vicinity of what is now the city of Lockport. Then it was an unsettled region, before even the days of canals. The father, however, onij- survived a few \'ears. dying when his son Moses was a little lad ten 3'ears of age. The mother followed three years later, and thus a family of six childien were left in orphanage. Of these but four are now liv- ing, nameh': ,]onathan, a resident of Three Rivers; George, of Wisconsin: Phebe. Mrs. Frederick Fow- ler, of Reading, and Moses, our subject. There was left a small propertj' valued at $1,800, for the children, and young Willets was thus thrown partly upon his own resources early in life. He labored bard for light wages, .and by great exertion acquired a limited education. It was in those days that he learned to economize, and acquired that self-reliant and independent spirit which has been the secret of his success in b'fe. He continued a resident of Niagara County until reaching his ma- jority', and was an interested witness of the slow, but sure, development of the Emjiire State. He saw the first canal- boat pass through the locks at Lock- port, and also looked Ujion the face of the j'Oung and gallant Frenchman, Gen. LaFayette. who left his own delightful land to assist the struggling peo- ple of a foreign countrj'. Jlr. Willets was first married in Niagara County, N. Y., Oct. 10, 1836, to Miss Angeline Alvord, a very capaliie and intelligent lady, who had been reared well and received a good education. Not long after the wedding day they set out for the Territory of Michigan, and coming to this county, located upon the land which our subject now owns and occn[)ies, and where their six children were born. The mother performed well her part as the wife and helpmate of the toiling pioneer, and lived to enjoy the comforts of the home which she had assisted in building up. Amid the tears of her sorrowing famil3'. and the regrets of the entire com- munity, she passed from earth on the 24th of Feb- ruary, 185-1. Three of her children are yet living: Laviua P. is the wife of Samuel Messenger, a re- tired farmer and a resident of Niles, this State; Henry H. married Miss Luella Peck, a native of New York State, and is operating upon a part of his father's farm, in Cambria Township; like the lattei'. he is thrift}', intelligent and well-to-do, and if permitted to live, will perpetuate in honor the labors and the name of his respected sire. Alice G., an accomplished young woman of good educa- tion and former!}' a teacher in the public schools, is now living at home with her parents. The de- ceased children are: Perraelia A., who died when about fourteen years of age; Charles M., when twentj'-five, and Adaline, who became the wife of A. C. Bctls, of Hillsdale, and died J.an. 24, 1871. The present wife of our subject, to whom he was marrie^hM» ■^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 765 1812. holfling the rank of Captain, and, it is thought, served through the entire conflict, and although lie was entitled to a pension, he never received one. He married in 1 824, and settled in Sterling, Cayuga Co., N. Y., where he improved a farm. In 1833 he moved with his family to Ohio, and settled in Lucas County, where he made his home until he came to Michigan witli his wife and children in 1843, and settled in this township, where he spent the declining years of his life, dying in 1863. .Shortly before his death he joined the church. lie was a raau of cxceedingl}- kind and generous im- pulses, and no one was allowed to go from his door hungry, and the sorrowful always found in him a ready sympathizer. In politics he was an old-line Whig, and a firm defender of his party principles. His wife survived him some years, dying in 1868. She was a noble type of womanhood, firm in char- acter,kind and warm-hearted in manner, and she was for fifty years a consistent church member. To her and her husband were born fourteen chil- dren, whose record is as follows: Lueinda married Linas Frost, now deceased; Arminda married Mr. Johnson ; Selah married Miss Betsy Kinney ; Samuel, deceased, married Miss Lucy Wiltsej'; John, de- ceased, married Miss Analeza Bell; Daniel married Miss Pamelia French; Asa L., deceased, married Miss JerushaBell; our subject; Margaret, deceased, was the wife of Levi Manly; George married Miss Almeda Young; James married Miss Sarah Ste- phens, and still lives in this township; William married Miss Rebecca Ransom. Joseph Divine passed his early years in his na- tive State, and was about thirteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to Ohio, wliere the re- maining years of his youth were passed. He w.as in the prime of early manhood when he came to Miehi- 'gan, and first identified himself with its agricultural interests. His farm on section 6, Woodbridge Town- ship, comprises forty acres of choice land, inahighly cultivated condition, and capaljjc of yielding large crops. He has a comfortable and commodious resi- dence and ample barns, and his farm is well sup- plied with machinerj' and implements for carrying on agriculture with great facility and success. Mr. Divine has been three times married. His first wife was Amelia Allen, a daughter of the f.amous pioneer and first settler of Hillsdale County, Capt. Moses Allen, who located in this county in 1827. They were married in 1840, but their wedded life was of brief duration, as she died in 1842, leaving one son, Oscar A. Mr. Divine's second marriage was with Miss Dorothy Fish, and she was also a daughter of a pioneer family; she died without issue. The third marriage of our subject, which took place Nov. 1, 1884, was with Mrs. Lois B. Stone, 7iee Melendy, widow of William B. Stone. By her first marriage she was the mother of two children — Charles A. and Fred W. The former married Miss Sarah E. Kemp; Fred married Miss Carrie B. Cass; both he and his brother are en- gaged in farming. Mrs. Divine was born in Bainbridge, Chenango Co., N. Y., Jan. 15, 1831, and was the daughter of Norman and Sally S. (Welch) Melendy, natives respectively of Vermont and Connecticut. The father was born in 1 806, and was a farmer by occupation: he came to Michigan in 1845, and settled in Branch Count}', where he died in 1855, and his wife, ^yho was born in 1810, is living at an advanced age. and is an esteemed mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. She is the mother of ten children, as follows: Richmond, deceased; Daniel, living in Kansas; Squire W., deceased; Sarah S. ; Emery G.; Edward N. died in the hospi- tal at Annapolis, Md.; Mary E., Abby M., John M. Four of these were in the army, and Rich- mond, who was Judge of the Circuit Court in Branch and St. Joseph Counties, served four years as Capt.ain and Adjutant General of the 29th In- diana Regiment. In his long and highly useful career our subject has shown himself to be in every respect above re- proach, even in the searching light of public life; he is broad and liberal minded in his views, and his good capacities of mind and heart have fitted him for the leading part that he has been called upon to play, both in local and State affairs. He has been prominent in education.il matters, and has held vari- ous township offices of trust and responsibility. In 1884 he was elected to the high office of Representa- tive in the State Legislature, his constituencj' em- bracing the voters of three counties, and he served two years, displaying the same zeal and devotion to the interests of his followinon that had always i~ u 766 HILLSDALE COUNTY. characterized hira while in the service of the public. He was Chairman of the Committee on Religions and Benevolent Societies, and also served on two other important committees, those of Federal Eela- tions and the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. Our subject has been Justice of the Peace for some years. In his political beliefs he has been a firm adherent of the Rei)ublican party since its forma- tion, and he cast his first vote for Henry Clay. He was formerly a church member, but has severed his connection with the church, and it may be said of him as of others: "The world is his church, the needs of humanity his creed, growth its founda- tion." J]_^ ON. L. .S. PARI\IKLEE..Iustice of the Peace at Reading, and one of the prominent citi- zensof the county, came to Southern IMiehi- gan in 1856, and during his residence of over thirt}' years in this section of country, he has built up for himself an enviable reputation among its people. Like many of the other solid men of Hillsdale County, he is a native of the Empire State, having been born in the town of Spafford, Onondaga Count3', Aug. 20, 1815. Joshua Parmelee, the father of our subject, a native of Connecticut, was of New England parent- age. The first representatives of the family crossed over from England to America in 1C35, fifteen years after the landing of the Pilgrim fathers, and settled in the town of Guilford, Conn., where the family lived for many years, and were regarded as among the solid people of that region. In England the}' were closely allied to royalty. The paternal grandfather of our subject died when his son Joshua was quite young, and he was reared bj' his widowed mother. As soon as of suitable years he began an apprenticeship at the tanning and shoemaking business, which, however, not being in accordance with his tastes, he aban- doned after serving his time, and engaged in farm- ing. Upon reaching manhood he was married to Miss Eunice Smith, who was a native of Massachu- setts, and the daughter of an old and highly re- spected family, who had been represented in the Bay State for several generations. Joshua Parme- lee and his young wife left New England soon after their marriage, and located in Spafford, N. Y., where were born their six children, three sons and three daughters, all of whom lived to be married. All of the sons and one daughter are yet living, and are residents mostly of New York and Michigan. L. S., our subject, was the youngest of the boys. The eldest, Erastus K., is living near Pamela Station, in Barry County, this State, and although seventy- nine years of age, is hale and active. Joshua, Jr., aged seventy -seven, is a resident of Cattaraugus Countj', N. Y., and a farmer b}' occupation. The parents in their later years removed to Cattaraugus County, N. Y., where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying at the age of fifty-four j'ears. He was a man of genial and companionable disposition, kindl^'and hospitable in his nature, and was faniiliarl}' known to all the people around as "Uncle Joshua." His chief char- acteristics were his honesty and integrity, and his word was considered as good as his bond. The mother survived her husband some years, and died at the home of her daughter, when more than eighty years old. The family on both sides of the house were noted for longevity. The subject of this sketch was reared under the parental roof, acquiring a good common-school education, and being studiously encouraged by his parents to avail himself of every opportunity for the reading of instructive books. Of these he has large numbers, and would be entirely' lost without his librar}-. When starting out for himself in life he served an apprenticeship at cabinet-making, and subsequently for a time worked as a carpenter. This, however, was not entirely in accordance with his tastes, and turning his attention to religious matters, he began to preach, and offlciated there- after as a minister of the Free-Will Baptist Church for a period of nearly fifty years. Although taking kindly to the beliefs of the Free- Will Baptists, he is liberal in his ideas, and in unison with all churches. At the time of the building of Hillsdale College, he by his own efforts raised 118.000, and has been the means of erecting many church buihlings in the United States and Canada. About 1862 or 1863 he organized the first Free- Will Baptist Church in Chicago. He has preached many funeral sermons -^•- -•► u HILLSDALK COUNTY. in tliis coiint3\ and has ever stood on that broad anil liberal platform which has made him welcome as a minister with any clnirch or with anj' people. While a resident of Cattaiaugus Count.y, N. Y., Mr. Parmelee was married, May 3, 183.5, to Miss Julia A. Jones, wlio was born in Tioga C'onnty, that State, June 20, 1816. Her parents. John and Naomi (Whitley) Jones, subsequently came to the West, and died at Roekford, 111., when well ad- vanced in j'ears; the father was a farmer by occu- pation. Mrs. Parmelee was very carefully reared, receiving a good common-school education and excellent home training. Although now seventy- two years of age, she is a very bright and active old lady, more than ordinarily- intelligent, genial and hospitable in her manner, and very pleasant to converse with. To Mr. and Mrs. Parmelee there were born two children, one of whom, Martin, died in Reading Township, in March, 1878, when about thirty-two years of age. At the time of his death he was Assistant Postmaster of Reading, lie had been married to Miss Augusta Orr, who, after his death, became the wife of A. J. Page, and now lives in California. Of her first marriage there were born three daughters, two of whom are married, and liv- ing in Michigan and California; the other is un- married, and in California. Horatio Parmelee is engaged in the dry-goods and millinery trade at Hillsdale. He married Miss Mariila J. Perry, a native of Canada, and a graduate of Hillsdale Ctillcge. They have three sons, two of whom were also gradu.'ited from this college; one is engaged as assistant on the San Diego Bee, one in Des Moines, Iowa, in the book business, and tlie other is at home with his parents. Mr. Parmelee has been quite prominent in town- ship affairs, and was Postmaster of Reading for a period of twelve years. He h.as served as Justice of the Peace six. years, and has also officiated as Higliwaj' and Street Commissioner. probabl3- for twenty years. In 1867 he was elected to the State Legislature, and while serving his term, he voted for tiic Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. He was on several important com- mittees, and was instrumental in securing the right of way of the Ft. Wayne & Jackson Railroad through Hillsdale County. In politics, as in religion, he has ever distinguisiied himself as careful and conscientious, allowing himself to be the tool of no clique or party, but aiming to follow the line of rectitude, whatever might be the result to himself, personally, lie distinguished himself as a lively Abolitionist, and was one of the first men to bring the question before the people in this locality. It will thus be seen that his record is one of which his descendants will never be ashamed. i^'jilRIAHC. FITZSIMMONS. It is said that III I a small farm well tilled is better than a large ^^i^^ll, one partially neglected. This appears to be true after an examination of tiie beautiful farm on which the subject of this sketch resides, on sec- tion 24. of Reading Township. Although it con- sists of only forty acres of l;ind, it has been brought into such a high state of cultivation, while its ap- pointments are so complete and its every foot of land so systematically utilized, as to yield to its owner a bountiful reward for his good management. It is supplied with a beautiful residence, flanked by commodious out-buildings, and is in all respects a model country home. Here Mr. Fitzsimraons has made his residence since the spring of 1865, and with his amiable and accomplished wife is spending his days enjoying the happiness which a good con- science and a contented mind invariably bi'ing. The subject of this notice was born on the old F'itzsimmons homestead, in this township, Dec. 11, 1837, and was reared to farm life, remaining with his parents until he reached his majority. He was the foster-son of Hon. George Fitzsimmons, of whom a sketch appears elsew'here in this Album. Our subject was educated in the common schools of his township, and was united in marriage, at the home of the bride, in Camden Township, Jan. 1, 1859. with Miss Elsie M. Dawson. Mrs. Fitzsim- mons was born in Cleveland, Ohio, Dec. 25, 1837, and is the daughter of James and Margaret (Kyser) Dawson, both of whom are now deceased. The father died in Camden Township. Nov. 7, 1884, at the age of seventy-four years, while the mother V HILLSDALE COUNTY. passed away May 3, 1860, when forty-eight years of age. Mr. Dawson came to Branch Count3% in this State, in 1842, and settled on a new farm in Algausee Township, but a few j'ears later he re- moved to Camden Township, where he secured a home of eighty-seven acres of land, and there spent the remainder of his life. He was born in the State of Pennsylvania, and when 3'et quite young removed to Ohio with iiis parents, who settled near the city of Cleveland, where his mother died. The father sub- sequently removed to Illinois, and made his home at Mt. Vernon until his decease, which occurred when he was within three days of being one hun- dred years old ; his wife died at the age of forty 3'ears. James Dawson was reared to manhood near Cleve- land, Ohio, and was there united in marriage with Margaret .Jane Kj'ser, a native of Pennsylvania, and the daughter of James Kyser. Mr. Kyser in later years removed to Cleveland. Oiiio, where he died at the advanced age of ninetj' j'ears. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth J. Adams, was a native of Connecticut, and came of New England parentage. She also died at Cleveland, Ohio, at the age of eighty-seven j-ears. She was for many years a member in good standing of the Methodist Church, and was a good Christian woman, a living example of the faith which she professed. James Dawson and wife were active members of the United Brethren Church for many years, and adorned the sphere of life in which they were placed. Mrs. Fitzsimmons, of this notice, received a good education in the schools of this county, and was for some time before her marriage engaged in the occupation of a school teacher. She has borne to her husband three ciiildren, one of whom died in infancj'. Of the others, Vincent J. resides at home and has completed his education in Reading, while Bernice is also residing at home, and will soon grad- uate from the same institution. Mr. Fitzsimmons has a twin brother, Luther, yet living, and they are the only surviving members of the family. Luther is a hardware merchant in Reading, where he car- ries on a good business. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzsimmons attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, and contribute of their means to its support, while in politics Mr. F. is a Democrat. He and his amiable wife are genial and intelligent people, with whom it is a pleasure to converse, and enjoy in a large degree the confidence of the good people among whom they reside. ^^^^ ^_^0N. GEORGE A. SMITH, of Somerset Township, represented the Republicans of his district in the Michigan Legislature, in 1863, and was twice elected State Senator for the districts comprising the counties of Branch and Hillsdale. He is now one of the most exten- sive farmers and stock-raisers of this section, and the owner of 1,000 acres of land, mostly under cul- tivation. He is also interested in a store of general merchandise and a flouring-mill at Addison, and on his farm usually keeps 100 head of graded cattle, besides some fine horses. A man public-spirited and liberal, progressive, and interested in the wel- fare of the people around him. he h.as borne no unimportant part in bringing this county to its present condition among the progressive commu- nities of the State. A Republican in politics, active in the maintenance of schools and churches, he has also officiated as President of the County Agricult- ural Society, and served as Postmaster of Somerset for a period of twenty years. He also operates a grain elevator at Somerset, and buys largely of general produce. A native of New England, Mr. Smith was born March 8, 18-2.5, in Danbury, Conn., and is the son of Azariel and Mary (Andrews) Smith, natives of the same place, the father born Feb. 20, 1798, and the mother in 1797. They continued residents of their native State until 1839, and then Azariel Smith started with his wife and six children for the undeveloped West. They traveled after the fash- ion of that day, bj' canal and Lake Erie, arriving at Toledo June 4, 1839, being two weeks in making the journey. The father purchased 160 acres of wild land from the Government in Somerset Town- ship, upon which he lived and labored until life for him was ended, passing away in May, 1874. The mother had preceded her husband, her death tak- ing place in March, 1866. Of the seven children born to the parents of our ~ : -. 9^ I t u. HILLSDALE COUNTY. 769 i subject five are j'et living, and mostly engaged in agricultural pursuits in Somerset Township. The parents on botli sides of the house were of English descent. Their ancestors first settled in Connect- icut, and were mostly engaged in agriculture. John Andrews, the maternal uncle of our subject, became a large land-owner in Danbur^', and a man promi- nent and highly respected in his community. The paternal great-grand lather, Joseph Smith, was a Captain in the Revolutionary War, and served dur- ing the entire struggle of the Colonists for their independence. The father of our subject put up a frame house the first year of his residence in Somerset Township. His labors were greatly restricted by ill-health, but he was a man of energy and resolution, and managed to accomplish considerable, notwithstand- ing this drawback. He was active in eliurch and school and successful in his farm operations, al- though before coming to tiie West he had had very little experience in this field of industry, having been a comb manufacturer, operating extensively in the parish of Bethel, near Danbury, and giving emploj'uient much of the time to fifty men. The subject of this sketch continued under the home roof until nearly thirty years of age, assisting his father in redeeming the soil of a new country-, and becoming familiar with all the hardships and difficulties of pioneer life. In the meantime he was married. July 3, 1851, to Miss Catherine B. Simonds, who was a native of Chautauqua Countj', N. Y., and who after the birth of six children departed this life at her liome in Somerset Town- ship, Feb. 4, 18G4, at the age of forty-cme years. The offspring of this union are recorded as follows: Julia O., Mrs. Augustus T. Daniels, is the wife of a prominent real-estate man at Topeka, Kan., and the mother of three children; Fred S., unmarried, is carrying on his own farm, and makes a specialt3' of fine horses and cattle; Azariel is a miller bj- trade, and cashier of the bank in Addison; he married Miss Nellie Branch, and is the father of two chil- dren. Mar3' A. is unmarried, and continues at home with her jjarents; George LeGrand is pursu- ing his studies at OI)erlin College, being educated for liie ministry; Stewart C, who continues to make his home with his father, also took a course at .4m Oberlin College, and completed his studies in the Troy Polytechnic Institute, graduating in full course as civil engineer, which business he is now following; The present wife of our subject, to whom he was married on the 5th of April, 1865, was Miss Cath- erine B., sister of R. A. Randolph. This union resulted in the birth of a son and daughter — Frank R. and Catherine B. The son was graduated from the Agricultural College at Lansing, and is now operating on the home farm. The daughter also continues with her parents. The family are widely and favorably known througiiout the north- eastern part of the county, and enjoy the esteem and confidence of a hirt-e circle of friends. r^^^- JOEL SMITH, deceased, one of the earliest settlers of Cambria Township, and late a resi- dent of the city of Hillsdale, was a native of the Empire State, ani^-HH.^ W.SRAEL WICKES, who owns a farm of I'JO I acres in Fayette Townsliip. was for a number £ of years extensively occupied in general agri- culture, but in 1880 left the farm, .and taking up his residence in Jonesville, engaged in the buving and shipping of stock, a business which he has since prosecuted with fine success. He still retains pos- session of ills farm property, which is now operated by a tenant under his own supervision, and which is the source of a handsome income. Our subject is the scion of an excellent family, his fatlier being Daniel Wickes, a native of Albany i' Count}', N. Y., and his mother in her girlhood was Miss Lufanny Selovor. who was barn in Tompkins County, tliat State. Tliey settled in New York after their marriage, and thence removed to North Fairfield, Huron Co., Oliio, where their son Israel was born Aug. 3, 1834. The parental household included three sons and two daughters, of whom four lived to mature years and are now residents of Michigan. Israel, like his brothers and sisters, was reared on a farm and .acquired his education mostly in the district school, but completed his studies by spending a brief time in Nor walk, Ohio. Mr. Wickes continued a member of his father's household until twenty-six years of iige, when he began farming on his own account, which he carried on in North Fairfield Townsliip until the spring of 1865; then coming to this State and making his headquarters at Cold water, he engaged one season in buying and shipping stock. In the fall he re- turned to tlie Buckeye State, and upon coming b.ack to Michigan operated in Branch County as a stock- dealer until tlie fall of 1866. His next venture was in the oil busiuess at Cleveland, Ohio, where he lived two years, and in the fall of 1868 returned to Coldwater, where he spent the following winter. In March, 1869, Mr. Wickes came to Fayette Township and purchased a half interest in what was known as the Genesee Mill property, in Jonesville, and which is now owned by Enos Poraroy & Son. He engaged in milling thereafter for nine years. In the spring of 1878 he traded his interest in the mill for the Lockwood farm in Fayette Township, upon which he moved and lived two years, then purchased his present residence in Jonesville. He is recognized as one of the most efficient business men of this locality, and an important factor in its agricultural and industrial interests. A thorough- going temperance man, he carries out his principles both by precept and example, and has never in- dulged himself with even a pipe or a cigar. Politic- ally, he has always been an ardent Republican, and has taken quite an active part in local politics, although never an office-seeker. Mr. Wickes w.as first married in North Fairfield Township, Huron Co., Ohio, Feb. 14, 1862, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Abijali Prentice, who was born in Ripley Township, that county, in 1838, and h h -•► 782 HILLSDALE COUNTY. who by liei- union with our subject became the mother of one cliiUl, wiio dierl in infanc.y. Mrs. Elizabeth Wickes departed this life at her home in North Fairfield Township, Jan. 25, 1864. Our sub- ject contracted a second marriage, June 8, 1870, with Miss Kittle Baker, who was born Oct. 13, 1849, in Jonesville, and is the daughter of A. J. Baker, of whom a sketch appears elsewiiere in this Album. The children of this marriage, three in number, were named respectively : Gertruig. 28, 1852, and is the eldest of a family of four children. His early education was carried on in the district schools of his native town- ship, and completed in the High School at Camden. Mr. Stone, in entering upon his business career, served an apprenticeship at carriage and house painting, in which he became proficient, and which he pursued in this city after coming to Michigan, in the winter of 1873. In 1880 he became the partner of his father in the bottling works, which the latter had carried on at different places for many j'ears with marked success. The firm is now thoroughly established, and manufactures a sui)erior article of beverages, which are shipped throughout this and to adjoining States. The firm at its hcailquarters in Hillsdale gives employment to eight men, and runs T- -4*- 784 -A HILLSDALE COUNTY. five wagons, tlnis forming no unimportant factor in the business and industrial interests of the city. Being n)en of the highest integrity and correct busi- ness principles, they occupy an enviable position, both in the business and social world. The marriage of Theron D. Stone and Miss Hat- tie Huitt, of Allen Township, this county, was cele- brated at the home of the bride. Nov. 1.3, 1884. Mrs. Stone is the daughter of Alexander and Mary Huitt, who were natives of New York, and are num- bered among the most highly respected citizens of Hillsdale County. She was born July 15, 1856, in Hillsdale County, Mich., and by her union with our subject has become the mother of two children: Flora, born Aug. 25, 1885. and Thomas A., Jan. 8, 1887. Mr. Stone, with his interesting little family, occupies a neat and tasteful residence on South street, and is rated among the rising young businessmen of the city of whom much is expected in the future. *5^^H0MAS STONE, senior member of the firm of Stone & Son, bottlers of carbonated wa- ters .at Hillsdale, is a native of Rochester, N. Y., where his birth took place Sept. 2.3, 1826. His pai-ents, Simon and Rebecca (Bedel) Stone, were natives respectively of Vermont and New York, and located after their marriage in Roches- ter, the latter State. When our subject was a youth of sixteen years he removed with his parents to Oneida County, the home of the late Roscoe Conkling, and whom he often met in after years. From there the Stone familj- migrated to Minnesota, taking up tjieir resi- dence in LaSueur County, where the parents spent the remainder of their lives. The household circle included ten children, five sons and five daughters, of whom, with the exception of one son, all lived to mature 3'ears, and eight are still surviving. Thomas Stone was the second child of his par- ents and passed his early years in his native county, acquiring his education in the district school and becoming familiar with the various pursuits of rural life. After the removal of his family to the Northwest he was married, in July, 1847, to Miss Mary N. Tuttle, and the young people began life together at a snug home in Camden Township. There Mr. Stone established his first bottling works, and subsequently opened a branch house at Lyons, in Wayne County. N. Y. For many years he car- ried on an extensive business, shipping both by rail and by wagons throughout the country until 1875, when he changed his headquarters to Jack- son, Mich. In 1876 Mr. Stone came to this county, and not long afterward established his bottling works in the southern part of the city of Hillsdale. Here he lias all the appliances necessary for the carrying on of his business after the most approved methods, in- cluding a good steam engine and boiler, a complete set of generators and fountains, with a capacity of 200 boxes per day. His transactions extend to various towns in the surrounding .States, and the excellence of his productions has gained for him an enviable reputation in this line of business. The home of Mr. Stone is located on Shar[) street in Hillsdale, where he and his estimable wife often entertain their many friends, who are com- posed of the best people in the city. The house- hold circle was completed by the birth of four children. Their eldest daughter, Dora A., is the wife of H. T. Forgham, of Grand Forks, D.ak. ; Theron D. is married and the partner of his father; William D. is married and lives in Hillsdale; Ros- coe C. continues at home with his parents. Mr. Stone has little time to give to political matters, but is an earnest supporter of Republican princi- ples. Socially', he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, with which he became identified many years ago in Camden, N. Y. #-# -V- -Ti.-^EV. SAWYER B. DOWNER, one of the 'H^ eaily pioneers of Wriglit Township, came /Inll to Michigan in the spring of 1837, and to W^Hillsdale County in the spring of 1845; he has since continued his residence in this locality, and is numltered among its most worthy citizens. The town of Macedon, Wayne Co., N. Y., was his birthplace, and he first opened his e3'es to the light on the 21st of March, 1816. His f.ather, George ^ "^•- ••► HILLSDALE COUNTY. 785 G. Downer, was a. native of Connecticut, ar.d the offsprings; of a re|)rcsentative family of New KnglaniJ whom it is bolieved were of French ancestry. From the dim records yet preserved, it is gathered that tiirce brothers crossed the Atlantic to America in the Colonial times, and from them sprang the Downers of the United States. However that may be, they proved useful and reliable citizens, of whom their descendants have no need to be ashamed. George G. Downer, the father of our subject, was reared in liis native State and received a col- legiate education, graduating from the storied halls of Harvard. He was engaged in teaching school for some time afterward, and married, in his native State, Miss Susanna Bullock, a native of New Hampshire, and the daughter of Sawyer and Susanna (Reed) Bullock. After his marriage Mr. Downer and his young wife emigrated to New York State, where the father bought a large tract of timber land in the town of Perrinton, Monroe County. Upon it there had not even been erected a shelter for his family, but this accomplished, they made their home there. While building his home they resided for about two months just across the lino in AV^ayne County. At the time of his death, in Februar3% 1824, he was owner of 300 acres of land. 150 of which were under cultivation, with gooil buildings. The mother of our subject upon becoming a widow was left with a family of ten children. She occupied the homestead until 1840, then came to Michigan with one of her married sons, and spent her last years in the township of Medina, Lenawee County. Sawyer B. was a little lad of eight years of age at the time of bis father's death. He con- tinued with his mother until eighteen 3'ears old, then went over into Canada, and engaged as clerk in a general store at St. Catherines. In 1 SS6 he returned to the old homestead, remaining with his brother there one year, and then set out for the young State of Michigan. This journey was made via tiie Erie Canal and the lake to Toledo, and from there by cars to Adrian. He secured employment in a hotel one year and the following winter taught school in Dover Townshii). The next summer he worked at c.'irpenteiing witii his brother, anle property, wliicli enabled him to cslablisii himself as a farmer, and in February, 1861, lie purchased eighty acres of forest covered land, which now forms a part of his present farm. In the month of March he commenced to fell tlie trees on his land to make room and material to build a log house, into which he and his family moved in the month of INLay, before it was provided with either door or window. Since that time he has steadily made his way to an assured success, until now he owns one of the finest farms in this county, and has increased its area to 160 acres of rich and highlj- fertile land, on which he has made man^' valuable improvements He has paid much attention to the breeding of high grades of horses and cattle, and is quite famous for his fine Hambletonians and Short-horns. He has erected a fine, commodious brick house, at a cost of $3,000, with a slate roof and handsomely furnished inside; it has two cellars, and its dimensions are: the main part lGx24, two stories in height; two wings, 16x16 and 18x21, and a kitchen lOx'21. Me built in 1884 a substantial barn at a cost of 11, 500, 44x68 feet in dimensions, with 20-foot posts, 33,000 shingles covering the roof, and a basement eight feet high under the center, in which are built thirty cords of stone. Mr. Hopkins was married to Miss Betsy A. Bar- num, Jul}- 2, 18o3, and she has since been to him a most faithful and helpful wife, to whom much of his prosperity is duo. She vvas born Oct. 18, 1830, in New York State, and was a daughter of Zar and Margaret (German) Barnuui, also natives of York State. They came to Michigan in 1 840, and are now both deceased. Her father was a farmer and also a cabinet-maker. He was an active and es- teemed member of the Baptist Church. The mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins has been productive of four children, of whom the following is the rec- ord : Adolphus died at the age of twenty ; Madora, who died Aug. 4, 1880, was the wife of Dr. Stearns, of Frontier, having been one of the first teachers iu that town, and was very highly educated; Elfred was born in Franklin Township, Lenawee Count}' ; Orson was born Sept. 10, 1864, and is married to Luclla Pointer. Elfred married, Oct. 29, 1884, Me- lissa Culbertson, who was born in Ohio, in 1859, »► % <• and came to Michigan in 1882; they have one child, Alice M., born Dec. 29, 1887. Our subject and his wife occupy a good social position ill this community, and are greatly re- spected by the people for their genuine worth and integrity, and their hospitable home is ever open to numerous friends. In his (lolitical views Mr. Hop- kins is an advocate of the Greenback party, while his sons are Democrats. AVID C. CLARK, Treasurer of Camden Township, is in the enjoyment of a pleas- ant country home on section 25. His farm of sixty acres has been brought to a fine state of cultivation, and the neat dwelling, with the substantial l)arn and other out-buildings, flanked by the thrifty orchard of choice apple and other fruit trees, form a most pleasant picture in the land- scape of that section. Everything indicates the abode of peace and comfort, and our subject and his estimable wife have secured their right to these blessings by the industry and economy of earlier years. Our subject was born in Huron County, Ohio, Dec. 5, 1835, and is the son of Frederick and Au- rilla (Burch) Clark, natives of Washington County, N. Y. His maternal grandfather served as a sol- dier in the Revolutionary War and spent his last years in New York State. Of the family of six children, the survivors are named respectively: Charles W., Oscar V., Perry, and David C, our subject, and are all carrying on farming in Camden Township. The latter was reared to manhood in his native county, of which his parents were among the earliest pioneers, and acquired his education in the district school near his home. He became familiar with the various einploynients of farm life, and upon leaving the Buckej-e State engaged for a time in the boot and shoe trade at Camden. The m.arriage of our subject with MissSamantha Cartwright was celebrated at the home of the bride in Huron County, Ohio, Oct. 31, 1857. Mrs. Cl.ark was born iu Lagrange Count}-, Ind., Nov. 29, 1842, and is the daughter of Sluman S. and Betsy M. Cartwright, the father a native of New York State r ■*► 790 HILLSDALE COUNTY. and the mother of Vermont. Her parents came to Ohio in their youth, wliere they were married, and whence they removed a few years later to Indiana. Mr. Cartwrighl had for manj' years been a member of tlie Christian Church, and departed this life at his home in Camden Township, June I, 1872. Mrs. Betsy M. Cartwright, the mother of Mrs. Clark, was a most lovable and amiable Christian lady, and a member of the Christian Church for several years. Her death took place in Clyde, Ohio, Sept. 24, 1885, at the home of her sister, Mrs. J. F. Brown, her age being sixt3'-flve years, two months and twentj'-four days. Upon the morn- ing of her death, Mrs. Cartwright and her daughter Dell were preparing to take the train for her home in Camden, this county. She arose before any one else in the house and began making ready for her journey. She was ver}' jubilant in anticipation of meeting her chll M^ 792 HILLSDALE COUNTY. the First State Bank, of Hillsdale; Ella E. is de- ceased ; she was the wife of Charles Ford, a clothier, of Bay Citj\ Louie A. is the wife of Jerome G. Abbott, a banker of Elkhart, Ind. Mr. Crane, politically, is a zealous Republican, and with his excellent wife a member in good stand- ing of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has held the office of Elder for many years. He has been identified with this denomination almost since bis boyhood, and before coming to Michigan was many years a Trustee in the church atKnowlesville. Orleans Co., N. Y. He is essentially a self-made man. and a forcible illustration of the results of frugal living and a course of strict integrity. ♦J^^— /p^EORGE GRAY, of Adams Township, aged III g— . now nearly seventy and four j-ears, made ^^^jj his way to Southern Michigan from the Buckeye State in 1846, accompanied- by his wife and three children. He selected Wheatland Town- ship for the scene of his first operations, but two years later removed from there to Adams Town- ship, of which he has since been a continuous and honored resident. Ripe in length of da3-s and experience, he has acquitted himself creditably', both in prosperity and adversity, and while ap- proaching the sunset of life, is surrounded by the esteem and friendship of his entire community. The main points in his family history are substantially as follows: The parents of our subject, David and Esther (Cluff) Gray, were natives of New York, where they were reared to mature years, and were mar- ried in the town of Genoa. They settled upon a tract of land near Cayuga Lake, where they resided until their son George was about three years of age. Thence they removed to Chardon. Geauga Co., Ohio, where the father carried on farming until the death of the mother, in 1850. She was seventy- eight ye.irs of age, and a woman who is remembered as having been a model wife and mother, train- ing her children caiefully, and looking well to the wa^s of her household. After the death of his wife David Gray removed with his son Martin to Mentor, Ohio, the home of the late President, James A. Garfield, with whom he contracted a warm friend.^hip, and for whom he lived to vote, being then one hundred years old. The lamented President was the last Presidential candidate for whom he was permitted to cast his ballot, although he lived through the following Presidential campaign, and until after the inaugur- ation of President Cleveland. His death took place on the 2d of May, 1885, at the age of one hundred and four years, seven months, and nine days, leaving five sons and two daughters. Of these three are living, and mostly residents of Ohio and Michigan. The subject of this sketch was born in New York, Dec. 18, 1814, and was the fourth child of his par- ents. At the time they left the Empire State for Ohio, Geauga County, in which they settled, was in its infancy, the pioneers being few and far between. It is hardlj' necessary to sa3' that his school advantages were extremely limited, but he was trained to habits of industry and economy, and admirably fitted for the future struggles of life. He remained a member of his father's household until twenty-two years of age, and in the fall of 1837 was united in marriage with Miss Zilpah, daughter of Gad and Lydia Stafford, who were natives of Rhode Island, whence they removed to Ontario Count3', N. Y., and settled near the town of Man- chester, where they lived until their removal to Michigan, in 1846. Mr. Stafford died in Wheat- land Township, this county, in the spring of 1860, at the age of seventy years. Mrs. S. survived her husband a period of twenty years, and died at the home of her son, in W^healland, in J878, at the advanced age of eighty -eight. Mrs. Gray was the eldest of their nine children, five sons and four daughters. She was born May 1, 1820, in On- tario County, N. Y., and was a little girl ten years of age when her parents removed to Ohio. She acquired her education in the common schools of Geauga County, where she made the acquaintance of her future husband, to whom she was married when seventeen j-ears of age. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have traveled the journey of life together for a period of fifty-one years, and celebrated their golden wedding in September, 1887. This was an occasion of general rejoicing, ^ H^ -A HILLSDALE COUNTY'. 793 and was pnrticipated in li^- numerous friends and acquaintances, from wlioiu they received man}' con- gratulations and wishes for their continued happi- ness. They are tlie parents of two sons oiil^': William, who is now a resident of Adaius, and Henry, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere iu this work. Mr. Gray carried on farming in Ohio until the spring of 1846, then disposing of his interests there, made his wa^' to .Southern Michigan, and located first in AVheatland Township. Here he lived two years, and in the meantime Mr. and Mrs. Gray suffered the loss of a dear little girl, Lydia Estiier, four years of age. They left Wheatland Township to take up their residence on section 20, iu Adams Township, where at one time Mr. Gray was the owner of 1 20 acres of land. Forty of this he has since sold, having now eighty acres, with a substan- tial two-story brick residence, a good barn, and the various out-buildings required for his use and con- venience. Mr. and Mrs. Gray are members in good stand- ing of the Congregational Church, at North Adams, with which they became identified thirty years ago. Mr. Gray cast his first Presidential vote for Clay, being then a follower of the old-line Whigs, and, since 1856 has supported the Republican party. He has otficiated in the various school offices of his district, and was at one time Constable, which position he resigned. He has lived to see great changes in the Wolverine State, and his honest, upright life affords an excellent example worthy of imitation. Ifk'A ^^- LOVINA HAINES, widow of the late Josiah Haynes, of Wheatland Township, owns and occupies a pleasant home on section 23, left her by her husband. Her childhood days were passed in Scioto County, Ohio, where her birth took place May 30, 1821. Her parents were Rev. Moses and Betsey' (Winkler) Bennett, the former for naany years a prominent minister of the Baptist Church. He was born in New Jersej', in 1791, and sjjent the lastyearsof his life in RoUin Township, Lenawee County, this State, where his death took place in 1844, when he was flft3'-three years of age. The mother, who sur- vived Mr. Bennett man}' years, was married the second time, to John Greenlee, and died at the home of her son, in Greenville, Montcalm County, this State, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. Josiah Haj'nes was born in Franklin Count}', Mass.. Aug. 24, 1808, where he lived until coming to the Territory of Michigan, in 1834. He spent one year in looking ov>r the country, then returned to New Englanil, but a year later retraced his steps westward, and took up eighty acres of Government land in Blisstield Township, Lenawee County. His first marriage was to Miss Malona Osborn, who was born in January, 1818, and died at her home in Cambridge Township, Lenawee Count}', when twenty-eight years of age. Of this union there were born three children, two of whom are deceased, and the survivor, a daughter, Mary, the wife of Thomas B. Bailey, is now a resident of San Jose, Cal. The marriage of Josiah Haynes an i -#»■ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 797 I resided until 1847, when they moved to Ohio, set- tling in Ashtabula Count}'. The father and grand- father of Mr. Coppwere both ministers of the Free- Will Baptist denomination, and labored faithfully in the service of the Master. The father of our subject died in Genesee County, Mich., in 1855, and the mother had died several years before, in the State of Ohio. In Ohio Prof. Copp's early days were passed, in the midst of the great anti-slavery .agitation, which resulted in the formation of the Republican party, and the emancipation of the slave. During this time the fleeing black man often found asylum in liis father's house, and was aided in his flight toward Can.ada. At the breaking out of the Civil War, Mr. Copp entered the army in defense of his country, enlisting in Company C, 16th Michigan Infantry, as a private, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac under Gen. McClellan. He took part in the second battle of Bull Run, where he was shot through the left shoulder, and was soon after- ward discharged, having participated in all the bat- tles in which his regiment was engaged while he was in the service. His bravery and good conduct had won for him the regard of his superiors, and at the time he was shot he was acting as Orderly Ser- geant. Upon his return to Michigan, Sergt. Copp en- tered the preparatory department of Hillsdale Col- lege, taking the classical course, and gradu.ated in 1869. He then entered A ndover Theological Semi- nary near Boston, Mass., where he took a three- years course, and graduated in 1872. Returning to Hillsdale, he accepted a professorship in the col- lege, taking charge of the department of the He- brew langu.age, literature, and churcli history, which position he held some three years. He was then elected Alumni Professor of Belles Lettres, which he held until the spring of 1887, when he was elected to the Chair of Systematic Theologj- in the theological department of the college, and will assume his duties in the fall of 1888. During the years 1882 and 1883, he attended lectures at the Universities of Berlin and Heidelberg, Germany, on Literature, Piillosopliy and Theology. L'pon his return he resumed his duties in Hillsdale College. Rev. John Scott Copp was married, in 1874, to Miss fallen A. Cross, of Wisconsin, and they have three children, two sons and one daughter. Prof. Copp was elected in 1886 a member of the Modern Language Association of America. ♦ j o <:"< ' AMES W. FREED, senior member of the firm of Freed Bros., proprietors of the well- known flouring-mill in the western part of (^^1/ the city of Hillsdale, has been instrumental in establishing one of the most important industries in this section of country. The mill was put up by the gentlemen who are operating it in the summer of 1886, and occupies an area of 34x50, and with engine room 30x50, is three stories in height, with a basement built of brick, the upper part of the struct- ure being of wood. It is equipped with the most modern and approved machinery, including a com- plete system of rollers and steam-power, with a capacity for putting out 150 barrels of flour in twenty-four hours. The product of this mill is of very superior quality, and finds a ready market in both the East and South, the wheat being mostly raised in the State of Michigan, in Hillsdale and adjoining counties. James W. Freed was born in Stark County, Ohio, Nov. 10, 1845, and is the second son and third child of William V. and Mary (Davis) Freed, na- tives respectively of Pennsylvania and Virginia. His maternal grandfather, Henry Davis, was born in Delaware, and dicil in 1856, in Ohio. William V. Freed died in Stark County, Ohio; his widow sub- sequentlj' moved to Woodbridge Township, Hills- dale Co., Mich., in the fall of 1858, where she reared her famil}', and died at her residence, Oct. 14, 1874. Our subject, who was the third of eight children born to his parents, acquired a district school edu- cation, and continued with his mother until reach- ing manhood. He and his brother Henry H. then embarked in business together, securing possession of a sawmill at Woodbri(lge, which they operated until estiblishing their present industry. The}' are both practical business men, and what might almost be called natural machinists, having, without serving a regular apprenticeship, an admirable knowledge —^ f ^ -«► r98 HILLSDALE COUNTY. of machinery, discovering at once any imperfection in its worliings, and usually Ijeing able, witliout ap- plying to an}- outside party, to remedy the diflB- culty. The marriage of James W. Freed and Miss Emma C. Crawford was celebrated at the home of the bride, in Eaton Count3% Mich., Nov. 22, 1884. Mrs. Freed was born May 22, 1864, in Ransom, Hillsdale County, and is the daughter of Ira E. and Li>deraia Crawford, natives of New York. Her mother is deceased, and her father is living in Eaton County, Mich. Of this union there has been born one child only, a daughter, Ora Mabel, who is now tliree years old. Mr. Freed, politicaIl\', is a solid Republican, and votes the Republican ticliet. He occupies a snug home, and in his business, and all other relations of life, has the best wishes of hosts of friends. -i^-i=CT= £>' OBERT RETLER. one of the highly re- spected German citizens of Camden Town- y^ ship, is fully worthy of the title of pioneer, 'f^j as he came to this section of country dur- ing the process of its early development. A native f)f the Grand Duchy of Badon, Germany, he was born Nov. 1, 1827, and is the son of John and Mary (Garmeu) Retler, who were natives of the same locality and of pure German ancestry. Our subject when a mere boy was orphaned by the death of both parents, and was then taken into the family of (ieorge Garmeu, with vvhom he re- sided until a l.ad of nearly thirteen years. Then, determining upon a change of condition, he boarded a sailing-vessel bound for America, and twenty-five days later landed in New York City, alone and among strangers. He had been endowed by nature, however, with a more than ordinary amount of cour- age and resolution, and bravely set out to find em- ployment. This he secured with a farmer of Chester Count}', Pa., and was a resident there for a period of fourteen years. From the Keystone State he emigrated to Medina County, Ohio, where not long afterward he was first mariied, in December, 1852, to Miss Hannah Rich, a native of Pennsylvania. This union resulted in the birth of four children : Joseph, Stephen ; Elizabeth, now the wife of Leonard Gilmore, an(i Lonisa, the wife of AY H. Shineberger, of this county. Mrs. Hannah Retler departed this life at her home in Camden Township, in March, 18,52. Our subject contracted a second marriage, Jan. 28, 1873. with Mrs. Mary A. Kunkle. who was born Aug. 5, 1838, at Seneca Falls. N. Y., and is the daughter of Jacob and Saral) (Young) Kunkle, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Vermont. When in the eighth year of her age Mrs. Retler removed with her parents to Williams County, Ohio, where the father died a short time previous to the outbreak of the late war, and where the mother is still living. Their daughter Mary A. was first married in Ohio, in 1858, to Benjamin E. Kunkle, and they became the parents of five children, all of whom are deceased. Mr. K. served in the army as a Union soldier, and was killed in battle near At- lanta. Ga., July 22, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Retler are the parents of one child only, a daugliter, Sarah F., who was born in 1874, and died in infancy. Our subject, politically, is a stanch Republican, and has served as Township Assessor and School Director. Socially, he is iden- tified with the Masonic fraternity, and takes a lively interest in all projects for the welfare of the peo- ple and the maintenance of those institutions which shall tend to their enlightenment. <| IfelLLIAM P. NIBLACK, a prosperous repre- \/*J/ tentative of the agricultural interests of WW Pittsford Township, may truly be denom- inated a typical product of pioneer life, as he grew up under its influences, coming to Southern Michigan in the very early days of its settlement, with his parents, who located in Washtenaw County when this part of the State was almost a trackless forest, save for the trail of the Indians or the paths of the wild animals, there being then but one or two settlements west of Lenawee County. Life under such (conditions, although it was oftentimes one of constant struggle for existence, and the endurance of hardships of which the descendants h HILLSDALE COUNTY". 790 of those sturdy pioneers wlio to-flny enjoy life in comfortable and luxurious homes can have hut little conception, nevertheless developed courage, keenness, resolution, and a liardy self-reliance which boldly surmounted every obstsicle in the pathway of civilization: felled the forests, turned the cleared tracts of land into broad farms, busy towns and flourishing cities; made the waters of the rivers turn their machinery to grind their grain, cut lum- ber for their houses, and to manufacture other necessities. Our subject was born in Sparta, Livingston Co., N.' Y., Dec. 27, IS'i.^. His grandfather, John Niblack. was a native of Monaghan, Ireland, and when a yoinig man came to America and settled in New .Jersey, where he continued to reside until about 1795. Me then moved to Livingston County, N. Y., and located in what is now the town of Sparta, being one of its earliest settlers. He bought timber land and commenced to clear a farm, but his sudden death, caused by a falling tree, brought his useful life to a close in its prime. His son John, father of William, was born in Sussex County, N. J., his mother, grandmother of our subject, Hannah (Baxter) Niblack. also being a native of that .State. He was seventeen years old when he left the home of his birth and accompanied 'his parents to Kew York. He married Hannah Harri- son, of New Jersey, and settled on the tract of land which his father had bought, continuing to live there until 1832. In that j'ear the same rest- less ambition and desire to improve his condition that had caused his sire to take up his abode in the wilderness of New York, determined the son to remove with his wife and four children to the forests of the Territory of Michigan, and there build up a new home, perhaps under more favor- able circumstances. The removal was made by team to Buffalo, thence to Detroit by boat, where Mr. Niblack hired a team to convey the family and household goods to Washtenaw County. He entered 320 acres of Government land in .Saline Township, and erecterl a log cabin with dirt and stick chimney, and immedjalel3' commenced to clear his land. He and his wife continued respected residents of that county until death, he, in the meantime, being extensively and prosperously engaged in farming. The subject of this sketch was but nine j'ears of age when he came with his parents to Michigan, and amid the pioneer environments of his new home he grew to a manly, vigorous manhood. This life, though rude in some respects, was comfort- able; they had plenty' to eat from the grain and vegetaliles that they laised, and deer and other wild animals were abundant, and the father used often to shoot them, standing at his cabin door; the food thus provided, which the mother cooked before the wide, old-fashioned fireplace, tasted most delic- iousl3' to appetites sharpened by the hard labors necessar}- in those days; they were |)lentifull\' sup- plied with warm clothing, which the bus}- mother and daughter s|)un and wove. Nor was their life one long round of weary toil with no pleasures to break its monotonj'; there were occasional gather- ings and mcrr3'-niakings, when the settlers came together from a distance to celebrate a wedding or some other festive occasion, and the fun flew fast and furious. Our subject has a distinct recollection of his early life, and can relate manj' interesting incidents connected with it.' His education was conducted in the pioneer school in a primitive log cabin. He lived with his jwrents until his marriage, and then continued to reside on the old homestead until 1859. He then moved to Hillsdale County, and bought a farm in Wheatland Township, and lived on it for seven ^'cars. .Subsequentl}- he bought a farm on section 5 of Pittsford Township. In 1854 he puich.ased his present pl.ace, which com- prises 120 acres of arable land on sections 5 and 8, one of the finest farming regions of PittsfonI Township. Our subject was married, Dec. 15, 1851, to Miss Eunice Lewis, of New York State, who has been to him a wise counselor and a read}' helper in his work. She is descended from a Massachusetts family. Her grandfather, Benjamin Lewis, was born in that State, and moved from there to New York State, thence to Erie County, Ohio; from there to Macon Township. Lenawee Co., Mich., and finall}' made his home in Wisconsin, where he died. His son Elisha, Mrs. N.'s father, born in Barn- stable Count}', Mass., made the various moves with his parents until they had settled in Lenawee County. He married Deborah Gibbs, of Barn- A ' ^ 800 HILLSDALE COUNTY. Al stable Count}-, Mass. She died on the homestead in Wheatland Township, Hillsdale County, whither they had removed from Lenawee County, and where Mr. Lewis was for several years engaged in farming. He spent his last years with his daughter, the wife of our subject. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Niblack has l)een blessed by the birth of four children, whose record is as follows: Maggie is the wife of Allen Cunninghaii, of Silver Creek Town- ship, Merrick Co., Neb.; Ella lives at home with her parents; Lewis lives in Pittsford Township; Emma is teaching in Nebraska. Mr. Niblack is an eminently practical, sagacious man, and is respected for his sound integrity of character; in politics he is a Republican; religiously, both he and his wife are identified with the Free- will Baptist Church. 0~ YRENUS M. PARKER. This gentleman is a representative of one of the finest fami- ' lies in Moscow Township, and is the pro- prietor of an elegant country' home embellished with all the appurtenances of modern life. The farm embr.aces 160 acres of land, which has been brought to a high state of cultivation, and which, with its tasteful and substantial buildings and their surroundings, indicating cultivated tastes and ample means, foi'ms one of the most attractive spots in the landscape of Hillsdale County. Everything about the premises is indicative of thrift and industry, from the finishing and furnishing of the residence, to the sleek and well-kept live stock, the farm machinery, the orchards yielding each year their fruits in abundance, and the lesser appliances, all of which contribute to the comfort and happi- ness of the home. Our subject is the scion of an excellent old New England family, his parents being Calvin and Ange- line (Mason) Parker, the former born in Massachu- setts and the latter in Wayne County, N. Y. Calvin Parker emigrated from the Bay State in early life, with his parents, to New York State, where he found his future bride and helpmate. After his marriage he resided In Wayne County during the brief period of his subsequent life, his death taking place in 1831. This bereavement left the mother with four young children, one girl and three boys, the youngest of whom was but a j'ear old at the time of the father's death. Her eldest son, George W., came to this county in 1845, and John C, the youngest boj', arrived here the year following. Cyrenus came with his mother in 1847. The sister was married in her native State and settled in Cayuga Count}', where she died while still a young woman. Cyrenus M. Parker was born in Ca^'uga County, N. Y., March 16, 1827, and received but a limited education, as his mother had been left without property, and the school facilities of those days were ver}' deficient in comparison with the present. He was nineteen years of age when he came with his mother to this county, and the first year worked out by the month. At the beginning of the second year he rented a farm in Moscow Township, where he installed his mother as housekeeper, and re- mained with her until she no longer needed his filial offices. July 2, 1857, he married a daugh- ter of one of the early pioneers of this count}', Miss Sarah Amelia Simons, whose father, Schuyler Simons, had come to the Territory of Michigan from New York State, .and in this county spent the remainder of his life. The name of Schuyler Simons was widely and favorably known among the people where he settled and endured patiently the common lot of those about him, while at the same lime battling with the elements of a new soil and a strange climate. This marriage resulted in the birth of four children, of whom Cora, the eldest, continues with her father; Ella became the wife of William Merwin, of Moscow Township, and is the mother of one child, a son, Clyde; Scott is also under the home roof; Grant died when three years of age. The mother passed away when forty-four years old. The present wife of our subject, to whom he was married Dec. 25, 1873, was formerly Mrs. Lucinda (Clapp) Wheelock, daughter of William and Abi- gail (Smith) Clapp, and widow of the late Hilen D. Wheelock. Mrs. Parker was born Feb. 26, 1840, in Hanover Township, Jackson Co., Mich., to which her parents had emigrated from the Empire State in 1837, they having been natives of Dntchess n h HILLSDALE COUNTY. 801 <^| anrl Ontario Counties respectively. Their family incliuled four children, two only of whom are living, Mrs. Paiker anrl her sister, the latter a resident of Moscow Township, this county. William Ciapp carried on farming successfully in Jackson County, and died in 1882, when seventy-seven years of age. The mother survived herhusliand about six months, her death taking place in 188;'>, and her age being seventj'-nine. Mrs. Parker acquired an excellent education and followed teaching some years in her native county. There also she made the acquaintance of Mr. Wheelock, who was a native of Ohio, a gentleman of fine business capacities and sterling worth of character. He also had been well educated, having been a classmate with James A. Garfield, in Geauga Seminary. After completing his studies he was employed as a teacher for a period of seven years in Michigan, but after marriage settled in Minnesota, as a druggist, where his labors were crowned with success. He was stricken down in the prime of life, however, dying when thirty-nine years old, July 20, 1871, leaving his widow with four children. The eldest of these, William C, is pursuing his studies in the Michigan State Universit3', being a member of the class of '89, in the pharmaceutical department; he was married, in 188r>, to Miss Ella Gregan, and they are the parents of a beautiful little daughter. Hazel, born Sept. 3, 1886. Carrie L. and Francis M. died .at the ages of twenty-two and f(jurteen respectively. The former married Ernest Laird, in July. 1881, and died Feb. 14, 1884. She left two children, named Grace and Carrie L. Grace died soon after the death of her mother. Carrie makesherhome with horgi'andfather, Jones Laird. Hilen D. Wheelock, Jr., is a pros- perous and energetic young farmer, carrying on the old homestead in Jackson County; he was mariied in December, 1885, to Miss Alice Arnold, and they also are the proud parents of a bright little daugh- ter, Carrie A., born Nov. 25, 1886. Mr. Parker had also been engaged as a te.icher during the winter season in Jackson County. In 186;3 he i)urchased 120 acres of the old Uncle Aaron Spencer farm, in Moscow Township, Hillsd.ile County, the land of which had been greatly run down, and upon the part which he secured there were no buildings whatever. These latter he made it his first business to suppi}-. and has bj' a wise process of cultivation brought the land to a highly productive condition, so that it now yields in abun- dance the choicest crops of this section of countrj'. This has involved an outlay of hundreds of dollars and years of time, and the result, should be looked upon vvith satisfaction by him who has been the moving spirit. Mr. Parker, in 1884, added to his first purchase forty acres on section 1 1 , and in 1884 completed his present residence, an imposing two- story brick structure in modern style of architecture. Mr. Parker, politically, is a solid Republican, and has served the public several 3-ears as School Director and Township Clerk, and in 1884 was elected a member of the County Hoard of Super- visors, the duties of which position he discharged with credit to himself and satisfaction to all con- cerned. Socially, he is a member of Moscow Grange, in which he has held all the offices, and belongs to Hamilton Lodge No. 1 13, A. F. & A. M., of Moscow, in which he has officiated as Secretary, Senior War- den, and has been Master of the lodge for two years. His estimable wife is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. A lady of more than ordinary ability, she displ.ays great re- finement and cultivation, and as the presiding genius of her beautiful home fills her position with the grace and dignity befitting it. LEXANDER FREER, one of the most {@'OI prominent and wealthy farmers of Somer- set Township, has distinguished himself as fi^JI a business man of more than ordinary capacities, and from a modest beginning has accu- mulated a snug fortune. His boyhood home was in Allegany County, N. Y., where his birth took place July 4, 1815. and his parents were Jacob and Catherine (Pike) Freer, who were natives of Hol- land, whence they emigrated to this country. Jacob Freer upon coming to the United States settled in Allegany County, N. Y.. whence he moved to Ontario County, and died there about 1868. The mother had died in Allegany, when her son Alexander was a child six years of age. The f \i 802^ HILLSDALE COUJSTY. father survived his wile many years, and was three- score and ten years old at the time of his death. The household circle included ten children, but two of whom are living, our subject and his brother, the latter of whom is now a resident of York State, and engaged in farming. Our subject spent his early years on the farm of his father in Allegany County, where he beeamc familiar with ail rural pursuits, and upon reaching manhood was married, Jan. 1, 1839. to Miss Leah Van Gorder, who was born in Sussex County, N. J., Nov. 8, 181G. Mrs. Freer when an infant of six months was taken by her parents to Steuben County, N. Y., where she lived until fifteen years of age, and then moved to Canandaigua Village, N. Y. Her father was a farmer by occupation, and passed away in Bennington Township, when about eighty years of age. Her mother, wliose maiden name was Sally Loder, was born in Sussex County, N. J.,and survived iier husband some years, passing away at her home in Canandaigua, N. Y., when seventy-five years of age. Their family included ten children, of whom nine are living, and five are residents of Michigan. James Van Gorder, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Freer, was also a native of Holland, and crossed the Atlantic in time to carry a musket in the Revolutionary War. Afterward he settled in Sussex County, N. J., where he had accumulated a large property', and a part of which should now be in the possession of Mrs. Freer, but which on ac- count of a defective title she was deprived of. She is also heiress to a large estate in Holland, but which, like the other, will probably never be in the posses- sion of its rightful owner. Her maternal grand- parents, John and Anna (Culver) Loder, it is supposed were natives of Scotland, but spent the most of their lives in New Jersey, where they were prominent in church affairs, and one of their sons has been a Deacon in the Presbyterian Church for a period of over fort^' years. Mrs. Freer inherited from her maternal ancestors her love for benevolent work, in which she was engaged for a number of years until ill-health compelled her to retire. With her husband she is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which thej' have been identified thirty-three j-ears in Somerset Town- ship, and in which Mr. Freer has held the offices of Steward, Trustee and Class-Leader, besides giving much time to other interests connected therewith. Mrs. Freer was President of the W. C. T. U. three years, and is now Vice President, which oflice she also holds in the Ladies' Foreign Missionary Societ}', besides having been for a long time identified with other organizations. Mr. and Mrs. Freer after their marriage settled in a modest home in Canandaigua Count3', where they lived until they removed to this State. Their union has been blessed by the birth of four children, two of whom, twin boys, died in infancy. Their daughter, Mary Jane, was born in Ontario County, N. Y., March 22, 1840, and is now the wife of O. D. Brown, a prosperous merchant of Somerset Township, this county, and they have one daughter. The son, Charles H., was also born in the Empire State, Dec. 14, 1842; he married Miss Mary D. Strickland, and they are the parents of five children, one of whom is deceased. Mr. Freer votes the straight Republican ticket, and while he is an earnest sympathizer with the temperance movement, and works for it when opportunity presents itself, he does not believe in a third party. With the exception of two years engaged in the grocery trade, he has followed farm- ing all his life. Many years of industry and econ- omy have placed him in a position so that there is now no longer a necessity for manual labor, but being unable to break loose from the habits of years and sit down in idleness, he still looks after his large farm, and practically superintends all its operations. This property is finely located on sec- tion 4, and is provided with handsome and substan- tial buildings, with a choice assortment of live stock, the most modern and improved machinery, and everything required in the operations of the pro- gressive modern agriculturist. F;NRY LANE is an honored citizen of Pitts- [(j'l ford Township, where he is successfully en- gaged in general farming and stock-raising. He was born in Aurelius, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Sept. 20. 1820. His father, Archibald B. Lane, was born in Westchester County, N. Y., and there >»■ ■ <• HILLSDALE COUNTY. 803 4i grew to inanliood. He removed to Caj'na County in its earlj' settlement, and lived for a time in Aul)urn, where lie plied his trade of shoemaker. Subsequently- he l)ouf;ht a farm in Aurelius, and was actively engaged in agriculture until 1828, when he went to Onondaga County and bought a farm in the town of Clay. In the winter of 1 836-37 he disposed of his propertj' in New York and m jved with his family to Ohio, traversing the whole distance with teams, and settled in Geneva, Ashtabula Countj', where he bought a farm. 'Ihere was a sawmill on the place, and he operated that while he managed the farm, and at leisure times made shoes for his family and neighbors. He was a man of an active, industrious temperament, and with his good wife was beloved and respected by those who lived about them, and his death, which occurred Sept. 13, 1852, was mourned by many. The maiden name of his wife was Alice Schofield. She was born near .Stamford, Conn., and spent her last years with a daughter in Flint, Mich. To her and her husband were born eight children, seven sons and one daughter. The subject of this sketch was the fourth child born to his jjarents. He was rather delicate in child- hood, and when he was six years of age he was afflicted with a fever sore, which made him a cripple for a few years. As soon as he regained his health he was old enough to render valuable assistance on the farm, and at the age of sixteen he commenced to run the sawmill, having charge of it until he was twenty-two years old, when he started out in life for himself. He was first cmiiloyed by a carpenter for one month, working foi- $13, wages being much lower then than now ; after that he agreed to work for the same man for $1.5 a month, but in the fall all that he could collect was some homemade cloth to make him an overcoat. He spent the following winter at home, and then resumed the carpenter's trade, and helped to build a church at Geneva. The succeeding winter he worked in a cabinet-shop, and subsequently followed carpentering and cabinet- making for four years. He then turned his atten- tion to the manufacture and sale of lumber, and put up a steam sawmill at Geneva, which he oper- ated with good financial success for several years. In the meantime he bought a farm in that town. and was also quite extensively- engaged in farming. In 1865 he concluded to retire from the lumber business, and sold his mill and disposed of all his other interests in Ohio. In 1 866 our subject came to Hillsdale County anject in Livingston Conntj', but three years later Mr. S. st;irted for the West, and crossing tlie Mississippi traveled over a goodly por- tion of the State of Iowa, with the view of locating. The outlook in the Ilawkeye State, however, not being what he desired, he returned east as far as Southern Michigan, and decided to settle in Mos- cow Township. He soon afterward purchased the farm which he now occu[)ies, and where he has since •^^ n ■<^ 810 HILLSDALE COUNTY. lived, giving to its care and cultivation his close attention, with most excellent results. During the Centennial Exposition, in 1876, Mr. hhepard, in company with Ids brother Myron, of Stillwater, Minn., journeyed to Philadelphia, took in the wonders of that summer in tlie Quaker City, and also visited the National Capital, Mt. Ver- non and the tomb of Washington, also New York City. He considers that this tour was fully worth the time and money expended, and proved an ex- perience with which he would not willingly part. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat, and although there is in his county a large Republican majority, his standing in the community is indicated by the fact that he was elected Supervisor twice in succes- sion, and has held other offices under the same con- ditions. The parents of Mrs. Shepard, who are both de- ceased, spent the greater i)art of their lives in New York State. Her father was born in Schenectady County, N. Y., where he engaged in farming. The mother was born near the city of Dublin, Ireland, and emigrated to America with her parents when a child of seven years. They settled near Princeton, Schenectady Co., N. Y., where she was married to Mr. Ilenox, and lived until after his decease. She subsequently made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Shepard, for a time, but later returned to Princeton, N. Y., where her death took place at the home of her son, in 1864, when she was eighty- three years old. The parental household included ten children, six of whom lived to mature j'ears. Four are now living, and residents of Michigan and New York. Mrs. Shepard acquired a common-school educa- tion, and under the careful training of her excel- lent mother became amply fitted for her future position in life. The eight children born of her union with our suliject are recorded as follows: Elizabeth is the wife of James S. Winfield, of Mo- sherville, Mich., and the mother of four children — May I., Elmer J., Verne anil Myra; Mar^' died when one j'ear and three months old ; Francelia is the wife of John Knapp, of North Adams, and the mother of two children — Forest and Ella J. ; Douglas continues the assistant of his father on the farm ; Minnie was married to Arthur Mumford, of Moscow Township, and is the mother of two chil- dren — Etola and Jennie; Nellie, now Mrs. Eugene Straight, of Stony Point. Mich., is the mother of four children— Leon, Ross, Clyde and Ida Ma3'; Harvey married Miss Minnie Cf.rne)', of Hillsd.ile County, Mich., and has chaige of the home farm; Leona is the wife of William Straight, of Moscow Township, aijd the mother of one child, a son, Glenn. HOMAS C. CORTWRIGHT, a successful general farmer, residing on section 15, Read- ing Township, owns 120 acres of land, most of which is well improved and well stocked with good grades of domestic animals. Mr. Cort- wright formerly lived on section 31, where he pur- chased ninety-five acres of wild land, which he made his home for some time and developed into a fair state of improvement, erecting thereon good buildings. In 1884 he removed to his present farm, which is very advantageously situated, and contains a stream of living water, which much enhances its value. After selling his first farm Mr. Cortwright removed to Atchison County, Kan., where he operated a large farm very successfully for a period of two years. Mr. Cortwright is a native of Owasco, Cayuga Co., N. Y., where he was born Jan. 13, 1834, and is the son of Isaiah Cortwright, a native of Orange County, of the same State. Isaiah Cortwright was united in marriage, in Cayuga County, with Hannah Depuy, a descendant of the celebrated stock of that name that figured in the history of York State. He followed the occupation of a farmer, and after his marriage settled on a farm in Owasco Town- ship, Cayuga County, where he made his home until his death, which occurred when he was about seventy years of age. His wife subsequentl3' came to Michi- gan, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Maria J. Smith, of California, Branch County, when almost eighty years of age. In religion she was a consistent member of the Pi-esbyterian Church, and she and her husband were worthy and respected members of society. Our subject was the fourth son and sixth child in order of birth of the ten children, seven sons and — ^ •^ f l~ ■■» II 4f HILLSDALE COUJSTY. 811 three daughters, inchideil in the parental family. All lived to attain their majority but two, who were accidentally killed: James was kicked and killed by a horse in Camden Township, while Philip was accidentally thrown from a buggy in Sacramento, Cal. Mr. Cortwrigbt was reared and educated in his native township, and came to Michigan in the spring of 1855, purchasing his first land on section 31 of this township, after working in a sawmill for about three years. Finding that it was not good for man to be alone, and having reached such a condition in life as warranted his assuming greater responsibilities, Mr. Cortwright was united in marriage with Cordelia Dopp, of this township. Mrs. Cortwright was born in Geneseo, Livingston Co., N. Y., whence she re- moved when a child to Ohio. At the age of ten years she came to Michigan, and was educated In the common schools of tiie township of Reading. Three children have come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Cortwright, though one, Florence Adelle, died when young. Mary E. received a lib- eral education at Ft. AVayne, Ind., and is an experi- enced school teacher; Newton 1. remains at the homestead and assists in the management of ihe farm. In politics Mr. Cortwright is a solid Democrat, and can always be counted upon by his party. He has achieved his success largely by his own unaided efforts, and affords a good illustration of what maj' be accomplished by well-directed effort. Mr. and Mi's. Cortwright are worthy and respected citizens, and give their support to Christianity. •Wi^ rnrssRsrsfft id&KkliUU&U'' ^?5-?* j^^ TEWART CRAWFORD, formerly a well- ^fe^ known and successful farmer of Reading- (li£_J|) Township, was a worthy and representative citizen. He was a resident of this town- ship from 1859 until his death, which occurred at his home, March 24, 1H«7. The farm is located on section •25, and was secured at the time Mr. Craw- ford came to this county. It consists of 160 acres which he brought to its present high state of im- provement, and erected thereon a good residence and substantial and commodious otit-lMiildini;s. His farm alwaj's showed the hand of thrift and industry, and was kept well stocked with the best breeds of sheep, cattle and swine. His son, pydwin Crawfoid, is now making a specialty of raising Poland-China swine. The subject of this biography was a native of Erie County, Pa., .and was born April 13, 1826. He came of Scotch ancestrj-, who were noted for their industry and energy and for their almost invariable success in life, no matter what the vocation. In his early life Stewart received such an education as was obtainable in the common schools of his native county, and was reared to the occupation of a farmer. When quite young he had tlie misfortune to lose his father, and was thus largely dependent upon his own resources, but he bravely battled with the trials of life, and possessing in a large degree the qualities which characterized his ancestry, soon attained success. While residing in Erie County ho met and led to the altar Julia M. Nash, of the same county, where she was born June 9, 1827. She was the daughter of J. J. Nasji, who lived and died in his native State, where he was successful in ac- cumulating a competency. He came of an old and respected family, and bj' his exa?nplary life in public and private, won the esteem of his many ac- quaintances. Mrs. Crawford was reared to womanhood at her father's home, and after her union with our subject they managed the old Crawford homestead in Pennsylvania for some time and subsequently re- moved to Williams County, Ohio, where they pur- chased a farm, upon which they resided for a period of nine years. He then sold his interests in Ohio and came to Reading Township, where bj' hard work and good management thej' met with good success. Mr. Crawford was modest and unassum- ing in his manner, rather retiring from than seeking public notice. In politics he was a stanch Repub- lican, and was a prominent and intelligent citizen, though he avoided all public recognition of his merits. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Crawford consisted of four children, one of whom died in infancy, while the others are recorded as follows: Clarence E. is married, and is engaged on a farm belonging to P. O. W.alker, in Ellis County. Kan.: William G. • ^m • < • I «#•- -•► fil2 HILLSDALE COUNTY. .a is coniHcterl with his biotiier. Clarence E., in man- aging tlie f'anii, and nianicd ]\]i?s Flora Harsh, a resident of Ellis Connty, and a native of the State of rennsylvania; Edwin R. manages the old homestead in Reading Township, and is a slcilled and practical farmer and stock-raiser. He has recently made some improvements on the farm, erecting a large grain and stock barn, 36x60 feet, and is well equipped for the successful prosecution of the work in which he is engaged. He grows in abundance all kinds of cereals common to this cli- mate, and is a young man of great energy and pr(jmisc. He also owns in AValker Township, Ellis Co., Kan., a partially improved farm. lid win R. Crawford chose for his wife Miss Rosa Sayles, of Cambria, and Ihcir union has been blessed bj' the birth of one child, whom they named Artiuir. In polities Mr Crawford stands identified with the Republican party, to which he always gives his cheerfu 1 support. ARTIN H. Ki^NYON, an enterprising and skillful farmer of Pittsford Township, where he is worthily fultllling his obligations as an honest man and a good citizen, is a native of this State, born in Hudson, Lenawee County, Juh' 31, 1842. He is of New England origin, his father, .Syjvester Ivejyon, having been born in Hinesburg, Vt., Dec. 4, 1808. He was reared in his native .State, and May 10, 1834, was married to Eliza Goodrich, a native of Williston, Vt., born Feb. 22, 1814. Three days after their marriage they started for the Territorj^ of Michi- gan, via Erie Canal and lake to Detroit, and there Mr. Kenyon hired a team to take himself and wife to Tecumseh, where he obtained work on the Terri- torial road leading from Detroit to Chicago. A short time after his arrival he started on foot to explore Bean Creek Valley for the purpose of selecting a suitable place for location. He visited the present site of HuJson Village, the only build- ing there at that time being a log house. He was pleased with the countrj-, and at once bought of Beriah Lane a tract of timber land, adjoining the present site of the village. After pa_ying for the same, Mr. Kenyon had but a few shillings left, and returned to Tecumseh to earn money enough to support himself and wife through the winter. Late in the fall of that year he built a log house on the west side of his land, and moved into it before there was either floor or roof. Afttr completing the house, he commenced clearing the land, cutting the first ti'ees, and raising a crop of corn and pota- toes among the logs and stumps in 1835. He improved a good farm from the wilderness, and remained a continuous resident thereuntil his death, March 2!), 1879. During that time he took an active interest in the welfare of his town and county, and lived to see the almost trackless forests developed into a beautiful farming countr\-, and a thrifty village of nearl}' 3,000 inhabitants spring up beside him. His widow survived him but a few mouths, dying Dec. 24, 1879. They were well and favorably known among the early pioneers of Lenawee County as people of rare capacity, intelli- gence, and high moral worth. Of the children born to this worthy couple three are now living — Sarah A., Louisa ami our subject. Sarah married G. G. Williams, of Vanderbilt, Mich.; Louisa is the wife of J. V. Muuger, of Hudson. Martin, of whom we write, was the youngest chihl of the family*. He attended the pioneer schools of his native town, and assisted his father in clearing the land and cultivating the soil, thus receiving in early years a practical knowledge of the work which he was to make his life occupation. He remained an inmate of the parental household until his marriage, when he built a house on the home farm, to which he took his bride. Her maiden name was Lydia Kellogg, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, born in the town of Perry, June 16, 1844. Her grandfather, David Kellogg, was a native of New York State, and became an early settler of Cleveland, Ohio, where he bought a tract of timber land, which is now included within the limits of that large city. He subsequently* sold it, however, and bought another tract of land in Stark County, where he re- sided until after his wife's death. Ho then spent the remainder of his life with his son Oliver, the father of Mrs. Kenyon. Oliver Kellogg, who was born in the city of Cleveland, spent his early ■► t -4•- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 813 4 j'cars in his native State, and after marriage lo- cated in Columbiana County, where he haci previ- onslj' bought a farm. In 1856 he removed to Michigan, and settled in Hudson Township, where the death of his wife occurred Oct. 8, 1881. He spent his last years with his daughter in Pittsford Townshi|), dying Dec. 4, 1887. The maiden name of his wife w.as Elizabeth Dunlap, daughter of John and Nancy Dunlap, natives respectively of England and Ireland. They came to America in 1806, and settled in Columbiana County, Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The union of Mr. and Mrs, Kenyon has been blessed by the birth of tiiree children — Hiram, Syl- vester and Lizzie. IMr. Kenyon remained in the home he had first established until 1872, when he bought his present farm. He has greatly increased its value by the many improvements that he has made since it came into his possession, and it now ranks among the best in the township. His resi- dence, built in 1882, is a commodious brick struc- ture, and his large frame barn and f>ut-buildings meet all the requirements of the modern and pro- gressive farmer. He has been inius\ially prosper- ous in his business and farming opcr.atious, and has the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. ON. LENARD MILLER, who resides in a y] pleasant home in Fayette Township, near Jonesville, is a prominent citizen of Hills- ^^ dale County, and is actively identified with its agricultural and stock interests. As a clear- sighted man, of rare energj- of character, well gifted mentally and physically, he has always been influ- ential in shaping public affairs, and h.as often been called upon by his fellow-citizens to fill positions of trust, whose duties he has discharged with conspic- uous abilitj'. The father of our subject was Elisha Miller, who was born about the year 1780, in Pittstown, Rens- selaer Co., N. Y. He married Miss Nancy Baldwin, who died in Seneca Count}' when her son Lenard was about six years old, and as his father also departed this life when he was young but little can be learned of his history, excepting that he w.as a farmer by occupation. They had three sons who lived to grow up, but our subject is the onlj' sur- viving member of the family. He w.as born in Romulus. Seneca Co., N. Y., March 3, 1820. He was reared on a farm in that county until he was nineteen years of age. He attended the common schools, but his education w.as completed by a short course at Ovid Academy, in his native county. He left his native State at the age just mentioned, and in the spring of 1839 came to Moscow, Hillsdale County, and worked out the first season for the sum of 112 a month, and he also taught school for awhile. He was eng.aged in that profession until he bought a tr.act of eight}' .acres of unimproved laud in Scipio Township. He, being then unmar- ried, had not established a home of his own, but lived in different places, most of the time with the late O. B. Blackburn, a relative, in Moscow. After the death of that gentleman he settled up his estate. He remained there until 18.52. when he located on his farm in Scipio Township, where he continued to live until he removed t(j his present residence, in 1864. He has 'been chicfl}- engaged in agricultural pursuits; h:us dealt large I3' in stock, and h.as carried on extensive farming operations on his large and valuable farm, comprising 360 acres of land in Fayette and Scipio Township,s. He has bought and sold stock for many 3'ears, and while living with Mr. Blackburn, in 1848, he bought the first drove of cattle which was purchased in Hillsdale Count}', and drove them to the State of New York. The time consumed in going to that State and re- turning from it was just three months to a day. Since that day he h.as lived to witness wonderful improvements in the shipment of cattle from point to point, and a marvelous extension of the cattle business into distant p.arts of the country that were then unsettled and scarcely known" of. In 1865 Mr. Miller purchased the Jonesville foundry, which he operated very successfully for eight years, in the meantime managing his agricultural interests. Mr. Miller was married, Dec. 3, 1854, in North Adams, Hillsdale County, to Miss Abigail Pope, daughter of William H. and Hannah (Kendall) Pope. They were natives of London, England, and emigrated to America about the year 1834, and after staying for awhile in New York State, i -4•- 814 -•► HILLSDALE COUNTY. came to North Adams, and were among the earliest settlers of that township, continuing to reside there until death. The^' had five children, two sons and three daughters, of whom Mrs. Miller and her sister Emma, the widow of Lewis Ostram, are the only survivors. Mrs. Miller was born in Sj'vacuse, N. Y., Nov. 20, 1 834, and was but an infant when her par- ents removed to Hillsdale County. To her and her husbaml have been horn five children, namely : Clara, Harvej', P]dgar, William and Mabel. Clara is the wife of D. W. Winfleld, and lives in Butler County, Kan.; Harvey married Miss Laura Allen, and lives in Scipio; Edgar married Miss Elizabeth Kesselring, ami lives in Scipio; William and Mabel live with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are people of genuine cult- ure and worth, and occupy an honorable position in the social circles of Hillsdale County. Mr. Mdler has been called upon to represent his fellow- citizens in the State Legislature, being elected to that position in the fall of 18(i0. He has also held the otKce of Supervisor of Scipio Township for three terms, and that of Justice of the Peace for one terra, besides tilling other minor offices. D ELSON R. MASTERS is a farmer and an extensive dealer in live stock, residing in y^ ) Wright Township. He was born in thevil- l.age of Mt. Gilead. Morrow Co., Ohio, Feb. 24, 1844. His father, the Hon. Ezekiel Masters, was a native of the same county, of which his father was a pioneer, spending his last years there engaged in his occupation of farming. The father of our sub- ject grew to manhood in his native county, and there married Miss Mary Oliver, likewise a native of Morrow County, where the^' continued to reside until 1840. They then moved to Fulton County and settled in Franklin Township, where Mr. blas- ters bought a large tract of timber land, and built a log house for their residence; th.at continued to be their home for many j'ears, and in the mean- time he cleared an extensive farm comprising 380 acres, erected substantial frame buildings, and planted an orchard. In that pleasant home he was bereft of his amiable and talented wife, who. like himself, possessed fine musical tastes; she died in 1858. In 1809 Mr. Masters rented his farm and moved to Pioneer, where he became a railroad con- tractor ; he had lived there but a short time, however, when he vvas stricken with rheumatism, and during the last fourteen years of his life was confined to his bed. He died in October, 1886. The Hon. Ezekiel Masters vvas a man of more than ordinary abilit3-, dignity of characterand keenness of intellect, which characteristics made him a leader among men, and during his long residence in Fulton County he was often called to t.ake an active part in the administration of public affairs; he filled various town and county offices, and represented his district in the State Legislature two terms. In his early years he was a Whig, but afterward became iden- tified with the Republican part^' as one of its founders. The subject of this sketch was two years old when his parents removed from the home of his birth to P'ulton County; he there grew to manhood and received his education in the early schools of ■ that county. His musical talents, which he inherited in a marked degree from his parents, were carefully cultivated, and he is a fine singer, plays with skill many different instruments, and when a young man commenced to teach vocal music. As soon as large enough he began to assist in the farm work, thus gaining a thorough practical knowledge of the call- ing which he afterward adopted. He lived with his parents until 1802. and then, though but eight- een years of .age, he enthusiasticall_y determined to enlist in the service of his beloved country to assist in the preservation of her institutions, and on the 17th of August was enrolled as a member of Company A, 07th Ohio Infantrj' ; he served in the Eastern division of the army for a j'ear and a half, and was then transferred to the Army of the James. He took part in twentj'-two different engagements, among which were the battles of Ft. Wagner, Hatches' Run, Bermuda Hundreds, siege of Charles- ton, and the battles around Richmond and Peters- burg. He was honorably discharged from the army with his regiment at Fortress Monroe, Va., in July, 1805, and returned home. Mr. Masters was married, in September, 1800, to Miss Ruth Hannah Van Buskirk, of Loudoun r^U ^ IIILLSDALK COUNTY. 815 Coiintj'. Vn. ; lier father, Dnniel Van Buskirk, was a native of Ponnsylvanin. He married, in Monroe County, Ohio, Miss Harriet Taylor, a native of Vir- ginia, and a daughter of Josejjh and Lydia Taylor, also natives of that State. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Van Biiskirk removed to Loudoun County, Va. and lived there until 1859 ; they then returned to Fulton County, Ohio, and settled on a tract of land whieh he had bought some years before, and im- proved a farm. He now lives in Fayette. Ohio. At the time of marriage Mr. and Mrs. Masters settled in Franklin Township, Fulton County, and resided there until 18G9, and then removed to Pio- neer, lu that town Mr. blasters was extensively engaged in milling, and buying and shipping stock until 1877. In that year he bought a tine farm on section 7 of Wright Township, which he still occu- pies, and he has carried on quite a business in stock dealing. During winter evenings he teaches sing- ing school, and is deservedly popular as an in- structor. The pleasant hoTue of himself and wife is the center of refinement and culture, and is an attractive resort to the large circle of friends that the}' have gathered about them since their residence here. The household circle is completed by the presence of three children — Well)}- L., Hattie L. and Luella M. Mr. Masters is a member of the Republican party, and is a stanch sup|)t)rter of the principles which he fought for, and which his father so ably advocated; he is identified with the DeGolyer Post No. 110, G. A. R. He and his wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. eALVIN JOHN.SON, residing in his comfort- able home on section 25, Camden Township, is well worthy of the respect in which he is held, as, starting out in life with no other inheritance or capital than stout muscles and a hardy frame, he has, by sheer force of will and steady toil, worked his way up to his preseut honorable position in the farming community of Hillsdale County. He was born in Greene County, N. Y., March 8, 1822. IHs parents were He/.eklah and Cornelia Johnson, natives respectively of Connecticutand New York. His father was a v.aliant soldier in the War of I 81 2. In the spring of \Xi]C> he aud his wife left their old home in Ohio, where many years of their lives had been spent, and, coming to Michigan, took u|> their abode in Branch County, where the father died in 1876, having rounded out a life of long duration and usefulness. The mother of our subject still niakes her home in Branch County, and has noiv reached the venerable age of eighty-seven years. In an early period of the history of the settlement of Huron County,, Ohio, they had settled in its primeval forests, and became identified with the sturdy pioneers who were active in developing its varied resources, and for over thirty years they were respected and esteemed residents of that coun- ty. Theirs was the usual lot that falls to the early settlers of a new country, privations, sacrifices and hardships, not unmingled, however, with pleasures and comforts, and they weie quite successful in their endeavors to build up a home. Eight chil- dren were born to them, nil of whom are living, namelj' : Lewis, Jefferson, Addison, Aldcn P., Da- vid, Mariette, Emcline S. and Calvin. The early life of our subject was passed in his native State, wheuce he removed with his par- ents to Ohio when he was in his ninth j'ear, and there the reraaiuing days of his boyhood and early manhood were ()assed. His schooling was confineil mostly to the winter sessions of the subscription schools of Huron County, but b}- dint of hard study he gleaned a fair education. At other times he was obliged to .issist his f.atherin the hard task of clearing his land and preparing it for culture. The free, active life of a farmer suited his vigorous temperament, and he chose th.at as his life work after he had attained manhood, and for several years was engaged in that occupation in Ohio, with good financial returns for his labor. In October, 1 845, our subject secured the active assistance of a good wife by his marriage with Miss Pha'be Showers, a native of Greene County, N. Y. To them have been born three children, of whom two are living — Albert A. and Lina 1). In 18(){5 Mr. Johnson moved with his family to Michigan, and for four years rented land in Read- ing Township, Hillsdnic County. At the expira- tion of that time he purchased the eighty .acres of _^M ^* 816 -A HILLSDALE COUNTY. land that form his present farm. He has placed fifty acres of it under good cultivation, and lias by many other improvements g.reatl}' increased its value, so that it stands among the best in the neighborhood, and is provided with a good set of buildings. Tbe life record of our subject is exceedingly creditable to him, showing him to be industrious, shrewd in the management of his interests, fair in his dealings, and of good repute among his fellow- men. In his political views, he strongly favors the Democratic party. ^j^^ AMUEL M. SMITH, an honored citizen of ^^^^ Moscow Township, where he is engaged in l\l/\u) agricultural pursuits on section 22, is an inventor of some distinction, having in- vented a horse-power drain-tile machine, the first that could be called a practical horse or steam- power machine, and which made quite a revolution in the manufacture of tile. He comes of good Quaker antecedents, his parents, Edward and Eliza (Mosher) Smith, being Quakers, and his father being a minister of that sect. They were of English descent, his father's ancestors being early settlers of Massachusetts, and his mother's settling in Rhode Island aL a very early period of its Colonial history. His father was a man of high character and stand- ing in the conimunit}', but he was cut off from a career of usefulness in the opening years of man- hood, being but twenty-six years of age when he died, leaving to our subject the precious legacy of a pure and spotless life. Mrs. Smith was subse- quently twice married ; her second husband, Abra- ham Mosher, was killed by a runaway' accident. Her third marriage was to Greothnian Allen, who also preceded her. Mrs. Allen remained a resident of New York until her death, which occurred at Union Springs, Ca^-uga Co., N. Y., at the age of sixty-four. By her first marriage she had two sons, one daughter by her second, and another daughter b}' her third marriage. Our subject was the eldest child of liis parents, and was born July 7, 1820, in Nassau Township, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. When he was a year and a half old his i)'\rents moved to Columbia County, and there when he was four years old he suffered the loss of his father. He continued to live with his mother until he was twenty-one years of age, receiving from her careful instruction in the duties of life, and forming good and useful habits under her supervision that have made him a good, useful citizen. He received his education in the public schools of Columbia County, where he remained until he was fifteen. He was a lad of more than ordinary intelligence and versatilitj' of talent, with a natural inclination for mechanical pursuits, al- though he also liked the life of a farmer, to which he was bred, assisting in tiie labors of the farm as long as he remained under the home roof. In 1840 our subject took unto himself a wife, who has been to him an invaluable hel|)mate. Mrs. Smith's maiden name was Sophronia U. Huff, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Win.agre) Huff, natives of Rensselaer County, N. Y. Her grandfather Huff was of German extraction, and was a Revolutionary soldier, serving under the Marquis de LaFayette. Her parents both died in Cayuga County, N. Y., the father in 1840, at the age of sixtj'-two, and her mother in 1868, .aged eighty-four. They were the (larents of five sons and five daughters. Mrs. Smith was the seventh child in order of birth, and was born Sept. 26, 1822, in N.assau, Rensselaer Co., N. Y, and was brought up in the place of her nativity, receiving a substantial educa- tion in the common schools. In 1836 her family removed to Union Springs, Cayuga Co., N. Y., and there she first met and subsequently married Mr. Smith. Of their union the following children have been born: Elizabeth, deceased; Edward. Seth H., Mary, Sarah E., a child who died in infancy, Willard H., Phoebe; John H., deceased; Asa P., Nelson M., Lillian and Abel S. Edward is a manu- facturer in Battle Creek. He enlisted with the Ellsworth Zouaves of New York in 1862, was sub- sequently captured by the rebels and sent to Ander- son ville, where he was elected by the boys as overseer. He is married, the maiden name of his wife being Rebecca Creque, and has two children — Edia and Merritt. Seth married Ellen Pardee, and to them have been born two children— Etha and Lowell ; be is the inventor of egg crates and a butter ^ °*^rf"" -;- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 817 plate niacliine, which lie sold on rojalty, the income l)eing ^MO per nionlli. Mary is the wife of Milton Veeder.of Gratiot Countj' ; they haveseveii children : Sarah, deceased; Llewellyn, Samuel. \Villarrklly eflfects. He is now among the jirominent and well- to-do farmers, and has accumnlated from ihe soil a competence, and is now practically retired frc m the more laborious duties of life. He occupies one of the pleasantesl homes in Heading, a good brick resi- dence, with ample grounds, and which presents the picture of comfort and plenty which is so delight- ful to look upon. Besides his residence property Mr. Kidder re- tains possession of his faim, which comprises 180 acres of prime land, which he brought up from the wilderness to a good state of cultivation, and where- on he erected a substantial set of frame buildings. Upon coming to this county, however, he first took up his residence in Litchfield Township, where he purchased eighty acres of wild land and paid for it by cutting wood and making rails. Of the latter he split 13,600 the first winter, besides cutting con- siderable firewood. He occujiied his first purchase a period of four years, then desiring a better qual- ity of land, traded for eighty acres on section 9, in Heading Township, receiving $200 to boot. With this surplus cash he purchased forty acres more on section 9, and subsequently made additions to his real estate until he was at one time the owner of 380 acres. He lived in the county and carried on farming until April, 1881, when he took up his residence in Reading, but has, as usual, the super- vision of his farm, w Inch is operated now by a ten- ant. Mr. Kidder was one of the most industrious and energetic men of his time, working early and late, and overcoming grievous obstacles in the pursuit of his one idea to buihl up a homestead for his fam- ily, and at the same time make a worthy record for the after contemplation of his children. For this life tiisk he was eminently fitted, being the de- scendant of a sturdy and vigorous race of people. He was born in Delhi Township, Delaware Co., N. Y., Sept. 4, 1812, and upon the very day on which he first opened his eyes to the light, his father, James Kidder, was fighting the British at Sackett's Harbor. James Kidder was a native of Connecticut, and the son of John Kidder, who crossed the Atlantic from England prior to the Revolutionary War, and arrayed himself on the side of the Colonists, assisting them seven years, during their desperate struggle for lilierty. Later he fought with ihem against the French and Indians, and again in the War of 1812. In the Revolution- ary War he was a drum major, and after la^-ing aside his weapons for the more peaceful pursuits of agriculture, he took up his residence in New York. His last days were spent in Genesee County, where his death took place at the age of eighty-six years. He was a hale, hearty and vigorous old man, and a few days before his death walked fifteen miles on a pleasure trip. He was not only a valiant soldier, but a remarkable man in many other respects, his predominant characteristics being his nerve and courage, which never failed him under the most try- ing circumstances. In early manhood he married Miss Nanc}' Curtis, a Canadian girl of English de- scent, who also died in Genesee County when over sixty years old. James Kirlder, the father of our subject, left Connecticut, when ayoung mail, for Ontario County, N. Y., where he was married to Miss Margaret Row, who was of Holland- Dutch ancestry. Her father, William Row, was also a soldier in the wars already- mentioned, through which he went unharmed, and afterward settled in Ontario County. Vt., where his death was caused by the falling of a tree upon him when he was over sixty years of age. The wife and mother, whose maiden name was Polly Scher- merhorn, survived her husband many years, dying also in Ontario County when about ninety years old. James Kidder and his wife after their marriage located in Delaware County, N. Y., where they lived for a number of years, and where their four elder children were born. William R., of our sketch, was three years old when his parents removed to what afterward became Gainesville Township, in what was then Genesee, but is now Wyoming County, and a part of the Holland purchase. Here the house- hold circle was completed by the birth of ten more children, the family circle now embracing six sons and eight daughters, of whom three sons and three daughters are yet living, and are now mostly resi- dents of the United States. ^ 820 HILLSDALE COUNTY. The subject of tin's sketch was born Sept. 4, 1 812, and until nineteen years of age spent his early life in his native county. Ho now purchased his time of his father and started out on his own account, employing liiniself at whatever he could And to do, working hard and with little rest in liis dtsijerate efforts to obtain a foothold. His leading idea was to be somebody in the world; to have a home of his own, and to make for himself a worthy record among his fellowmen. He was first married in York Township, Livingston Co., N. Y., to Miss Caroline Wooster, who was born and reared near Painted Post, in that State, and when a young woman went with her parents to Livingston County. Here the young peoi)le lived until after the birth of two children, then came to Michigan with their ox-team, as we have alreadj' described. In their journey to tiie West Mr. Kidder and his family were twenty-six days on the road, and landed first in .Jonesviile, Fayette Township. Mrs. Kidder worked side by side with her husband in building up their pioneer home, and as tiie result, was for a Ijeriod of fourteen years a helpless invalid, and died Aug. I, 1865. She had become the mother of six children, tlie eldest of whom, a son, William, is now working in the mines of California; Caro- line, the eldest daughter, is the wife of G. O. Her- endean, a well-to-do farmer of Great Bend, Kan. ; Homer married a Southern lady, and is carrying on merchandising in Doming, Nevv Mexico; Nelson married Miss Celestia Reed, and is farming in Liv- ingston County, Mo. ; Ethan married Miss Nellie Saxson, and is operating with his brother in Dom- ing, New Mexico; Arcena is the wife of Daniel W. Mickle, a prosperous farmer of Reading Town- ship. The present wife of Mr. Kidder, to whom he was married April 22, 1862, .at the home of the bride in Reading Township, was formerly Miss Sophia Southworth, who was born and reared in Chautauqua County, N. Y. When she was fourteen years of age she came with her parents, Eppaphras and Hannah (Reed) Southworth, to Michigan, they settling in Reading Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1868 and the mother in 1878 Of this marriage of our subject there are two children : C. Belle, who is a teacher in the scliools of Quincy Township, Branch County, and Daniel G., who continues at home with his parents. Mrs. Kidder and her daughter are members of the Free- Will Baptist Church. Politi- cally, our subject is a Republican, and socially, is a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to Reading Lodge. /^^ IMEON DUNN. The subjcctof this sketch ^^^^ is in possession of one of the finest farms in %J__M Hillsdale County. He came to Michigan during its Territorial days, arriving here in the spring of 1836, and first took up 240 acres of land in Woodstock Township, Lenawee County, but two years later sold out and purchased the same amount in Ingham County. With this .also he soon parted, and coming to the embryo village of Mos- cow, in this county, tried the experiment of black- smithing aliout eleven years, with excellent results. He invested his capital thus acquired in oigiity acres of land in Somerset Township, of which he has since been a resident, and has increased his real estate by the purchase of more land, until his farm now embraces 440 acres. He has given throe of his sons eighty .acres each, and has eighty acres re- served for another boy. As his children became of suitable age to leave the district school, and enter upon a higher course, he leased his farm, and once more took up his residence in the town of Moscow, where the children completed their studies, and then all returned to the old farm, where the parents and the rest of the children now live. The first rude dwelling, however, has been substituted for one of the finest residences in the county, which is set in the midst of well-kept grounds, with an abun- dance of choice shrubbery, and the embellishments which naturally suggest themselves to a gentleman of cultivated tastes and ample means. The Dunn family is of Scotch ancestry, one branch of which settled in New Jersey during the Colonial days, and in Sessex County, of which State Levi Dunn, the father of our subject, was born and reared. When twenty-two years of age ho removed to Livingston County, N. Y., and there married, for his second wife. Miss Sarah HoUstander, who was born in that county, where her parents spent ^ -<— HILLSDALP: COUNTY. 821 4^ ..1 I their last years at tlie home of their rlaiighter Sarah, passing awaj- at a ripe okl age. Grandfather lIoU- stander served as a soldier in the French and Revolu- tionary Wars, where ho received an honoralile wound. and on account of which he subsequently drew a pension. Later, Levi Dunn carried a gun in the War of 1812. He continued in Livingston Countj-, K. Y., until his death, which occuricd at the age of fifty-seven 3'ears. The mother subsequently came to this county, and spent her last d.ays in Moscow Township, with hei' husband, where her death took place about 1 844, when she was sixtj' years old. Of this marriage of Levi Dunn there were born five children, of whom Simeon, our subject, is the only one living. His first wife was Ellizabeth Smith, by whom he became the father of eight children, who arc all now deceased. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Simeon Dunn, Sr., was also a native of New Jersey, to- gether with his wife, Sarah. He spent his entire life in his native State. Grandmother Dunn, after the death of her husband, removed to Livingston County, N. Y.. with her son Levi, and died at a very old age. The father of our subject was mostly eni|)loyed as a nailuiaker. Simeon Dunn, our sub- ject, who was born in Livingston Count}-, N. Y., Oct. 1, 1815, continued under the home roof until a youth of eighteen years, then worked out by the month three summers, and attended school during the winter season. A few days after reaching his majority he was married, Oct. 8, 1836, to Miss ilaiy A. Thatcher, who was born in New Jersey, ilay 14, 1816, and was the daughter of Daniel and Marian Thatcher, the former of whom died in New Y'ork State, and the latter in Michigan. Of this marriage of our subject there were born two chil- dren: Sarah A., Feb. 5, 1838, and died April 22, 1839, and Mary A., born March 7, 1840, and who died three months later. The mother died in Liv- ingston County, N. Y., whither she had gone for her health, on the 7th of March, 1840. Our subject contracted a second marriage, March 22, 1842, with MissLuamy Weaver, who was born in Niagara Count}-, N. Y., Dec. 13, 1824, and after becoming the mother of a family of four children, departed this life at her home in Moscow Township, this county. The children of this marriage were: Allen W., born April 27, 1844; John W., Sept. 6, 1847, and twin children, who died in infancy un- named. One son of our subject is Superintendent of Jackson Prison, and the other is a farmer in Jackson Count}-. The present wife of our subject, to whom he was married March 1, 1848, was formerly Miss Mary, daughter of Elias and Reltecca (Reynolds) Alley, who are natives of New York, and are now resi- dents of Somerset. The children of this marriage, eight in number, are recorded as follows: Eliza A., born Jan. 16, 184!), died Aug. 14, 1851; Scott S., born March 18, 1851 , died Jan. 27, 1856; Esther A., born Feb. 7, 1856, is now the wife of George Eddy, a prosperous farmer of Michigan, and they are the parents of one boy; Abbie L., Mrs. O. Davison, who n-as born Dec. 3, 1857. is the mother of a son and daughter; Mary E., Mrs. Dewit Kerr, was born Sept. 24, 1859, and is the mother of two children; Thomas W. was born .Sept. 6, 1861, mar- ried Miss Mary Sutfin, is carrying on farming in Somerset Township, and is the father of one child, a daughter; George B., born' Aug. II, 1864, was married to Miss Lucy Haskell, is farming in Somer- set Township, and is the father of two boys; Joseph B., the twin brother of George B., died on the 25th of August, 1864, when fourteen days old. Mr. Dunn soon after his first marriage, in 1836, made his w.iy to the Territory of Michigan, and his subsequent course we have already indicated. In addition to his handsome residence, he. in the sum- mer of 1882, put up a commodious barn, and has all the other out-buildings and the farming implements necessary for carrying on agriculture after the most approved methods. He cast his first Presidential vole for Andrew Jackson, and has since advocated Democratic principles, although he has steadily re- fused to confine himself to parly lines, having con- scientiously given his support to the men whom he considers best qualified for office. Many years ago he united with the Congregational Church in Som- erset, in which he has offlciated as Deacon, and filled other responsible offices, forming one of its chief pillars. Socially, he is a. member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Fayette Lodge No. 16, in which he has been Warden, and while a resident of Jonesville w-as also connected with the lodge there. ■*► M^ 822 HILLSDALE COUNTY. A man liberal aiKl [)iiblic-spiiitefl, actively alive to tlie welfare of hisconimuiiity, there liave been few worthy enterprises to which he has not cordially lent a helping hand. His eldest son, John W., served as a Union soldier during the late war, in Company I, 7th Michigan Cavalry, which was under tlie command of Capt. Richards. ^ ANIEL A. KELLY, of Reading Township, came to this county in 1874, and took up his abode on his present farm of 173 acres, wiiieh is finely located on section 15. He has brought the land to a good stale of cultivation, and during his residence here of fourteen yeais has industriously occupied himself in effecting the im- provements which to-day are viewed by the passing- traveler with unmixed respect for the hand and the will which have built up one of the most desirable homesteads in the western part of Hillsdale County. Our subject is a native of Groveland Townshij), Livingston Co., N. Y., and was born March 19, 1852. His father, Michael Kelly, a native of the same place, w.as there married to Miss Matilda Johnson, whose birthplace was also in Groveland Township, and who was of Irish parentage. Dan- iel Kelly, Sr., the paternal grandfather of our sub- ject, was a native of Bucks County, Pa., and of substantial .Scotch ancestry ; lie grew to manhood in the Keystone State, and when twenty-tvvo j'ears (jld made his way to Livingston County, N. "i ., where he took up a tract of Government land, and settling there with his wife proceeded to build up a homestead. Grandmother Kell}' was in her girl- hood Miss Mary Roup, also a native of Pennsylva- nia, and whose family for generations had been residents of that State. The grandparents spent the remainder of their lives in Livingston County, dying at an advanced age, Mr. Kelly in August, 18G1, and his wife in Januar3', 186 J, both having attained their fourscore years. Grandfather Kelly for a short time carried a musket in the Revolu- tionary AVar, and was at the city of Buffalo during its destruction by the LJritish. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Mi- chael Johnson by name, was a native of Ireland, and married Miss Matilda Crossett, near the home of his youth. They emigrated to America when young people, and located in Groveland Township. Liv- ingston Co., N. Y., among the pioneer settlers of that region. Grandfather Johnson took up a tract of Government land, and pnjceeded after the man- ner of the pioneers al)out him to battle with the ele- ments of a new counlr}'. Bears, wolves and deer were plentiful, and the savage beasts of the forest frequently carried off his pigs and other sm.all live stock. Ml-. Johnson was not a man, however, to be dismayed under any ordinary difliculty, and with the assistance and encouragement of his courageous helpmate he struggled successfully' with the ele- ments about him, building up a good home, and there the grandparents spent the remainder of their lives. Grandfather Johnson is remembered as a man of more then ordinary' capacity, and was prominent in his township. He and his estimable wife were members of the Presbyterian Church, having come from the North of Ireland, to which a [lortion of their Scotch ancestors were driven during the time of the religious persecution of an earlier daj-. The property which Michael Johnson accumulated in Livingston County, N. Y., is still held by one of his sous, who is now nearly eighty years of age. What has been said of the Johnson family will properly apply to the Kellys as early settlers of the Empire State; they .acquired land from the Govern- ment, and it is now held by the youngest and only surviving son and child of Daniel Kelly, George W.. who is now about seventy j'ears old. Michael Kell3', the father of our subject, was the second son and third child of his parents, and de- parted this life at his home in Groveland, in August. 1880, at the age of sixty-nine ^ears. He was a successful farmer, and adhered loyally to the religious faith of his forefathers. The wife and mother survived her husband a short time, her death taking place in June, 1885, after she h.ad reached the advanced age of sixty-nine years. Their family consisted of six sons and one dauglv- ter. With the exception of one they are all living. Mieh.ael J., during the late Rebellion, enlisted in the Union army, and was seriously wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, from the effects of which he ^ ■^*- A lULLSDALK COUNTY. 823 died before being able to get home, and was buried somewhere in Missouri. He was first a member of Conipaii^y G, 4tii Missouri Infanlr}', wiiich later consolidated with Company D, olHli Illinois In- fantry. Mr. Kelly was shot through the leg, which he would not have amputated, and died from the effects. Daniel Kelly, the subject of this sketch, was the eldest son and third child of his parents; he w.as reared and educated in his native township, becom- ing familiar with farm pursuits, and acquiring those habits of industry which have been the secret of his success. In August, 18G1, a few months after the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in Company L, 8th New York Cavalry, under command of Col. Sam Crook, and who was succeeded by Colonel, and afterward General, B. F. Davis, of the Armj' of the Potomac. This regiment was assigned to the 2d Brigade, and detailed very soon into active service. Mr. Kelly participated with his comrades in about fifty engagements, including the battles of Gettysburg, Boonesboro, Spottsylvania. and was also in front of Richmond. These, it is hardly nec- essary to state, were the hardest-fought battles of the war, and his regiment was in the thickest of the fight. Mr. Kelly eidisted as a Corporal, and a few months later was given the position of Sergeant, with which title lie was mustered out at the close of the war. Mr. Kelly received his honorable discharge at Clouds' Mills, in Virginia, June 7, 1865. Although experiencing many hairbreadth escapes, he was fort- unately neither wounded nor captured, and was per- mitted to return home safel^'. He now resumed his farming pursuits, and was married rather late in life, Nov. 25, I8G9, to Miss Frances Robertson. This lady was born in Tecumseh Township, Lena- wee County, this Slate, June 24, 1842, and spent some of her youth in Indiana; she acquired a good education, and made her home with her parents until her marriage. Of her brother, C. G. Robert- son, a sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Kelly there were born four chil- dren, namely: [lenry R., Hattie M., Frank H. and Daniel S., the eldest seventeen years of age and the youngest eight; thej' are at home with their par- ents. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly continued residents of New York State until 1872, then removed to Indi- ana, and two jears later came to this county ; they settled upon their present farm in 1874. Our sub- ject, like his forefathers and with his estimable wife, is a strict adherent of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is a solid Republican, and socially, belongs to Phil Sheridan Post No. 4, at Reading. ^^ MITH WILBUR. The name of this gentle- ^^^ man is familiar to nearly all the residents (ll/_^j of Reading Township, where he has a snug farm of eighty attres, pleasantly located on section 12. 'J'lie land is mostly in excellent con- dition, provided with good buildings, the residence neat and comfortable, and the barns and outhouses finely adapted to the care and shelter of the Dur- ham cattle and Poland-China swine of \vliicli the proprietor makes a siiecialty. The air of thrift and comfort about the premises indicates at once the energy and industry of the proprietor. Mr. Wilbur purchased his present farm in 1859, of Warren P. Chaffee, lately deceased, and who passe(1 away at his home in Adrian at the advanced age of ninety-six years. He had been one of the first settlers of Lenawee County. Our sidjject was born in Wayne County, N. Y.. Feb. 27, 1820, and when fourteen years of age became a resident of Montville Township, Medina Co., Ohio, where he remained with his parents until 1859. His father, Smith Wilbur, Sr., was born in Massachusetts, and lived in the Bay State until reaching manhood. Then, migrating to New York Stale, he was married in the township of Fennor, Madison County, to a lady who died at the birth of her first child, a son, who was christened Thomas. This son grew to manhood and followed farming, and married Miss ^Martha Palmer, after which he settled in the city of Rochester, where he became a successful business man, dealing largely in real estate. He is still liv- ing, ripe in years, and is ranked among the wealthy and prominent residents of that city. Smith Wilbur, Sr., married for his second wife, also in Fennor Township, Jliss Nancj' Faulkner, who was born and reared in Rhode Island. .She then removed to New York State with her grand- •►HH^ n -^*- 824 HILLSDALE COUNTY. parents, who settled in Pittstown. Soon after their marriage the parents of our subject became resi- dents of Waldron, Wayne Co.. N. Y., where the father began the cultivation of a tract of un- developed land, and where he succeeded in building np a good homestead. This he gave in exchange later for a tract of timber land in Medina County, Ohio, which comprised 325 acres, and for which he received a difference of $G00 in tiie estimated value of the land. He removed there in 1834, and in the wilderness of Medina County the second time improved a good faim. 'J his remained the home of the family for a number of years, and until after the death of the father, which occurred in August, 1865, in Reading Township, this county, while he was making a visit to his son. He had numbered more than his threescore years and ten, being at the time of his death seventy-six j'ears old. The mother after the death of her husband left the farm, and spent her last years at the home of her son Oscar, in the town of Weymouth, pass- ing away in 1876 at the advanced age of eighty- six years. Our subject was the fifth child of Smith and Nancy Wilbur, whose family included six sons and two daughters, namely: Halsey, Gideon; Polly, who died when eighteen years of age; Desdemona, who is the wife of Riley Smith, of Medina County, Ohio; Smith, our sul)ject; Ransom, who is married and a resident of Oniro, Wis.; Oscar, of Way- mouth, Ohio, and Russell, of Coldwater. this State. Halsey is married, and occupied at farming in Wayne Count}', N. Y.,and Gideon lives near Way- mouth, in Medina County, Ohio. They are all well-to-do and worthy citizens. Smith Wilbur, our subject, was married before leaving Ohio, Oct. 26, 1842, to Miss Rebecca Cur- ran, who was born iu Spencer Township, Tioga Co., N. Y., Jan. 27, 1824, and came with her fathei-, Jacob Curran, to Ohio. They located in the north- ern part of the State, near Cleveland, where the father engaged in farming, but later removed with his family to Medina Count}', where Mrs. Wilbur was reared to womanhood. Mr. Curran spent his last years near Elyria, in Lorain County, where his death took place in 1847, when he was sixt3-eigbt years old. The mother, Mrs. Lydia (Hugg) Cur- ran, survived her husband about ten years, her death occurring in Michigan, in January, 1849, when sixty-eight years of age. They were most excel- lent and worthy people, and earnest adherents, re- ligiously, of the Baptist faith. After their marriage our subject and his wife lo- cated on a farm in Medina County, where they lived until 1859. Mr. Wilbur then sold out, and coming to this county secured possession of his present farm, which he has since occupied. Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur have no children, with the ex- ception of a foster son, Charles Wilbur, whom they reared as their own, and who is now a resident of Homer Township. Calhoun County, this State, where he owns a good farm. He married Miss Prudence Peck, of Reading, this county, and they are the parents of one child, a daughter, Mabel. Our subject, politicall}', is a conscientious member of the Democratic party. He cast his first Piesi- dential vote for Polk, is a man slow to make up his mind, but this done, clings to his convictions with the tenacity which has marked his career in all his other transactions. Mrs. Wilbur, who was reared a Baptist, continues faithful to the doctrines in which she was trained b}' her honored parents, and many years ago identified herself with the Free- will Baptist Church, of Reading. ^ .^^ s- i^ W^ILLIAM DIVINE, a retired farmer in com- fortable circumstances, is at present a resi- dent of Cambria Mills, where he is taking life largely at his ease. He established himself in the business of general merchandising here in 1880, continuing until 1885. Previous to this time he had been one of the most prosperous farmers of Woodbridge Township, where he owned ii good propert}', and which he disposed of upon changing his occupation. Mr. Divine came to this county with his father in 1843, from Lucas County, Ohio, having first moved there from New Y'ork, where his birth took place in the town of Sterling, Cayuga County, March 11, 1830. His father, Joseph Divine, a well-to-do farmer of the F^mpire State, traced his ancestry back to Germany. He was born in East- HILLSDALE COUNT V. «2.» eni New York, where he received a good education, and during the troubles of 1S12 was Captain of a compan}- in tiic United States army, lie acquitted himself as a brave and faitliful soldier and met the enem^' in several important engagements. In tlic battle at Otsego he was wounded in the leg by a ball from the enem}', which, however, only disabled him for a brief time, but on account of which lie afterward received a pension. The father of our subject, after laying down his musket, settled in the Black Kiver country, and not long afterward was married to Miss Esther Wil- mott, who was a native of Long Island and of New- England ancestry. .She traced her descent back to the old Pilgrims, and was justly proud of her line- age. After their marriage Joseph Divine and his wife continued residents of New York State for some j'ears. From the eastern i>art of the State they subsequently removed to Cayuga County, where they sojourned for a period of twenty-five 3'ears. The father in the meantime built up a fine farm from an uncultivated tract of land. From there, in lb32 or 1833, they emigrated to Ohio, settling in the woods of Lucas County, near what was sub- sequently the site of the cit}- of Toledo. There the father proceeded as before, battling with the ele- ments of a new soil, from which he improved a good farm, and which he lelt ten 3'ears later to cast his lot with the early settlers of the young Slate of Michigan. The father of our subject, locating in Hillsdale County, purchased eighty acres of land in Wood- bridge Township, in 1843, and here labored the re- maining years of an unusually active life. After reaching the ripe old age of eighty-six, he passed away about 1858. In his young manhood he was a stanch Whig and violently opposed to the institu- tion of slavery. His aged partner survived him but three years, dying also at the homestead in Woodliridge Township, at the age of sevent}'- seven. They had lived respected by all who knew them, and left to their children a record of which they will never be ashamed. Religiously, they were members of the Free- Will Baptist Church. William Divine was the youngest of a family of nine sons and three daughters, of whom onl^- five sons are living. He attained his majority in Wood- ' bridge Township, and was married there, in 1859, to Miss Rebecca Ransom, who was born in New j York about 1828. and came to Michigan with her j parents, Ilubbel and Sarah Ransom, about 1841. ; They settled in tlie vicinity of the [jresent site of j Jonesville, where they resided until their decease. 1 Mrs. Divine took kindl3' to her books in her child- hood days, and began teaching when little more than fourteen 3'ears of age, being thus engaged un- til her marriage. Her death took place in 1873, at Mendon, St. Joseph County, this State, where she had gone to receive medical treatment. Of her union with our subject there had been born two children: Clara M., now the wife of Henrj' Stum- ball, a well-to-do farmer of Woodbridge Township, and Montgomery L., who married Miss Eva Cox, and is engaged as a clerk. The present wife of our subject, to whom he was married in Cambria, was formerly- Miss Marah M. (Cone) Seaman, who was born in New York State and came with her parents to Michigan when but a child. She was married to Mr. Seaman, and be- came the mother of one cliil'd only, a daughter, Stella, who is now the wife of Otis Marvin, a pros- perous farmer of Cambria Township. Of her uniijn with our subject there have been born four chil- <]i-eu — Myrtle M., Ruby M., Frank M. and Robert A., the eldest of whom is twelve years of age, and the youngest one. Mr. Divine prides himself in being a zealous member of the Republican party, and has represented AVoodbridge Township in the County Board of Supervisors four years, and served as Township Clerk the same length of time. Both he and his excellent wife are members in good standing of the Free- Will Baptist Church, as also w.as the first lady who bore his name. BNER AV. PEARCE is now living in retire- f®0| meut from the active duties of his business /Flfi '"IS an eminently successful farmer, stock- imH raiser and dairyman, in his pleasant home on section 6 of Cambria Township. He was for- merly associated with the late William S. Hosmer, and the record of their lives furnishes a most be;iu- tiful example of a faithful and lifelong friendship, ■•► t -4*- 8-26 ^ ^^ ► ^ B <* HILLSDALE COUNTY. »► m^ *- such as is seldom witnessed. Coming to this State together in the prime of manhood, accompanied hy their wives, who weie sisters, the^' woiked side by side, and built up a home which sheltered both their families, vvjiere their days were passed quietly and amicably, and b}' their united labors improveci one of the fine.«t farms in this part of Hillsdale County. They were devoted to each other's interests, and shared alike the gains and losses of their business. Their strong attachment and sincere friendship was only brokL-n bj' the death of Mr. Hosmer. They were both of New Engl.and birth and par- entage. Mr. Pearce was born in Torrington, Litch- field Co., Conn., Aug. 23, 1813. and was a son of Christopher and Merc3' (Brownell) Pearce, of Rhode Island. His father's father was a farmer and a life- long resident of Rhode Island. After marriage Christopher Peaice removed to Connecticut, and made his home for some years in Litchfield County, where he was actively employed at his trade of blacksmith. Our subject was reared in his native count}', where he lived until he was seventeen years old, when the whole family moved to Vienna Town- ship, Oneida Co., N. Y. In 1^58 Christopher Pearce and his wife came to Michigan, whence their Son, our subject, had pieceded them several years before. They took up their home in Jouesville, this counlj', and there the remaining da3's of their honored and useful lives passed quietly by, the mother dying Oct. 30, 1851), at the .ige of seventy- one, and the father April 9, ISGO, at the age of seventy-five. They were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and in politics Mr. Pearce was a Democrat. Our subject is the second son and child born to his wortliy par- ents, thej' having had six children, five sons and one daughter; the latter and one son are deceased. Of the four surviving sons, two are living in Michigan, one in Iowa, and one in ilinnesota. Mr. Pearce, of this sketch, was married in Vienna Township, Oneida Co., N. Y.. Nov. 11, 1838, to Miss Thankful TuttJe, a daughter of Deacon Orman and Abbie (Barnes) Tuttle. Her parents were natives of Connecticut, but married in Oneida County, N. Y., where the remainder of their lives was spent, and there they reared a family of eleven children, of whom five daughters and two of the three sons are living, one of the daughters now being eighty- three years old. The parents were worthj' mem- bers of the Presbj'terian Church, and in politics the good Deacon was for many years a stanch Repub- lican. Mrs. Tuttle died at the home of her husband in Oneida County, at the age of fifty-six years. After the death of his wife the Deacon was again married, and had one child by that marriage. His chihiren were reared and educated in the county of which he was so many years a prominent citizen. He died on the old homestead, having rounded out a life of seventy-eight years. As the lives of Mr. Pearce and Mr. Hosmer subse- quently became so intimately' connected, we will here incorporate a short sketch of the latter. AVilliam .S. Hosmer was boin in Craftsburj', Vt., May20, 1809, .and when five years of age accompanied his parents to Oneida County, N. Y., where the remaining years of his boyhood and early manhood were passed, engaged first in helping his father in the farm work, and later in his trade of carpenter,' which he learned at an early age, and continued to follow until he came to Michigan. He married, Dec. 13, 1830, Alma Tuttle, daughter of Deacon Tuttle, of Vienna, N. Y., and of their union two sons and four daughters were born, of whom one son and two daughters are 3'et living. The following is their record:' Emile A. (deceased) was the wife of Edwin Phelps, of Hillsdale, and was the mother of two children ; Hiram married Miranda Vanda, and is now deceased ; Sophia died at the age of fif- teen ; Mary is the wife of Angus Abbott, and they are now living on a farm in the township of Read- ing; Abner P., living on the homestead, marrieil Alida Clay ; Juliette M. is the wife of W. Cooper, and they are now living on a farm in the township of Re.ading. The eldest daughter, Emile A., was a school teacher before her marriage. In 1844 these two brothers-in-law, of whom we write, determined to cast in their fortunes together, and with their families come to the young and growing .State of Michigan, and here build up a new home. On their arrival here they settled on a tract of land which forms the farm on which our subject still resides. It comprises 217 acres, all under the best cultivation, and on which they erected a handsome and commodious residence, in u ^ M ^m ■^^'^r^^* HILLSDALE COUNTY. 827 which both families still make their home, and the place is well supplied with substantial and conveni- ent farm buildings, and various kinds of machinery for successfullj' carrying on farming. Thus the long years wherein they so faithfully toiled together brought them a full measure of success, and to- gether they lived to enjoj' it until the death of Mr. Hosmer, June 20, 1883, sundered the tie that had so long bound them together, only, perhaps, that it may be united "where the broken circles of life shall be rounded to the perfect orb." He was a good and true-hearted man, and is greatly missed in this communitj', as well as by the members of his own household, to whom he was ever a devoted husband and kind father. Mrs. Ilosmer is still a mem- ber of the family, and a part owner of the farm, which is still conducted under the name of Pearce & Hosmer, and is under the skillful management of her son Abner. It is but a just tribute to tlie wives of our subject and his friend to say that tlio}' had in them faithful and cheerful helpers, to whom no small part of their comfort and prosperit3' is due. Mr. Pearce is honored and respected in this town- ship as a man of unswerving rectitude, and he has often been called upon to fill local offices. In poli- tics he has for many years been a faithful member of the Democratic partj", as was also Mr. Hosmer. v * i ' i 8-28 HILLSDALE COUNTY. ^•^T^ fin agricultural store in Homer. He has for some nine years represented the firm of D. M. Osborne & Co., of Auburn, N. Y., as an agent for their binders and other machines. He has been very successful in that line of business, and has given perfect satisfaction to tiie cfmipan}'. He devotes much time to his farm, wliicii is located in a very pleasant part of the township, is exceedingly pro- ductive, and is admirably adapted to the purposes of general farming. Mr. Coojjer is proving himself, b}' his judicious management of his agricultural interests, to be as practical and wise a farmer as he has already shown himself to be shrewd and capable in other branches of business. Mr. Cooper was married, in Cambria Township, to Miss Etta Hosnier, in September, 18«2. She is the youngest daughter of William Hosmer (for full history see sketch of Abner W. Pearce). She was born and reaied in this county, and leceived a good education. She is devoted to her husband's interests, and makes their home |)leasant and at- tractive. One child, Kay, has been born to them. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper attend the Frce-Will Baptist Church, at North Reading, and contiibute liberally to its support. Mr. Cooper is a Republican in politics. He is a fiee-iiearted, generous man, of genial and easy manners, of gooil habits, and fine business qualifications. ^=!^EORGE SCHRUTT. The pleasant farm III (^-^ homestead of this gentleman overlooks Baw ^^il) Bees Lake, on the Steamburg road, and lies on sections 1 and 2 of Camliria Township. It embraces 112 acres of fertile land under good cul- tivation, with a substantial set of farm buildino's, and in its appointments is indicative of thrift and industry and all the other comforts of modern life. Our subject took possession of tliis proi)ertv in 1877, and has since made it his home. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Erie County, .Julj' 4, 1833, and is the son of George .Schrutt, Sr., whose birthplace was in the sunny land of P'rance, near the Switzerland line. He was reared in the latter Republic, and married there Miss Catherine Plague. After the iiirth of one child, thej-. in 1831, set out for America, but the child, Frances, died, and was entombed in an ocean grave. Upon landing on American soil they located in the vicinity of Mc- Kean, where the death of the father occurred in Jul}', 1835, very suddenlj-, while he was mowing with a scythe. He was a very industrious, hard- working man, and probably had overtaxed his strength, dropping lifeless in the field. After the death of her husband Mrs. Schrutt was married to Frederick Shultz, who was born in the Mohawk Valley, and was probably of Holland par- entage. He also died in Erie Count}', and his widow then married John Miller. They came to Illinois, and Mr. Miller died a few years later. The mother of our subject then joined her son in Michi- gan, and died at his home in Scipio Township, Dec. 28, 1870. George Schrutt, our subject, is the only surviving member of his family. He grew to manhood in Erie County. Pa., learning the trade of carpenter, and was married, Jan. 5. 1854, to IMiss Emeline C. Chellis. This lady is the daughter of Stewart and Catherine (Foster) Chellis, natives respectively of Vermont and Canada. They were married in Erie County, Pa., where the mother died. The father engaged in farming and also oper.ated a saw- mill; in 1 8()4 he removed to Clinton, DeWitt Co., III., where he married the second time, and there died ill the fall of 1881, having arrived at the age of seventy-eight years. The second wife's maiden name w.as Susan Krusucker; she died in Illinois. Both the grandfathers of Mrs. Schrutt served as soldiers in the War of 1812. Grandfather Chellis was subsequently murdered for his money, while crossing Lake Champlain. Mrs. S. was reared to womanhood in her native county, her birth having occurred in Erie County, Dec. 5, 1830. Of her union with our subject there were born nine chil- dren. Their eldest daughter, Elizabeth J., is the wife of Oliver O. Stickler, and resides in Hillsdale, where Mr. S. carries on blacksmithing; George S. is engaged at home; Levi W. remains at home with his parents; Henry N. is at home; Carrie O. resides in Albion ; Lewis A., Florence, Claude F. and Minnie M. continue under the home roof. Mr. and Mrs. Schrutt, after their marri.age, lived in Erie County, Pa., until 1803. During the sum- ■^^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 829 nier of that year they made their way to this State, and locating first in Scipio 'rownsliip, continued tliere until Mr. Schrutt enlisted as a Union soldier in the 27th Michigan Infantry, 2d Company of Sharpshooters, and which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He participated in the battle of tlie Wilderness, and met the enemy in various minor engagements and skirmishes, and with his company' was one of the foremost in the battle of Spottsjd- vania. While behind a breastwork a shell struck the topmost log, which fell upon Mr. S., who has since been a cripple. He suffered greatly for about four years after his return from the service. Mr. Schrutt has very little to do with public affairs, but votes the Republican ticket. His estimable wife is a member in good standing of the Baptist Church. The children have been subject to religious train- ing, and the famil}- are all Christians. Mrs. Schrutt has in her possession a wineglass of Scotch manu- facture, which was used by iier grandsire during the Revolutionary War. 'l^DWARD E. CARTER is an industrious and fel prosperous farmer owning a goodlj' farm j*'--^ ' pleasantly located on section 21, Moscow Township. He is the son of William and Almira (Ooddard) Carter, who are now worthy citizens of this township. His father was born in Sussex County, England, and his mother was born in Or- leans County, N. Y. ; they are aged respectively sixty-nine and sixty-three years. After marriage they settled down in Orleans Count3-, but subse- quently moved to Canada. After a residence of several years in the British Dominion they finally returned to the United States, and in 1868 located in Hillsdale County. Of their marriage seven chil- dren have been born, three sons and four daugh- ters. Our subject was the eldest of the children born to his parents, his birth taking place in Orleans County, N. Y., Ang. 6, 1845. He was six years old when his parents removed from their home in New York and took up their abode in Canada, where he grew to a strong and vigorous manhood, receiving a careful training from his parents and a sound education in the excellent schools of his Ca- nadian home. He was twenty-two 3'ears of age when he finally returned to the "States," and became a citizen of the land of his birth. He made his home in Moscow, and for the first two years of his resi 830 HILLSDALE COUNTY. he left the Empire State, and came to Eaton County, Mich., whence after several years' resi- dence he removed to Wisconsin, and settling near Whitewater, there engaged in mercantile business, and spent the remainder of his life. Mrs. Jane (.Jennings) Ridout, the mother of our subject, died when tlie latter was onl}' five j-ears old, and the family record has not been preserved. George IL was roared mostly liy his maternal grandparents. His grandfather, William Jennings, came to this county in the pioneer days, settling in Wheatland Township, where he carried on farming, and died at tiie ripe old age of eigiity-seven years. His wife, Bets}% was also well stricken in years when called from earth. Young Ridout became familiar with farm pur- suits early in life, and when twentj'-three years of age was married to Miss Alice R. Tucker, on Kew Year's Day, 1868. This lady was born in Wheat- land Township, Sept. 7, 1850, and was the daughter of Harry C. and Olive (Gallup) Tucker, the former a native of Connecticut, born June 8, 1803, and the mother a native of Canada, born Jan. 17, 1819. Mr. Tucker was also a pioneer of Hillsdale County, and died at the homestead which our subject now occupies, on the "id of March, 1884. Coming here in 1837, he took up a tract of wild land, which by a process of tiiorough cultivation was transformed into one of the finest farms of Southern Michigan. His wife, Olive, passed away some years before the decease of her husband, dying also at the old place, April 20, 1878. In politics he was a Democrat. He and his wife were both members of the Chris- tian Church. He was well versed in the Bible— probably few, if an}', persons who ever lived in the township were more familiar with that sacred volume than he. Alice R. was their only child. Her paternal grandparents, Purley and Rebecca Tucker, were also natives of New England, and died in the State of New York, in Cayuga Count}', at an advanced age. They were the parents of eleven children, ten of whom grew to mature years. Mr. and Mrs. Ridout are the parents of one child only, a son, Earl H., who was born at their present home, Nov. 13, 1879/ Our subject, in addition to his general farming operations, makes a specialty' of fancy blooded carriage horses, and going quite extensively into registered Merino sheep. His choice head of cattle is mostly of the Durham and Jersey breeds, and the swine are Poland-China. The farm buildings of the Ridout homestead .are .among the best in Whe.atland Township, and give abun- dant evidence of the excellent taste of the pro- prietor. The hospitable home of our subject and his amiable lady is the frequent resort of the intel- ligent people of the township, among whom they are general favorites. Both are prominentl}- con- nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Ridout, politicall}', is a Prohibitionist, although having little to do with politics. Mrs. R. is President of the L.adies' Aid Society, of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, of AVest Wheatland, and of the Township Sund.iy-School Convention of Wheat- land and Adams Townships. 'i,^,EV. PETER JAMES SLANE, Priest of St. ijL^ Anthony's Catholic Church, at Hillsdale, /Jli\\\ where he has labored efficiently for the last w©ten years, w.as born in the North of Ireland, in County Tyrone, Oct. 8, 1855, where he spent the early years of his life, and whence he emigrated to America with his parents when a lad ten 3'ears of age. The latter, James and Mary (Bradley) Slane, were of pure Irish descent, and born in the same county as their son. The father was a grocer and hardware merchant, and upon coming to the United States settled in Philadelphia, where he re- mained until 1873, and then returned to the old home in Ireland, where he now resides. Father Slane commenced his regul.ar education in the schools of the Quaker Citj', and later entered Mt. .St. Mary's College, near Baltimore, Md., where he completed the common branches, and then be- came a student at St. Vincent's College, near Phila- delphia, a noted theological seminar}', which was conducted under the auspices of the Benedictine Fathers, where he prepared himself for his future calling. On the 29th of June, 1878, he was or- dained Priest, and subsequently assigned to Hills- d.ale. He also ofUciated a short time at Dexter. Father Slane, a close student and extensive reader, became noticeable for his erudition, and in 1878 i:^"«'-'»i**aaii6«w»afei 51- Anthony's Church-P J. SlanEtRector, Res. 113. BroadSt., Hillsdale. HILLSDALE COUNTY. 833 was appointed to St. Anthony's P.iiisli, Hillsdale, wliic'ii was greatly in need of an ellieient pastor in order to erect the residence buildings, and which he effected in the course of a couple of years. His congregation had heretofore worshiped in an old frame l)nilding on the site of the present one, and the next duty seemed to be tlie putting up of a suiUible church edifice. The erection of this was completed in the summer of 1883, and both in rais- ing funds and the style of the structure Father Slane has exhibited his eminent fitness for his posi- tion. St. Anthony's Church is located on the east side of tile pulilic square, and the church buildings altogether probably cost not less than 830,000. The congregation is composed of 200 families, averag- ing six members each, and under the efficient man- agement of Father Slane the parish is in a highly prosperous condition. He is not onl}- popular among his own people, but his intelligence, his learning, and his devotion to his life work, have gained him the respect of the entire community. A view of the church building is given on an adjoin- ing page. <3= 4-0- f T s-^ AMUEL COLE is a worthy farmer of Pitts- ford Township, of which he is an early set- tler. He was born in West Town, Orange Co., N. Y., July 25, 1811, and is a son of George Cole, a native of the same town. His grandfather, Benjamin Cole, was a farmer, and so far as known, spent his entire life in Orange County. The father of our subject was reared in his native county, and there marrieil to Jane Loring, also of Orange County, and they continued their residence there until about 1815. They then moved with their family to Phelps, Ontario Co.,N. Y.,and there being then no railway's or canals, the removal was m.ade with teams. Mr. Cole bought a tract of timber land and cleared a good farm, on which he lived until a few years before his death, which occurred in Palmyra, whither he had removed after selling his property in Phelps. He vv.as quite a capalile, shrewd business man, much given to speculation, and used to buy horses which he took to Orange County, and there sold them orexchanged -^« them for wagons, which he would take back to Ontario County, and there dispose of them very profitably. His widow si)ent her last years with her daughter in Indiana. The subject of this sketch was but four or five years of age when he went with his jjarents to On- tario County to live, and there he grew up to a har<1}' and vigorous manhood, continuing to reside with his paienls in that and Wayne County until 1834. In the meantime he was united in the bonds of malrimon}- to Miss Mar^' Barnard, of Sodus, AVayne County, Sept. 12, 1832, being the date of that important event. In the year 1834 Mr. Cole left his home in New Ycjrk, and with his young wife started for the Territory of Michigan, coming by those noted highways of travel over which so many of the pioneers of Southern Michigan passed, the ¥A-iti Canal and Lake Erie to Monroe, where the^' hired a teamster to take them to the Bean Creek Valley. Their way led through a wild, uninhabited region to land which Mr. Cole had entered from the Government on a previous visit to Hillsdale County, and which he owns and occupies to-day. On their arrival at the present site of Hudson tliey took possession of a vacant log cabin belonging to Mr. Lane, ivhioli tiiey occu|)ipd until Mr. Cole could build a house of his own, which he immedi- ately set about doing, and had it ready for occu- panc}' the following oth of February. When the^- first came here there was no other settlement around them for miles, and wolves, bears, deer and other wild game were i)lenty. There was no railway in the Territory at tiie time, and Adrian was the near- est market, where wheat sold at thirty-seven and one-half cents per bushel, and oats at about ten cents a bushel. Our subject and his wife were dis- satisfied with their rough surroundings, and in the month of April, 183"), retui-nedto New York State, "oing with an ox-team to Toledo, from there on a steamer to Buffalo, and thence to Wayne County, where Mr. Cole purchased a team and engaged in teaming between Palmyra and Canandaigua. Three years later they came back to Hillsdale County. and settled in the log cabin that he had previously built, and which was still standing. Our subject then commenced the improvement of his laud, and put in a cro|) on the small tract of five acres that he -4^ 834 HILLSDALE COUNTY. 4 had cleared when he first settled on it. He has been a resident here continuously since that time, and with the helpful assistance of his excellent wife has accumulated a fine propert}'. He has about seventy acres of land cleared, and has erected a substantial set of frame buildings He and his companion are spending the declining j-ears of their lives in the ease and comfort of a cosy home, beloved and respected b}' all in the community for their kindly ways and sterling worth of character. They are the parents of three children, namely : Philena, wife of Jack Rush, of Pittsford Township; George, who lives in tlie village of Pittsford, and Jane A., wife of Aaron Conselyea. who lives with her parents. The wife of our subject was born in Sodus, Wayne Co., N. Y., June 6, 1818, and is a daugh- ter of Silas Barnard, who was born in Utica, Oneida Co., N. Y., and moved from there to Sodus in the early settlement of that town, and died there about 1820. The maiden name of his wife was Kuth Carey, a native of Utica, and daughter of Rufus Carey. Her father was a native of Massachusetts, and was for many years a sailor; he spent his last years in Wayne County. Mrs. Cole's mother mar- ried a second time, and resided in Lyons for some years. She spent her last days with Mrs. Cole, dying here in 1857 at the age of eighty-one. Polit- ically, Mr. Cole is a Democrat. Mrs. C. is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. , EUBEN STRAIT, residing in Moscow Town- ship, is the son of Thomas J. and Miria (Powell) Strait, both natives of New York &gj State, where the latter was liorn in the city of New York. Grandfather Strait joined the Colo- nists in the Revolutionar}' War, which wrested from the mother country this great heritage which we at present enjoy. The parents of our subject settled in Steuben County, now Schuyler, in Tyrone Township, and resided there until the birth of our subject. In 1837 they removed to Ohio, and settling on a farm in Butler County, remained there five 3'ears, after which they removed to Indiana, where they spent another five years in Jennings County. They then came to Michigan and settled in Jackson County, where the father bought a farm in Hanover Town- ship, upon which the parents resided until their decease, the death of the father occurring Nov. 7, 1867, and that of the mother Jan. 22, 1872. They became the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters, of whom our subject w.as the second in order of birth. Reuben Strait was born Oct. 27, 1834, in Tyrone Township, Steuben Co., N. Y., and was brought by his parents to Ohio when an infant of three years. Here he attended the public school at Bloomfield, Butler County, and received the rudiments of an education, which he supplemented by his attend- ance at the common schools in Indiana, after his removal there at eight years of age, and subse- quently in the schools at Hanover. On the 30th of ,Iune, 1853, Mr. Strait was united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of William and Abigail (Smith) Clapp, the former a native of Dutchess County, N. Y., and the latter of Ontario County, in the same State. After marriage the parents settled in Macedon Center, Waj'ne County, thence removed to Jackson County, Mich., in 1837, where they settled on section 31. in HanoverTown- ship. Here they devoted themselves to the cultiva- tion and improvement of their farm, and the care and education of their family, and resided until their death, which occurred for the father in 1882, at the age of seventy-seven j'ears, while the mother died in April of the next j'ear, at seventy-eight years of age. Mr. Clapp was a prominent, liberal- minded and public-spirited citizen, largely interest- ing himself in, and contributing of his means, as well as aiding by his influence, all measures having for their object the improvement of the condition of the people among whom he lived, socially and financially. With a view to securing better facili- ties for market and travel, he donated the right of wa\f through his property to the Ft. Wayne & Saginaw Railroad Companj'. and contributed in addition )fel,000. The parental family of Mrs. Strait included four children, one son and three daughters, of whom Mary was the second child, and was born Jan. 27, 1H35, at Macedon Center, Wayne Co., N. Y. At •Mh««: ^ t HILLSDALE COUNTY. 835 the tonfler nge of two and ono-hnlf years she marie tlie fatiguing journey with lier parents, hj' the usual route, to tliis State, where she received such educa- tion as the facilities of the time and f)lac(> afforded, receiving in addition those practical lessons in domestic economy from her excellent mother which resulted in maiiing her so ca|)al)le and invaluable a helpmate to Mr. Strait. By her union with our sub- ject she became the mother of nine children: Will- iam, who died in infancy; Josephine B., Eugene B., Thomas J., William U.. Jennie A., Levi S., De Witt C. and Ralph Waldo E. Josephine became the wife of James Buchanan, and they are the par- ents of four children — Wayne J., Marj' A., Albert and Ethel M.; Eugene B. is engaged in farming on section 31, Hanover Township, and chose for his wife Miss Nellie Shepherd, by whom he has four children — Leon, Ross, Clyde and Ruby; Thomas J. resides on section 30, Hanover Township; he married Effle Densmore, and the3' have one child — Mary E. William H., who has the management of the homestead, married Leona Shepherd, and the}' have one child — Glen; Jennie became the wife of Willard Conkling, of section 1, Scipio Township, and they have two children — Mark and Grove; Levi S. is a teacher, and will attend college at Ypsilanti ; De Witt C. is a member of the class of '88 at Hanover, while Ralph Waldo is at home. Through the indomitable energy and persever- ance which seem to characterize in an especial manner the natives of the E-mpire State, coupled with that honorable dealing in the various relations in life which also appears to be hereditary with that people, Reuben Strait has gained for himself the esteem and confiilence of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance, while he has secured for himself and his family a large share of the good things of this life. He owns 178| acres of land on section 31, Hanover Township, eighty acres on section 30, and sixty on section 29; forty-five and one-half acres on section 31, IGl acres on section 29, fifty-six and one-half acres on section 6, Mos- cow Township, and sixty-five acres on section 5 of the same township, making a total of 64G^ acres, most of which is well-improved land under a good state of cultivation, and nearly- all cleared. He has jirovided commnflious and convenient linildings. and is equipped with all the modern appliances which have so revolutionized the work of a farmer in the conduct of his farm. The good judgment, straightforward business principles, and the statesmanlike qualities of Mr. Strait, have not been overlooked in his community. He has been a school ofTicer for man}- ^-ears. and Highway Commissioner for some eight or nine years. He was elected Justice of the Peace over the Hon. G. C. Wyllis, and in the fall of 1S82 was nominated bj' the Democratic Senatorial Conven- tion, running against Hon. Ezra L. Coon, of Hills- dale. He was a candidate in 1884. and was nominated by the United Greenb.ack and Demo- cratic Convention, as a Representative in the State Legislature, running against Des'ine in the Ninth District, composed of Branch and Hillsdale Coun- ties. In politics he was a Democrat up to the time of the National Greenback movement, when he became identified with that body, and has since been a member of the party that organized it. Sociall3% Mr. Strait belongs to the Pomona (Grange, and has been through the Chairs in the Mt)SCOw Grange. He was Master of Hamilton Lodge No. 113, F. & A. M., of Moscow, and held this position for nine 3'ears. In the life of Reuben Strait we find an excellent example for young men just embarking in the field of active life, of what may be accom[)Iished by well- directed effort with honesty of purpose. He relied largely upon his own efforts and judgment to win for him success, and while he has met his reward in the accumulation of wealth, he has won a large measure of that more desirable qualit}', the respect and esteem of his fellow-beings. In the discharge of his numerous |)ublic and official duties, as well as in those of a domestic nature, he has ever been characterized by that most important factor in the successful life of an^' man, honesty, adhering closely to the dictates of his conscience. (^T M. RI.SING, a successful general farmer ^jO of Hillsdale County, is i)leasantly located on ten acres of land within the limits of ■mj Reading Village. He also owns fifty-one acres adjoining the town, which he has brought to a i ■*► ■^•- 836 HILLSDALE COUNTY. high state of cultivation. He has been in possession of this property since 1880, at wiiich time he removed from his former home of 120 acres on sec- tion 15 in the same township, where his family had located May 31, 1837. At that time the father of our subject settled on 640 acres of land, which he had obtained from the Government in 1835. This land at that time was an unbroken wilderness, and in 1838 he purchased 240 acres additional on sec- tion 14, for which he paid $5 per acre. John Rising, the father of ouf subject, was a native of Oneida County, N. Y., and came of an old and worthy family, while his father, Josiah Rising, was a farmer by occupation, and was a private soldier in the War of 1812. He married Huldah Miller, a Connecticut lady, who came of New England parentage, as did also her husband. Some years before their death the parents of our subject removed to Westmoreland Township, Oneida Co., N. Y. This county was at that time com- paratively new and undeveloped, and Mr. Rising contributed his full share toward its advancement; his death occurred at the advanced age of about ninety years. He served as a soldier in the Revo- lutionary War, and wiien his son John was drafted in the War of 1812, he himself answered the call, remarking to his son tliat he was better acquainted with army life, and would take his place. His wife survived him some years, and lived to be over ninety years of age. They were worthy and hard- working people, and though they did not accumu- late a great store of this world's riches, they had the enjoyment of a better heritage — the esteem and respect of tlieir neighbors. John Rising was the eldest of the large family born to his parents, .and was reared to agricultural pursuits, at the same time attending the schools of his native county. He continued to reside in Oneida County until he came to this State, bring- ing with him his wife, whom he had married in Westmoreland Township, and their family of six children. Mrs. Rising, whose maiden name was Lucinda Wright, was born in Oneida County, and came of a good American family. She resided chiefly in her native county, receiving such educa- tion as was obtainable in the schools of her town- ship, until her marringe with Mr. Rising. In 1837 they took their memorable journey to the West, and began to hew for themselves a home in the woods of Reading Township, where the father had entered a tract of land from the Government. John Rising lived to see a well-improved farm developed from the wilderness, and died at the home of our subject, in 1872, at the ripe old age of eight3'-two years. In religion he and his wife in early years were Congregationalists, but thej' subsequently transferred their allegiance to the Methodist Church. In politics Mr. Rising was a Republican. Mrs. Rising died some years before the decease of her husband, at the age of fifty-one 3'ears. She was an industrious, prudent woman, performing well her part in tlieir efforts to pro- vide a home for their growing family. The subject of this sketch was reared at the homestead in his native county, and received his education in tlie common schools, while also being initiated by his father into tlie duties of farm life. He was united in marriage, Sept. 19, 1839, with Miss Ann C. Morey, who was born in Cayuga County, in the Empire State. March 25, 1813. While still a young child her parents removed to Van Buren Townsliii), Onondaga County', and she received a ver3' good education in tlie public schools, which, even at that time, were noted for their efflciencj'. When quite young she engaged in the profession of teaching, which she resumed after her arrival in this county in 1838. She taught the first school ever conducted in Reading Township, in which she successfully labored during the first year after her arrival. Mr. and Mrs. Rising became the parents of two children, whose loss by death they have since been called upon to sustain. Ann became the wife of Henry George, and died in 1886, leaving one child, Rodney R. Mary J. was also married, her husband being F. Terpenning; she died about 1875, and left one child, a son, George A. Mr. and Mrs. Rising have been industrious and worthy members of society, and have met with a large measure of success. Mr. Rising is the only surviving one of the original members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Reading, and Mrs. Rising is also a charter niem- ))er of the Baptist Ciiureh. The practical qualities -4»- -•► HILLSDALK COUNTY. S37 r of uur subject hiive been appreciated and turned to goo(1 account by his fellow- townsmen, who have elected him to some of the most important ofHces within their gift, includinji^ those of Justice of the I'eaee and Commissioner of Ilighwaj's. Mr. Rising was formerly a Republican, but, believing in the suppression of the manuf.aclure and sale of intoxi- cants, he has now entered the ranks of the Prohibi- tion party. ERRY KNAPP, jirobably liio oldest living )1) settler of Wheatland Tijwnsliip, is the son of ^' Stephen Knajip, who came with his family to the Territor}- of Michigan in 1834, and put up the first barn in Wheatland Township, whicii structure is still standing, and located on the pres- ent farm of our subject on section 14. The father from a tract of wild land built up the homestead which his son Perry now occupies, and where he spent the remainder of his life after coming to the West, passing away in March, 186(5, at the ripe old age of nearly fourscore j'ears. The mother had died when a young woman. Our subject was born in Monroe County-, N. Y., Aug. i2, 1822. His parents, Stephen and Jane (Freelove) Knapp, were natives of Rockland County, N. Y., where they were married, and in the Em|)ire State became the parents of six children, four girls and two boys. The mother of these children died in Monroe Count}', N. Y. Stephen Knapp was afterward twice married, and by tiie two last wives had nine children, making by the three marriages fifteen children. Both the paternal and maternal grandparents of our subject spent their last days in New York State. The paternal grandfather, Jared Knapp, was born near Horse Neck, Conn., Feb. 20, 174'J, and mar- ried Jane Williams, whose birth took place March 10, 1751. He died June 19, 1812, and she passed away in Ju\y, 1829. They had moved to Rockland County, N. Y., where were born to them ten chil- dren, nine boys and a girl, of whom Stejihen. the father of our subject, was the tiftli child, his birth taking place Aug. 18, 1786. All lived to mature years. Stephen Knapp followed wagon-making ^» ___ there al)out ten years, and was a man who naturally became a leader in the community wherever he lived. He was well posted upon political matters, and although never as|)iring to ofliee, filled many positions of trust and resi)onsibilit3'. His death took pl!.ce March 29, 1866. James Knapp, the only full brother of our subject, is a well-to-do farmer of Wheatland Township, living about half a mile north of Perry. The stibjeet of this sketch left home when eight- een years of age, his father giving him his time, and making his way to the 3'oung town of Adrian, this State, he commenced work in abrickj-ard. Two years later he took up carpenterii g, and thereafter followed this for about twenty years in Toledo, Ohio, and Southern Michigan. In 1853 he crossed the plains to California, driving stock west of the Missouri River, the trip occupying II.t days. He remained on the Pacific Slope two and one-half years, then returned and located on the farm where he now lives — the old homestead of his father — which he purchased of the heirs a few years after returning from California. Previous to this, however, Sept. 29, 1848, our subject had been united in marriage with JHss Sarah J. Church, who was born in Wayne County, N. Y., Feb. 15, 1828, and is the daughter of Lorenzo and Susan (Halleck) Church. Mrs. Kna])p was reared to womanhood in the State of Michigan, having come West with her parents in the year 1838. The four children born of her union with our subject are recorded as follows : Frank J., who is now traveling in tiie interest of a carriage fac- tor}', vvas born Dec. 27, 1849, and married Miss Ella Bishop, by whom he has become the father of one child, a daughter, Mary, born Oct. 17, 1882; Jessie F. was born Feb. 7, 1856, and married Elmer D. Sabin, of Wheatland Township; Fretlerick C, who is manager of the National Tea Com pan}', in P^ast Saginaw, was born April 4, 1866, and remains in single blessedness; Lydia was born April 10, 1864, and died on the 4tli of August following. Mrs. Ella Knapp, the wife of Frank J., the eldest son of our subject, was born in W.ayne County, Pa., Dec. 7, 1848. The present residence of our subject was put up by him in 1866, and the improvements which are ^ 838 ■•► HILLSDALE COUNTY. viewed to-da^' with admiration by the passing traveler have been mostly effected through his own personal supervision. The land, exceedingly fertile, has been carefull3' cultivated, yielding the richest crops of Southern Jlichigan. Mr. Kiiapp has been connected with the Hillsdale and Lenawee Counties Farmers' Union and Horticultural Society, of which he is now President, and has held every office except that of Treasurer in Wiieatland Grange No. 272. In politics he is a Republican. L. WEBB, who owns and occupies a farm of 100 acres on section 24, in Allen Town- ship, where he has lived for the last nine years, is a native of this State, having been born in Hudson, Lenawee County, Sept. 12, 1849, and is the fourth child of Hon. Martin H. and Susan (Guy) Webb, who were natives of New York State. ]\Irs. Webb was tlie sister of Oscar F. Guy, of this county, and a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work. The parents were married in Jonesville, this State, and settled in Hudson Township, Lenawee County, where they lived about three years. Thence they came to Pittsford Town- ship, this county', and after a residence of six years on the farm, took up their abode in the city of Hillsdale, where the death of the mother occurred in April, 1875. Hon. Martin H. Webb survived his wife a little over four years, his death taking phice in Novem- ber, 1879. He was a man of considerable force of character, and quite prominent in local aft'aiis. Be- sides holding other positions of responsibility and trust, he officiated as Judge of the Probate Court of Hillsdale County for a period of twelve or four- teen years. The parental household included live children, three sons and two daughters, four of whom are living, and residents mostly of Michi- gan. The early life of our subject was spent upon the farm, where he acquired the arts of plowing, sow- ing and reaping, and his education was completed in the Union School at Hillsdale. AVhen nineteen years of age he started out for himself, working for the farmers of his neighborhood, and at the age of twenty-four was married, June 18, 1873, to Miss Alvira White, at the home of the bride in Hills- dale Township. He then purchased a farm in Jefferson Township, where he carried on agricult- ure six years, then, selling out, purchased the farm of which he is now owner. The wife of our subject is the daughter of Eugene H. and Alvira (Hart) White, who were natives of the Empire State, whence they removed in early life to this county, and settled upon a farm in Hills- dale Township, where the death of the mother took l)lace in May, 1850. Mr. White is still living, and resides in Dakota. They were the parents of two children, only one of whom, Mrs. AVebb, is living. She was born in Hillsdale Township, May 13, 1856. She acquired her education in the common schools, and continued a member of the parental household until her marriage with our subject. Of this union there have been born five children, namely: Martin IL, Susan A., Edgar A., Floyd B. and Ernest E. The eldest is thirteen years of age and the 3'oungest two. Mr. Webb gives most of his attention to his own affairs, having little to do with politics, but uni- formly votes the Republican ticket. C!^EORGE W. FOOTE, who became a resident — . of the city of Hillsdale in 1884, and is favor- ^J^ abl3' known to a large proportion of its citi- zens, is a native of the Buckeye State, and was born in Huron County, July 11, 1842, being the youngest of a family of three brothers, the sons of Walter and Tamezin (Ford) Foote, who were both of New England birth and anccstr}'. AValter Foote was born in Connecticut, and his wife, the mother of our subject, in Massachusetts. They were mar- ried in Wayne County, N. Y., and settled among the pioneers of Huron County, Ohio, where the father engaged in farming pursuits, and where the boy- hood of his son, George W., was spent. The parents of our subject continued residents of Ohio until their death. George W. pursued his first studies in the district school, and completed his education by an attendance of tvvo terms at '^•- -•►■ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 839 T the far-fanierl Obcrlin College. He was a youtli of iiiiu'teeii j'ears at the outbreak of the late Rebellion, an;TY, a 841 Stitc. Dec. 22, 1804. aged cislity-eigiit years. Of lier in.iriiage with John Seeley tliere were Itoni Uvo t'hildren only, a son and daiigliter, the former of whom died at the age of three ye.irs. and the latter, Caroline Minerva, was married to George Kcefer, March 17, 1825, in Danville. Livingston Co., N. Y. I These latter were the parents of seven children, namely: Francis T.. Henry Martin. Saraii Eliza- beth (Mrs. Gregory'), Adaliza Eloda, Ophelia An- toinette (.Mrs.Whitmore),.Iohn Alexander and Jane Love. Adaliza E. was horn in Scottsville, Monroe Co., N. Y., in 1835, and died there at the age of one year; Jane Love died in Allen Township, this count3', when five years old; P'rancis T. died May 18, 1852, at Mus(pieto Canyon, El Dorado Co., Cal., at the age of twenty -six years. He left a widovv and three sons — George V., Harve3' and Francis. Jf OHN F. TAYLOR, familiarly known through- I otit AVheatland Township as Frank Taylor. || is one of the honored pioneers of Hillsdale '' County, to which he came late in the summer of 1850. He purchased first eighty acres of unculti- vated land, to which he subsequently added thirty more, and h.as now 100 acres thoronghly cultivated ami in a productive condition. The handsome f.-iniiiy residence, which invariably attracts the eye of the jiassing traveler, was erected about thirt^'- onc j^ears ago, and continues in a remarkable state of preservation. The barn and other ont-ljuildings are substantial and fully adapted to the purposes of general farming anwii?hi|) in tlic County' B her children. Mr. Smith makes a specialty of feeding and shipping stock, and from this industr}- realizes an- nually a handsome income. Recently, in comprinj- with a Mr. Wood, of Cambria, he rented a large ice house, and exjjects to put within it 3,000 tons annually. It will thus be seen that he possesses the broad and liberal ideas which have been the main source of the world's progress, and to such men as he is Southern Michigan indebted for her present position among the common wealths of tiie West. In the various other enterprises calculated to develop her resources and lend credit to her standing, he hassignnlized himself as aleailing man, and is thus rated in his community. The birth of Mr. Smith occurred near the little hamlet of Fremont, in Steuben Count}', Ind., forty- seven years ago, on the 'ioth of .luly, 1,S4I. His father, Joel Smith, was likewise an agricullnrist during all the years of his active life, but retired from its more arduous labors, and spent his l:\st (Lays in comfort and quiet in a pleasant home in the city of Hillsdale, dying May 25, 1888. He w.as born in the Empire Stale, whence he emigrated to Ohio when a young man. casting his lot with the early pioneers of Lorain County. He assisted in raising the first house in the now im[)(irlant city of Oberlin, and for years was a prominent num in county affairs. There alsi) he made the acquaint- ance of Miss Nanc}' Beam, who was born in J^orain Countj', of which section of country her parents were early settlers, having emigrated there from New York State soon after their marriage. Joel .Smith and his young wife not long after their marriage made their way to Steuben County, Ind., and by their united efforts eliminated a liunic- slead from a tract of its uncultivated land. Upon this, however, they only remained until 184G, leaving a farm which is to-day worth $100 per acre. While residents of .Steuben County, Joel Smith was for a number of years oliliged to haul his wheat to Adrian, Mich, which was then his near- est and best market. Frequently after a jourucj' consuming six days he would receive but forty- six cents per bushel for his wheat, from which he was enable(] to save but ver^' little after his ex- penses had been paid. Sometimes he would have enough to buy a liaircl of .salt to bring Icu-k home, but this was an experience shared by all the pio- t 844 HILLSDALE COUNTY. neci's. iiiifl liflvinp' put tlieir liandstothe plow tliey had no thought of tmniug liack. .loel Sniilli upon coming to tin's county, in 18IG, puich!is(fl school land on section IG in Cambria Tovvnsliip, at Government prices, where he pitclierl his tent and resolved to remain. This proved a most wise determination, for after he had labored a series of years, tilling the soil, jjutting up build- ings, planting fruit trees, and adding all the em- liellishments natural!}' suggested to a man of sound sense and industiy. he was enabled to sell his oi'iginal purchase for the snug consideration of $75 per acre. He next bought a farm in Hills- dale Townshij). which he occupied until advanc- ing years adnmnishcd him it would be wise to retire fx m active lalnr. and then sold out once more and repaired to the city of Hillsdale, where he passed away as above stated. Allhougli seventy- nine years of age when he died, he was well pre- served in mind and body, and able to relate many interesting incidents which weie listened to with deep attention by the children of the present generation. The devoted wife of Joel Smith and the mother of our subject passed to her final rest at her home in Cambria Township, in August, 1864, whenfift^'- two years of age. She was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Cliurch, and possessed those lovable and womanly qualities which endeared her U) a large circle of fiiends. Three of the eight children born to herself and her husband died in childhood, and four of the living are residents of California. The eldest of the survivors, Melissa L., is the widow of Mr. Deering, whom she married in California, and who died in about 1880; she is now a resident of Modoc County, that State, and owns a valuable lanch in the Sacramento Valley. The next chilil, Albert, is married and a resilient of Red Bluff, Cal.: Emily J. is the widow of J. Kesselring, and is still a resident of the Golden State, to which she emigrated after her marriage, in 1853; Louisa is the wife of M. Laforgee, who is carrying on a prosperous business in Germantown, in the Sacramento Vallej'. Mr. Smith received a good common-school edu- cation, and before reaching man's estate, the Civil War being then in progress, enlisted as a Union soldier in Cfimjiany K, 10th Micliignn Infantry, and in due time waspr< motcd to the rank of ?"ir.>t Lieu- tenant. Owing to the .ibsence for some time of the Captain, Lieut. Smith was placed in command, and going to the front with his coin|)aiiy took part in all the battles of the t uniberiiuid cam- paign. At the expiration of his fiistteim of en- listment he was veteranized. Duiinghis army life he participated in many of the im])ortant battles of the war, among them that of Shiloh, Chickamauga, siege of Corinth, the battle at luka. Miss., the engage- ments at Stone Kivei', Missionarj' Ridge and Buz- zard's Roost, and although experiencing many hair- breadth escapes, the bullets often jiiercing his clothing, he fortunately suffered no serious injury. During the Atlanta campaign he, with his company, was under constant fire for 104 days. Lieut Smith, who was discharged in the fall of 1804, was married in December following to Miss Lotla A., the accomiilished daughter of Samuel Morgan, a native of Connecticut, who emigrated to Michigan and was for some years a resident of Rome Township. Lenawee County. In that township his daughter Lotta was born Aug. 12, 1843, and was but a little child when her parents came to this county. The father, who during his years of active labor was engaged iu agricultural pursuits, u\)on his retirement remained in Hillsdale Township, where his death occurred in September, 1887, when he was well advanced in years. The mother is still living and makes her home on the old homestead. She is a bright and intelligent old lady, and able to tell of many interesting occurrences concerning pioneer life in Southern Michigan. Mrs. Smith under the training of her excellent mother developed those amiable and graceful quali- ties which have fitted her to adorn a handsome honie, and is greati}' respected by all who know her. She is the UjOlher of three children, of whom the eldest daughter. Fanny A., is the wife of John Beatty, who occupies a good farm in Cambria Township; they have one child, a son, Arthur. Myrtie, now an accomplished young lady living with her parents, was graduated from Hillsdale College when sixteen years of age. Their son Charles is now a student of that institution. Mr. Smith is a man of great energy, genial and n u " ■» II » HILLSDALE COUNTY. 845 coni|)ai)i()ii!ilile, aiu' iiivaiialily makes a good im- pression upon strangers. I'olillcally, lie is a solid Republican, and asi 846 HILLSDALE COUMTY. lliat licr iiialeiiial graiulfallici-. nfler beiiiiigiailiiatod from Yale Colli'ge, entered the Kevolutioiiary aimy and was Colonel of a regiment under Gen. Wash- ington. His brave and efficient service assured him a position in the front ranis, and lie enjoye<1 the honor and satisfaction of being cliieflj- instrumental in the capture of Gen. Burgoyne, whose sword was handed over to Col. Richmond as his legitimate trophy. This relic is now preserved by the Rich- mond family as an oliject of interest with which they woidd not willingly part. The two children who came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Crane are recorded as follows: JLarie A. is the wife of .lolin B. Nutten, a prosperous farmer of Moscow Township; they have seven chil- dren, namely: Albert, George F., AVesley L., May and Maude (twins.) Gertrude, and .lohn B., Jr. Asa Crane married Miss Alice Clcgg, and they have two children, a son and a daughter, Arthur and Edith. They reside in North Adams, and young Mr. Crane is retired fiora business. The family is one of the most prominent and highly respected in this portion of Hillsdale County, where Mr. Crane, by the establishment of one of its most creditable home- steads, constitutes no unimportant factor in the devehjpment of its resources. ^r LFRED GODFREY. Since coming to this ^//_\ country from his native isle in 1M70, this jlflMi gentleman, by sheer energy, hard labor, (§» ^"'' '"^ determination to succeed, has placed himself in an honorable position among the well-to- do farmers of Hillsdale County. He is now the owner of one of the most productive farms in this region, beautifully located on section 20, Moscow Township, on which he has erected one of the handsomest dwellings in this vicinity, and a fine set of barns and other out-buildings, his well-kept place being an ornament to the township. Mr. Godfrey is of English parentage and birth. He is a son of Thomas and Alice (Hivens) Godfrey, natives respectively of Merlon and Scranton, Ox- fordshire, England. During some period of their married life they settled in the city of London, and while he remained in his native country, for a number of years Mr. Godfrey was employed in a wire factor}'. In 1870 the family emigr.ated to America, and coming to Michigan, Mr. Godfrej'^ in the same year, bought a farm in Moscow, and is now |)rosper(jusly engaged in farming here. Both himself and his wife have gained the entire respect and confidence of the community, as honest and industrious peo[)le. He is now sixty-three years old, and Mrs. Godfrey is sixty-four years. Eight children have been born to them, seven now living, three sons and four daughters. The subject of this sketch was born .lune 20, 1853, at No. 5 Peartree street, G(jswell Road, Lon- don, England. Ilis educational advantages were ex- tremely limited, but his sound judgment, good comuK^n sense, and intelligent observing powers, have stood him in good stead. At the early age of nine years he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, and subsequently was employed at that and various other occupations. He was a lad of more than oi'dinary keenness and capability, and had a great desire to better his condition and make a home for himself. Consequently he determined to try his fortunes on American soil, and sailed from Liverpool, Feb. 12, 1870, landing in New York three weeks later. His destination was Hudson, Mich., where he had relatives, an uncle, who was a farmer, and he worked for him for one season, gaining a good practical knowledge of farming. He afterward came to Moscow Township, where he rented land for six years, and was industriously encaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1871 Mr. Godfrey took an important step toward the ac- complishment of his cherished desire to establish a home, by his marriage with Miss Jane Underhaj', daughter of William and Jane Underliay, all natives of Devonshire, England. She is an only child, and was born Nov. 18, 1851. She was but five years old when she left her old English home and came to this country with her parents, who located in Allen Township, Hillsdale County. There she was educated in the public schools. To her and her husband have been born nine children, namely: Jennie, Fred, George, Christine, Alice, Lottie, Harry, Minnie and Frances Folsom. Mr. Godfrey, by unwearied industry and good mana'i^ement, together with the active assistance of liU I -^•- HILLSUALE COUNTY. 847 liis oxcclk'iit wife, in a few j-ears had aceuinulated enoiigii iiioiK'V to buj' a good fann, which conliins 140 acres of l;iii'"'\?''PSsive farmers of this county, is pleas- \y^ anlly situated on section 17, of Seipio Township. His father, Horace Case, was born in Canandaigua Count}', N. Y., in 1801, and S|)ent his earlier years there, removing to Michigan in 182.'> or 1826. He became a pioneer of Lenawee County, being one of the very earliest settlers of Franklin Township. He remained in that place until l.s;5,i, when he removed with his family to this county, and settled in Seipio Township, thus becoming one of its pioneer settlers. He |)urchased a tract of land comprising 440 acres, and improved a valu- able farm, remaining a resident here until his death in September, 18(12. During his life of more than a rpiarter of a couturj- in this county, he saw many and wondrous changes, and took an active part in the prouK^tion of its growth and development. He was a man of indisputable integrity, straightfor- ward in all his dealings, and had the c(»nfiiience and resiiect of all who knew him. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk War, where he did good service. He was twice married ; the maiden name of his first wife, mother of our subject, was Cynthia Moore, also a native of Canandaigua, N. Y. She was a faithful helpmate to her liusband, and cheerfully toiled and slnred with him all the hardships of a pioneer life. She lived only a few years after their removal to Seipio, i^ ,..5,0=^^ _ ^\ AMUEL MORGAN. This late respected resilient of Hillsdale Town.'^hip came to .Southern Michigan rluring its early settle- ment, and settled first in Calhoun County. He was then but a youth nineteen years of age, but having early in life been thrown upon his own resources, had acquired the habit of self- reliance, and looking forward to a future which lie must build up 1)3' his own efforts. Naturally industrious and enterprising, he was ambitious to establish a home of bis own. and being pleased with the face of the country here, determined to settle. Two years later he returned to his native State of New York, and fulfilled the pledge which he had made to a maiden of Barry Center, that State, INIiss Sarah M. Roode, to whom he was married April 8, 1836. The young couple soon after marriage set out for the Territory of Michigan, and settled first near the young town of Adrian, in Lenawee Count}', where they lived about eight years. Their next removal was to the farm, one and one-half miles west of the city, which continued the home of Mr. Morgan until his death, Sept. 13, 1887. The first dwelling here of Mr. and Mrs. Morgan was the second house built west of town, and it was then surrounded by tin)ber. After the unflagging industry of a series of years the wilderness begjin to blossom as the rose, and Mr. and Mrs. Morgan found themselves in possession of a competency which would enable them to spend their declining years in ease and comfort. They celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage in 188G, upon which occasion they received the eongi'atulations of many of their old friends and neighbors, who had endured with them the privations and hardships of pioneer life. The lust illness of Mr. Morgan was excessively painful, and the patience with which he endured his suffering was remarkable, considering the fact that it had been almost his first real sickness. AVhen the end came he was surrounded by all his chil- dren and grandchildren to the third generation, to all of whom he bade an affectionate good-by, and fell peacefully asleep. It was a fitting close to an honest and faithful life, rich with integrity and fidelity to dut}'. The funeral services were attended b}- a large concourse of people, who, if not know- ing him personally, had knovvn him by re|)ulation, and thus rendered their silent homage to his worth. His death and funeral occurred just forty j-ears from that of his eldest son, who jiassed away when a lad nine years of age, and was the only death which had occurred in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Morgan since their marri.age. Samuel Morgan was born in Albany, N. Y., Feb. 15, 1814. At the early age of seven years he left the parental roof, and thereafter battled with adverse circumstances until his resolution and perseverance served to gain for him a foothold, after which he steadily advanced on the highw.ay to prosperitj'. His parents were natives of Massachusetts, and have long since passed to their final home. Samuel during his boyhood daj's at one time attended the district school with the late Samuel J. Tilden, of New York State. In the latter he remained until his arrival in Michigan, and his subsequent course we have already indisated. The wife of our subject, Mrs. Sarah M. Morg.an, was born in Cayuga Count}', N. Y., June 11, 1818, and was the daughter of Richard and Kledica (Smith) Roode, who were also natives of the Em- pire State. The father spent his entire life in farm- ing pursuits, and died at his homestead, in Adrian, Mich., in 1837, when fiftj--one years of age. He was a prominent man in his county, a leader in all worthy enterprises, a man of high integrity of character, and a member in good standing of the Presbyterian Church, and, as a professed Christian, made it his highest aim to live up to the princi])les of his faith. It is believed that the parents were t :??r#--^ I <•• HILLSDALE COUNTY. 849 iimniod about 1812. and the mother, surviving her hnsli.Miid nearly twenty-three yeai>, (lied in the oil}' of Adrian, tliis State, in ISOO. Mrti. Mtirgan was tlie fourth child born to her parents. Through the training of a wise and excel- lent mother she became profli'ient in all housewifely duties, and learned the secret of a cheerful and happy home. Of her marriage with our subject, which has already been noted, there were born six children, of whom the record is as follows: Emer- son L., the eldest, died Sept. 13, 1S47. at the age of nine years and twent3-one days: Oscar L. mar- ried Miss .Iose|)hine Adams, and is living in Cam- biia Township, this count}' ; May E. is the wife of James Clark, of Hillsdale; Charlotte A. married Avery A. Smith, who is occupied at farming in Cambria Township; Charles H. married Miss C'eles- tia Is'utten. and is living at the old homestead; Samuel O. married Miss Louisa ]>yon.and is carr}'- ing on fainiing in Hillsdale Township. Mrs. Morgan, like her husband, inclines to the doctrines of the Presl>yterian Church, and is a lady of more than ordin&r}' business capacity and intel- ligence. The homestead, upon which she still resides, includes 140 acres, and for the last twenty- two years has been largely under the personal supervision of her son, Charles IL, who is at pres- ent giving his attention largely to the breeding of Pohiiid-China swine. Like his father before him. he is a gentleman of excellent abilities, both as a farmer and business man, and lias occupied many l)ositions of trust and responsibility in his town- ship. He was Chairman of the School Board for a period of six years, and has represented Hillsdale Township in the County Board of Supervisors. Charles H. Morgan was the fourth child of his parents, and was born upon the homesteail where he now resides on the 31st of May, 1845. He commenced attending the district school when a little lad six years of age, in a log house with the chimney built outside, and the floor and seats con- structed of slabs. To this edifice he was obliged to travel a distance of one mile, and after he was ten j-ears of age he oid}' pursued his studies during the winter season. When a youth of four- teen he entered the village school, and four years later developed into a teacher. Subsequently he ^ — attended the Hillsdale College for two terms, and thereafter taught in the winter and farmed in the summer seasons for a period of seven years. The marriage of Charles H. Morgan and Miss Celestia J. Nutlen, of Moscow Township, this county, took place at the home of the bride, on the 1st of .lune, 1871, Rev. Thomas R. Wilkinson, of the Methodist E[iiscopal Church, odicialing. Mrs. Celestia Morgan was born in that township, Oct. "28, 1849, and is the daughter of Jonathan and Susan (Underwood) Nutten, natives respectively of New York and Rhode Island. Her father was born April 8, 1812. and came to Michigan in the fall of 1843. He was a farmer by occupation, a Dem- ocrat in politics, and .accumulated a comfortable l)roperty. lie died at the homestead in Moscow Township. Aug. 31, 1 884. The mother was born in 1812. and passed aw;iy twenty-four j'cars pre- vious to the death of her liusl)and, in July, 18(;o. She was a lady of deep piety, and reared her chil- dren to principles of honor, her chief solicitude being to make of them honest and good citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Mdrgan are the parents of four children, namely: Charles L., Sarah L.. Sa:nuel U. and Earl S. Mrs. Morgan, like her hus- band, is well educated, having attended three 3'ears at the Hillsdale College, and thereafter followed teaching five years. Mr. Morgan, since 1870, in addition to his farming interests, h.as been engaged in handling agricultural implements, which experi- ment has proved very successful and profitable. ^^^EORGE W. MOSHER. President of Hillsdale 'II (-_ College, is a native of the State of Maine, ^^i| where his birth took place in Kennebec County, in the 3'ear 1844. He is the second son of William and Betsy (McLaughlin) .Mosher. The subject of this notice spent his youth in his native county, where he enjoyed the educ^ational advant- ages for which the New England .States are noted, and was fitted to enter college at New Hampton Institution, in New Hampshire, from which he was in due time graduated. He then entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me., and was graduated from that institution in the class of '09. He at f 850 HILLSDALE COUNTY. once turned his attention to literaiy pui-suil?, be- coming editor of the Morniiuj Star, at Dover, N. H.. and acting in that capacity until IfS.si. During tliis time he was elected to tiie State Legislature, and served two terms. Jn 1881 Hon. George W. Mosher was appointed by President James A. Gar- field, United States Consul to Nice, France, and served there two years, after which he was pro- moted to a Consulate at Sonneberg, Germany, and held the office two and one-half years. In 1885 Mr. Mosher resigned his position under the United States Government, and returning to the United States, spent the next year in New Hampshire. In 1886 he came to Hillsdale County, and was elected President of Hillsdale College, which position he h.as held ever since. Mr. Mosher was united in marriage, in 1871, with Miss Frances Stewart, a native of Di>ver, N. 11., and their union has been blessed by the birlL of two daughters — Alfricda M. and Bessie S. J'~:OSEPH A. WRIGHT. Among those who have passed the larger part of their busy lives I in agricultural pursuits, and who, by assidu- ' ous labor and frugality, assisted by the act- ive co-operation of faithful helpmates, have won a full measure of success, is the subject of this sketch. He is a representative of the w.arm-hearted and sturdy Irish element which makes up such a good proportion of the population of the United States, and takes an active part in all the industries of the country. His parents, Robert and Margaret (Gil- more) Wright, were natives of the northern part of Ireland, born in County Tyrone. Ilis father was a man of good business qualificatif)ns and undoubted integrity of character, but having unfortunately, through the carelessness of others, lost his property, he determined to establish a home for himself and family in America. Therefore, in 1843, being then in the seventy-second year of his .age, he left his old home and sailed from Belfast to Liverpool, thence to New York, leaving British soil April 21, and arriving in New York just one month later. Ho proceeded directly to Cayuga County, where liis wife's father. John Gilmore, an old soldier of the War of 1812. lived, and located in that place, liv- ing there until his ks, or exercised their Yankee pro- pensity for whittling. The mother of our subject used to spin, weave, and make up all the clothing for the family, thus reducing their cash outlay to a minimum. There wi're 110 railro.'ids in Michigan at that time, and Adrian was but a hamlet mostly of log houses. Deer, wild turkeys .nnd other small game, were to be had in abundance, while a bear not nnfreqnenlly crossed the path of the lonely traveler, and night was made hidetius with the howl- ing of the wolves, while the Indian still lingered along the line of the march of civilization. The father of our subject cleared ' a good farm, ii|)on which he erected suitable buildings, and resideil there until 180.'), when he sold out, and removing to Ingham Countj', bought a farm (jf eighty acres. In 1874 he removed to Fulton Count}-, which he made his home for five years, and then returning to Ingham County, spent the last years of his life. His wife, whose maiden name was Betsey Briggs, was born in New York Slate, and w.as the daughter of James and Poll}' (llagerinan) Briggs; she also died in Ingham County, Mich. To the parents of our subject there were born twelve children, five of whom are yet living, and recorded as follows: James resides in Sac County, Iowa; Joel is the subject of our sketch; Dorothy lives in Cowley County, Kan.; Lydia M. lives in Cloud, Kan., and Albert is a resir their growing family, was taken from him by death in January, 1840, when forty- one years of age. Mr. Camburn came to Michigan in the fall of 1835, with a part of his family, and settled in Franklin Center, Lenawee Count}', where two of his brothers and three sisters had preceded him. He bought a farm of 200 acres, and settling there, was a second time united in marriage, in 1840, ^ ^ ^•- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 853 widi lIis. Saral) Cnmlmrn. widow of Levi C. Cnrn- bni'ii. Jr.. and .1 daughter of Isaac and Ann (Lcac-li) Ksflow. l)oth natives of Kew Jersey. They were married at Macedon Center. N. Y., and resided in Wayne County, that Slate, until they eame to Miciiifian, in tiie fall of 1833, and settled in Homer, Calhoun Countj'. where they continued until their decease, the father passing away in 1853, at the age of seventy', while the mother died at the same age. five years later. Jlrs. Canilnirn was the eldest of a family of six children, three girls and three hoys, and was born Jan. 4. ISl 1. She grew up in Wayne County'. N. Y.. receiving her education in the district scIkjoIs of that countj'. Although she lal)orc'.:^*-a^ ■ YRON NORRIS, a champion farmer and stock-raiser of Hillsdale Township, is |)ar- ticularly well equi[)ped with the appliances for carrying on the l)usiiiess in which he takes great pride and labors to excel. He raised his standard high in the beginning, and has left no stone unturned in Ins efforts to buihl up one of the finest farms in Hillsdale County. This is eighty acres in extent, but every fool of it is under a high stale of cultivation, and the buildings are a feature of attraction to all who (liiss through this section of country. Mr. Norris purchased this farm in the spring of 1880, and among the other noticeable improvements erected, in 1884. the fine barn 30x51 feel in area, two stories in height, and with a stone basement, 85 4 HILLSDALE COUNTY. wliich fiiriiislu's dry and ample slielter f(^r his cattle and horses. This stnieture is finely finished. an("i equijiped with everything requisite for the pnrpose to which it isdevoteil. A never-fading spring fur- nishes water for the farm, which is conducted tlii-ough pipes to whatever spot required, but prin- cipally' to the barn, and entering through the drive- way deposits the water in a tank, passing from there thihy came to Hillsdale County in 1810. and has since lived in Cambria Township. During three 3'ears he was in the em- ploy' of 15. D. Willetts, one of the pioneer settlers and most piomiiient men of the county; be is now deceased. In 1841 Mr. Doty purchased eight3' acres of his present farm, which was then in a state of nature, and in the fall and winter of 1842-43 he began to make improvements. In his efforts he has been nobly assisted by his good wife, with whom he was united in marriage Oct. 26, 1842. The primeval foiest yielded gradually but surely to the pioneers' ax. and he soon brought his land to a good slate of cultivation; he subsequent!}' bought another eighty acres, which he treated with similar successful results. In the life of Mr. Doty we find an excellent example for young men just embarking in the field of active life of what may be accomplished by industry' and energy, combined with good judgment. Mr. Doty is eminently a self-made man in the l)est sense of the term. In early life he enjoyed but few advantages, nor had he wealth or position to aid him in starting in life; he relied solely upon his own etforts and his own conduct U> win for him success, and these qualities have borne their legitimate fruit. Nor has his been a success solelj' in the sense of accumu- lating wealth, but in doing good to others, in serv- ing them well, and in winning their respect and esteem, and as a consequence he is one of the best and most favorably' known men of Hillsdale County. Silas Doty was born in .Solon, Cortland Co., N. Y., July 13, 1817, and is the son of Isaac Doty, a native of Vermont, and a farmer by occupation. From his native State Isaac Doty removed to Cort- land County, N. Y., and .about that time he was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte Looniis. Mr. Doty was among the jMoneer settlers of Solon, Cortland County, and accuinidated a valuable .ano*o..®X®-«*<»' *<— AMES H. GTDLEY. This gentleman, who is ranked among tiic worthy and reliable farmers of .Scipio Township, was born on the (^g// other side of the ocean in Devonshire, En- gland, Aug. 2, 18o8. He crossed the Atlantic with his parents when a lad of thirteen j"ears, being of an age to recollect the interesting incidents of the voyage, and how life appeared' on the wide ocean" when days and days passed without a sight of laud. He is of pure English ancestry, being the son of Richard and Dinah (Herbert) Gidle}', who were natives of the same county as their son, where they were reared and married. They left their native countrj' in 1851, accompanied by their eight chil- dren, and settled in Sylvania, Lucas Co., Ohio, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits, and where his death took place in the spring of 1870. The mother survived until April 8, 1878, spending her last years in Michig.an. The house- hold circle was completed by the birth of eight children, all having been born in England. Of these six are still living, and residents of Michigan and Ohio. The subject of this biography first opened his eyes to the light on the 2d of August. 1838. and remained a member of the parental household until his twenty-fourth birthd.ay, and until after the out- break of the late Rebellion. He had now become fully identified with the interests of his adopted country, and celebrated the twenty-fourth anniver- sary of his birthday by his enlistment in the Union army, becoming a member of Comi)aiiy K, .'Jd Ohio ■ » t .► i r^ 858 HILLSDALE COUKTY. Cavalrj', in -niiich be served nearlj' tlnee years, and until the close of the war. He was mustered out after the surrender of the Confederate forces, on the 25th of June, 1865. He had in the meantime, with his comrades, been assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, with Kilpatrick, and encountered the enemy in all the principal engagements. Upon his return from the army Mr. Gidley made his way to Toledo, Ohio, and engaged as brakeraan for the Toledo, Wabash & Western Railroad. His fidelity to duty resulted in his promotion, first to tiie position of freigiit and then to passenger con- ductor, and he followed railroading with the com- pany until the spring of 1874. He then entered the employ of the G. R. & I. R. R.. but six months later transferred his labors to the Chicago Division of the Baltimore & Ohio. His next headquarters were at Moberlj-, Mo., where he was employed as freight conductor on the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern, and was subsequently conductor and brakeman on the Wabash & St. Louis, with which he remained four j'ears. Mr. Gidley, now desirous of settling down and establishing a permanent home, came to this county and secured possession of his present farm in Scipio Township, upon wliich he has since successfully oper- ated. Just before his enlistment in the army he was married, in Sylvania, Ohio, in the fall of 1 862, to Miss Anna McBride, who was born in Pennsylvania. Of this union there were born three children : Irving J., who died in Ohio, in Februarj', 1885, when twenty years of age; R.-dph and Flora M. are residents of Toledo, Ohio. Mrs. Anna Gidley departed this life at her home in Toledo, Jan. 27, 1872. Our subject, on the 22d of February. 1883, was married the second time, in Hanover, Jackson Countj', this State, to Mrs. Agnes (Perrott) Cox, daughter of William and Mariah Perrott, and widow of Henry R. Cox, late of Scipio Township. This lady is a native of the same county in England as her husband, having been born in Devonshire, Oct. 10, 1 838. She came to America with her parents when eleven years old. They settled in New York, but spent their last years in this State, her mother dying Jan. 30, 1885. iii Jackson Counts', wliere the father still resides. By her first marri.nge ]\lrs. Cox became the motlier of three children — Cliarles W., Ella M. and Robert H., who are now living at home. Henry R. Cox, who was a fanner Ijy occupation, died in Scipio Township on the 10th of M.arch, 1880. Mr. Gidley, politically, is a stanch supporter of Repub- lican principles. ip^^jENJAMIN W. BROCKWAY, a prominent \[JC<. citizen of Allen Township, in the days long since passed by was one of the hardy, brave pioneers of Hillsdale County, who nobly faced the dangers and trials of life in the forest- covered land of Southern Michigan that they might build up for themselves and their children comfort- able homes, and in doing so were instrumental in developing this region into its present prosperous and glorious condition. Our subject may be said to be a truly typical pioneer, as he possessed, and still retains in a large measure, those traits of high courage, firmness of purpose, and sturdy self- reliance, which are so essential to success under the discouragements and difficulties to be encountered in a newly settled country'. He was well endowed with mental and physical vigor, had good powers of endurance, and was well fortified with sound principles and sterling common sense; he is gen- erous and open-hearted, and ever ready to extend sympathy and lend a helping hand to those less fort- unate than liimself. He has lived and labored in Allen Township for fifty years as one of its leading farmers, and is now living in honorable retirement on tlie old homestead, universally beloved and re- spected, not only for liis past record in connection with the early and more recent history of Hillsdale County, but for his worth as a man and a citizen. Our subject is a son of George and Polly (Amsden) Brockway, who were born respectively in Lyme, Conn., Jan. 21, 1787, and in Conway, Mass., Dec. 19. 1792. They married in Seneca County, N. Y., where they lived for a time. They then removed to Ontario County, and settled in the town of Phelps, where the father died Jan. 6, 1827, in the prime of life. The mother survived her hus- band many years, came to Hillsdale County, and died at the residence of her son, Benjamin W.. Jan. 8, 1882, having rounded out a good life of nearly ninety years. They had six children, three sons and ^- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 859 tliree daughters. Benjamin W. was their eldest son, and was horn Oct. 22, 181G, in the town of Phelps, K. Y. He was reared on a farm, and continued to live in his native town until he was nineteen years old. In ia36, before he had scarce!}- .attained man- hood, he decided to make his future home in Michi- gan, on whose rich virgin soil he hoped by persistent and energetic toil to achieve success in the calling to which he had been bred. After his arrival in the Territory he spent eighteen months in Washte- naw Count}'. He tlien went back to his old home in I'lielps, N. Y., and after staying there a short time, in the spring of 1838 returned to Michigan» and located in Allen Township, Hillsdale County where he h.is ever since made his home. In the long years that have intervened since then, his patient labors, wise economy, judicious expendi- tures and able management, have pl.aced him in the possession of a good income, derived principallj' from his valuable farm, which originally comprised eighty acres, but has been increased to I'J'J acres by furtiier purchase. It is very pleasantly located on section 27, is well drained, under a high state of improvement, well stocked, and has an ample set of commodious farm buildings. Mr. Brockwayhas now given up the control of his property to his son Thomas N., a skillful and intelligent farmer, and lives a more retired life than formerl}', free from the cares of business. To the devoted helpmate who has been the sharer of his joys and sorrows for nearly half a century, and has been his able assistant in the upbuilding of their pleasant home, Mr. Brockway was married in Allen Township, Feb. 18, 1841. She was formerly Miss Sarah A. Pettibone, daugiiter of Roswell and Harriet (Ball) I'ettiboue. They came to Oakland County, Mich., from near Batavia, N. Y., in 1827. After living there some six or seven years they moved to London, Monroe County, in this State, ■where tiie mother died in 1835. The remaining members of the family reu)oved to Hillsdale Count}' in 1839, and settled in Allen Township, where the father died at the residence of our subject. To him and ills wife were born five cliildren. who lived to maturity. Sarah A., the wife of our subject, was born near Batavia, N. Y., April 28, 1822. To her and her husband have been born two children who lived to grow up: Harriet H., who is now the widow of A. B. Biford, of Benton Harbor. Mich., and Thomas N. Mr. Brockway has always exerted his influence to forward any good project for the advancement of this county and township. He has ably served his fellow-townsmen in the responsible position of Treasurer, which oflice he held several terms, an► l l "^ 866 HILLSDALE COUNTY. locaterl on section 12. Fayette Township, is acting well his part in providing for the wants of his fam- ily and for the improvement of the community in which his lot is cast. The father of our subject, John Bunting, was born in England about 1809, and emigrated to America upon reaching his majority. The maiden of his choice was in her girlhood Miss Frances M. Chapman, and the^' were united in m.arriage, in Jonesville, on the 25th of March, 1841. Their household included nine children, who are recorded .as follows: AVilliam G. resides in Northern Michi- gan ; Sarah A. is deceased : Mary E. is tlie vvife of George Parks, of Hillsdale, and Sarah M., of Sam- uel Fore, of Ohio; John S. is deceased; David P. is the sixth in order of birth ; Jane A. is the wife of Conrad Bone, of Manistee County, Mich.; Rhoda A. is deceased, and John S. (2d) resides in Isabella County, Mich. The parents finally settled in Fay- ette Township, where the}' died, the father June 11, 1875, and the mother Aug. 26, 1865. David P. Bunting was born in Fayette Township, Aug. 28, 1855, and h.as since remained a resident of that township, engaged in .agricultural pursuits. He owns the old homestead of 1 20 acres, which he has brought under a good state of cultivation, sup- plied with comfortable and convenient buildings, and is prepared to prosecute to advantage the noble calling of an agriculturist. On Christmas D.ay, 1884, Mr. Bunting was united in marriage, in Scipio Township, witii Miss Martha, daughter of Andrew and Matilda (Allen) Kennedy, of the same township. Mrs. Bunting was the eld- est of four children, and was born at South Hadley, Mass., Jan. 23, 1856. One child h.is come to brighten their household. In politics Mr. Bunting casts his lot with the Democratic party, giving it his cordial support whenever occasion offers. JACOB A. HANCOCK is one of the well-to- do and progressive general farmers and stock-raisers of Cambria Township, and an old settler of Hillsdale County. He now resides on a beautiful farm located on section 30, Cambria Township, which he h.as recently made his home, and brought to a high state of improvement. He has erected a beautiful and substantial resi- dence after a design of his own, and the traveler through this part of the country g.azes with admir- ation on the beautifully appointed homestead. Mr. Hancock is one of those men we find so thickly scattered over Southern Michigan, and who un- doubtedlj' form the best element of her society. They were reared under the beneficent influences of the schools, religious institutions, and the culture and refinement of the society of the older settled States. Such men were well equipped to go forth and open up a new empire. They could lay its foundations broad and deep, so that the colossal edifice of a great commonwealth might be reared upon it without haz.ard to the highest pinn.acle to which Government or human society reaches. To these people Southern Michigan Largely owes her greatness, and to this cJass the subject of this sketch belongs. Mr. Hancock is a native of the old Empire State, where his birth occurred in Genesee County, Jan. 18, 1832. His father, Jacob S. Hancock, learned the tr.ade of a shoemaker in early j'outh, serving an apprenticeship of five 3'ears at Pater- son, N. J. He was born in New York City, but in early life went to New Jersey to live. When but a child of four 3'ears old he was orphaned by the death of his father, and his mother continued to live in New York City until her death. Early in life J.acob S. was thrown upon his own resources, and earned his living for a time in the cotton- mills of Paterson, before his apprenticeship. He became a very skillful workman, and upon the completion of his term of service moved to Pough- keepsie, N. Y., and worked there as a journeyman. While following his trade in Poughkeepsie, Mr. Hancock was united in marriage with Jane Van Vlack, who was born and reared in Dutchess Coun- ty, N. Y. She was brought up under the tutelage of good parents, who came of an old and worthy family. Mrs. Hancock's parents subsequently came to Michigan, and both died in Cambria Township, the father when seventy-six years of age, and the mother, whose maiden name was Van Vlack, a few j'ears before the death of her husband ; she also attained a great age. Shortly after their marriage, . .^ t -#•■ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 867 Jacob S. Hancock and wife removed from Pough- keepsie to Stafford Township, Genesee County, and tliere ^Ir. H. went into business for liimself as a boot and shoe maker. After tiic birtii of three el>ildren — our subject; Oscar, now of Hillsdale, and a daughter, Mary E., now Mrs. Corey, living at Council Grove, Kan. — the parents came with their famil}' to Michigan in 1839. Leaving their Eastern home October 4, thej- journeyed by team to Buffalo, and thence came across the lake in the old boat "Commodore Perry," to Toledo, from which they came to Adrian by the new railroad. The}- com- pleted their journey to Cambria Township by means of teams, and erecting a primitive log house, were prepared to settle down to pioneer life. Jacob S. Hancock engaged at his trade, and supplied the needy settlers with much needed foot wear, to withstand the inclement winter season. He applied liimself diligently' to his trade, frequently taking work in exchange for his services, and in this w.ast Bloomfield, Ontario Co.. N. Y\, Feb. 30, 1839. This union resulted in the birth of eight children, namely: Julia, now living in Wisconsin; Alice and Ilattie, deceased; Barton, Jr.; Lewis, deceased; Bertha, Anna and Charles, the latter twins. Mrs. Anna M. Tiffany departed this life at her home in n -4•- HILLSDALE COUNTY, 8C9 Fa_yette Township, May 23, 1875. Mr. Tiff.iny contvacted a secuiid marriage. Aug'. 0, 1876. with Mrs. Frances (LeFevre) Guy, dauglitiT of Daniel and Christina (Derr) LeFevre. Mrs. Tiffany w.ns born in Hopewell Towns'hip, Ontario Co., N. Y., Dec. 15, 1850, and by her first marriage became the mother of a son, Henry H., who is now at home. Of her union with our subject there was born one daughter, Myrtle C, who is now deceased. ]\Ir. Tiffanj' has held the office of Justice of the Peace for several years, and politically, is a stanch Republican. I' <* fe A. CARPENTER is one of the leading \/iJ// ''"S'"*"^* "isn of Bankers, Cambria Town- \^/% ship, where he is actively engaged as a general merchant, dealer in tile, coal. etc. He has been established here in his present business since 1874, having then built the first general store in tliis place, and has been quite successful, building up and carrying on an extensive trade. He was for some years prosperouslj' engaged in buying and sell- ing grain, but competition became so great, the local mills demanding all the grain raised in this vicinitj-, that he saw fit to withdraw from that line of busi- ness. When he first located here in 1871, he was master mechanic of the D. H. & S. W. R. R. and the Eel River Railroad, being at that time Division Superintendent and master mechanic of those brancbes, and was thus engaged until the consolida- tion of those roads with the Ft. Wayne, when he became master mechanic of the consolidated rail- ways. He was connected with the motor depart- ment of different railways for some twenty years, and won a wide reputation for skill in mechanics, acquiring by hard study a thorough knowledge of all kinds of mechanical work, and was often called upon to put in running order various classes of engines, from raihv."i3' and steamboat engines to n sawmill engine. He was connected with the Detroit Locomotive Manufacturing Company- for many years, and with the Michigan Central in the me- chanical department for three years. Mr. Carpenter is a worthy descendant of stanch New England stock, noted alike for physical and <• mental power, among their descendants of the past generation being the recently deceased well-known doctor and surgeon of New York City, Wesley M. Carpenter, cousin of our subject, who was Secretary of the late Medical College at Washington, D. C. Elij.ah Carpenter, the grandfather of our subject, was one of the original settlers of Central New- York, having located in Madison County in 1800 and there died at the age of sixty-three. He served in the War of 1812 as a private. He was born in Vermont, May 11, 1774, and was a son of Jesse Carpenter, a man of remarkable strength and powere of endurance, who went ftirtii from the Green Mountain State, of which he was a native, to fight under the banner of "'Liberty or Death" during the entire Revolutionary War, at one time receiving a slight wound bj' an explosion of gunpowder. Later in life he went to New York, and died at the home of his grandson, William Carpenter, in Madison County, at the venerable age of ninety-six. His son Elijah w.is married in his native State to Patience Salisbury, likewise a native of Vermont, where she was born April '2, 1770. She was of brave New England ancestry and her father fought in the Revolutionar3' AVar. It is related of her mother, a stout-hearted, independent woman, full of true courage, that during the battle of Benning- ton she took her small children in an ox wagon into a safe shelter in the woods, and then, with great intrepidity, returned to the battle-field that she might be near her husljand. and do whatever her womanly lieart prompted her to do to relieve the wounded and dying, and encourage and cheer on the brave soldiers by her presence. ]\Irs. Carpenter accompanied her husband to his pioneer home in Madison County, N. Y., cheerfully shared with him its privations, and assisted him in building ui) a home, d3'ing there in June, 1854, after a long and useful life of nearly fourscore years. She and her husband were members of the Regular Baptist Church, and in politics he w.as identified with the Whig party. William Carpenter, the father of our subject, was born in Madison County, N. Y., Feb. 5, 1801, and there grew to manhood, and married Nancy Bur- den, a native of Lancsboro, Mass., c>f good Scotch ancestry. Her parents moved to New York when ■» Ik 870 HILLSDALE COUNTY. =lr 4 she was a child, and there she grew to iiiatiirity and married. Subsequent!}' her father and mother went to Steuben County, and there spent their ckising years. Mr. Carpenter spent his entire life in Madi- son Count}', and cleared up two good farms. He was in many respects a man of more than ordinary caliber and force of character. Inheriting from a sturdy ancestry a fine physique, he jjossessed a giant's strength; he was well gifted with a clear, cool-headed common sense, and his geniality and well-known musical talents as a singer m.ade him very popular. He died much lamented, Aug. 7, 1869. His worthy wife, who shared with him the esteem in which he was held, died in 1872. The}' were valued members of the Baptist Church. Of the ten brothers and sisters of Mr. Carpenter, only one now survives. Mrs. Ruth Harris, of Madison County, N. Y., aged seventy-tive. The subject of this sketch was born in George- town, Madison Co., N. Y., Jan 30, 1832, being the younger of two children born to his parents. His sister Delia is the wife of Byron Poole, a dealer in gr.iin and coal in Plymouth, Mich. Our subject sjient his early life on a farm in his native State, receiving good educatioftal advantages in the public schools. At the age of nineteen he commenced to learn the trade of carpenter, and later was con- nected with some iron works. When quite young he displayed quite an aptitude for drawing, became an expert draughtsman, and made many of the origi- nal drawings for some of the best machinery in use in Chicago and other important cities. He made the drawing and superintended the construction of the first sawmill ever built in Ludington, Mich., which was erected for E. B. Ward, it having a capacity for the manufacture of 300,000 feet of lumber a day. He was thus engaged all his life after attaining man- hood until he came to Bankers, we having before alluded to his long connection with the various railways. Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage, Oct. 1, 1855, in the township of Nelson, ]Madison Co., N. Y., to Miss Ellen R. Richardson, daughter of Benjamin and Patience (Carpenter) Richardson. The former was a native of New Hampshire, and came from a family noted for its endurance and great muscular strength. His father, Benjamin ■^*- Richardson, Sr , was likewise a native of the Gran- ite State, but spent his last years iu New York, dy- ing in the home of his son Benjamin, at the age of seventy -eight. He was a good man and a worthy citizen. His estimable wife died in the State of New York, in 1870, at the home of her son, Ben- jamin Richardson, Jr., at a very advanced age. She was born in New Hampshire, Jan. 10, 1780, her maiden name being Dolly Olcott. Mrs. Carpenter's father migrated from his native State to New York State when a young man, and there met and mar- ried Patience Carpenter, both herself and parents being natives of New Y'ork State. After marriage they resided on a farm in Madison County, N. Y., where he became a great influence for good and a great worker in the reforms of the day. He worked unceasingly for the cause of human liberty, was a stanch advocate of the poor slave, and during the Abolition period he kept a station of the '-under- ground railw.ay," and thus helped many a poor negro to gain the longed-for freedom. He is still living atan advanced age, having been born Oct. 23, 1809, .and is beloved and venerated for his high and noble character. His worthy and devoted com- panion passed from the scenes of earth July 2, 188G^ at the age of seventy-five years. She was a true Christian, and a consistent member of the Methodist Church; her husband belongs to the Baptist Church. Their daughter, Mrs. Carpenter, of this notice, was born in Madison County, N. Y., March 28, 1837, was well educated in the schools of her native State, and taught a short time before marri.ige. She is an accomplished and very intelligent woman, and, withal, has an extensive acquaintance with the practical things of life. To hei- and her husband has been born one child, Nellie P., the date of whose birth, at Poit Huron, Mich., was June 15, 1864. She was educated in this county, and was married at Hillsdale, Oct. 30, 1881, to Mr. Gilbert Mills, of this township, who was born, reared and educated in this county. They are now living in Bankers, and Mr. Mills is connected with Mr. Car- penter in business. Since becoming a resident of this town Mr. Car- penter h.as taken an important part in public affairs; he is a solid Republican, and a leader iu local poli- tics. He has been Su[)ervisor of tiiis township for _ ♦► -4•- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 871 two terms, is now .lustice of the Peace, and for eleven j-ears was Postuinstcr of the place under the Republican administration. He is widely known in business and social circles as a man of marked energy and decision of character, superior business tact, and of unsullied reputation. I~ S7 UCIL'S RANNKY, a leading farmer of Allen I (© Township, where he owns a farm on section jlL^ 28, is one in whom the agricultural com- munity' of Hillsdale County llnds one of its most intelligent and enlightened representatives. He comes of good Massachusetts stock, and is him- self a native of that grand old State, having been born in the town of Ashfield, April 12, 181!). That beautiful mountainous town in the northwestern part of the old Bay State was likewise the birth- place of his parents, George and Achsah (Sears) Rannej', who after marriage continued to live in their native town for some years. In 1 833 they removed with their children to Phelps,. Ontario Co., N. Y., where the father died in 1842. The mother, who survived her husband many years, came with the family to Hillsdale County in the summer of 1843, and settled in Allen Township, where she died Aug. 7, 1869. To her and her hus- band were born twelve children, eleven sons and one daughter. Our subject was the fourth child born to his parents, and from them he inherited good mental and i)hysical endowments, and in their New England home was reared to honorable and useful habits. He was a lad of fourteen when his parents removed to Phelps, N. Y., and he remained with them there until the spring of 1842, when he came to Michi- gan. He immediately- purchased a tract of 160 acres of land, which was forest covered, and re- quired many long years of laborious toil to improve it into the fine and highl}' cultivated farm that it is to-d.iy ; 12.i acres of it are cleared and under tillage, and he has erected ample and conveniently arranged buildings for agricultural purposes, and has H neat and comfortable dwelling. Thus his energy, wise management, thrift and enterprise, have brought him a sure reward, and he is num- bered among the substantial and reliable fanners of Allen Township. During the many years that have elapsed since our subject first came to Michigan in the prime and vigor of early inaiiliood, he has not always toiled alone, but in a few years after coming here his per- sistent industry and careful economy enabled him to establish a home, and Oct. 17, 1849, he was married to Miss Clarissa A. AVilcox. in Dover, Lenawee County. She has, indeed, proved herself to be a faithful companion and an ever ready help- mate, making his interests her own, and cheerfully co-operating with him in the upbuilding of their pleasant home. She is, like liimself, of New England antecedents, her parents, Albert and Mary (Conger) Wilcox, being natives respectively of Berkshire County, Mass., and Connecticut. They first settled in AVheeler, Steuben Co., N. Y., where the mother died. In 1836 the father removed to Michigan with his family, and settled in Dearborn, W.-iyne Countj', where he remained for three }• ears. Subse- quently he removed to Bridgewater, Washtenaw Co., Mich., whence he went in 1840 to take up his abode in Lenawee County, living in Cam- bridge, and afterward in Dover Township. We next hear of him in Allen Township, Hillsdale County, but he afterward returned to Lenawee County, and has ever since remained a resident of that county, and is now living in Adrian at an advanced age. Mrs. Ranney w;u5 born in Wheeler, Steuben Co., N. Y., July 31, 1830. The death of their beloved child, Caroline E.. at the age of seven years, w.as a sad blow to her and her hus- band, but in their firm faith and trust in Him "Who doeth all things well," they mourned not as those without hope. Mr. Ranney has ever been active and influential in promoting the advancement and best interests of Allen Township, and his fellow-citizens, recogniz- ing in him a man of good business hal)its, probity, and stability of character, have often chosen him to fill some responsible ollice, and by his able and conscientious discharge of the duties imposed upon him in public life he has fully justified their confi- dence in him. At an early day he was one of the Township Assessors, has been Township Treasurer. -I 872 " ■► ~^B 4» HILLSDALE COUNTY. and has also served as Highway Comraissioner and Drain Commissioner. In politics he is allied with the Republicans. Mr. and Mrs. Ranne3' are prominent members of Allen Grange, P. of H., of which he has been Master for several terms, and also Overseer and Chaplain. Our subject also belongs to Pomona Grange, of Hillsdale County. Mr. and Mrs. Ranney belong to the Methodist Elpiscopal Church, in which they have always been zealous workers, and have contributed largely to the support of the Gospel in this community, and Mr. Ranney has served the church as Steward. m-^ <*UDGE DANIEL L. PRATT came to South- I ern Michigan and this county on the 25th I day of October, 1S45. He at once opened a v^/y law office in the embryo city of Hillsdale, and there began the career which has since been prose- cuted with so much honor. He was at once recog- nized as a man destined to become prominent in public affairs, and after tilling various positions of trust and responsibility, was, in the fall of 1856, elected Prosecuting Attorney of Hillsdale County. He served two terms in this responsible position. In 1867 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention, for the revision of the constitution of the State, and was Chairman of the Committee on Bill of Rights; was also a member of the Judici- ary Committee; vvas appointed by Gov. Blair a Trustee of the Michigan Asylum for the Insane, and re-appointed by Gov. Crapo, serving as a member of this board for a period of twelve j-ears. For many years he has bf)rne a conspicuous part in the councils of the Republican party. In 1869, our subject received the honorable title of "'Judge," by being elected to preside over the Court of the First Judicial Circuit of Michigan, comprising the counties of Hillsdale, Lenawee and Monroe. After serving six years, he was, in the spring of 1875, re-elected without any opposition. The Democratic party made no nomination against him. He occupied the bench twelve 3'ears. and then retiring from the more active duties of official life, turned his attention to his law practice, in which he still continues. His business affairs have been admirably managed, and he invested a part of ills capital in a good farm, a portion of wiiich lies within the corporate limits of Hillsdale. The substantial family residence, which is built of brick and is of imposing proportions, stands on an emi- nence overlooking the city, and is a point of at- traction to all vvho visit tliat vicinity. The Judge has been so closely identified with the various interests of this part of the .State, that his name is as a household vvord among its people. The e.arly j'ears of the subject of this sketch were passed among the rugged hills of New England, his birthplace having been in Plainfield, Hampshire Co., Mass., where he first opened his eyes to the light on the 24th of June, 1820. His father, AVilliam Pratt, was a substantial farmer of the Bay State, and with his wife, who in her girlhood was Miss Lovina Coulson, vvas also a native there. After uniting their fortunes, tlie3' emigrated to the young State of Ohio, locating near the little hamlet of Chester, in Geauga County, about 1830. Our subject, at the time of his removal, was a lad ten years of age, and assisted his parents in the labors of building up a home in that new region. His parents there si)ent the remainder of their lives. Their family included fourteen children, of whom six are yet living. Judge Pratt pursued his studies in the pioneer schools of Geauga Count}', and later attended Granville Academy, after which he occupied him- self as a teacher. Later he took up his residence in Lancaster, where, in connection with his duties as teacher, he began the study of law in the office of John T. Brazee. In connection with his law studies, he availed himself of the instruction given at Greenfield Academy, under the tutelage of Prof. Williams, a noted linguist and scholar. In 1844 he was admitted to the bar at Newark, Ohio, and the year following left the Buckeye State and took up his residence in this county, as we have already indicated. Before leaving Ohio, however, our subject had taken unto himself a wife and helpmate. Miss Jane Newkirk, the wedding being celebrated at the home of the bride, in the town of Bloom, Ohio, Oct. 25, 1844. Mrs. Pratt was born in January, 1821, in :t IIILLSDALK COUNTY. 873 4 Bloom, Ohio, .and is tiie daugiiter of Tunis .ind Susannah Ncwiiirk, natives of West Virginia. Tliey spent their l.a.st years in Oiiio. '1 o tlio .ludgeand liis estimable lady there were born eight children, four of vvhomarenow living, viz: Mary, wlio resides at home; Daniel L., Jr.,is a real-estate dealer at Sioux City, Iowa; Charles W. is practicing law at Edger- ton. Dak.; .lennie M. is tiie wife of Lieut. J. {). Green, of P't. Sissiton, Dak. Judge Pratt is fond of agriculture and the de- lights of rural life, especially stock-raising, and has some fine Jersej' cattle. He has donated tliousands of dollars to the educational institutions of Hills- dale, besides giving largely of his time to their establishment and maintenance. Politically, he is a stanch Rci)ublican. He and his family are mem- bers of the Presbyterian (I'hurch. 11^ AVID COPK, farmer and stock-raiser, by his careful and judicious ra.anagement of his agricultural interests on section .5, is doing his part to sustain the reputation of Camden Township as one of the most productive regions of Hillsdale County. He is a native of Indiana, and was born in Steuben County. Jan. 1, 1852. He is a son of the well-known Dr. Thomas and I.ucena Cope, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in the primeval forests of Steuben County in its early liistorj-, and are regarded as representa- tive pioneers. The mother of our subject died in 1855. To her and her husband had been born eight children, two of whom are deceased. Their reconl is as follows: Jlelvina is the wife of John Shell, of Nebraska; Lucena is the wife of Heiu'y Cook, also of Nebraska; Sarah is the wife of Orin Odell, of Camden Townslii[); Samuel lives in Iowa; Eleanor is the wife of John Oberst, of Nebraska; David, our subject; Mary and Marie, deceased. By a second marriage Dr. Cope had three children, two of whom are living, Simon and Millard; Fre- mont is the name of the child who died. Dr. Cope, now in his sevent^'-ninth j'ear, is living with his children. He is one of the oldest and longest set- tled physicians in Steuben County, having practiced there for many years, and is widely known and hon- ored. He also owns a fine farm in that county, which he formerly managed in connection with his profession. Oui- subject was reared until his fourteenth year on his father's farm in Steuben County, receiving the advantages of a public-school education. As he grew up to be capable, active and strong, the life to which he h.ad been bret left the country, and he be- came well acquainted with the half-lirecd chief Bob Bees, who was well known by the early settlers. Where the Sutten Block now stands in the city of Hillsdale, Mr. French once cut down a tree to get a coon, the hide of which he sold for fifty cents, a sum of money which went a long way in those daj's. To the intelligent individual of to-day there is no more pleasing entertainment than to listen to the recital of a living witness of pioneer life in the Territory of Michigan, and Mr. French, in his quaint manner of detailing the events of, that time, never fails of finding an interested audience. ^^\ ALEB A. MAPLE.S isapnmiinent farmer of //( ^ I'iltsford Township, of which he has long been ^^iiJl' a respected citizen. He is a son of one of the earliest settlers of Lenawee County, and his own residence in Southern Michigan dates farther back than that of most of the pioneers of this part of the State. He was born in the town of Ontario, Wayne Co., N. Y., June 28, 1827, and is a son of Samuel L. A. Maples, who was born in Connecticut, Sept. 17, 1803. William M.iples, the grandfather of our subject, also a native of that New England State, and a farmer, was a Revolutionary sohlier. In 1815 he moved to the State of New Y'ork, and bought a tract of timber land in Ontario, an<] im- proved a farm. After the death of his wife, he lived with his son. father of our subject, and died at his home in what is now Madison Township, Lenawee Countj-. The father of our subject was twelve years old when his parents moved to the State of New York, where the remaining years of his boyhood were passed, and was there subsequently married to Achsa Iloisington. daughter of Velona Hoisington, a soldier of the Revolution. She w.as born in Oneida County, N. Y'., Aug. 6, 1805. After mar- riage they continued to reside in Ontario Township for some years. In the fall of 1829 they resolved to make a new start in the world, and try life in one of the settlements that were springing up in the for- ests of Southern Michigan, so they started with their t u ■•» II <• hillsdalp: coumty. 877 two children, in a wagon drawn by two horses, for tiielr future iiome, making the entire journey in that manner. On their arrival in Lenawee County, Mr. Maples took up a tract of land which is now included in the city of Adrian, a part of it being the land on which the depot is uow located. After en- tering the land at the land-oflice in Monroe, he com- menced its improvement, his first work being to build a shanty with a roof of shakes to shelter his family, who, in the meantime, had been staying with a brother-in-law. After living in Adrian for five years, Mr. Maples traded his place there for a tract of land in Pittsford Township, but rented a farm for two years in Adrian before locating here. After moving here he built a log house, and im- mediately commenced to cut off the trees from his land, which was situated on sections 25 and 26, and was then heavily timbered. Four or five years later he sold that farm and bought one on section 27, a few acres of which were cleared, and a log house stood thereon. He lived in this townslii|) for several years, but spent his last years in Cambria Township, and his wife passed her declining years with the subject of our sketch. They were singu- larly upright, honest and industrious people, and easil}' won the respect and confidence of those about them. Their son. Calcl) A., of whom we write, was but two years old when his parents brought him to Michigan, so tiiat almost his entire life has been passed in this .Stale. The tovvn of Adrian, in which his parents first made their home, was tiien but an insignificant hamlet, with only a few log houses, and one small grocery store. Tecumseh was the nearest milling point, and when a large amoinil of .supplies was wanted, they were procured at Detroit, which then seemed a long journey from Adrian, through dense and sometimes almost pathless for- ests, and where there were roads they were gener- ally very poorly constructed. The mother of our subject used to spin and weave flax and wool for all the clothing of the family. Calel) A. lived with his parents until nineteen j-ears of age, and, molded by the stern influences of a pioneer life, grew to be a strong, self-reliant, manly, energetic young man, and at the age nieulioned set forth to face the world, and unaided fight for himself the battles of life. He first proceeded to Calhoun County, where he worked eight months on a farm, and he then re- turned to this county. Two 3'ears later, by pru- dence, industry and wise management, he had m.adc such a good start that he was enabled to establish a home, and married, Dec. 24, 1848, Miss S. E. Smith, who was born in Wheatland, Monroe Co., N. Y., March 3, 1830, and came to Michigan with her parents in 1837, remaining with them until her marriage. Of this union three children have been born, as follows: Fidello D. lives in Pittsford Town- ship; Salinda is the wife of Franklin Day, and they live in Pittsford Township; Etna A. is the wife of Fernando D.ay, and they live in Hudson Township. Mrs. Maples' father, William C. Smith, was born in Dalton, Berkshire Co., Mass. His father w.-is a native of German}', and came to America with his parents, and settled for a time in Massachusetts. From there he removed with his famil}' to Wheatland, N. Y., where he bought land, and remained a resident of that town until death. Mrs. Maples' father grew to manhood in his native State, .alid afterward bought land in Wheatland, whence he came with his wife and seven children, in 1837, to Michigan. He located on the fort}' acres of land which he had previously purchased on section 27, Pittsford Town- ship. The land w.as heavily timbered, and there was a small log cabin on it, which he soon replaced by a good log house. He and his wife continued to reside on tlie homestead, which by their unceasing toil they had improved from a wild condition to a valuable farm, until death, his occurring Sept. 14, 1864, and hers May 4, 1861. Her maiden name W!is Betsy Richmond, and she w.as born in Massa- chusetts. When they became pioneers of this county it was very sparsely settled, and the few roads connecting the different settlements were of the very roughest description, sometimes degenerating into mere trails, and as an illustration of the length of time that it took to journey from one place to another, we will instance their journey from their old home in New York to their future home. They came by the way of canal and lake to Toledo, it taking days to go the distance that may now be traversed in a few hours; from there they embarked on the primitive railway for Adrian, its western terminus; thence with horses to Medina, whence i~ ^ I 4•- 878 HILLSDALE COUNTY. the i-eraainder of their journey was aceoniplished with an ox-le;un ; from that town to their destina- tion in Pittsford Township the distanee was seven miles, and they were two days in traversing it. After marriage our subject bought forty acres of land on section 34. southwest of the northeast quarter, and there lieing a log house on the place, in that hundilc abode he and his young bride com- menced their wedded life together. With her hearty co-operation, he became very prosperous, and was soon enabled to add to his landed estate by other purchases, and now he has a fine farm of ninetj' acres, which is not surjiassed in productiveness and value by any other in the township. He has erected an ample set of frame buildings, and built liis pres- ent neat and comfortable residence in 1872. Mr. Maples' life record thus far has been an hon- orable one; as a citizen he is faithful and patriotic, earnestly desiring to promote the best interests of the township of wliich he has so long licen a resi- dent; as a neighbor he is eminently trustworthy, is a safe counselor, and has won the confidence and friend>hip of all who liave h.ad dealings with him; in his own houseiiold he has ever been a kiiLd hus- band and an indulgent father. In politics Mr. M. is a Democrat. ?KH'^ 4 ^IIDKON L. AND MARCUS D. EMERSON, 11 !_-. who have lived together many years in ^^^/J) Wright Township, are natives of Paines- ville, Ohio, the former boin April 28, 1818, in a log cabin, and the latter .Tuly 26, 182o. in a frame house. They are the sons of George W. Emerson, a native of Wendell. Mass., whose father, Jesse Emerson, is believed to have been a native of the same State, and of English ancestry. He owned a farm in the vicinity of Wendell, from which he re- moved, in 1810, with his three sons to Ohio, and spent his last j'cars at Painesville, that State. The lather of our subject grew to manhood in his native State, where he was married before set- ting out for Ohio. Besides his parents and his two brothers, he was accompanieil by three other fami- lies, and the entire journey was made overland ^1 — -— — : with horses and wagons. Lake County at that time was but thinly settled and was largely a timbered counti-y. George Emerson had traded his farm of seventy acres in Massachusetts for 400 acres of land in Ohio. 200 of which were in the vicinity of Painesville, then a very unpretentious town, and a part of which is now included in the city limits. His first business was to put up a log house, and in that humble dwelling were born the brothers of whom we now write. The father possessed the true pioneer si)irit, and entered with courage and resolu- tion upon the tvork of clearing the land and bring- ing the soil to a productive condition. After a residence there of a little more than twenty years, at the end of which he was still hale and vigorous, he resolved to change his residence to the Territory of Michigan, and settled upon the ground which now constitutes a part of the town of Erie, in Mon- roe Count}'. He proceeded as before, battling with the elements of a new soil and clim.ate, until the spring of 183C, when he sold his land with the in- tention ^ j'ear of its admission into the Union as a '^) ^tate, and, within the period of a few 3'ears, such was his energy, enter|irisc and usefulness, he was numberetl among the leading men of this county. There were few enterprises during the development of this section of country with which he was not identified, and he was among the first to encourage the measures set on foot for the progress and wel- fare of the pe(>|>le of this region. His name is held in grateful remembrance by the public, whom he served faithfully and conscientiously for a period of more than forty years. In a published notice *i^^^ '. of him, after his decea.se, the statement was made that "he was literally without reproach throughout his entile business and political life." The subject of this sketch was born in Albany, N. Y., Oct. 11, 1819. His father was a merchant of that city, and died when the son was a lad of thirteen years. The latter jxirsued his studies in Albany Academy until fifteen years of age, then entered Rutger's College, from which he was grad- uated two years later, and in 1837 came to Michigan and was employed as Civil Engineer in the preliminary surveys of the Jlichigan Southern Railroad. He continued in this service until the completion of the road, and then, in 1839, took up his residence in the city of Ilillsilale, which con- tinued his home ftir the remainder of his life. Mr. Waldnju, in 1843, put up the first warehouse on the line of the Michigan Southern Railroad, and ofliciated as one of the Directors of this road from 1846 to 1848. He was active in the construction of the Detroit, Hillsdale & Southwestern, of which he was its first President, anc^ served in this same capacity with the Second National Hank, of Hills- dale, from the date of its organization until l.s7G. He then became President of the First National Bank, which position ho held until the time of his death. The latter years of his life were devoted mainly to banking and real estate. A Whig in politics until that organization dis- banded, and a Republican thenceforward, Mr. Wal- dron, in 1842, when but twenty -three years of age, was elected a Representative to the State Legisla- ture, and in 1848 was one of the electors on the Taylor and Fillmore ticket. In 1854 he was elected Representative to Congress from the Second Dis- trict of Michigan, and served for six consecu- tive years — a most important epoch in the history of this country — which witnessed the great strug- gle of the slave oligarchy in Congress to obtain control of the country — a struggle which culmi- nated in the rebellion of the .South. In 180.S Mr. Waldron was chosen Vice President from Michigan to the Republican National Conven- tion, which nominated Gen. Grant for his first Presi- dential term. In 1870 he was again elected to Congress, again serving six consecutive years, and declining a rcnomination for a fourth term in 1876, f -^•- 882 HILLSDALE COUNTY. on account of the pressing deraanrls of his private business. In the halls of the National Legislature, as elsewhere, Mr. Walflron evidenced the same sound judgment, the calm and equable disposition, and the boundless energy in the discharge of his official duties, which had characterized him in his private affairs. He was one of the few men who enjoyed the respect and confidence of his political adversaries as well as friends, and was regarded by the constituents whom he had served so faithfully' and conscientiously with feelings of the warmest esteem. Among the men who were fcjremost in developing tlie rich resources of Southern Michigan and aiding it in its struggles for recognition among the rising communities of the West, none have a more enviable record than Hon. Henry Waldron. EONARD PROPER, who is well linown throughout Scipio 'I'ownsliip and vicinity, has otticiated as Justice of the Peace twenty- five years in succession, and occupied otlier offices of trust and responsibility. His record has been that of a good man in the broadest sense of the term, and one which his children will be jjroud to reflect upon in after years. Mr. Proper is the offspring of excellent ancestry, being the son of Baldus Proper, who was born in what is known as Livingston Manor, near the Hud- son River, N. Y. He was of German ancestry, and married Miss Margaret Myers, a native of the same locality as her husband, and who was of German and French descent. They settled at Livingston Manor, where they lived, iiowever, only a short time, and then removed into Delaware County, settling in Harpersfield, whence, in 1817, they re- moved to Ontario County. Five years later they took up tlieir residence near Danville, in Living- ston County, vviiere the father purchased a farm, u|)on which he operated until 1834. That year he sold out, and removing to Wyoming County, settled about tvventN' miles from Buffalo, at a place called Strykersville, where his deatli took place ton years later, Jan. 3, 1844. Mrs. Margaret Proper survived her husband a period of twenty-eight years, her death taking •^« ■■ pl.ace Sept. 5, 1872, at the home of her son, our subject, In Scipio Township, this county. She had come to Michigan in 1861, and had lived with him from that time on. She was the mother of eight children, four d.aughters and four sons, of whom Leonard was the eldest born. He first opened his eyes to the light in Harpersfield, Delaware Co., N. Y., May 8, 1805, and was brought up on a farm, making his home with his parents until after reaching his majoritj'. He was then married, and settled in Livonia, Ontario County, where he was variously employed, and a year later moved to a farm in the vicinity of Sparta, Livingston County, where he worked upon shares for a period of seven ye.ars. At the expiration of this time he moved from this to another farm in Groveland Township, the same county, where he resided fifteen years. In April, 1852, he came to Southern Michi- gan, settling in Scipio Township, this county, where he purchased 184 acres of land on sections 20 and 29. Here he h.as since made his home, and witnessed, with the interest which only an intelligent man can feel, the progress and development of his adopted State. The marriage of Leonard Proper and Miss Dorcas Condon was celebrated at the home of the bride in Sparta, Livingston Co., N. Y., March 28, 1828. Mrs. Proper was born there, Oct. 10, 1812. and is the daughter of Robert and Esther (Martin) Con- don, who were natives of Vermont. The parents spent the greater part of their lives in New York State, being many years residents of Sparta, and thence removed to Erie County, Pa., where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Proper continued a member of her father's household until her marri.age, acquiring a common- school education, and becoming familiar with all household duties. Of her marriage with our sub- ject there were born nine children, the eldest of whom, a son, Roljert, died June 1, 1838, when a promising lad of fourteen years. The others, with one exception, are residents of Scipio Township, where they are settled in comfortable homes of their own ; Lyman, next to the youngest son, is carrying on mining in Nebraska; Mary E., Louisa, George W., Henry, .Sarah, Myeis and Esther are pursuing the peaceful occupations of farm life. f I- HILLSDALE COUNTY. •* T. ^' 883 , , Mrs. Dorcas Proper flepnrted this life at lier liome in Scipio Township, Oct. 5, 18G0. Mr. Proper, politic.illy, is a strong Rcpulilican, upholding his principles vvith all the natural strength of his char- acter. He has rlistinguisherl himself among his fellow-citizens as a man of souiifl judgment, even tempered, prompt and reliable in his dealings. Industrious and frugal, he is fully entitled to the comforts of life, bj' which he is now surrounded in the home which ho has built up by his own thrift and industry. His farm comi)rises 184 acres of land, upon which he has erected neat and sub- stantial buildings. an4 J^ B. PRENTICE. Among the solid citi- zens of Cambria Township none are more wortiiy of repiesculation in a work of this ^fi kind than the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch. He has a beau- tiful and well-appointed homestead on section 23, where he has been locatcrl now for over tweut}'- three years, having taken possession of the land in 18G5. It is hardly necessary to saj' that it then bore little resemblance to its present condition. The land has been brought to a good state of culti- vation, and the farm buildings, tasteful and substan- tial in character, rank well among those of the other enleiprising farmers of Hillsdale County. A native of Onondaga County, N. Y., Mr. Pren- tice was born March 5, 1833, and thence removed with his parents, when a lad, to Huron County, Ohio. His father, Asa Prentice, was also a native of the Empire State, where he carried on farming successfully during his residence there, but died in Huron County, Ohio, when thirty-seven years of age, on the 10th of October, 1844. He was first married to Miss Mercy IJcnson, who was born and reared in Ouout. 14, 1856, to Miss Harriet E. Wadsworth. who w-as born in New "1 ork State on the 26th of April, 1836. Her jiareuts. Rev. Samuel and Sarah (.leffers) Wadsworth, were of New England ancestr}-, and the father a native of Cornwall, Conn. After their marriage in that place, in 1825, Mr. Wadsworth, who possessed rare musical talent, occupied him- self as a teacher of vocal and instrumental music. Later thej- removed to New York State, where Mr. Wadsworth became identified with the Baptist Church, and subsequently entered the ministry, in which he spent his last days; they had located in Huron County as early as 1836, and Mr. Wads- worth was one of the first expounders of the Bap- tist doctrines in that section of country. He was then stationed at Dundee. Kane Co., III., and there carried on his pious labors until his death when fifty-five years old. He was devoted to the service of his Master, and was ever re.ady to make sacrifices for the support of the Gospel and the general pros- ]>erity of the cause which lay nearest his heart. His excellent wife is still living, and has now attained the advanced age of ninety-three years; she ])os- sesses in a remarkable degree the strength and vigor of her youthful days. She is still able to read and do fine sewing without ttie aid of gl.asses; she was a cheerful supporter and encourager of her husband in his chin-ch work. She now makes her home with her da\ighter, Mrs. Prentice. The wife of our s ilijcct was reared to woman- i 884 HILLSDALE COUNTY. hood in her native township, and remained there with her parents until her marriage. Of her four children one is now deceased. The eldest son, Arthur D., married Miss Ruth Hadley, of Pittsford Township, and is Principal of the High School in the city of Hillsd.ale, which position he has occu- pied for the last three years. His wife also is well educated, and before her marriage was employed a.« a teacher; they have one child only, a daughter, Edith L. Frank W. married Miss Myrtle Bernard, of Hillsdale, and occupies the position of Teller in the First National Bank, with which he has been connected for three years; Elizabeth, an intelligent and highly educated young lady, is at home with her i)arents. The deceased child, William, was taken from the home circle in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Prentice, having been reared in the principles of the Baptist Church, still adhere to the doctrines taught them in their childhood, and in the church at Hillsdale Mr. Prentice has officiated as Deacon and also Sunday-school Superintendent for some years. Politically-, he is a solid Republican. He was Justice of the Peace up to 1886, and both as a business man and an agriculturist has reason to be satisfied with the result of his labors. \lJAMES A. BURNS, late of Hillsdale Town- ship, will be long remembered by a large pro- portion of its best citizens as a man worthy in every respect of their highest and most lasting regard. A descend.ant of excellent Scotch ancestry, he was himself born in the "land of tiie thistle" near the city of Greenwich, on the Sth of April, 1830, and departed this life at the family residence on the 12th of February, 188.5. He w.as a noble illustration of a true Christian gentleman, a wise, kinil and indulgent father, and a faithful and affectionate husband. Enterprising and industrious, he built up a fine homestead in Hillsdale Township, which stands as a monument to his worth, both as a man and a citizen. The father of our subject was of the same stock and lineage as Robert Burns, the poet. His entire life was spent u|)on his native soil. His son, James A., when a young man twenty-two years of age, emigrated to America in 1853, landing first in the city of Philadelphia. Thence he proceeded to Pittsburgh, of which he remained a resident for a period of nearly nine years, being employed as head shipping clerk in McKnight & Bros.' wholesale iron store. His next residence was in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where he purchased a farm, but subsequently repaired to the city of Cleveland, where he en- gaged as a builder and contractor for the period of eight years. Mr. Burns moved into this portion of Southern Michigan about 1870. He located first in the town of Jefferson, this county, but four years later pur- chased 103^ acres of land in Hillsdale Township, to which he sul)sequently gave his close attention, im- proving and cultivating the land and erecting such buildings as were necessary for the needs of the farm. Mr. Burns, while a resident of the city of Belfast, Ireland, was united in marriage with Miss Mary Standfield, the wedding taking |)lace at the home of the bride in that city, on the 28th of April, 1853. Mrs. Burns was born near Belfast, Ma}' 30, 1817, although her parents, Brertonand Elizabeth (Fettes) Standfield, were of English extraction. The f.ather was a ship carpenter by trade, a member of the Church of England, and spent the greater part of his life in Ireland, where his death took place in 1860. The mother survived her husband about three years, dying in 1863. They were the parents of eight children. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Burns five chil- dren: Their eldest son, William C, now pastor of the Congregational Church at .Stanton, this .State, took a collegiate course at Hillsdale College, and comi^leted his education at the Theological Semi- nary at Auburn, N. Y. He entered the ministry in j 1881. In September, 1885, he married Miss Alice M. Collins, of Macon, Mich., a lady of Quaker an- cestry and rare worth, and for two years had charge of the Free Baptist Church at Fairport, N. Y. Robert B., completing a commercial education, .and spending some time in reading, married Miss Lil- lian Armitage, and occupies the position of book- keeper and cashier for the large flouring firm of Lewis Emery, Jr., & Co., at Three Rivers, this State; Albert J. married Miss Gertrude, the only •<•• -4«- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 885 -\r (laughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. Watson Pentield ; he is now a resident, and the leading dentist of Fair- port, N. Y. Tiie two daughters. Elizabeth L. and Lettie A., were educated at Hillsdale High School and College, and arc both J'oung ladies of culture and refinement. Miss Lettie has occupied herself as a teacher for about six years, and has now a pleasant position in the Stanton Union Schools. The family, formerly Presbyterians, are identified with the Free Baptist Church, and are classed among the leading spirits in a community more thaii ordi- narily cultured and intelligent. James A. Burns cast his first vote with the old Whig party, but upon its abandonment soon after- ward bec.Tme a warm supporter of Republican prin- ciples, with which he remained in accord until the day of liis death. He was chosen Senior Deacon of the Free Baptist Church, in Orange, Cuyahoga Co,, Ohio, and was instrumental in securing funds to erect the beautiful little edifice which stands as a fitting monument to him who labored so faithfully in tiie cause of the JMastei-. He had in early youth been (U'|)rived of a liberal eunty.N. Y. She was given the advantages of a good education, and made her home with her parents until reaching womanho(Ml. The latter were natives of Connecti- cut, whence tliey removed to New York State early in life, and are long since deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Franklin there were born three children — Margery R., Adelbert D. and Marquis Dillons Horace Fayette. JLargery became the wife t -4^ lie , ,, 886 HILLSDALE COUNTY. of Pliilo Little, of Moscow Township, and died at her home in Moscow, July 21, 1871. at tlie age of twonty-fonr years; Adelliert D. died in infancy. The youngest son married Miss Nina Cady, and is occupied in business in Moscow. Mrs. Minerva E. Franklin departed this life at her home in Moscow Township, Feb. 3, 1886, at the .age of fifty-nine j'ears. Mr. Fr.anklin is the owner of 160 acres of land on section 22, Moscow Township, where he has put up a good set of fiirm buildings, and has all the ma- chinery necessary for carrying on agriculture after the most approved methods. It is now oper.ated by a ten.ant, and is the source of a handsome income. He also owns consider.ible village property in Mos- cow. In 1856 he identified himself with the Lide- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he has since been a member, and a zealous advocate of the principles of the order. He is also a M.ason in good standing, belonging to Lodge No. 113, at Moscow, and this fraternity h.as no more faithful adherent or wanner admirer of its workings and the sentiments upon which are based its foundation stones. WILLIAM G. BARNUM, Late of Cambria Township, was born in Seneca County, N. Y., Aug. 25, 1827, and departed this life at his home on section 1 1, this townsliip, March 30, 1 883. He was one of the early settlers of Southern Michigan, within whose limits he first came when a lad of eleven j'ears. He settled with his parents amid the timber of Franklin Township, Lenawee County, whence not long after his marriage he removed to this county, and purchased a tract of land in Cambria Township, fi-om which he built up one of its most desirable homesteads. A man upright and honorable in all his dealings, and one ■who look a deep interest in the welfare of the community around him, he was recognized as one of its most valued citizens, and his name is held in kindly remembrance by hosts of friends. Our subject was the son of Zar and Margret Barnuni, who were natives also of the Empire State, and who spent the last years of their lives in Franklin Township, Lenawee County. They were well fitted bj' nature for pioneer life in a new country, being courageous, resolute and patient, and possess- ing the elements most needed in those times of toil and struggle. Their career was one eminently creditable to themselves and reflects honor upon their posterit}'. The subject of this sketch developed into man- hood under the home roof, and learned from his father the trade of cabinet-maker, developing later into a carpenter under Mr. Teachout, of Franklin Township. He subsequentlj' took up farming pur- suits, and to these devoted his best efforts the remainder of liis life. He was married first in Ridgway Township, Lenawee County, to Miss Hester A. Sanford, the wedding being celebrated at P^squire Hunter's home in the spring of 1851. They settleil in Cambria Township, this count}', about 1853, taking up a tr.act of uncultivated land, where husband and wife worked together with one common interest, almost day and night, to build up a home for themselves and their children. Mr Barnum still carried on his trade of carpenter during the day and worked his farm often after nightfall. Within a few jears he had brought 120 acres to a good state of cultivation, and effected the improvements so necessary to the comfort and happiness of the household. Of this marriage there were born four children, three of whom are now deceased. The wife and mother pjissed away at the homestead on the 8th of December, 1860. The only living child, a son, Elmer, married Miss Lilly Rivers, of Araboj' Town- ship, and is now living on a farm of seventy .acres on section 26, in Cambria Township. Those de- ceased are: Adelphia, Almina and Alcy. Mr. Barnum contr.acted a second marriage, Aug. 7, 1801, in Jefferson Township, this county, with Miss Electa A. Gillett, who was the daughter of a pioneer of Lenawee County, Gilbert Gillett, now deceased, and was born in Madison Township, Lena- wee County, Sept. 2, 1838. The maiden name of her mother was Laura M. Bowen. She is still liv- ing and a resident of Reading Township. Mrs. Barnuni was well educated and followed teaching before her marriage. She is the mother of two sons, Frank G. and William Z., who were both born on •►HH^ -4•■ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 887 , , the ()I<1 homestead where they now live, the former April .'iO, I80:!, ami the latter June "iS, 1864. Since the death of their fallier the boys have conic into possession of the homestead, to which they have added eighty acres, besides various im- provements in the way of farm I)uildintrs. They are young men of excellent judgment, enterprising and industrious, and like their father before them, are bound to succeed in life. William Z., on the 2r)th of September, 1887, was united in marri.age with JNIiss Anna Lamb, who w.as born in Yorkshire, England, Oct. 30, 186!l. and who came with her parents to America when a little girl six years of age. These latter were John W. and Mar^^ Ann (Stone) Lamb, who are now residents of Cambria Township. Mr Lamb is a blacksmith by trade, which he is following successfully, and is numbered among the worthy and well-to-do men of this section. William G. Barnum uniformly voted the straight Democratic ticket. :^;=SSS=^ - ^ I^ILLIAM W. MERCKR. Many of those \jjj// who have contributed to the development WW of Southern Michigan are either natives of a foreign country, or the sons of those who were so born, and it is a noticeable fact that this infusion of foreign blood, with the habits and ideas born of different environments, has to a marked degree iu- Uuenced the progress of this country. Our subject is the son of Judge William Mercer, a native of Ire- land, and was born in Somerset Township, March 10, 1 853, and has given the best efforts of his early life to agricultural pursuits. As a reward for his industry and good judgment, he has an excellent farm, pleasantly situated in Somerset Tt)wnship, and provided with buildings and machinery suit- able for the suceessfid prosecution of his chosen vocation as a general farmer. The parents of our subject, William and Sarah (Gamble) Mercer, were natives respectively of County Donegal, Ireland, and Livingston County, N. Y. William Mercer came to this country with his parents, Samuel and Hannah (Culbert) Mercer, in 181!), when he was a lad of eight years, and set- tled in Livingston County-. N. Y. In the fall of 1835 they migrated to this county, and purchased from the Government 400 .acres of land in Somer- set Township, upon which Samuel Mercer resided, improving his faiin and gaining the respect of the people among whom his lot was cast, until his decease, which occurred in 1852. William Mercer remained under the parental roof until he was thirty- two years of age, when he started out for himself, purchasing 130 acres of his father's farm, to which he afterward added until his landed possessions comprised an area of 240 acres. B3- his statesman- like qualities and strict integrity, he soon became prominentl}' identified with the imblic interests of this section of countrj', and in 1844 was elected Associate Judge of the Circuit Couit, which posi- tion he held four years. In 1850 he w.is elected County Judge, and filled the position with credit to iiimself and .satisfaction to the people until the office was abolished. Judge Mercer has also filled many of the minor ollices within the gift of the peo- ple, who alw.ays felt that while he was at the helm the political ship would be guided safely to the desired haven. The subject of this notice is the fourth in twder of birth of a family of six children born to Judge W'illiam and Sarah (Gamble) Mercer, and grew up to manhood on his father's farm, alternating be- tween his domestic labors and attendance upon the district schools until his marriage, Jan. 17, 1877, with Miss Betsey Voorheos, who was also a native of this township, where she was born May 20, 1859, and is a daughter of John W. Voorhees, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Her mother, who in her girlhood was Miss Mary Bross, was born in New York, and came to Lenawee County, Mich., in 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Mercer have been blessed by the birth of one child, Leon A., who came to gladden tlieir home Eeb. 19, 1879. Like his father, our subject is Democratic in poli- tics, and is distinguished by many of those quali- ties which characterized his father, and gave him a well-merited reputation. Mr. IVfercer w'as elected Supervisor on the Democratic ticket in 1882, ar.d served three 3'ears, and has also held other local ofHces in the township, among which was that of member of the School Board, which position he filled for several years. He has built a handsome •►Hh-^- ^ a 4 888 HILLSDALE COUNTY. ^ and commodious residence, with suitable out-build- ings for carrying on liis work, and has the prospect of a long and useful life, in the enjoyment of ample means, and surrounded l)y appreciative friends and acquaintances. Mrs. Mercer is active in church work. She is identified with several Ladies' Socie- ties, and is popular with all classes. "f¥) OHN FRENCH, well known throughout Cam- I I bria Township, is a son of one of the earliest pioneers of Hillsdale County, Joseph French, who came to tlie Territory of Michigan in 1834. For the last year he has been industriously operating as a farmer and stock-raiser in Cambria Township, occupying the old homestead built up by his father on section 23. John French was born in Cambria Township, Sept. 19. 18a"2. His boyhood and youth were passed under the parental roof, where he became familiar with agricultural pursuits. His father, Joseph French, improved a large farm. 19.5 acres, grubbing out the stumps, preparing the soil for cultivation, and erecting the buildings which are now noticeable among those of the otiier homesteads in the town- ship, as being the result undeniably of great per- severance and industrj'. Joseph French is still living, retired from active labor, and occupies a comfortable home in the city of Hillsdale. The maiden name of the mother was Seaman, and the parental liousehold included eight children. The mother is now deceased, and the surviving children are seven. Mr. French has spent most of his life upon the homestead where he now lives. He acquired his education in the district schools, and upon reach- ing manhood was united in marriage witii a maiden of his own township, Miss Alice C. Osborn, Feb. 21, 1875. Mrs. French was born in Cambria Town- ship, Sept. 28, 1857, and is the daughter of Will- iam H. and Margaret (Lewis) Osborn, the father a native of Ohio, and the mother of this State. Mr. and Mrs. Osborn were married in Amboy Town- ship, this county, where they still live upon the farm of eighty acres upon which they settled about 1877. Their children included three sons and one -••■ daughter, of whom the latter, Mrs. French, was the eldest born. Her brothers are residents of Michi- gan, and occupied as fai'mers. Mrs. French vv.as reared under the parental roof, and received her education mostly in the schools of her native township. After their marriage our sub- ject and his wife located on a farm on section 27, where they lived until 1887, and then took posses- sion of the old homestead, where our subject is now operating successfully as a general farmer and stock- raiser. They have two interesting children: Will- iam J., born May 13, 1877, and Arthur B., March 4, 18.S4. Mr. French, politically, affiliates with the Republican party. V¥/AMES KAY. a prominent and prosperous I farmer residing on section 28, AVright Town- ship, was born near New Lancaster, Ohio, Aug. 17, 1817. His father, Moses Kay, was brought to Crawford County, Ohio, when an infant by his father and mother, the former of whom was a native of Wales. The father of our subject removed to Crawford County, Ohio, when James was but an infant, and purchasing a tract of timber land, resided there engaged in its cultivation until 1827. when he sold his property and removed across the county line to Marion County, and there purchased a tract of land, which bordered on the little Scioto River. To this farm he devoted the remainder of his life. engaged in its cultivation, his death occurring about 1830. His wife, whose maiden name was Ann Bickett, was born in Maryland, and her parents subsequently removed from that State to Pennsyl- vania. She was married in July, 1789, and by the death of her husband was left a widow with six children. She remained on the homestead in Marion County until 1833, and then removed to that part of Sandusky County now included in Ottawa County, where she was among the pioneer settlers. She enteied a tract of Government lajid and built a log house, into which the famil^^ removed. James was at that tin)e a boy of sixteen, and, taking the managementof the place, engaged in the manufacture of staves, for the immediate support of the family. i -4«- =1. HILLSDALE COUNTY. 889 Thus they piissccl their time, our subject dividing his lime between liis traile and the iniprovonu'nt of his mother's farm until 1S4S, when i\Irs. Kay re- moved to Hillsihde County with her son, and spent her last j'ears among her cliildreu in Wrigiit and Kansom Townships, dying after a well-spent life, at the age of eight^'-tour years. In 1849 James Kay came to Hillsdale Count}-, and purchased the tract of land he now calls home. It was at that time covered with a heavy growth of timber, and that section of country was a wilderness, througli which wild anim.als still roamed unmolested and the smaller varieties of game were in abundance. Our subject had had experience as a hunter in his Ohio home, and being a good shot, kept the family well sui)plied witli the best of wild meat. His first purch.asc of land consisted of forty acres, located on the northeast quarter of section 28, Wright Township, and he first built a log cabin in keeping with his surroundings. The forest has now fallen before his ax, and the log structure has given place to a commodious and substantial frame house, flanked by convenient and suitable buildings for the shelter of his stock and the storing of the prod- ucts of his farm. He h.as added to his real estate b}' buying sixty acres in the northwest quarter of the same section, and now, surrounded by all the comforts to be found in an Eastern home, Mr. Kay must feel a thrill of satisfaction in recounting the steps by which he has reached his present position. He has accomplished his life work by the exercise of that thrift and energy for which those pioneers who have been furnished by the Eastern States were noU;d, and he can look forward to spending the remainder of his life in the enjoyment of those creature comforts which he has so well earne :@: < t ' ISS LOVINA R. SCOVELL, a lady closely identified witii the early history of Hillsdale Count}', has been a resident of Litchfield Township for the last fort} -six years, and is well known to most of its people. She was early in life deprived of a mother's care and counsel, and being the eldest daughter, assumed charge of her father's household and performed her filial and sis- terly duties in a most faithful and praiseworthy manner. She is now in the enjoyment of a com- fortable home on section 36, and often reviews the scenes of the past, being al)le to relate to the rising generation many interesting and remarkable inci- dents of the times of forty years ago. David and Sally (Wells) Scovell, the parents of our subject, were natives of Colchester, Conn., but after their marriage settled in New Hampshire, where they lived seven or eight years. They then removed to Livingston County, N. Y., settling in Lima Township, where the father followed farming successfully, and where the death of the mother ^\:^-_ *► ■ -* I •► 11 ^^ I H1LL8DALK COUNTY. b'Jl took place vvlion slie was sixty-six j'cars old. Mr. Scovoll, after tlie death of his wife, came West with his children, locating in Macon Township, Lenawee County, where his deatii tooiv place in 1835, when he was seventy' years of age. His son then sold the farm there, and accompanied by his sister Lovina, came, in 183G, to this county, which has since been their home. Miss .Scovell was born in Halifax Township, Windham Co., Vt, .Ian. 2, 1812, and was ten years of .age when her parents removed to New York State. She had been a pupil in the common schools in both places, and on coming to this county com- pleted her studies in the High .School at Jonesville. She vvas occupied as a teacher thereafter two or three terms, and has been an interested witness of the changes transpiring from the time of her com- ing to the Territory of Michigan to the present. She kept pace with the march of political events also, and was warmly in sympatli}' with the anti- slavery movement, rejoicing vvith great joy when the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by the martyred President. Abraham Lincoln. The per- petuation of the Union was no less a subject en- gaging her attention, and the subject likewise of no less rejoicing. The Scovell farm is operated by lieli) employed by Miss Scovell, and makes a comfortable home for the subject of this sketch, who has lived here now for a period of fort3'-four years, and which possesses for her a far more than moneyed value. Although not elegant, the dwelling is comfortable in every respect, and the homestead forms the quiet picture of peaceful countrj' life, extremely gratifying to contemplate. AUL BEKLEEN, one of the influential citi- I,. zens of Wright Township, is the sid)ject of Ya ver^' interesting history, the main points of which are substantially as follows: A native of Westmoreland County, Pa., he was born June 17, 183U,and is the son of Michael Jierleen, a native of the same State, and born Feb. 8, 1808. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Herleen, also a Pennsylvanian l)y birth, was reared to agricultural pursuits, and carried on farming on his own land in Franklin Towushii), Westmoreland County, the greater part of his life, and there spent his Last days. The father of our subject w.as reared and married in his native county, and settling upon his father's homestead, lived there until 1850. Then removing to another part of the county, he farmed on rented land until the spring of 1852, when he determined to seek his fortunes in the West. Accordingly he set out, accompanied b}' his wife and seven children with three horses and a wagon, and driving into Carroll County, Ohio, there left his family with his brother, ami proceeded In a buggy to Wyandot County, near the eastern line of Indiana. Here he purchased eighty acres of land for §300, and in the month of June following brought his family to their new home. About one acre of this was cleared, and upon it stood a log cabin, into which the famil}' removed and made themselves as comfortable as possible. The father cleared about sixty acres and resided there eleven years. In 18G4 he came to Lenawee Count}', this State, and purch.asing land in Medina Township, has since made it his home. Although now having reached the advanced age of eighty years, he is still quite active and enjoys a fair de- gree of liealth. He has been twice married. His first wife, the mother of our subject, was Miss Susan Everhart, of Westmoreland County. Pa., who died there in 1838. Mr. Berleen, our subject, was sixteen j'cars of age when his father removed from Pennsjlvania to Ohio, and he continued with him three years longer, assisting in clearing the land and tilling the soil of the new farm. At Iht^ expiration of this time, de- sirous of commencing for himself, he started out to work by the month in Hancock Count}', receiv- ing therefor 810. He was soon attacked with ague, the prevailing trouble of that region, and on this account lost so much time that his .assets were very small at the end of the lirst year. That winter he returned home to Wyandot County, and next made his way to Marion County, where he hired out at $1G per month. This venture proved more fortunate, and he was thus occupied until after the outbreak of the war. Our suljject was among the first to respond to ^ -^*- 892 HILLSDALE COUNTY. the call for troops in defense of the Union, enlist- ing in April, 1861, in Company K, 15th Ohio In- fantry, and for a brief time remained in camp in the vicinity of Colurabus. Thence they were or- dered to Virginia, and Mr. Berleeu was for some time on detached duty, guarding the Baltimore & Ohio Eailroad at Grafton, W. Va. At the exiiira- tion of his first teim of enlistment, in August fol- lowing, he returned home, and, in company with one of his comrades, opened a harness-shop at Lit- tle Sandusky. There being, however, little prospect of a cessation of hostilities between the North and the South, our subject, in February, 1 862, once more proffered his services to the Government, en- listing this time in Companj- I, 61st Ohio Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He was now destined to fight in earnest, participat- ing in the battles at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, besides other minor engagemeuls. and was then transferred to the Army of the Cumberland, which marched with Sherman from Chattanooga to At- lanta, and thence to the sea. After that had been accomplished, they passed up through the Carolinas to Washington, participating in all the battles of that memorable campaign, and being present, finall}', in the grand review at Washington. From there Mr. Berleen, with his comrades, was sent to Louis- ville, where he received his honorable discharge, in August, 1865. He was afterward at the reunion of his regiment at Columbus, Ohio, the same month. After his retirement from the service, Mr. Ber- leen visited the old home in Wyandot County, Ohio, then came to Michigan to visit his parents, and which was his first trij) to this State. He was so well pleased with the outlook that, in com))any with his brother, he purchased the tract of land ad- joining the village of Waldron, where he now resides. There was then little prospect of a town, no buildings, and only about five acres of the land had been cleared. The youngmen were unmarried at this time, and not being overstocked with money, worked out for a tinie. not being in a condition to give all their efforts to the impiovement of their land. In 1866 the}' erected a substantiallog house, where the}' kept bachelor's hall until the marriage of our subject. In the fall of 1869 Mr. Berleen brought to his unpretentious home a bride, having been married on the 29th of September to Mrs. Lucetta (Battin) Perry, who w.as born in Columbiana County, Ohio, Feb. 19, 1836, but was at this time a resident of Wright Township. The pair commenced life to- gether in the log house, which constituted their home for several years, and where their only living child, a daughter, Clara Bell, was born .June 18, 1878. They had three children older than her, all deceased. Mr. Berleen continued the improvement and cultivation of his farm with little interruption and fine success, gathering gradnalij' the appurten- ances of the modern country homestead. He has now a comnKidious frame dwelling. built in modern style of architecture, while his barns, other out- buildings, live stock and machinery, bear fair com- parison with those of the enterprising men about him. He is ranked among the solid .and reliable men of Hillsdale County, selfraade and self-edu- cated, and has improved vveil the talents given him. Mrs. Beileen is the daughter of Joshua Battin, a native of Pennsylvania, who, with his father, John Battin. emigrated to Columbiana County, Ohio, during its early settlement. Purchasing a tract of timber land, his subsequent life differed little from that of the sturdy pioneers about him, he having labored industriously and lived worthily, until his death. His son Joshua was but a boy when he left his native State, and developing into manhood in Columbiana County, Ohio, married there, and made it his home until 1853. He then joined the caravan making its way to this State, and settling in the southeastern part of this county, in Wright Township, purchased a tract of partially cleared land on section 28, where he carried on farming until the illness which terminated his life, in 1880. Joshua Battin, with his family, for some years occupied a log house, but before his death erected a good set of frame buildings. His wife, in her girlhood, was a Miss Martha Pettit, also a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of Jacob and Jemima (Williams) Pettit, who spent their entire lives in the Keystone State. Mrs. Martha Battin passed away some years previous to the death of her hus- band, at the old homestead. Her daughter, Lucetta, t L. HILLSDALE COUNTY. 893 was first married in October. 1865, to Rufus Perry, who was born in Oliio, and was tiie son of Alexan- der and Eunice Perry. He came to IMicliigaii when a young man and settled in Wright Townslu|), where he was married to Miss Battin,and died four months afterward. The paternal grandmother of Mrs. Berleen was, in her girlhood, Miss Ann White, a native of Pennsylvania. She died in Harrison County, Ohio, at the home of her daughter, after reaching the advanced age of ninety-five years. Her father, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Berleen, was a native of Ireland, and coming to America when a 3'oung man, and without means, was sold to pa}- his passage. Before he had served his time, however, he married the daughter of his purchaser, and bj' this stroke of policy secured his freedom upon eas\' terms. Miss Clara Bell Berleen, the daughter of our sub- ject, was born June 18, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. B. have also an adopted daughter, Maggie, now the wife of Dr. W. F. Barnes, of Waldron. In politics Mr. Berleen is a Prohibitionist. ..ILLIAM G. WHITNEY, of Allen Town- ' shii), is the son of that well-known old resi- 'Icnt, Jonathan Whitney, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. He w;is born in this township, Dec. 13, 1840. and while being reared to farm pursuits, his early education, begun in the common schools, was completed by attendance at both Hillsdale and Albion Colleges. He spent the winter of 18'J0-()1 in Illinois, then returning to his native township, enlisted on the 24th of August fol- lowing in Company B. 1 1th Michigan Infantry, in which he was promoted first to the rank of Sergeant, and subsequently, Jan. 7, l.SG;3, received the com- mission of Second Lieutenant. Lieut. Wiiitney commanded his companj' at the battle of Mission Ridge, and on the 3(1 of July, 1864, was promoted in front of Atlanta, Ga., to the rank of First Lieutenant. At the first- mentioned battle he was complimented in the presence of his brigade for meritorious conduct before the lire of the enemy. After the fall of Atlanta he was ap- pointed military conductor on the Chattanooga & Knoxville Railroad, in which capacity he served until the 1st of March, 1865. He was then given a Captain's commission, and also made Provost Mar- shal of Clevel.and, Tenn., which position he held until in August, 1865. Capt. Whitney now rejoined his regiment, whicli was stationed at Knoxville from that time until being mustered out. He was in all the engagements of his regiment, including the battle of Chioka- mauga, where he was wounded slightly in the right hand. Upon receiving his discharge he continued a resident of Knoxville two years, -engaged as baggagemaster and conductor on the Knoxville & Chattanooga Railroad. This contract ended, he returned to his native township, and engaged in farming until the spring of 1887, having a body of land 130 acres in extent. At that date he trans- ferred this to the care of a tenant, and removed to Allen Village, where he now resides. Our subject was married in Allen Township, April 23, 1874, to Mrs. Bessie Kay, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Marshall, and widow of Thomas Kay, who died in London, England, July 7, 1870. Mrs. Whitney had by her first marriage one child, a daughter, Lottie, who is now living in Allen Township. Of her union with our subject there are three children living — Anna L. M., H. Jennie Ma}' and Frederick W. G. One child, a daughter, Mary, died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Whitnej' are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politicallj', our subject votes the Republican ticket. Socially, he belongs to C. J. Dickinson Post No. G. G. A. R., of Hillsdale. R. GEORGE W. MOSIIER, who for the last fifteen years has olliciated as "mine host" of the well-known Mosher House, of Hillsdale, purchased this property in 1873, and has been extremely fortunate in his connection therewith. A gentleman of excellent business ca- pacities, and having a natural insight into the requirements of the traveling [jublic, those who visit his hospitable house once are sure to repeat the experiment. A native of Dutchess County, N. Y., Dr. Mosher 894 HILLSDALE COUNTY. f was born Sept. 30, 1 823. and is the son of Stephen M. Mosher, a native of Massachusetts. His pater- nal grandfather, Maxson Mosher. also a native of the Bay State, was tiie son of Israel Mosher, who was a direct descendant of pure Englisii ancestry. The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Phebe Gifford, a native of Massachusetts. Soon after their marriage the ])areuts settled near the place of their birth, wlience they removed to Dutch- ess County, N. Y.. and thence to Tioga County. In the latter they remained but a few years, subse- quently taking up their residence in Ca3Higa Count}', where our subject developed into manhood. They are now deceased. Dr. Mosher pursued his first studies in the dis- trict school, and later took a course at Mariana Academj", after wiiich he eniployed himself as a teacher. He commenced the stud}' of medicine in the office of Dr. Cyrus Powers, at Moravia, N. Y., with whom he remained three years, and finished by taking a course in the medical department of the University of New York, from which he was gradu- ated, and entered npc>n the practice of his profes- sion in Pennsylvania. It was not long liefore he secured an excellent patronage, and he was there established for a period of twenty years. At the expiration of this time Dr. Mosher's attention becoming attracted to the advantages of Southern Michigan, he came in the fall of 1869 to this county, taking up his residence for a year in Litchfield Township. Thence he removed to Jones- ville. where he practiced in the fainilies of his acquaintances, having his office in the building which he now conducts as a hotel. About this time he was induced to believe that he had a talent for carrying on a public house, and, securing posses- sion of the premises mentioned, conducted this house two years, and then removed to .\llegan, this State, where he conducted the Chaffee House one year. Next he purchased the building which he now owns and occupies in Hillsdale, and in the course of time gradually retired from pr.actice, finding this latter occupation better suited to his tastes and inclinations. While a resident of Pennsylvania Dr. Mosher was married to Miss C. .Tcaunctte Rea, the wedding tak- ing place at the home of the bride, in Mill Grove. % ///ILLIAM S. \^ys!j manufacture Pa.. Jan. 25, 1855. Mrs. Mosher was born June 8, 1830, in ;\Iill Grove, and is the daughter of Walter and Mary Rea, n.-itives of Scotland and New York, now deceased. Of this union there has been born ,one child only, a daughter, Georgie J. who married A. B. Flagg, of Rogers Park, III. ^ j^ILLIAM S. PETTIS, who is successfully a sawmill, and carrying on the e of cider, jelly, butter, etc., has his headquarters at Stearaburg, on section 12, in Cambria Township, in the vicinity of which he has been a resident for nearly forty years. Coming here in 1851 he remained fifteen j'ears engaged in a sawmill, and then repairing to Hillsdale em- barked in the foundry and machine business, at which he occupied himself until 1879. Mr. Peltis th.at year, returning to hisold haunts, established his present industry, which he has since operated to most excellent advantage. He has a thirty-horse power engine, and all the other ap- pliances necessary to cari'ying on an extensive business in a profitable manner, and from his saw- mill turns out 5,000 feet of lumber per day. The products of his other enterprises find a ready market thi-oughout this and adjoining States. Our suhject is one of the pioneer settlers of this section, having made his way to Hillsdale County in 1839, and locating first in Jefferson Township. He came to Michigan while it was still a Territory, accompanj'ing his father here in 1831, when six years of age. The latter settled in Blissfield Town- ship, Lenawee Count}', and |)ut up the first grocery store in the village of Blissfield, which he operated from 1834 to 1837, and upon retiiing began keep- ing a hotel in Blissfield. From there he came to Jef- ferson Township, this county, and later operated a distillery in Hillsdale Township. He afterward lived one year at Allen, but finally returned to Jefferson Township, where his death took place about 1853. The mother had died in Blissfield, in 1837. The subject of this sketch was born in Wayne County, N. Y., Aug. 28, 1826, and is the son of Peleg and Lavina (Powers) Pettis, the former a I* HILLSDALE COUNTY. 895 native of New York State, and the latter of New England. Peleg Pettis acquired a good common- school education, and during his early manhood engaged considerably in teaching. He also oper- ated a distillery for some time. The parents were married in Wayne County, where they lived until after the birth of four children, and then re- solved to emigrate to the West. They made their way via the lake and overland, and soon after landing in Monroe Count3% this State, one of tlieir children died, making the second child which they had lost, one having died in Wayne Count}', N. Y. Of the two remaining, William S., our subject, was the younger, and was next to the eldest of their offspring. Peleg Pettis was a man of considerable force of character, and became quite prominent in local affairs, officiating as Captain of the Lenawee County Militia, and led his forces against the In- dian warrior, Black Hawk, during the troubles of that time, and hater in the Toledo War. The father of our subject, upon coming to this county, occupied himself rn running a stage from Adrian to Monroe, and was married the second lime, to Miss Minerva Young, who only lived a 3'ear afterward. His third wife was Miss Melissa Fraker, who survived him some years, and died in Jefferson Township in 1853. Of his last marri.Tge there were born six children, three of whom are living. William S. Pettis continued a member of his father's household until reaching his majority, and then started out in business on his own account. Being of an enterprising turn of mind, he engaged in the manufacture of shingles from 1842 to 1851 in this county, and other places in the State. During the latter year he put up a sawmill in Cambria Town- ship, and in 1880 added the cider mill, from which he now manufactures about 1,000 barrels of this favorite beverage annually. The lady first chosen .as the wife of our subject, and to whom he was married .at Osseo, .Jefferson Townshii), July 4. 1851, was Miss Mary J. Hindes, who was born in New Jersey, June 1 1, 18.30, and went to Ontario County, N. Y., with her parents when a mere child. Thence, in 1K37, they came to this State, locating in Monroe Count}'. The father is deceased, and the mother resides with our sub- ject. Mrs. Mary J. Pettis becirae the mother of two children, and departed this life at her home in Stearaburg, March 8, 1861. The sou Walter married Miss Margaret Edwards, and is a resident of Hillsdale, being an emplo^'e of the Lake Siiore ife Michigan Southern Railroad. The daughter, Jennie, is now engaged as a teacher in the public schools of East S.aginaw. On the I4th of September, 1861, .Mr. Pettis con- tr.acted a second marriage, with the sister of his first wife. Miss Catherine Hindes, the wedding taking place in Cambria. These ladies were the daughters of John and .Sarah (Perry) Hindes, who were natives of New Jersey, and the father a farmsr by occu- pation. The latter died in 1883 in Hillsdale, at the .age of sevent3'-eight years. The mother i s still living, and makes her home with her daugh- ter, Mrs. Pettis, being now se vent}' -seven years old. Mrs. Pettis was born in Adrian Township, Lenawee County, Jan. 12, 1840, and by her union with our subject became the mother of four ciiil- dren, two of whom died in early childhood. The third child, Frank J., is a teacher in the public schools of Cambria. Cora, the daughter, is com- pleting her studies at home; Edward S. was acci- dent-ally drowned while skating on the ice at the mill pond in Hillsdale, in 1877, when a bright boy thirteen years of age; Freddie P. died when two years old. The home of Mr. Pettis is pleasantly located, and the family are enjoying all the comforts of life and many of its luxuries. Mr. Pettis devotes most of his attention to his business interests, but when casting his vote at the general elections uniformly supports the principles of the Democratic party. -€-*^ -^ \f7 EMUEL GIBBS. There are scores of men in I (@; a community who, perhaps, liave made very /IL^ little stir in the world, yet underneath a quiet surface have pursued the even tenor of their way, exerting a good influence, and proving serv- iceable in upbuilding its general tone, sustaining its morality, and fixing its foundation stones. Simi- lar to this has been the life of the subject of this sketch. He is of American birth and parentage. u ••► 896 HILLSDAL?: COUNTY. the descenflant of a family wbicli was first repre- sented in this country generations ago, and wliose lineal descendants were traced back to England. The typical three brothers, in the early Colonial times, crossed the Atlantic, settling probably first in New England, and then drifting westward into the Empire State. Augustus and Eslher (Stedman) Gibbs, the par- ents of our subject, were natives of Litchfield, Conn., and before their marriage migrated to Livingston County, N. Y., the father settling thereabout 1800. They were there married, and Augustus Gibbs fol- lowed agriculture successfully. The mother passed away in middle life, d3ing in Ai)ril, 1846, at the age of foily-eight years. Mr. Gibbs survived his partner for a period of twenty-eiglit years, his death taking place at his home in Livingston County, in 1873, when lie was seventy-eight years old. Their six children consisted of three sons and tliree daughters, of whom i^emuel, our subject, was the fourth in order of birth. Lemuel Gilibs was born Feb. 3, 1832, in Livonia, Livingston Co., N. Y., where, after leaving the common school, he pursued his studies in the Wes- leyan Seminary, and later was a student of Temple Hill Academy, at Geneseo. Subsequently he en- gaged in teaching for a brief time, afterward occu- pied himself in mercantile pursuits two years, and then going back to the old homestead, was mar- ried, Oct. 16, 18.'>5, to Miss Ellen Thurston, one of his old schoolm.ates. Mrs. Gibbs was born in June, 1833, in Livingston Count}', N. Y.. and is the daughter of William and Abbie (Hannahs) Thur- ston, who were natives resjiectively of Rhode Island and Connecticut. They also spent their last years in Livingston County, N. Y., where the father fol- lowed blacksmithing and died in 1858, when sixty- four years old. The mother survived twenty-five years, remaining a widow, and died in Livingston County when about seventy-eight years old. Thej' were the parents of three children, one daughter and two sons. Mrs. Gibbs, like her husband, received a good education, completing her studies in the academy at Livonia, and the Ligham University at Le Roy. Of her union witli our subject there were born two children, Mettie U. and William T., who are both at home with their parents. The children have also been well educated, completing their studies in the Litehlield LTnion School, in 1885. The farm of our subject includes eighty-seven acres of well-cultivated land, upon which he located in 1876. He came to this State in 1868, and for ten years was a resident of Litchfield Village. He has been fairly prosperous, alw.ays managing to make a good living for his family, has limited his expenses to his income, is possessed of the strictest integrity, and in all respects is a praiseworthy citi- zen. He is strongly imbued with temperance prin- ciples, and politically, aria3's himself on the side of the Prohibitionists. \fi\^ ORR CONKLIN is a prominent and repre- sentative farmer of Hillsdale County, located on section 6, Moscow Township, on a fine farm of eighty acres of land, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, provided with convenient and commodious farm buildings, and supplied with modern conveniences for carrying on successfull}' his calling of an agri- culturist. He is also in the possession of eighty- acres of land on sections 7 and 8 of this township, and twenty acres of meadow land in J.ackson County. Mr. Conklin derives his origin from the hardy sons of the Emi)ire State, whose character- istics appear to have been hereditar}', as wherever we find their descendants in this section of coun- try we find the same indomitable energy and perse- verance; the will to do, the brain to plan and the energy to accomplish. Mr. Conklin is no exception to this rule, as a visit to his well-kept homestead will prove. The parents of our subject, N. L. and Lucy (LaZelle) Conklin, were born in Cayuga County, N. Y., and there they grew to mature years and were united in marriage. Soon after this event they removed to Bridgewater, Washtenaw County, where they were among the very first settlers, and located on 160 acres of Government land. In his native State Mr. Conklin enjoyed the advantages of its excellent school S3stem, and acquiring a good education engaged in the prc)fession of a school ' ^^ > ■» i <^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 897 teacher in those early pioneer timeos. Here, in ad- dition to their efforts in subduing nutni'c, clearing land, breaking prairie, etc., the pioneers made pro- vision for the education, and had a care for the morals of their growing families. Teacher as well as pupils lal)ored under great difliculties in uncom- fortable scliool-i'ooms, without any of theniodern appliances which so much assist tlie teacher in his arduous work, with small remuneration and a scat- tered population; yet many of these children grew to be noble, high-minded men and women, and have taken a foremost rank among the people of their da^- and generation. Here the parents of our subject reside ► 11 ^^ 898 HILLSDALE COUNTY. future success have been amply fulfiUcfl. In 1852 he came to this count}' with his parents, and the followingyear he visited Kankakee County, 111., with a view of establishing himself there; the country, however, proved not so attractive to him as Michi- gan, and he soon returned to Scipio, where he became engaged in agricultural pursuits. In the meantime, tiring of his bachelor freedom, he wooed and eventually won as a life companion an accom- plished young lady of high mental gifts, to whom he was wedded April 5, 1859. Her maiden name was Carrie P. Richards, daughter of Judge Willard Richards, formerly a prominent citizen of Scipio, now a resident of Jonesville. (See sketch of Judge Richards in another part of this volume). Mrs. Proper was born in Perrinton, Monroe Co., N. Y., June 28, 1834. She inherited the best qualities of her parents, and grew to womanhood in her native town, receiving an excellent education in its schools, and fiora her good mother a practical training in domestic duties which fit her to preside with dignity and efficiency over her household. Mr. and Mrs. Proper are the parents of three chil- dren — Willard A., Walter G. and Hattic E. The eldest son, Willard, married Miss Juua MacNeal, and they live in Scipio Townshi[). The subject of our sketch has been prospered in all his undertakings. His farm, which is located in the midst of one of the most fertile and pro- ductive agricultural regions of this county, is well adapted to the raising of all the cereals, vegetables and fruits common to this climate. In addition to the care that he bestows on his broad acres, Mr. Proper pays much attention to dealing in stock, his good judgment in buying and selling making that branch of his industry pecuniarily profitable. He owns 380 acres of valuable land, the major part of it lying in Scipio Township, on which he has made many improvements, having a good dwelling and all necessary barns and out-buildings, evur}'- thing in and about the premises betokening thrift and skillful management. Mr. Proper has been intimately connected with the growth of his adopted township, and has con- tributed his quota toward the advancement of its interests. Socially, he is a valued member of the Masonic fraterisit^', and in politics is a stanch -^ ' Republican, upholding the principles of that party earnestly and conscientiously. He is a well-informed man, of unimpeachable character, and one of the best citizens of an intelligent community, where he is held in high esteem. ■! •.o^.g)Jv>unty, born in Moscow Townsliip, Sept. 5, IS-iC). Her parents, William and Zelphia L. (Jackson) Jlorford, natives of New York, were of Oernian and English origin respectively. After marriage they removed to Hillsdale Count}' and located on a farm in iloscow Townshi|), where they spent the remainder of their j'ears. They were the parents of three children — Diantha, Jane and Addie. Their second d;iughter is the wife of our subject, ■^a and is the happy and devoted mother of two chil- dren — Minnie B. and Nona B. Mr. Johnson is an influential citizen and one of the representative men of his townshij) and county, having tlie confidence of his fellowmcn, whom he has satisfactorily served in nearly all the minor offices, and he has also served one term .as .Super- visor of the township, and at present is Justice of the Peace. He is a leading member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Jonesville Lodge and to the Commandery in Hillsdale. He h.as likewise been a Granger since the association was organized. Our subject is an earnest worker in all good and noble causes, and is .a consistent temperance man. In political belief he is a firm adherent of the Re- publican party. ^ ^^^ ^ ON. DANIEL KINNE, who w.as prominently identified with the early history of Reading Township, died in Waterbury, \'t., Jan. 2I>, 1 872, while there on business in the interest of the Colby Factory, and to which place he had been sent bj' the citizens of Reading as a commit- tee of one to confer with Mr. Colby in reference to this enterprise, the matter of whose construction w.as being agitated at that time. His illness was brief and his death unexpected. It consequently w.as a shock to the people around his old home, where he had followed the career of a successful farmer and stock-raiser since 1838. In May of the j-ear mentioned Mr. Kinne began his manhood's career by purchasing a tract of un- broken land on section 28. in Reading Townshii). He came to this section of country poor in purse, but with an abundance of resolution and persever- ance. Upon his land he put up a small "shanty" with a bark roof, and thereafter proceeded after the manner of the earlj- pioneers to bring the soil to a state of cultivation and build up a liome in the wilderness. As he approached the prime of life he was ranked as among the prominent and useful men of the conununity, one whose energy and en- terprise had not only elevated him to a good ])osi- tion, but had great influence in the building up of his township and the welfare of its people. 900 4 HILLSDALE COUNTY. Mr. Kinne when a young man officiatefl as Super- visor, Justice of the Peace and Commissioner of Highways, and in 1845 was elected Associate Judge of the county, which position he filled with so much good judgment and discretion that he was, in 1847, elected a representative of the count}' to the Michi- gan Legislature as the candidate of the Democratic party. In 1851 he was a member of the Constitu- tional Convention, having for its object the revis- ion of the statutes, and acquitted himself here as elsewhere with uniform ability. He was instrumental in causing the construction of the Lake Shore A; Michigan Southern Railroad, Ft. Wayne Branch, through this part of the county, and also in the laying of the plank road from Reading to Hillsdale. The closing work of his life was to secure the loca- tion of the Colby Factory in Reading, and which has become one of the indispensable institutions in this part of the county. Here all kinds of house- hold articles are manufactured, not alone giving to the people of the county said articles at a reduced price, but furnishing employment to a large number of operators. In the furtheiance of this enterprise Mr. Kinne exerted himself greatly, whi'-h no doubt resulted in his death, as he contracted a se- vere cold, which terminated fatally before he could reach his friends. His last act was to telegraph to his fellow-townsmen at Reading that he had adjusted the matter successfully with Mr. Colby, and thus had secured the location of the building here. As they look upon it they are often reminded of him who made such a great sacrifice. The subject of this sketch was born in Hebron, Washington Co., N. Y., April 17, 1814. His par- ents, Daniel and Betsy (Spencer) Kinne, were na- tives of Vermont and of old New England ancestry. They were married in the Green Mountain State, and the father died in Hebron, N. Y.. in 1828, in middle life. His wife subsequently came to this State to live with her son, Daniel, Jr., and died at his home in Reading Township, Feb. 16, 1871, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. She was tor years a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. Daniel Kinne, Jr., remained with his mother until his marriage. At an early age he was trained to habits of industry', and when a youth under- -••- stood that he had to make his own way in the world. He was married in Collins Township, p]rie Co., N. Y., Feb. 11, 1836, to Miss Myrtilla Fritts, who was the only daughter and second child of Francis Fritts, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work. She was born at Queensbury, Warren Co., N. Y., Feb. 22, 1816, and was taken by her parents to Collins when quite young. She died at her home in Reading Township, this county, Dec. 27, 1866. She was a lady of many estimable quali- ties, industrious and economical, and became the mother of five daughters, three of whom are de- ceased, namely: Helen, Mrs. Benjamin F. Moss; Louise, who died at the age of thirty-four j'cars, and Mattie, an infant. Those living are Mrs. Betsy S. Russell, who was born in Reading Township, April 5, 1844, and Ann E., the wife of Samuel Orr, a well-to-do farmer of Reading Township, who has a farm of 120 acres on section 21. Mrs. Betsy Russell completed her education in Hillsdale Col- lege, and subsequently took a course in the State Normal School, at Ypsilanti, where she prepared herself for a teacher, and entered upon her duties as such when but sixteen years of age. She taught thereafter in the schools of Reading Township until her marriage, which took place in Reading, Oct. 30, 1867. Her husband, PiUis Russell, is a native of Orleans County, N. Y., born Nov. 8, 1838, and is the son of Newton and Esther (Dinsmore) Rns- sell, the former of whom died in 1864. The elder Russell followed farming in Reading Township for some years before his death. He was born in Massachusetts, Sept. 3, 1801. His wife is still liv- ing at the old farm, and has now arrived at the ad- vanced age of eighty-one years, having been born on the seventh day of the seventh month of the seventh year of this century, in Ontario County, N. Y. Both she and her husband were Spiritualists in religious belief. The eighth child of his parents and their seventh son, Ellis Russell, who was familiarly called "Doc," was one of twelve children, nine sons and three daughters, who with two exceptions are living, one having died unnamed in infancy, and Asa, who died in 1879, at the age of forty-five years, having been born in 1834. He left a wife and two children. "Doc" Russell, now occupying the Kinne homestead, ■•► -^•- -•»- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 901 has been well eflucatecl anrl was a teacher for some time; he is now intcrcf^ted in the manufacture of cheese, at Reariinrovidiug a home for the future. Mrs. McDougall, who in her girlhood was Miss Agnes Boyle, was born near the boyhood home of her husband in .Scotland, in Fehruaiy, 1817, and is the daughter of Andrew and .lanel (Mann) Boyle, who were als(j of Scotch birth and [tarentage. Her father spent his entire life upon his native soil, and there his remains were laid to lesl. He was si.\ty jears (jld at the time of his death. The mother emigrated to America about 18.j4, and during the late Civil War died .at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Dow, in Cambria Townshi|), when seventy- seven years of .age. Mrs. McDougall was reared to womanhood under the [taienlal roof, and became the wife of our sub- ject in March, 1 831), before crossing the Atlantic. Her four eldest children were natives of her own country. Of these Janet, the eldest daughter, is the wife of Rol)ert Moore, a well-to-do farmer of Woodbridge 'I'ownship, this county; Robert mar- ried Miss Agnes Dow, and is farming in Hillsdale Township; James took to wife Miss Elizabeth Bole, and has charge of the old homestead in Wood- bridge Township; Andrew m.arried Miss Delia Hub- -•► i ■^•- ■•► 906 HILLSDALE COUNTY. •f l)le, and is carrj-ing on agriculture in Woodbriflge Township; Jenn, who. with the younger children, was born in America, is now the wife of Eobert Carruthers, and with her brother and sister, .lohn and Agnes, resides in Woodbridge Township; John married Miss Cadis Root, of Ohio, and Agnes is the wife of Hosea Curtis, who, in addition to farm- ing, opeiates a threshing-machine; Maggie, the youngest of the family living, makes her home with her parents. Three children died in infancy un- named. Upon the outbreak of the late Rebellion, Mr. McDougall and his eldest son, Robert, who had inherited from their liberty-loving ancestry the principles of freedom, and who had become fully identified with the interests of their adopted country, laid down the implements of agriculture, and prof- fered their services to assist in the maintenance of the Union. Robert, who was but eigliteen years old, enlisted in the 2d Michigan Cavalrj-, and was in many active engagements, and for a time was a member of a scouting party sent out to watch tiie movements of the enemy in the vicinity of Cleve- land, Tenn.; he received a wound which resulted in the loss of his left leg, on account of which he now receives a pension from the Government. Mr. McDougall became a member of Com|>an}' C, 1st Michigan Infantry, commanded by Capt. .Sanford, with Col. Robertson at the head of the regiment. The 1st Michigan was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and with the exception of the fight at Gettysburg, Pa., Mr. McDougall was jjresent in all the battles of his regiment. His absence upon this occasion was due to a serious attack of fever, during which he was compelled to remain in the hospital. He afterwaid met the enemy at Gaines Mills. IMalvern Hills, the Wilder- ness, and participated in the various minor eiig.age- ments, from all of which he escaped both wounds and capture. Feeling that his whole duty was not j'et accomplished, Mr. McDougall, in 1863, sent his second son, James, into the army, this boy also being but eighteen years of age. James enlisted in the 27th Michigan Infantry, and was in both the Array of the Potomac and the Armj' of the Ten- nessee, his regiment joining the latter upon the day that fire was opened in the battle of the Wilderness, and of which the 1st Michigan, heretofore spoken of, was at the frcmt. James also escaped wounds and capture, and was returned unharmed to an anxious mother, who had suffered all the apprehen- sion during the absence of her husband and sons which was the lot of so many mothers dniing that memorable period. Mr. McDougall upon becoming a naturalized citizen identified himself with the Republican party, of which he has still continued a zealous supporter, and it is hardly necessarj* to say that the sons in this respect follow in their father's footsteps. -^'vrv, -vtaec/©-^' *^s5J/jra?r»v. OHN W. LAMBERT, of Hillsdale, is pro- prietor of one of the best regulated meat markets in the city, and probably in the whole count}'. He has the true and proper conception of the manner in which this important business should be conducted, and his methods should be a standing rebuke to a majority of the institutions carried on for the purpose of supply- ing the people with this most essential article of food. He occupies a neat two-story brick build- ing, which is amplj' equipped with all the fixtures and appliances for the proper transaction of a busi- ness of this kind, and which is light, commodious and clean, and well stocked at all times with the freshest of choice meats and their concomitants. Our suliject was born on the other side of the Atlantic, in the county of Kent, England, Sept. 20, 1832. He acquired his education in the com- mon schools of his native county, where he con- tinued to live until the spring of 1858. Then deciding to seek his fortunes in the New World, he crossed the Atlantic, landing in the city of New York, and from there came directlj' to this county. In Januarj-, 1863, he began the business which h.as since afforded him a comfortable income, and in which he has been the leading man for many years. His first location was on Broad street, which stand he occupied a number of years, and then being obliged to enlarge his facilities, removed to the site of his present building. The structure which he first occupied was destroyed by fire in 1872. From this loss he recovered in a short time, and put n <^ a HILLSDALE COUNTY. 907 up his present fine brick store, which occupies an area of 22x100 feet," and is two stories in height. There is also a good cellar with all the facilities for preserving meats. In addition to this industry Mr. Lambert has a steam chopper for the manu- facture of sausage and all the other necessary machinery. A market garden and hot-house pro- vide the delicacies of the season. Mr. Lambert in the prosecution of his large busi- ness gives employment, in the summer time es- pecially, to about twent^'-five men, and for tlie supply of his regular trade butchers twelve head of cattle weekly, besides the sheep, calves and smaller animals. His excellent judgment and adaptation to tiiis industry have secured him the patronage of the best residents of Hillsdale and vicinity. He commenced in life at tiie foot of the lady pair, when about 100 persons assembled to present tlieir congratulations. Among the number was Gov. Luce, who presented them with a cane, appropriately inscribed for the occasi(jn. It is an elegant, gold-headed, ebony stick, beautifully embellished, and is one of the many suitable presents received on that occasion. The- union of Mr. and Mrs. Smith 1ms been blessed by the birth of two children — Almira and Charles E. Almira became the wife of Anthony Hancock, a successful farmer owning 160 acres of land in Cambria Township. Charles took to wife Delia Van Vlack, and they live with our subject at the homestead and operate the farm. Believing that education is a better safeguard of a nation than a standing army, Mr. and Mrs. Smith have given their children the benefits of a good educa- tion, while their contact with the culture arid refinement of a home such as any wom.an like Mrs. Smith will make, has fitted them to adorn anj' posi- tion in society. Mr. Smith is a well-read man, both in history and theology, and is a close reasoner and a verj' liberal and broad thinker. He h.as kept well abreast T'^^:M^ n 920 HILLSDALE COUNTY. of this progressive age, and lias been quite promi- nent in the public affairs of his township, serving in many of the local offices, the duties of which lie faithfully and conscientiously discharged. Mr. .Smith is a very reliable Republican, but never devoted much attention to politics, his domestic disposition inclining him to the companionship of his family. ♦S?»^>»^!»Si>« '. He served on the Scliool Board a number of years, and had been frequentlj' solicited to accept office, but was of that retiring disposition which declined coming before tlie public. He was a strong Democrat, politically, and adhered to his principles with great tenacity, pursuing the course which he believed to be right under all circum- stances. His widow made her home with her youngest daughter. Sarah A., in Camliria Town- ship, until her death in May, 1888. Mr. Luke, our subject, acquired such education as the district schools of his neighborhood afforded, and early in life began assisting his parents in build- ing up the pioneer home. He has seen much hard labor, and assisted in the work of clearing two farms. He has been a useful man in his community, and, like his honored father, is the object of esteem and confidence bj' his neighbors and fellow-citizens. He votes the straight Democratic ticket, and has served as School Director and Assessor a number of years. The marriage of our subject with Miss Louisa Hannah was celebrated at the home of the bride, in Reading Township, Jan. 20, 18G7. Mrs. Luke is the daugiiler of William and Rachel (Skelly) Hannah, who were natives of Renusylvania, and emigrated to this county during its earlj' settle- ment. They passed their last years in this county, being now both deceased. To our subject and his wife there was born one child only, a daughter, Alta, Dec. 4. 18G8, and who is now living at home. Mr. Luke, in 1882, became identified with the I. O. O. F., and still continues a member of the lodge at Camden. A. i ^E> Ti -3=f f?ACOB ALONZO DeBOW. The name of this gentleman is widely and favorably i known throughout Litchfield Townsiiip as one of its oldest living pioneers, who has built up for himself a good record, and has fulfilled the highest ideal of a true manhood. He has not been without his struggles and difficulties, and in common with his fellowmen he has had his deep afflictions, but has borne them with that patient dignity which has ever commanded the respect and admiration of those about him. While great and strong, physicall}-, being possessed of a powerful frame, he is also well balanced mentall}', with a large and generous heart that has ever been open to the call of distress, while his hand, as he was able, has lent assistance to those in rjeed. Our subject is of excellent ancestry, being of P"rench descent on his father's side, while the pro- genitors of the mother originated in Scotland. The former, John DeBow, was born in New York, and the latter, Jane (Selferidge) DeBow, was a native of AVayne County, that State, where the3' were mar- ried, and settled in Galen Township. The father when a young man did good service in the War of 1812, and the maternal grandfather of our subject served the country of his adoption in the Revolu- tionary War. The mother of our subject died while a young woman, in Wayne Countj', N. Y., about 1 822, at the age of twenty-eight or thirty years. Of this marriage of John DeBow there were six children, three sons and three daughters, two of whom died young. Jacob Alonzo, our subject, was the third child of this marriage, and was born April 8, 1816, in Galen Township, Wayne Co., N. Y. He was a little lad of six years at the time of his mother's h HILLSDALE COUNTY. 929 death. Two years later the father married Miss Polly Morris, and removed to Tompkins Connt}', whore he resided for six or seven years, .and on account of a defect in the title lost all his property, thereafter going into Pennsylvania a penniless man. Of his second marriage there were also liorn six children. Our suhject was twelve j'ears of age when the family removed to Pennsylvania, and set- tled ill Jackson Township. Tioga County, where he developed into manhood. In the meantime his education had been sadly neglected, as there were no schools for miles from his home. At the age of eighteen ho left the parentjil ri)of, and engaged to work for his board, so that he could attend a dis- trict school in a more thickly settled pait of tiie country, along the Tioga River Valley. During the year of Harrison's election, 1.S40, 3'oung DeBow went to Huron Counl3', Ohio, locat- ing in Fairfield Township during the early settle- ment of that region. There he employed himself as a farmer and wheelwright, being a natural me- chanic, and able to handle tools to good advan- tage, without serving a regular apprenticeship. In the Buckej-e State he also met his fate in the person of Miss Mary Packard, to whom he was married Jan. i'7, 1844. Mrs. DeBow was born Oct. 3, 1827, in New York State, and was the daughter of Alan- son Packard, a cloth dresser and carder, who after removing from the Empire State to Ohio, employed himself at the same business. The parental house- hold included six children. The father died in Jonesville, Hillsdale County, and the mother in New Y'ork State. Their daughter Mary, like her husband, received only a limited education, but like him vvas courageous, economical and industrious, and proved the efficient helpmate of her husband in his struggles for an honest livelihood. This excel- lent lady came with her husband to the farther West, and passed away at her home in Litchfield Town- ship, this county, March 19, 1876, at the age of forty-nine years. Of this marriage of our subject there were born six children, of whom George, the eldest, died when a promising youth of nineteen years, Sept. 1 6, 1 805 ; Henry married Miss Ella Hobinson, of Hillsdale, and during his younger ^-ears taught school several terms; he is now a i)ros|)erous farmer of Poineroy, Garfield Co., \V. T., arid the father of one child, a daughter, Leila; Willie married Miss Emma Ledger- wood, and also engaged in teaching during his younger years; he is now carrying on jigriculture successfully in Garfield County. W. T., and is the proud father of a son and daughter — George and Edna. Matilda died when a little child four years of age; Clark is operating a ranch in Washington Territory; Lida remains on the homestead with her father, and has charge of his household affairs. Our subject and the wife of his 3'outh came to this count}' in August, 1848, settling at once in Litchfield County, of which our subject h.as since been a resident. His forty years' experience in the Wolverine State has been one with which he would not willingly part, as he has obtained a full realiza- tion of what may be accomplished by the hand of man. In common with the courageous men about him, he bent his energies to subduing the soil, and building up a homestead as a legacy for his children. He still continues in possession of the land which he then secured. He contracted a second marriage, on the 5th of March. 1878, vri\h Mrs. O. A. (Curtis) Bruce, daughter of Ira .and Orrilla Curtis, and widow of Lanson Bruce, who died in 1869, in Penn- sylvania. This lady departed this life at her home in Litchfield Township, April 7, 1888. A few d.ays after Mr. DeBo}' experienced another affliction in the loss of his stepdaughter. Mar}' Bruce, who died April 29, 1888. Under this visitation of Provi- dence he has received the symp.athy of the entire community. Mr. DeBow commenced life at the bottom round of the ladder, his possessions being the result of his own determined energy and perseverance. He has been the interested witness of the progress and development of two of the greatest States of the Union, Ohio and Michigan, and as far as he was able contributed his quota toward liringing about this result. Every man who has thus deported himself .as a good citizen has licen of service to his State and his community. The National reform measures that have been brought about have been a source of gr.atification to him as to all other intelli- gent men. He was a decided anti-slavery man, and has been an earnest Republican since the birth of this party, casting his vote for its lirst Presidcn- i~ ■<^ 930 ■•► HILLSDALE COUNTY. i tial candidate, Joliii C. F'lemont, in 1856. He has been for a number of years School Director in his township, and always the friend of education, and. materially assisted in the building of Hillsdale Col- lege. When a j'outh of sixteen 3'ears lie identified himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church, later becoming connected with the Congregationalists, but is now a Free-Will Baptist, having been identified with this church at South Litchfield since its organi- zation, and has served as Deacon for a period of twelve years. His career has been eminently one of which iiis children will be proud, as he will leave to them that best legacy — an untarnished name. ^ #-# 5- ILLIAM T. L\ ONS. one of the most highly * respected citizens of Hillsdale Township, is a stock-grower of considerable reputa- tion, and carries on general farming on a fine tract of land, occupying a part of section 32. He comes of stanch Pennsylvania stock, and was born in Westmoreland County, that State, Jan. 1, 1818. His parents, David M. and Margaret (Gihnore) Lj^ons, were also natives of Pennsylvania. They subsequently settled in Wood County, Ohio, where the father died in 1 834, at the a,ge of thirty-five j'ears. He was a farmer by occupation, and botli l^arcnts belonged to tiie Seceders or Scotch Re- formed Church. The mother survived her husband for a period of forty years, remaining a widow, and p.assing avvaj- at lier home in Hillsdale Town- ship, at the residence of her son, William T., in 1874, at the age of eighty-four years, having been born in 1790. ■ The parental household of our subject included seven children, namely: William T., Gilmore G., Mary. Barbara, Jane, David M. and Nancy. Of these six are living, and residents of Michigan, ex- cept Jane, who lives in Missouri. Mr. L3-ons left his native State when thirteen years of age, and settled in Ohio. In the year 1844 he came to Hills- dale County, and settled in Moscow Township. When a little past thirt}' years of age he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine S. Depne, the wedding taking place April 13, 1848, in Moscow Township, Hillsdale County. Mrs. Lyons vvas born in Seneca County, N. Y., Dec. 27, 1831, and is the daughter of Benjamin and Betsy (Martin) Depue, also natives of that State, the father born in 1788, and the mother in 1793. Benjamin Depue followed agriculture all his life, and rested from his lalwrs at his home in Adams Township, this county, on the 4th of April, 1872. He was a devoted mem- ber of the Blethodisl Episcopal Church, in which he served efficiently, and was one of its chief pil- lars. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. He left the Empire State in 1840, and took up his abode among the pioneers of Southern Michigan, where he became well known by the people of this county, and thoroughly respected. A man of decided views, he took an active part in politics, and was a zealous supporter of Democratic principles. The uiothei- survived her husband about five 3'ears, her death taking place in Moscow Township, Jan. 1, 1877, after she had arrived at the advanced age of eighty- four years. She differed somewhat from her hus- band in religious belief, being an adherent of the Presbyterian faith, and labored actively for the welfare of her church. Of the twelve children comprising the fainih' four died in infancy. Mar- garet married Mr. Sutfin, of Adams Township, now deceased; Henry is a resident of Reading; A. F. carries on farming in Hillsdale Township; Elizabeth is the wife of Oliver Carruthers, of Hillsdale; Catherine is Mrs. Lyons. Mr. Lj'ons after coming to this county was a resident of Moscow Township for a period of six- teen years, when he sold out and took possession of his present farm. He now has 230 acres of fertile land, which he has brought to a high state of culti- vation, and upon which he has built a handsome and commodious brick residence. His barn is one of the finest in the eountj' ; a windmill does efficient service in distributing water to various parts of the farm, and in his fine stock operations our subject is eminently successful. He is a gentleman possessing a fine fund of general information, keeps himself well posted upon matters of general interest, and is a stanch supporter of Democratic principles. Both our subject and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Baptist Church. Their union resulted in the birth of six children, of whom l)ul three arc living: William H. died «^ i HILLSDALE COUNTY. 931 when eighteen montlis old ; Louisa is the wife of Samuel O. l\Iora;aii, of Hillsdale Township; Eliza M. married Rev. W. K. Jackson, a minister of the Bap- tist Church, and presiding over a congregation at Grand Prairie, Wis.; William married Miss Mary Underwood, and resides in Hillsdale. The chil- dren received a good education, and, like their [jarcnts, occupy good positions in life. i= \V^^ GRACE M. WARD, ex-Supervisor of Fay- '1/ "Nil cite Township, is a resident of section 11 of that township. Ill's father was the Hon. Alartin C. Ward, who w.as bom in Guilford, Conn., Dec. 17, 1794. His grandfather was Deacon .lohn Ward, a native of the same place, where he was horn in 1769. Deacon Levi Ward, the great- grandfather of our subject, was born in Killing- worth, Conn., in 174C, and w.as a Lieutenant in the Connecticut Militia during the Revolutionar3' War. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Silence Orriet, was a daughter of James Cramp- ton, who was a native of Guilford, Conn. She married M.artin C. Ward, the father of our subject, and settled in Bergen, Genesee Co., N. Y., Oct. 24, 1820. The father was a contractor and builder, and engaged in operating sawmills quite exten- sively; he also had the management of the telegraph line between Albany and Buffalo, which it was part of his dutj' to keep in order. The parents of our snbject resided in Bergen until their death, which occurred for the mother Oct. 7, 1 8.')7, and for the father. Feb. 6, 1883. Hon. Martin C. Ward served in the General Assembly of 1849, and again in 1850, being twice elected, and held many impor- tant offices; he also held several important commis- sions from the Governors from York .State. He was Lieutenant, Captain and Major of infantrj', and was three times elected Justice of the Pe.ice, while for two years he was .Supervisor of the town of Bergen, and Postmaster of Stone Church for sixteen years. The parental family of our subject included nine children, as follows: Henry M., deceased; Jeanette O. ; Amanda M., deceased; C3'nthia M., deceased; Charles L., Cynthia A., Levi O., Horace M. and Jerome C. Our subject was born in Bergen, Genesee Co.. N. Y.. Nov. 6, 1837, and lived on the farm until sixteen years of age. receiving first a common-school education, and in addition a com- mercial course in Bryant & Stratton's College, at Buffalo. N. Y.. where he was gr.adnated. Young Ward was then employed as clerk in a store in Beigen for seven years, and was afterward en- gaged in the commission business in New York City for about one year, when he returned to Ber- gen, and with his brother, Jerome C, bonghta farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits five years. During that time he patented a gate, known as the " Automatic Farm Gate," which proved quite valua- ble. He remained there until 1868, and in ti)e spring of that year came to Hillsd.ale County, where he bought a farm in Fayette Township, u])on which he has since resided. While living in Bergen he held several important offices, including that of Justice of the Peace one term, and Inspector of Elections. Since coming to Hillsdale County Mr. Ward has held tiie office of Supervisor of Fayette Township five years, and has also been Director of Schools and Ilighwa}- Commissioner for one year. Horace M. Ward was united in marriage, while a residence of Bergen, N. Y'., April 10, 1862, with Miss Ann M., daughter of Benjamin F. and Olive (Dudley) Johnson. Mr. Johnson was born in Watertown, N. Y., and Mrs. Johnson in North Guilford, Conn. They settled in Burton, Geauga Co., Ohio, where they lived for some time, after which they removed to Illinois, and subsequently to Iowa, wliere Mr. Johnson died in 1843. His widow was afterward married to Abel Crampton, and died in F.ayette Townsliip in March, 1883. By her union with Mr. Johnson there were born three children — Ermina L., Ann M. and t^lsie F. Mrs. Ward was born in Burton, Ohio, Jul}- 31, 1838, and her union with our subject residted in the birth of four children — Nellie V.. Edson IL, Robert A. and Perley F. These children received a liberal education, and the two eldest are following the profession of school teacher in the neighboring dis- tricts, while Robert A. is a professor of penmanship in Hillsdale College; Nellie V. is a graduate of Hillsdale College. Their mother is an intelligent, educated woman, and also was engage(l in teaching I 932 :A HILLSDALE COUNTY. before her marriage. Mr. Ward is a charter mem- ber of Fayette Grange No. 251, and Hillsdale County Pomona Grange No. 10. Mr. Ward learned from his grandfather, Deacon Levi Ward, that about the year 1635, J. Ward, with his associates, emigrated from England and settled in New England, near Boston; the records shows that Peter Ward, his grandson, was born in Killing- worth, and in 1743 settled on the northeast corner of North Killingworlh. This was gleaned from Deacon Levi Ward, by his grandson, Martin C, the father of the subject of this sketch. AN C. VAN ALLEN. For the last twenty- three years the subject of this sketch has been pursuing the even tenor of his w.ay in Fayette Township, attending chiefly to his own concerns, which have been most closely connected with the cultivation of a good farm on section 17, of which he became owner in 1865. He was born near the town of Starkey. Yates Co., N. Y.. Dec. 30, 1 834, and when but a lad came with his parents to this county. He received a com- mon-school education, and was reared to farming pursuits, in which he has been mostly engaged his entire life. The parents of our subject, Cicero P. and Mar- garet (Sulfin) Van Allen, were also natives of the Empire State, the father born Maj' 17, 1813, and the mother in July of the same j'ear. They came to Michigan about 1841, settling first in Clinton Countj', then moved back to New York State, whence they came to this county in the j^ear 1842. but sub- sequently removed to Jackson County. They finally took up their residence in Jonesville, where the mother departed this life in 1884. The father is still living and a resident of Jonesville; he subse- quently married Mrs. Emily Williams. The nine cliildren of the parental household were named re- spectively: Dan C, Darwin G., Laura, Lois J., Cicero, John, George, Eva and Homer. The sec- ond son, Darwin, during the late war served as a soldier in the 4th Michigan Infantry, and afterward in the 27th. He was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, and suffered imprisonment at Anderson- ville, but was exchanged. His father brought him home, but he only lived about a year. Laura is the wife of Elder L. B. Tompkins, of Jonesville; Lois, Mrs. Alexander Stewart, lives near Socorro, N. M. ; Cicero was also a member of the 27th Michigan In- fantry with his brother, and like him, suffered the terrors of Andersonville, but was subsequentlj- trans- ferred to another prison, where he died; John, also a soldier in the Union array, lived to return home, and is farming in Somerset Township, this county; George is also a resident of this township; Eva died when about nineteen years of age; Homer is living in New Mexico. Daniel Van Allen, the paternal grandfatlier of our subject, was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., and was of German ancestry. He spent his last years in the Empire State, and passed away at the ad- vanced age of eighty-one. He was a man of deep piety, and consistent!}' followed the religion which he professed. He was in many respects a remark- able man ; during the greater number of years of his life he was a man of strong religious convic- tions, and in looking over an obituary notice writ- ten of him by Rev. C. Z. Case, and printed in the Daily Advertiser, of Elmira, N. Y., the reader can- not but conclude th.at he was a man of sterling character and pure principles. By industry, econ- om}' and enterprise, he acquired a competency, but by far the richest legacy that he left to his children and grandchildren was the record of a pure and unspotted life. Dan. C, of our sketch, was a sub- ject of the military draft, March 15, 1865, but this being near the close of the war, was required to serve onlj' a short time, being mustered out on the 15th of May following. Not long afterward he l)urehased his present farm in Fayette Township, which embraces ninety acres of good land, with fair improvements. He is a Democrat, politically, and sociallj', a member of the Masonic fraternity. Our subject was married in Somerset Township, this county, on the 10th of December, 1859, to Miss Maria, daughter of Abel and Anna (Howard) Scott, and who was born near Grass Lake, Jackson County, this State, M.arch 3, 1 842. The parents of Mrs. Van Allen were among the pioneers of Jack- son County, where Mr. Scott cleared up a large farm, and erected a substantial brick residence. i -4•- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 933 ■A hut just before it was ready to move into lie sold it. anil sottli'd in Soniorset Township, this c-oniil^', tlien moved to Jonesville, and kept a grocery store about two years. Thej' later moved to the farm in F.ij'ette Townshijj where Mr. \:\u Allen lives. In 1867 he returned to Jonesville, and iUmI a year later. He had at different times served as Justice of the Peace. He was a Democrat in politics, and religiously, was inclined to the Methodist belief. His widow is still living in Jonesville. in comfort- able circumstances, and is yet hale and hearty. This marriage of our subject resulted in the birth of two children, a daughter and son. The former, Eva, is the wife of James Riley, of Fayette Town- ship, and the mother of one boy, Dan C, named after his grandfather, and born Oct. KJ, 1880. Scott, the son, continues under the parental roof. fi\ERNON H. LOCKAVOOD. a son of one of "^ the most honored pioneers of this conntj', has his home on section 17, Jefferson Town- sliip, and still occu|)ies the house in which he was born on the 13th of August, 1853. His father, Jehial H., and his mother, Adaliza (Jenkins) Lock- wood, were natives respectively' of Vermont and New York, the former born June 29, 181G. Jehial Lockwood when a small boy was taken by his father, Nathaniel Lockwood, to St. Lawrence County, N. Y., aiid Tlience, in' 1837, to this State, they settling west of the present site of Hillsdale, of wliich flourishing city there was then not the remotest indication. The younger Lockwood, in 1 844, was m.irried to the mother of our subject, whose parents had left the Enii>ire State and settled in this countj' at an earl^- day. Jehial Lockwood, in 1853, purchased the present homestead of 160 acres, a few months before the birth of our subject, and here lived and labored until the close of his useful life, departing hence Jan. 27, 1888. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence. Demo- cratic iu politics, but never an ollice-seeker, al- though possessing the elements of character and the ability which admirably fitted him for positions of responsibility and trust. He was essentially a friend of the people, with a keen sympathy for the down-trodden and oppressed. He did not identify himself with any church organization, but believed that his religious duties were all involved in the Golden Rule, namely', to do unto others as he would have them do unto him. His early educa- tion had been extremely limited, but by a course of reading and his habit of thought and observa- tion he kept himself well informed, and could ex - l)ress his views easily and |)leasanlly, being a most interesting man to converse with, and of that genial temperament which gained linn many warm friends. The mother of our subject, a most worthy and excellent lady, preceded her husband to the Itetter laud, her death taking place in the same house as that of her husband, Oct. 28, 1884. The parental household included six children, one of whom died in infancy, and five survive the parents. One, a daughter, Amanda A., who was born Jan. 17, 1851, and was the wife of Henry O. Briggs, died March 4, 1888, without children. The eldest child, Benjamin, was born Aug. 22, 1845, is married, and the father of two children, and is farming in Me- costa County, this State; Vernon IL, our subject, was the third child ; Ida F. was born in January, 1857, and is now iu Jackson, Mich. ; Lillian F. was born Nov. 26, 1859. and is married to Frank Blakeman, a resident of Osseo; they have no children. Mr. Lockwood was taught to make himself use- ful at an early age, there being much work to do in clearing up the new farm, and his school advant- ages were exceedingly' limited, he attending princi- pally during the winter season. Like his father before him, however, he read the books which came iu his w.ay, and gained a .useful fund of informa- tion. AVhen twenty j'ears of age he was married, Oct. 14, 1873, to Miss Harriet, daughter of .lohn W. and Jane E. (Fraker) Bates, and who w.as born in Jefferson Township, this count}', Aug. 10, 1854. The parents of Mrs. L. were natives of Michigan and are now in Dakota. She was the seventh iu a family of ten children. Her eldest sister, Mary E., was born Nov. 24, 1840, is now the wife of John Hodges, a resitlent of Hillsdale, this county, and the mother of two children ; Erastus, during the late war, entered the army when but a youth, serving three yeare and returning home unharmed; he is now a resident of Adams Township. Josephine is r .► i r^ r. 934 HILLSDALE COUNTY. the wife of William Plum, of Ilillsflale, and the motber uf two children; Olive. Mrs. Jasper Mc- Laughlin, is the mother of two children, and lives in Hillsdale; Electa married James Rowse. and died at her home in Jefferson Township in 1S75, leaving one child, a son, ]Janiel; Harriet. Mrs. Lockwood, was the next child; Clarissa, Mrs. Warren Briggs, lives in Hillsdale, and has no children; Josina mar- ried Nathan Shorman. of Emmons County, Dak., and is the mother of three children ; B^ron also makes his home in Hillsdale. Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood are the parents of one child only, Fred C, who was born Oct. 22, 1875. He is a very promising youth, and has been endowed by nature with extraordinary musical talent, which his parents are fostering, giving him every oppor- tunity of perfecting himself in this art. He is ahead}' a fine performer on the organ. Mr. Lock- wood is a strict temperance man, a Democrat politi- cally, and is not ashamed to have it known that he votes for Prohibition. His record has been with- out blemish, and he is numbered among the solid men of his community. 3-*- HRI.STOPHER STRAYER. The subject of e- sketch is fullj' entitled to a place among the selfmade men of Hillsdale Count}-, as amidst the more than ordinary disadvantages of liis youth and the lack of education, he has struggled into a good position, socially and financially. By a course of reading he has become master of a good fund of general information, and liis habit of thought and observation, together with his rich experience of life, has formed within him a strong and coura- geous character wliich has done him good service in his struggle with the world. Mr. Strayer has witnessed the growth of two of the most important States of the Union. Michi- gan and Ohio, from a wilderness into great and civilized commonwealths. He was born in Penn- sylvania, May 6, 1835, and was taken by his parents when an infant to Lucas County, Ohio, when within two miles of his father's dwelling there was not the •Mt^ house of a white man. the playmates of little Chris- topher being the Indian boys. He never saw the inside of a school-room until he was a lad of twelve years. His father was a poor man, and the children were all put to work at an early age. The educa- tion of Christopher was mostly carried on by the evening fireside, and his first text books were a New Testament and a spelling book. He worked out until reaching his majority, and his father com- manded his wages. The parents of our subject, Michael and Barbara (Walters) Strayer, were of New England birth and parentage, and of German ancestry. The paternal grandfather served in the Revolutionary War, and spent his last j'ears in New Jersey. After marriage the parents settled first in Pennsylvania, whence the}' removed to Lucas County, Ohio, where they were burned out, and then removed to Williams County, same State, where the father died in 1874, when seventy-two years old. The mother is still living there at the advanced age of eighty-flve 3'ears, making her home with her son. The thirteen children of the parents included nine sons and four daughters, of whom our subject was the seventh child. When twenty-three years of age, young Strayer came to Jackson County, this State, settling in Concord Township in 1851, where he worked by the month until 1859. Then, at the ago of twenty- five, he was married to Miss Sarah Cox. who was b(iru in England, June 10, 1836, and came to America with her parents when a child five years of age. She commenced working out early in life, thus supporting herself until her marriage. Her parents, Charles and Diana (Dunning) Cox, were also natives of England, and came to America in 1841. In 1852 they came to this State. The father is still living, making his home in Scipio Township, and is seventy-nine years old. The mother died about 1887, at the .age of seventj'-eight. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom are living. Our subject and his wife commenceJ the journey of life together in Litchfield, and in due time were the parents of three children, two of whom died in infancy. Their only child living, Delia Ann, is the wife of John Uhinard, and the mother of two chil- — — — •► f -^•- HILLSDALK COUNTY. 935 f (Jrcn — Ilaivoy E. jiiul Vo:x\\ M. Tlicsc cliildion arc the pride and joj- of tlieir i,naii(lfallici-. and spend nineli of tlieir time with iiini. Mr. Strayer came to Michigan empty handed, and following the example of the pioneers aronnd him, secured a tract of land and at once set aliout its im- l)rovement and cultivation. He is now the owner of eighty acres in Hillsdale County, and fifteen acres in Calhoun County. The former constitutes his homestead, where he has put up good buildings, and has everything convenient ane obtained by energy and unremitting pei'severance. He and his excellent wife have the good-will of the entire neighl)orhoo'. In December following he tendered his resignation, and returning home, remained until July. 1862. when he re-enlisted in Company G, 4th Michigan Cavalry, leaving Detroit in September fol- lowing. The regiment was in camp at Jeffers(m- ville, Ind., until the 14tli of October, then joined the Union forces at JVIurfieesboro, and with his comrades Mr. Hadley participated in the desperate conflict at Chattanooga, and went all through the Tennessee cam|)aign. He was one of the small company of Union cavalry which at one time cap- tured COO rebels, together with their wagons and ammunition, and which brave encounter is a sub- ject of history. At the battle of Atlanta, the horses belonging to the brigade of which Mr. Hadley was a. member were given to Gen. Kilpatrick's men, and our sub- ject, with a number of his comrades, returned to Louisville to be reniouiited. Mr. II. was soon after- ward given the aiipninlinent of Assistant Divis- sion Quartermaster, and stationed at Kastiwrt, Miss., where he remained until the close of the war. He was mustered out of service at Nashville, and n 940 u HILLSDALE COUNTY. received his honorable discharge there in July, 186S. In bis regimental record he is accredited with ninelj'-six ha tiles and ^kirniiflies. He- was never excused on account of sickness or disabilit3', but sustained permanent injury to the brain by the explosion of a bomb one night in ennip. After his retirement from the army he resumed his farm pur- suits in this county with fair success. He cast his first Presidential vote for Fremont, identifying him- self with the Republican party, of which he has since remained a firm adherent. Socially, he belongs to Post No. 259, G. A. R., at Litchfifld. Nature en- dowed Mr. Hadley with fine capacities, but his bright, intellectual faculties suffered greatly on ac- count of the injury which he received while giving his services to his countrj". mOMAS C. M0NTG0MP:RY, Station Agent of the Lake Shore & Wicliigan Southern Railroad, at Hillsdale, is a native of this county, having been born in Camden Township, Aug. 24. 1847. He is the second son and child of William R. and Amanda (Mills) Montgomery, who were natives of New York, and came to this county during its early settlement. A sketch of them will be found on another page of this work. William Rochester Montgoraerj-, Sr., married Agnes Treat Willard. daughter of John M. and Susan (Lamb) Willard, and granddaughter of Gen. Anthony Lamb, Jan. 21, 1869, at Hillsdale, Rev. G. E. Peters officiating. The subject of this biography passed his boyhood on the farm in Camden Township, and in the vil- lage (now cit}') of Hillsdale, Mich., acquired his education in the Union Schools, and college at Hillsdale. At the age of twenty-two he entered the sorvice.of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, as clerk in the freight office at Hillsdale; four months later he retired from this to a more desirable berth with the same company in their freight office at Burr Oak Station, in St. Joseph County, where he remained a period of fifteen months. From this point he repaired to Blissfield, in Lenawee County, where he was |)romoted to Sta- tion Agent; he was at this place one year, and then, still in the emplo}' of the same companj', was sta- tioned at ftLanchester in the same position, and a year later was promoted to the nicire responsible post of Agent at Hillsdale; two and one-half years later he resigned, and accepted a position with the same comjiany as clerk in the freight office at Chi- cago; three months later wenttoBr3an, Ohio, on Air Line of the same road, where he officiated as Station Agent one year, and from there went to Ligonier, Ind. ; three and one-half years later he completed the circle by returning to Hillsdale, and assuming charge of the station as Station Agent, and in the dischai'ge of his responsible duties is acquitting himself with satisfaction to all concerned. Mr. Montgomery was married in Hillsdale, on the 3d of March, 1809, to Miss Julia F., daughter of Ambrose Spencer, Esq., vvho is a native of New York, and came to Southern Michigan with his family in 1857. The mother of Mrs. Montgomery was in her girlhood Miss Roxy Ransom, and her parents are now living. Mrs. M. was born Nov. 26, 1848, in Lockport, N. Y..and of her union with our subject there are two interesting children, Nellie A. and Hugh R., who are students at Hillsdale High School. They occupy a pleasant home on North street, and enjoy the friendship of the best residents of the city. ->yv\.-'\tjma/S-^^i >->*'^-3/i cousin of Senator Marion Gillett, of Connecticut. Mr. Looniis was a farmer I13' occupation, .and with his estimable wife lived and died within five miles of the city of Hartford. Mr. and Mrs. Graham began life together in a modest home, and in due time were the |)arents of four sons: Malcolm is a practicing physician of .lonesville; Frank M., a bright and promising young man. fitted himself for the profession of law and entered n[)on his practice in Kansas. He was married; his death took place in Jonesville on the 14th of June, 1S74. The greatest efforts were put forth to save his life, but proved unavailing. The third son, Guslavus Mills, is farming in Rook County, Kan. The j'oungest, John, died very suddenlj' of heart disease, in Ellis County, Kan. The first wife of our subject passed away at her home in Jonesville, on the 17th of Fcbruar}\ 18.S1 . Mr. Graham contracted a second niairiage, on the 6th of December, 1881, with Miss AnnaThomp- son, who was born in Butler, Branch County, this State. The wedding took place at the home of the bride, in Spring Arbor, Jackson County. Of this union there are two children — Lilly and Jonathan B., Jr. Mr. Graham was the candidate for his part}' two or three times for State Senator, but be- ing on tlie minority ticket, was defeated with the balance of the candidates. - ENJAMIN FISHER, Esq. Prominent among „ 'C. the pioneers of Hillsdale County stands the #name of Benjamin Fisher, of Hillsdale Town- ship, and although he has passed away to the recompense due his long and useful life, his memory still lives and is cherished, and his honora- ble and successful career stands forth as a fitting example of what can be done by earnest and con- stant effort. The subject of this notice was born at Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y., Dec. 17, 1811, and is the only son of three children included in the parental fam- ily. Our subject first came to Hillsdale County in 1832, on a prospecting tour, and subsequently lo- cated a farm in Camden Township, settling there permanently in 1 837, or the following year. Mr. Fisher was united in marriage, Dec. G, 1841, with Miss Rozettc B., daughter of Robert B. Sut- ton, Esq., who died in this county in 1876. The children of this marriage who survive their parents are recorded as follows : Spencer O. resides in West Bay City. ]\Iich. ; James K. is doing business in this city; Benjamin B. resides in Wahpeton, Dak.; Mary E. is the wife of Charles E. Underhill, of this city, and Rose is the wife of George W. Thompson, of Grand Rapids, in this State. The mother of these children departed this life on the 18th of April, 18.53, and Mr. FisLer was a second time married, in 1854, to Adeliza Leach, a native of the same place as her husband. This union resulted in the birth of one daughter, Sarah. On the 13th of August. 1808, the faithful wife and mother was removed from his side, and Mr. F''isher was left in his declining years deprived of her counsel and solace, hi 184.5 Mr. Fisher removed from Camden Townshi[) to this pl.ace, where for ujjward of ayear he was proprietor of what was then known as the AVestern Hotel, since replaced by the new Smith Hotel. He then removed with his family to Can- aila, where he engaged in the lumber business and remained until 1852, when he returned to this county and took up his residence in Hillsdale, which he continued to make his home until his death. From his arrival in 1852 until 1856, he lived in a dwelling located in what is now the principal busi- ness part of the city, and at the latter date he re- moved upon a farm, which he improved to a high state of cultivation, and beautified until, including its fine residence .and out-buildings, it is as fine a homestead as can be found throughout the county. Mr. Fisher was a thoroughlj' active business man all his life, and was closely identified with the prog- ress of this community. He held at various times offices of trust in the county and in the cit}'. For a number of years he was associated in business with Mr. R. B.Sutton, under the firm name of Sutton & Fisher, and did a very extensive and lucrative business in the lumber trade, not only in this State but in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. Some time before his death it was evident that his end was approaching, and all his children gathered around ■*► -U HILLSDALK COUNTY. 945 i' him to pay the last filial tribute to a kind anil in- dulgent parent. His death occiirreil on llie 2d of June, 1882, and was deeply mourned by the com- munity as that of a man whose place it will liedifll- cult to fill. Few men have shown more business- like ability tiian he; while he was honest and straightforward in all his dealings, he was not loud in his professions, but he set an example which his descendants may follow with credit. lie has gone leaving a large circle of friends and acquaintances, by whom his acts will be remembered and his mem- ory cherished as long as life shall last. ¥^ f^ILLIAM L. LORDS, an enlightened and progressive farmer of Camden Town- ship, is well worthy of representation in this work iis one whose life record is honorable and useful to himself and his fellow-citizens. He maj' well be classed among that noble army of so- called "selfmade men" who have been such im- portant factors in the upbuilding of this glorious I{ei)ublic, and who are to-day doing their part to- ward its maintenance in the fiont ranks of the great nations of the earth, as he started in life a jjoor man. and has steadily worked his way up to his present jrosition of influence and comparative wealth 1)3' unremitting toil, frugality, and the ex- ercise of excellent judgment and forethought. Mr. Lords is a native of Ohio, Athens County the place of his birth, and May 31, 1821, the date. He comes of good stock, originating in the State of Maine; his parents. John and Wealthy Lords, were both natives of that Slate. When our subject was a child, his parents removed from the county of his birth to Richland County, in the same State, where they lived several years. Subsequently they re- moved to Van Wert Count}', and afterward left Ohio, in which they had made their home for many years, and took up their residence iu Steuben County, Ind., where they continued to live for several 3-ears. They spent their declining 3-ears in Hillsdale County, this State. The father died in Berrien County, Mich., about 18G7; the mother died in Richland County, Ohio, in August, 182.3. The father had been twice married, an- OSEA W. FOLGER, a settler of 1839 in ij Hillsdale County, and who has now a fine farm on section 4 in Cambria Township, settled first in Allen Township upon a tract of unbroken land, 100 acres in extent. This he labored upon a number of years, bringing it to a good state of cultivation, and effecting various im- provements, and ill 1864 sold out and took up his residence in the village of Hillsdale. A j'ear later, being dissatisfied with town life, he secured posses- sion of a farm in Reading Township, and lived there and in Hillsdale until 1884, when ho settled upon his present farm. He is now one of the landmarks of this section, a responsible and enterprising man, who has proved a valued citizen and stands well among his neighbors. His present farm comprises nearlj' seventy acres, is well stocked, and furnished with a good set of frame buildings. Our subject is a native of the Province of On- tario. Canada, and was born May 23, 1818. His father, Daniel Folger, was a product of the Green Mountain State, and of New England ancestry. He married Miss Sarah Williams, of V^ermont, who was of descent similar to his own, and the}' began •►Hh^ I •<^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 951 ('■ life together in New York State, where the father followed his trade of carpenter. From there he removed to Canada, where iiis two 3^oungest chil- dren were born, but spent his last days with his excellent wife in Niagara County, N. Y. Both ])ar- ents lived to a ripe old age. 'I'heir family consistewnship, resided there until his death, which occurred July 7, 18G4. Mr. and iNIrs. Hill became the parents of three children, of whom onl3' one is living, a daughter, Martha, who is now the wife of M. E. Dow, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this Aluum. To our subject and his wife there have been born two children, a son and daughter. Charles W. and May C, who continue at home with their parents. Mr. Folger, politically, is a solid Republican, and both he and his estimable wife are ver3' intelligent people, generous and hospitable, .and have one of the pleasantest homes in Cambria Township. LBH;RT ken YON, a prominent farmer and (@rJJ| representative citizen of North Adams, is "ill the son of Benjamin I. and Susan (Stowe) S^JI Kenyon, the former of whom was born in Washington County. N. Y., and the letter in Sulli- van County, N. H. The father was a farmer by occupation, and after his marriage settled in Cayuga County, where he held the position of Overseer of the Auburn State Prison for a (leriod of about twelve years. In the year 183G became to Hillsdale County, and located and bought 400 acres of (gov- ernment land. He then returned to his home, which he h.ad left on leave of absence to come to this State, and resumed the duties of his position, which he dischargey/ Township, is a remarkable illustration of the results of energj^ and perseverance. The sub- ject of this sketch commenced life without any means whatever except his strong hands and willing disposition, and h.as the satisfaction of looking around ni)on his possessions, and feeling that for them he is indebted to no man. Among his neigh- bors he is the synonym of all that is honest, straightforward and trustworthy, and a man whose word is :is good as his bond. Mr. McDougall was born in Glasgow, Scotland, Dec. 31, 1847, and was brought by his parents to America when an infant six mtjnths old. They landed in New York Cit}', whence the father pro- ceeded to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where he lived a number of years engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1858 he came with his famil}' to Michigan, and purchased eighty acres of land, nearly all timber, in Woodbridge Township, Hillsd.ale County, where he labored early and late, and built up a good home from the wilderness. Upon the outbreak of the late war, he was one of the first to fly to the relief of his adopted countr}', joining a Michig.an regiment in the fall of 1861. Of his war record there is further notice in his sketch, which will be found on another page of this work. Andrew McDougall was a lad of eleven j'ears when his father came to this State, and has all his life been familiar with agricultural pursuits. Upon reaching manhood he lived in this township, and when twenty-five years old was married, Aug. 25, 187-2. to ]\Iiss Delia Elubbell, a lady of fine capa- bilities, and a teacher who had been educated at Toledo and in Hillsdale College, and who had taught in Ohio and Michigan for about twenty- four terms, being very successful. Her parents, Vernon and Nanc^' (Dake) Hubbell, were natives of New York State, where their daughter Delia was born. M.ay 3, 1847. Her paternal grandfather was a minister of the Baptist Church. Her father was a farmer bj' occupation, and died in 1872, the year of her marri.age. The mother is still living, making her home on the old homestead in Cambria Township. The parental household included eight children, namely: Vernon, Jr., Marietta, Joseph 15., Harrison; Mary J., Mrs. S. Rugg; Nancy A., Mrs. Deniott; Hannah, the wife of Ed Fitzsimmons, .and Delia, the wife of our subject. Mr. and iMrs. McDougall after their marriage lived two years on a rented farm in this township, and then our subject worked his father's farm two years. He then purchased twent3'-five acres of partially cleared land in Woodl>ridge Township, for which he paid ^43 per acre. His next (jurchase w:is five acres, for which he paid $150, and after several more additions to his real estate and struggling hard to liquidate his indebtedness, he found himself once more with his head above water, and the owner of the fine body of land u|)on which he h:is operated with such good advantage, making a good I 956 HILLSDALE COUNTY. living for his family nnd accumulating something for a rainy day. He has two cliilrlren only: Carrie A., born July -20, 187ti. and Algia, Dec. 12, 1878. They are at home with their parents. Mr. Mc- Dougall is a stanch adherent of the Republican partj', but has little time to give to politics, being mostly interested in his farm and family. GEORGP: p. wolf, proprietor of the plan- ing-mill which stands conspicuous in the western part of tlie city of Hillsdale, carries on extensively the manufacture of doors, sash, blinds, etc., and established his present business in 1874. During his residence of fourteen 3'ears in this locality, the people among whom he has lived have learned to regard him with iiigh favor, as being a responsible business man and a worthy and reliable citizen. His birth occurred in the little Kingdom of Saxony, Germany, on the 2'3<\ day of March, 1827, and his ancestors were of pure German stock, possessing in a marked degree all the substantial and honest traits of that nationality. John Peter Wolf, the father of our subject, was a carpenter bj' trade, and as a natural consequence his son George, after being released from school where he had spent his time since he was a little lad of six years until he became a youth of fourteen, entered the shop of his father, under whom he served a thorough apprenticeship, and with whom he re- mained until reaching bis majority. Then, in accord- ance with the requirements of the Government of the Fatherland, he served a j-ear in the German armj'. At the expiration of this time he set sail at the port of Bremen, bound for America, in which he arrived after a voyage of four weeks. He staid a brief time in New York City, then made his way to Sandusky, Ohio, where he soon secured employment, and where he lemained until the spring of 1874. Our subject now determined to seek the farther West, and coming to this county continued em- ployed as heretofore, and soon discovered the urgent need of better facilities for carrying on the manufacture of the articles which he now puts forth from his factory. He accordingly established a planing-mill on a small scale, and greatly to his satisfaction was soon in the enjoyment of a thriving little business, which increased so rapidlj' that he was soon obliged to enlarge his facilities. He has now a fine two-story building, equipped with all modern machinery, including a steam engine of 25- horse power, and all the other improvements natu- rally suggested in order to meet the constant pres- sure of orders received from all parts of this .and adjoining counties. Nature provided Mr. Wolf with excellent business cap.acit}-, which, coupled with his industry and perseverance, has resulted in setting him on the highway to a competenc3'. Mr. Wolf has been twice married. His first wife, Miss Elizabeth Fisher, was born in Saxony, Cob.alt, and departed this life at her home in August. 1863. She was the mother of one son and three daughters — Ernest, Margaret. Caroline and Emma, who are now in Michigan and Lidiana. The present wife of our subject was formerlj' Miss Christina Sei- gle, a native of North Baden, and who is the mother of two children — George C. and Christina. This son is the assistant of his father in the mill, and the daughter continues at home. Mr. Wolf upon becoming a naturalized citizen identified himself first with the Republican partj', but considered that he had reason to change his politics, and now atfili- atcs with the Democracy. D EUBEN B. MASON, the leading merchant 'lui-} of Frontier Village, Hillsdale County, car- lJL\ ri^s a large general stock of dry -goods, W^boots, shoes, hats, caps, hardware, drugs, dyes, etc. His is the oldest established house in the village, and his store is in a fine building, ne.atly and tastefully fitted up, and admirably adapted to its purposes. His wide experience in the mercan- tile business enables him to judge of the demands of the trade, and of the class of goods suited to the wants of his patrons, and he controls the largest and best custom of the place. Mr. Mason comes of a mixed Anglo-Celtic ancestry, and was born in Bur- lington County-, N. J., March 4, 1826. His parents were natives of New Jersey, and are now deceased. i HILLSDALE COUNTY. 957 The early years of our subject were passed in his native State, where he acquired the rurtiinents of his education in tlie public schools. Wlien lie was thirteen years of age he accompanied his parents to their new home in Lucas County, now Fulton County, Ohio, where he attended school and com- pleted his education. When quite young he estab- lished himself in business there .as a peppermint distiller, and he afterward ran a pearl ashery and a saleratus factory. He w.as very enterprising and energetic, and did not, by any means, confine his attention to those branches of business, but branched out in other directions, and we next hear of him as managing a store in the town of Blanc, Fulton Co., Ohio, and he also conducted the post-olDce in connection with his store, serving as Postmaster for eleven years. Mr. Mason w.as niairicd, March 15, 1849. to Miss Sarah Oldham. She comes of a good old German family, and was born Dec. 17, IScJO. Iler parents were honest, sober-minded. God-fearing people, who trained her in habits of industry; they reared her in the faith uf the Methodist Episcopal Church, but she is now a devout and highly esteemed member of the United Brethren Church. To her and her husband have been born nine children, all of whom have grown to maturity and married, with the ex- ception of one, and their record is as follows: Rhoda A., born Dec. 27, 1S49, married Allen Agnew; Freeman C, born Aug. 1, 1B51, is a phy- sician; Rebecca B. was born .June 7, 1853; John R., born Jan. 14, 1855, is a clergyman; Reuben B., Jr., was born Nov. 10. 1857; he is a stonemason. George W. was born Jan. 1, 18G0; Sarah C, Aug. 5, 18G3; Emett C, Dec. 24, 18(J5; Abraham, Oct. 12, 18G7. In 18G() Mr. Mason came with his family to this county, and settled in the tovvnshii)of Ransom, where he purchased 1184^ acres of fine, arable land, and devoting himself assiduously to agricultural pursuits for some years, improved a very fine farm. In 1879, however, he decided to enter the mercan- tile world once again, and accordingly established his present business in Frontier, and has since suc- cessfully conducted it. He carries a large stock, valued at about $5,000, and has an extensive and constantly growing trade. He also carries on quite a large commission business in connection with his other trade, and in the month of April shipped seventy-five barrels of eggs to the New York mar- ket. He has erected two fine residences, and owns other valuable property. Mr. Mason is one of the stand-bys of the Demo- cratic party in this vicinity, and uses his influence to promote the success of that party. While he resided in Ransom Townshij) he held the ollice of Justice of the Peace for some years. He is a peace- able and law-abiding citizen, and his genial and ever courteous manners and obliging disposition have gained for him .many friends. He comes from a good old (Quaker family', and in his religious views espouses the faith of his fathers. — ,>> -o»»-®v«v®-<>*<" •**•— WILLIAM T. BUCHANAN, of the firm of W. T. Buchanan & Son, manufacturers of doors and window screens, established in business in 18G7 at Hillsdale, operating a planing- mill at first about five years, and then began the 7nanufaclure of milk safes and fanning-niills, and carried on quite an extensive business in lli;it line for a period of some ten years In 1882 he began the manufacture of screen doors, and the year fol- lowing was obliged to enlarge his facilities, and now receives orders from' points throughout Michigan .and the States adjoining. Mr. Buchanan, like many of the enterprising men about Inn), is a product of the Buckej'e State, and was born in the town of Reed, in Seneca County, Nov. 6, 1833. His parents, John, Jr.. and Lucy B. (Rice) Buchanan, wore natives of New York State, whence they removed to Ohio, locating among the earlj^ settlers of Seneca County. The father took up a tract of land, from wiiich he eliniinati>d a good farm and carried on .agriculture until his death. The parental household included three children, of whom William T. w.os the second born, and in com- mon with his brother and sister, acquired his early education in the district schools, and learned to plow, sow and reap. Our subject came to Hillsdale County in 1838, in company with his uncle, and for a time was vari- ously employed. Later he commenced an appren i~ ;h •«► 968 HILLSDALE COUNTY. tieeship as a earpcntei- and joiner, and followed this trade for a number of years, and until after the late Civil War. In August, 18G1. he determined to become a soldier of the Union army, and accord- ingly enlisted in Company C, 1st United States Sharpshooters, which regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and did considerable picket duty in and around the city of Washington and at Yori~- DWARD E. MOORE, M. D., a worthy mem- Eber of the medical profession of Hillsdale County, has, since the beginning of his prac- tice in 1883, made good headway, and is numbered among the rising young physicians who are evi- dently destined to a successful future. His early home was in Marshall County, 111., his birth taking place in the city of AVenona, Oct. 26, 1855. His father, Hon. Nathaniel Moore, was one of the active business men of that section, merchant, banker and capitalist, a man of excellent educa- tion, more than ordinary ability, and taking a lively interest in politics. After filling various positions of trust and responsibility in his county, he was elected a Member of Congress from the Eighth Senatorial District of Illinois, and served acceptabli', being always the supporter of those entcri)rises tending to the general welfare of his -^ district, and introducing measures calculated to advance the interests of its people. The paternal grandfather of our subject, David Moore by name, was a native of New Jej-sey, whence lie emigrated to Ohio early in life, and there spent the remainder of his d.ays. Coming from a family noted for its longevity, he was in nowise behind his ancestors, and rounded up the ripe old age of ninety-nine years. The mother of our sub- ject was in her girlhood Miss Julia Banta, of Ger- man ancestry, and the daughter of Abraham Banta, who was born, reared and married in the Father- land, and subsequently emigrated to the United States, settling in the Territor}' of Illinois at an earl}' day. Both Nathaniel Moore and his esti- mable wife are still living, and residents of Wenona. Of their nine children, comprising eight sons .and one daughter, five survive, and are residents mostly of Illinois, Michigan and Arizona. The subject of this biography was the third of the family living to maturity, and, like his brotheis, p.assed his boyhood in his native town, pursuing his first studies in the common school. Subsequently he entered the Northwestern University, at Evans- ton, from which he was graduated in 1878, and afterward became a student of Dartmouth C(jllege, from the medical department of which he was graduated in the fall of 1882. From there he repaired to New York City, where he was graduated from the New York Polyclinic College, in 1884, and served for nine months as Assistant in the Ciiair of Gynecology and Ophthalmology in the New York Polyclinic, and three months Assistant Surgeon in Chambers Street Accident Hospital, New York Cit}', and for nine months .as Assistant in the Department of Heart and Lungs, in the Uni- versity of New York. In the fall following he made his way to this county, and opened an office on Howell street, in the city of Hillsdale, where lie has since been located, and is gradually, but surely, working his way to a good position among his Compeers. Dr. Moore, while a resident of New York City, was married to one of the most estimable young ladies of Saybrook, Conn., Miss M. A. Ingham, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Saybrook, in 1883. Mrs. Moore was i -4•• HILLSDALE COUNTY. 963 I born in Snybrook. *^onn., March 8. 18fi"2, and is liie (laughter of IL F. and Jennie Ingham, whose ancestors settled in New England, it is believed. l)rior to the Revolutionary War. Her parents are now residents of Saybrook, Conn. Of this union there have been born two children — Blanche B. and Heiir}' L The3' occupy a neat and comfortable home on Manning street, and enjoy the friendship of the best people of the city. Dr. Moore belongs to the Southern Micliigan Medical Association, and is Surgeon for the Lake Shore & Micliigan Southern Raiht)ad Company. LBERT MOORE, a prosperous farmer liv- ing on section 36 of Adams Township, is a native of New York, born in Lockport, ^J Niagara County, April 6, 1827, being the youngest of the seven children who grew to matur- ity born to Levi and Lucretia Moore. His father was reared in Albany- County, N. Y.. which was the birthplace of his mother. Thej' married and settled in Broome Township, where they lived for a few years before moving to N iagara County. From the latter place they came to Michigan in Novem- ber, 1836, and bought a fai'm in Lenawee County, Palm3'ra Township, where tliej' remained until 1844. Mv. Moore then bought a farm on section 25, Ad- .ams Township, which he soon afterward traded for a part of the farm on which his son Albert now resides. He commenced clearing the land, and made that his home until his death, in 1849, when he was sixty-seven years of age. His widow was afterward married to Judd D. Tucker, who lived but a short time after the marriage. Mrs. Tucker spent the remainder of her life with her son, of wliom we write, dying in October. 185.'), at the .age of sixty-seven years. Our subject was eight and one-half years old when he came with his parents to Micliigan, just at the age when an intelligent child receives and re- tains iniiircssions. The journey was an exciting and fascinating one for him; traveling overland with a team of horses, a wagon containing the family and the househohl utensils, and a cow, from Lockport to Bufl'alo, thence by the >tcanicr "Coluniiius" to ^» I Detroit, then with the team again through the long an» m ^^^ - -t -^•- ••»- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 965 meetings called to discuss the matters relating to the general welfare of the conuiuinlty. His present office of Township 'I'ronsurer was given him over the combined vote of Democrats, Grecnbackers and Prohibitionists. BNER BALCOM, deceased, was formerly a TlII I farmer of Reading Township, where he is held in respectful remembrance as an lioii- est man and a good citizen. He was a native of New Yoik State, and was born Sept. 19, 1819. He was reared to manhood in Ontario County, and in boyhood learned the trade of shoe- maker, which he did not, however, adopt .as his life work, preferring agricultur.al pursuits, but in after years occasionally worked at his j'outhful trade quite profitably for the benefit of his neighbors. Our subject met and married Miss Harriet Aldrich in Hopewell, Ontario Co., N. Y., and to her good influence, able assistance and unselfish devotion to his interests, he owed much of his success in after life. Her parents were David and Nancy (Harring- ton) Aldrich, both now deceased. They were na- tives of New Y'ork State, where the father died in middle life, having been a farmer there for many years. His widow lived to come to Michigan, and finally died in Reading 'J'ownship. At the time of her death she was the vvife of John Rising, her third husband, her second husband having been Robert R. Russell. Mrs. Balcora of this notice was born in Hopewell, Ontario Co., N. Y., Aug. 7, 1819. Her father dying when she was but seven years of age, her training and education devolved upon her mother, and she still continued to reside in her native town until her marriage with our subject, and even after that, as the first few years of their wedded life were spent in Hopewell. In 1846 they left their native State and came to Michigan, that they might secure for themselves the benefits of its wonderful agricultural resources, and build up anew a home in which to rear their children. They lo- cated in Allen Township, where Mr. Balcom pur- chased a farm, which he subsequently sold, and purchased the farm on section 3 of Reading Town- ship, which his widow now owns. It comprises 100 4* acres of land very pleasantly located in a most fer- tile and iMoductive region, which b}' his care and intelligent management in the 3'ears of patient toil that followed his settlement ujion it, Mr. Balcom brought to a high state of cultivation, not exceeded by that of any other farm in the neighborhood. On the ! 8th of December, 1871, our subject de- parted thij life, although not then past middle age. By his death his family was deprived of a loving, thonglitful husband and a devoted father, and the community lost one of its most valuable members. His character and conduct were above reproach; he was a sincere and manly Christian, and an active member of the Free-Will Baptist Church, with which he had been oflicially connected. In politics he favored the Republican party. To him and his wife were born five daughters, of whom one is noW deceased, Mariette; she was the wife of W. II. Mur- ray, who is now living in Reading Township. The record of those surviving is as follows: Angenette is the wife of J. O. Smith, and the}' now live in Atchison, Holt Co., Neb.; Ellen is the wife of Rev. H. H. Whittaker, and thej" live in Dover. Mich.; Emma is the wife of R. Baggarjy, and they live on a faim in Eaton County, Mich.; Carrie A. is the wife of Chauneey F. Rising, a hardware merchant in Allen. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Balcom has successfully managed the farm that he bequeathed her, showing marked judgment ar.d ability, and keeping the farm up to the same high standard that it had attained in her husband's day. She is uni- versall}' esteemed for her kind and amiable disi)o- sition an-««Stf-< 'S^LISHA C. L. MUMFORD, a inominent lU] member of the farming community of Mos- llL^ cow Township, has a fine estate on section IG, in the building up of which he has given the best years of an active life. He is the offspring of an excellent familj', his parents having been Ira and Eureta L. (Mann) Mumford, the former a na- tive of Herkimer Count}', and the latter of Yates County, N. Y. Ira Mumford spent his childhood days in his native county, then removed to the town of ItiUy, Yates County, where he engaged in farming pur- suits, and where he was married. In 1S35 became to the Territory of Michigan and took up 120 acres of Government land, besides securing forty acres partially improved. The mother died five years later, in 1840, wIhmi but thirty years of age, leav- ing three children, of whom our subject was the eldest. His brother, Robert T., died when four years of age; Lucy L. became the wife of Peter Williamson, of Moscow Township, and died there in 1868. The father w.^ HARLES W. WALDRON, a prominent .: banker and capitalist of the city of Hillsdale, ^^/ represents one of the old and wealthj- fami- lies of the county, being the son of William AVal- dron, who was a native of Albanj', N. Y., and settled in Hillsdale in 1843. He engaged in the mercantile business and subsequently became a banker. (P'or further information see biography in this volume.) The subject of this sketch was born in the city of Hillsdale, Aug. 31,1 855. He was the eldest son of his parents, and his mother, who in her girlhood was Miss JMar3' E. Moon, was a native of Waterloo, N. Y., and is now deceased. He acquired his edu- cation in the city schools, and early in life evinced decided business talent, and when but a youth of eighteen years started in business for himself, open- ing a store of general merchandise in North Adams, which he operated successfully' for a period of four j'ears. Then selling out he purchased the Exchange Bank owned by Chapman & Co., of Reading, of which he took possession in 1879, and which he still owns. On March 15, 1)S84. Mr. AValdron became con- nected with the Second National Bank, which was subsequently changed to a private bank and in which Hon. E. L. Koon became his partner, the lirm name being C. W. Waldron ik Co. The career of our subject had been uniformly successful, and ^ •^^f^ 972 HILLSDALE COUNTY. he invested a portion of his capital in land in dif- ferent portions of Hillsdale County, the most val- uable tract being- the Underwood farm west of the city, which once obtained a jMize for being the model farm of the county. This lies three miles from the city limits, and in all its appointments is admirably adapted to the raising of fine stock, of which Mr. Waldron makes a specialty, giving particular atten- tion to coach horses, of which he has some very fine specimens imported from France, and one of which is known as the French coach horse Epron, which was bred and owned by the French Government. The buildings and grounds of this estate are h.and- some and substantial, and the latter, which have been very tastefully laid out, indicate at once the exercise of cultivated tastes and abundant means. Mr. Waldron has given to this his own personal supervision, though he does not reside on the farm, his intention from the tirst being to make it the model farm of Southern Michigan, and no one will dispute his claim. A busy man, like his father before him, the enterprises which he has taken hold of he has alwaj's made a success. For several years Mr. Waldron was a Director of the First National Bank, of Hillsdale, which busi- ness was established by his father, and which has become one of the solid institutions of the county. December 31, 1878, Mr. Waldron was united in marriage with Miss Alice Murphy, who was born Feb. IG, 1859, in Hillsdale, and is the daughter of John and Margaret Murphy. The household circle comprises a son and daughter, GraceF. and Charles W., Jr. In polities Mr. Waldron is a stanch Re- publican. -^ #-^ ^^ -t 1^^ AMUKL RIBLET. a worthy and respected J^^^ pioneer of this county, residing in Litch- |fl^3) field Township, is the son of Solomon and Mary (Kiper) Riblet, natives respectively of Missouri and Pennsylvania, and the former of French ancestry. The parents settled in Erie County, Va., where the father became a successful farmer and resided there until 1835. He served in the War of 1812 with the rank of Captain over a party of minute men, who enlisted to protect the building of Perry's fleet, and the grandfather of our subject commanded Perry's bodyguard. In 1835 the parents of our subject removed to Huron County. Ohio, where thej- resided until their death, that of the father occurring in 1847, at the age of sixty-four years, while the mother died in 1858. They left a family of nine children, four sons and five daughters, of whom our subject was born on the anniversary of Washington's birthda}', Feb. 22, 1811. He received his education in the district schools of his native place and at Erie Academy, a scientific school, where he completed the course. By the desire of his mother he began the stud}- of medicine, but not liking the work he abandoned it and engaged in the educational pro- fession, the scene of his labors being in a select school near Pittsburgh, which he bro\ight to a high standard and received a good patron.age. In 1833 Mr. Riblet was married to Deborah Woods, .and continued teaching until 1834, and then with his wife and child came to Michigan, and was the second man to settle in Litchfield Town- ship, and to-day he is its oldest living pioneer. He was just the type of man to cope successfully with the hardships and privations of a new country; strong, physically, mentally and morally, while his young wife was likewise gifted with many graces, and was a potent force in l)ringing about the de- sired result. Mr. Riblet took an active part in bringing the railroad to Litchfield, and in 1872 he delivered a speech before the Senate Committee, which was largely instrumental in bringing about the desired result. He became one of the Directors of the road, and served as such until it was sold to the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad. Of the union of Mr. Riblet and Deborah Woods there were born five children — Solomon K., Mary Jane, Deborah A., Martha and Cyrus. The mother of these children died Dec. 21, 1878. and our subject was a second time married, Jan. 10, 1881, to Mrs. Clarinda Hartwell, of Vermont. Hy her first mar- riage she had two children, James A. and Lillie, the former of whom is a merch.ant of Litchfield, in partnership with our subject, under the firm name of S. Riblet & Co. Mr. Riblet is authority upon all matters pertain- ing to the history of Litchfield and adjoining town- *r ■^•^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. -•► 973 ships, and rcnrlered invaluable assistance in the liri'panvtion of the History of Hillsdale County, in 1879. He was Justice of the Peace while Litchfield and Ollin Townships were still united, and it fell to his lot to organize Litchticld Township and to qual- ify its first board. He has also been School In- spector and Highway Commissioner, and in politics was an Abolitionist, voted for Lincoln, and is a Prohibitionist. His history is that of progress, and in politics his motto is "Justice and Reform." FRANKLIN DUSH is classed among the model and well-to-do farmers and stock- raisers of Hillsdale Count)', and he owns and successfully manages on section 9, Wood- bridge Township, one of the finest farms in this vicinity. He was born in Licking Count)', Ohio, July 2, 1841, and is a son of John and Drusilla (Woodruff) Dush, who were also natives of Ohio, the father born in 1817 and the mother in 1820, the former being of German descent. He was a farmer by occupation, and a Democrat in politics. He died May 12, 1864, of consumption. He was twice married. His first wife, mother of our sub- ject, died in Licking Count)', Ohio, in 1848. Of that union eight children were born, whose record is as follows: Two died in infancy; Henry died in childhood ; Isaac, / who has been twice married. Miss Mesina Harding having been his first wife, and after her death he married Miss Mary Pettitt; our subject; Elgia died in infancy; Alexander and William. The second marriage of Mr. Dush was to Miss Sarah Tuttle, by whom he had seven chil- dren, some of whom died in infancy ; the record of the otliers is as follows: Benjamin; Catherine died at the age of nineteen; George; John, Mary J. and Sarah J., twins. Franklin Dush grew to manhood in his native State, and early startetl out in the world to make his own living, with no money in his pocket, but plenty of pluck and determination to succeed in life; he is thus a self made man, and a self-educated one as well, as his opportunities for schooling were I very limited, but he managed to secure a fair busi- ly ness education. Kor several years he w:is eng.agcd V in working by the month or by the job. and at last his steady industry and hard toil were rewarded; he had gained a competency, and could now marry and establish a comfortable home with the woman of his choice. Miss Melissa A. Miles. Accordingly their union was celebrated March 16, 1869. She was born May 18, 1853, and is a daughter of Stephen W. and Lovina W. (Gray) Miles, natives of Ohio. The father was born in 1821, and is still living in Licking County, Ohio, pursuing his voca- tion as a farmer. He was twice married. His first wife, mother of Mrs. Dush, to whom he was married in 1851, died in 1856, leaving but one child. He was subsequently married, and by this union has one child, William, who lives in Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Dush have been born four children, namely: Alice M., Albert S., John F. and AVill- iam H. After marriage our subject purchased a farm in his native State, which he successfully and profit- ably managed for several years. In 1882 he dis- posed of his property in Ohio, and removed with his family to this State, locating at that time on his present farm, and has ever since been a valued resi- dent of Woodbridge Township. He has a good farm of 1 20 acres, which he has brought to a fine state of cultivation, and has erected a substantial and roomy dwelling; he also has a very large brick barn in process of erection ; it is 30x56 feet with 18-feet posts, and with a gamlirel roof. Mr. Dush is justly regarded as fair-minded and honorable in his dealings with others, and is well worthy of respect. In his political views he strongly favors the doctrines promulgated by the Demo- cratic party. Jl ASPER A. WATERMAN, one of the old and i rolialilc citizens of Reading Township, is locati'd in the village limits, and is familiarly ' known as the manufacturer of the popular Waterman Pumps, which he inanuf.actured up to 1875. Mr. Waterman is the inventor of, and holds the patent for the construction of loose barrels. Aside from inventing the barrel Mr. Waterman also invented the machinery for its construction. »► i <• • « ► ■""^ 974 HILLSDALP] COUNTY. It I He carried on the maiuifaetuie of these barrels until he transferred his interest to a Detroit company, who are making of it a financial success. Mr. Waterman has been a practical mechanic for a period of forty years, and has jilaced before the people other inventions of note, including a ma- chine which appears destined to effect a complete revolution in the art of barrel malsing. This is now being manufactured b}' the 'Waterman-Chap- man Barrel Company, of Detnjit, the machinery of which has a capacity for turning out 4,000 barrels per day. Mr. Waterman produced his first barrel by means of a very imperfect machine, and then the business rested until 1885. In the meantime bis liusy brain had not been idle, and he kept work- ing at his project as time and opportunity per- mitted, and during the year mentioned secured a patent on the very practical machine which is now being operated with such satisfactory re- sults. He is also the inventor of a force pump, which if it could be brought out would doubtless prove of great utility, but of which he has not yet secured the patent. He is a man very quiet and unobtrusive in his manners, unwilling to make much stir In the world, and has devised various imple- ments which have sullicient merit to entitle them to a prominent i)lace in the patent office. Mr. Waterman came to Reading in J 855, while the town consisted of but a few poorly constructed houses and no stores. His first venture in the build- ing line was his pump factory, and after acquiring asmall tract of land he put up a brick house, which is still standing in a good state of preservation although constructed ov^r thirty 3'ears ago. His operations, like those of many othei- men, were interrupted by the outbreak of the late Rebellion, and in September, 18G1, he enlisted as First Lieu- tenant of Coujpany G, 2d Michigan Cavahy, being then its only oflicer who understood the art of drill- ing soldiers. He was accordingly, in addition to his duties as Lieutenant, installed as Drill I\Laster, aninsday, who died May 21, 1!S88, was a l)rominent citizen of Litchfleld Township. IJe became identified with the people of Southern Michigan in 1837, while it w:is still a Territory. As the son of a pioneer farmer, he was in early life trained to habits of industry, and ivjjon reaching his majority started out for himself de- I I pendent upon his own resources for his future suc- IX cess. Nature had endowed him with a courageous .►-i-4- spirit and willing hands, and after manj' years of continuous labor he found himself considerably above the foot of the ladder and on the highwaj' to prosperity. He was numbered among the solid residents of tiiis county, and proved no unim- portant factor in the develoimient of its resources. The family history of our subject is in its main points as follows: His parents, David H. and Anna (Dayton) Linsdaj', were natives respectively of New \'"ork State and New England, and after their mar- riage settled in Van Buren Township, Onondaga Co., N. Y., near the birthpl.acc of the fatiier, and where they lived until 1830. David Linsday then desiring to better his condition, came with his fam- ily to Branch County, Mich. His first wife had died in 1826, and in this journey he was accom- panied by his second wife and six children, among whom was James B., our subject, then a lad twelve years of age. The father of our subject took up a quarter- section of land in Butler Township, Branch Count}', and while operating as a tiller of the soil, also offici- ated as a local minister of ^the Christian Church. After a worthy and useful life he departed hence, March 24, 1862, at the age of sixty years. He had been deeply interested in the progress of the war which was then pending, and the only thing he regretted at the time of his death was that he was not permitted to see the abolition of slaverj' and the independence of the Union niaint.aincd. Of the three children born of his first marriage, one died in infancy. The one remaining, Joel D., is a resident of Michigan. Of the second marriage there were born two sons and three daughters. The daughters are the only ones living. James B. Linsday was born March 11, 1825, in Van Buren Township, Onondaga Co., N. Y. His parents lived in Oswego County about nine years after their marriage. James B. there conned his first lessons at school, being in the tenth year of his age when the family removed to Onondaga County*. He enjoyed very little schooling after the removal to Michigan, his services being required in the cul- tivation of the farm and the building up of the homestead. Seven j'ears after attaining his m.ajor- ity he was married, Nov. 4, 1852, to Miss Emeline Meade, who was born Dec. 5, 1826, in Wayne i f h- -ti^ 976 HILLSDALE COUNTY. County, N. Y., and was tlie (laughter of Levi and Olive (Graves) Meade, natives of New England, the father horn in Mt Washington, Conn., and tiie mother near Prattsburg, Vt. Her paternal grand- father seived in the Revolutionary War and spent his last years in New York. Levi Meade served his country later in the War of 1812. He was first married to a Miss Smith, and they became the parents of four children, only one of whom lived to mature years. Of his second mari'iage there were born eight children, of whom Mrs. Linsday was the fifth. These all grew to ma- ture years. The eail}' home of Mrs. L. was in Galen, Wayne Co., N. Y., where she was reared to womanhood. In the meantime Levi Meade de- jjarteil this life, in 1842, when his daughter was a maiden of sixteen 3'ears. He had been prosperous as a farmer and business man, and at the time of his death, at the age of sixty-three 3'ears, was the owner of 120 acres of good land. Emeline con- tinued with her mother until twenty-one years old, and on leaving the district school finished her studies in the college at Albion. She was subsequenily occupied as a teacher two terms. Of her marriage with our subject there were bora three cliildren, the eldest of whom, Elton A., married Miss Ada Allen, and is carrying t>n farming in Litchfield Township; they have one child, a son Allen. Eldorus J. is now at home with his mother, conducting the farm ; he married Miss Kate Reese, and tliej' have had one child, Vera, who died at the age of two years. Ida M. is the wife of Gilbert Lewis, a commercial man, of Cambridge, Ohio. Mr. Llnsda}' upon becoming of age was given a small piece of land by his father, but it not being verj' profitable, he sold it and occupied himself at farm labor until his marriage, when he invested his capital in 130 acres in Litchfield Township. His wife also had some means whicli, together with their mutual labors, formed a very good basis upon which to build for the future. He left acomfortable home and considerable property besides. He did much hard labor in clearing his laud, and had upon it a substantial farm residence, with a good barn and all the other necessary out-buildings for the shelter of stock and the storing of grain. Our subject was a very warm advocate of tem- perance, as also is Mrs. L. Mr. L., following in the footsteps of his honored father, took a firni stand on the slaver}' question, and rejoiced with all his heart when it was finally settled by emancipation. He cast his first Presidential vote for Zachary Tay- lor, and continued a member of the old Whig party until its abandonment in 1856, when he threw up his hat for John C. Fremont, and until his death was a firm supporter of Republican principles. ] SAUNDERS is a successful general farmer residing on section 30, Cambria Township, where he owns eighty acres of finely' im- proved land. Mr. Saunders has been in possession of this propertj' since 1855, at which date he came to tliis county from Palmyra, Waj-ne Co., N. Y. The subject of this narrative was born in Palmyra, Wayne Co., N. Y., Feb. 23, 1829, and his father, Orlando Saunders, is a native of the same place, where he still survives, at the age of eightj'-five 3'ears. He was reared to farm pursuits, and has constantly followed the occupation of an agricult- urist, in which he has been successful. His wife, whose maiden name was Balina White, was born and reared in Wayne Countj', N. Y., and died at the homestead there after she had attained the age of sixty-two years. The grandfather of our subject, Enoch Saunders, was a native of Connecticut, and came of an old New England family of pure En- glish ancestry. Enoch Saunders was a farmer by occupation, .and settling in New York State soon after marriage, purchased land from the Govern- ment in Palm3'ra Township, Wayne Count}', and there spent the remainder of his da3's on the farm which his son Orlando now owns. The wife of Enoch Saunders, a Connecticut lad}', whose maiden name was Abigail Holmes, came of an old and wor- th3' famil}' of English descent. She died at the old homestead in Palmyra Township when she had at- tained the age of sevent3'-seven years. The old Saunders' stock were old-line Whigs during the entij-e existence of that political party. E. Saunders is the eldest of the famil3- of four sons included in the parental family. All of these bo3's are yet living — two at the old homestead in \ t -^^^ I <^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 977 *t llio Empire State, and two in tlie Wolverine State. Our suliject grew to manhood in his native town- ship, and there contraclt'd a matrimonial alliance, Nov. 18, 18.o7, with Miss Marj- F. Young, who w.ns born in the city of New York, Oct. 13. 1835, and is the third daugiiter and fourth ciiild of Daniel and Abbie J. (Fields) Young, both of whom are now deceased. The father died iu Joncsvillc, in 1880, aged seventy-five years, while the mother passed away in Ulster County", N. Y., in the prime of life, when only twenty-nine years of age. She was by birllnight a (Quaker, and was ciiaracterized by the unostentation and sterling qualities of that sect. J^aniel Young was for many years a banker in New York, and was a man of good education and large experience. He was a graduate of a collegiate institution, and was well versed in current topics, a deep thinker and a close reasoner. Among the gifts with which nature endowed him were a fine physical development and a genial and sprightly disposition, which gave him prominence among his fellows, .and contributed in a large measure to his successful business career. He wiis twice married, and survived his last wife .about eight years. In politics he was always active in the advocacy of Republican principles, believing these to be best calculated to perpetuate and improve our n.ational existence. Mrs. Saunders was reared in her native city of New York through eleven years of her girlhood, and then removed to Palmyra, in the Empire State, where she resided until her marriage. Many of our most prosperous .and intelligent farmers owe their position and influence in a large measure to their heroic wives. Although many of these ladies came from homes of culture and refinement in the earlier settled States, whore they had been reared among the comforts and the luxuries of life, they willingly turned their backs upon so much that the heart holds dear, and accompanied their husbands to the west- ern wilds, where they cheerfully endured all the pioneer trials and privations in order to Iiuild up with their husbands a home where their children might have a wider field for the exercise of their talents. To this class belongs the heroine of our sketch, who has nobly seconded her husband in his laudaljlc efforts to carve out a name and fame in ^ the great western country; and, as is ever the case, wiiere the aims and desires .are mutual, they have succeeded in realizing more than their most s.an- guine anticipations. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Saunders has been brightened by the birth of six children, all boj's, who are recorded as follows: Alton C. resides at Toledo, Ohio, and is a painter b}' trade, and master of the art ornamental; George O. also lives at To- ledo; Orson took to wife Josci)hinc Bryan, and oper- ates a wine and liquor store in (Joslien, Ind. ; Luther D. and L. Alfonzo reside at home. Luther assists in the management of the farm and is a musician by profession ; he is in Toledo for the se.ason. One year after their inarri.age Mr. and Mrs. Saun- ders came to their home here in Cambria Township, which place Mr. S. had owned four years before his marriage and had improved to some extent. They are liberal-minded and broad in their relig- ious belief, while in politics Mr. .Saunders is a solid Republican. yARREN STURDEVANT, a gentleman in the prime of life, actively engaged in .agri- cultural pursuits in Cambria Township, has a finelj' improved farm of 120 acres on section 24. Besides this property ho owns ninetj' acres on sec- tion 25, the greater part of which is in a productive condition. He has been a resident of this county for over thirty years, and is numbered among its solid and reliable men. Our subject was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., April 2, 1844, and is the son of Eli.as L. and Olive (Leonard) Sturdevant, who were also natives of the Empire State. The paternal grandfather, Joseph .Sturdevant, w.as also born there, but spent a good share of his life in Pennsylvania, where he followed the trade of shoeni.aker; when a young man he served as a soldier in the War of 1812. Quite late in life he came to Michigan, and died in Woodhridgc Township, Hillsdale Countj', in 18C3, when seventy-seven ^-ears old. He had been twice married, and was iu all respects a most estim.able citizen. Elias L. Sturdevant, the father of our subject, • ^ji f ^' ■•►^1- 978 HILLSDALE COUNTY. spent his boyhood and youth in liis native State, and was married in Tom i)kins County. After the liirth of five children tlie parents removed to Fulton County, Ohio, living tiiere one year, during which time they lost one son by death. About 18.53 they came to this State, locating first in Medina Township, Lena- wee County, whence later they removed to a new farm in Wright Township, this county, which the father purchased, made some improvements, and then selling out invested a part of his capital in forty acres in Woodbridge Township. This prop- erty, a few years later, he traded for a farm in Ran- som Township, which he occupied two years, then returned to Woodbridge Township, whence he again removed to Caml^ria Township, settling this time on forty acres on section 24, where he still lives. He is now seventy-five years old, a hard-wurking, honest man, in early life a Whig, politically, and later a Republican. 'J'he wife and mother still continues the faithful partner of her aged husband, and is sixty-seven years old. To Elias L. and Olive Sturdevant there were born nine children, five sons and four daughters; one of the former and two of the latter are deceased. The living children are all married and settled in com- fortable homes. Warren, our subject, acquired his education in the district schools, and in early man- hood served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade; he followed this some years, and put up many excellent houses both in this county and in Eaton. He was first married, in Cambria Township, to Miss Helen Reynolds, who was born in Branch County, this State, in 1849, and a history of whose father. Chancy Reynolds, will be found on another page in this volume. Mrs. Helen Sturdevant died at her home in Cambria Township, Sept. 9, 1871. She had no children. Our subject contracted a second marriage in Cambria Township, this county, Nov. 20, 1875, with Mrs. Esther (Miles) Hall, who was born in Califo)nia Townshij), Branch County, this State, March 18, 1849, and is the daughter of Chancy and Mary A. (Reynolds) Miles, who died some years ago, the father at Pilot Knob, Mo., about 1802, when forty -six years of age. The mother passed away some five years before the death of her husband, her death taking place in Branch County -♦ . : =...= about 18.t7, when she was forty }'ears old. They were natives respectively of Connecticut and New York, and were married in Branch County, this State. Mr. Miles was a well-educated man and fol- lowed teaching considerably during the younger years of his life. Later he engaged in farming. The wife of our subject was first married in Adrian, Mich., to Andrew Hall, a farmer by occu- pation, and who, during the late war, served as a Union soldier about three years in Companj^ F, 2d Michigan Infantry. After receiving his honorable discharge he returned to Cambria Township, from which he had enlisted, and died on the 28th of May, 1873. He left a wife and three children, one of whom, Eugene, died at the age of fifteen years; Harry and Bert, twenty-one and seventeen years of age, are living with their mother and stepfather. By this marriage Mr. Sturdevant is the father of three children — Andrew W., Elias L., Jr., and Mi- nerva E. The family residence is a well-built structure, convenient and suDstantial, and the other improvements of the homestead bear fair compari- son with those of the intelligent farmers around. Mr. S. gives most of his attention to his agri- cultural pursuits and his personal affairs, having no desire for the responsibilities of office. He keeps himself well posted, however, upon current events, and uniformly votes the Republican ticket. —i9»^k—^>&> >fM^>'<^i^^ (l^ ORACE WEAVER. Southern Michigan is "^ largely indebted for its progressive element to the New England and North Atlantic States, particularly the old Empire State, which has furnished its full complement of the men and women who have witnessed and taken their part in the development of the natural resources of this section of the country. They are of a class of people in whom a regard for the dictates of con- science appears to have been transmitted just as clearly and forcibly as are the thrift and enterprise for which the original settlers of those States were noted. It was there, in Wayne County, the sub- ject of this sketch first saw the light, Oct. 22, 1829. James Weaver, the father of our subject, re- moved from Wayne County, N. Y., to the Terri- -. ■» t •^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 979 ', 4. tory of Mieliigan in 1834, and located upon rented land in LaSalle. Monroe County, and continued a resilient of that neighborhood until his deatii, in 1845. The mother of our subject, who in her girl- hood was I'hebe Ilaight. died in Wayne County, N. Y., when her son Horace was but an infant. He was a little lad of five years old when he accom- jmnied the family to Michigan, and locating in jlonroe County, resided tliere until 1848. lie then came to AVright Township, this county, when a young man, and engaged in various occupations, taking contracts for chopping and clearing land. Soon after his arrival, and when he had saved a little of his earnings, lie bought forty acres of tim- ber land at 1200, giving i!20 in cash, a rifle valued at $14, and his note for $6; the remaining $100 was to be paid in three years. There was already a log house on the place and a few acres of the land were cleared, but the house burned down soon after the time of purchase. Prior to his marriage Mr. Weaver erected a frame house, and there he re- sid(Hl, engaged in the improvement of liis purchase, until 1870, when he sold that propert}' and bougiit his present farm of sixty acres on section 27, Wright Township. At the time of i)urch.ase tiiere were on the place a log house and shed, but these have been superseded by a substantial and commodious brick residence, and a good frame barn, with other necessary out-buildings. Earlj' in the history of the war of the Rebellion Mr. AVeaver's sympathies were enlisted in the cause of the Union, and he enlisted, Sept. 11, 18Gl,in Company F, 11th Michigan Infantry, for tiiree years, and marching to the scene of action with his regiment, served in the Army of tlie Cumberland. In tiic battle of Stone River the 11th Michigan and the 1 IHh Illinois crossed the river and made the charge that gained the battle. Mr. Weaver was in the battle of Chiekamauga, where he was cap- tured .Sept. 20, 18(j3, and was subsequently con- lined in the rebel [irisons at Richmond and Danville, Va. He remained in prison until the 8th of Maj'. 18(54, and was then i)aroled and discharged with the regiment at Sturgeon, Mich., Sei)t. 13, 1804. Upon obtaining his discharge, he returned to his home, and resumed his agricultural operations. Mr. Weavi'r was united in marriage, May 5, 1872, with Mrs. Lucinda M. Allen, who was a native of New York. By her marri.ige with her first husband, Mr. Allen, she had one daughter, Ora Dell, wife of Levi Baker; they have five chil- dren. The first wife of Mr. Weaver was .fuditb A. Vanschaick. By this marriage Mr. Weaver had one child, Emma D.. who first married George E. Soper, by whom she has one child : she is now the wife of Henry Owen, and lives in Bcllaire, Mich.; she has three children. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are members of the Dis- ciples' or Christian Church, and are reputable people, enjoying the confidence and respect of their friends and .acquaintances. Mr. Weaver was a Republican until the formation of the Proliibition partj', which his strong temperance i)rinciples induced him to join. LVIN S. AVILSON, son of one of the hon- ored pioneers of Hillsdale County, and a gentleman in the prime of life, was born on the farm which he now owns and occupies in Wright Township, three-quarters of a mile north of Waldron, on the 7th of November. 1844. His father, James Wilson, was a native of Monroe County, N. Y., where he was reared to manhood, and where he married Miss Mary Allard. After residing there some time after his raarrijige he came tothe Territoiy of Michigan and located in Wright Townshi]), on the southwest quarter of section 27. He had made the journey via the lake to Detroit, and from there overland with a team to his future home. It was then butatr.act of uncultivated land covered with timber. His first work was to erect a log cabin, into which the family removed, and which they occupied for some 3^ears. The face of the country was flat and low, and the beavers had l)uilt a dam which prevented the water from es- cai)ing. thus constituting a swamp at least in ap- pearance, which involved no small amount of labor in converting it to a sUite of cultivation. The father of our subject, in common with his neighbors, could not afford the luxury of horses, and for a number of yeai's carried on his farm work, milling and marketing, with oxen. The J^ -A 980 HILLSDALE COUMTY. land was covered with heavy timber, and in order to get rid of this the trees were cut down and de- stroyed by fire. In this manner thousands of 1 flne blaciv walnut logs were burned, which, could they now be obtained, would bring a handsome sum of nionej'. The nearest milling point at that time was the unimposing hamlet of Tecumseh, in Lenawee County. It was the custom when one neighbor went to mill, to talie a grist along for each of tiie others, and this changing about was a great accommodation, as tlie distance was about forty miles, and covild not be traversed in much less than a week on account of the bad roads and tbe slow means of locomotion. About 1845 James "Wilson decided upon a re- moval to Hillsdale, which was also but a hamlet, and engaged in keeping a hotel. One year's ex- perience, however, sufficed, and he returned gladly to his farm. Soon afterward he became interested in the lumber trade, and believed there was a better way to dispose of those magnificent trees than to burn them. He determined at least to make the experiment, and put up the first sawmill erected in this section. This structure was located on a small stream on section 3, in Wright Township, and from that time until his death the father of our subject was engaged in the lumber business, which yielded him handsome returns. For his first thousand feet of black walnut delivered at Adrian he received 110. The stream upon which the mill was located did not furnish sufficient water-power the entire year, and he built a steam-mill on his own farm. When timber became scarce here, he went into Midland Countj', and engaged in the manu- facture and sale of pine lumber, making his head- quarters at Midland City. There his death took place March 1, 1875. The mother of our subject fulfilled in her life and character all the virtues of the matrons of those days. A careful wife and helpmate, she spun and wove wool and flax, and like the women of Scrip- ture, " looked well to the wa3S of her household." The paternal grandmother of Alvin S. Wilson came to Michigan with his parents, and made the cloth for the family wear. Sbe died at the home farm about 1862, and the mother of our subject passed away in the spring of 18o2. When James Wilson and his family first settled in Wright Township, deer, wild turkeys and other game were plentiful, while bears and wolves in real form sufficed to keep the children from going very far from home. Two hunters used frequently to come from Adrian with their guns, and employing the mother of our subject to do sewing for them, they in return kept the family supplied with fresh wild meat. Our subject is the only surviving child of the parental family. His education was acquired in the pioneer school, which was first held in a log house. This structure was located on the present site of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, in Waldron. As soon as old enough he was required to make himself useful about the homestead, and when but a little lad, could manage a team to perfection. When eleven years old he officiated as fireman in his father's steam-mill, at which he was occupied seven years, then became engineer in the flouring and saw mill at Waldron. He occupied this position three years, then changing his vocation somewhat, engaged as clerk in a store of general merchandise nine years. At the expiration of this time our subject re- turned to the old farm, which he operated one year, and then, in company with Dr. A. C. Bates, purchased a stock of general merchandise, and en- gaged in trade until in February, 1888. The new railroad now being completed, he sold his interest in the business to his partner, and became the pio- neer grain buyer of Waldron. He still, however, makes his home at the old farm, which possesses for him a far more than moneyed value with its many and precious associations. One of the most important events in the life of our subject w.as his marriage, which occurred on the 5th of January, 1864. The maiden of his choice, Miss Annis Smith, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, April 15, 1847, and is the daughter of James H. and Eunice (Foust) Smith, natives of the State of New York. Mr. Smith died in July, 1887. The mother of Mrs. Wilson is still living. Their two living children are : Leroy, who married Miss Adelle Boyd, and vvho is carrying on tbe business of grain buying with his father at Waldron, and Ernest, who continues at home with his parents. Their first born son died March 11, 1 872, when six years »► B ^j *: :• nrst- jars of W ' -^•- HILLSDALE COUNTY. 981 nge. Mr. and Mrs. WiKsoii .are niemliers in gooil standing of the Wesleyan IMetliodist C'huich, in which our subject has officiated as Superintendent of the Sund.ay-scliool for eiglileon years. lie has always been warmly interested in the religious training of the young,and isPresidentof the Hills- dale (bounty Sunday-School Association, also Secretary' in Wright Township of the same. In politics he is a Prohibitionist. RS..1ERIJSHASTURGES. This very intelli- gent and capable lady came to the Terri- tory of Michigan when a newly married wife, in the fall of 1 8.3;}, and settled first with her husband in Tecuniseh Township. Two years later they changed their residence to Scipio Townsliii), this county, locating on section 0, where Mr. Sturges died on the 14th of May, 1864, and where his widow has since lived. The Sturges homestead is noticeable for the air of thrift and comfort around it, the neat and substantial build- ings, and the laud which has been brought to a good state of cultivation. There were originally 240 acres in the farm, and of this Mrs. hturges now owns 1 20 acres, which is the source of a snug income. The subject of this biography-, who w.as in her girlhood Miss Jerusha Steele, was the eldest daughter of Perez and Clarissa (Brainard) Steele, who were natives of Connecticut. They settled after their marriage in Greene County, N. Y., to which the parents of Mr. Steele had removed when he was but a lad six or seven years of age. To Perez Steele and his wife there were born seven children, Jeru- sh.a, Feb. 23, 1811. Of her brothers and sisters, three are now living. Miss Jerusha Steele continued under the parental roof during her childhood and 3-outh. acquiring her education in the common school, and being trained by a good and sensible mother to all housewifely duties. Her marriage with James Sturges vvas cele- brated at her home in Greene County, N. Y., in June, 1833. The seven children who came to bless their union were all born at the homestead in .Scipio Town- ship, except the eldest, who was born in Tecuniseh, Mich., and, with the exception of one who died in infancy, and one at the age of ten years, .are all living. Mary F. is the widow of F. M. Culver, late of Scipio Township; Mrs. C. lives on her hus- band's estate. Martha C, the second wife of F. M. Culver, died at her home in Scipio Township, April 11, 1881; David B. is engaged in teaching in California; Hannah K. died Sept. 9, 1851, at the age of ten years; Selina W. is the wife of John Riggs. of Jlosherville; Ellen continues at home with her mother; James died in infancy. Mrs. Sturges since the death of her husband has had charge of the farm, the operations of which she has superintended with rare good judgment, being fortunate in her investments and effecting the im- provements most needed. Both she and her husband identified themselves with the Methodist Episcopal Church in early life, of which Mr. S. remauied a member until his death, and with which Mrs. S. is still connected, and has always proved a cheerful and liberal contributor to the many calls for benevo- lent work. The faniil3' are widely and favorably known throughout the northern pait of the county, and have formed no unimportant factors in its development and progress. ANIEL D. DIVINE, a farmer and stock- breeder, and one of the pioneers of Wood- bridge Township, is comfortably located on section 5. He was born near Oswego, Cayuga Co., N. Y., May 1, 1814, four days before the battle of Oswego, which was fought during the War of 1812, and in which his father, Josei)h Divine, p.articipated as Captain, which rank he held in the State Militia for a i)eriod of eleven years. He was also a Major of militia ten years, but after liis mili- tary services were no further required turned his .attention to agriculture. Joseph Divine moved to Ohio in 1833 and to Michigan ten years later. He died in March, ISS."). He was a man i)iominent in his comnuinity and a church member. The parents of our subject were married about 1800. The mother died about 1861 or 1862; she was a very amiable and excellent lady, and a true Christian. The family included three i 982 HILLSDALE COUNTY. daughters and nine sons, namely ; Lucinrla, Arminda, ISelali, Samuel, John, Daniel D. (our subject). Asa, Joseph, Margaret, George, James and William. Seven of these are deceased. John died at the age of seventy years. Mr. Divine, our subject, came to this State in 1849, and settled upon the farm where he now livesi sixty acres of which are in a fine state of cultivation and which yields a comfortable income. He has done much hard work during his lifetime, and bears the reputation among his neighbors of an indus- trious and responsible citizen. He has two sons and two daughters — Lafayette, Joseph L., Louisa and Rhoda — all married and comfortably settled. The mother of these was in her girlhood Miss Per- melia French, who was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., in June, 1820, and is the daughter of Ben- jamin and Lydia (Wilbur) French, also natives of the Empire St.ate, and the parents of twelve chil- dren. The}' died near Toledo, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Divine vvere married Nov. 17, 1839. Our subject is a man of much intelligence, and politically, a solid Republican. He has studiously avoided the responsibilities of office, and although elected Township Treasurer refused to qualify. He was at one period of his life a church member, but is not now identified with any religious denomi- nation. He aims to follow the precepts of the Golden Rule, and to do good as he has opportunity. As one of the old settlers of this county who has faithfully performed his duties in life, he is held in general respect. LEXANDER CAMPBELL RIDEOUT, fuW LL. D., Principal of the Commerci.il and Telegraphic Department of Hillsdale Col- lege, was born at Brilliant, above Wheeling, on the west bank of the Ohio River. Feb. 8, 184L His parents were Mark and Rachel (Wherry) Ride- out, the father a native of Maine and the mother of Pennsylvania. Mark Rideout left his native State after his marriage to Irene Barton, his first wife, and settled in Washington County, Pa., where about 1840 his wife died. He subsequently settled in Jefiferson County, Ohio, where the subject of this sketch spent his earlier years and pursued His primary studies in the common school. Prof. Rideout, when twenty years of age, the Civil War being in progress, entered the army as a member of Company G, 110th Ohio Infantry, com- manded by Col. Keiffer, afterward General, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, and was assigned to the 6th Army Corps, which took part in all the battles under Gen. Sheridan in the Shen- andoah Vallej'. This campaign included the fight at Winchester, Fisher's Hill, and various other minor engagements with the enemy. Young Rideout came out safely from the service, receiving his honorable discharge in July, 1865. Returning to his home in Ohio, he soon entered upon a commercial course at Oberlin, from which he was graduated in the class of '66. In Septem- ber following he came to this county'. A branch of the Oberlin school having previously been estab- lished at Hillsdale, Prof. Rideout was employed as a teacher, which position he filled eighteen months. He was then made Principal of the school, also proprietor of the interest held here by the Oberlin Commercial College. Under his wise management the school has been raised to its present standing. From the time of his connection with Hillsdale College, Prof. Rideout gave to it his best thoughts and attention. During the j'ears 1876 and 1877 he erected the four-story building in which to con- duct his department of the school, and by degrees introduced new features which proved the basis of its present success. The branches now taught are principally book-keeping, commercial law, political economy, commercial arithmetic, shorthand, type- writing, telegraphy and electrical engineering; the college, which is now the pride of Southern Michi- gan, numbers among its students young men from all parts of the Union. It is generously furnished with all the appliances necessary for the successful prosecution of a thorough course of commercial study, and various other departments furnish the instruction so essential to the proper equipment of the enterprising business men of the present time. Prof. Rideout was one of the principal movers in the establishment of the College Herald, a weekly paper, published throughout the entire year, and -•► t M^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 983 Ij wliicli is now in its timtli volume, having a circula- tion of 1,200. Prof. Ricleout suggested the plan by which ^25.000 wei'e raised to add to the eiidow- nient fund and pay an indebtedness on the college buildings, and was largely instrumental also in raising the $10,000 required for the college church. The Professor was married, June 3, 18C8, in Ober- lin, Ohio, to Miss Bessie B. Brewster, who was at the time one of the accomplished teachers of Ober- lin public schools, and the daughter of Calvin Brewster. Both her parents are deceased. Mrs. Rideout was born in 1845, in Portage County, Ohio, and came to Michigan with her husband in 1SG8. Of her union with our subject there is one child living, a son, Paul, aged nineteen, who is now pur- suing a classical course in Hillsdale College. Li 1876 Prof Rideout was honored by Muskin- gum College, Ohio, with the degree of Doctor of Laws, a title for which he is amply fitted by vir- tue of his erudition and natural capabilities. r ^^EORGE W. CUTLER, engaged in a general [l| s^ banking business in North Adams, is also ^^5) the owner of eighty acres of land on section 14, in Adams Township, which is very valuable anil under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Cutler erected for himself a fine residence in the village of North Adams, in which he and his family are enjoying the comforts of life, with which he has surrounded himself by a life of honest industry and energy. The parents of our subject, William and Esther (Van Aiken) Cutler, were natives respectively' of Niagara County, N. Y., and Sussex County, N. J. They united their lives and fortunes in Niagara County, N. Y.. and came directly from the Empire State to this county in the year 1835. He was among the very first settlers in Adams Township, and took up land directly from the Government, while he has in his possession letters patent for 120 acres, signed by Andrew Jackson. Here, it niay be said, the country grew up around him as truthfully as that he grew up with the country. He was a 4» man of great energy of character, and became well and favorably known in Adams Township, where he accumulated between 300 and 400 acres of land, while he was also the owner and proprietor of the hotel known as "Cutler's Corner," from 1835 to 18C2. In his character of "mine host" he became acquainted with all whom business brought to this section of countrj-, and gained a shrewd insight into human nature. He figured conspicuously among his folio wmen, and became a leader in all matters of a public nature, securing in a large measure the confidence and esteem of all his ac- quaintances, as is proved by the fact that he has held all the public offices of his township. After witnessing in his residence here of a third of a century those marvelous changes which have trans- formed Southern Mich.igan from a vast wilderness to one of the most fertile tracts in the country, and doing well his part in bringing about these devel- opments, he ceased from his labors in 18G9, d^'ing at the age of sixty years; the mother survives, and resides in Hillsdale at the age of seventy-one. The family of William and Esther Cutler com- prised seven children, four sons and three daugh- ters, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth. He was burn in this county, Aug. I'J, 1842, and his boyhood was passed on a farm until 1862. His experience in the pio- neer schools of his townshii) and in the labors in connection with farm life, as soon as he was of an age to assist in those duties, was similar to that of farmers' sons of that tiuic. They were happy in their freedom from care, and in that rugged health which a life of healthful exercise wiihoul unnatural stim- ulus always brings. In 1S62, when twenty years of age, Mr. Cutler res|)onded to the call for assist- ance in defense of the Union, and enlisted as a private in Company G, 18th Michigan Infantry, being marched directly to the front. He served one year in that capacity, after which he was pro- moted to the position of Lieutenant, in Company L, 11th Michigan Cavalry, and served in that rank until the close of the war in 1865. His regiment took part in the battles of Mt. Sterling and Cynthi- ana in Kentucky, and as a cavalryman with his regi- ment he skirmished through Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina. At Salt Works, W. Va.. i •4^ 984 -•► HILLSDALE COUNTY. the Union forces under Gen. Burbridge encount- ered a division of the rebel army, commanded by Gen. Brecliinridge, and a hotly contested battle en- sued. Lieut. Cutler was shot through the right knee, and was captured with the rest of the wounded and confined in Libby Prison six months; he was then released, being exchanged in March, 1865, and did not again engage in active service, but was Assist- ant Provost Marshal at Louisville, Ky., serving in this capacity until the close of the war. He was mustered out at Louisville, and lionorably dis- charged at Detroit in the same year. Lieut. Cutler then converted his sword into a plowshare, and returning to his home resumed agricultural occupations, which he continued some two or three years. In the meantime he was united in marriage with an amiable and accomplished lady, Miss Mary, daughter of Jabez and Harriet (Knapp) Langdon, natives of Wayne County, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Langdon were married in Michigan, set- tling in Hillsdale County in its early pioneer days, in 1835. The father was successful in his efforts to subdue nature, redeeming from the wilderness a farm, which became a goodly heritage for his chil- dren, and died in the midst of his usefulness in 1866, at fifty-eighi years of age, while the mother died in 1874, aged sixty years. Of their children two grew to years of maturity : Mary, Mrs. Cutler, and Henry C, who is engaged in the hardware business in North Adams, and has an extensive patronage. Mrs. Cutler was born June 2, 1849, and passed her girlhood in Lenawee County, ne.ar Adrian, where, under the improved school sj'Stem which had been brought about by the worthy veterans of .Southern Michigan, she obtained a good education. After having farmed for three years Mr. Cutler went into business at North Adams, being the junior partner of the firm of Williams & Cutler, dealers in drugs and medicines. His next enterprise was in the dry-goods business, in company with E. E. Upham. At the end of a year they closed out this business and Mr. Cutler engaged in the hardware business, in company with his brother-in-law, Henry C. Lang- don, in which he remained until starting his present line of business in 1886. He has been successful in this as in other business ventures, and carries on a banking business in its various branches, affording excellent accommodation for the people of the sur- rounding country to carry on their m dietary trans- actions. Politically, Mr. Cutler is identified with the Re- publican t)arty, to which he uniformly gives his cordial support. He was Depul}' Sheriff of Hills- dale County for a period of six ye.ars, discharging the duties of his office with that dispatch which has ever been one of his prime qualities; he has ever been forward in the cause of education, ready to assist by counsel, or more tangible means, in any measure inaugurated for its advancement, and iden- tifying himself closely with its interests by serving as a member of the Board of Education for a period of fourteen years, while he is now a member of the Board of Trustees of North Adams. Lieut. Cutler is a member of the G. A. R., T. S. Meade Post No. 189, of which he is at present Adjutant, and he is also a member of the Masonic fraternitj'. o-9^o -#" — E^ , SHER B. LaFLEUR. This gentleman is f ^TLJl l well known throughout Hillsdale County, and is the subject of a history at once filled with the sadness of a homeless orphan, the romance of chivalry, the glory of a soldier, and the patriotism of a LaFayette. As near as can be learned from legal documents obtained from his guardian, he was born in New York State, July 1, 1841. His parents died when he was very young, in fact, he was but four years of age at the time of his mother's death, when he was thrown upon the mercies of a cold world, falling into the hands of the Superintendent of the Poor, who bound him out to a farmer, James Henshaw by name, in Erie County, N. Y., to serve until he should reach his majority. He received cruel treatment at the hands of this man, which he endured until sixteen years of age, then fled from his oppressor, and worked for the neighboring farmers by the month during the summer season and attended school in winter. Young LaFleur, taking advantage of every oppor- tunity for obtaining useful information, succeeded in acquiring a practical education, and saved what he could of his wages. In the fall of 1860 he came to this county with the purpose of attending Hills- dale College and working his way through. He •► t ♦-i-*. ,t HILLSDALE COUNTY. 985 liarl been in attendance bnt two terms, and in the meantime had kept a close watcli upon the progress of liic R(^l)ellii)n, and could now no longer resist the sense of dut3' wliiuli seemed to call him to the field. He accordingly' enlisted in Company H. 4th Michigan Infantry, and was mustered into service at Adrian. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and he was present subsequently at the battles of Bull Run, the siege of Yorktown, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Chancellorsville and Get- tysburg, being at the latter place wounded, and suffered confinement in the hospital for five months. At the expiration of his first term of enlistment Mr. LaFleur veteranized in the same regiment for another three j-ears, or during the war. He joined his comrades at Rappahannock .Station, in time to participate in the battle of the Wilderness. On the 10th of May, the fifth day of this figlit, while charging a rebel battery, he was struck in the right leg by a volley of grape shot which shattered it below the knee so badly that the limb liad to be amputated upon the field. As soon as possible he was conveyed to a hospital at AVashington, and later gangrene set in, in consequence of which two more operations were rendered necessary, first at Washington and later at Detroit. From this he suffered a whole year. At the close of the war he received his honorable discharge, June 21, 1865, in the meantime having been promoted to a Ser- geant. Returning now to Hillsdale Mr. LaFleur em- ployed himself at farming, and fulfilled the pledge which he had made to a j'oung lady there, Miss Laura E. Hadley, to whom his misfortune had made no change in her affection, and thej' were married Feb. 22, 1864, and not long afterward purchased a farm in Butler, Brancli County, upon ■which the}' removed and continued to live until 1876. That year Mr. LaFleur came to this county, and purchased a little farm of forty acres on sec- tion 15. in Litchfield Township. He now began to realize the importance of gaining some clew to his family antecedents, and decided to use the small amount of his surplus funds in returning East and gaining what information he could of his par- ents in Erie County, N. Y. Upon reaching the Empire State our subject for tlie first time learned that he was Itorn in Cattarau- gus County. He went back to his birthplace, and there learned thrttiiis father's name was Ainltrose LaFleur, that he was born in France, was a tanner by trade, and had been accidentally killed while in pursuance of this occupation. He also learned that his mother, Elizabeth LaFleur, w.as a native of Wales, and had been twice married, being the mother of four children by her union with Mr. La- Fleur, and one daughter by licr other marriage. These children at a tender age had been placed with different families and kept in ignorance of their parentage, so that to-day our subject does not know the whereabouts of his three brothers and sister. He traced up his half-sister and made her acquaintance; she is now a resident of New York State. Returning to his home in Litchfield Mr. LaFleur was occupied in farming until the fall of 187'J, when he was elected County Treasurer, serv- ing two terms of two years each, during which time he was a resident of Hillsdale. He was afterward appointed Deputy' Collector of Inter- nal Revenue, holding this position two and one- half years, and until the incoming of the present administration. Then returning to Litchfield he engaged in genenal merchandising one year, and in the spring of 1888 purchased the McDougall farm, which consists of 120 .acres, lying on section 15, and which under his judicious man.agement will in time become a valuable piece of property. The wife of our subject is the daughter of Cor- nelius and Elizalteth (Briggs) Hadley, natives of Vermont, and married in the town of Brattleboro. The)' came to Michigan in 1847, settling on a farm near Litchfield, where the death of the father took place in 18G4, when he was sixty-seven years old. The mother survived her husband until 1875, con- tinuing at the old homestead, and died at the advanced age of seventy-nine years. The Hadle)' estate was quite valuable, and besides the personal proiierty included a good farm of 320 acres. The family included eleven children, four sons .and seven daughters, of whom Mrs. LaFleur, the j'oungest, w.as born .Sept. 16, 1845, in Sandy Creek Township, Oswego Co., N. Y. She w.as little more than an infant when brought to Michigan by her iiarents, and after leaving the district school attended Hills- — ■» ' ' t ■► i r^ 986 HILLSDALE COUNTT. dale College, and eDgaged in teaching a short time before her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. LaFIcur became the parents of five children. Their eldest son, Hubert D., was gradu- ated from the Hillsdale High Schcol, and now has charge of the faini; Asher B. attended Litch- field Union School as a member of the class of '88; Clara and Winnifred are also students there, the former in the class of '93 and the latter in the primary depai'tnient; Chancy Cook, the youngest, remains at home with his parents. It is hardly necessarj' to say that Mr. LaFleur is a stanch supporter of Republican principles. Considering the circumstances of his early life and the dif- ficulties thrown around his path, the position which he holds to-day is a remarkable illustra- tion of energy and perseverance. Few of those even who have been upheld by the encourage- ment and assistance of friends have arrived at the point to which he has attained, as a man among men and a valued member of society. His intelli- gence and true worth have received ready recog- nition from the people of Litchfield Township, where his career has been unmarked by a dishonest act. He served as Township Treasurer ten years in succession, and is a charter member and Director of the Hillsdale Savings Bank. Liberal-minded and public-spirited, he is ever willing to aid by his influence and his means every worthy project strug- gling for a foothold, and which will result in good to the people. Socially, he is a member of Frank- lin Lodge No. 40, A. F. & A. M., and in the G. A. R. at one time was Commander of Hillsdale Post, which he was largely instrumental in organizing. He cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. Among the selfmade men of Southern Michigan he is one of the brightest lights. -^s- #-# RTHUR EDWIN HAYNES, Professor of 'fuW Mathematics and Physics in Hillsdale Col- lege for the last eleven years, during which time he has distinguished himself for his erudition and his thoroughness as an instructor, was born near Baldwinsville, N. Y., on the 23d of Ma}', 1849. He was the second son in a family of »► 1 <■ — six children, the offspring of Horace and Adalinc (Sweet) Haynes, who were also natives of the Em- pire State, being born near the birthplace of their sou, in Onondaga County. The parents of our subject came to IMichigan in June, 1858. They located near the village of Read- ing, in the southwestern part of Hillsdale County, where the father carried on farming successfully, and where he, his faithful wife and their eldest daughter still live. Their children received a com- mon-school education, and the boyhood of Arthur was spent upon the farm until he had reached the age of twenty years. Then, his tastes inclining toward the professions, he returned to his native State, and entering the academy at Baldwinsville, pursued his studies there two terms, while in sum- mer he was employed upon the farm of his uncle. Col. Thaddeus Haynes. Upon returning home he soon entered the employ of the Ft. Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw Railroad Company, and after being oc- cupied here for a short time, was appointed to the position of assistant foreman of a gang of section men. In the fall of the year 1870 he entered Hills- dale College, where he remained a student, closely applying himself to his studies until he was gradu- ated from the institution in June, 1875. He taught several terms of district scliool very successfully before graduation, and was emplo3'ed more or less during his college course as tutor in mathematics in the college. During the vacation between the junior and senior years he assisted in the erection of the Central College building, in order to earn money to continue his studies, carrying a hod from the first story until the completion of the fourth, shoulder- ing eighty pounds of brick, and walking from the bottom to the top of the ladder (20 feet) without touching the hod-handle, a feat that he was justly proud of. The brick in those walls echo back the words that he now repeats during the recitations of his pupils. Immediatel}' following his graduation he married Miss May Hewitt, the daughter of Hon. Alexander Hewitt and Mary Hewitt, of Allen. He was a|)pointed instructor in mathematics in his Alma Mater (Hillsdale College) in the fall of 1875, and two years later was elected to the full Pro- fessorship, which position he still holds. The very i « t 1 HILLSDALE COUNTY. 987 manner in which he secured liis education is suffi- cient evidence of tlie character of tlie man, his application, liis resohition and his love of learning. In the sunnncrs of 1877 and 1878 he was a student in mathematics under the instruction of the late Dr. Edward Olnuy, of Michigan University, one of the ablest educators of the Northwest. In 1885 he was elected a member of the London Mathematical Society, anil has received many marks of honor in recognition of his qualifications and his eIRciency as an educator. Professor Haynes is a believer in and a worker for Prohibition, and hopes that his whole country ma\- finally be blessed by its benign influence. ICHARD FOGG, farmer, is a fair reprcsent- V^/ ative of the industrial element of Hillsdale i/I^\V Count.y. He is of sturdy' English stock, and ^jwas born in Yorkshire, England, Oct. 21, 1809. He grew to manhood in his native countr}', where he learned the trade of cartwright, which, however, he has never made an^' practical use of. At the age of twenty-three j-ears he decided to emigrate to America, therefore, in the spring of 1831 we find him en route for Quebec. His stay in that city was short, his next stopping-place being Montreal. From there our subject proceeded to Fulton, Oswego Co., N. Y., where he remained three or four j-ears, engaged, first in building canal boats, and subsequently as a millwright. In 1835 Mr. Fogg turned his steps westward, and coming to this Stale secured work in Manchester, Washtenaw County, as a millwright, and assisted in building the first flouring-mill of that place. The next season that work was repeated in Jackson County, the town of Concord, where he assisted in the erection of a similar structure, the first in that place. He fol- lowed that trade for some years, and during the lime assisted in building thirteen mills in Southern Michigan. In 1842, desiring to establish himself permanently, where he could enjoy the comforts of a home, Mr. Fogg came to Hillsdale County, and purchased IGO acres of land on section 19, Scipio Township, where he settled and has since resided. As mistress of his household, our subject installed a most estimable j'oung lad^'. Miss Ann Welbourn, to whom he was united in marriage in White Pigeon, Mich., Feb. 8, 1844. She was born in Yorkshire, England, March 3, 1818. and came to the United States with her parents in 183(1. 'J1iey landed in New York, and proceeded by the Erie Canal and lake to Detroit, and from there to AVhite Pigeon by wagon, the latter part of their journey consum- ing nine days. By their union Mr. and Mrs. Fogg have become the jjarents of two children — William T. and John F. William married a Miss Delbridge, of Albion, and they reside in Scipio Township; John F., who resides in Fayette Township, married Miss Anna Sheldon. Since becoming possessor of his farm, Mr. Fogg has erected substantial and commodious buildings, and made many other valuable iuiprovenienls, hav- ing now 100 .acres of his land cleared, which yields him rich returns for his labors. In the pursuance of his chosen occupation our subject has used good judgment and skill, and has shown himself to be an able and practical farmer. He is now passing his declining years in the enjoyment of a competency, which he has secured by prompt and careful atten- tion to business and unremitting toil. His good wife, who, during the long 3ears of their wedded life, has faithfully labored by his side, is now shar- ing with him the recompense of their work. By the people among whom they have lived for so man}' years they are truly respected and esteemed for their m.iny sterling traits oi character. In poli- tics the Republican party finds in Mr. Fogg an earnest advocate of its principles. ENJAMIN B. WELLS is one of the sub- ' stantial, well-to-do citizens of Allen Town- ship, who has for many years actively assisted in the maintenance of the farming interests of Hillsdale Count}-. His father, Alexander D. Wells, was a pioneer of Southern Michigan, and at one time quite an extensive land-owner in Allen Township, of which he was an early settler. He w.is born in England, and came to America at an early day. He married Miss Julia Bishop, of Con- necticut, and they first settled in New York, near the beautiful Lake Champlain. They subsequently 4 *r it^ ■•► 988 HILLf^DALE COUNTY. removed from Washington County to Cohocton, Steuben Co., N. Y., where thej' lived for eleven years. The father of our subJL-ot was of an adven- turous, enterprising disposition, and not being quite satisfied with his surroundings in his home in New York .State, he determined to see if life did not hold something better for him in the forest covered lands slowlj- being opened up for settlement in the southern part of the Territory of Michigan. Accord- ingly, in 1833, he started on the then toilsome jour- ney to this part of the country, accompanied by his wife and cliildren. On their arrival here they set- tled in the township of Raisin, Lenawee County, where they remained until 1837. In that year Mr. Wells decided to make still another move, ha\ing been attracted by the many advantages of Hillsdale County, and coming to Allen Township, he pur- chased here a large tract of wild land, comprising 345 acres, and with his family made his permanent home in this place until his death, which occurred Sept. 16, 1854, aged fifty-seven. lie was a man of much ability, keen foresight, and by his persistent labors did his share in developing Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties. His worthy wife died at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Julia Forster, in Litchfield Township, June 28, 1876, aged seventy- two years. They were the parents of six girls and four boys. The subject of this sketch was the second son born to his parents. His eldest brother was killed by a stallion in Allen Township. He (our subject) was born in Camillus, Washington Co., N. Y., Dec. 30, 1820. He was thirteen years of age when he came with his |)areuts to Michigan, and seventeen years old when he accompanied them to Hillsdale County. He obtained a common-school education, as good as was afforded in those early days. He grew to a stalwart and energetic manhood, amid the primitive surroundings of his pioneer home, in the then wild and uncivilized state of this part of the country, so that it has been his good fortune to witness the wondrous development of Southern Michigan from n forest covered, swampy land to one of the richest and most prosperous agricultural and industrial re- gions of the country, second to none in religious, educational or social advantages. Mr. Wells has been a resident of Allen Township for over half a <■ — — — century, and has always devoted himself to agricult- ural pursuits. His fine farm in the northern part of Allen Township, on section 3, once formed a part of his father's old homestead. It comprises 105 acres of valuable land, under an admirable state of tillage, with neat and comfortable buildings, and many other valuable improvements, all betokening the utmost care and skillful management on the part of the owner. His prudence, clear-sighted business policy, and close attention to his duties, have made our subject very successful in his chosen career. Mr. Wells was first married to Miss C^ntherine Kelly, daughter of James and Catherine (Wood- ruff) Kellj', who were natives of Connecticut. After marriage her parents settled in New York State, where they died. She was born in June, 1824, in Connecticut. Being left an orjihan at a very early age, she fell to the care of Joshua M. Lindsley, with whom she came to Hillsdale when she was seven years of age. She was married to our subject in Allen Township. By that union seven children were born, whose record is as fol- lows: Mason B. is a conductor on the C. W. & M. R. R. ; Alton D. is an engineer on the W. R. R. ; Julia died at the age of eighteen; Abby is the wife of Charles Hawes; Byington is a resident of Jones- ville, Mich.; Herbert is station agent and telegraph operator on the C. & A. R. R. ; Catherine died at the age of nineteen years. The devoted wife and beloved mother departed this life in Allen Town- ship, Nov. 28, 1870. Mr. Wells was a second time married, in Allen Township, Oct. 14, 1872, his second wife being Amanda Kelly, a sister of the first wife. After a brief uiarried life she too passed away, her death occurring April 2, 1884. The third marriage of our subject, in Allen Township, took place Oct. 12, 1884, at which time he was united to Mrs. Emily A. Nellis, daughter of Jared and Emily (Stone) Tyler, and widow of David Nellis. She was born in Lockport, Niagara Co., N. Y., June 2, 1828. She had been twice married before her union with our subject. Her first husband was James Austin. Her second husband was born in Ridgeway, N. Y., March fi, 1820, and came to Hillsdale County when twenty years of age. He made his home in Allen HILLSDALE COUNTY. -•► 989 Township most of the time till his death, which occiirioc) Maicli 7, 1882. To liiiii and his wife were born two children — George (deceased) and William H. Mr. Wells has taken an honorable part in the administration of the public affairs of Allen Town- ship. He has held various local offices; has been Justice of the Peace for three years, and is still an incumbent of that oHice, and hiis been Road Com- missioner for three years. In his politics he is a stanch Republican, and also a firm advocate of Pro- hibition. In every respect he is a thoroughly good citizen and an upright man, in whom his fellowmen place implicit trust and confidence. 1^ "j^OHN P. KMENS, who for a period of twenty- two years has moved among the people of Wright Township, securing a large measure of their esteem and confidence, is the owner of a good farm on section 14, upon which he located when the soil was mostly in its original condition. Like many of the enterprising men of this section, he is a native of the Empire State, having been born in the town of Romulus, Seneca County, Aug. 5, 1833. He was reared, educated and married near the place of his birth, and resided in that local- ity until 18GG, engaged in agricultural pursuits. That year witnessed his arrival in this county, and he soon afterwaid purchased the land which he has since transformed into a valuable farm. Francis Emeus, the father of our subject, was born in Freeliold, Monmouth Co., N. J., March 9, 1807. and was the son of John P. Emeus, Sr., a native of the same State. The paternal great-grand- father of our subject w.as Peter Emens, whom it is believed was of English birth and ancestry-. The earliest record of him places him in Monmouth County, N. J., where he carried on farming until after the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, when his buildings were destroyed by tlie British soldiers. He continued a resident of that State, probably, until his death, and his son, John P., Sr., spent his entire life there. The father of our sul)ject continued in his native Stale until leaching his majorit}', and when starting out for himself proceeded to Seneca County, N. Y., where he began to till the soil and w.as married to Mrs. Anna (Roberts) McClelan, also a native of New Jerse3-, and born Feb. 18, 1802. Her parents were John and Rebecca (Phillips) Roberts. After marriage Mr. Emens and his bride continued to live in Seneca County until 186G, when they came to Michigan with their son, our subject, settling first in Prattville, but for the last two years the}' have made their home with their son, John P. Our subject, while a resident of his native county, was united in marriage with Miss Penelope Smith, Feb. 10, 1858. Mrs. Emens was born in the same town as her husband, on the 19th of January, 1836. Her father, Coe B. Smith, was also a native of Romulus, N. Y., and was the son of Gilbert Smith, of Orange County. The latter was the son of Henry Smith, whom it is supposed was a native of the same county, and it is known that he .at one time was an extensive land-owner. Subsequently, on account of signing notes for friends, he lost the larger por- tion of his property. His death took place in Orange Count}'. Grandfather Smith removed to Seneca County early in 1800. and was one of the pioneer settlers of Romulus Township. Upon Iiis removal he had a little capital of $500, and in com- pany with his father-in-law, purchased land there. The title, however, proved to be defective, and they lost the whole of it. Mr. Smith came to Michi- gan with Mr. and Mrs. Emens, and made his home with his children and grandchildren until his death, in 1871. The maiden name of the paternal grandmother of Mrs. Emens w;is Penelope Caton. She died in Romulus, N. Y., about 1841. The father of Jlrs. E. resided in Seneca County until 1866, then com- ing to Southern Michigan purchased, in company with Mr. Emens. a farm in Hillsdale County, which they operated together several years. Mr. Smith then disposed of his interest to our subject, and is now living in Hudson, Lenawee Count}'. His wife was in her girlhood Miss Fanny Hagaraan, and was l)orn in Seneca County. N. Y., April G, 1812. Her parents, Francis and Catherine (Waldron) Hag.a- raan, were natives of New Jersey and early settlers of Seneca County, N. Y., where they spent their last years. The motlicr of Mr.s. Emens died in v^ I 090 HILLSDALE COUNTY. r Wright Township on the ICth of March, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Einens have had born to tiiem eight children, namely: Minerva, wife of Clarence IL Johnson, residents of Wright Township, and who are engaged in fanning; they have one daughter, Bes- sie E. ; Famy Anna married Willis Johnson, and they are also farmers of Wright Township, and have one child, Clifford M. ; Coe F. lives at home and is a teacher, as were also Minerva and Famy; Addie, who is also a teacher, resides at home, as do Matie J., Ruble, Cora and Alfred J. Mr. Emens has given his children the benefits of a good education. Samuel Waldron, the maternal great-grandfather of Mrs. Emens, was a native of New Jersey, and the son of Francis Waldron, the son of Samuel Wal- dron. The fatlier of the latter, a native of Holland, and one of the nobility, was a Baron in his own right, and after emigrating to America settled in New York State, securing the grant to a portion of the land now included within the limits of New York City, wliere it is supposed he spent the last years of his life. The father of Penelope Caton, and the maternal great-grandfather of Mrs. P^raens, was a Baptist preacher, and also one of the pioneers of Seneca County. He also lost a large amount of property by the purciiase of land to which he could not obtain a clear title. He, however, recovered a part of his losses, and spent his last years in com- fortable circumstances in the State of Ohio. In politics Mr. Emens is a Republican. He has represented Wright Township in the Board of Supervisors four years, and is now one of the Di- rectors of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Hillsdale Count}'. He and his wife are members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. ,RIG. GEN. HENRY BAXTER was the third son of Hon. Levi and Lois (John- ston) Baxter, and a brother of the Hon. Witter J. Baxter, of Jonesville, Mich, (see sketch of Hon. Witter J. Baxter elsewhere in this work). Mr. Baxter was born Sept. 8, 1821, at Sidney Plains, Delaware Co., N. Y. His paternal grandfather, Levi Baxter, Sr.. was a Captain in the Revolutionary War, serving until peace was de- clared, while his maternal grandfather. Col. Witter Johnston, also served during tiio entire struggle. In 1831 Henry Baxter came to Michigan with his father, and settled at Tecuraseh, where he re- mained until 183C, and then removed to White Pigeon. In 1845 or 1846 he settled at Jonesville, where, in connection with his father, he bad an in- terest in a store and mill, which he conducted until 1849, when, in company with a number of other young men, he went across the plains to California, acting as Captain of this semi-military organization during their journej'. On his return in 1852 Mr. Baxter made Jonesville his home, and engaged in milling and other business until the commencement of the Civil War. In connection with Capt. S. B. Vroman and others he assisted in raising a company who were to choose their officers from their own number. Mr. Baxter was chosen Captain, and with the other officers of the compfiny. passed the spring of 1861 at the camp of instruction at P't. Wayne, Detroit. They were organized as Com- pany C. 7th Michigan Infantrj', and went into camp at Monroe, under Col. Ira R. Grosvenor; they left for the front on the 5th of September, 1861. The 7th Regiment was with Gen. McClellan during the entire Peninsular campaign, and was actively engaged during the battle of Fair Oaks. During the campaign Capt. Baxter was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and acted in this cap.acity in all its memorable battles. At the battle of Antietam he was wounded in the abdomen by a musket ball, and considering his case hopeless he remained in his saddle until exhausted, and was then borne off the field, as he supposed to die. The ball had, however, passed around the vital parts and lodged in the hip, and though it could not be extr.acted, his excellent habits and strong constitu- tion Ijrought him safelj' through. In December, 1862, Col. Baxter was on duty in command of the 7th Regiment at the battle of Fredericksburg. He volunteered to cross the Rappahannock, and dislodge the Confederate sharp- shooters from their works, so that Gen. Burnside's forces could throw pontoons across the river to at- tack the stronghold, but he was not permitted to lead his gallant regiment in that daring undertak- ing. After embarking his men and while standing r* 4 IIILLSDALK COUNTY. 991 in his boat, directing tiieir movements, he was struck in the left sh<)ul'ration to Hillsdale County, Mich., which oc- curred in 183C. They bought 158 acres of Land in Moscow Township, and made their home on the farm the remaining days of their earthly career, the mother's death occurring in the year 1860, and that of the father in 186G. They were the parents of nine children, four girls and five boys. Our subject, the fifth child of the family, was born on the 15th of September, 1819, in Erie County, N. V., where he passed his boyhood days. When his parents came to Michigan he was seven- teen years old, receiving his education in the com- mon schools of the day. On the 19th of February, 1843, he was united in marriage to Miss Betsey Ann McKercher, a daughter of Duncan and Kath- erine (Campbell) McKercher. Her father was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., and was a soldier in the War of 1812, but having been accidentally aiven poisoned food, he suffered for many years from the effects of it, which finally resulted in his death iu the year 1824. The mother was bom in Scotland, and died in the year 1830, aged forty- seven years. They had six children, three boys and three girls, two of whom died when young. Mrs. Rowley, the wife of our subject, was the youn-est of her father's children, having been born on the 23d of August, 1824, in Montgomery County, N. Y. She remained there until seven years old, and then moved with her brothers and sisters to Livingston County, N. Y. She attended the common schools and was fifteen years old when she came to Michigan with her brothers and sisters, in the year 1839, where her brother John, who was the guardian of the rest of the children, bought a farm in Moscow Township, on which they settled. Mr. and Mrs. Rowley are the parents of eleven children: Marion and John M., since deceased; Daniel D. ; Ransom A., deceased ; Horatio N. ; Dian- tha V. and Osman D., deceased ; Elizabeth A. ; Will- iam C, deceased; Josephine L. and James W.; the latter is decease.]. I>aniel D. married Miss Kranccs Haynes, and resides at Hanover; he is a dealer m agricultural implements, and has four children- Horatio H., Edith M., Josephine F. and Arthur V. Horatio N. is engaged in business at Hanover, .-vnd married Mary E. Finch, by whom he has one child —Elizabeth A. Elizabeth A. married Clarence T. Rogers, an attorney-at- law, residing at Sycamore, III. Josephine L. is at home. The children who survive in this family have received excellent edu- cations, Daniel D. having taken the classical course at Hillsdale College; Horatio, a graduate from the commercial department of the same college, and Elizabeth, who graduated with the degree of P. D. in the class of '83. She is also a graduate from Mrs. Noble's School of Elocution, of Detroit, in the class of '85. Josephine was a member of the class of '83 at Hillsdale College, but did not graduate. Mr. Rowley is the owner of 340 acres of land in Moscow Township, 100 acres in Crawfor.l County, and is also the owner of valuable village property in Hanover. He has left the care of his farms to others, and is now successfully engaged in the banking business at Hanover. When he was a young man of twenty-one years he wished to locate a tr.act of Government land in Kent County, but his parents refused permission for him to do so, and he reluctantly gave up his own plans and remained at home. Fortune has since smiled upon him, and. without self-conceit, he bestows upon Providence the honor of his success, though doubtless most of it is due to his own good management and splen- did business qualifications. Our subject must not only be remembered as a pioneer of Michigan who helped to subdue the forests and cultivate the land, but also as one of the foremost workers to the advancement of religion and temperance. To him is due the honor of hav- ing conducted the first barn raising in Moscow Township without the stimulus of whisky being given the workmen. He has cleared and improved his farms nicely, having constructed 900 rods of stone fence, also good houses and barns, which com- pare favorably with any in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Rowley are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, of Hanover, having been church members for forty-five years, and they are also strong a.lvocates of the temperance cause. At the breaking out of the war our subject was receiv- 994 HILLSDALE COUNTY. ing medical treatment in Chicago, and wiiile there it was that the first gun of the war was opened on Ft. Sumter. The last three years of the war he was Treasurer of the Soldiers' Fund of the First Con- gressional District of Michigan. He was originally a member of the Whig party, but upon the birth of the Republican party he voted for John C. Fre- mont. He has always voted and will continue to vote for principle and reform. At the age of twenty-one he was elected Constable, and since then has filled the office of Justice of the Peace, with credit to himself and his constituents, for many years. He has been five times elected Supervisor. He may well be gratified with the success that has uniformly attended lus business, and the esteem in which he is held bj- the residents of his community. M;i]_^ ON. WITTER J. BAXTER, A. M., sou of Levi and Lois (Johnston) Baxter, was born '/ at Sidney Plains, Delaware Co., N. Y.. 1 June 18, 1816. The Baxter and Johnston families were among the first settlers in the valley of the Susquehanna, and were strongly imbued with the pioneer enterprise and stanch patriotism which have won for that section an honorable place in our early history. The paternal great-grandfather of Mr. Baxter served during the entire Revolutionary War, enlist- ing as a private, and attaining the rank of Captain. Mr. Baxter's maternal great-grandfather, the Rev. William Johnston, was of Scotch-Irish nationality, and settled in Sidney Plains, N. Y^., in 1772 ; he died at Cobleskill, N. Y'., soon after the termination of the war. His son, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Ireland, and when sixteen years of age removed with his father to Sidney Plains. During the whole period of the Revolutionary War, in which he acquired the rank of Colonel, he served liis adopted country with unswerving devotion. In 1831 the subject of this sketch came with his father's family to what was then the Territory of Michigan, making a home first at Tecumseh, where they remained for five years, when they removed to White Pigeon, and thence, in 1848, to Jonesville. Mr. Baxter received his education in the common schools of Sidney Plains, N. Y., and Tecumseh, Mich., and at the branches of the Michigan Uni- versity in Tecumseh, White Pigeon and Detroit. The honorary degree of A. M. was conferred ujjon him by the university, and in 183C he engaged in teaching, spending a number of years in this voca- tion, and being at different times connected with several branches of the State University; he was for one year Principal of the Collegiate Institute at Ontario, Ind. In 1841, while teaching in Detroit, he commenced reading law in the office of Barston & Lockwood, and continued his legal studies with Zephaniah Piatt, then attorney of the State. He was admitted to the bar in 1844, and formed a partnership with Andrew Harvej'. which was main- tained for four years. During Mr. Baxter's resi- dence in Detroit, he was a working member of the Young Men's Society, and served upon its board as Director and President. In 1848 he removed to Jonesville, and entered into business with W. W. Murphy, the partnership existing until 1874. Mr. Baxter from its organization wiw a member of the banking firm of Grosvenor & Co., Jonesville, and was actively identified with the social, educational and business interests of that progressive town. In 1852 the subject of this notice was united in marriage with Miss Alice, daughter of Dr. Abraham and Clarissa (Holly) Beaumont, and o-randdaughter of Myron Holly, who will long be remembered as prominent among the earnest and uncompromising advocates of the abolition of American slavery. Dr. Abraham BeauuKjut was a contractor in building the canal through Lyons, N. Y. The family came to Monroe, Mich., and re- moved to Tecumseh in 1849, and to Jonesville in 1851. They made their residence in Jonesville, but at the same time Dr. Beaumont was Station Agent at Burr Oak, St. Joseph County, in this State, and died there March 31, 1852. His remains were brought back to Jonesville for interment. The widow survives, and resides in Iowa. The parental family of Mrs. Baxter included ten children, recorded as follows: Ellen is the widow of the late Hon. William W. Murphy ; Alice, Mrs. B.axter, was born Sept. 18, 1831 ; Sallie is the wife of Prof. J. M. B. Sill, Princii)al of the State Normal School at Ypsilanti; Gertrude is the widow of Wal- i -4* HILLSDALE COUNTY. tev Aikenl.ead. and resides in Louisiana; Myron H served during Ihc laie war, in wlncl. lie attained the rank of Colonel, and is deceased ; Oliver, who also served in the army, and Mary are deceased ; Mary H is the wife of Prof. A. S. Welch, of the Iowa State Agricultural Society, Elizabeth B. is the w.dow o Fr-ink li. Graham, and resides in Ypsilantu and Robert H. is a business man of Port Huron, this State. Hon Witter J. and Alice Baxter became the par- ents of four children, recorded as follows: Lev. Benjamin died in infancy; Nellie B. is the wife of George P. Peabody ; Walter M. died in Jonesvde, March 7. 188.5, aged twenty-eight years, and Wittei J Ir is Uving at home. Alice (Beaumont) Baxter, the'faithful and loving wife, the kind and indulgent mother, an.l the true and affectionate fr.end, de- parted this life April 2, 1872. She possessed ,n an nnusual degree both mental and personal attrac- tions, and her death was widely felt as an irrepara- ble loss. Hon Witter J. Baxter was one of the organizers of the Joint Exchange Bank of Grosvenor & Co., which was established in lSo4, first doing business ,„Kler the name of W. W. Murphy & Co. He was connected with this institution until 187/, when he disposed of his interest to his associates. Mr. Bax- ter was a very generous man, though h.s gifts to the poor were in most instances known only to the ,eeipients of his bounty. He was extremely liberal in church affairs, ..nd he contributed several thou- sand dollars toward the building of radroads, the cotton and woolen factories, and other enterprises which it was thought would add to the welfare of the town he called home. He invariably contrib- uted his share to every movement set on foot or the benetit of his community, and continued h.s .ood wo,k up to his death, which o---' ^"^ denly at his residence in Jonesv.Ue, leh. G, 1888. The funeral took place from the Presbyter.an Church in the afternoon of February 9, -f^^f^^ of the Knights Templars, and was la.gely attended by all classes, the business houses be.ng closed dur- i,;. the funeral service. His death was consnle.e. a m.blic loss, as that of a man whose place .t would be hard to fill, and friends and acquan.tances far and near united in tendering their heartfelt sym- pathy to the family in their bereavement. Connected from his boyhood with the Presby- terian Church, Mr. Baxter was ever a stanch ad- herent to its principles, and was well known as a faithful and efficient Sunday-school wo.ker. J.i 1857 he was appointed by Gov. Bingham a member of the State Board of Education, and was elected to the position for four conscotive terms of six years each, serving for twelve years as President He was Secretai-y of the State Board of Geological Survey from its establishment until his res.gnat.on, in 1881. Originally a Whig, he was connected with the Republican iiarty after its o.-ganization, and was unswerv.ng in his political alliliations. He was elected State Senator from the Ninth District for the biennial term beginning in 1887, and was durino- his residence in JonesviUe a member of the St'ate Agricultural Society, serving for one t«rm as President. He was an active member of the Masonic fraternity, having atUxined the degree of Kni-ht Templar. He also belonged to the I. O. O F In March, 1881, he was elected Sec.-etary of the State Board of Cor.ections and Chant.es. Cordially interested in Hillsdale County P.oneer Society, a.id in the State Pioneer Association, he was a member of each from the time of its o.gan.- zatio..,and in each as President rendered faithful service. ILLIAM H. CAN N IFF. George Stephen- son did n,ore for the world than he or the most sanguine of his colleagues dreamed would ever be possible. The commerce of the world would be an impossibility without h.s d.scov- ery an.l application. With this it is a miracle. Ihe preset sketch is a brief co.npen.lium of one who .s ',tncially connected with one of the great ra.lroads linkin- the Eastern market with the Western pro- duceiCandsofar as his intelligent ability allows, aids in producing the marvelous results of the WilUam II. Canniff, Division Superintendent of the La.ising Division of the Lake Shore & Michi- gan Southern Railroad, who makes his headq..arters 996 ■ •► ^ h HILLSDALE COUNTY. : -a vt at Hillsdale, is a native of this district, and was born at Litchfield on the 2-2d of October, 1847, and is the eldest son of a family of three children born to Lewis B. Canniff and wife, both natives of New York State. The maiden name of his mother was Matilda L. Hatch, who, like her husband, was born in Orleans County, in the above State. Not long after their marriage, however, they removed to Eaton County, Mich., which was their home from the year 1846 until, perhaps, two years later, when they removed to Hillsdale County, and made their home at Litchfield. Having some aptitude and desire toward mechan- ics, the father of our subject went into the mills near home, but later turned his attention to rail- roading, went to Lenawee Count}', and was em- ployed in what was then known as the Miciiigan Southern & Northern Indiana Railroad, and was sta- tioned at Clayton, acting as agent for several yeai's, but for the past twenty years has been living upon his farm near that city. Our subject attended the school at Clayton, and after completing its curriculum, entered the railroad service in 1863, being then about sixteen years of age. In 1865 he was appointed Station Agent at Trenton; in August, 1868, was promoted to be joint agent at Salem Crossing, and in August of 1882 was appointed trackmaster at Kendallwell upon the Air Line of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad; in December, 1879, was appointed track- master of the same road in another district, and in November, 1880, was promoted to his present posi- tion. The year following his appointment the company placed under his charge lines of the De- troit, Hillsdale & Southwestern Railroad, and some time later added to this the Ft. Wayne & Jackson Railroad. Upon the 1st of June, 1868, our subject was hap- pilj' married to Miss Grozelia Simmons, of Tren- ton, a lady of refinement and culture, and eminently fitted to occupy any position in life, whether in the home or in the larger circle of general society. This lady is the daughter of John Simmons, f^sq. This marriage has i)een happily fruitful in the birth of one son, and in him his parents center hopes of future success, and have been glad to watch the de- velopment of character, anil traits that point toward a noble manhood. He has been named Charles, and will doubtless wear it with honor and dignity. Socially, our subject is connected with the order of the Knights Templar, and by them most highly esteemed. This is equally true of his companion- ship and brotherhood in the Chapter of Blue Lodge. True manhood and nobility of character always de- mand and will receive admiration and respect from those whose regard is worth receiving. 38^ NDREW J. SPEER is one of the prosper- MIU\\ ous farmers of Fayette Township, whose ll\ position socially and financially, and whose eminent respectability and high moral char- acter require for him some mention in a volume of this description. His highly cultivated and fertile farm is situated upon section 32 of the above town- ship. He is the son of Henry T. and Abigail (Du- bois) Speer, both natives of New York. His father was born in Essex County, June 4, 1792; his mother in Ulster County, on the 30th of June the year fol- lowing. They settled in Seneca County of the same State upon their marriage, and continued to reside there until 1829, when they went to Michi- gan, and settled at Lodi Plains in Washington County, whicli was their home until their death. The mother of our subject died on the 30th of March, 1863; his father, April 20, 1867. Their family cir- cle included five sons and one daughter. Our subject was the j'oungest member of the family, and was born at the homestead at Lodi Plains on the 2d of September, 1837. He was reared ui)on his father's farm and was early initiated into the work incidental to such life, and which has be- come far from uncongenial to him, and he has made it his life occupation. What education he received was obtained in the common school of his native place, which was, however, very inferior to that which would be obtained to-day. Until the year 1872 our subject continued to make his home at Lodi Plains, but early in that year he removed to North Atlaras, Hillsdale County, where he purchased a farm known as the '-Cutler Farm," which is novv occupied for the most part by North Adams Village. Our subject operated *t ■^•- IIILLSDALE COUNTY. •J97 tliat farm for about four years, lint continued to live in North Adams till the year 1884, when he removed to Fayette Township, and there iiurcliased a property comprising 13G acres, in close proximity to the village of Jonesville. At Lodi Plains, on the 22d of April, 1857, Mr. Speer entered into a matrimonial alliance with Miss Sarah E. Ilamlin, a daughter of Oliver and Mary (Bailey) Hamlin, who was born near Danbury, Conn., where they were married and settled until the death of Mr. Hamlin. Jan. 7, 1844. Some time after the death of her husband Mrs. Hamlin be- came the wife of Joseph Ball, and still resides with her husband at Columbia, Jackson Co., 3Iieh. The mother of our subject, by her first marriage, be- came the mother of a son and daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Speer have had the happiness of see- ing three children born to them, grow up and de- velop characters which promise large returns in the high attributes of character, and proportionately satisfactory and successful lives. The names of Mr. Speer's children are as appended: Clarence E., Frank H. and Edith B. The eldest son is married to Jessie M. Farmer, and has a very pleasant and happ3- home in Hillsdale; this son is by profession a dentist. The other children are still at home. Our subject is connected socially with the Ma- sonic fraternity. He is not a man prominent in the political arena, but is at the same time diligent to perform to the best of his power every obligation as a citizen and patriot. For many years he stood in the ranks of the Democratic part3', but latterly, believing that the times demanded some such meas- ures as those proposed by the Prohibition party, he has had the courage of his convictions and joined that party. LBERT J. WHITNEY is a prominent far- mer residing on section '20, Litchfield Township. His father, Isaac A. Whitney, was boiii in Seneca Township, Ontario Co., N. Y., and his mother, Jane (Moore) Whitne}', was born in Phelps Township, Ontario Co., N. Y. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Washing- « ton Moore, lived in Massachusetts, and served in IT the War of 1812. The parents of our subject lived 1^ for awhile in Genesee County, N. Y., where they were engaged in farming until the fall of the year 18()G, when tlie3' came to Michigan, .settling in Hillsdale County. Here the father died, in the year 187C, aged seventy-one years, but the mother still lives with our subject, being eighty-two j'cars old. Our subject dates his ancestrj- back to the time of the "Mayflower," to the person of John Whit- ney, a Puritan, who left his home on Whitney street, Liverpool, and came to Massachusetts in 16.34. at the age of thirty-five 3'ears. In the immediate family of our subject there were nine children, all of whom lived to the years of manhood and woman- hood. His two brothers, Loran and Frank, enlisted in the Civil War, the former in the 18th Michigan Infantry and the latter in the Ifjlh New York Cav- alry. Loran was taken seriously ill and died in the hospital to which he had been removed. Frank died at Milan Prison, in Georgia, after having been transferred, confined and tortured in the following prisons: Belle Island, Andersonville, Savannah and Milan. Our subject, the youngest of the children, was born in September, 1847, in Alabama, Genesee Co., N. Y. He had two brothers who participated in the battles of the late Civil War. but who were permitted to return to their homes in safety. Wash- ington enlisted in the 11th Michigan and served for three years, and Ami enlisted with the 27th New York Infautrj' and served two j'cars. Albert was a boy of nineteen when he came to Michigan with his parents, and he remained with them until he was married, which event occurred on the 3lst of July, 18G'J. Mrs. Laura A. (Waite) Whitney' is a daughter of Joseph and Caroline Waite, her father having been born in Lima, N. Y., and her mother in New- stead Township, Erie Countj', of the same State. They settled in Crittenden, in which place the father followed the oecu[)ation of a farmer, and then com- ing West thej' lived for five years in Illinois, after which they moved to Michigan and settled in But- ler, Branch County. The ni(»ther died in New York, aged sixty-three years, and the father died in 1877 at the age of fifty-five 3'ears. They had two children — Cerrissa A. and Laura Ann. The wife of our subject was born on the 27lh of — >► > ^ 1 'I 998 HILLSDALE COUNTY. March, 1850, in Newstead Townsliip. Erie Co., N. Y., and wlien her parents came to Michigan she was not quite a year old. At the age of thirteen j'ears she began to work out for her living, which she did until she was nineteen years ohl. The edu- cational facilities being limited, and she iiaving to support herself, she was unable to attend school after she was fourteen years old. Our subject also received his education in the district schools of that time. He and his wife have been granted four chil- dren: Jennie L. ; Emma O., who died in infanc3'; Emmett A. and JNIabel E. ; Jennie is attending the Litciifield Union School, and will be a graduate in the class of '89; Emmett A. is at home, and Mabel E. is attending school. Mr. Whitney is the owner of eighty acres of farming land, and is industriously engaged in agri- cidtural pursuits. He is a member of the First Baptist Church, of Litchfield, a member of the A. O. U. W., of Homer, and has served seven years as School Director. He has enjoyed a reasonable amount of success in his business, and has won the respect and esteem of the residents of his community. He is strongly in favor of the strict enforcement of the temperance laws of the land, and is closely identi- fied with the Prohibition party. m ^T^lLMORE A. CAHOW, farmer, living on IJU] section 5 of Camden Township, occupies a l} ^ — --< / prominent place among the representative agriculturists of Hillsdale County. He is a native of the Buckeye State, born in Summit County, March 9, 1842. His father, David Cahow, was also a native of Ohio, and married Harriet Gleason, who was born in New York State, her ancestors, both paternal and maternal, being of New England origin, and probably early settlers of that section of the country. After marriage the parents of our subject located in Ohio, remaining there until 1850, when they removed to Michigan. They came directly to Hillsdale County, and became pioneers of Reading Township, buying the farm now owned and occupied by their son John. They were in- dustrious, hard-workingpeople, and by their energy and perseverance succeeded in clearing a fine farm from the dense forest covered land, which was in its primeval wildness when Mr. Cahow purchased it. Both he and his wife were noted fi)r their neighborly spirit, kind acts and wortliy deeds, and were well and widely known through this section of the county. Mr. Cahow had learned the trade of carpenter, and after coming to Michigan, engaged in it to a considerable extent, besides attending to his agricultural work. He was an enterprising man with progressive views, and assisted by all the means within his power the advancement of his community and his county. His death, which oc- curred in 1872. was a sad loss to Reading Town- ship, .IS well as to his immediate family. In religion he was a member of the United Brethren Church, always taking an active part in church work, and contributing liberally toward its support. His good wife preceded him to the better world, dying in 1857. She was a woman of rare Christian character, and an earnest member of the Methodist Church, and for years walked three miles that she might attend divine service. To her and her hus- band had been born five children, three of whom are now living, namely : John and Myron, residing in Reading Township, and Elmore A. The subject of this sketch was about eight years old when his parents removed to Michigan, and his subsequent boyhood and youth were passed amid scenes of pioneer life. His education was acquired in the schools of Reading Townsliip, and his practical knowledge of the different branches of agriculture was obtained at home, where he assisted his father in clearing and improving his farm. In January, 1862, inspired by patriotic motives, our subjecten- listed in his country's defense in Comp.iny G of the (J8th Ohio Infantry, as a private, but for gallant conduct was afterward promoted to the rank of Corporal. His regiment was organized Oct. 7, 1861, and mustered into the United States service Nov. 28 following. It was first placed under the command of Gen. Grant, but was subse- quently transferred to Gen. Sherman's division. Mr. Cahow did brave service in the Union army, serving faithfully until the close of the war, re-en- listing as a veteran at Vicksburg, Dec. 16, 1863. He participated in the following engagements: t >» mM ^ HILLSDALE COUNTY. 999 Ft. Donelson, M.arch 18, 1862; t-hiloli, April 7; seige of Corinth in Muy ; liikii, S« pt. '2\ ; Mclaniora, Oct. 5; Thompson's llill.Fcl). 3. 1SC3; Knjniuiid. Mny 12; Champion Hill, W.iy IG; Jnclison, IMay 19; Ft. Hill, June 22; Vicksburg, July 4; Mon- roe raid, July 21; siege of Atlnnla, July 21, 18G4; Big Shanty, June 10; Eu.'h Mountain, June 18; Kennesaw Mountain, July 4; Nickejack, July 10; Atlanta, July 22; Atlanta, July 28; Jonesboro, Sept. 1 ; Lovejoy, Sept. 3; Milledgeville, Nov. 15; Savannah, Dec. 21; Pocotaligo, Jan. 16, 18G,'); Saltcatciier Creek, Feb. 3; Orangeburg, Feb. 12; Fayctteville, March 11; Columbia, Feb. 17; Cheraw, March 3; Bentonville. March 19; Golds- boro, March 24; Raleigh, April 14; participated in the capture of Johnston's army, April 28, 1865. He was also at Ocanee Ferry, Broad Kiver Ferry, Kangaroo Bridge, Began Chitto and Meridian raid. He was honorably discharged from service July 11, 1865, and now receives a pension of $4 a month. After leaving the army, our subject returned to Hillsdale County, and Feb. 27, 1866, was united in marriage to Miss Maiy Shafer, a native of San- dusliy County, Ohio, born Jan. 16, 1848. Her father, the late John Shafer, was born in Pennsyl- vania, being of German descent. He married Sarah Huston, who was of New England ancestry, but was born in Ohio. Mr. Shafer's death occurred iu Michigan Sept. 5, 1880. and his widow, who sur- vives at an advanced age, lives in Three Rivers, Mich. This excellent couple were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living, the fol- lowing being their record: Samuel lives at Three R'vers; Adam is a resident of that township also; John lives in Kansas; Freeman and Clinton live .at Three Rivers; Sarah is the wife of Clark Rice, of the same place; Mary married our subject. Of her union with Mr. Cahow three children have been born: Freeman and Helena, and one who died in infancy. Two years after marriage our subject decided to make a permanent settlement, and looking about for a suitable locality. Camden Tt)wnshi|> seemed to liim a most desirable place, lie therefore purchased- the homestead where he now resides, and in the spring of 1868 took possession of it. Our subject has spared neither time nor labor in bringing his farm to its present fine condition, and his seventy- five acres of well-cultivated and well-improved land show him to be an adept in his occupation. His untiring energy and frugality, assisted by his good wife's able management of the household affairs, have been productive of good results which are everj'where apparent to the observer, and the career of our subject presents a striking exemplification of the success to be gained by any one, however poor in this world's goods, if persevering and at- tentive to business. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cahow are esteemed members of societ}', and give their aid and influence toward improving the intellectual, moral and material welf.are of the township. Our subject is honored and respected by his fellow- townsmen, not onlj' for his integrity and sterling wortii as a man and a citizen, but for his bravery and patriotic conduct as a soldier who fought well for his country. He is a valued member of the Eli Oliver Post No. 209, G. A. R., Montgomery, Mich., and has served as .Sergeant .Major of the post. In politics he is a.true Republican. ";i,UDSON A. CHURCH, who is well known throughout Whe.ntland Township and vicin- ity as one of the pioneers of .Southern Michigan, came to this county during its earl}' settlement and Ik-is since been closely iden- j tified with its agricultural interests. A native of AVayne County, N. Y., he was born Dec. 28, 1819, and h:is consequently nearly spanned his threescore years and ten. He comes of an excellent old famil^y, his parents being Lorenzo and Susan (Halleck) Church, and his p.aternal grandparents, Willard and .Sally (Davis) Church. Wilttird Church was a native of Connecticut, where he siH'nt his childhood, and when a lad of fourteen years was persuaded to leave the paternal roof and free himself from its natural restraints. He regretted this step, however, not long afterward, as he was captui'ed by sailors belonging to a British man-of-war, and he'd a prisoner for some time. Two years later, at the age of sixteen, he enlisted =^ i -4^ 1000 A HILLSDALE COUNTY. in the Revolutionary War, serving all tlirough the struggle and until the Colonists had secured their independence. Willard Church was a distant rela- tive of the noted Capt. Church who settled at an early d.ay in Connecticut — the Capt. Church who participated in King Philip's War. The Church family are of English ancestry, several members of the family having borne an honorable part in the Revolutionary War, and some of whom were pris- oners for the length of nine months on the British prison ship "Jersey," at the expiration of which time they were exchanged, and re-enlisted in the regular armj'. Grandfather Church, in 1842, left New York where he had previously settled, and made his way to the j'oung State of Michigan, where he took up his residence with his youngest daughter for a time, who was living in Whe.atland Township, this county. Later he left home to visit with a daughter in Oak- land County, this State, but died on his way home, aged eighty-five years. His wife, Sally, was also a native of New England, and spent her last 3'ears in Wayne County, N. Y., having died many years before her husband, at the age of sixty-five. They were the parents of nine children, of whom Lorenzo, the father of our subject, was the eldest of the seven boys. He was born in Ontario County, N. Y., March 2t), 1799, and remained with his father until twenty years of age. He was then married to Miss Susan Halleck. The young peoi>le took up their residence on the old homestead, and a few years later Lorenzo Church purchased a portion of this, and continued a resident there until his removal to Michigan in January, 1838. He came on horse- back, his family coming in June, 1838, as indicated above. He had visited the Territory in the summer of 1834 and located 280 acres of Government land, then returned home and waited until the country should become more fully developed. The father of our subject, upon his removal from the Empire State, disposed of all of his property with the exception of his household goods, and started on the journey via the canal to Buffalo, and by lake to Toledo, and from that then small town over the first railroad built westward to Adrian. Thence he proceeded by w.igon, and was two d.ays on the road from Adrian to Wheatland Township, this county. Tiie family took up their abode in a partially finished log house, and the father at once commenced to clear the land, and succeeded that first year in putting a few acres under cultivation. The mother did Irer cooking out of doors by the side of a log for about six weeks, using for an oven an old-fashioned reflector. The second year Lorenzo Church made very good progress in the clearing and cultivation of his land, and thirteen years later had nearly the whole in a productive condition. He was very active and energetic and a hard worker, not only for himself but in the community around him, assisting in the establishment of schools and the erection of school buildings. He officiated as Tovvn Clerk, was active in polities, and served as Justice of the Peace four years. He was a man whom ever)'body trusted and respected. Like his father before him, Lorenzo Church identified himself with the old Whig party, and upon its abandonment supported Republican principles. It is to just such men as Lorenzo Church that Hillsdale County is indebted for its present position among the communities of the West. A self-educated man, he fully realized the importance of knowledge, and by his own efforts became thor- oughly well informed and familiar with the various topics of the day. After a long and well-spent life he departed hence, June 27, 1851. Mrs. Susan (Halleck) Church, the mother of our subject, was born in Greene County, N. Y., Jan. 18, 1798, and married March 4, 1819, in Ontario County. She was of New England ancestry. Her father, Nathan Halleck, was a tailor by trade, and the parental household included a large family of children. Mrs. Church accompanied her husband to the West, and with him shared patiently and cheerfully all the hardships and privations of pio- neer life. She died at the home now occupied by our subject on the 1st of June, 1875. Judson A. Church, after the death of his father, assumed charge of the homestead, which was left to him as a portion of his lierit.agc, and the mother and children all lived there for some years. Frank Church, the youngest brother of our subject, has continued with him since that time, the two labor- ing together with a common interest. Judson A. was married, on the 24th of March, 1809, to Miss t T IlILLSDALK COUNTY. 1001 Caiolinc Liveniiofc, who was born in Ontario County, N. Y., Nov. 14, 1840. Iler |)arents. John and Mary (Martin) I^ivcrmore, were natives of New York, and long since passed awa}'. Tliey had a l';in)ily of eleven ehildrcn. Mrs. Church is a Iad\' greatly respected in her connnunity, active, earnest and intelligent, a de- voted niemlier of tiic Baptist Ciiurch, and has been President of its Home Missionary Society, with whicii she has been connected for years. She is also one of the Vice Presidents of the W. C. T. U., and is active in Sundaj'-school and temperance work. They have no children. Mr. F. G. Church is connected bj' niembershii) Willi the Baptist congregation, and uniformly votes the Kepublican ticket. He has held various local oflices in Wiieatland Township; was Postmaster for a [leriod of over ten years, and served as Township Clerk for live years; he is at present Assistant I'ostmaster and a .School Director in his district. For several yeai's he was Secretary of the Ceme- tery Association. He and his son-in-law, Mr. Wood- worth, have considerable capital invested in a store of general racrehandise at Church's Corners. The Church's Corners post-office occupied a room in the house of IMr. F. G. Church for a period of eighteen years. Frank G. Church was born in Wayne County, N. Y., Sept. 5, 1830. He continued with his mother after the death of his father until his marriage, and after bringing his bride to the old homestead, erected a house for himself, and still occupies a part of the land which his father took up from the Gov- ernment. His wedding with Miss Mary AYood was celebrated on the 20th of October, 18.58, at the home of the bride in Wheatland. Mrs. Mary Church was born May 6, 1838, in Columbia, Lorain Co., Ohio, and is the daughter of Seth and Lydia (Gates) Wood. Mr. Wood was born in Madison, N. Y., his wife in A'ermonl. Mr. Wood died Jan. 1, 1855; Mrs. Wood is still living. Of JMiss Wood's union with our subject there is one child only, a daughter, Mercia, who was born at the homestead in Wheatland Township, .Tan. 1, 1863. She was married, Sept. 28, 1881, to Mr. Livingston 1). Wood- worth, of AVhcatland, and they arc the i)arents of oue child, a son. Key C, l^orn July 1 :>, 1882. Mrs, Woodworth was given a thorough education, com- pleting her studies in the Adrian High School, and also received tuition for several terms. .She ofliciated as teacher one term before her marriage. The parental household of Mr. F. G. Church in- cluded ten children, Ijrothers and sisters, si.v of whom are living and all residents of Wheatland Township. T'liey are a family peculiar in their affec- tion for each other, and have always managed to keep together. They occupied the old log house first built on the land for manj- 3'ears, the present dwelling being built in 1881. Of the ten children the record is as follows: Mercia was born Maj- 18, 1824, and was married to Chancy Treadwell on the 3d of February, 1845; they are the parents of two daughters: Mar^', the wife of Bartlelt Bump, and the mother of a son and daughter; Susan marrieil Mr. James iMoreland, and is living in Adrian, Mich. ; Miss Sarah Church was born Feb. 15, 1826, is the wife of Perry Knapp. being married Sept. 28, 1848, and the mother of three children: Amanda M. was born Dec. 20, 1828, and w.as married, Dec. 3, 185(>, to John Clark; they have one son and three daugh- ters. The son married Miss Lydia Evans, and the daughter, Minnie, is the wife of Jerome AVitlicrill, of Wheatland. L3-dia was born Maj- 1, 1833, and died in California on the 23d of June, 1857; she was married, on the 1 2th of October, 1 853, to James Humi)hrcy, and became the mother of one daughter who died young; Jane H. was born Feb. 8, 1834, and died in Wheatland, Feb. 27, 1864; Bethia was born Sept. 26, 1836, and died July 29. 1837 ; Alonzo W. was born March 4, 1838, and was married to Miss Helen A. Potter, Sept. 19, 1865; they have two children, a son and daughter. JIary II. was born May 17, 1840, and died June 3, 1812. eHARLES F. WADE, the subject of our sketch, is the son of James H. Wade and grandson of John Wade, a native of Ireland, who emigrated to America in 1842, .'md with his family of six children, four sons and two daughters, settled on a farm in the township of Litchfield; he subsequently removed to Joncsville, where lie re- .sidcd until his death, which occurred in 1872. His ■» I 1002 HILLSDALE COUNTY. wife, whose maiden name was Mary Parker, died in Jonesville in 1863. James IL Wade was tlie fiflli child in order of hirth of his parents' family-. He was born in 183o. His early life was spent npon the farm in Litciilield Township, and he received a common-school edu- cation in tlic neighboring schools. Upon leaving the parental roof he obtained a clerliship in a drug- store in Jonesville, where he remained until 1852, when he was seized with llie "gold fever," and took the overland route to California for the purpose of raining, but on reaching the Golden State lie went immediately into the service of a liydraulic water company as agent and collector, and a part of the time was engaged in surveying. He returned to Jonesville after an absence of four j'ears, and en- gaged in the dr3- -goods trade under the firm name of Babcock & Wade. In 18G5 we find Mr. Wade in the hardware busi- ness, in company with Silal C. Baker and his brother, William W. Wade. In 1871 he disposed of the business and was appointed agent of the Ft. AV., J. tk S. R. li. Co., and at the same time was engaged with his brother William in the grain business; he was thus employed until February', 1883, when he was appointed Secretary and Steward of the State University, at Ann Arbor, Mich., which position he still retains. While a resident of Jonesville, James II. Wade was alwa3's identified with every effort introduced for the good of the community; he was chosen President of the villiage, was Supervisor of the township, and held other local offices. For four- teen years he was a member of the Board of Edu- cation, and took an active interest in all measures inaugurated for the promotion of the cause of edu- cation. He was a member of the Presb3'-terian Church, and for several years served the society as Trustee and Elder; he is also a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, and of the A. O. U. W. James H. Wade was united in marriage, in Jones- ville, in January, 1859, with Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of Thomas and Anne (Dickson) Sibbald, who was born in the township of Allen, in 1841. They became the parents of three children: Charles F.; Bertie, deceased, and Gertrude S., who is now a student at the State University, Mrs, Wade, like her husband, is a member of the Presbyterian Church, a highly respected Christian woman, zeal- ous in all good works. Charles F. Wade, the subject of this sketch, was born in Jonesville, May 9, 1860, and was educated in the common schools of that village. In 187'J he accepted the position of cleikand bookkeeper in the dry-goods house of J. A. Sibbald 7 Rarkdall, Daniel 559 Barker, James 386 R.arkman, Mrs. Ellen. 439 4» Barnes, Amos 416 Barniim, W. G 886 Barry, John S 113 Rassett, J. H S16 Baxter, Andrew A 536 Baxter, Henry 990 Baxter, Hon. Levi 067 Baxter, Hon. Witter J 994 Bean, Alonzo B .-•■■75° Beatiie, James 573 Beatty, J. T 248 Beckhardi, David 5^7 Beer, William 495 Begole. Josiah W 169 Belcher, William H 795 Bcmcnt, Oliver S 575 Benedict, T. W 204 Benson, Lorenzo 491 Bcntley, C. A 500 Hentley, George W 453 Bentz, Emanviel 898 Berleen, Paul S91 Beriy, R. J 494 Berry, Thomas 583 Bibbins, Amaziah 563 Bingham, Kinsley S 137 Bishop, H. 1 741 Bishop, William 562 Black, M D 550 Rlackman, A Rlair, Andrew 558 RIair, Austin 145 Blurton, Jonathan 244 BoaU, John 451 Boone, James 203 Booth, Eli L 565 Borton, Rev. J. P 415 Row, Horace 538 Rradley, Renjamin C 307 Rranch, Walter R 411 Brandon, George 414 Brewster, E. C 4?9 Brockway, B. W 858 Brockway, T. N 865 Brooks, R. H 360 Brown, Dr. A. R 370 Brown, Avery 564 Brown, Cornelius 421 Brown, George J 773 Brown, Immanuel .... 39? Brown, Jonas 4^9 Brown, Joseph C 577 Rrown, Lemuel D 537 Rrown, Parley 613 Brown, W. E a?© Bruen, Charles H 420 Bryan, William 409 Bryant, Ira N 5»2 Buchanan, James 75 Buchanan, W. T 957 Ruck. Albert B 552 Buck, E. D 59^ Ruck, Hon. J. J 570 Hunting, David P 865 Burgan^S. R 745 B urges, Arnold 375 Burnett, W. E 5^7 Burns, James A 884 Burroughs. Ambrose M 427 Bushnell, A. K .746 Rushong, Andrew 217 Rutton, James W 5*^ Butts, A. T sCi^ Cahow, Elmore A 998 Camburn, Jacob K 852 Campbell. E. C 590 Canniff, W. H 995 Card. Ira B 69^ Carncross, J. A 275 Carpenter, W. A 869 Carr, Henry T 7»7 Carruthers, Robert 606 Carruthers, Robert R 695 Carter, Edward E 829 Carter. William 680 Case, William 847 Case, William N 233 Case, Willis 616 Champlin, Hon. Elisha P... 685 Chapman, H. B 706 Cheney, Paschal 57^ Childs, W. B 266 Church, J. A 999 Clark, David C 789 Clark. Mrs.C.C 7i5 Clark, Vrtlentinc 7*9 Clarke, John 263 Clemans. Dr. Asa 37» Clement, Ch ristophcr 743 Cleveland. S. G rover 103 Cobb,D. T 643 Cohn, Moses 6S9 Colburn. Harvey 2*5 Cole, Samuel 833 Collins, N. R 635 Coman, Lncian B 7<» Coniar, F, M 71-^ Concer, D. J 665 Conklin, Dorr 896 Con ley, John 2^8 Converse, R. E 271 Convis. Philo D 667 Cook, James 634 Cooper, James C 6^9 Cooper, William W 827 Cope, David 873 Copp, Rev. John S 796 Coryell. Charles R 702 Cortright. C. C aiS Cortwright. T. C 810 Couzens, Abraham 725 Cox, Hon. Robert i... 657 Cox, Robert M 191 Crane, Albert 845 Crane, Asa L 842 Crane, D. P 791 Crane, Hon. .\. H 223 Crane, W. W 720 Crapo, Henry H 149 Crawford. Stewart 811 Cioswell, Charles M 161 Crow, Jesse 303 Cunningham, P 739 Curtis, William S 617 Culler, George W 983 D Daley, John 874 Darling, R. L 580 Davies, Edward 630 Davis, E. C aOq Davis, L. R 53O Davis, Solomon 959 Day, Almon 954 Day, Willard F 2.17 Day, Wilson 58^' Day, Winslow H ji/S Deal, Jacob J 487 DeRow, J. A 928 Dennis, James I 636 DePue, A. F 6to Derby, Daniel J 240 Deuel, Alfred 622 Devillc, Stephen 777 Dickinson, Andrew J 648 Dillon, James K 74' Dillon, Joshua 493 Diimars. Dr. W. R 483 Divine, D. D 981 Divine, Jamc; .750 ■ ► 11 ^^ INDEX. ■'1 Divine, Hon. Joseph 764 Divine, William, S24 Donaghy, W. W 585 Doty, Silas 856 Dow, M. E 854 Downer, S. B 784 Drake, W A 545 Drinker, R. W 600 DnBois, A. C 443 Dunn, Rev. Ransom 584 Dunn, Simeon 820 Dnnton, Eben H 782 Dtisli, Franklin 973 E Eddy,H. H -.273 Eidenier, H. W 246 Ellis, Stephen W 480 Ellison, James C 294 Emens, J. P 'gSe Emerson, G. L 878 Emerson, M . D . . 878 English, A. H 49= Evans, James 756 Everett, R. A., M. D 277 Ewing, Henry McKendree. .312 Ewing, William J 724 Falley, John W 240 Fast, lonathan 714 Fekh, Alpheiis 117 Field, Daniel 610 Field, John 661 Fillmore, Millard 67 Finch, O. D 732 Fisher, Benjamin 944 Fitch, John 646 Fitzsimmons, George R 806 Fitzsimmons, J. F 960 F'itzsimmons, U. C 767 Fleming, Andrew B 922 Floyd, R. U .529 Fogg, Kichard 987 Folger, H. \V 9ro Foote, E. B 461 Fooie, George W 838 Foster, John S 690 Foiist, Edwin 695 Fonts, Charles 704 Fowler, Col. Frederick 730 Franklin, Benjamin - 885 Freed, Henry H 880 Freed, James W 797 Freer, Alexander 801 French, John 888 French, William 874 Frishie, Abraham 462 Frisbie, John L • • . .266 Frilts, John 710 Fuller, Freeman 222 Fuller, S. 804 G Gaige, P. S 744 Gamble, Edward 394 Gardner, John G 368 Gardner, Leroy T 907 Gardner, Ransom. 359 Garfield, James A 95 Gates, IsaacS 402 Gibhs, Isaac H 727 Giiibs, Lemuel 895 G id ley. James H 857 Gier, Dr. Frank M 694 Gilbert, Michael 265 Gilbert, Mrs. Jane 668 Gilohrest, J. H 384 Glasgow, John 688 Glasgow. S. W 383 Glasgow, William 395 Cleason, Eleazer 271 Godfrey, Alfred 846 Goodrich, Edgar 682 Gould, Albert 392 Graham, Hon. Jonathan B...g43 Grant, U. S 67 Gray, George 792 Gray, Henry 771 Gray, John 474 Green, M. W gro Green hoe, John 377 Greenly, William L 121 Grosvenor, E . O 390 Grosverior, Hon. E. O 185 Guggenheim, Levi 726 Guise, Henry 72S Guy, O. F 378 H Hadley, Simon H 938 Hall, Marvin E • • -917 Hall, Mrs. Louisa 568 Hall.Seth 641 Halleck. John 786 Hambhn, W'ard 659 Hancheit, James M 319 Hancock, J. A 866 Harding, George D 322 Harding, S. S 195 Harrington, L. W 531 Harris, Ira 748 Harri';, Mrs. J. W 498 Harrison, William Henry 51 Hart. Ciilbert Z 572 Hart, Harmon 341 Hart, Samuel 533 Hartley . William 502 Haskell, John B 582 Haskell. S. A 511 Hawkins, r)r. W. B 536 Hawley, Levi 229 Hayes, Rutherford B gi Haynes, A. E 986 Hay nes , M rs . L 793 Hecox, William 393 Henry, Horace 478 Herring, John 331 Herrin^j. W'illiam A 318 Hess, Joseph 411 Hesse, E. R 348 He wett. Philander 464 Hewitt, Hon. Alexander 334 Hibbard, R. D 514 Hickerson, Thomas 433 Hicks, George W^ 675 Hicks, William 463 Higley, Harvey 541 Hile, William 250 Hill, Myron E 252 Hill, Robert 530 Hilton, John 338 Hoag, L. J 862 Hoard, Andrew 230 Hodges, A.J 471 Hollo way, F. M 619 H opk ins , Perry 788 Hopkins, S. D 645 Houseknecht, W ilson. 346 Houtz, John E 468 Howard, B. B 199 Howard, Goodwin 189 Howard, L. A ., M. D 902 Howe, Jared B 516 How land, Gilbert 343 Howiett, Thomas 542 Hoxie, James 497 Hubbell, Joseph B 224 Huggett, Edward. 470 Huggett, Silas \y 4>8 Huggett, William 429 Huggette, Richard 278 Hughes, William 488 Hunt, Mrs. Meriah 940 Hursh, Jacob 465 H uston, Alexander 347 Huston, James 609 I IngaUbee, Henry - ■ • .907 J Jackson, Andrew 43 Jackson, Samuel P 889 Jackson, Warren 903 Janes, Hon. O. A 684 Jefferson, 1 homas 27 Jerome, David H 165 Jerrells, Harvey E 786 Johnson, .Andrew 83 Johnson. Calvin 815 Johnson, C. C, M. D 686 Johnson. S. E 898 Jones, Walter R 699 K Kane, John 447 Kay, James 888 Keefer, H. M 839 Keith, M. S 638 Kellogg.T. H 738 Kelly, Daniel A 822 Kelsey, Camp 660 Kenyon, Albert 951 Kenyon, M. H 812 Kerr, -Samuel B 506 Kesseiring, G. L 607 Kesselring, Mrs. Elizabeth ..574 Kester, George 601 Kidder, W. R 818 ^ Kles, Alonzo 496 Kies, D. C 937 Kies, Eugene 473 King, John F 467 Kinne, Hon. Daniel 899 Kinne> , George 602 Kir by, James K .454 Kirkwood, JohnS - 412 Kllngensmith, C. P 435 Knapp, Perry 837 Koon, H.J 614 Kroh, Daniel B 652 Kunkle, W^illiam 434 L LaFIeur, A. B 984 Laird. Jonas.. 935 Lake, Erastus 776 Lamb, Morris 709 Lambert, J. W go*) Lane, Henry So? Langdon, Henry C 463 Lawrence, Edmund 716 La;;enby. Thomas 349 Leavitt, Ralph 913 Leonardson, James 946 Lewis. John S 231 Lickly, George W 676 Lickly, William 697 Lincoln, Abraham yg Lindsey. Robert -705 Linsday, J. B 975 Lockwood, V. H 933 Lords, William L 945 Lovejoy, Samuel... 200 Luce, Cyrus A 177 Luke, Joseph L 927 Lyon. Henry 947 Lyon, Set h W 711 Lyons, David M gi6 Lyons, William T 930 M Mackey, Montgomery 965 Madison, James 31 Maples. C. A 876 Marvin, John 861 Mason, R. B 956 Mason, Stephen T 105 Masters. N. R 814 Mathias, Henry H 535 Maxson, Howard A 803 Maxson, Man ley M 365 Mayer, Christian 651 McBain. John F 964 McClelland, Robert 129 McCowan, Mrs. H McCrecdy, James M 639 McDonough, John 504 McDougall, Andrew 955 McDougall, James 905 McDougall. James 553 McDougall. John 666 McDougall, Robert 671 McEnally, Capt. C. P 289 McFarland, A. F 210 McGee, Harvey 268 McLouth, John 259 4^ t INDEX. McNabb, Daniel 9" McWilliam, John G 9"' Meigs, Cnpt. I-ucicn =20 Mciss, Johnson 9'* Mcijs, Morton 580 Mercer, William ^u Mercer, William W 887 Meredilh , 1 homas 863 Merrill, VVilli.Tni H 629 Mickle. Judge John 94^ Miller, Hon. 1 ''3 ■Miller, John 909 Miller, John 99' Miller, Mrs.Phebe S"' Miller, Russell D *f"i Mi'ls,D. H 534 Mills, James 595 Miner,C.K ^37 Miner, Luther 734 Mitchell, Hon. C.T 9=0 Monroe. George C 4'7 Monroe, James ^5 Montgomery, T.C 940 Montgomery, Hon. Wm. R...647 Montgomery, \V. R 211 Moore, Albert 9*3 Moore, Dr. E. E 9<« Moore. F.nos S^o Moore, J. E 52* Morey, Chester 24a Morey, William H 5*9 Morford, Garret .'-28 Morgan, Samuel 848 Morton, Benjamin 655 Mosher, Asa P 9=7 M oshcr, George W 849 Mosher, Dr. George W 893 Mosher, Hon. Charles 525 Moss, lienjamin K 1003 Mumford, E. C. L 9*9 Murray, D. E 2>9 Osborn, John M... Osius, Charles P.. O.venham, Kobcrl. 255 444 596 Murray Myer \V. H . .362 , W.H 285 N Nil.lacli, William P 79? Nichols, Robert L 605 Nicholson, Franklin 4^6 Nickerson, S. .^ 587 Noble, J ames 45° Norris, Byron 853 Norris, Jason B... 280 Norris, Joel B 45* Northrnp, C. L 625 Norton, E. P 860 Nutten, Fayette 524 Nutten, George 448 Nutten, Mrs. Sarah J 532 Nye, NeUon P 794 o Oaks, S. H 382 Oberst, Frank 782 O'Hanlon, Thomas 749 Oldfield, S. A 286 O'Neil. James 30» Orr, Samuel 774 Osborn, John C 479 Packer, Hon. Henry 624 Page, John T 663 Palmer, A. E 3'o Palmer, C.G t^' Palmer, W. H 489 Parker, C. M 800 Parmelee, Hon.L. S 7*6 Parsons, Andrew t33 Patrick, .Austin .\ 284 Patterson, Robert C 664 Payne, Dr. Charles E 859 Pearce, Abner W 825 Peirce, J. W 687 Perry, Myron ^S* Person, James 758 Pettis, William S 894 Pfau, Earnhardt 747 Phillips, A 665 Phillips, Henry L 774 Pierce, Franklin 7t Pixley, Hiram 503 Polk, James K 59 Pomroy, Hon. E. A 703 Pope, Alexander 879 Powers, Hiram M 455 Pra:t, Daniel L 872 Prentice, A. B 883 Prentiss, Albert 689 Preston, W. F 778 Proper, George W 897 Proper, Leonard 882 Prouty, Harvey N 760 Pnlver, Frank R 723 Pulver.J. H 698 Pulver, William 7"4 R Ranuey, I-ucius 871 Ransom, F.paphroditus 125 Ransom, William M 3.35 Raplee, A.J 718 Raymond, John M 35» Reckerd, A. B 35' Rctler, Hoberl 798 Reynolds, .Andrew 389 Reynolds, Barney 272 Reynolds, ElonG 308 Reynolds, Lorenzo P 323 Riblet, Samuel 972 Rice, John L 353 Rice, W. H 372 Richards, Judge Willard 333 Richards, Mrs. Harriet .\ ... 213 Richardson, Thomas J 757 Richtmyer, Peter 345 Rickerd, Alanson B 351 Rickerd, L. H 336 Rideout.A.C 982 Ridout,*;. H 829 Riehm, George 355 Riggs, J H 336 Riggs. John J *9' Rising, A. M 835 Robertson, C. G 7" Roche lie. Benjamin. 281 Rogers, Kli B 363 Roode, W. W 332 Root, Hiram 790 Root. John P 349 Rool.Libctis H 33' Ro»ley, H. N 992 Rowlson, H. B .679 Rozell, Charles 35* Salmon. Robert 561 Sampson. J. B 369 Sarles. Garry '99 Saunders. E 976 Sawdey, Calvin 326 Sawyer. W. H 643 Schafer, Henry C07 Schermerhorn, C- D 283 Schermerhorn, W'illiam S 385 Schrntt, George 828 ScovelLMrs. LovinaR 8yO Sebring, Volney A 958 Seeley, Peter 368 Selfrid;e,J. A 330 Shafer, Joseph 324 Shaffer, Gilman B 260 Shancour, William 413 Shanks, S. J 3'4 Shannon, John V 449 Shattnck, E. A 923^ Shearman, J. H 396 Shepard, Charles A. 561 Shepard, L. A 206 Shepard, P. B 809 Sheriff,S. I' 3'7 Shook, Phillip 3*8 Sibbald, J. A 545 Siddall. Dr. William 291 Slane, P. J 830 Slocum, Charles A 382 Small, Alfred 699 Smith, A. A 843 Smith, Capt. Gustavus F 398 Smith, Edmund J 804 Smith, Hon. George A ;68 Smith, Joel 7*9 Smith, L. J «4i Smith, Samuel M 816 Smith, SethH 393 Smith , Warren 9'8 Smith, W. H 309 Soulhworth, J. 1 260 Southworth, Roscius 7*3 Speer, Andrew J 99* Sprowls, John *93 Stall, James 3" Stanfield, Edmund 592 Stanton, Luflus L 640 Stearns, John M 3" Stevens, George P 264 Stewart, F. M 296 Stock, F.W 435 Stone, James 7'9 Stone, John 75* Stone, Theron D 783 Stone, Thomas 784 Stookey, B. F 632 Storer, L. H ."O Storms, Archibald 914 Stout. Jefferson 237 Strait, Reuben 834 Stratton, Joseph 452 Strayer, Christopher 934 Strong. Dr. B. G 570 Strong. Jabin 424 Sturdevant. Warren 977 Sturges, Mrs.Jerusha 981 Sutton, Robert B 403 Swift, Charles E 96' T Taber, P. B 6*2 Tanner, Edwin 470 Taylor, J. F S41 Taylor, ihomas B 423 Taylor, Zachary *3 Terpening, William 234 Thacher. Israel *54 Thomas, William E 421 Thomas, Zimri D 683 I'horn, Thomas D 65* Thorp, Haley M 247 Tiffany, .Andrew J 868 Timms, Daniel *44 Timnis, John 485 Travis, Jeremiah 63' Treadwell. Mrs. MarciaC 342 Trunible, George R 549 Tuller,H.W 45' Turner, Horace *" Turney, Harvey M 39' Turrel',n. N 74' T urrell , Nelson 522 Tuttle, A.J 458 Tyler, John 55 u V n.lcrwood, W . A '93 Upwood, Wilson P 472 Van, Marcvis 752 Van Allen, Dan C 932 VanBuren, Martin 47 Vandcrvolgan, H '87 Varnum.F.G 97o Van Valkenbnrg, E 547 Vincett, J. A 484 Voorhes, John W 725 Voorhes, Marvin S =7* Vreeland, N. G 3'* Vrooman, William 3*o w Wade, Capt. W. W 192 Wade, Charles F 'ooi Wade, Isaac 40O Wade, J. J «' — ■» Wagner, J." E eo8 WaIdron,C. W 971 Waldron, Hon. Henry 881 Wales, Lewis 925 Walker, George D 486 Walls, A Ibert 780 Walworth, H. S 867 Ward, Horace M 931 Ward, Trowbridge 357 Warner, Homer 195 Warren, Dr. H. M 367 Warren, Hamilton 5og Warren, Rev. William S 232 Washington, George 19 Waterman, J. A 973 Walk ins, Charles 589 Watkins, John M .-364 Watklns, Dr. L. R 446 Way, A. D 9*0 Way, Mrs. Eiipheinia ■J74 '^ A dams, John . . . .22 I'Adams, John Quincy 38 ' Algcr, RusseU A 172 - Arthur, Chester A 98 ■ Bagley, John J 156 Baldwin, Henry P 152 Harry, John S 112 ■ Begolc, Josiah W 168 Bingham, Kinsley S 136 Blair, Austin 144 'Bradley, B. C 306 K Bryan, William 408 Buchanan, James 74 B urges, Arnold 374 Weatheringron, Edward 1112 Weaver, Horace 978 Webb, B. L 338 Webb, Joel 851 Welden, Clark W 428 WelU, A. G 370 Wei ls» Benjamin B 9S7 Wells, CO "....350 Wheeler, Mrs. Augusta 755 White, Benjamin 384 White, C. P 759 White, Orlando 754 Wh itchead, William 358 Whithornc.R. H 659 Whitmore, A. B 612 Whitmore, Henry W., M. D..613 Whitney, A.J 997 Whitney, Jonathan... 192 Whitney, W 578 Whitney. William G 893 ^^ Whitten, John 216 Wickes, Israel 781 Wigent, F. S 925 Wight, Ira T 915 Wilbur, Smith 823 Wilcox, Mrs. Sarah 560 Willets, Moses 761 Williams, Alex.inder F 380 Williams, G. G., M. D 257 Williams, R. W 325 Williams, Zebulon 817 Wilson, A. S 979 WiUon. Mrs. Martha 771 Wilson, William 354 Windsor. J. W 196 Winfield, Joseph 430 Wisner, Horace 603 Wisner, Moses, 141 Wolcott, Luther E 753 Wolcott, Stephen H... ... . 942 ^ ^, n^ ^ oco "1 Chapman, H. E . .705 ^ Cleveland, S. Grover 102 I Crapo, Henry H . . . 148 ; Croswell, Charles M 160 ' Day,Willar(^ 236 ■ Felch, Alpheus 116 - Fil'more, Millard 66 i Garfield, James A 94 , Grant, Ulysses S 86 Greenly, William 1 120 Grosvenor, Hon. E. O 184 ' Harding, George D 322 Harrison, Willi im H 50 Hayes, Rutherford E 90 Jackson, Andrew., 42 -Jefferson, Thomas 26 * Jerome, David H 164 Johnson, Andrew 82 • Lincoln, Abraham 78 *" Luce, Cyrus. Gray 176 •' Madison, James 30 • Mascn, Stephen T 104 McClelland, Robert 128 ^McEnally, C P 288 '-'Merritt, William H 628 ' Mitchell. C. T 920 ' Monroe, James 34 ' Osborn, Hon. J. M 254 Wolcott, William L 477 Wolf. George P 956 Wolf, John G 916 Wood, Levi 404 Wood. Myron G 941 Wood bridge, William log Woods, Henry W 901 Wood wo rth , L . D 971 Woolsey, Mrs. Sarah A 486 WooNton, Levi 936 Wright, Elizur - . .1002 Wright, Joseph A S50 Wyllis, Hon. G.C 379 Wyllys, Thomas H 258 Veagh^y, S. W. Parsons, Andrew 132 ■ Pierce, Frankin 70 ■Polk, James K 58 - Ransom, Epapliroditus 124 t-Rowlson, H. B 678 VSarles, Garry ic^S ^ Sibbald, J- A 544 Taylor, Zachary 62 ■ Tyler, John 54 ' Van Buren, Martin 46 ' Washington, George if> *^Watkins. L. R 447 Wisner, Moses 140 AWoIcott, W. L 476 Woodbridgc, William.. 108 5 DuEois, A . C 442 Mills, James 594 *--] Shepard, L. A 207 •1 Hart, Harmon 340 0.venham, Robert 594^ St. Anthony's Church 831 Haskell,. S. A 510 *■! Parker, C. M 225 ^,1 Taylor, J - I Way. A. D. ■ 225 '■ .gio . ._.^-:'^^5, ,^ 247 -f V ' • ^ . 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